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March 31, 2023

Will Texas ban the death penalty for people with severe mental illness?

By: David Brown

Thirty million people now call Texas home, but new numbers tell a story of uneven growth across the Lone Star State. Which areas are gaining and which are slipping as the Texas population continues to grow?

The Texas Standard’s Sean Saldana has details on a push to outlaw the death penalty for those with severe mental illness

The rising cost of living in Texas is hitting tacos, too. But what’s with a $5 difference just five blocks away? Likely more than meets the mouth, says taco journalist Mando Rayo.

Plus the week in politics with the Texas Tribune and the Typewriter Rodeo.


Episodes

October 9, 2025

Texas school closures raise tough questions

Public schools across Texas are being put to the test. From Fort Worth to Grapevine, Austin to San Antonio, we’ll look at how communities are reacting – and in some cases, pushing back – on plans to shutter schools and shuffle the map for many students.Also, a big fight over redistricting with huge consequences – […]

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October 8, 2025

Texas taps vendor for school voucher rollout

A billion-dollar school voucher program is coming to Texas, but the company running it is based in New York. What that means for families.A Texas father convicted of killing his daughter faces execution in less than two weeks, but new evidence is raising serious doubts in the case of Robert Roberson.New World screwworms: The parasite […]

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October 7, 2025

Legal battle brews as Texas National Guard is sent beyond state lines

The Texas National Guard is being sent beyond state lines. We’ll unpack what’s driving the deployment and the legal battle brewing around it.The ICEBlock app, designed to alert users about ICE agents nearby, has been pulled from app stores. Critics are calling it a violation of free speech.Years after the pandemic lockdowns, what do we […]

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October 6, 2025

Houston megachurch faces legal revolt

A University of Texas professor says Congress has gotten so good at frequent government shutdowns, finding the political will to get back on track could be an obstacle in itself. We’ll take a closer look. Nearly two weeks after the deadly shooting at a Dallas ICE facility, investigators say the motive may be more about […]

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October 3, 2025

Amarillo startup wants AI to go nuclear

A Texas congressional redistricting fight enters the courtroom, with both sides taking different positions from those taken earlier. The Texas Newsroom’s Blaise Gainey with more on the start of what’s expected to be a nine-day federal hearing over new congressional maps.The most polluted air in Texas? We’ll hear why a Houston community may have a […]

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October 2, 2025

Talarico leads early in Democratic primary fundraising

The U.S. invasion of Grenada. The U.S. invasion of Panama. As the U.S. builds up a major military presence in the Caribbean, Katrin Bennhold of the New York Times talks about Venezuela and what she sees as the growing specter of regime change.The latest on the federal government shutdown and what it means for vital […]

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October 1, 2025

How the government shutdown impacts Texas

The federal government is officially shut down. What does it mean for Texas, and what happens next in Washington?Also, the Supreme Court opens a new term and major rulings are ahead. What can we expect from the nation’s highest court over the next few months?And wildfire risk is climbing as the state swelters through record […]

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September 30, 2025

Court weighs Texas redistricting fight

A court battle is set to begin over the newly drawn congressional maps. At stake is whether they go into effect for the 2026 midterm elections.The Texas Newsroom’s Blaise Gainey joins us to talk about the recent rise in political violence.Have you heard of 7-OH? It’s the latest drug cropping up at convenience stores. Now […]

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