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Texas Standard

Coverage of politics, lifestyle, environment, technology, innovation and money matters from a uniquely Texas perspective.

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Episodes 67

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Yesterday · 49 min
Big Bend border wall worker camps raise concerns in West Texas
A border wall cutting through Big Bend is on hold, but something connected to the wall still has many locals unsettled. This week saw a debate between candidates hoping to represent what is geographically the biggest congressional district in Texas, and the stakes for both parties are high. Texas Public Radio’s David Martin Davies tells us more. Also, the week in politics with the Texas Tribune. Source
- Chapters
Thursday · 49 min
What a Democratic governor could mean for Texas
The last time a Democrat served as Texas governor was decades ago. Is that about to change? For years, politics-watchers have all but dismissed the prospect of a Democrat being elected governor in deep-red Texas. But polls suggest the closest gubernatorial race in recent memory between incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott and challenger Gina Hinojosa. Two veteran political analysts consider the potential… Source
- Chapters
Wednesday · 49 min
New UT poll shows unusually tight statewide races
A new poll from the Texas Politics Project suggests the Republican winning streak in the Lone Star State faces its toughest test yet. It’s cotton picking season in Texas. Scientists studying wild cotton and its ancestral origins hope older genetic traits could eventually strengthen the varieties farmers plant today. And: One of the most durable sayings about Texas pride gets a reality… Source
- Chapters
Tuesday · 49 min
South Texas congressional race tests GOP gains with Latino voters
What’s next for Camp Mystic as a judge rules wrongful death lawsuits filed by parents can move forward. Republican Monica De La Cruz is seeking a third term in Texas’ 15th Congressional District, where Democrat Bobby Pulido, a Tejano singer and first-time candidate, is challenging her. The South Texas race will test whether recent Republican gains among Latino voters can hold. Source
- Chapters
Monday · 52 min
How Corpus Christi’s desalination push landed it in hot water
New details from a deposition more than a decade old shed light on how Ken Paxton has amassed his wealth. Could they rattle the tight Texas U.S. Senate race?A new military push for AI, and an outsized role for Texas. Why some say the process is moving too fast.San Antonio’s Fiesta will look different in 2027, with its longtime Night in Old San Antonio canceled. What’s changing and what could come… Source
- Chapters
October 9 · 49 min
Texas singer-songwriter Israel Nash on his reimagined “Sweetheart of the Rodeo.”
President Trump’s performance in the Rio Grande Valley surprised many observers of the 2024 election. But was that that the start of a trend, or just a blip on the political radar? A new professional sports league is hoping to spur new interest in an ancient practice. The Sumo Championship League’s first-ever event is happening this weekend outside of Austin. Vincent Valdez has spent… Source
- Chapters
October 8 · 49 min
Could Bo French racism controversy hurt other Republicans on ballot?
Texas school districts appear increasingly suspicious of STAAR test results graded by a computer system. We’ll dig into what’s going on. Republican candidate for railroad commission Bo French recently drew criticism from many in his own party for comments widely labeled racist. We’ll look at the potential impact on the rest of the ballot. Texas leads the way in the number of recent ICE arrests… Source
- Chapters
October 7 · 49 min
PossAble Dream looks to inspire high school dropouts in the RGV
The midterms are just around the corner and we’re watching several competitive races in the Texas House. We’ll have details on some of those races. A botched execution in Tennessee is having immediate impacts in Texas. A look at why the 2009 Fort Hood shooter will be executed by firing squad. Meanwhile, there’s a push to spiritualize the military. We’ll share a report about the creation of a… Source
- Chapters
October 6 · 51 min
Are Texas Democrats really poised for statewide wins?
With less than two weeks to go before the first in-person early votes are cast in the midterms in Texas, great expectations are rising among Democrats here and nationwide with polls and pundits alike predicting big gains. We’ll break down the what, where and why. So stressed or frustrated you just want to scream? Welcome to the club: The Dallas Yell Club. We’ll hear what that’s all about. Also… Source
- Chapters
October 5 · 49 min
What to expect as the Supreme Court reconvenes
The first Monday in October means the U.S. Supreme Court is back to work. We’ll have an early look at the docket, what Texans should watch for and more. A red-hot congressional race in a huge district — a contest between YouTube gun rights supporter Brandon Herrerra and child rights advocate Katy Padilla Stout — is drawing a lot of attention. We’ll explore why the race for the 23rd is so… Source
- Chapters
October 2 · 50 min
Texas governor’s race appears to be competitive
Remember redistricting in Texas? The plan was to try to secure more surefire wins for Republicans. Now we’re seeing some surprises. We’ll have the details today. And another political surprise possibly in the making: The governor’s race, initially not expected to be much of a battle for Gov. Abbott, is forcing many to reconsider. We’ll hear more. Also, do public libraries have a return on… Source
- Chapters
October 1 · 50 min
Houston voters weigh marijuana enforcement priorities
In Texas’ biggest metro, Houston, a vote looms to tell police whether to deprioritize marijuana cases. But even if it gets the green light, will it make a difference? Also, the latest on an alleged threat on the Texas capitol and a possible change of heart over a border wall in the Big Bend region. Where things stand on the push to get police connected to AI. Tech expert Omar Gallaga tells us why… Source
- Chapters
September 30 · 50 min
Toadies get personal on first new album in nearly a decade
If you’ve consumed any media with commercials lately you know why the race for U.S. Senate between Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico has become so expensive. We’ll dig into the details. With the election now just weeks away, it’s worth making sure your voter registration is in order. A backlog is affecting a lot of Texans. We’ll walk you through how to fix things. Source
- Chapters
September 29 · 48 min
Federal changes narrow Endangered Species Act protections
The remnants of Hurricane Polo are expected to bring heavy rainfall and possible flooding across much of the state. We’ll have the details. It’s been a year since a gunman opened fire at an ICE office in Dallas. We’ll hear from the wife of one of the victims — a man who was in ICE custody. Plus, the Endangered Species Act protects animals from extinction. Now, the Trump administration’s… Source
- Chapters
September 28 · 51 min
The New Wild West: Texans on the AI Frontier
Artificial intelligence is developing fast, and if you think it’s impacting life now, just wait. This is a special edition of the Texas Standard — “The New Wild West: Texans on the AI frontier.” What happens when you press that return button in ChatGPT? We’ll follow the energy-intensive requests. We’ll also explore the life-changing benefits AI can offer, and we’ll weigh that against privacy… Source
- Chapters
September 25 · 51 min
Texas voter registration backlog leaves thousands of applications unprocessed
Tens of thousands of unprocessed voter registrations were never forwarded to county officials for processing, leading to chaos and questions. If you registered to vote through the DPS, such as when you were updating your driver’s license, you may want to check with county officials who are now working through a backlog of forms they should have received long ago. We’ll talk to the reporter who… Source
- Chapters
September 24 · 51 min
Why Texas became a magnet for massive data centers
Last year’s tragedy at Camp Mystic moves into the realm of criminal investigation, with search warrant requests by the Texas Rangers. As many Texas communities try to push back on more data centers, they often find local officials can’t do much. How did Texas find itself in this position? What new studies are revealing about the connection between AI and what robots will do… Source
- Chapters
September 23 · 51 min
The latest on the ICE shooting in Austin
A shooting involving immigration enforcement is under investigation in Austin — and it’s sparked protests. Also, a federal judge has ordered Texas to air condition every state prison by the end of 2029. We’ll look at the years-long fight over extreme heat behind bars. Houston’s new homeless services center in East Downtown has been open for about three and a half months. We’ll hear how the… Source
- Chapters
September 22 · 51 min
Texas prison program trains incarcerated women to transcribe braille
Do data centers help local economies? The largest one is under construction in West Texas and could provide some answers. Also, we’ll get an update on the ICE shooting of Wilber Rafael Garces Perez in Austin and take a look at the use of deadly force by ICE on city streets across the country. Plus, the struggle to pay for childcare in Texas. Texas Standard reporter Sarah Asch takes us to a Texas… Source
- Chapters
September 21 · 49 min
‘Deep in the Heart 2’ explores the rivers and aquifers that sustain Texas
Another ICE shooting in Texas, this time in the Texas capital city on Sunday. Also, what could be an important week of speeches and negotiations in New York. UT’s Michael Mosser joins the Standard with more on what to look for, and what’s at stake at the UN general assembly gathering. With much of the UN focused on current conflicts, we’ll hear how an expansion of the war between the U.S. Source
- Chapters

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