Texas Standard

What’s behind the recent surge in food recalls?

Texas youth prisons go on lockdown after assaults on correctional staff, with one official saying young detainees are “becoming more violent and more aggressive.” We’ll hear about the effects of the lockdown and what happens next. Why are we seeing a surge in food safety concerns and outbreaks of illness in Texas and other states? We’ll dive in and share some steps on staying safe. Source

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Virtual public schools expand across Texas

How rising childcare costs and shrinking funds to help families is costing the state dearly, and why some fear a change at the federal level could make things worse. Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico’s flooding the airwaves with ads. Meanwhile, striking silence from his Republican challenger. Is Ken Paxton just keeping his powder dry in the weeks before elections, or is this a… Source

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Judge appoints monitor for migrant children detained in Texas

A federal judge orders answers to the question of why families are being held so long at a detention center in South Texas. We’ll have the story. After a state takeover of schools in Houston, officials tout rising scores for schools, but are those grades being artificially inflated at the expense of students themselves? We’ll hear about an exclusive investigation by the Houston Chronicle. Also… Source

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California/Texas surrogacy case tests abortion and parental rights

At what some have described as Texas’ flagship university, the University of Texas at Austin, a proposed change in core requirements for graduation. We’ll delve into why now and what it means. In a North Texas city, some backyards are said to be disappearing with every new rainfall. We’ll hear about what’s happening in Arlington and what can be done. Also, a surrogate mother comes to… Source

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New developments in Big Bend border wall fight

Border construction in Big Bend National Park is paused — for now. We’ll have an overview of the damage done and what’s next. Texas received billions from a federal program meant to help provide high-speed internet to underserved communities. But why is it pausing new projects? Texas is home to the largest detention camp in the country. A year after the opening of the detention facility at Fort… Source

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State ratings put Austin schools at risk of Texas takeover

The report cards are in — not for students, but for Texas public schools, inching some districts closer to a state takeover. We’ll have details and more. Paxton v. Roblox: Why the Texas attorney general — and Republican senate candidate —has put a popular gaming platform in his legal crosshairs. Also, what some describe as a little like Bitcoin with a “Come-and-Take-It” attitude: Today… Source

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Mike D’Antoni talks NBA coaching career ahead of Hall of Fame induction

Tens of thousands of Texas families who received state money to send students to private schools are giving it back. We’ll explore why. Texas cities are watching the back and forth between the Trump administration and the courts over a federal program critics say could put thousands of Texans at risk for re-entering homelessness. John Cornyn and James Talarico have come out against imminent… Source

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Migrant children held for months at Texas detention center

Children are being held in Texas detention centers far longer than legal limits allow. We’ll have a check-in on the immigration crackdown. People and politicians have rallied around their dislike of data centers. What does this PR problem mean for tech companies? We’ll check in on why an El Paso project might not be affected by Gov. Greg Abbott’s new data center regulations. It’s been nearly a… Source

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Corpus Christi voters to decide Fair Water Amendment

In Corpus Christi, residents succeed in getting the Fair Water Amendment on the November ballot. We’ll delve into the details of what’s in the amendment and what comes next. A look at how Flock Safety cameras are tracking vehicles and why there’s a backlash statewide. Plus, Texans love their pickup trucks — and there’s more to love as the vehicles get bigger. But larger sizes potentially mean more… Source

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Border wall could cut access to Porvenir Massacre site

The Trump administration wants to revamp Head Start. How the changes could cost the state and impact teachers. President Trump has ordered changes to federal childhood vaccine recommendations, but the executive order does not automatically change requirements for Texas schools. Law enforcement says Flock cameras that read license plates help solve crimes. But in Houston there are growing… Source

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The Texas goth scene builds a culture beyond the music

President Trump says the governor’s pause on data centers is a mistake. What it means as the industry pushes to expand. Supporters of the state takeover of Houston public schools tout it as success for overall student achievement. But critics say it’s come at the expense some high-achieving students. Does a strategy for managing rapid economic growth in North Texas offer lessons for… Source

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How Texas farmers are looking to revive cotton demand

New details are emerging about the first year of Texas’ school voucher program. We’ll explain who received the vouchers and why critics still have questions. Texas cotton-growers are facing rising costs and falling demand. Our own Michael Marks looks at a new effort to revive one of the state’s signature crops. Austin Sketch Fest returns for its 17th year, featuring headlining acts like Saturday… Source

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Big Bend border wall construction poised to begin

New reporting is raising questions about State Rep. James Talarico’s voting address. We’ll explain what it found and why it matters. Construction crews have arrived inside Big Bend National Park as plans for a new border wall move forward. We’ll hear the latest from reporters on the ground. Could stores be charging you a different price than someone else? We’ll explain how the practice works and… Source

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Texas A&M professors sue over race and gender teaching rules

Texas A&M professors are suing the university system over restrictions on teaching about race and gender identity. We’ll discuss the legal challenge. Some Latino voters in Texas who supported Donald Trump in 2024 say they’re reconsidering that decision ahead of this year’s midterm elections. We’ll hear what’s driving the shift. The American Red Cross has declared a national blood supply… Source

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Gov. Abbott pauses new Texas data centers for state audit

A look at why Sen. John Cornyn decided to back President Trump’s choice for Attorney General, Todd Blanche, after all — and what’s next. Also, why Gov. Greg Abbott has hit the brakes on any new data center projects for now. Plus, the late U.S. Rep. Kay Granger’s enduring legacy. And plans are underway in Austin for a new housing development for victims of human trafficking and children fleeing… Source

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Texas backtracks after wrongly flagging voters as noncitizens

A voter purge is being rolled back in Texas after some eligible voters were wrongly flagged as potential noncitizens. We’ll discuss what happened and what it means ahead of the midterms. Also, for recent college graduates across Texas, the job market can be a difficult reality check. We’ll look at why landing that first job is proving tougher than many expected. Plus… Source

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Revisiting ‘Out of the Blue,’ 60 years after the UT Tower shooting

Columbine. Sandy Hook. Santa Fe High School. Robb Elementary: Touchstones for a sense of shared tragedy. School shootings have become a part of modern life, but what do we remember of the event that opened this chapter 60 years ago? On Aug. 1, 1966, a sniper climbed to the top of the University of Texas Tower, opening fire on an unsuspecting public below. No one had any way to make sense of it. It was an event so unthinkable at the time, many of those who lived through it only started to share their stories in recent years. Today: A special edition of the Texas Standard, “Out of the Blue: 60 years after the Texas Tower shooting.” The post Revisiting ‘Out of the Blue,’ 60 years after the UT Tower shooting appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Laredo’s drag performers and allies navigate changing landscape

Texas public radio stations teamed up to tell the story of what happened after the July 4, 2025, floods — then deadly storms hit again. A conversation on how “After the Flood” updated its coverage. After years of being legal, possessing products containing Delta-8 is about to be a felony in Texas. We’ll have a look at how we got to this point. A state sales tax break for data centers may be costing the state billions. We’ll go over the debate in the Legislature over whether it should stay in place. Plus, the chilling effect of a Texas law regulating drag performances. Our multimedia journalist tracked the impact in Laredo. And if we told you railroad vine was blooming in Texas, where would you guess those flowers were popping up? We’ll tell you about these blooms that thrive in intense heat and direct sun. That, plus a wrap of the week in Texas politics and more. The post Laredo’s drag performers and allies navigate changing landscape appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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A peek inside a Texas wolf sanctuary

A new poll has James Talarico up five points over Ken Paxton in the race for U.S. Senate. We’ll have a look at how money and scandal could factor in. Texas shifted a lot of foster care responsibilities to third party contractors about a decade ago — but now, many have closed their doors. We’ll find out what we can learn from a key example. There’s a civil war of sorts going on at a Houston megachurch. We’ll share a look at what a recent ruling means for a congregation’s right to control church business. No matter where you are, data centers are one of the hottest topics in Texas right now. But what exactly are they? We’ll dig in. And we’ll take you to a Texas sanctuary for wolves and wolf dogs — and dispel some myths. The post A peek inside a Texas wolf sanctuary appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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Floods delay Corpus Christi water emergency until 2028

Heavy rains replenished reservoirs and helped Corpus Christi delay a water emergency. We’ll explore how city leaders will use the extra time. Also ahead: Concerns over data centers cross party lines in rural parts of the state. Democrats are using the issue to win over some Republican voters. Plus, the latest “Map the Meal Gap” study shows Texas has the largest number of residents coping with food insecurity. We’ll delve into the details. And you’ve heard of the SAT and ACT… What about the CLT? Why supporters want this test included as an option to college entrance exams. The post Floods delay Corpus Christi water emergency until 2028 appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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