For the first time in more than a decade, there is no incumbent in the race for one of the most powerful – and often contentious – posts in Texas. Incumbent Attorney General Ken Paxton is not running for reelection, and now seven people are vying for his office. Eleanor Klibanoff of the Texas Tribune joins us with a preview of the upcoming battle. Also, a new study says more than half of Texas parents haven’t heard of education savings accounts, sometimes called school vouchers. We’ll see what t...
Nov 17, 2025•51 min
No matter where you are, you’re in for a treat as we broadcast from the biggest city in the Lone Star State. We’re coming to you from the studios of our partners at Houston Public Media, the latest destination in our yearlong waltz across Texas marking 10 years on the air. Today, we’ll explore Houston’s rise to become the nation’s newest global city. Also, a mission to tell the true story of the first female astronauts, the Houston Chronicle with a new list of the top Houston restaurants, a take...
Nov 14, 2025•51 min
The deal to reopen the federal government included a ban on intoxicating hemp – potentially undoing measures taken by the Texas Legislature last session. Houston’s 9th congressional district is among those most affected by redrawn political maps. We’ll take a trip there to explore the impact. Corpus Christi is trying to shore up water supplies. What city leaders are considering. Apple wants to keep you connected, even on a hike in a remote place. How they might accomplish that. Plus, both Ken Pa...
Nov 13, 2025•51 min
Healthcare subsidies were a central issue that led to the federal government shutdown. Now that a deal is in the works, what happens to them? We’re still waiting to hear from courts on whether new Texas district lines will be in place for the 2026 election. We’ll dig into the potential impacts in Houston. In Austin, voters turned down a property tax increase. What does that mean now for the city’s budget? Plus, the challenge of envisioning a truly bikeable Dallas. Those stories, a political push...
Nov 12, 2025•51 min
A few Democrats join Republicans in an effort to end the federal shutdown. We’ll have details. Families of girls killed in the July 4 Hill Country flood sue Camp Mystic. Car-dominant Texas needs more public transit to meet future needs. So says a new report from TxDOT. And on this Veteran’s Day, the Voces Oral History Center pays homage to a helicopter pilot who served in Vietnam. Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can support this p...
Nov 11, 2025•51 min
Signs of a possible temporary end to the federal shutdown, but closer to home concerns are growing that Texas is running out of water. The Texas Tribune employed artificial intelligence to answer some Texans’ water concerns, but there are limits. We’ll hear from two Tribune reporters who are trying to fill in the gaps. The U.S. race for uranium: Why Texas is finding itself at the center of it. We’ll also talk with a member of SNL’s Five-Timer’s Club now on tour across Texas: Comedian John Mulane...
Nov 10, 2025•51 min
Cancellations across the nation are putting many air travelers in limbo. KUT’s Nathan Bernier joins us with an update of how flight cancellations brought on by the federal shutdown are affecting the nation’s busy air traffic system – with a particular look at the impact here in Texas. Also, why Texas is likely to be the state hardest hit by increases to Affordable Care Act health care premiums. Plus, the Standard’s Shelly Brisbin with the impact of a cutoff of Digital Equity Act funds, the week ...
Nov 07, 2025•51 min
At stake? Prices for consumers, billions in business activity, and the scope of presidential power. A Texas perspective as the U.S. Supreme Court takes up the case against President Trump’s tariffs. The Wall Street Journal says “Amazonification” has come for Texas-based Whole Foods. A look at what that means. Look! Up in the sky! Is that thing still legal? Texas drone pilots are closely watching talk of new restrictions. Tech expert Omar Gallaga tells us what’s up. And Texas director Richard Lin...
Nov 06, 2025•51 min
Texans said yes to all 17 proposed state constitutional amendments. What’s that mean now? We’ll also dig into some select local results from across the state, including an update in the race to fill the U.S. House seat of the late Sylvester Turner. The Trump administration recently announced a new cap on the number of refugees that the U.S. will accept in the upcoming year. What’s that mean for the big picture? Plus, an El Paso woman concerned about her neighbors who rely on government food assi...
Nov 05, 2025•52 min
1 in 4 immigration arrests are happening in Texas under the Trump administration. We’ll take a look at the statewide crackdown. It’s Election Day. One constitutional amendment that funds a new Dementia Prevention and Research Institute for the state’s aging population is on the ballot. A look back at our top 10 author interviews as the Standard continues celebrating a decade on the air. Plus, a new cookbook from Chef Adán Medrano focuses on the plant-based recipes that have deep roots in Mexican...
Nov 04, 2025•51 min
A federal court orders the Trump administration to prevent the Supplemental Food Assistance Program (SNAP) from lapsing. What happens now? A trial is set to begin this month against defendants for their alleged roles in the July 4 shooting at an ICE detention center in Alvarado. Why this may be a playbook for prosecutions now that Antifa has been designated a terrorist organization. Public school districts trying to comply with new laws against DEI and sexual content in books are turning to AI w...
Nov 03, 2025•52 min
SNAP food assistance benefits are set to run out at midnight, and across the Lone Star State, food banks are bracing for unprecedented demand. How Texans can best help their neighbors in need. Of the 17 constitutional amendments to be decided by Texas voters, at least four go straight to the heart of a major effort to transform Texas into a world-class business and finance hub. With Election Day fast approaching, we’ll hear what’s at stake. Texas author Fernando Flores discusses his new novel, “...
Oct 31, 2025•52 min
With 17 constitutional amendments on the ballot next week, state officials are reminding Texans what to expect at the polls. We’ll talk with the Texas Secretary of State’s Office about dos and don’ts while voting. Both Austin and Houston are facing financial strain, but their solutions couldn’t be more different: One wants to raise taxes, while the other wants to hold the line. Austin DJ Laurie Gallardo, host of the podcast “SPF 1000: Vampire Sunscreen,” discusses Latinx goth culture, its roots ...
Oct 30, 2025•50 min
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s lawsuit against Tylenol could trigger a wave of government-led litigation over claims about a highly questioned link to ADHD and autism. A year after Michelin first arrived in Texas, the coveted dining guide has released its latest list of awardees. But what does the honor actually mean for local chefs and their businesses? Bats are heroes for Texas farmers, eating insects that threaten crops like pecans. Michael Marks takes us to an orchard near Lockhart. A n...
Oct 29, 2025•52 min
As the federal government shutdown drags on, the impact grows worse. From food benefits to trade, what it means for the Lone Star State. Texas does not have regulations for police pursuits, and some end in deadly crashes. What can we learn from Minnesota, where accountability rules offer a potential model for reform. Immigrants with college degrees often still struggle to find work that matches their training, but adult education programs across Texas are helping these professionals reconnect wi...
Oct 28, 2025•52 min
Texas voters are deciding on 17 proposed amendments to the state constitution – including one to dedicate a portion of state tax revenues to funding water projects. We’ll take a closer look at Proposition 4. There are growing concerns among military families as the federal shutdown continues, with no clear end in sight. East Texas is seeing a surge in mineral mining as companies explore new lithium deposits. And: How Bonnie Parker’s niece has spent decades trying to have her aunt buried alongsid...
Oct 27, 2025•52 min
First responders in Kerr County struggled to communicate during this summer’s deadly Independence Day floods because parts of their radio network failed to reach key areas, according to an investigation by The New York Times. Tech giant Meta is building a $1.5 billion data center in Northeast El Paso – a project that’s raising tough questions about water use, electricity demand and local incentives. The ongoing federal shutdown and Trump administration tariffs are creating headaches for business...
Oct 24, 2025•52 min
It’s the biggest drop in voter registration in Texas in a decade. What’s behind it and what does it mean for the future of Texas politics? Jeremy Wallace of the Houston Chronicle joins us with more. When it comes to beef, Texas is number one. But President Trump wants push costs down with a plan to buy more beef from Argentina. Would that work? And what about the stakes for Texas? Some serious questions that we’ll put to an industry expert. Car loan defaults reach levels not seen since the COVID...
Oct 23, 2025•52 min
Texas has flagged thousands of registered voters who officials say could be noncitizens. What we know about that claim right now. For years, Texas Standard has been following the legal battle over a beloved waterway in East Texas. Now, some powerful figures are getting involved in the fight over the Cutoff. Some leadership changes at UT Austin raise questions about what it means for someone to be removed based on “ideological differences.” A new book chronicles the history of local police violen...
Oct 22, 2025•52 min
If the ongoing government shutdown runs into next week, Texas families could see their SNAP food benefits cut off. Oil prices have plummeted to a level not seen since the COVID days. Why and what it could mean for Texas consumers and oilfield workers. Contract negotiations, the Dallas Wings search for a new coach, and more: A breakdown of what to expect for the new WNBA season as the popularity of the league soars. And “Dude. Be Nice”… The title of a new children’s book says it all. The post Spr...
Oct 21, 2025•52 min
Yes, it’s that time again: Early voting gets underway across the Lone Star State on this Monday. A statewide ballot that will decide no statewide offices? True, though the stakes in this election are huge for Texans – some 17 proposed changes to the Texas constitution hang in the balance. We’ll hear about several of the most wide-ranging ideas on the line. Plus, The Texas Newsroom’s Blaise Gainey with more on the start of early voting. And a potential final mission for the Space Shuttle Discover...
Oct 20, 2025•52 min
From the oldest radio station in Texas, in Dallas’ historic Fair Park, site of the State Fair of Texas, it’s Texas Standard Time. As we continue to celebrate our 10th birthday this year, the Texas Standard tour bus has pulled into the historic home of WRR, temporary home to our partners KERA North Texas. We’ll explore the economic boom across North Texas, hear voices from the fair, learn about a new sports classic set to kick off at the Cotton Bowl and much more. It’s a special edition of the Te...
Oct 17, 2025•50 min
Some local law enforcement offices in Texas get a heads-up when ICE is coming to town, but others don’t. We’ll dig into why. There’s new evidence that, no surprise, the online world isn’t always so great for today’s teens. Advice from tech expert Omar Gallaga on making it safer. Gov. Greg Abbott has a new challenger for the 2026 election. What we expect out of a campaign from Austin Democrat Gina Hinojosa. Taco journalist Mando Rayo shares what he’s learned from a few women in the culinary world...
Oct 16, 2025•51 min
After years of tightening restrictions on water use, a South Texas town issues an ominous declaration of emergency. Beeville, Texas, is fast running out of water and they’re asking for help from the state. We’ll talk to the interim city manager about what can be done. It’s a new law requiring parental permission for public school students to get physical or mental health services at school. We’ll hear why school nurses are concerned about the side effects. And they’re flocking back to Texas – wh...
Oct 15, 2025•52 min
The Trump administration has reportedly slashed jobs at a federal office responsible for overseeing special education. What might that mean here in Texas? A new school in Uvalde offers a place for learning apart from the building desecrated by a mass shooting – but remembrance is built into the design. The craft brewing bubble has burst. A look at the continued challenges facing those still open. There’s a rare jellyfish being spotted in the Texas Gulf. What you need to know about the pink meani...
Oct 14, 2025•52 min
The leading Democratic candidate for Texas’ U.S. Senate seat isn’t even in the race yet – and it might not be who you think. Plus, where things stand on the Republican side as U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt joins the field against incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton. Another delay in the Robert Roberson case. We’ll dig into the court’s ruling and what comes next. There’s a new movement in Texas barbecue that has its roots in the Middle East and Africa. We’ll give you a taste of the...
Oct 13, 2025•52 min
A new report from the Wall Street Journal raises questions about how a prominent Texas Republican got rich as a politician. The report puts the personal finances of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the spotlight, though his supporters are calling it a hit piece. We’ll talk with one of the reporters behind the story. A football rivalry like few others, only this year the stakes seem especially high for the Texas Longhorns as they take on Oklahoma. What is the “Selena Effect”? A new exhibit at...
Oct 10, 2025•52 min
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 – no longer on the political stage, but instead, a rather small federal courtroom. We’ll hear from Nacar Devine, an El Pasoan keeping tabs on what’s going on amid the hearing over Texas’...
Oct 09, 2025•52 min
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 that once devastated Texas ranches is back. We’ll hear from Ag Commissioner Sid Miller on what the state is doing to prepare. And Austin veteran Greg Stoker is ba...
Oct 08, 2025•52 min
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 know now about domestic violence rates in Texas? A new report sheds light on what’s changed and what hasn’t. And in today’s Hispanic Heritage Moment: the King o...
Oct 07, 2025•51 min
