Texas Standard

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 […] The post A special broadcast from Houston appeared fi...

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 […] The post Deal to end...

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 […] The post Fort Worth megachurch draws attention for po...

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 […] The post Camp Mystic faces lawsuits over deadly...

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 […] The post Texas, western states brace for uranium...

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 […] The post Flight cancellations, long TSA lines hit Texas travel...

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 […] The post Texas director Richard Linklater ta...

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 post Texas voters approve all 17 propose...

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 […] The post Data reveals int...

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 […] The post Texas schools turn to AI to flag banned books ap...

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 […] The post Food banks prepare to fill the gap as SNAP runs out appeared first on K...

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, […] The post What Texas voters shou...

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 […] The post What difference has a Mich...

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 […] The post Tim Duncan’s story comes home to Texas screens...

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 […] The post A family fight over Bonnie and Cl...

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 […] The post Meta’s billion-dollar bet on El Paso...

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 […] The post Will beef from Argentina bring down US prices? appeared first on KUT...

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 […] The post Legal fight over access to East Tex...

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 […] The post Spreading kindness through a Texas-made story appeare...

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 […] The post Early voting kicks off on 17 proposed amen...

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 […] The post From State Fair to stock exchange, a special...

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 post Uneven ICE notifications rais...

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 […] The post Where Texas birders can spot sa...

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 […] The post What layoffs at special education offic...

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 […] The post Why a Texas appeals court halted Robert Roberson’s...