Texas Standard

Why weren’t Hill Country communities alerted as a deadly wall of water roared down the Guadalupe on the weekend of July 4th? In their first public testimony on the floods, top emergency officials in Kerr County said they were away or asleep. Voting the old-fashioned way? A return to hand-marked ballots in Collin County is […] The post Kerr County emergency officials were sleeping when flood hit July 4 appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

What we’re now learning about what happened – and what didn’t – before the Hill Country floods. Investigative reporter Lauren McGaughy has the details. Plus: Flood survivors are asking lawmakers meeting in special session right now to tap the state’s $24 billion rainy day fund to help them meet their immediate needs. Even without a […] The post Food banks struggle to meet rising demand appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Are Democratic lawmakers on the verge of a walkout to stop Republicans from redistricting during the special session? We’ll have the latest. We’re also tracking possible federal funding cuts to legal aid organizations that could leave thousands of Texans who can’t afford a lawyer without the help they need. Going beyond armed security guards, some […] The post Why ‘Don't California My Texas' isn't the whole story appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The Trump administration releases billions of dollars in education grants it previously withheld. What it means as students head back to school. How the U.S. military is responding to a new kind of warfare that uses small, inexpensive drones. The story of a Cuban man who raised a family in Texas and spent years working […] The post Houston archaeologists uncover tomb of ancient Maya ruler appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

A peek into the week ahead for the Texas Legislature’s special session: We’ll hear the latest on a much-talked-about possible walkout by Democrats. A plan to relieve congestion in Austin was approved by voters years ago – but so far, there’s not much to show for it. Is Project Connect off the rails? The rollback […] The post Black farmers in East Texas feel the sting of DEI cuts appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

As Texas lawmakers move to consider regulations on THC products, what’s legal, and what’s not? KUT News reporter Nathan Bernier joins us to break it down. As many see the future of energy as cleaner renewables, why many in the city of Port Arthur are pinning their hopes for a comeback – on oil. At […] The post Ben Kweller on grief, music and ‘Cover the Mirrors' appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Texas lawmakers hear 12 hours of testimony as they take up what happened before during and after the devastating Hill Country floods.Repeated plans to improve flood warning systems were repeatedly scuttled in the years leading up to the July 4th weekend. Neena Satija of the Houston Chronicle with what she’s learning about why.As the Americans […] The post The ADA turns 35: What true inclusion looks like appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The Epstein controversy has federal lawmakers taking an early recess, putting off important business.Summer heat means some Texans have to choose between paying for air conditioning or basic necessities.Is a violent protest at an ICE facility in North Texas the new normal as the country copes with a rise in extremism?What’s happening in Harris County […] The post Families are cutting back on food and medicine to pay the power bill appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Over the weekend, the number of missing in the Texas Hill Country dropped drastically. What happened?Checking in with those whose livelihood is at stake after the flood, including farmers and ranchers in the region.Why so many Texans don’t have flood insurance.The governor ordered an end to remote work for state employees, but now he’s backtracking. […] The post Ag commissioner outlines rural flood aid appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Lawmakers recently ended a regular session of the Texas Legislature, but on this Monday, they’re back. They call it a special session: 30 days to complete a long list of action items including a response to the Hill Country flooding, the regulation of THC consumables, and a rare mid-decade push for redistricting that has some […] The post Texas lawmakers begin special session focused on floods, maps appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

As lawmakers return to Austin for a special session, who got the most accomplished in the regular? Why the numbers don’t tell the whole story.With state legislators set to take up flood relief and related matters, we’ll hear how the region’s fairing two weeks after those deadly flash floods, and we’ll hear about efforts concentrated […] The post The rise of Maren Morris appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

As lawmakers get ready to return to the Capitol in a special session, a new report shows billions more are needed to address flooding.Who are the most productive lawmakers in the Legislature? The Texas Newsroom’s Blaise Gainey takes a closer look.Remember when there were growing concerns about a population explosion? In a new book, UT […] The post Who really got things done at the Legislature? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Online rumors are blaming cloud seeding for the deadly Texas floods, even though the science doesn't support it.Along with flood recovery and THC regulation, Texas lawmakers are tasked with redrawing congressional districts in their special session. The connection to racial gerrymandering.Volunteers and rescue workers have descended on the Hill Country to help with flood recovery […] The post Conspiracy theorists said ‘cloud seeding’ caused the Texas floods. It did not. appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

With the Hill Country devastated by deadly floods, many are asking: What's a 100-year or 1,000-year flood, and are these terms outdated?A closer look at how first responders from Mexico are helping in Kerr County.A new report from the University of Texas at El Paso warns of growing job losses in Juárez's maquiladora industry.The health […] The post Climatologist explains what ‘1,000-year flood' actually means appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

More rain pummels the waterlogged Hill Country, putting a pause on search efforts and bringing a new wave of weather warnings to the region. We’ll talk with James Hartley of KERA, who’s been in Kerrville this weekend.Stuffed animals are strewn across flood-ravaged Texas. People are trying to get them to their owners.The Trump administration is […] The post Trucking industry faces new border bottleneck appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

A week after the Hill Country floods, the president and first lady will visit Kerr County as the search for the missing continues and storms are in the forecast for the weekend.Talking to kids about tragedy: A Dallas-based pediatric psychologist on how to deal with their questions and their anxieties.Gov. Greg Abbott has added flood […] The post In wake of Hill Country floods, how to talk to kids about tragedy appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The Texas Newsroom finds that responders to the Hill Country floods called for a public alert early Friday, a warning some say came hours too late.The upcoming special session of the Legislature, which originally looked like it would focus on regulating THC, now includes several emergency preparedness topics.And: Gillian Rodriguez with the Texas Counseling Association […] The post Processing the range of emotions surrounding Hill Country flood tragedy appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

A bill in the Texas Legislature this past session would have created a grant program for emergency communication. It didn’t pass. In the days since the deadly flooding, engineers have already modeled what happened on the Guadalupe River. What they say about how we should rebuild. A harrowing story of survival: Our conversation with a […] The post A Guadalupe River regular shares her family's survival story appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

In Kerr County, local officials say they have all the resources, equipment, food and personnel they need, but with constantly changing numbers of people still missing, search and rescue teams continue to slog thru the debris of what is almost certain to go down as one of the deadliest natural disasters in state history. The […] The post Officials in Kerrville begin to assess damage as floodwaters recede appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Rescue and recovery efforts continue following devastating Guadalupe River flooding that has killed at least 75 people. More than two dozen campers and counselors died at Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer camp, and 10 campers remain missing. Flash flood warnings are in effect for many parts of Texas, and officials fear that the waterlogged […] The post The latest on catastrophic flooding in the Hill Country appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Mason LaDue raises cattle on family land in Central Texas. But before he was a rancher, he was mostly on the road, managing tours for artists like Curren$y and Wiz Khalifa.His journey from the Dallas hip-hop circuit to the homestead is the focus of today's special program, Rap to the Ranch: The Ballad of Mason […] The post Rap to the Ranch: The Ballad of Mason ‘Bric' LaDue –  A Texas Standard Special Rebroadcast appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Federal education funding is put on hold, leaving administrators scrambling to evaluate what programs may be affected and what comes next – not just for young students, but Texans in adult education programs as well.What could rural schools teach the rest of us about how to better get along? New research by the George W. […] The post Adult education programs feel the squeeze as federal funds remain on hold appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Elon Musk may be on the outs in D.C., but closer to home, his political influence appears to be on the rise: The state’s richest billionaire scored some quiet but rather significant victories in the last legislative session.Legislative support for wind and solar may be on the wane, but Texas lawmakers appear to be warming […] The post Elon Musk's lobbying machine finds wins in Texas appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

As we continue our yearlong 10th birthday celebration, today we're broadcasting before a live studio audience at a place that's been called the “Athens of Texas” – Waco, itself celebrating 25 years of public radio from our partners at KWBU.We'll be sampling some of the sights, sounds and tastes of this historic Central Texas city.After […] The post A live broadcast from Waco appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The U.S. Supreme Court recently upheld the Texas law that requires age verification for porn sites. We'll take a close look at the law.As the U.S. and China negotiate a new trade agreement, farmers cope with the uncertainty.Plus, how some of the best and brightest in Texas collaborated to build the Giant Magellan Telescope.Also, fresh […] The post Texans help build Giant Magellan Telescope appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

In a 6-3 ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court rules against nationwide injunctions, likely to be read as a major victory for the Trump administration. UT constitutional law professor Tara Grove helps us parse out today’s big news from the high court.Texas underwater? After boom times in real estate, many Texas homeowners are upside down on […] The post SCOTUS rules against nationwide injunctions appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

A new Texas law requires posting the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms. We’ll look at the looming legal battle.Where do Texans stand on how well state legislators are doing their jobs? What about how well the president is doing his job? A new poll by the Texas Politics Project offers a look.The Mexican flag, […] The post Sugar Land acquires historic district tied to city's roots in the sugar industry appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Gov. Greg Abbott's last-minute veto of a proposed ban on THC-derived products has opened a rift with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, the powerful leader of the Texas Senate who championed the ban.More autonomous vehicles are now on Austin streets – and these Tesla robotaxis are a little harder to spot than their Waymo counterparts.Some Texans […] The post Senate GOP primary brawl could open a door for Democrats appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

State lawmakers passed several bills affecting how Texans vote. What that means at the ballot box.Among the allegations detailed in a lawsuit about conditions inside immigrant detention centers in Texas holding families: fighting for drinking water and children denied medical care.Why an effort by a Las Vegas company to legalize gambling in the Lone Star […] The post Waco adult education program faces budget uncertainty under DOGE cuts appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

A closely watched bill to ban THC products gets vetoed by Gov. Greg Abbott – but that’s far from the end of the story, with the governor calling for a special legislative session aimed at regulating THC.After U.S. airstrikes targeted against Iranian nuclear facilities, what comes next? One of Texas’ top foreign policy experts suggests […] The post Gov. Greg Abbott vetoes THC ban, breaking with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The Texas Lottery Commission faces a reckoning after a string of scandals. We look at what’s next for one of the largest lotteries in the country. The U.S. Supreme Court has cleared the way for a controversial private facility in Andrews, Texas, to temporarily store high-level nuclear waste. The U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to […] The post Texas Lottery scandal deepens as ex-director disappears appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

President Trump considers a move that has brought together resistance from the left and the right. The stakes for U.S. involvement in a new Mideast war.Juneteenth is a holiday marking freedom for people enslaved in Texas, a proclamation announced in Texas on this date 160 years ago, now celebrated across the U.S.. The Texas Standard’s […] The post Marking Juneteenth where it began: Galveston celebrates freedom appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Gov. Greg Abbott touted plans to have Texas build a border wall, even soliciting donations from the public. Why the project’s now being scrapped.The U.S. Supreme Court is issuing decisions today, including one affecting gender-affirming care for transgender minors.Lawyers use previous cases to argue in court – but the Houston Housing Authority is caught citing […] The post Houston Housing Authority caught citing fake legal quotes appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Why a stretch of border just over the West Texas state line has become the deadliest place for migrants.How cuts included in the president’s “big, beautiful bill” could affect Texans who depend on Medicaid and Obamacare.Why Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law the largest state-funded psychedelic research initiative in history.Solar panel scams targeting Texans – […] The post Immigration crackdown hits touring regional Mexican artists appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Texas-based historian and author Jeremi Suri joins with the latest about the military back-and-forth between Iran and Israel, threatening to become an even larger all-out war, and what that could mean on the home front – including Texas’ role as the world’s energy capital.Protests against president Trump’s second administration reach a new high water mark […] The post Texans rally statewide on ‘No Kings Day' to oppose Trump polices appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Texans under the age of 18 make up almost a quarter of the state’s population, so we’ve put together a show with them in mind. We’re joining you today from Abilene and the Children’s Art and Literacy Festival.We begin with a conversation about politics: We’ll hear from some Texas teens who make their voices heard, […] The post A special Texas Standard for kids, live from Abilene appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

A very busy Thursday for first responders and meteorologists with flood conditions and heavy dust for many Texans – and it's expected to get worse before it gets better. We'll have an update. Houston, we have a problem, and it may be related to a spat between the president and the world’s wealthiest Texan. The […] The post Asleep at the Wheel celebrates 50 years with Texas tribute appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Gov. Greg Abbott is calling National Guard troops into Texas to respond to immigration raid protests in the state.Texas had a new speaker of the House this legislative session. So how did Rep. Dustin Burrows handle the job?Flights out of the busy, and getting busier, Austin airport have been increasingly delayed because of staffing shortages. […] The post Protests erupt over immigration raids as Abbott calls in National Guard appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Texas has spent years challenging the federal government. So why not fight a recent order to end in-state tuition for undocumented students?Using DNA testing to solve cold cases involving abandoned babies.Why Texas doesn't require most employers to use E-Verify, the federal system that checks a worker's legal status.The new book “Detained” shares the story of […] The post Inside a teen's five months in a Texas migrant detention facility appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Gina Ortiz Jones made history over the weekend, becoming San Antonio's first openly lesbian mayor and only the third woman to hold the office.An assault case is exposing deeper failures in Texas group homes.With the rise of data centers across Texas, a push for private power plants run by natural gas.The new documentary “Sally” explores […] The post Data centers may start creating their own power plants appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

For the first time since Texas’ measles outbreak at the start of the year, there are no new reported cases. We’ll get an update on efforts to contain the disease.A new report in The Guardian reveals pressure from Immigration and Customs Enforcement leadership to ramp up arrests, even of people not originally targeted.Flag football is […] The post Trade tensions with Mexico could drive up tomato prices appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

A old law suddenly no more: a judge strikes down in-state tuition for undocumented students in Texas.What changes can Texans expect for energy and the environment after this week’s conclusion of the 89th Texas Legislature?After the Smokehouse Creek Fire scorched over 1 million acres, lawmakers also passed a slate of wildfire preparedness bills.The devastating New […] The post Why ranchers are ‘absolutely terrified' of the New World screwworm's return appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The race to be San Antonio’s next mayor was narrowed from a field of 27 to two. What to know before the runoff election on Saturday.Arrests outside of immigration court have happened in El Paso, Dallas and San Antonio. Why activists say this tactic encourages migrants to break the law.Texas is set to become the […] The post Fear at immigration court as ICE arrests migrants there for a hearing appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The 89th Legislature is history. We’ll look at what lawmakers accomplished and what was left to do.We continue our series on an adult literacy program in Texarkana that does much more than help people get an education – and why it could be a model for other parts of the state.A Houston-based aerospace company successfully […] The post Houston startup eyes two-hour flights across the Pacific appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Texas lawmakers have approved additional funding for public schools, including more money for teachers.Some San Antonio school districts have found a way to help struggling students catch up following the pandemic. What can we learn from those efforts?Texas ranks near the bottom when it comes to adults with a high school education. As the Standard’s […] The post As Texas ranks near the bottom in high school attainment, a Texarkana nonprofit has a solution appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Severe storms brought flash floods, hail and widespread power outages to Central Texas, killing one and hospitalizing two. More than 10,000 are still without power. Rare earth minerals are being wasted when you toss out an old phone or TV. Research in Texas could change the disposal process. Texas Tech just won its first-ever game […] The post Recycling rare earth elements could power the future appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Elon Musk is leaving the Trump administration. Why now, and what's next for the Texas-based billionaire. A bill that aims to plug the state's abandoned oil and gas wells – sometimes called “orphaned wells” – is headed to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk. Insurers in Texas are partnering with aerial imaging and AI companies to assess […] The post Oil companies face new deadlines to plug orphaned wells appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The House has passed a bill mandating the Ten Commandments be displayed in all public school classrooms. If the Senate signs off, Gov. Greg Abbott is expected to make it law. A 2023 law expanded polling place requirements – but many small counties couldn't keep up. Now a new bill that rolls back those mandates […] The post Corpus Christi's water future looks uncertain as Tesla builds nearby refinery appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

A bill banning all products with THC is headed to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk. Is this the end of the state's hemp industry? Lawmakers are also revisiting efforts to reform or replace the STAAR test. An investigation finds that some people in Central Texas are stuck behind bars beyond the 90-day limit without being indicted […] The post New institute aims to immortalize the sounds of Texas music appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

This Memorial Day, we’ll hear the story of Florentino Cantú Jr., a Laredoan who saw military service as a ticket to a better life for his parents and 10 siblings. Memorial Day is a day of reflection to be sure, but it is also the unofficial start of summer for many folks. We'll be getting some […] The post After outages last year, CenterPoint promises a better tracker appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

With just over a week to go at the Texas Legislature: what’s passed, what’s stalled, and where we stand. Retailers track your every move to build shopper profiles and offer “personalized discounts.” But these loyalty perks may be more misleading than helpful. Declining enrollment and tight budgets have school districts reevaluating their campuses. In Fort […] The post Fort Worth considers shuttering 14 schools to cut costs appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.