Texas Standard

In the Big Bend region, local businesses are banding together to push back against border wall construction.Growing food insecurity in rural areas is on par with some of the country’s biggest cities amid changes to federal nutrition programs.In the fight against the spread of a destructive parasite, a look at what may be a gaping […]

As concerns grow over data centers in Texas, something is conspicuously missing: Reliable data on the impact. We'll have a look at the search for real numbers.A global conference on energy wraps in Houston as gas prices reach wallet-slimming levels across the Lone Star State. We’ll hear more on the G20 energy summit and ask […]

We assume the hundreds of new data centers popping up across Texas use quite a bit of water, but we'll look at why we don’t know for sure.Texas has a program to help expand access to preschool. But why do some providers say it’s having unintended consequences?Republican candidate for the Texas railroad commission Bo French […]

Texas pulled smokable hemp out of stores but it’s still available in other forms. So, what does the law say now?A North Texas community weathered a recent wildfire but still lacks basic resources for another emergency.And there’s a rise in dangerous ectopic pregnancies and it varies by state. We'll delve into what’s happening in Texas.Dallas-raised, […]

Rural Texas has long been a GOP stronghold, but one issue could make a top statewide race more competitive than previously thought. We'll look at how data centers have emerged as critical in the Texas gubernatorial contest.Some Texas institutions of higher learning are encouraging students to use AI. We'll dig into why.Public libraries in Texas […]

There’s a lot to talk about in Texas on a daily basis and Texas Standard wants to get to as much as we can. But sometimes that means taking a great conversation and making it much shorter than we’d like. Such is the case with one this week with longtime Texas politico Ben Barnes. Our […]

25 years since 9/11, in which a series of coordinated attacks on the U.S. marked the end of one era and the start of another. We'll share some stories of Texans whose lives were impacted.A first-of-its-kind midterm political convention wraps up in Dallas. Did Republicans move the needle with just two months to go before […]

How might AI-generated images affect a high-stakes political contest in Texas? Rice University political professor Mark Jones joins the Standard to talk about how Ken Paxton's campaign is hoping to win votes with AI-generated images of his Democratic opponent, James Talarico.Also: Some top-line takeaways from the first day of a first-of-its-kind GOP midterm convention underway […]

Costs for air conditioning are so high that some on limited incomes are trying to do without. But with temperatures also at extremes, that’s leading to some grave outcomes for seniors, in particular.The GOP’s unconventional convention is in Texas for a reason — and part of that is the state’s fundraising power. We’ll take a […]

While all eyes are on the upcoming midterm election, there are signs one particular Texan is looking at running for president again. Is Ted Cruz gearing up for 2028? Also, why Democrats see James Talarico's Senate run as an opportunity to gain votes in parts of West Texas that have been reliably red for decades. […]

This Labor Day holiday marks 15 years since the most destructive wildfire in recorded Texas history — measured not by acres burned, but by homes lost.The Bastrop County Complex Fire was just one of more than 30,000 that ignited in 2011 — by far the worst year since the Texas A&M Forest Service has been […]

Following the money: What are super PAC donations telling us about Texas' closely watched U.S. Senate race? Democrat James Talarico is outfundraising his Republican rival Ken Paxton big time. Who's writing the checks and what does the money add up to in a high-stakes midterm?Also, as the GOP puts finishing touches on next week's national […]

Tarrant County, a big Texas county seen by some as key in the upcoming midterms, cuts the number of polling places. We'll have the backstory.It’s not political convention season — or is it? What looks like an unconventional convention set for Dallas.Also, more on a mysterious kidney disease that’s arrived in Texas hitting young men […]

$27 million a day. That’s how much Texas hospitals are losing because of a disagreement with the Trump administration over Medicaid funding. We'll have the details.Much of the talk of the November election in Texas has focused on the race for U.S. Senate. But who will be Texas’ next attorney general? We'll share a closer […]

Tropical Storm Edouard heads toward the Texas coast. What to expect as it makes landfall. An update on recovery efforts in Nepal, where Texans are among the missing. How Texas is helping mount a defense against hackers who broke into systems that control water infrastructure across the U.S. New laws take effect as September begins. […]

Liftoff for a mission set to answer cosmic mysteries. We'll go over the main objectives and the West Texas connection for NASA's new Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope.This summer, thousands of enlisted troops were forced out of a major Texas base over dangerous living conditions — the tip of the iceberg when it comes to […]

Texas frees immigration officer Christian Castro, who is wanted for a shooting in Minnesota, raising critical legal and practical questions about federalism.An attempt by the Trump administration to lower beef prices has many Texas ranchers upset.Also, a look at what appears to be a groundbreaking new treatment in Texas for people with Parkinsons using ultrasound […]

Ottawa and Washington may seem distant to many Texans, but increasing rhetoric between the two has Texas in the crosshairs. We'll examine how a trade war between allies could wind up costing Texas billions.Other stories we’re tracking: A historic multibillion dollar settlement from Meta has been reached over the use of social media by young […] The post Meta agrees to massive settlements over teen social media harms appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Tens of thousands of acres are burning in West Texas. We’ll check in on containment efforts and the ongoing wildfire risk.Republicans from all over the country will be gathering in Texas soon to drum up support for the November election. We'll have a look at how the Texas GOP has evolved.Chinese biotech firms have become […] The post A Texas remembrance of Dolly Parton appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The data center backlash has lawmakers rolling back plans to expand high-power transmission lines. We'll have a look at what it means for rural residents.Also, how seniors are coping with the high cost of food.Plus, if you have pet, you know veterinary care can be costly. That has some families skipping a trip to the […] The post West Texas power line fight grows as data center demand surges appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 […] The post What's behind the recent surge in food recalls? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 post Virtual public schools expand across Texas appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 […] The post Judge appoints monitor for migrant children detained in Texas appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 […] The post California/Texas surrogacy case tests abortion and parental rights appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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. […] The post New developments in Big Bend border wall fight appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 […] The post State ratings put Austin schools at risk of Texas takeover appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 […] The post Mike D'Antoni talks NBA coaching career ahead of Hall of Fame induction appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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. […] The post Migrant children held for months at Texas detention center appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 […] The post Corpus Christi voters to decide Fair Water Amendment appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 […] The post Border wall could cut access to Porvenir Massacre site appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 […] The post The Texas goth scene builds a culture beyond the music appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 […] The post How Texas farmers are looking to revive cotton demand appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 […] The post Big Bend border wall construction poised to begin appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 […] The post Texas A&M professors sue over race and gender teaching rules appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 […] The post Gov. Abbott pauses new Texas data centers for state audit appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 […] The post Texas backtracks after wrongly flagging voters as noncitizens appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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, […] The post Revisiting ‘Out of the Blue,’ 60 years after the UT Tower shooting appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 […] The post Laredo's drag performers and allies navigate changing landscape appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 […] The post A peek inside a Texas wolf sanctuary appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 […] The post Floods delay Corpus Christi water emergency until 2028 appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Policies in Texas over when children should be removed from their parents are shifting. What do experts say about the changes?Ken Paxton just lost a step in the first major case against an alleged violator of Texas' abortion ban. We'll dig into what the ruling may indicate about the law.There have long been talks about […] The post Texas foster care rulings strengthen parental rights appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Midland ISD claims the way schools are funded has turned them into the state's tax collector — in violation of the Texas constitution. We'll dig into what this means and why it matters way beyond Midland.Recent flooding in South Texas brings something dangerous to the surface: Breakaway buoys in the Rio Grande.In a dystopian future, […] The post School finance lawsuit heads to court appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

As cleanup continues after massive rains in the Hill Country, a storm from the east threatens the Texas Gulf Coast.An update on Tropical Storm Bertha: After making landfall in Louisiana, the storm headed back into the gulf. Forecasters fear it could loop back into South Texas.Texas' World Cup summer has come and gone — almost. […] The post San Antonio seeks psychedelic therapy trials for veterans appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

President Trump is trying to renegotiate trade agreements with our nearest neighbors —again. Why is Canada so upset?Much has been made over the political leanings of the Texas Rio Grande Valley. How are things looking for Senate candidates James Talarico and Ken Paxton in the run-up to November?An iconic LGBT night spot is facing a […] The post New book recounts fishermen's Gulf of Mexico survival story appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Torrential rain and flash flooding have swelled lakes in the Hill Country, forcing authorities to open floodgates.Also, why many major donors who supported Sen. John Cornyn are not backing Ken Paxton.Also, how Texas became a leader in semiconductor chip exports — and why the industry is now booming.Plus, a fashion show in Dallas puts models […] The post John Cornyn donors hesitate to back Ken Paxton appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

After a week of devastating floods in the Hill Country, it's now about clean-up and recovery. We'll have the latest from Kerrville and more.There are two dead and hundreds rescued after floodwaters rose to record levels for a second time in as many years last week. Concerns are now about the effects downstream. In Uvalde, […] The post Big Bend's dark skies face a new threat appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

There are two confirmed fatalities in Texas’ Hill Country as rescues continue and precipitation finally begins to taper off. We'll have an update on the flooding across Texas from Lucio Vasquez of the Texas Newsroom standing by in Kerrville. Rising food prices aren't just making it tougher for more Texas families, but also for pantries […] The post An update from Kerrville after floods again rattle region appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Life-threatening floods hit parts of the Texas Hill Country as the Guadalupe River swells and flood emergencies and warnings go out. In the aftermath of shootings in Maine and Texas, a pause in ICE policy ends only hours after the change went into effect. We'll have more from Houston’s historic East End on how the […] The post Emergencies, shelter-in-place orders go out in flood-wary Kerr County region appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

More wet weather for portions of Texas’ flash flood alley: A look at the forecast and warning systems put in place since last year’s deadly storms. Cities across Texas have responded to the issue of homelessness in a variety of ways. Is it worth considering a broader approach? People in Texas have been working to […] The post Flooding risks trigger disaster declarations for parts of state appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

A legal battle over the deep discounts on water bills Corpus Christi gave major companies amid a looming water crisis. Why some of the new power plants for data centers are using the same permits as dry cleaners and auto body shops that don’t require an environmental review. A new effort to help more students […] The post A permit loophole for AI power plants appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Supporters call it the most important housing legislation in decades, but what does the new housing law mean for everyday Texans? In Texas’ closely watched U.S. Senate race, a challenge to what’s become conventional wisdom about Democratic nominee James Talarico and his appeal to Texas’ Black voters. An apparent end to the ceasefire with Iran […] The post Texans are losing millions in scams involving crypto kiosks appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.