Texas Standard

If Texans were in charge of the state’s budget, how would they spend the money? A new survey from the Hobby School of Public Affairs sheds light on priorities. We know many state lawmakers are prioritizing a school voucher effort that would give money for private education directly to families – and the proposal has moved forward in the Senate. Some Texas business are already feeling indirect impacts of deportation efforts. And: With Texas attracting more data centers, -what’s being done to ensure the energy grid can handle it? The post Texans weigh in on how to spend the state’s $24 billion surplus appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Gov. Greg Abbott wants the federal government to reimburse the state for more than $11 billion spent on Operation Lone Star, and some lawmakers from both sides of the aisle support the request. Texas leads the nation in wind energy jobs, but a White House executive order to pause new wind projects has some in the industry concerned. As the Trump administration ramps up deportations of unauthorized immigrants, many farmers are bracing for the impact on agriculture. Luring Buc-ee’s beyond Texas: Cities across the U.S. are offering the company tax breaks and other big incentives. And: New state data shows a growing number of minors are traveling out of state for abortions. The post Abbott wants feds to cover Texas’ border costs appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

President Trump’s long-promised deportation raids get underway in Texas and in other parts of the country. Today, what we know about the weekend operations and what we’re learning. On this International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the Texas Standard’s Sarah Asch brings us the voices and memories of survivors living in Texas. And: The Texas Senate has unveiled a bill to create a school voucher plan. The Texas Newsroom’s Blaise Gainey gets us caught up on the plan ahead of a public hearing on Tuesday. The post Reflections from three Holocaust survivors in Texas appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

A dramatic move at the Texas Capitol upends a decades-long tradition of power sharing as conservative Republicans succeed in banning Democrats from chairing legislative committees. The end of the CBP One program for asylum-seekers following President Donald Trump’s inauguration has left many with questions about their future. And: Growing demand and industrial expansion have left Corpus Christi facing a water emergency. The post Will Corpus Christi’s water restrictions be enough to stem emergency? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The U.S. military is sending around 1,500 active-duty troops to the country’s southern border, under orders from President Donald Trump. But what will they be doing, exactly, and what are the limits on what they can do? Half a trillion dollars have been pledged for a new AI venture called Stargate, and the first project is a data center in Abilene. And: Sherman, Texas, is experiencing a silicon rush, with two massive microchip factories under construction – one by Texas Instruments and another by Global Wafers. The post US military sending troops to southern border appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

As Texans try to keep warm, volunteers are bundling up to help a particularly vulnerable population: sea turtles facing “cold stun,” a life-threatening condition. We’re three days into the new Trump administration and trying to keep up with a slew of executive orders. Digging into the impacts on the energy industry, as well as what it means to issue a presidential pardon. Peer support specialists can help fill the gaps in mental health care in Texas. But there are some challenges to keeping people on the job. And: The Sundance Film Festival gives fans a sneak peek at movies before they hit theaters. We’re keeping an eye on a few with Texas ties. The post What Trump’s declaration of an energy emergency could mean for Texas appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Much of Texas is dealing with dangerously cold temperatures and conditions that make travel hazardous. How the state is coping – plus a look at the power grid. President Trump declared an emergency on the U.S.-Mexico border and issued several executive orders on immigration. We’ll delve into the details. A look at the life and legacy of Cecile Richards: The former president of Planned Parenthood, and a major force in Texas and national politics, has died of brain cancer at 67. Plus: Texas Standard intern Yoali Rodríguez reports on the designers working to make El Paso a new fashion hub. The post Trump’s first executive orders focus on immigration appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Parts of Texas that seldom see snow may well see frozen precipitation blanketing beaches tomorrow. We’re keeping watch. Seven employees of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission have been fired for improperly accessing, and in some cases, stealing, from the accounts of thousands of Texans receiving public assistance. And: TikTok went dark for U.S. users on Saturday night, hours before a ban on the service was due to take effect. But on Sunday, the service returned, with a message crediting President-elect Trump, who said he would delay the ban. We’ll have the latest. The post Health and Human Services Commission employees accused in data breach appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

We’ll have the latest on a dramatic drop in thermometers statewide and what that could mean for large parts of Texas next week. Also: How some are hoping to protect people experiencing homelessness from the worst of the big freeze. The incoming Trump administration has vowed to make immigration enforcement a top priority, possibly including mass workplace raids. What this could mean for Texas workers and businesses. And: After suing General Motors in August over alleged illegal driver data sales, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has now filed a similar lawsuit against Allstate, accusing the insurer of tracking drivers without their knowledge. The post State targets Allstate data collection practices appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

A Texas case before the U.S. Supreme Court on verifying ages for adult content has bigger implications than just whether one free speech law can stand.TikTok users are flocking to other Chinese-owned apps as they await a ruling on whether the U.S. can ban TikTok. But a lot could still change.Carbon capture is a growing technology in the Houston area. How it’s also now showing up in the classroom.Texas has huge potential for offshore wind. What do bird conservationists think about the plans?Plus: As firefighters continue to battle blazes in California, what Texas’ wildfire experts want you know about conditions here and planning ahead. The post What Texas can learn from wildfire history appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.