Kamala Harris consolidates Democratic support, shattering fundraising records. How does this change things for Texas Republicans? After the death of veteran Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, who takes her place for the remainder of her term and on the ballot for her open seat? Sam Watson, an 18-year-old from Southlake, holds the three fastest times ever in speed climbing and will be competing at the Paris Olympics. The Rio Grande Valley faces an unprecedented water crisis as drought intensifies. And: a new push to change how Texas imposes the death penalty. The post Southlake teen Sam Watson sets speed climbing records ahead of Paris Olympics appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Dallas has thoughts for fellow Democrats who haven’t been quick to support Vice President Kamala Harris. Prison farm labor isn’t just part of Texas history; it’s a reality today. An investigation into the practices and what we don’t know about what goes on in the fields. A mammoth find for Texas researchers – literally. What a team from Baylor plans to do with the discovery of some ancient DNA. We’ll take you inside some San Antonio record stores where the love for vinyl keeps going around. And: The emerging path forward for psychedelics when it comes to treating PTSD. The post Texas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett pledges full support for VP Harris appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

President Biden’s decision yesterday to drop his campaign for re-election and to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee follows weeks of mounting pressure from members of his own party. But it was a Texan who was the first Democrat on Capitol Hill to call for Biden to step aside. We’ll talk with U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett. What can we expect between now and Election Day? A UT Austin professor takes a look at the logistics of Biden stepping down and what it means for next month’s Democratic National Convention. Some historical perspective: The last time an incumbent president announced he wouldn’t run for reelection was Texas’ Lyndon Baines Johnson in 1968. Plus: Remembering the legacy of longtime Houston Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, who has died at 74. The post What’s next after Biden exits presidential race? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

A massive disruption that knocked businesses and services offline worldwide – grounding planes, keeping bank customers from accessing their balances and more – was blamed on the latest Microsoft update from Austin-based cybersecurity company CrowdStrike.The Justice Department has sued the Texas-based nonprofit Southwest Key Programs, alleging sexual abuse of migrant children in their care.A new study sounds an alarm over the safety of tampons after finding found toxic metals, including arsenic and lead, in over a dozen popular brands. We’ll hear from the lead researcher.Also: the week in politics with The Texas Tribune and poetry from the Typewriter Rodeo. The post Massive disruption worldwide blamed on latest Microsoft update from Austin-based CrowdStrike appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

More than a week after Hurricane Beryl, thousands in the Houston area still don’t have power. We’ll take a look at how they’re coping.Dallas mayor Eric Johnson spoke about crime and public safety at the Republican National Convention as he explained his controversial 2023 switch from Democrat to Republican.What’s the next step for AT&T users affected by a massive hack affecting phone and text logs? Tech expert Omar Gallaga explains.The ongoing struggle to keep up with the needs of animals in the wake of Hurricane Beryl.And a new book from Houston Chronicle columnist Joe Holley explores what it means to be a “Native Texan.” The post After switching party affiliation, Dallas mayor Eric Johnson speaks at RNC appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

At the Republican National Convention, speakers including Sen. Ted Cruz make claims about immigration and crime they hope will resonate at the polls in November. The Texas Newsroom’s Julián Aguilar has details.Some in Congress want to create a new military branch, one without a physical domain, to specialize in cyber warfare.The Standard’s Michael Marks has the latest on a battle for access to a beloved fishing spot in East Texas.And: The New York Times Book Review has released its list of the 100 Best Books of the 21st Century – including works by several Texas authors. The post Folks cut off from a public Texas waterway take their case to court appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

A new report says that a year before Hurricane Beryl, the federal government denied a request from CenterPoint Energy for $100 million to reinforce power lines in the Houston area. Could that have prevented the widespread outages of recent days?Attorney General Ken Paxton is appealing a court decision denying his attempt to shut down an El Paso nonprofit providing temporary shelter to migrants.Making a movie involves a lot more than actors and directors. We’re talking to Central Texas artist and jewelry maker Sugar Gay Isber, who added her shine to the latest Richard Linklater film, “Hit Man.”And: pushback over a proposed name change for one of the oldest colleges in the state, Texas A&M Commerce. The post Meet Sugar Gay Isber, the ‘Hit Man’ jewelry designer appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

We’re taking a closer look at the implications of the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, and a Texas perspective on the future of politics and democracy:Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller was in the crowd at Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday and shares a firsthand account.The assassination attempt comes during one of the most politically volatile moments in our American history, but this is far from the first time political violence has threatened democracy. Presidential historian and professor Jeffrey Engel of Southern Methodist University on whether this may further galvanize divisions or lead to a shift in political rhetoric and rancor.Also: State lawmakers are calling for an investigation into the slow power restoration process in the Houston region, where 264,000 remain without electricity a week after Hurricane Beryl hit. The post After attempted Trump assassination, a look at politically motivated violence in the US appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

An extended interview with the Austin-based writer and director on his latest film starring Austin Butler, Tom Hardy, and Jodie Comer. The full transcript of this episode of Texas Standard is available on the KUT & KUTX Studio website. The transcript is also available as subtitles or captions on some podcast apps.The post Texas Extra: Filmmaker Jeff Nichols on ‘The Bikeriders’ appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Five days after Hurricane Beryl’s landfall, more than 800,000 Texans are still without power as frustrations and questions rise along with the heat – and officials say half a million people may not get power back until next week.Thirty-five percent of Texas students scored zero on the writing portion of STAAR test, raising big questions about the jump in low scores as computers take over the grading process.Remembering Fort Worth native Shelley Duvall, who made a big mark on Hollywood and left it all for the Hill Country.Also: the week in politics with The Texas Tribune and poetry from the Typewriter Rodeo. The post Remembering iconic Texas actress Shelley Duvall appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.