Texas Standard

With a hot, dry summer looming, how some state lawmakers want to reduce the risk of wildfires.It’s been decades since active-duty troops patrolled Big Bend. Now they may be headed back to the national park.Nearly two years after one of the deadliest human smuggling incidents in Texas, a look at how victims’ families and survivors are coping.And: We’ll check in with the Texas Newsroom’s Blaise Gainey about the week ahead at the Legislature and what’s coming up for school funding. The post Troops may return to Big Bend National Park appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

One year later, how are people in the Panhandle managing recovery after the biggest wildfire in Texas history?The impact of DOGE cuts hits national parks in Texas, including a historical park in San Antonio. Jack Morgan of Texas Public Radio has more.Capital Metro, Austin’s transit agency, saw its payment system collapse for about a month in 2024. We’ll hear what went wrong, and what’s happening now.And: With egg prices going up, have you considered raising your own chickens? Lots of Texans have – but you might want to think twice. The post A year after the Smokehouse Creek Fire appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Pending mass layoffs at the IRS could complicate tax season, putting additional pressure on taxpayers. Meanwhile, over a million Texas children have fallen off Medicaid rolls due to bureaucratic hurdles, sparking conversations about streamlined enrollment. The podcast also discusses the urgent need for educational reforms, especially for dyslexia support in schools. Additionally, Texas Monthly's new map has ignited debates over regional identities, along with defining Houston's place in the state. Munting complexities and community pride are at the forefront of these discussions.

One person has now died in the Texas measles outbreak that’s up to more than 120 official cases.Hit the road in many parts of Texas these days and you’re likely to see some Teslas. So how are those drivers feeling about the very public and controversial latest moves by CEO Elon Musk?Teacher pay increases may come this Texas legislative session. But what form they might take is unclear.The U.S. military isn’t completely avoiding the same cuts ripping through other parts of government right now.Plus: There’s something in the air in El Paso – and it isn’t pleasant. A look at a change in air quality and when its expected to lift. The post What’s affecting El Paso’s air quality? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

An appeals court upholds a decision to remove the judge who pushed the state to improve conditions for foster children. What happens now?A controversial lottery win leads Texas to ban third-party apps selling tickets.A federal court has blocked the SAVE plan, a Biden-era initiative aimed at lowering – and in some cases, erasing – student loan debt for millions. What it means for those enrolled.And: Lawmakers consider a bill that would increase housing by converting vacant office space into places to live. The post Controversies and resignations at the Texas Lottery Commission appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

What would be the implications for a Texas constitutional amendment “protecting the right of parents to raise their children”? Blaise Gainey of The Texas newsroom tells us who’s pushing it and the questions surrounding it.Texas-based Southwest and American Airlines are joining with Delta, JetBlue and United to ask a court to overturn a rule requiring them to meet higher standards for accommodating passengers with disabilities.The measles outbreak spreads beyond West Texas, with possible exposures at the San Antonio Riverwalk and at San Marcos’ Texas State University.Plus: The Texas Ballet Theater will soon debut new commissions from women choreographers for the first time in about 20 years. The post Major airlines target rule setting standard for disability accommodations appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Blaise Ganey, a Texas newsroom reporter, sheds light on the contentious school choice bill and its implications for public education funding. Joining him is Daniel Oney, Research Director at the Texas Real Estate Research Center, who forecasts housing trends for 2025. They discuss the rising single-family home prices, stagnating rental markets, and the urgent need for affordable housing amidst Texas' booming population. The conversation also touches on public health issues, including flea-borne typhus, that complicate the housing landscape.

A nearly $5 billion bill filed in the Legislature seeks to provide across-the-board raises for teachers and put more money toward bonuses.Lithium-ion batteries are a major fire threat. Learn why and what consumers can do.Texans love sharing their favorite under-the-radar barbecue spots, but how often do they actually live up to the hype? Texas Monthly BBQ editor Daniel Vaughn recently discovered a standout.And: The Center for Biological Diversity is suing the USDA to stop its wildlife trapping and killing program in Texas, arguing that the program should be re-evaluated based on updated science, particularly concerning mountain lions and black bears. The post Lawsuit challenges federal wildlife trapping in Texas appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

15% of Southwest Airlines’ corporate workforce is out of a job in the Dallas-based company’s first-ever major layoffs.Frigid temperatures across the state and all eyes are on the Texas grid’s ability to handle it. How the grid became what it is today.President Trump has dismantled a couple of boards you’ve probably never heard about. Why some are concerned about the repercussions.The UT women’s basketball team is ranked No. 2 in the latest AP poll, but has a case for the No. 1 spot. A look at their path towards the NCAA tournament.Plus, remembering Mexican singer and songwriter Paquita la del Barrio. The post Behind Southwest Airlines’ big job cuts appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

A measles outbreak in rural West Texas is rapidly spreading, with 49 cases confirmed. We’ll check in to see how the hospital in that region is responding.The Texas Metropolitan Blueprint is an ambitious five-year plan to help policymakers confront the state’s explosive population growth.Gov. Greg Abbott is warning Texans to prepare for what could be the coldest winter event in state history.Plus: What do federal job cuts mean for national parks – and will they affect Texas? The post Measles outbreak spreads in rural West Texas appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.