Texas Standard

Dade Phelan is out, and a bruising battle for speaker of the Texas House is set to begin – unless it’s already over? Over the weekend, GOP members backed David Cook, but Dustin Burrows claimed he had enough votes to override the caucus. What does a House speaker do, anyway?In a stunning turn of events, a coalition of Syrian rebels has overthrown Bashar al-Assad’s regime, ending decades of dictatorship. A top Texas-based expert weighs in.Has Texas oil toppled Saudi control of the markets?And: Medical treatments for trans minors are banned under state law; why some trans adults say they’re affected, too. The post What exactly does the Texas House speaker do? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Facing a challenge from fellow Republicans, Dade Phelan says he’s dropping his bid for re-election as Texas House speaker.Texas has some of the most expensive insurance in the nation, forcing homeowners to pay more for less coverage.Desert bighorn sheep return to the Franklin Mountains of El Paso, a major milestone in restoring the species.While the area around the UT Austin Tower buzzes with activity, a quieter sanctuary to the north – the Turtle Pond – offers a break from the hustle. The Texas Standard’s Laura Rice takes us to this peaceful pocket and explores how it’s evolving amid campus changes. The post House Speaker Dade Phelan bows out of leadership reelection bid appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments about restrictions on gender-affirming care for young people. What a ruling could mean.Texas elected officials will soon have to start disclosing more information about the properties they own – changes that could reveal more about Attorney General Ken Paxton’s recent real estate transactions.Houston-based Enron went very publicly kaput more than 20 years ago. Now, it’s back? We’ll take a closer look.Uranium mining is ramping up again in South Texas, raising questions about the environmental and economic implications.Plus: ChatGPT is known to have its limitations. What one of its blindspots tells us about artificial intelligence. The post Uranium mining poised for a comeback in South Texas appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Martial law has now been lifted in South Korea – Texas’ fourth-largest trading partner – but the effects may not be as short-lived. A top Texas expert tells us why.Ongoing casualties in what was long touted as the war on drugs: Kevin Krause of The Dallas Morning News analyzed a decade of meth sentencing data in North Texas.Texas is known for its ghost towns, spotlighting shifting population dynamics.With nearly half of Texas counties lacking maternity care services, rural mothers face daunting hurdles.And: China has announced a ban on exporting certain rare minerals to the U.S., a move likely to disrupt tech manufacturing and deepen tensions. The post Texas’ ghost towns spotlight rural population shifts appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

A climate-friendly fertilizer turned out to be tainted with so-called “forever chemicals” that are killing cattle and other ranch animals.Education Savings Accounts are on the legislative agenda and likely to pass. What they are and why they’re controversial.Historic horse-drawn carriages will become a thing of the past in San Antonio as the city phases them out.Public health experts in Texas say vaccine hesitancy in the state could grow under the new Trump administration.And: the call for research on mountain lions, the state’s last big cat. The post Is new fertilizer behind Texas cattle deaths? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Texas does more business with Mexico than any other nation, and with 25% tariff threats now on the table from President-elect Trump, what should we expect? We’ll take a closer look.The Texas Public Utility Commission issues a report on CenterPoint Energy’s much-criticized response to Hurricane Beryl.Squaring economic data points with how voters felt going into this year’s election.An educational oasis for some students is out of reach for others. A warning about community college deserts. The post How might proposed tariffs on Mexico impact Texas? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Over the course of the year we talk with dozens of authors – some stars in the making, others well-known names among Texas readers – and today we’re sharing a selection of great reads in 2024.Plus: Just in time for Black Friday, booksellers share their top books for holiday gifts. The post Some of our favorite books of 2024 appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

This Thanksgiving, we’re reflecting on some of the stories we’ve been grateful to share over the past few months:– A Texas-based freelance visual journalist reflecting on winning a prestigious prize– A Uganda-born musician who calls Texas home and is taking the U.S. by storm– A comedian landing on many best-of lists, now reconnecting with his Texas homeAnd much more on a special Thanksgiving edition of the Texas Standard. The post Stories we’re thankful for this year appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

We’ve been cooking up a special treat: a show all about Texas eats and drinks – the sweet, the savory and everything in between.The biggest food story in Texas in recent months was the announcement of the first-ever Texas Michelin guide, the creme-de-la-creme.What Texas Monthly’s barbecue editor learned traveling the country in search of BBQ.Inside the Atkinson Candy Co., which has been handcrafting classic treats in Lufkin for 92 years.And: A new podcast about Texas whiskey that you just might think is neat. The post Work up your Thanksgiving appetite with these Texas food tidbits appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

We’re taking a look at the Texans who have been picked for President-elect Trump’s new Cabinet.How some Democratic candidates in parts of Texas won their races amid a big red wave.There’s a demand for raw milk, despite its health risks, and more public officials are saying that folks should be able to have it if they want it.After 13 years, UT and Texas A&M are back on the football field this holiday weekend. What to expect as the rivals meet again.Plus: The Standard’s Kristen Cabrera goes behind the scenes with ArnieTex, a Rio Grande Valley grilling sensation with nearly a million YouTube subscribers. The post ArnieTex brings the flavors of South Texas to millions on YouTube appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.