Texas Standard

Three new measures are set to take effect aiming to “Make Texas Healthy Again.” Political sloganeering or genuine change? A closer look at the laws that prompted Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s visit to Texas.As we approach Sept. 1, more than 800 new laws are set to take effect. We continue our close-up of some of those that’ll have a major impact, including some that haven’t received much attention. Our own Sarah Asch tells us about a new obscenity law and why one provision related to exposing minors to controversial material has teachers, librarians and even doctors concerned.Tech producer and reporter Shelly Brisbin gets us up to speed on a sweeping new bill aimed at regulating artificial intelligence.Plus, the week in politics and much more. The post Educators face new risks under inappropriate material law appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Texas’ newly drawn congressional maps are aimed at helping Republicans in 2026, but they’re shaking up the political landscape already. We’ll hear just how today on the Texas Standard.Rice University’s Mark Jones on the musical chairs among Texas’ congressional Democrats, and whether these maps are likely to survive scrutiny as legal challenges proliferate.Over 800 new laws are set to take effect in just a couple of days. One of them is aimed at helping first responders deal with the trauma of being on the front lines of so much tragedy.And a plan to channel water away when the next Hurricane Harvey hits. How Elon Musk is angling to be a part of that massive project. The post Elon Musk looks to build tunnels under Houston appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

President Trump is using the threat of legal action to push his policies forward in Texas and beyond.We continue our series about new state laws taking effect with a look at one that prevents people from certain countries from buying land in Texas.20 years after Hurricane Katrina, how the New Orleans residents who found a home in Houston reshaped the cultural landscape.Actor Austin Butler and filmmaker Darren Aronofsky on their new film, “Caught Stealing.”And the Standard’s Kristen Cabrera with part two of her report on the Rio Grande Valley’s brand new college football team, the UTRGV Vaqueros. Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org The post Austin Butler, Darren Aronofsky talk Texas, filmmaking & ‘Caught Stealing’ appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

President Trump signs an executive order ending cashless bail. We’ll dive into what that means for cities like Houston.We’re also tracking new state laws set to take effect Sept. 1, including one that aims to attract more film and television productions. Another increases the penalty for assaulting a utility worker.Plus, could the San Antonio Spurs get a new venue as part of the Project Marvel effort to create a new downtown entertainment district?And the Standard’s Kristin Cabrera reports on the Rio Grande Valley’s first college football team. The UTRGV Vaqueros are ready for kickoff. The post College football arrives in the Rio Grande Valley appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

A much-talked-about redistricting battle starts to take a back seat to other legislative priorities at the Texas capitol.As the battlefront over redistricting shifts to a multistate fight with Texas and California setting the pace, top California Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger has a message for his fellow Republicans in Texas. The Houston Chronicle’s Lisa Falkenberg tells us about her conversation with the Governator.Details of new anti-DEI laws set to take effect in just a few days. How laws like SB 12 may impact Texas’ LGBTQ+ students.Also, this week in Texas music history remembers Jimmy Garcia, beloved star of conjunto music. Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org The post California weighs in on Texas redistricting fight appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Asleep at the Wheel are celebrating 50 years in the business with their latest album out this week, “Riding High in Texas.” Longtime frontman Ray Benson joined Texas Standard to talk about the band’s legacy and the music of the Lone Star State in this extended version of a conversation that first aired in June. 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: Asleep at the Wheel celebrates five decades with new album appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

At the Texas Capitol, a big shift in focus as the spotlight swings from bare-knuckle politics to long-delayed flood relief.Food is labeling set to change in Texas as a sweeping new law takes effect aimed at, among other things, alerting shoppers to ingredients long the focus of concern in other countries.Austin-based filmmaker Noah Hawley likes to play in the worlds of some of his favorite directors – and he’s doing it again with Ridley Scott’s “Alien.” Hawley joins the Standard to talk “Alien: Earth.”Alpha School, an AI-focused private school in Austin, puts an emphasis on parental choice. The Standard’s Zachary Suri has the story.Plus: How the looming college football season is looking for Texas teams. Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org The post Noah Hawley talks ‘Alien: Earth’ appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

President Trump claims a big win in Texas as the state House passes new congressional maps giving the GOP an edge in 2026. Blaise Gainey of The Texas Newsroom and Andrew Schneider of Houston Public Media share what it means for the political landscape going forward.Are Americans falling out of love with their credit cards? Not quite, but a new trend suggests a certain spending binge is over.Texas’ top taco journalist, Mando Rayo, previews the new season of the Tacos of Texas podcast.In the U.S., peyote – important to Indigenous religion – is only naturally grown in Texas. But the supply is drying up. Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org The post The Texas House passes new district map designed to give Republicans an edge in Congress appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

A poll on Texas’ 2026 Senate race finds a tightening GOP battle between Ken Paxton and John Cornyn, and a Democratic preference for Beto O’Rourke – who isn’t yet in the race.This morning, a federal judge temporarily blocked 11 Texas school districts from displaying the Ten Commandments in classrooms. We’ll bring you the latest.Texans are bracing for changes to SNAP requirements and cuts in funding to the program that were signed into law by President Trump last month.And: Some Black men say they’re especially impacted by new facial hair requirements going into effect for military members. Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org The post 11 Texas school districts temporarily blocked from displaying Ten Commandments appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The state says the West Texas measles outbreak is over. What that means for parents and children.Are natural gas wells, pipelines and storage facilities prepared for another dangerous winter storm? Mose Buchele of KUT News examines the inspection process.We know AI data centers need a lot of power, but they also use a lot of water in drought-stricken TX.Austin author Louis Sachar, perhaps best known for “Holes,” is back with his first adult novel, “The Magician of Tiger Castle.”And: Could Texarkana be the new Peoria? A new study looks at green energy investments and voting patterns in red America. Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org The post Could Texarkana be a political bellwether? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.