Texas Standard

After national headlines and a pledge from California to offset Texas’ redistricting plans, the walkout by Texas House Democrats is over. Blaise Gainey of The Texas Newsroom has the latest on the Dems’ return to Austin and what comes next.Old satellites, tools, even food wrappers: Space debris is piling up. Now, a Texas company’s recycling initiative has NASA’s attention.A new fight is emerging over the sale in Texas of kratom, an herbal supplement with opioid-like effects often found for sale at convenience stores.And: A UT Austin-led team has discovered the oldest, most distant black hole yet – 13.3 billion years old. Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org The post A Texas firm tackles space junk appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Blaise Gainey of The Texas Newsroom joins the show with a live update from the Capitol as the Legislature’s first special session ends amid a Democratic walkout.After flooding and a historically wet July, new concerns about water levels dropping.As students return to the classroom, more and more schools are being shuttered. The Standard’s Zachary Suri examines the long-term impact in Austin.Tesla now has a permit to offer ride-hailing in Texas through next August. The company’s been testing robotaxis in Austin since June, and Elon Musk says “open access” is coming soon. The post Tesla’s robotaxi plans shift into gear appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Redistricting seems like the entire political conversation in Texas right now, so it’s probably no surprise it’s influencing the U.S. Senate race.Texas received millions in federal funding for adult education programs, but it was uncertain and came several weeks late.What are the impacts of programs that give money, with no strings attached, to people and families identified with high needs? We’ll dig into a study of such a program in Texas.A Houston police officer is suing a gun manufacturer. He’s one of many saying his Sig Sauer P320 discharged without him pulling the trigger. Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org The post Why police are ditching a popular gun appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Gov. Greg Abbott threatens a concurrent second special session with a Democratic walkout still underway. Is there any end in sight?Details from a new release of materials withheld by Uvalde County and the Uvalde school district in the wake of the 2022 Robb Elementary school shooting.What’s behind a massive growth in virtual schooling in Texas?W.F. Strong meditates on what welcomes Texans back home after a long time away.And: The scene at Voz de la Paloma, a women’s mariachi competition in honor of a San Antonio ranchera icon. Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org The post Virtual public school enrollment surges appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Undocumented college students in Texas are no longer eligible for in-state tuition. As the new semester starts, many are in limbo.As we keep an eye on the special session where Texas Democrats broke quorum, a look at another state – Oregon – where Republican lawmakers staged a walkout.A new state law that bans cell phones, wearables and other electronic devices in Texas classrooms is raising questions from educators, parents and students about its implementation and impact.The University of Texas at Austin has set up guidelines for using AI responsibly to promote learning.And: El Paso pecan farmers innovate to cope with persistent drought. Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org The post No phones, devices in classrooms as Texas students return to school appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Just one more full week is left in the Texas Legislature’s special session, and with House Democrats away, what happens next?Some of those Democrats have decamped to California, which is now mulling a possible redistricting effort to offset potential Republican gains in the midterms.The IRS says churches can now endorse candidates, a move that could give Texas pastors more power than ever.And: The recent flooding in Travis County revealed fossilized dinosaur tracks. UT Austin paleontologist Matthew Brown describes what was found. Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org The post Dinosaur tracks uncovered near Austin after floods appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Texas’ redistricting fight is has spread past state lines. New federal legislation aims to ban mid-decade congressional redistricting, and the brawl looks likely to impact upcoming elections and the 2028 presidential race.San Antonio is planning a massive sports and entertainment district, including a new arena for the Spurs, a convention center expansion and more – with local taxpayers footing part of the bill.San Benito native Charley Crockett went from street performer to arena headliner. He joins the show to talk about his new album “Dollar a Day” and an upcoming nationwide tour with Leon Bridges.And: New research from UT Arlington shows that nature-focused livestreams can help people feel more connected to each other. Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org The post Charley Crockett talks new album and recent success appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

While the Texas House remains stalled due to a quorum break, the Senate continues its work, advancing a key education bill that could eliminate STAAR testing statewide.Texas is seeing a boom in data centers driven by AI and crypto – but the growth comes with major energy and water demands.Thanks to a $1 billion voter-approved investment, Texas is acquiring new land and developing trails to expand its state park system.And: The legacy of Claude Eatherly, a North Texas native who flew a weather support plane over Hiroshima on the day of the bombing and later became a vocal anti-nuclear activist. Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org The post State parks are getting bigger and better appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Texas Democrats are facing legal threats and potential action from the FBI for fleeing the state during the special session.Concerns about artificial intelligence are coming to a head with the most recent round of college graduates. How it’s disrupting the job market.A proposed expansion for the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge in the Panhandle had been in the works for years, but now the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is backing away.The 1991 Yogurt Shop murders in Austin remain officially unsolved. Our conversation with Margaret Brown, the director of a new HBO docuseries revisiting the tragedy.Plus: It’s been a month now since deadly flooding ravaged the Texas Hill Country. We’ll check in on the recovery.You can help make this podcast happen by donating at supportthispodcast.org. The post Muleshoe Refuge expansion plan scrapped appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The high-stakes battle over redistricting continues. Why Democratic Rep. Barbara Gervin-Hawkins took the risk and left the state.Gov. Greg Abbott has threatened to remove Democratic lawmakers from their seats for leaving during a special session, but can he legally do that?The history of partisan gerrymandering in the Lone Star State.Why Texas has become a professional services hub attracting top talent and creating new jobs.And: Remembering a Texas treasure – conjunto legend Flaco Jiménez. Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org The post A century of redistricting fights in Texas appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.