Texas Standard

Andrew Natsios, a Texas A&M professor and former USAID administrator, shares insights on recent staffing cuts at USAID and critiques the claims of inefficiency that have sparked concern among foreign aid supporters. He delves into the agency's historical significance and its role in global humanitarian efforts. Additionally, Kay Betts discusses the legacy of the Rockport Fulton Art Colony, highlighting artist Simon Michael's impact on the local culture and the art community's evolution in Texas.

A bill to let families use taxpayer dollars to cover private school tuition was approved by the Texas Senate, but the debate over the bill’s not done. Next stop: the Texas House.El Paso has still not recovered from government vacancies dating back to the height of COVID, with growing concerns about how that’s affecting basic services in one of Texas’ biggest cities.The WNBA season may be months away, but teams are making big moves – signing free agents, making trades and shaking up coaching staffs ahead of 2025.Spring gardening season is around the corner, but experts say now is not the time to trim your oak trees. February marks the start of oak wilt season, a deadly disease that can devastate trees across Texas. The post Texas Senate passes bill creating school voucher-like program appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Gov. Greg Abbott announced his priorities over the weekend, and it looks like lawmakers in his party are getting right to work.The Arlington City Council unanimously approved a drilling site that would put 10 new gas wells within a few thousand feet of homes, a daycare and elementary schools. A closer look at the debate.The impact of bird flu goes far beyond the price of eggs. The latest on how it’s affecting Texas farms and people.As we’ve well heard, Elon Musk is taking a big role, attempting to re-shape the U.S. government. The young engineers helping him do it.Plus: It’s feeling a bit like spring already in Texas, but there’s still winter ahead. What the Farmer’s Almanac predicts for the coming months. The post What does the Farmer’s Almanac say about Texas’ winter? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The Trump administration’s tariffs on China have taken effect, while tariffs on Canada and Mexico are on hold for now – but the threat looms, along with uncertainly. We’ll break down what it means for the state.Pete Hegseth, the new secretary of defense, visits the Texas/Mexico border. What he says about sending more troops.When is a school district too big? Plans to split Keller ISD in two have led to an outcry.And: Most state lawmakers won’t approve recreational marijuana or gambling, but what do Texans want? Details from a new survey. The post Why does Keller ISD want to split in two? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

With a de facto North American trade war set to begin tomorrow, Presidents Donald Trump and Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico announce a one-month delay on tariffs in exchange for added troops at the border. What we learned in Gov. Greg Abbott’s State of the State address, where he announced some unexpected priorities. And: A surprise deal by the Dallas Mavericks to trade away star Luka Doncic is sending waves of disbelief among Dallas fans and pro basketball nationwide. The post Why did the Mavericks trade Luka Doncic? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

What to expect from this weekend’s State of the State address, where Gov. Greg Abbott will reveal his emergency items for the current legislative session. Have you noticed the flu is going around? There’s actually more than one virus making folks sick at the moment. We’ll check in with a doctor. One of the many ways public media organizations raise funds is through vehicle donations. But how exactly does a donated car translate into a revenue stream? Texas Standard’s Sean Saldana followed one donation from driveway to dollars. And: The 67th annual Grammy Awards take place Sunday, and once again, Texas is well-represented among the nominees. We’ll have a preview. The post Flu surge shuts down schools in North Texas appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

A bird flu outbreak noted early in Texas is now a national issue, and concerns are rising about what the federal government plans to do. From property taxes to THC and more, Lt Gov. Dan Patrick outlines the first batch of 40 legislative priorities for the current Texas legislative session. Why a fight over mass transit it Dallas could wind up a matter for state lawmakers to untangle. And: The state has finalized the purchase of a 2,000-acre tract along the Colorado River in Burnet County, next to Colorado Bend State Park. The post Texas secures land for a new state park appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

If Texans were in charge of the state’s budget, how would they spend the money? A new survey from the Hobby School of Public Affairs sheds light on priorities. We know many state lawmakers are prioritizing a school voucher effort that would give money for private education directly to families – and the proposal has moved forward in the Senate. Some Texas business are already feeling indirect impacts of deportation efforts. And: With Texas attracting more data centers, -what’s being done to ensure the energy grid can handle it? The post Texans weigh in on how to spend the state’s $24 billion surplus appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Gov. Greg Abbott wants the federal government to reimburse the state for more than $11 billion spent on Operation Lone Star, and some lawmakers from both sides of the aisle support the request. Texas leads the nation in wind energy jobs, but a White House executive order to pause new wind projects has some in the industry concerned. As the Trump administration ramps up deportations of unauthorized immigrants, many farmers are bracing for the impact on agriculture. Luring Buc-ee’s beyond Texas: Cities across the U.S. are offering the company tax breaks and other big incentives. And: New state data shows a growing number of minors are traveling out of state for abortions. The post Abbott wants feds to cover Texas’ border costs appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

President Trump’s long-promised deportation raids get underway in Texas and in other parts of the country. Today, what we know about the weekend operations and what we’re learning. On this International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the Texas Standard’s Sarah Asch brings us the voices and memories of survivors living in Texas. And: The Texas Senate has unveiled a bill to create a school voucher plan. The Texas Newsroom’s Blaise Gainey gets us caught up on the plan ahead of a public hearing on Tuesday. The post Reflections from three Holocaust survivors in Texas appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.