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The state is taking control of more struggling school districts, but how effective are the takeovers? We’ll discuss with two Houston Chronicle reporters tracking takeovers in Texas.
Should the state attorney general make national politics one of his primary duties as outgoing AG Ken Paxton has done? It’s become an issue as voters elect the state’s new top legal representative.
Texans can no longer use SNAP benefits to buy candy or sugary drinks, but what qualifies at the checkout counter?
We’ll delve more into the fallout over President Trump’s war of words with Pope Leo.
And a new gym in Waco is redefining what fitness can look like for people with disabilities.

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After talks with Iran fall apart, energy prices are back on the rise — as are military tensions. UT global affairs expert Jeremi Suri on what happened in talks and what it means for the foreseeable future.
The end of the Artemis II mission, the start of a new chapter in space exploration. We’ll have more on that front, as well as the discovery of the remains of what looks like an armadillo the size of a lion. What a Central Texas cave is telling us about what Texas really looked like in the Ice Age — upending some long-held assumptions.

The post Discovery in Central Texas cave reshapes understanding of Ice Age wildlife appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Texas Standard talked with Bob Odenkirk during SXSW about his new film “Normal.” Now, it’s hitting theatres. This extended conversation goes beyond why he loves the new film to include how he feels he adds to the action genre and why he votes “Rushmore” for the best Texas film. He also gets real about how he feels about Texas barbecue and film incentives from state to state.

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: Bob Odenkirk on ‘Normal,’ what he brings to action films and paying taxes appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The threat of hail, possible tornadoes and flooding conditions spells what could be a severe start to a stormy weather season in Texas. Meteorologist Eric Berger joins us with what to expect and how it fits into the bigger weather picture.
How are you weathering rising gasoline prices? We’ll hear how some Houstonians are coping.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s election-year forecast: Not a rosy one for the Texas GOP. We’ll talk about that with Jasper Scherer of the Texas Tribune.
We’ll reveal our winner in our contest for the best Texas film of all time, as well as talk with the filmmaker behind “They Called Us Outlaws,” all about the rise of outlaw country music.

The post ‘They Called Us Outlaws’ revisits rise of outlaw country music appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

This week, Kim Masters sits down with Drew Goddard to discuss adapting Andy Weir’s novel Project Hail Mary for the big screen. He reflects on how his early days writing on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Alias, and Lost trained him to move fast, as he did when he was tasked with turning around the script for Cloverfield after Paramount greenlit the project from an outline. He also talks about being brought in to rescue World War Z, and shares the advice he gave Andy Weir about a potential Project Hail Mary sequel.

Plus, Masters and Matt Belloni dig into the fallout from Jeff Shell’s exit as Paramount president, tied to allegations of leaking company information. The banter partners also spotlight a bit of good news in the industry following last week’s box office report: the Writers Guild’s unexpected four-year contract extension with studios, which could help build momentum ahead of SAG-AFTRA negotiations set to resume later this month.

High stakes in Texas as cannabis businesses file suit over a new statewide ban on smokable hemp.
This year’s midterm elections signal the biggest turnover in recent memory and Texas is part of that trend. The Texas Newsroom’s Blaise Gainey on what’s behind this changing of the guard.
Despite a tenuous ceasefire with Iran, tech expert Omar Gallaga tells us high-tech battles are still being waged.
The prescription for a nursing shortage in Texas? A new training opportunity launches in Abilene.
And a new series exploring Texas’ endangered landscapes debuts on PBS stations statewide tonight. We’ll have a preview of “Daytripping with the Nature Conservancy.”

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A proposed overhaul of Texas classrooms could change what millions of students read. We’ll look at how this could impact classrooms across the state.
An investigation into Congressman Tony Gonzales uncovers a pattern of pursuing staff members. What we know and how the congressman is responding.
Billions of dollars in clean energy investment across Texas is now in question, as federal policy shifts put projects at risk. We’ll delve into what this could mean for the state’s energy future.
Plus, three iconic Texas films share a common thread: The writing of Larry McMurtry. We’ll explore the new book “Western Star,” covering his life and the Texas he captured so vividly.

The post ‘Western Star’ explores Larry McMurtry’s legacy and Texas storytelling appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

A deepening water crisis in Corpus Christi is raising questions about how South Texans get their water — and who gets it.
For students pursuing job training instead of a traditional college degree, there are some long-awaited changes to financial aid. Now, new support could open doors for workforce programs.
A reckoning over the legacy of Cesar Chavez: We’ll discuss the fallout and the future of the farmworker’s movement.
And a historic journey deep into space: Astronauts traveling farther than ever before. What NASA hopes to learn and what comes next for Artemis.

The post South Texas water crisis raises concerns about aquifer use appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

A runoff in the Houston area between challenger Christian Menefee and longtime incumbent Al Green is being seen as part of a much bigger fight for the future of Texas Democrats.
Also, an executive order from the Trump administration may put the postal service in the middle of election-year politics.
Also — explosions on the other side of the Texas-New Mexico border near El Paso, and what they portend for the future of a border wall.
Meanwhile, Artemis II astronauts are making history with a flyby today.

Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas.
You can help make this podcast happen by donating at supportthispodcast.org.

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The water crisis in Corpus Christi has been on the minds of many Texans for the past few weeks. But in the city itself, officials have been dealing with drought and increased demands for water for years. On April 3, David Brown spoke with Corpus Christi city manager Peter Zanoni about how the city plans to beef up its water supplies, the state’s role and why no water emergency has been declared. This is an extended version of the interview that appeared on the radio show.

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: City manager remains optimistic in the face of Corpus Christi’s water crisis appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.