Texas Standard

Legislation on the governor’s desk known as the “Death Star” bill takes aim at local ordinances statewide. Will cities strike back?

In a place known for years of drought, heavy rain has forced evacuations in Amarillo and Hereford.

We’ll meet Houston’s Benchawan Jabthong Painter, winner of the James Beard Award for best Texas chef. Her secret recipe? Cooking with grandma in Thailand.

The new movie “Flamin’ Hot” tells the story of a janitor at Frito-Lay who set the snack world on fire. We’ll talk to the film’s director, Corpus Christi native Eva Longoria, and stars Jesse Garcia and Annie Gonzalez.

Plus the week in politics with the Texas Tribune.

The post ‘Flamin’ Hot’ shares the spicy story of a snack food phenomenon appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The Texas Senate passed three new bills on border security – but with the House adjourned, does it mean anything?

The Texas Education Agency has taken over the Houston Independent School District, and already some major reforms are taking shape.

Two major insurance companies say they won’t write new homeowner policies in California, citing the costs of climate change. Could something similar happen in Texas?

Pro baseball is a favorite summer sport for many Texans, but a rule change is making it a little less lazy than it once was – for better or for worse? We’ll take a look.

The post Insurers are bailing on homes in disaster-prone regions. Is Texas next? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

“It’s a fantasy,” Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said of Gov. Greg Abbott’s objectives to lower property taxes. Patrick Svitek of the Texas Tribune joins with more on a growing divide between the state’s two top Republican leaders.

One top political observer says there’s more than meets the eye when it comes to school funding for rural districts.

Hurricane season is back. We’ll have the seasonal forecast from Space City Weather, plus how to prepare.

Plus, Cine Las Americas kicks off its 25th International Film Festival in Austin.

The post The dire situation facing underfunded Texas schools appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The sheriff of Bexar County is pushing for charges to be brought over migrant flights to Martha’s Vineyard.

Where did high-profile bills dealing with higher education wind up this legislative session? Kate McGee of the Texas Tribune joins with an overview.

An investigation has revealed a culture of sexism and discrimination in the El Paso Police Department.

Is air travel getting bumpier, or does it just seem that way? A Texas A&M expert explains what’s known as clear air turbulence.

Texas Monthly editor Jeff Salamon discusses “Lone Stars Rising,” a look at 50 Texans who have made a lasting impact in the past 50 years.

And stop the presses: A one-day walkout at the Gannett-owned Austin American-Statesman turns the spotlight on journalists in Texas moving to unionize.

The post ‘Lone Stars Rising’ profiles 50 Texans changing our world appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Property tax cuts and border security are on the agenda as the Legislature’s special session moves into week 2.

A bill to promote police transparency received support in the House and the Senate, but now it’s apparently gone missing. KXAN investigative reporter Josh Hinkle explains.

There’s a shortage of mental health treatment for people arrested in Texas who are deemed in need of treatment before trial.

And Texas-based American Airlines has grounded planes amid an ongoing pilot shortage. What does this mean for summer travel?

The post What happened to the bill closing the ‘dead suspect loophole?’ appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Two high-profile Texas attorneys have been tapped to lead the case against Attorney General Ken Paxton in his Senate impeachment trial. Lauren McGaughy of the Dallas Morning News joins us with more about the legal top guns brought in by the Texas House.

A disagreement over property taxes between Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick may point to a much wider rift among Texas Republicans. USA Today’s John Moritz explains.

The USDA green-lights so-called climate-friendly beef. But when grilled about it, the lack of answers raises questions of whether it’s mostly marketing sizzle.

Also, James Barragán of the Texas Tribune with the week in politics.

The post Is there such a thing as climate-friendly beef? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The U.S. House approved a measure lifting the debt ceiling, but we’re not out of the woods quite yet.

As state lawmakers continue to tangle with the governor’s priorities, what actually was accomplished in the regular legislative session? A roundtable of Texas reporters looks at changes for rural Texans.

A federal district judge will hear arguments today on the future of DACA in a case brought by the attorney general of

Also, they’re not just a time suck but a money pit, too: What can be done to cut the cost of meetings?

The post What did the Legislature accomplish for rural Texans? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Why couldn’t Republicans who control the Legislature see eye to eye?

There’s a cost to Texas taxpayers that comes with the Legislature going into overtime. Professor Mark Jones of Rice University helps us crunch the numbers.

The Texas Education Agency is expected to take over the Houston Independent School District on Thursday. We’ll take a look at what state-appointed managers face once they start getting settled in.

How did a fight over state incentives to attract business in Texas turn out – and did business boosters get what they wanted?

Plus, the young mariachi band that gave Uvalde something to cheer for.

The post Uvalde mariachi team’s win was a bright spot in a year of darkness appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The gavels have fallen on the 88th legislative session, yet lawmakers are still in action, as the governor called the first of what are expected to be multiple special sessions. We’ll look at the unfinished business on the agenda, and a special focus on where we stand with several bills related to public education.

The nonprofit organization Refugee Services of Texas – the largest resettlement agency in the state – is shutting down after four decades, citing mounting financial pressures.

Also, journalist Maria Hinojosa with more on a new special on Uvalde set to debut on PBS tonight.

The post What’s in store for lawmakers’ first special session? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

For the first time in Texas history, the House voted to impeach the state’s highest law enforcement official, setting the stage for a trial in the Senate for Attorney General Ken Paxton.

The drama comes as the Texas Legislature gets set to end its 88th session today. But already, with some of the Gov. Greg Abbott’s top priorities still unfinished, there’s plenty of reason to think we’ll be going into overtime.

Memorial Day travel in Texas is back to pre-pandemic levels – a harbinger of summer?

Also, a big change could be coming for those registering a motor vehicle in Texas.

The post Reviewing this session of the Texas Legislature appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.