It’s not hard to find a Texas connection to a news story. The same is true for history. One example that may surprise you is the fact that the Texas Hill Country inspired the design of New York Central Park.

Texas Standard commentator W.F. Strong explores.

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

The full transcript of this episode of Stories from Texas is available on the KUT & KUTX Studio website. The transcript is also available as subtitles or captions on some podcast apps.

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Larry McMurtry once claimed that he was mostly a book hunter who used his side hustle as a writer to finance his love of books and reading. He proved that point well with his 8,500 square foot bookstore in Archer City.

Texas Standard commentator W.F. Strong professes he knows a good deal about Texas literature, but has far less knowledge as to what classic and historical Texas books, in good condition, are worth.

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

The full transcript of this episode of Stories from Texas is available on the KUT & KUTX Studio website. The transcript is also available as subtitles or captions on some podcast apps.

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Texas Standard’s commentator remembers the Academy Award-winning actor who was not born a Texan, but played a heck of one on TV and film.

Stories From Texas is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. 

You can support our work by donating at supportthispodcast.org.

The full transcript of this episode of Stories from Texas is available on the KUT & KUTX Studio website. The transcript is also available as subtitles or captions on some podcast apps.

The post ‘He didn’t take on an iconic role, he made the role iconic’: W.F. Strong on Robert Duvall appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Texas Standard commentator W.F. Strong examines how one of the state’s most celebrated writers found a home in San Antonio.
Stories From Texas is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. 

You can support our work by donating at supportthispodcast.org.

The full transcript of this episode of Stories from Texas is available on the KUT & KUTX Studio website. The transcript is also available as subtitles or captions on some podcast apps.

The post Sandra Cisneros, a Texas literary rock star appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

January 22 marks the anniversary of the death of President Lyndon B. Johnson. He died in 1972 at his Texas ranch of a heart attack. It was the day after he’d heard a report that peace close at hand in Vietnam.

LBJ’s presidency was marked by turbulent change. And while the longtime Texas-born politician is often remembered for his role in the war and in civil rights, few remember what Commentator WF Strong calls LBJ’s ‘ secret weapon’ — his sense of humor.
Stories From Texas is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. 

You can support our work by donating at supportthispodcast.org.

The full transcript of this episode of Stories from Texas is available on the KUT & KUTX Studio website. The transcript is also available as subtitles or captions on some podcast apps.

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It’s been a bit of a tradition over the years for commentator WF Strong to offer up a story of thanks each holiday season — for what he calls a great gift to Texas.

Often, the honor has gone to someone long gone. But this year, he’s thanking someone still very much with us — and hopefully with many decades still ahead.

Check out Traces of Texas

Stories From Texas is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. 

You can support our work by donating at supportthispodcast.org.

The full transcript of this episode of Stories from Texas is available on the KUT & KUTX Studio website. The transcript is also available as subtitles or captions on some podcast apps.

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In December, members of the Texas Standard team had the joy of trekking out to far West Texas for a special live broadcast from the McDonald Observatory.

As we drove up into the mountains beyond Fort Davis, we recalled this story commentator WF Strong told us years ago about how the McDonald Observatory came to be.

Stories From Texas is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. 

You can support our work by donating at supportthispodcast.org.

The full transcript of this episode of Stories from Texas is available on the KUT & KUTX Studio website. The transcript is also available as subtitles or captions on some podcast apps.

The post How Three Gifts To UT Gave All Texans A Fourth: The Gift Of The Stars (re-run) appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

For almost the full ten years of Texas Standard, commentator WF Strong has been bringing us stories about Texas. One of his first was a list of his favorite nonfiction books about the state.

On it was “The Big Rich” by Bryan Burrough. Now, WF Strong tells us that the author has a new book he’d recommend for those who might need an antidote for Hallmark holiday movies.

Stories From Texas is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. 

You can support our work by donating at supportthispodcast.org.

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The full transcript of this episode of Stories from Texas is available on the KUT & KUTX Studio website. The transcript is also available as subtitles or captions on some podcast apps.

The post Mix up your holiday entertainment with a history of Texas’ lawless influence on Old West appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Boxer, preacher, and grill super salesman George Foreman died in his longtime hometown of Houston in March.

Texas Standard commentator W.F. Strong has been thinking about Foreman’s life and how he literally fought his way from rags to riches more than once.

The full transcript of this episode of Stories from Texas is available on the KUT & KUTX Studio website. The transcript is also available as subtitles or captions on some podcast apps.

The post George Foreman’s resilience: A two-time rags-to-riches story appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

In 1909, in the little town of Shiner, a group of German and Czech farmers decided they missed the beer of the old country. They pooled their money, built a ramshackle brewery, and called it the Shiner Brewing Association.

But they weren’t brewers. They were farmers. The beer was, well, bad. Locals apparently joked it tasted more like medicine than malt.

But Texas Standard commentator W.F. Strong tells us things started looking up for Shiner beer in 1914.

The full transcript of this episode of Stories from Texas is available on the KUT & KUTX Studio website. The transcript is also available as subtitles or captions on some podcast apps.

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