With temperatures on the rise, beware the temptation to let down your guard: a waning winter storm and what it means for drivers today. Gov. Greg Abbott is keen on an idea to pipe Houston’s surplus water to drought-stricken West Texas. With the U.S. inauguration just 10 days away, what’s in store for the relationship between Washington and Mexico C…

Some of the most frustrating hours of our lives might be spent in a vehicle. After some hard times on the road, nothing can feel better than the perfect parking spot at the place you need to be. But how will you pull in? Texas Standard commentator WF Strong has some thoughts. The full transcript of this episode of Stories from Texas is available on…

As cold as it is in some parts of the state, politics are heating up in Austin. As the next legislative session nears, there’s intense infighting over who will hold one of the top spots. Abortion access in this country has changed, especially in states like Texas, since the effective overturn of Roe v. Wade. But pregnancy terminations are actually …

Rain, freezing rain, sleet and snow are sweeping across Texas, with the Panhandle and DFW areas bracing for the worst. We’ll have the latest on this week’s forecast – and how it’s complicating life for farmers and ranchers between Dallas and Texarkana. With the Texas Legislature set to reconvene in a few days, some lawmakers preparing to fight agai…

State lawmakers want to tackle the rising cost of renting or owning a home in Texas. Why more white-collar office workers are facing long-term unemployment. Diane Wilson waged a legal war against the company that was polluting a stretch of Gulf Coast and won. Now the shrimper is using the settlement money to help her fishing community. Plus: Talkin…

We have the latest on what’s shaping up to be the first real winter storm of 2025 in Texas – and we’ll also turn to energy and what the winter weather adds up to for consumers and the industry. Houston mayor John Whitmire marks one year in office. How’s it going so far? The U.S. Census Bureau reports that in 2024, Texas gained over half a million n…

The FBI now says it believes the suspect in the New Year’s attack in New Orleans acted alone. We’ll have an update on the latest. Ted Cruz is poised to take over leadership of the powerful Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. As of Jan. 1, works published in 1929 and sound recordings from 1924 have entered the public domain. Th…

The FBI has identified the suspect in a deadly terrorist attack in New Orleans as Texas resident Shamsud-Din Jabbar. We’ll have the latest on the rampage that left 15 people dead. Ahead of next week’s national day of mourning for former President Jimmy Carter, a look at his impact on the Lone Star State. What steps should lawmakers prioritize in th…

As the 89th session of the Texas Legislature looms, here’s a preview of some of the marquee issues that will likely hold the focus of lawmakers. The post A look ahead at the 89th legislative session appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.Kirjoittanut Texas Standard

Ring in the new year with a countdown of our beloved commentator’s most mesmerizing tales. The post The W.F. Strong Power Hour appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.Kirjoittanut Texas Standard

Queue up some jams for your New Year’s Eve party with this roundup of some of our favorite music segments from 2024, featuring Beyoncé, the Jesus Lizard, Bayonne and more. The post Our top music stories for the year appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.Kirjoittanut Texas Standard

Every corner of Texas holds a certain kind of unique magic. We’re hitting the road, exploring hidden history and checking out plans for some new trails. The post A year of travel across Texas appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.Kirjoittanut Texas Standard

Through the years, countless Texans have made history, though some are far less remembered or memorialized. We’re bringing some of those stories to light today, from the far reaches of space exploration to the farmworkers who fought for change with the Texas Farm Workers Union. The post Diving into Texas history appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios…

We asked our team of journalists at the Standard to reflect on some of their favorite stories of the past 12 months. Today we remember efforts to save animals during the big Panhandle fire, a Texas runner heading to his final marathon, prospects for a WNBA franchise in a city that’s long gone without a pro team, and much more. The post Some of our …

This year we kicked off the Texas Museum Map, exploring and highlighting museums big and small, traditional and weird. Today we’ll take a tour of the state, with stops at the Museum of South Texas History in Edinburg, the Rangerette Showcase & Museum in East Texas, and Cadillac Ranch near Amarillo, among others. The post Tour the Texas Museum Map a…

We’re taking a look back at some of our favorite stories of the year from our public radio reporting partners across the state, including: A Dallas ISD program that’s getting more Black and Latino men into classrooms. Mobile health clinics rolling out to provide vital medical services as the state loses rural hospitals. And: A visit to the traditio…

Texas Standard had good reason to talk to Billy Bob. Though he’s from Arkansas, he’s lived in Texas on a couple of occasions – and he’s played some classic Texas roles: from Coach Gary Gaines in the film “Friday Night Lights” to Davy Crockett himself in the film “The Alamo.” Billy Bob Thornton has been an honorary Texan for decades. Now, he’s secur…

At least five bills have been filed in the Texas Legislature so far to require Texas voters to show proof of citizenship. A look at the implications. How education could take center stage in the upcoming 89th Texas legislative session. Attorney General Ken Paxton files a motion to prevent testimony at the Capitol from death row inmate Robert Robers…

It’s Republicans vs. Republicans to decide the speaker’s race in the Texas House of Representatives. Photographer Melinda Wickman Swearingen, who died earlier this year, captured evocative images of outlaw country musicians. Her work will soon be on display at the Wittliff Collections at Texas State University. And: What’s the deal with these myste…

There’s a fight to lead the Texas House of Representatives, and two names top the list. Yesterday we heard about Justin Burrows; today we’re taking a closer look at his challenger, David Cook, who the support of the House GOP caucus. How one Central Texas school district is trying to do something about chronic absenteeism. And: Whataburger has long…

It’s still election season in the Texas Legislature, where there’s a race for speaker of the House of Representatives. We’re taking a close look at the top two contenders this week, starting today with Rep. Dustin Burrows. Billy Bob Thornton, who’s long been an honorary Texan, has earned his eighth Golden Globe nomination for his role as Tommy Norr…

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit claiming a New York doctor illegally prescribed abortion pills to a Texas resident. A state plan to provide incentives for affordable housing: A Houston Chronicle investigation finds little affordable housing being built – and taxpayers holding the bag. Two Texas families take legal action again…

Today we come to you from one of Texas’ once great railroad towns – and though the trains aren’t so much a central part of life here anymore, something else has happened that’s been bringing people, prosperity and a sense of renewal back to Abilene. An AI-focused facility could transform the Big Country region. Ahead of the 2025, legislative sessio…

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued two giants of the chemical business, 3M and DuPont, over so-called forever chemicals contained in household objects. A new kind of car needs a new kind of mechanic. The Standard’s Kristen Cabrera goes inside a school for hybrid and electric vehicle repairs. The old art form of tintype photography is being …

Last night’s chill has many Texans asking how the state’s power grid is looking for the winter. How much has changed since the freeze and blackouts of February 2021? Mose Buchele of KUT News has been keeping tabs. The Texas legislative session hasn’t even started, yet more than one representative claims to be the de facto speaker-elect of the House…