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. Som…

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 ad…

President Trump’s long-promised deportation raids get underway in Texas and in other parts of the country – 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 unve…

A dramatic move at the Texas Capitol upends a decades-long tradition of power sharing as conservative Republicans succeed in banning Democrats from chairing legislative committees. The end of the CBP One program for asylum-seekers following President Donald Trump’s inauguration has left many with questions about their future. And: Growing demand an…

The U.S. military is sending around 1,500 active-duty troops to the country’s southern border, under orders from President Donald Trump. But what will they be doing, exactly, and what are the limits on what they can do? Half a trillion dollars have been pledged for a new AI venture called Stargate, and the first project is a data center in Abilene.…

As Texans try to keep warm, volunteers are bundling up to help a particularly vulnerable population: sea turtles facing “cold stun,” a life-threatening condition. We’re three days into the new Trump administration and trying to keep up with a slew of executive orders. Digging into the impacts on the energy industry, as well as what it means to issu…

Much of Texas is dealing with dangerously cold temperatures and conditions that make travel hazardous. How the state is coping – plus a look at the power grid. President Trump declared an emergency on the U.S.-Mexico border and issued several executive orders on immigration. We’ll delve into the details. A look at the life and legacy of Cecile Rich…

Parts of Texas that seldom see snow may well see frozen precipitation blanketing beaches tomorrow. We’re keeping watch. Seven employees of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission have been fired for improperly accessing, and in some cases, stealing, from the accounts of thousands of Texans receiving public assistance. And: TikTok went dark f…

We’ll have the latest on a dramatic drop in thermometers statewide and what that could mean for large parts of Texas next week. Also: How some are hoping to protect people experiencing homelessness from the worst of the big freeze. The incoming Trump administration has vowed to make immigration enforcement a top priority, possibly including mass wo…

A Texas case before the U.S. Supreme Court on verifying ages for adult content has bigger implications than just whether one free speech law can stand. TikTok users are flocking to other Chinese-owned apps as they await a ruling on whether the U.S. can ban TikTok. But a lot could still change. Carbon capture is a growing technology in the Houston a…

In a session-opening battle for speaker of the House – one of the most powerful positions in state government – Rep. Dustin Burrows won the role in a blow to a rising faction in the Texas GOP, and a victory for what many call establishment Republicans. Elon Musk, Texas’ richest resident, is turning his eyes to a vastly different venture: education.…

As lawmakers begin their work at the state Capitol, money is at the center of it all. Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar shares a look at the current state of the Texas economy. After a Venezuelan woman died violently in Texas, her body was sold for scientific research without her family’s consent. An investigation into the state’s trade in body parts. …

It’s go-time at the Texas Capitol as the 89th legislative session opens tomorrow, running through June 2. Blaise Gainey of The Texas Newsroom has a preview of what to expect. War on drugs? Or drug users? How a mass overdose event underscores what critics say is wrong with Texas’ anti-drug strategy. You’ve heard of a super moon, blood moon, harvest …

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…

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.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.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.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.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…