Texas Standard

The Republican race for U.S. Senate heats up with incumbent John Cornyn raising a record amount of money ahead of the primary. We’ll dive into where the race stands there, as well as between Democrats Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico.Six months after the catastrophic Hill Country flood, where do recovery efforts stand?Hope for the future and fear nothing will change: How Venezuelans in Texas view their country’s future now that Nicolás Maduro is gone.What closing the hemp loophole means for farmers, and how Texas is set to ban smokable cannabis by the end of the month.And before Hollywood, there was the Star Movie Ranch, the first movie studio in Texas. The post Proposed THC rules draw backlash from hemp businesses appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The killing of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis last week sparked protests around the nation this weekend. We’ll look at what happened here in Texas.The state of Texas has handed over voter registration rolls to the Trump administration Justice Department. Why Texas Democrats and some experts fear that could have violated federal law and exposed confidential information about Texas voters.For some women behind bars in Nueces County, a financial education effort is underway that proponents hope will be life changing.Also, why one commentator says the Houston Texans – not the Dallas Cowboys – are now America’s team. The post Minneapolis ICE shooting prompts protests in Texas appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Concerns about the flu are making headlines in many places across the country. Where do we stand in Texas?Our conversation with the state’s epidemiologist to hear how concerned Texans need to be as flu season ramps up.Also, more and more Texas parents are crying foul over the rising cost of their kids playing in youth sports leagues. It’s not just about uniforms and equipment, either.And Netflix: not just for the sofa anymore. How the company’s making a move to brick and mortar. 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. The post What to know as flu season ramps up in Texas appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Over three years later, the first criminal trial over the police response to the Uvalde school shooting is underway. We’ll have a live report with the latest in the trial of one of the first police officers to arrive at the scene of the deadly school shooting at Robb Elementary.With a big meeting set at the White House on Friday, we’ll review the stakes for Texas’ oil industry after the capture and arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.We’ll hear why a Texas teachers union is suing the Texas Education Agency over social media posts related to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.Plus, social media’s struggles to keep a lid on AI deepfakes. The post Uvalde school shooting trial is underway appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The legal case against Nicolás Maduro and his wife has begun, but how’s that going to work exactly?Venezuelans living abroad, including here in Texas, continue to react to the capture. Why Austin-based “Freedom is a Feast” author Alejandro Puyana says it’s so important we keep including their voices in the news coverage.The U.S. military might increase fitness standards. Why some are pushing back on the idea.New energy projects are taking off in Matagorda County. What it means for the mostly rural area.Plus, commentator W.F. Strong pays homage to the modern archivist behind the popular “Traces of Texas” Facebook page. The post Venezuelan Texans react to Maduro’s removal appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The latest from inside Venezuela as the Trump administration takes over and an interim president is sworn in.A look at the on again, off again immigration status of Venezuelans seeking asylum in this country – and Texas, in particular.Dallas County prosecuted its first fentanyl dealer, so how did the case fall apart?Birders have been busy with the annual Christmas Bird Count. A look at what they saw along the coast of Galveston Island.And with a new year comes a new Public Domain Day. From Betty Boop to “The Maltese Falcoln,” the Standard’s Shelly Brisbin breaks down the latest entries. The post What entered the public domain in 2026? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

A historic U.S. military operation has extracted Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro from the country. What are the implications, both for Texas and the U.S.? University of Texas global affairs expert Jeremi Suri weighs in on this weekend’s events, including the legality of the Venezuela operation and whether it was about narcoterrorism, oil, or something more.Speaking of oil, we’ll look at the implications for Texas as a global hub of the petroleum industry.Plus, the future of oil and gas in the Rio Grande Valley, the rediscovery of a key piece of the state’s colonial history, and a Texas DJ who left a mark on American blues. The post Venezuela’s future and what it means for Texas oil appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

As we celebrated 10 years of the Texas Standard in 2025, our yearlong tour of the state recently took us to our partners at Texas Public Radio, based in San Antonio.  Though its many landmarks bring in the tourists, new residents are rushing in, too – putting pressure on resources like energy and water.  We explored those growing pains but also sampled the tastes and sounds that make San Antonio special.  The post Encore presentation: A special broadcast from San Antonio  appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Texas Standard had the best seat in the state for the recent Geminid meteor shower. We’re revisiting our special broadcast from the McDonald Observatory earlier this month.  We’re focused on space science, including the history of this West Texas research gem – and how it’s continuing to contribute to what we know about the universe and beyond.  Dark skies are essential for observation, but there are challenges with light pollution. What they’re doing out in Fort Davis and what you can do at home.  Plus: A conversation with StarDate star Billy Henry.  The post Encore presentation: A special broadcast from the McDonald Observatory  appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

As we wrap up 2025, we’re reflecting on some of the most important news moments of the past year, including what happened with new proposals aplenty passed during the biennial state legislative session.   We’ll also drill down on some original investigative reporting of the year with the Texas Newsroom’s Lauren McGaughy and look at how 2026 is teed up for Texas through a political lens.   The post The top news of the year and looking ahead to 2026  appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.