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Texas Standard

@texasstandard.bsky.social

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You're on Texas Standard time. We're a production of KUT Austin, KERA North Texas, Texas Public Radio San Antonio & Houston Public Media.

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Texas Standard @texasstandard.bsky.social · Jan 23

Follow the folks that make the Standard and our partners around the state!

Texas Standard @texasstandard.bsky.social · 1h

Texas’ new public education law, Senate Bill 12, requires parental permission before any physical or mental health care can be rendered to a student. As a result, parents now worry about their children, and nurses are worried about breaking the law.

Parental rights law leaves families, school nurses confused

Texas’ new public education law, Senate Bill 12, requires parental permission before any physical or mental health care can be rendered to a student. As a result, parents now worry about their children,...

Texas Standard @texasstandard.bsky.social · 2h

In San Antonio, Latina grandmothers ages 73 to 86 formed a folklorico dance group known as Las Abuelitas De Oro, a name inspired by the popular sitcom The Golden Girls.

Meet Las Abuelitas de Oro, the folklórico ‘Golden Girls’

Las Abuelitas de Oro have gained popularity in San Antonio because of their enthusiasm, joy and entertaining performances.

Texas Standard @texasstandard.bsky.social · 3h

Texas Rep. Gina Hinojosa on Wednesday announced she is running for governor in 2026, setting up a potential clash between Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and one of the Legislature’s most strident critics of his school voucher program.

Texas Rep. Gina Hinojosa joins Democratic race to challenge Gov. Greg Abbott

The five-term state lawmaker from Austin has homed in on education issues in the Texas House, becoming a primary foil to Abbott on school vouchers.

Texas Standard @texasstandard.bsky.social · 1d

Here in Texas, where beef is at the center of all things barbecue, halal pitmasters are thriving.

Halal barbecue carving out a growing space amid Texas cuisine

Dishes featuring meat butchered according to Islamic standards is beginning to be recognized – and enjoyed – even by non-Muslim diners.

Texas Standard @texasstandard.bsky.social · 1d

After spending much of the spring and summer trailing Attorney General Ken Paxton in the polls, Sen. John Cornyn has pulled even with his main rival for the 2026 Republican Texas Senate primary.

Poll shows Cornyn and Paxton in a dead heat for the Texas Republican Senate primary

The two main candidates in the Democratic primary are also in a very close race.

Texas Standard @texasstandard.bsky.social · 1d

These sub sandwiches can be spotted all around Austin.

Each is about 16 feet long and 4 feet wide.

They weigh up to 800 pounds.

Who makes the giant sandwiches on top of Austin’s Thundercloud Subs?

The iconic fake sandwiches can be spotted all around town. Each is about 16 feet long and 4 feet wide. They weigh up to 800 pounds.

Texas Standard @texasstandard.bsky.social · 1d

Recycling, waste reduction, and renewable energy: Austin City Limits Festival is testing whether big events can be eco-friendly.

ACL organizers want to turn the music festival into a model for throwing a green event

C3 Presents has increased initiatives to recycle more, waste less and power the show responsibly.

Texas Standard @texasstandard.bsky.social · 1d

Robert Roberson was days from execution – until a court stepped in.

What led to the stay, and what happens next?

Understanding why Robert Roberson’s execution has been halted

In a dramatic turnaround, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals on Thursday ordered a halt to the execution of death row inmate Robert Roberson a week before it was scheduled to take place.

Texas Standard @texasstandard.bsky.social · 2d

For nearly two decades, the state’s Medicaid Estate Recovery Program has filed repayment claims against Medicaid recipients after they die, threatening the inheritances of vulnerable Texans. buff.ly/kH0rSNE

This state program collects money from the deceased. Families pay the price.

For nearly two decades, the state’s Medicaid Estate Recovery Program has filed repayment claims against Medicaid recipients after they die, threatening the inheritances of vulnerable Texans.

Texas Standard @texasstandard.bsky.social · 5d

Striking workers at the Hilton Houston-Americas hotel are seeking a 40% raise. The demand comes as the hotel breaks revenue records. The 42-day strike is unusual.

42-day Houston hotel strike slated to end Sunday. It’s an unprecedented labor action — in more ways than one

Striking workers at the Hilton Houston-Americas hotel are seeking a 40% raise. The demand comes as the hotel breaks revenue records. The 42-day strike is unusual.

Texas Standard @texasstandard.bsky.social · 5d

The collection features art and artifacts highlighting the Queen of Tejano’s legacy – including never-before-seen sketches from her longtime fashion designer, who spoke about his friendship with her.

‘A beacon of hope’: New exhibit looks to capture the meaning of ‘The Selena Effect’

The collection features art and artifacts highlighting the Queen of Tejano's legacy – including never-before-seen sketches from her longtime fashion designer, who spoke about his friendship with her.

Texas Standard @texasstandard.bsky.social · 5d

Just a few weeks ago, Texas was ranked at or near the top in all the preseason polls.

Fast forward to now, after a disappointing loss against the Florida Gators last weekend and some underwhelming Longhorns games, many dejected fans are fearing what’s next.

Longhorns giving fans plenty to worry about heading into rivalry game with Oklahoma

Texas started the season at or near the top of most polls, but season prospects are dropping on the heels of two losses.

Texas Standard @texasstandard.bsky.social · 5d

Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered the Texas Department of Transportation to make sure cities and counties remove rainbow crosswalks and other non-standard road markings that, according to the governor, promote “political ideologies.”

Gov. Abbott threatens to withhold funding over rainbow crosswalks, other ‘political’ road markings

The order appears to target rainbow crosswalks specifically, in cities like Dallas, Austin, San Antonio and Houston, which have installed them in recent years.

Texas Standard @texasstandard.bsky.social · 5d

Austin ISD recently announced it would close 13 campuses next year. Fort Worth ISD is moving forward with a plan to close 18 schools over the next five years.

These announcements are often met with a mix of anger and heartbreak, and in some cases a sense of helplessness.

Schools closing in Austin and across the state as districts struggle with funding and enrollment

Although lawmakers increased public school funding this year, experts say it’s not enough.

Texas Standard @texasstandard.bsky.social · 5d

Texas has selected a private tech company to administer its new "school choice" program: Odyssey, which is based in New York and manages education funding in a handful of other states.

Texas taps New York-based company Odyssey to run controversial school choice program

Odyssey already runs similar programs in a number of other states.

Texas Standard @texasstandard.bsky.social · 6d

Given that no cameras or recording devices are allowed inside, she’s one of just a few dozen people bearing witness to the consequential legal battle.

Texas’ new congressional map is in federal court. Meet the case’s lone citizen spectator

Nacar Devine has been showing up to federal court in El Paso every day since last week, when a panel of three federal judges began hearing arguments around a lawsuit attempting to block the state’s…

Texas Standard @texasstandard.bsky.social · 6d

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has blocked the execution of Robert Roberson a week before it was scheduled to occur.

buff.ly/BBDo6u0

Robert Roberson granted stay of execution

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has blocked the execution of Robert Roberson a week before it was scheduled to occur.

www.texasstandard.org

Texas Standard @texasstandard.bsky.social · 6d

In a statement on Wednesday, Paxton called the group a “cabal of abortion-loving radicals.”

8 people allegedly affiliated with Houston woman in illegal abortion case indicted, Paxton says

The announcement of more arrests in the case championed by Paxton comes a month after Maria Rojas, a Houston-area midwife who operated the clinics, was indicted on 15 felony charges stemming from…

Texas Standard @texasstandard.bsky.social · 6d

A parasitic fly once eradicated in Texas is making a comeback, threatening livestock and prompting a major federal response. Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller says the state is preparing for the worst. He joins the Standard with more.

Ag Commissioner Sid Miller wants to stop screwworms with pesticide bait, but the USDA is hesitant

Cases of the parasite have been found less than 100 miles from the Texas-Mexico border.

Texas Standard @texasstandard.bsky.social · 7d

Before she was known as “Babe,” Mildred Didrikson was a trailblazing athlete from Port Arthur. Her legacy spans multiple sports and generations.

Listen to W.F. Strong share her remarkable story:

Commentary: They called her ‘Babe’

W.F. Strong shares the story of one of Texas' trailblazing female athletes.

Texas Standard @texasstandard.bsky.social · 7d

The Texas Stock Exchange has won federal approval, marking a major milestone for Dallas’ growing financial industry.

The Texas Stock Exchange got federal approval. What does it mean for Dallas?

The Securities and Exchange Commission approved an application for the Dallas-based Texas Stock Exchange to start listing as early as next year. Economists say it could have rippling effects…

Texas Standard @texasstandard.bsky.social · 7d

Austin activist Greg Stoker is back home after a dayslong detention in an Israeli prison for protesting the war in Gaza.

Stoker was detained last Thursday for taking part in a civilian-organized effort to deliver aid to Gazans and break Israel’s naval blockade on Palestine.

Austin activist Greg Stoker is back home after being detained in an Israeli prison

Stoker was one of more than 400 activists on a mission to sail aid to Gaza who were arrested by the Israeli military last week.

Texas Standard @texasstandard.bsky.social · 7d

Austin activist Greg Stoker is back home after a dayslong detention in an Israeli prison for protesting the war in Gaza.

Stoker was detained last Thursday for taking part in a civilian-organized effort to deliver aid to Gazans and break Israel’s naval blockade on Palestine.

Austin activist Greg Stoker is back home after being detained in an Israeli prison

Stoker was one of more than 400 activists on a mission to sail aid to Gaza who were arrested by the Israeli military last week.

Texas Standard @texasstandard.bsky.social · 7d

Robert Roberson is set to die from lethal injection in less than two weeks, despite evidence that casts doubt on his conviction for killing his two-year-old daughter Nikki. The case is attracting attention across the nation, even among supporters of capital punishment:

GOP death penalty supporters question Robert Roberson’s execution

The case is attracting attention from across the nation, even among supporters of capital punishment, who are calling for a halt to Roberson’s execution.

Texas Standard @texasstandard.bsky.social · 8d

Texas uses more electricity than California and Florida combined. AI and growth are pushing demand even higher. Can the state’s grid keep up with the surge?

In 2023, Texas consumed more energy than any other state. What’s driving the numbers?

The Lone Star State used twice as much energy as California and three times as much as Florida.