Texas Standard
@texasstandard.bsky.social
You're on Texas Standard time. We're a production of KUT Austin, KERA North Texas, Texas Public Radio
San Antonio & Houston Public Media.
San Antonio & Houston Public Media.
Pinned
Texas Standard
@texasstandard.bsky.social
· Jan 23
Follow the folks that make the Standard and our partners around the state!
Two Texas Monthly journalists were driving through West Texas last week when they became the story themselves.
The Latino reporters were pulled over three times, first by a local county officer in Sanderson, then by ICE near Presidio, and finally by DPS outside of Marfa.
The Latino reporters were pulled over three times, first by a local county officer in Sanderson, then by ICE near Presidio, and finally by DPS outside of Marfa.
‘It just felt so targeted’: Texas Monthly journalists detail multiple run-ins with law enforcement
DPS, ICE and county officers stopped the two. They say the experience left them particularly unsettled after learning of the killing of Alex Pretti by Border Patrol officers in Minneapolis.
txst.us
January 29, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Two Texas Monthly journalists were driving through West Texas last week when they became the story themselves.
The Latino reporters were pulled over three times, first by a local county officer in Sanderson, then by ICE near Presidio, and finally by DPS outside of Marfa.
The Latino reporters were pulled over three times, first by a local county officer in Sanderson, then by ICE near Presidio, and finally by DPS outside of Marfa.
At least 11 people have died in Texas, nearly half of them children, as a winter storm continued to grip the state Thursday.
At least 11 dead in Texas, nearly half of them children, as winter storm grips state
A majority of the victims in Texas were children. Nationally, the storm has reportedly killed at least 50 people.
txst.us
January 29, 2026 at 6:00 PM
At least 11 people have died in Texas, nearly half of them children, as a winter storm continued to grip the state Thursday.
Meta is preparing to test paid subscription features for Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, including expanded sharing tools and enhanced artificial intelligence features.
Here's what users may be asked to pay for – and whether the strategy stands a chance of succeeding. buff.ly/PUERIiY
Here's what users may be asked to pay for – and whether the strategy stands a chance of succeeding. buff.ly/PUERIiY
txst.us
January 29, 2026 at 5:19 PM
Meta is preparing to test paid subscription features for Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, including expanded sharing tools and enhanced artificial intelligence features.
Here's what users may be asked to pay for – and whether the strategy stands a chance of succeeding. buff.ly/PUERIiY
Here's what users may be asked to pay for – and whether the strategy stands a chance of succeeding. buff.ly/PUERIiY
Cow cuddling, ice cream churning and farm tours are among the tactics dairy farmers are employing to compensate for low milk prices.
Cow cuddles and farm-churned ice cream are helping Midwest dairies thrive despite low milk prices
Cow cuddling, ice cream churning and farm tours are among the tactics dairy farmers are employing to compensate for low milk prices.
txst.us
January 28, 2026 at 9:33 PM
Cow cuddling, ice cream churning and farm tours are among the tactics dairy farmers are employing to compensate for low milk prices.
Gov. Greg Abbott designated CAIR as a terrorist organization in November, a move the Muslim civil rights group is challenging in court as defamatory and unsupported by law. txst.us/vysqw9
Ken Paxton: Comptroller can exclude schools from voucher program under anti-terror laws
A CAIR official blasted the Texas AG’s opinion, saying the law does not permit the comptroller to scrutinize Muslim schools because of their religious identity.
txst.us
January 28, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Gov. Greg Abbott designated CAIR as a terrorist organization in November, a move the Muslim civil rights group is challenging in court as defamatory and unsupported by law. txst.us/vysqw9
On Jan. 26, 1945, 19-year-old East Texan Audie Murphy almost single-handedly held off a German counteroffensive in occupied France. txst.us/z2zq9c
This week in Texas music history: Audie Murphy awarded the Medal of Honor
After a highly-decorated stint in WWII, a war hero enters the trenches of Nashville songwriting.
txst.us
January 26, 2026 at 8:00 PM
On Jan. 26, 1945, 19-year-old East Texan Audie Murphy almost single-handedly held off a German counteroffensive in occupied France. txst.us/z2zq9c
Just outside of Abilene, a four million square foot complex is being built on just over a thousand acres of land.
The complex is home base for Stargate, part of a $500 billion nationwide buildout of AI infrastructure. This project is backed by OpenAI and Oracle.
The complex is home base for Stargate, part of a $500 billion nationwide buildout of AI infrastructure. This project is backed by OpenAI and Oracle.
Stargate data center poised to complete construction this year in Abilene
What will the economic impact of the project be? Locals are still waiting to see.
txst.us
January 26, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Just outside of Abilene, a four million square foot complex is being built on just over a thousand acres of land.
The complex is home base for Stargate, part of a $500 billion nationwide buildout of AI infrastructure. This project is backed by OpenAI and Oracle.
The complex is home base for Stargate, part of a $500 billion nationwide buildout of AI infrastructure. This project is backed by OpenAI and Oracle.
Council members hope Austin police can find a way to minimize contact with federal immigration agents, despite state laws that stop cities from prohibiting local police from cooperating with ICE.
Austin City Council reacts to APD chief’s statement on ICE policy
Council members hope Austin police can find a way to minimize contact with federal immigration agents, despite state laws that stop cities from prohibiting local police from cooperating with ICE.
txst.us
January 26, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Council members hope Austin police can find a way to minimize contact with federal immigration agents, despite state laws that stop cities from prohibiting local police from cooperating with ICE.
Texas’ top Democratic contenders for this year’s U.S. Senate race, Dallas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and state Rep. James Talarico of Austin, squared off Saturday in their first debate ahead of March’s party primary. buff.ly/p8fF5Wa
Crockett, Talarico take on affordability, ICE and Trump during Texas primary debate
The Democratic U.S. Senate candidates weighed in on everything from foreign policy and the recent U.S. military actions in Venezuela to healthcare costs and whether they’d support raising taxes on…
txst.us
January 26, 2026 at 5:49 PM
Texas’ top Democratic contenders for this year’s U.S. Senate race, Dallas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and state Rep. James Talarico of Austin, squared off Saturday in their first debate ahead of March’s party primary. buff.ly/p8fF5Wa
Data centers tied to artificial intelligence are expanding rapidly across rural Texas, drawn by available land and a business-friendly regulatory climate. But residents are raising concerns about electricity demand, water use, and strain on local infrastructure.
Why one expert says communities should draft a data center ‘action plan’
Companies plan to build even more data centers in Texas, raising concerns about energy and water usage.
txst.us
January 22, 2026 at 9:33 PM
Data centers tied to artificial intelligence are expanding rapidly across rural Texas, drawn by available land and a business-friendly regulatory climate. But residents are raising concerns about electricity demand, water use, and strain on local infrastructure.
Texas barbecue continues to evolve, and one Fort Worth liquor store is now home to a Cambodian-inspired brisket joint turning heads. Kelly’s Cambodian BBQ blends grilled brisket with Southeast Asian flavors, reflecting a broader wave of cultural fusion in the state’s barbecue scene. txst.us/gm46m7
A Cambodian joint tucked away in a Fort Worth liquor store may be redefining barbecue
Kelly's Cambodian BBQ skips the fusion and goes straight for the traditional – grilled brisket included.
txst.us
January 22, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Texas barbecue continues to evolve, and one Fort Worth liquor store is now home to a Cambodian-inspired brisket joint turning heads. Kelly’s Cambodian BBQ blends grilled brisket with Southeast Asian flavors, reflecting a broader wave of cultural fusion in the state’s barbecue scene. txst.us/gm46m7
The death of a 55-year-old Cuban detainee who died on Jan. 3 at a federal immigration detention camp in El Paso was ruled a homicide Wednesday by the El Paso Medical Examiner’s office. buff.ly/tEQIiUQ
Immigrant’s death in ICE custody ruled homicide by El Paso medical examiner
Immigration officials initially said the 55-year-old Cuban detainee died of “medical distress” but later changed the cause to suicide. The medical examiner ruled he was suffocated while being…
txst.us
January 22, 2026 at 5:19 PM
The death of a 55-year-old Cuban detainee who died on Jan. 3 at a federal immigration detention camp in El Paso was ruled a homicide Wednesday by the El Paso Medical Examiner’s office. buff.ly/tEQIiUQ
There have been three deaths reported in the last two months at the nation’s largest immigration detention facility, Camp East Montana, located in El Paso and adjacent to Fort Bliss.
Deaths in ICE detention centers are on the rise. One in El Paso will likely be ruled a homicide.
Geraldo Lunas Campos died in Camp East Montana outside of Fort Bliss on Jan. 3.
txst.us
January 20, 2026 at 3:05 PM
There have been three deaths reported in the last two months at the nation’s largest immigration detention facility, Camp East Montana, located in El Paso and adjacent to Fort Bliss.
For more than 180 years, HBCUs have been one option in the U.S. The new PBS documentary “Opportunity, Access and Uplift: The Evolving Legacy of HBCUs” aims to bring Historically Black Colleges and Universities to the forefront of the conversation. buff.ly/lgA2y0s
Centering HBCUs in the conversation over options for higher ed
A new PBS documentary explores the opportunities provided by Historically Black Colleges and Universities through the stories of students attending them.
txst.us
January 19, 2026 at 9:24 PM
For more than 180 years, HBCUs have been one option in the U.S. The new PBS documentary “Opportunity, Access and Uplift: The Evolving Legacy of HBCUs” aims to bring Historically Black Colleges and Universities to the forefront of the conversation. buff.ly/lgA2y0s
Trump threatens big tariffs on European imports unless Denmark agrees to talk about selling Greenland.
Why do you think Trump is obsessed with this idea? What does it mean for NATO/EU alliances? What on earth is happening?
Share your thoughts. Record us a message at texasstandard.org/talk.
Why do you think Trump is obsessed with this idea? What does it mean for NATO/EU alliances? What on earth is happening?
Share your thoughts. Record us a message at texasstandard.org/talk.
The Talk of Texas wants to hear from you
texasstandard.org
January 19, 2026 at 2:08 PM
Trump threatens big tariffs on European imports unless Denmark agrees to talk about selling Greenland.
Why do you think Trump is obsessed with this idea? What does it mean for NATO/EU alliances? What on earth is happening?
Share your thoughts. Record us a message at texasstandard.org/talk.
Why do you think Trump is obsessed with this idea? What does it mean for NATO/EU alliances? What on earth is happening?
Share your thoughts. Record us a message at texasstandard.org/talk.
An ICE prosecutor who was linked to a racist social media account in 2025 has quietly returned to immigration court, despite unanswered questions about disciplinary action. Lawmakers had previously called for an investigation after the Texas Observer exposed the account. txst.us/6mn6gu
ICE prosecutor who runs racist X account returns to Dallas immigration court
James Rodden, identified by the Observer last year as the operator of an account that routinely posted hateful statements, appeared to be back at work Tuesday.
txst.us
January 16, 2026 at 10:00 PM
An ICE prosecutor who was linked to a racist social media account in 2025 has quietly returned to immigration court, despite unanswered questions about disciplinary action. Lawmakers had previously called for an investigation after the Texas Observer exposed the account. txst.us/6mn6gu
San Antonio’s march for MLK did not start as an enormous event, that’s for sure. It began much smaller and quieter. But over the years, it’s evolved into the massive gathering it is today. txst.us/98746u
How San Antonio’s MLK march went from 10 participants to become one of the nation’s largest
The Rev. Raymond Aaron Callies started the event to bring attention to deficiencies affecting Black residents on the city's east side.
txst.us
January 16, 2026 at 8:00 PM
San Antonio’s march for MLK did not start as an enormous event, that’s for sure. It began much smaller and quieter. But over the years, it’s evolved into the massive gathering it is today. txst.us/98746u
Historically, Texas voters mostly skip voting in primary elections. That fact changes everything about who ends up being elected – from their ideology to possibly even their party. buff.ly/sDTY9Fb
Texas’ party primaries shape the state’s politics. So why do so few voters participate?
Historically, Texas voters mostly skip voting in primary elections. That fact changes everything about who ends up being elected – from their ideology to possibly even their party.
txst.us
January 16, 2026 at 7:23 PM
Historically, Texas voters mostly skip voting in primary elections. That fact changes everything about who ends up being elected – from their ideology to possibly even their party. buff.ly/sDTY9Fb
Starting in mid-June, both Dallas and Houston will each host a series of FIFA World Cup games. Thousands of international soccer fans will flock to these cities in what some have described as hosting multiple Super Bowls in one month. buff.ly/vS8Hlvm
Texas is hosting FIFA World Cup matches in six months. Here’s what you need to know.
There will be nine matches in Dallas and seven in Houston.
txst.us
January 16, 2026 at 4:55 PM
Starting in mid-June, both Dallas and Houston will each host a series of FIFA World Cup games. Thousands of international soccer fans will flock to these cities in what some have described as hosting multiple Super Bowls in one month. buff.ly/vS8Hlvm
xAI said Wednesday that the Grok AI tool will no longer display nude or sexualized images of real people, including children.
Since late December, Grok users on X have been able to ask the AI tool to generate revealing or sexualized images – often of women and children. txst.us/embyqx
Since late December, Grok users on X have been able to ask the AI tool to generate revealing or sexualized images – often of women and children. txst.us/embyqx
Facing backlash, xAI dials back availability of sexualized images
Elon Musk's AI tool, Grok, and his social platform, X, faced threats of bans and other government action over images that sexualized children.
txst.us
January 15, 2026 at 9:00 PM
xAI said Wednesday that the Grok AI tool will no longer display nude or sexualized images of real people, including children.
Since late December, Grok users on X have been able to ask the AI tool to generate revealing or sexualized images – often of women and children. txst.us/embyqx
Since late December, Grok users on X have been able to ask the AI tool to generate revealing or sexualized images – often of women and children. txst.us/embyqx
On Tuesday, former Houston City Council Member Amanda Edwards and former Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee met for the sole debate of the special election runoff for Texas’ 18th, a district that winds from downtown Houston through some of its northern suburbs.
Amanda Edwards, Christian Menefee debate in Humble ahead of TX-18 congressional runoff
Edwards, a former Houston City Council member, and Menefee, previously the Harris County attorney, weighed in on issues ranging from health care to voting rights. The two Democrats refrained from…
txst.us
January 15, 2026 at 8:00 PM
On Tuesday, former Houston City Council Member Amanda Edwards and former Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee met for the sole debate of the special election runoff for Texas’ 18th, a district that winds from downtown Houston through some of its northern suburbs.
SB 8’s novel “bounty hunter” provision, which allows private citizens to sue anyone who “aids or abets” an abortion after cardiac activity is detected in a fetus, has continued to drive legal questions.
Texas Supreme Court hears arguments in case tied to state’s bounty hunter abortion law
The court may decide whether a particular challenge to Texas' Senate Bill 8, also known as the Texas Heartbeat Act, has a path forward.
txst.us
January 15, 2026 at 7:06 PM
SB 8’s novel “bounty hunter” provision, which allows private citizens to sue anyone who “aids or abets” an abortion after cardiac activity is detected in a fetus, has continued to drive legal questions.
“I kept telling him, ‘He’s right there. … You need to do something,’” Flores said, describing the moments before the gunman entered the building. “I was begging him to stop him.”
Witness says officer paced outside as shooter neared in Uvalde case
A former Robb Elementary aide testified that Adrian Gonzales was pacing outside the school as the gunman approached, adding new urgency to the trial over the Uvalde police response.
txst.us
January 15, 2026 at 6:00 PM
“I kept telling him, ‘He’s right there. … You need to do something,’” Flores said, describing the moments before the gunman entered the building. “I was begging him to stop him.”
“Disabled Power: A Storm, a Grid and Embodied Harm in the Age of Disaster“ features interviews with 58 people about how disability impacted them during Texas' deadly 2021 winter storm – and how their own resilience kept them going. buff.ly/GUTR5YV
New book explores how the 2021 winter storm endangered Texans with disabilities
Lack of access to power, water and transportation proved to be especially dangerous for Texans with physical and cognitive limitations.
txst.us
January 15, 2026 at 5:00 PM
“Disabled Power: A Storm, a Grid and Embodied Harm in the Age of Disaster“ features interviews with 58 people about how disability impacted them during Texas' deadly 2021 winter storm – and how their own resilience kept them going. buff.ly/GUTR5YV
In the last year, the Trump administration had far-reaching negative impacts on American science, according to interviews with 14 scientists in eight states who work across a wide swath of research fields, including academic institutions and federal agencies. buff.ly/EnanzFN
Scientists say Trump’s second term has been defined by slashed funding, layoffs and uncertainty
Scientists in the middle of the country told Harvest Public Media that 2025 was a year of major changes and uncertainty.
txst.us
January 15, 2026 at 3:50 PM
In the last year, the Trump administration had far-reaching negative impacts on American science, according to interviews with 14 scientists in eight states who work across a wide swath of research fields, including academic institutions and federal agencies. buff.ly/EnanzFN