Texas Standard

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 […] 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 […] 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 […] The post The top news of the year and looking ahead to 2026  appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Texas could lose as many as 17 members of Congress next year. What does that mean for the Lone Star State in terms of clout?The clock is ticking as federal funding for the 988 Crisis Lifeline expires next year.Distractions are everywhere. “Indistractable” author Nir Eyal offers strategies for focusing on what matters to you.And as […] The post Tips to stop doomscrolling in 2026 appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

There may be no personal income tax in Texas, but property tax? That’s another thing. And perhaps, the next big thing in Texas politics. The Texas Newsroom’s Blaise Gainey joins us with more on what’s emerging as a new theme in Texas politics for 2026: Property taxes.4 million Texans signed up for health plans from […] The post What to know if Affordable Care Act subsidies expire appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

It’s almost time to turn the page on 2025, but we’re stretching out Texas Standard’s 10th birthday celebration a little longer with our 10 favorite book interviews from the past decade.   It’s a list that includes children’s books, young adult literature, and books diving deep into history. Join us as we count them down.  The post Our top 10 books stories of the past decade  appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Just a few weeks ago, the editors and producers of the Texas Standard made out their lists and checked them twice, picking out stories from the past year that filled them with a certain sense of uplift – something that can at times seem so elusive.   In the spirit of the season, we’re sharing some of these feel-good stories with you on a […] The post Stories to warm your heart this Christmas  appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Music is a huge part of what makes Texas what it is. And as part of Texas Standard’s yearlong 10th birthday celebration, we’re celebrating our top 10 favorite music stories from the past decade.   Those include an exclusive interview with Phil Collins at the Alamo, an expansive conversation with the boundary-pushing band Khruangbin, and deep dives into the lives and legacies of Texas greats Johnny Canales and […] The post Our top 10 music stories of the past decade  appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

How will you remember 2025? This hour we’re listening back to some of our favorite stories of the year from reporters with the Texas Standard and Texas Newsroom.  Remember the author of “Holes,” who made a sharp turn in 2025? Or when it was blazing hot outside and the swimming pool became too irresistible to say no to? What about the rise and rise […] The post Our favorite stories from the Texas Standard and Texas Newsroom  appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

This holiday season, we’ve been listening back to some of the most compelling reporting by our in-house journalists here at the Texas Standard, as well as a team of public media reporters statewide known as The Texas Newsroom.   From an effort to help more adults complete a high school education, to a mystery Bible in Boerne, to the long-awaited launch of a […] The post The best of the Texas Standard and Texas Newsroom in 2025  appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Politicians can raise a lot of money running for election. But what happens to it when the campaign trail ends? Elected officials in Texas have a loophole to help them spend the money they raise on campaigns after they retire. How many concert venues have made it 75 years? We’ll take a tour of Dallas’ […] The post Dallas’ Longhorn Ballroom marks 75 years appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton says a Wisconsin-based electronic health records company has a monopoly over the industry. We’ll have more on the AG’s fight against Epic.Remembering a couple of major figures in the Tejano music world who we lost this past weekend: Manny Guerra and Abraham Quintanilla.Plus, counties are getting new equipment to warn […] The post Tejano music mourns two foundational figures appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

He’s been an elected Democrat for over 50 years, but now local party officials in Houston are refusing to endorse Mayor John Whitmire. Unwinding the political drama, today on the Texas Standard.Texas’ new bathroom law effects schools and government-owned buildings, but one reporter found enforcement depends on exactly where you go.Texans Michael and Susan Dell […] The post Protecting monarch butterflies on Texas highways appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Texas does not allow people change their gender on driver’s licenses. Those who still try are now being tracked.How the Trump administration is reorganizing the Army to reflect a new focus on Latin America.Professors caution students about relying on AI, but some universities are doing just that to review course content.And a new memoir by […] The post Texas collects data on trans residents through state IDs appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Houston, Fort Worth… Now three more Texas school districts are expected to be taken over by state education officials. Where, why and what comes next?The son of Texas A&M’s campus rabbi is among those critically injured in the mass shooting at Bondi Beach near Sydney, Australia.Mexican citizens who routinely cross into the U.S. at Texas’ […] The post Tiny Texas town’s library could be adult education template appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Austin and San Antonio have long been home to some of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S. Together, they are becoming what the authors of a new book are calling a "Megaregion." The post Texas Extra: The challenges and opportunities ahead for the Austin-San Antonio ‘Megaregion’  appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The Geminid Meteor Shower is happening, and we’ll have tips for your stargazing in a special live broadcast from the McDonald Observatory. Today 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 […] The post A special live broadcast from the McDonald Observatory appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Millions of student loan borrowers are bracing themselves for big changes. We’ll have details on the end of the so-called SAVE program and why experts worry millions of student loan borrowers may be forced into default. As some Texas cities cut funding for homeless services, a look at one approach from nonprofits: giving cash directly […] The post Tamales in Texas: A holiday debate with deep roots appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Texas’ top two political officials are lockstep on a new effort to make sure conservative youth organization Turning Point USA can launch at every high school in the state. We’ll take a closer look.Human plasma is vital for medical needs, but it’s also a multibillion-dollar industry on its own. We’ll explore.A Texas school district is […] The post Voces Oral History Center founder talks legacy ahead of retirement appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

High-profile Democratic Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett launches her campaign for the U.S. Senate. We’ll look at how she’ll compete in a crowded field against primary opponent State Rep. James Talarico and prospective general election foes incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton.Last month Texas voters approved funding for a dementia prevention and research institute. […] The post With Crockett in, Texas Democrats mull Senate race strategy appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.