Texas Standard

When immigration agents wear military-style gear, it may be more about looks than function The agents' body armor, helmets, and camouflage mimic military special forces, but may not be the most effective gear for enforcing immigration law.

“It’s not your friendly neighborhood cop walking the beat, right? It feels like a takeover, feels like an invasion.”

Ring ends security partnership amid ad backlash Many viewers of a Super Bowl ad dramatizing the search for a lost puppy felt that Ring's plan to link up with surveillance companies who work with police had gone too far.

After a Super Bowl ad gone wrong, home security company, Ring, will no longer partner with a surveillance and security firm to share and analyze users’ doorbell cam video.

Four men accused in Austin’s yogurt shop murders have been exonerated After police discovered Robert Eugene Brashers was responsible for the deaths of the four teens in 1991, Travis County has moved to exonerate four men previously accused and convicted of the murders.

After police discovered Robert Eugene Brashers was responsible for the deaths of the four teens in 1991, Travis County has moved to exonerate four men previously accused and convicted of the murders.

As pitmasters close up shop, is the BBQ bubble about to burst? Beef prices, in particular, have taken a bite out of business.

With rising beef prices, skyrocketing operating costs, and fewer people eating out, it seems like the barbecue bubble is in fact starting to burst.

Senate candidate James Talarico raises $2.5 million after Stephen Colbert interview controversy, campaign says Stephen Colbert accused CBS of blocking an interview with Talarico from airing during his late-night broadcast on Monday. The interview, shared on YouTube, has millions of views and has allegedly…

James Talarico raised more than $2 million for his U.S. Senate campaign after his interview with Stephen Colbert was shared on YouTube, his campaign said. buff.ly/dyIV0jc

UT System votes to limit ‘controversial topics’ in class, raising concerns about academic freedom It’s the latest move in the Texas higher education systems for the state to have more control over what is taught at public universities.

Faculty must also exclude “unrelated controversial or contested matters” from syllabi and only follow the contents of the syllabus for each course. buff.ly/TpvEBjs

Houston’s World Cup host committee commits to $15 minimum wage, human trafficking mitigation in new report FIFA requires host committees in each city to release a plan for human rights protections ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Houston’s plan focuses on diversity and labor protections.

Houston is four months away from hosting World Cup matches.

The city just released a Human Rights Action Plan addressing worker safety and trafficking concerns.

‘We’re here to defend meritocracy in America’: Students speak out to save Texas Dream Act A bipartisan group of UT Austin students are getting politically involved to help peers who suddenly have to pay out-of-state tuition as the longtime state law faces court challenges.

Texas public universities are operating under new tuition rules as the Dream Act case heads to appeal.

Students say the uncertainty is already reshaping decisions. txst.us/vtl7ei

You can hear me talk just a little bit about this story on @texasstandard.bsky.social at 10:15 CT this morning:

The Talk of Texas wants to hear from you

Spring election season is here. So I’m curious: what’s most important to you this spring election – and why?

Primaries? School board? Something hyper-local most folks aren’t talking about?

Leave us a voice memo at texasstandard.org/talk. We want your voice on the show.

@texasstandard.bsky.social

Farmers may lose a USDA program that helps them adapt to climate change In 2014, the U.S. Department of Agriculture created a network of “climate hubs” to understand how climate change affects agriculture and forestry and help farmers adapt to more extreme and…

In 2014, the U.S. Department of Agriculture created a network of “climate hubs” to understand how climate change affects agriculture and forestry and help farmers adapt to more extreme and unpredictable weather.

Now, the future of these hubs is uncertain. buff.ly/rxW7wPy

It’s been five years since catastrophic Texas blackouts. How much has changed? The state’s leaders say they’ve taken steps to harden Texas’ power grid since the deadly winter storm in 2021. But challenges remain as the state sees booming demand for energy.

The state’s leaders say they’ve taken steps to harden Texas’ power grid since the deadly winter storm in 2021. But challenges remain as the state sees booming demand for energy.

Tiny pests are destroying American rice fields. It’s another hit for farmers An invasive insect called the rice delphacid was a major problem for some farmers in 2025. With low prices for their crop and a high cost of doing business, many are wondering how they’ll make a…

An invasive insect called the rice delphacid was a major problem for some farmers in 2025. With low prices for their crop and a high cost of doing business, many are wondering how they’ll make a profit in 2026.

After Tarrant County upset, West Texas Democrats are ‘hopeful’ they can shift their deep red region Texas Democrat and labor leader Taylor Rehmet turned tables in a special election runoff for the Texas Senate seat in District 9, defeating GOP pick Leigh Wambsganss in a 40-year Republican…

Texas Democrat and labor leader Taylor Rehmet turned tables in a special election runoff for the Texas Senate seat in District 9, defeating GOP pick Leigh Wambsganss in a 40-year Republican stronghold.

Texas Republicans revive anti-Muslim messaging in races across the state Around Texas, Republicans are taking a hard line on Islam for the upcoming primaries and midterms.

"Some of the issues that were really salient for bringing Trump back to power are waning a bit. And so I think it’s not a coincidence that you’re seeing some of these fears about the so-called 'Islamification' come back to the fore as a campaign issue." txst.us/936n14

The VA says its reorganization plan won’t hurt patient care. Some health care workers are skeptical The Department of Veterans Affairs is planning to eliminate 25,000 vacant positions and implement the largest reorganization of its giant health care system in three decades.

The Department of Veterans Affairs is planning to eliminate 25,000 vacant positions and implement the largest reorganization of its giant health care system in three decades. txst.us/t427gr

New border wall plans threaten Rio Grande Valley nature areas The Trump administration's plan to build new border wall segments through sensitive nature areas is being challenged by RGV protestors.

The Trump administration’s plan to build new border wall segments through sensitive nature areas is being challenged by RGV protestors. buff.ly/mG7Cgr0

Trump administration is sending pregnant migrant girls to South Texas shelter flagged as medically inadequate Government sources and advocates for the children worry the goal is to concentrate them in Texas, where abortion is banned.

The decision was made over urgent objections from the administration’s own health and child welfare officials, who say both the facility and the region lack the specialized care the girls need. txst.us/nkokif

‘Dark Texas’ envisions what would have happened if the grid failed in the 2021 winter storm The new novel from former disaster-planning researcher Charles J. Petrie Jr. is grim, but also highlights how Texans can prepare for disaster.

The new novel from a former disaster-planning researcher is grim – but also highlights how Texans can prepare for disaster.

The man who walked over 50 miles across Dallas in two days wants to tell you about it Jeffrey McWhorter met over 200 people during his trek across his hometown.

While many rely on public transit, Dallas is not what most people would consider “walkable.”

But that didn’t stop Jeffrey McWhorter from lacing up his boots, grabbing his camera and hitting the road by foot last spring.

A tick bite made this rancher allergic to her own cattle. It’s a worsening issue for farmers Alpha-gal syndrome, a tickborne allergy to red meat and dairy, has become more common in the last few years. The condition poses unique challenges to the lives and livelihoods of U.S. ranchers and…

An emerging tick-borne condition known as alpha-gal syndrome causes allergic reactions to red meat and has affected hundreds of thousands of Americans.

For farmers who work closely with livestock, the diagnosis can be especially disruptive.

Meet the Texas Democrats vying to challenge Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick in November Three Democrats want to bring new ideas to the role of Lieutenant Governor of Texas. But no matter who wins March’s Democratic primary, they’ll face an uphill battle running against incumbent…

Three Democrats want to bring new ideas to the role of Lieutenant Governor of Texas. But no matter who wins March’s Democratic primary, they’ll face an uphill battle running against incumbent Republican Dan Patrick in November.

Texas jails have more than 400 pregnant inmates monthly. The state is trying to understand what happens to them. As a part of a yearlong study, Texas county jails are collecting data about pregnant inmates’ prenatal care, mental health indicators, pregnancy outcomes and more.

Investigations have documented lawsuits and allegations of mistreatment involving pregnant inmates in Texas jails, including cases of poor medical care. The state is now collecting more detailed data on pregnant people in custody – a change advocates hope will improve accountability.

Texas dropped ABA law school accreditation after 4 decades. Can it come up with a better system? The Texas Supreme Court decided the American Bar Association should "no longer have the final say" on which law school graduates can become licensed lawyers. Will the move foster accessibility and…

The Texas Supreme Court is taking back control over lawyer licensing. Supporters say it modernizes the system — but critics see a big risk.

Texas faith leaders divided over school prayer, Bible reading periods as deadline for SB 11 approaches Senate Bill 11, passed last year, requires Texas public school boards and charter school governing bodies to vote by March 1 on whether to implement periods for group religious activity.

Texas school boards have weeks to decide whether to allow prayer time under SB11.

Faith leaders are lobbying hard on both sides: txst.us/1dbacp

Commentary: Sandra Cisneros, a Texas literary rock star Texas Standard commentator W.F. Strong examines how one of the state's most celebrated writers found a home in San Antonio.

Sandra Cisneros, probably the most celebrated Hispanic writer in the Southwest for the past several decades, attracts enormous crowds of particularly young admirers any time she speaks. She is a rock star.

Texas warns schools of possible state takeover over student protests, appoints misconduct enforcer The move comes as the state’s education agency unveils a new enforcement role to oversee investigations into alleged misconduct by Texas teachers.

The Texas Education Agency has warned school districts that facilitating student political walkouts could lead to a state takeover.

Gov. Abbott issues disaster declaration as New World screwworm continues to inch closer to the border The preemptive declaration will establish a joint Texas New World Screwworm Response Team.

Gov. Greg Abbott has issued a statewide disaster declaration to prevent the potential spread of the New World Screwworm into Texas. The harmful parasite presents a serious threat to the livestock industry and wildlife.

This week in Texas music history: Willie Nelson records ‘Shotgun Willie’ and ‘Troublemaker’ Nelson's Austin homecoming and label change opened up new avenues for creative autonomy.

In early February 1973, Willie Nelson and his Family Band, along with guests Doug Sahm, Waylon Jennings, and Jessi Colter, traveled to NYC to record not one, but two Nelson albums in quick succession: “Shotgun Willie” and “The Troublemaker.” buff.ly/nX64CQp

The deadline to register to vote in Texas’ March 3 primary election is today Voters get to decide who will appear on the November ballot for a range of elected offices, from governor to the U.S. House and Senate.

Monday is the deadline to register to vote in Texas for the March 3 primary election. Voters get to decide who will appear on the November ballot for a range of elected offices, including governor, attorney general, U.S. House and Senate, and seats in the Texas Legislature.