Texas Standard

Texas Democrats Goodwin, Velez hope to keep voters engaged ahead of lieutenant governor runoff Texas Democrats busted through turnout expectations for the primaries. But can they keep up that momentum for May’s runoff elections? State Rep. Vikki Goodwin and labor organizer Marcos Velez — the De...

State Rep. Vikki Goodwin and labor organizer Marcos Velez, the Democratic candidates vying to challenge incumbent Republican Lt. Gov Dan Patrick, face off in a May 26 runoff. txst.us/12m4b4

Trump administration removes some Big Bend area projects from ‘Smart Wall’ plan U.S. Customs and Border Protection this week quietly updated its "Smart Wall" map to remove two "primary border barrier system" projects in the Big Bend area, including one recently slated for Big Ben...

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) this week quietly removed two stretches of planned border walls from its map of “Smart Wall” projects in the Big Bend region of West Texas, including one such project slated to run through Big Bend National Park. txst.us/7ytfym

From TexasStandard1845's profile on Reddit: How is the war in Iran affecting you? Explore this post and more from TexasStandard1845's profile

And while we want to hear your voice - you can also reach out to us on Reddit. txst.us/5of4np

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Iranians in North Texas react to U.S. and Israel’s strikes on Iran North Texans say they're waiting anxiously to reach family and friends back in Iran amidst the major military campaign that began in the country Saturday morning.

North Texans say they’re waiting anxiously to reach family and friends back in Iran amidst the major military campaign that began in the country Saturday morning. buff.ly/zun6vDQ

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:

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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.