Texas Standard

Can desalination solve Texas’ water future?

As Texas copes with concerns about water, a small river agency near Corpus Christi makes plans to build the largest desalination plant in the country.Pesticides used in the Rio Grande Valley may be the link to the large number of Parkinson’s patients in the region.“The Last 12 Weeks,” a new podcast from The Marshall Project, offers a look behind the scenes at the effort to stop the execution of the El Paso man known as “The Desert Killer.”And best-selling author Lauren Hough sets off from Austin with her dog on a cross-country road trip for her new book “Monster of a Land.” The post Can desalination solve Texas’ water future? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Court ruling leaves Boca Chica beach fight unresolved

Texas’ Supreme Court hands down a major ruling that looks like a win for SpaceX on the surface but leaves open serious questions about a clause in the Texas Constitution.Texas Tech and Texas A&M try to narrow a health care gap in rural Texas.In North Texas, another World Cup match for Argentina today, this time against Austria, and another chance at history being made. All eyes are on the pitch in Dallas as soccer legend Lionel Messi takes the field as part of the tournament many see as his “last dance.”After the excitement from the Spurs’ NBA Finals run has faded, many are remembering a basketball championship that might have been and the impact that may last longer-term.And remembering a pioneer in Tejano and Mexican folk music. The post Court ruling leaves Boca Chica beach fight unresolved appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Exploring Juneteenth and the history and culture of Black Texans

It’s been a celebration for more than 160 years — but only a federal holiday for a few. We’re recognizing Juneteenth on today’s Texas Standard.Dallas’ Opal Lee is known as the grandmother of Juneteenth for her efforts to get the holiday recognized on a national level. We’ll delve more into the history, as well as other stories about Juneteenth celebrations.And we’ll revisit conversations that explore Black Texan history and modern-day experience: a National Park Service site in Texas that served as a refuge for enslaved people seeking freedom in Mexico, the joy of a Black Rodeo in the 1970, and the ongoing role of the Black-owned bookstore. The post Exploring Juneteenth and the history and culture of Black Texans appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

What the World Cup has revealed so far

With a U.S. Senate contest stealing the political spotlight, where do we stand in the races for the two top spots in Texas politics? A check-in on the governor’s and lieutenant governor’s races.An unannounced feature in smart glasses could reveal the identities of people without their knowledge. Is this the future of personal networking, surveillance, or something else? Omar Gallaga tells us about it.Also, we’ll get up to speed on the World Cup in Texas.And what does it take to create social change in a Texas city with a conservative reputation? The new book “The Dallas Way” looks at the tactics and compromises behind a decades-long fight for LGBTQ rights. The post What the World Cup has revealed so far appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Rural Texas pushes back on data centers

Weather off the Texas Gulf Coast has the potential to bring a lot of rain. We’ll dig into what it might mean for water-hungry cities around the state.We’ve talked a lot about the number of data centers coming to Texas, especially outside of the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Now, a closer look at the legal bind some rural counties are getting into as they try to slow the growth.A lawsuit led by Texas could have huge implications for people with disabilities. A look at what everyone needs to know about the case.A conversation with Joey Santore of the YouTube channel Crime Pays But Botany Doesn’t about his new book, “Concrete Botany: The Ecology of Plants in the Age of Human Disturbance.”Tim Kerr is an icon of Texas punk and the skater scene. Even now, the co-founder of legendary Austin punk band the Big Boys never stops pushing his art. He joins us for a conversation.And the World Cup is in Texas — along with the so-called Orange Army. We’ll tag along. The post Rural Texas pushes back on data centers appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.