Texas Standard

What’s behind the recent surge in food recalls?

Texas youth prisons go on lockdown after assaults on correctional staff, with one official saying young detainees are “becoming more violent and more aggressive.” We’ll hear about the effects of the lockdown and what happens next.Why are we seeing a surge in food safety concerns and outbreaks of illness in Texas and other states? We’ll dive in and share some steps on staying safe.With heat warnings in effect across much of the state, the University Interscholastic League makes heat safety guidelines mandatory. The post What’s behind the recent surge in food recalls? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Virtual public schools expand across Texas

How rising childcare costs and shrinking funds to help families is costing the state dearly, and why some fear a change at the federal level could make things worse. Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico’s flooding the airwaves with ads. Meanwhile, striking silence from his Republican challenger. Is Ken Paxton just keeping his powder dry in the weeks before elections, or is this a harbinger of a political sea change in Texas? Those stories, a surprise in virtual learning and more on today’s show. The post Virtual public schools expand across Texas appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Judge appoints monitor for migrant children detained in Texas

A federal judge orders answers to the question of why families are being held so long at a detention center in South Texas. We’ll have the story.After a state takeover of schools in Houston, officials tout rising scores for schools, but are those grades being artificially inflated at the expense of students themselves? We’ll hear about an exclusive investigation by the Houston Chronicle.Also, a city best known for the Alamo, a riverwalk and the Spurs is now gaining accolades for fungus.Plus, BBQ beyond the brisket: Texas Monthly’s Daniel Vaughn on the lesser-known champions of smoked chicken. The post Judge appoints monitor for migrant children detained in Texas appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

California/Texas surrogacy case tests abortion and parental rights

At what some have described as Texas’ flagship university, the University of Texas at Austin, a proposed change in core requirements for graduation. We’ll delve into why now and what it means. In a North Texas city, some backyards are said to be disappearing with every new rainfall. We’ll hear about what’s happening in Arlington and what can be done. Also, a surrogate mother comes to Texas, refusing to get an abortion as requested by the biological parents. Now, the courts are involved. We’ll have the backstory and what comes next. And Minnesota officials sue Texas Gov. Greg Abbott over the extradition of an ICE agent. And Robert Earl Keen with an update on that road that goes on forever. The post California/Texas surrogacy case tests abortion and parental rights appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

New developments in Big Bend border wall fight

Border construction in Big Bend National Park is paused — for now. We’ll have an overview of the damage done and what’s next.Texas received billions from a federal program meant to help provide high-speed internet to underserved communities. But why is it pausing new projects?Texas is home to the largest detention camp in the country. A year after the opening of the detention facility at Fort Bliss, calls to close it are intensifying.Some Texans have been notified of high levels of radium in their water. We’ll look at why this happens and potential solutions.Plus, the National Hockey League is considering another team in Texas. Will it be Austin or Houston? The post New developments in Big Bend border wall fight appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.