Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Friday, April 24, 2026.
DACA recipients being detained amid immigration crackdown
More than a decade after DACA created work permits and deportation protections for qualifying young immigrants, some recipients are now being swept up in immigration enforcement actions. These new cases are raising questions about how much protection the program still provides.
Uriel García, who covers immigration for The Texas Tribune, joins Texas Standard to explain.
Opposing political events at Baylor reflect campus divide
Baylor University hosted both a stop on Turning Point USA’s national tour and a progressive alternative event called All Are Neighbors. The gatherings, held close to one another, highlighted competing views on politics, faith and community.
KWBU’s Molly-Jo Tilton reports for KWBU.
How a federal dispute briefly shut down El Paso airspace
Residents in El Paso are still trying to understand why federal officials abruptly closed the city’s airspace for several hours in February. The disruption affected flights, hospitals and law enforcement and stemmed from conflict between federal agencies.
Kate Kelly, investigative reporter for The New York Times, joins Texas Standard to discuss.
Austin firefighter wins cancer benefits after long fight
An Austin firefighter battling cancer has been granted workers’ compensation rights after a lengthy dispute with the city. The decision could carry broader implications for firefighters seeking benefits tied to occupational illness.
Andrew Weber reports for KUT News.
Beachcombing Report: The alligator gar
The Texas Standard is launching a new coastal feature focused on science, wildlife and issues shaping the Gulf Coast. In this edition, beachcomber Jace Tunnell introduces us to the freshwater fish known as the alligator gar.
West Texas partnerships expand breast exam access
Many uninsured women in Texas struggle to afford preventive care, including breast cancer screenings. In rural West Texas, local partnerships have helped provide roughly 3,000 Bexa breast exams in the Big Country and Concho Valley in recent years.
Baylie Simon reports for KACU.
The gang delivers another custom poem.
The week in Texas politics
The Texas Tribune’s Jasper Scherer joins the Standard with a recap of the week that was in Texas politics.
