Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Friday, April 16, 2021.
Sutherland Springs Shooting Trial
The Air Force is on trial in a San Antonio federal courtroom. Families of the victims of the 2017 Sutherland Springs church mass shooting claim in a lawsuit that the Air Force failed to report the court martial and one-year confinement sentence of one of their own, Devin Kelly, to the national firearms database. After Kelly’s discharge in 2014, he was able to buy four guns, three of which he would use to kill more than two dozen people at the church. federal court. Guillermo Contreras has been following the trial for the San-Antonio Express News, and joins the Standard today.
Immunizations and their records are top of mind lately – “vaccine passports” providing proof of inoculation against COVID-19 in particular. Gov. Greg Abbott has come out against any such government-regulated version for Texas. But there might be room for a much narrower idea that’s been kicking around in the Texas Capitol building the last few sessions. Rep. Donna Howard has authored a bill about immunization tracking, and returns to the Standard to talk it up.
Yesterday, we heard from the state’s COVID-19 Vaccine Panel chair that the pause in distributing the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will not significantly slow the vaccine process across the state.The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines make up the majority of the doses handed out in Texas and distributors are sending the message to those still waiting that appointments are available. The Texas Standard’s Laura Rice has been tracking the vaccine rollout in Texas with the help of your stories.
Commentary: Peniel Joseph on Daunte Wright
The deaths of 13-year-old Adam Toledo and 20-year-old Daunte Wright at the hands of police has once again cast a national spotlight on what many are calling out as systemic racism in American law enforcement. Wright’s killing in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota took place against the backdrop of the Derek Chauvin murder trial. And commentator Dr. Peniel Joseph says it helped turn an already tense climate in and around the Twin Cities into a political tinderbox.
Some renters in the Austin area are still dealing with damages caused by February’s winter storm. Things like moldy walls and gaping holes left by broken pipes. In many cases, conditions are unlivable. As KUT’s Audrey McGlinchy reports, some renters are being forced out, while others are begging to be allowed to leave.
Three Signs Ramadan is Becoming Part of Multicultural Texas
The holy month of Ramadan started this week. It’s a time of spiritual reflection for people who practice the Muslim faith. They believe it teaches them to practice self-discipline, self-control, sacrifice, and empathy for those who are less fortunate. Muslims fast throughout the day and break their fast, communally, at night. It is a celebration that is very much a part of the multicultural fabric of Texas and a fast growing part of that fabric, too. Imam Islam Mossaad leads a congregation in Austin and talks to the Standard.
Typewriter Rodeo: One Good Thing
The Week in Texas Politics with The Texas Tribune
All this and Texas News Roundup, plus Social Media Editor Wells Dunbar with the talk of Texas.