Here’s what’s coming up on Texas Standard for Friday, Oct. 8, 2021. Listen on your Texas public radio station, or ask your smart speaker to play Texas Standard. We’ll have full posts for each story, including audio, a little later today.
Transgender sports bill update
A prohibition on transgender public school athletes playing on sports teams that align with their gender identity has cleared a big hurdle in the Texas House. Wednesday, a house committee passed a measure which would require the University Interscholastic League of Texas, which governs extracurricular public school sports, to only allow people to play on teams that align with their sex at birth. The Standard’s Jill Ament has been following the story and joins us with an overview.
The Dallas Morning News reports September was the deadliest month yet for Texas prison workers during the pandemic. COVID-19 contributed to the deaths of 13 staff members of the state’s jails and prisons. These facilities are particularly well-suited to spread viruses; ventilation is poor, and people are packed in close quarters. But the deaths in September came after the Texas Department of Criminal Justice relaxed health and safety guidelines. For more, we’ll turn to Lauren McGaughy, investigative reporter for the Morning News.
AT&T and One America News Network
One America News Network (OANN) is a far-right TV channel that continues to back Donald Trump and his false claims that the 2020 election was stolen. According to a new investigation, OANN might not even be in business today if it weren’t for massive revenues it receives from Dallas-based telecom and media giant AT&T. John Shiffman recently reported for Reuters about OANN, including the AT&T connection, and he joins us today.
Pearl complex arts initiative
A new initiative at San Antonio’s Pearl promises to bring new life and color to its drabbest aspect. Texas Public Radio’s arts and culture Reporter Jack Morgan explains.
Is Texas ready for a Latina governor?
With the gubernatorial race on the horizon in Texas, Democrats have yet to field a candidate against Gov. Greg Abbott. Though names like Matthew McConaughey and Beto O’Rourke have been tossed out a headline in The Guardian asks “Is Texas ready for a Latina Governor?” Well, is it? We’ll talk to its author, longtime journalist Carlos Sanchez.
Austinite Sofi Gonzalez has competed in karate for 16 years. She’s been kicked, punched, and has bled more times than she can count. But as a dual citizen of both the United States and Mexico, she says the toughest part of competing is picking which country to fight for. Gonzalez shared her story with Jackie Ibarra as part of NPR’s Next Generation Radio project.
Minority military families may feel unwelcome off-base
While the military has become more racially diverse, a recent survey found that Black, Latino, and Asian military families don’t always feel welcome off base in their civilian host communities. For the American Homefront Project, Desiree D’iorio reports.
Typewriter Rodeo: Autumn in Texas
We always end the week with a poem from the Typewriter Rodeo. Request a topic for a poem anytime by reaching out!
Joining us for a look back at the week in Texas politics, we’re joined by James Barragán, political reporter for The Texas Tribune.
All this and Texas News Roundup, plus Social Media Editor Wells Dunbar with the Talk of Texas.
