Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Wednesday, March 18, 2026. Check back later today for updated story links and audio.
Donald Trump has yet to weigh in on Texas’ high-profile US Senate race
President Donald Trump has yet to weigh in on Texas’ high-profile U.S. Senate between John Cornyn and Ken Paxton.
Jeremy Wallace, who covers state politics for Hearst Newspapers including the Houston Chronicle, joins the Texas Standard to explain what that silence could mean and how the race may unfold in the coming weeks.
Talarico looks to win over Black voters after primary
Democrat James Talarico is now turning his attention to unifying voters after a competitive primary, including supporters of Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett.
The Texas Newsroom’s Blaise Gainey reports on the political dynamics shaping the race and the effort to win over key constituencies ahead of November.
How the Texas Hill Country helped inspire Central Park
New York City’s Central Park may have deeper Texas roots than many realize.
Commentator W.F. Strong explores the surprising historical connection between the park’s design and the landscapes of the Texas Hill Country.
Art exhibit shutdown highlights censorship concerns on campuses
The abrupt closure of a University of North Texas art exhibit critical of ICE is raising broader concerns about censorship in higher education.
Lucinda Breeding-Gonzales of the Denton Record-Chronicle, with reporting from KERA News’ Marcheta Fornoff, report on similar incidents across the country and the climate facing artists and institutions.
Libraries become hubs for mental health support in rural Texas
In parts of rural Central Texas where access to mental health care is limited, libraries are stepping in to help fill the gap.
KUT News’ Olivia Aldridge reports from Smithville on a local effort to provide resources in a familiar community space.
History of Texas prison bands lives on through rare recordings
In the 1970s, incarcerated musicians across Texas formed bands and recorded music inside prison walls.
Maurice Chammah, a staff writer at The Marshall Project, joins the Texas Standard along with former prison musician Morgan White to discuss the history, the recordings and what those experiences meant for the people involved.
Why some NBA teams are embracing losing to win in the long run
As the NBA season winds down, several teams are strategically losing games to improve their draft odds — a practice known as “tanking.”
Kirk Goldsberry, executive director of the Business of Sports Institute at UT Austin, joins the Texas Standard to explain why teams do it, how it affects the league and what changes could address the trend.
