Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Houston ICE fight escalates as Abbott threatens state funds
A new Houston ordinance tries to limit how long police can hold someone to assist federal immigration agents, while still allowing officers to notify ICE. Now, Gov. Greg Abbott is threatening to pull more than $100 million in public safety funding unless the city reverses course.
J. David Goodman, Texas bureau chief for The New York Times, joins the Texas Standard to explain.
Camp Mystic ruling could shape flood accountability case
An Austin judge has heard testimony over whether Camp Mystic can rebuild after the July 4 Hill Country floods that killed 27 people. Families want the damaged site preserved as evidence as they pursue answers about warnings, evacuations and emergency planning.
Kailey Hunt, Williamson County reporter for KUT News, joins the Standard with the story.
Spurs playoff return brings renewed excitement to San Antonio
The San Antonio Spurs are back in the NBA playoffs for the first time since 2019, fueling excitement across the city. Fans lined up at a downtown event this week to buy playoff merchandise as anticipation builds for the postseason.
Brian Kirkpatrick caught up with some of them for Texas Public Radio.
Samsung price hikes reflect rising memory chip costs
Prices for some Samsung phones and tablets are increasing in the United States as memory chip costs rise. The higher prices are also affecting computers, disk drives and other technology products across the market.
Omar Gallaga, tech journalist for CNET, joins the show to explain.
Texas barbecue trend turns back toward old-school basics
After years of flashy innovations, some new Texas barbecue joints are embracing simpler menus and traditional methods.
Daniel Vaughn, barbecue editor for Texas Monthly, joins the Texas Standard to talk about the pitmasters going back to basics.
Texas A&M’s first Winter Olympian reflects on bobsledding journey
Boone Niederhofer, a former Texas A&M football player, represented the U.S. men’s bobsled team at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. He reflects on his unexpected journey to the games.
Corpus Christi water crisis reflects long Texas history
Corpus Christi continues to face drought and water shortages as nearby communities dispute sharing supplies. The current standoff comes after two centuries of Texas water development that shaped how cities compete for resources today.
Rob Boscamp reports for KEDT.
After Artemis II success, what’s next for spaceflight?
NASA’s Artemis II mission successfully sent astronauts around the moon and back, marking a major milestone in returning humans to deep space. With that test complete, now attention is shifting to lunar landings, private partners and longer-term plans for Mars.
Christian Davenport, reporter and author of “Rocket Dreams,” joins the Texas Standard with more.
