Texas Sets New Rules for Abortion Providers

Plus: new music Thursdays and a not-so-happy duck tale out of Odessa.

By Becky FogelJuly 7, 2016 1:09 pm

The Standard’s news roundup gives you a quick hit of interesting, sometimes irreverent, and breaking news stories from all over the state.

Texas has proposed new rules for abortion providers. Sounds familiar, right? The move comes on the heels of the Supreme Court’s recent decision to strike down portions of a bill restricting abortion access throughout the state. But new regulations from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, would require abortion providers to cremate or bury fetal remains. The Texas Tribune reports that right now abortion providers rely on third-party waste disposal services. Before the agency adopts the new restrictions, there’s a public comment period that lasts until the end of July.

And: We’ve got something new for Thursdays. Each week, we’ll hear new music from Texas artists in a series called Cut In.

Dallas writer Lyndsay Knecht brings us a track today called “Sovereign Song of Auras” from performer Francine Thirteen, who made her name gigging between Austin and Big D.

Also: I hope you’re not too fond of ducks. Apparently Texas Parks and Wildlife is planning to euthanize 90 ducks in Odessa this week. City officials asked the state agency to step in. They say the birds are aggressive and need to be put down. But a local TV station says some residents think the decision is being made by a bunch of quacks. They held a protest at the duck pond on Wednesday.