Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Friday, April 22, 2022.
Rules tightening for Ukrainian migrants seeking asylum along the border
Starting Monday, Ukrainians at the U.S.-Mexico border requesting asylum will be turned away. The Department of Homeland Security says these migrants fleeing war with Russia will need sponsors before they enter the U.S. These refugees won’t be exempt from Title 42 either, a program in place allowing migrants to be turned away over COVID health concerns. Todd Gillman, Washington bureau chief for The Dallas Morning News, brings us the story.
Could Texas jump Iowa to become an early primary state?
The Democratic National Committee is mulling whether other states may hold 2024 primaries before the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucus. Interested states have a June deadline to get their applications to the DNC. One state planning to make the pitch: Texas. Here to explain the process and its potential impact on the nomination process is Rebecca Deen, political science professor at The University of Texas at Arlington.
Three decades in, Fort Worth’s Japanese festivals blossom at botanic gardens
The Japanese Festival brings thousands of people to the Fort Worth Botanic Garden each year for food and cultural demonstrations. If you’re heading there this Saturday, you should know the festival is more than just a stroll through the cherry trees. As KERA’s Miranda Suarez reports, it’s the culmination of decades of work by the Fort Worth Japanese Society.
The return of the Houston Gamblers
In 1984 and ’85, the Houston Gamblers were one of the most exciting teams in professional football. They only played for two seasons, but the Gamblers’ fast-paced offense kept Astrodome crowds on their feet. Not familiar with the Gamblers? You’re not alone. Besides their short run, the team was part of the United States Football League – one of many leagues that’s tried and failed to challenge the NFL’s pro football monopoly. But now the Gamblers and the USFL are back, hoping to offer a spring alternative for football fans who can’t wait for the fall. Joining us now to tell us more is Reid Laymance, sports editor for the Houston Chronicle.
The five findings in Texas’ report on Travis Scott’s Astroworld disaster
Gov. Greg Abbott’s Texas Task Force on Concert Safety has released its findings on the deadly Astroworld Festival last November. A crowd crush at rapper Travis Scott’s Houston festival left 10 dead, including a 9-year-old boy. For more on the report’s findings we turn to Brendon Anthony, director of the governor’s Texas Music Office.
The ‘travel taco’ is an idea whose time has come
Consider for a moment the marvel that is the taco. You’d think it’s pretty hard to improve on it. That may help explain why the internet exploded when Kaitlin Ruiz, a Texan who now lives in Pennsylvania, tweeted that her father Roberto had developed a taco innovation (tacovation?). Almost half a million “likes” later, the pair have rocketed to internet celebrity with their suggestion. Roberto and Kaitlin Ruiz join us today.
The gang delivers another poem inspired by events both current and timeless. Submit your own suggestions online!
Texas Tribune political reporter James Barragán stops by with a recap of the week that was, including the dividing line in Gov. Greg Abbott and Sen, Ted Cruz’s runoff endorsements, Wendy Davis’ challenge to Texas’ abortion law and a Houston GOP megadonor’s felony indictment.
All this and Texas News Roundup, plus Social Media Editor Wells Dunbar with the talk of Texas.
