Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Tuesday, February 22, 2022.
Could this election be Sid Miller’s last rodeo?
He used to be Donald Trump’s favorite cowboy. Now, could Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller ride off into the sunset? A report in Politico describes how much of the state GOP have turned against him this primary season, due to a string of scandals under his tenure. Ximena Bustillo, food and ag policy reporter at Politico, joins us with more.
Inside the Republican primary for attorney general
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is facing his toughest primary challenge yet, battling three high-profile fellow Republicans for his party’s nomination. If he triumphs, he’ll likely carry significant wounds into November’s general election, where he’ll face his Democratic opponent. Houston Public Media’s Andrew Schneider looks closer at the race.
Cave climbers work to clean out caves with generations worth of trash
Nowadays, it’s pretty obvious using underground aquifers as trash dumps isn’t a good idea. But a hundred years ago, some Texas landowners thought nothing of using caves or sinkholes on their property as giant disposals. Texas Public Radio’s Jerry Clayton introduces us to some volunteer cave climbers who are working to clean up the environment – one cave at a time.
What’s a biorefinery, and what can it do for green energy?
Last week Gov. Greg Abbott announced a $1.7 billion biorefinery is headed to east Texas. The plant, operated by USA BioEnegry, is expected to bring more than 100 jobs to Newton County in southeast Texas. Biorefineries are touted as a greener way to make fuel sources, but are they a viable part of the transition to greener energy –or just a band aid? Michael Webber, deputy director of the Energy Institute at The University of Texas at Austin, joins us with more.
Elon Musk’s Boring Company is getting to work in Texas
While most of his Texas efforts are aimed at the stars, Elon Musk thinks the answer to traffic congestion lies underground. His “hyperloop” plans hurtles passengers and freight through subterranean tunnels at high speeds, and the company he’s formed to do this work is putting down roots in Texas. Bloomberg News reporter Sarah McBride brings us the story.
The Sounds of Texas: André Ramos Woodard’s Art
Dallas homeowners raise concerns about short-term rentals in neighborhoods and want the city to act
A growing number of short-term rentals in Dallas neighborhoods has some homeowners up in arms. Down at City Hall, officials are struggling to regulate services like Airbnb and Vrbo. KERA’s Alejandra Martinez reports.
The political brawl brewing in the Rio Grande Valley
A key Democratic race is on the ballot in south Texas. Nine-term U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar is once again being challenged by his former intern, progressive Jessica Cisneros. It was a closely watched primary, even before a recent FBI raid of Cuellar’s home and office added a new element. Texas Public Radio’s Sofía Sánchez reports.
All this and Texas News Roundup, plus Social Media Editor Wells Dunbar with the talk of Texas.
