Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Friday, January 28, 2022.
Latest on Colleyville synagogue gun arrest
The Department of Justice announced earlier this week that they identified and arrested the man who sold a gun to Malik Faisal Akram, who held people hostage at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville. Nataly Keomoungkhoun, breaking news reporter for the Dallas Morning News, spoke to the Texas Standard about the latest.
This week a U.S. District judge in Texas issued a temporary restraining order blocking BNSF Railway workers unions from striking. The Fort Worth-based rail company asked the court to block the strike, set to begin February 1, saying it would cause them “substantial, immediate, and irreparable harm” if it were to go forward. Richard Carlson, professor at South Texas College of Law focusing on employment and labor law. Professor Carlson, breaks down the dynamics of the strike.
Texas grid connections
Many experts say creating more connections between the Texas electric grid to grids in neighboring states could help reliability. But state officials have traditionally opposed the idea. Now, one such project appears to be moving forward at the state’s Public Utility Commission. KUT Austin’s Mose Buchele reports.
The pandemic has created lots of new opportunities for grift. That includes COVID-19 testing sites that aren’t what they appear to be. Dr. Junda Woo, director of San Antonio Metro Health, talks about how to identify scam sites, and what regulators can do to stop them.
Effects of multiple disasters on mental health
New research shows that experiencing multiple disasters, like floods, droughts, chemical spills, and hurricanes, can take a toll on one’s mental health. We’ll speak to the study’s lead author, Garett Sansom. He’s a research assistant professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at Texas A&M’s School of Public Health.
The U.S. has evacuated more than 75,000 Afghans since its withdrawal from Afghanistan last August. For some evacuees, the move to the U.S. has been bumpy. As KERA’s Stella Chavez reports, some Afghans left behind children and spouses, forcing them to navigate a new world without loved ones.
National Guard training for nursing homes
In a sign of how desperate some states are for health care workers during the pandemic, New York has begun medical training for members of its National Guard. The troops – most with no health care background – undergo a rapid prep course for the Emergency Medical Technician exam. The plan is to deploy them to nursing homes.From Long Island, Desiree Diorio reports for the American Homefront Project.
The Texas Tribune’s James Barragán talks about this week’s biggest Texas political news.
All this and Texas News Roundup, plus Michael Marks with the talk of Texas.
