Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Friday, June 11, 2021.
In recent weeks, Gov. Greg Abbott has declared several Texas counties along the Mexico border disaster areas, citing a significant increase in young migrants and families. Now, Gov. Abbott is talking about the state building a border wall. At a border summit the governor hosted, Abbott announced that migrants who trespasses on private property will be arrested. Today, we tap the Houston Chronicle’s Ben Wermund to unpack Abbott’s recent moves and help separate fact from possible political posturing.
Why Most Candidates Don’t Run Again After Losing Twice
A few names are popping up as possible Texas gubernatorial candidates, set to challenge Gov. Abbott in 2022 – including Beto O’Rourke. But O’Rourke is now in a club of sorts where the third time is not always the charm. The El Paso native has already lost a bid for the U.S. Senate and another for president. Five Thirty Eight political reporter Alex Samuels tells us back-to-back losses can be hard to overcome for political candidates.
The pandemic safety net is rapidly disappearing in Houston, even as many people aren’t back to full-time work. Harris County has already seen over 30-thousand eviction cases filed since the start of the pandemic. As Houston Public Media’s Jen Rice tells us, major turnout at a recent rent relief event could be a sign of more stress to come.
Apple calls privacy “a human right.” And the maker of iPhones and Mac computers has taken stands and introduced features that have put it at odds with other tech titans like Facebook and even the FBI. This week, at the company’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple rolled out more privacy-focused offerings. The Standard’s own Shelly Brisbin brings us a report.
Government Immigrant Shelters and Police
When migrant children without parents enter the U.S. seeking asylum, they go into the care of shelters contracted by the Office of Refugee Resettlement. That agency is supposed to protect the children from harm. But an investigation by the nonprofit news organization Reveal found that facilities’ contacting the police when children misbehave can do more harm than good. For more, we turn to Laura Morel who co-reported the story.
The Sounds of Texas: Amarillo Little Theatre
Arts Groups Figuring Out Reopening
Reconnecting after a year of separation and loss is a work-in-progress. KERA and The Dallas Morning News have partnered to show how the pandemic has changed arts and culture in North Texas. Today we bring you a story reported by KERA’s Jerome Weeks and the Morning News’ Tim Diovanni. They checked in on the joy and anxiety of returning to live performances.
The Week in Politics, with the Texas Tribune
Helping us recap the week in Texas politics, it’s the Texas Tribune’s James Barragán. He joins with the latest on Ken Paxton’s trial venue and more.
All this and Texas News Roundup, plus Social Media Editor Wells Dunbar with the talk of Texas.
