Texas Standard For June 28, 2021

What’s the latest on Texans views on immigration and border security? The poll by the University of Texas and the Texas Tribune shows some surprising and some not too surprising ideas, divided of course by political party. And: One bill vetoed by the governor during the legislative session is raising eyebrows, and it’s all about hypnosis. Also: Why is the attorney general’s office recording promotional videos on border security? It even prompted a staffer’s resignation. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

By Texas StandardJune 28, 2021 9:51 am

Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Monday, June 28, 2021.

UT/TT Poll Immigration

Immigration and border security remain a top issue for Texas Republican voters, according to the newest polling data from the University of Texas at Austin and the Texas Tribune. Jim Henson is director of the Texas Politics Project at UT, which conducted the poll and talks to the Standard.

Paxton Staffer Resignation

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton still faces an indictment for securities fraud, as well as the fallout from top staffers accusing him of abusing his power after intervening in the legal troubles of a campaign donor. Now the Houston Chronicle reports that Kayleigh Lovvorn Date, a member of the AG’s communication staff, recently resigned after being asked to go to the border without a security detail. Taylor Goldenstein, a reporter in the Austin bureau of the Houston Chronicle and the San Antonio Express-News, talks to the Standard.

TPWD Issues Emergency Order

Hunting is one of the state’s economic drivers, bringing in more than $2 billion every year. It’s especially important in rural parts of the state. But a disease affecting deer is threatening that business and the animals themselves. Texas Public Radio’s Jerry Clayton reports more deer with chronic wasting disease have been found in Texas.

Sexual Assault on Military Bases

Two Texas congresswomen introduced a bipartisan bill to move prosecuting sexual assault and other serious crimes out of the military’s chain of command. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin says he supports letting independent military lawyers handle sexual assault cases rather than the chain of command. It comes after a high profile court martial in El Paso. As KTEP’s Angela Kocherga reports, there are lingering questions about the Army’s handling of that case.

Cali Drought Effect On Natural Gas Prices

A drought in California is putting stress on their power grid, forcing that state to use more natural gas. Is this demand driving up prices? Matt Smith director of commodity research at ClipperData, talks to the Standard.

The Sounds of Texas: Megan Ortiz – My Great-Great-Grandparents’ Home

Russian Poem

Amanda Gorman’s electrifying poetry readings at this year’s inauguration and the Super Bowl have many of us taking a second look at poetry. And Texas Public Radio’s Jack Morgan was reminded of something from his own life 15 years ago that he just had to revisit.

Hypnosis Veto

As The Dallas Morning News reported last year, scientific research shows the reliance of police departments on hypnosis to enhance the memory of crime victims can lead to wrongful convictions. This legislative session, lawmakers passed a bill to ban the practice. But Governor Greg Abbott vetoed it. DMN investigative reporter Lauren McGaughy talks to the Standard.

All this and Texas News Roundup, plus Michael Marks with the talk of Texas.

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