Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Friday, March 25, 2022.
Supreme Court: Texas infringed on religious rights of death row prisoner
The U.S. Supreme Court has found that Texas likely violated the religious liberties of a death row inmate. John Ramirez’s request for a pastor to lay hands on him during his execution was denied by the state. He sued, with his execution stayed while the high court heard the case. Lisa Eskow, co-director of the Supreme Court Clinic at the University of Texas at Austin School of Law joins the Standard to discuss what happens next, and what this week’s ruling means for other Texas inmates.
Department of Justice targets Galveston County’s new maps
The Biden administration is suing Galveston County over its newly redrawn political maps, alleging the county has diluted Black and Hispanic voting strength. Jasper Scherer covers Texas politics for the Houston Chronicle’s Austin bureau and joins us with more.
Ken Paxton keeps trying to investigate parents of transgender children
Attorney General Ken Paxton filed an appeal with the Texas Supreme Court to permit the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services to restart abuse investigations into parents who help their transgender kids access gender-affirming care. Texas Public Radio’s Pablo De La Rosa reports.
Texas roller coasters are reaching new heights
Texas amusement parks have long been home to memorable thrill rides. But now, there’s a new generation of coasters and they’re set to offer even higher highs and steeper drops to Texas thrill-seekers, starting this summer. Andrea Luttrell wrote about these new giant roller coasters for Texas Highways magazine and talks to the Standard about what we can expect this summer.
As Austin-area evictions rise, lawyers are on hand (virtually) to help tenants
Before the pandemic, landlords in Austin were filing up to 500 evictions a week. That slowed tremendously during the pandemic, when local officials banned most evictions. Those bans have now expired, and evictions are returning to usual levels. But in the courtroom, something not so usual is happening. KUT’s Audrey McGlinchy explains.
Stuck on what to watch? Here’s a list of new TV picks.
It wasn’t that long ago that television was seen as less prestigious or glamorous compared to film. That changed with the help of shows like “Mad Men” and “Breaking Bad.” Now, with the proliferation of streaming platforms and popularity of limited series, the TV scene has changed again. Caitlin McFarland and Emily Gipson love TV in all its forms. They’re founders and co-executive directors of the ATX TV Festival, which is launching its 11th season. They join us to talk about the TV landscape and make a few recommendations.
The gang delivers another timely poem. Submit your own suggestions online!
Texas Tribune political reporter James Barragán stops by with a recap of the week that was, including a shakeup in state child care investigations, new news in the race for Houston mayor and an early resignation from Congress.
All this and Texas News Roundup, plus Social Media Editor Wells Dunbar with the talk of Texas.
