Texas Standard for November 30, 2021

Where do we stand with Texas’ new abortion restrictions on the eve of oral arguments in one of the biggest challenges to Roe vs. Wade? Two Texas legal scholars specializing in abortion rights talk about the challenge to Texas abortion law now being considered by the High Court, and the intersection with a major case set to be heard by the Supreme Court tomorrow. And: The governor’s silence on issuing a pardon to George Floyd two months after a unanimous recommendation to do so by the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles. Also: Mexico’s unprecedented lawsuit against U.S. gun makers. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

By Texas StandardNovember 30, 2021 9:30 am,

Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Tuesday, November 30, 2021.

SCOTUS and Abortion

The U.S. Supreme Court is set to take up another restrictive abortion case Wednesday: a 2018 Mississippi law that bars the procedure after 15 weeks of pregnancy. The case has been called the most serious challenge to Roe v. Wade before the high court. Joining us to discuss the case are law professor Joanna Grossman from Southern Methodist University and Elizabeth Sepper, law professor at the University of Texas at Austin.

TRC Meeting Preview

The Texas Railroad Commission – the state agency that regulates oil and gas – is set to approve rules to guard the natural gas supply chain against freezing weather. But as KUT-Austin’s Mose Buchele reports, experts say the proposed rules don’t go nearly far enough.

GLO Leasing Land for Starr County Border Wall

President Biden has pledged a halt to construction of a border wall under his administration. But Texas officials are keen to pick up where President Trump left off. Yesterday, Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush announced plans to lease land in the Rio Grande Valley to the Texas Department of Public Safety, for the purposes of building a wall. Joining us now to tell us more is Valerie Gonzalez, investigative reporter for the McAllen Monitor, the Valley Morning Star and the Brownsville News Herald.

Gun Control Laws

Despite some of the world’s strictest gun control laws, gun violence is common in Mexico. Cartels and other criminal groups are awash in weapons. Mexico’s government blames U.S. gun manufacturers. Over the summer, it sued a group of gunmakers, claiming the companies willingly facilitate the illegal sale and distribution of weapons into the country. Last week, gun companies asked a judge to dismiss the civil lawsuit. KTEP’s Angela Kocherga brings us an update.

The Sounds of Texas: Jason Isbell

Musician Jason Isbell tells a story about Harry Dean Stanton stealing his enchiladas at the Austin City Limits Festival.

Mariachi Singer

A young San Antonio singer has been practicing most of his life for a challenge that’s now just days away. He’s been honing his skills, studying in school, performing in public – and he’ll soon appear before a national audience. Texas Public Radio’s Jack Morgan explains.

Posthumous Pardon of George Floyd

Two months ago, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles issued an unanimous decision recommending that Texas native George Floyd be posthumously pardoned for a 2004 drug charge he received while living in Houston. But since then, Gov. Greg Abbott, who must either approve or reject the board’s decision, has declined to act. Reporter Jolie McCullough has been following the story for the Texas Tribune. She joins us now to share more.

All this and Texas News Roundup, plus Social Media Editor Wells Dunbar with the talk of Texas.

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