Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Friday, October 22, 2021.
Paxton Whistleblower Lawsuit
It was roughly a year ago that eight top aides to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton resigned, or said they had been driven out of the AG’s office, because they believed Paxton was using his position to benefit a political donor. Four of those officials filed a whistleblower suit, seeking compensation for lost wages and other damages. Some wanted their old jobs back. The attorney general tried to get the case dismissed, but hasn’t been very successful so far. Taylor Goldenstein has been following this case for the Houston Chronicle and joins us today.
PUC Meeting
The Public Utility Commission has approved new weatherization protocols for the state’s power generators. The standards come eight months after a deadly winter storm cut power to most of the state, killing hundreds. The Houston Chronicle’s Shelby Webb has the latest on the commission’s new rules and joins us with a recap.
The Sounds of Texas: Lane Stanley on “Addict Named Hal”
Delta 8 in Texas
Heard of Delta 8? It’s a type of THC, the chemical in cannabis that gives it psychoactive effects. And as it’s synthesized from legal CBD, it’s OK to sell in most states – but no longer Texas. Earlier this week, the Texas Department of State Health Services quietly reclassified Delta 8, effectively making it illegal to sell or possess. Joining us now to tell us more is Lisa Pittman, a lawyer for the Austin firm Zuber Lawler who specializes in hemp and cannabis regulation.
Birth Control After SB 8
While the legal fight over Texas’ near total ban on abortion continues, Texans who can get pregnant – but don’t want to right now – are weighing their options. As Texas Public Radio’s Dominic Anthony Walsh reports, that can be tough for those in a state without strong sex education, health insurance, supportive doctors or all of the above.
Maya and The Three
“Netflix has a Latinx problem,” read the Los Angeles Times headline earlier this year. The paper reported that in 2018, less than 3% of Netflix original shows had Latino leads, coleads, producers and creators. And though the problem isn’t solved, a new limited series not only has a Latino cast, creator and leads, but features a young Mesoamerican warrior and celebrates multicultural, indigenous Latin America. It’s called “Maya and the Three.” We’ll hear from creator Jorge Gutierrez.
Typewriter Rodeo
The Week in Politics, with the Texas Tribune
Joining us for a look back at the week in Texas politics, our Friday regular: James Barragán, political reporter for the Texas Tribune.
All this and Texas News Roundup, plus Social Media Editor Wells Dunbar with the talk of Texas.
