Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Friday, October 29, 2021.
Abbott’s Pandemic Response
In a new piece for Texas Monthly, Ben Rowen argues that Gov. Greg Abbott’s pandemic plan almost worked … until he launched a crusade against vaccines. Rowan joins us with more at the top of today’s show.
Tackling Poverty in Fort Worth, part 3
The Padua Project is an ambitious anti-poverty program launched by Catholic Charities Fort Worth in 2015. Clients were to earn a living wage, accumulate three months of savings and be off government assistance within three years.Two-thirds of the people originally enrolled didn’t hit those targets, but should they be considered failures? That’s the question KERA contributor Kavitha Cardoza explores in part three of “Tackling Poverty: A Case Study in Fort Worth.”
Wellness Expo
It started as a way to put Dallas hairstylists on the map. Now, the Texas International Beauty and Wellness Expo has grown into a space for conversations about health, wellness and entrepreneurship. Solomon Wilson of KERA North Texas reports on this year’s event, underway this weekend.
Changing Texas Oil and Beef Culture
The message from climate scientists is clear: we have to cut back our dependence on fossil fuels ASAP to save the planet. That’s a tough pill to swallow for some, especially here in Texas. But another mainstay of our economy isn’t doing the planet any favors, either. Houston Chronicle business columnist Chris Tomlinson argues it’s time to rethink Texas’ beef culture as well. He returns to the Standard today.
Transitioning From Law to Clergy
James Harrington became an Episcopal priest in January 2020. He now directs a Christian outreach mission for Austin’s Hispanic community at St. James Episcopal Church. Before that, he founded the Texas Civil Rights Project. And prior to that, he spent over a decade as a lawyer in the Rio Grande Valley, representing farm workers on cases related to living and working conditions. He joins us today to talk about a career focused on seeking peace and justice for others.
1930s Race Riot Historical Marker Debate
Between Dallas and the Red River, citizens in Grayson County are having a debate over how, or whether, to remember a story that they’re not proud of: an ugly incident of racist violence nearly a century ago. The Texas Standard’s Michael Marks has more.
Typewriter Rodeo
We always end the week with a poem from the Typewriter Rodeo. Request a topic for a poem anytime by reaching out!
The Week in Texas Politics
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.
