Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Thursday, September 30, 2021.
Another Democrat Running for Lieutenant Governor
Standard listeners heard from Matthew Dowd yesterday. The former Republican advisor turned Democrat announced Wednesday he’s running in the Dem primary for lieutenant governor. He’ll go up against Houston-area accountant Mike Collier, who ran for the office against Republican Dan Patrick in 2018 and fell five points shy. Mike Collier joins us today with his vision for the Lt. Governor’s office.
Redistricting is underway at the Capitol, and Texas lawmakers are planning new congressional seats for the Austin and Houston regions. But while those booming areas will have additional representation, that’s not the case for the so-called “big empty” part of the state. Texas Tech Public Media’s Sarah Self-Walbrick explains how rural population decline will affect redistricting in West Texas.
Autism and Race, part 2
People with autism can express themselves in ways that can appear distressing or aggressive to untrained observers. That can be dangerous – particularly for people of color on the autism spectrum. As part of her look at autism, KERA contributor Caroline Love reports advocates are working with police to help officers better recognize the signs.
Facebook Continuing Controversies
Facebook is facing scrutiny from lawmakers, journalists and children’s’ advocates – again. Last week, The Wall Street Journal revealed internal Facebook research about the impact of Instagram on young people. The study suggests that use of Instagram, which is owned by Facebook, harms teens, especially girls. Lawmakers have questions, and a Senate committee is grilling company officials today. Our tech expert Omar Gallaga joins us with an update on what critics are saying and how Facebook is responding.
Ancient Footprints in New Mexico
Until recently, general consensus among archaeologists was that humans started making their way to what’s now the southwestern U.S. about 13,000 years ago. But new findings have stopped many scientists in their tracks: a batch of ancient footprints at White Sands National Park in New Mexico, some 100 miles north of El Paso. Lizzie Wade, contributing correspondent for Science magazine, joins us with more.
‘Politics of Patronage: Lawyers, Philanthropy, and MALDEF’
The 1960s were years of profound change in the U.S. civil rights and racial justice organizations devoted to change developed in that decade – and as they grew, so did the interest of outside parties looking to invest in the future. The relationship between these budding organizations and their benefactors was a bit of a mixed-bag that invited some controversy. Benjamin Márquez explores this in his new book, “The Politics of Patronage: Lawyers, Philanthropy, and the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund.” We’ll hear from the author today,
Planned Parenthood, Rocky Mountain
Tomorrow, a federal judge will consider putting a temporary stop to Texas’ new abortion law, which bans abortions as early as six weeks. Since the ban became law a month ago, some Texans have had to travel out of state to receive an abortion. Dr. Kristina Tocce is the medical director for Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, which has clinics in New Mexico and Colorado. She joins us to discuss the increase in patients those clinics have seen.
All this and Texas News Roundup, plus Social Media Editor Wells Dunbar with the talk of Texas.
