Here’s what’s coming up on Texas Standard for Wednesday, September 02, 2020. Listen on your Texas public radio station, or ask your smart speaker to play Texas Standard.
$1 Billion State Budget Cuts Due To COVID-19
What are state agencies going to cut to make up for the COVID-19 budget shortfall? The state has not made that public. But the Austin American-Statesman obtained a budget report revealing just what faces the ax in the coming year. Statesman reporter Asher Price talks to the Standard about those cuts.
Texas Hispanic Caucus Calls For Congressional Fort Hood Inquiry
Texas lawmakers have called on Congress to investigate the recent deaths of soldiers at Fort Hood, one of the Army’s largest military bases. In a letter signed by members of the Texas Senate Hispanic Caucus, led by chair José Menéndez of San Antonio, the group wants an immediate investigation by a body other than the Army.
Mexico Televised Schools
As Texas students head back to school, remotely and in person, students in Mexico are also going back. But because of the pandemic, the country’s 30 million public school students are only doing remote learning. Only 53% of households have internet access, so the government has come up with a distance learning program that’s being delivered through television and radio. Antonio Cueto has the story for the Standard.
Diversity At Abilene Christian University, part 2
The racial reckoning following police killings of several unarmed Black people this summer has caused some institutions to take a hard look inward. This week, we go to Abilene, to explore how three small private universities are trying to reshape their campuses. KACU’s Dana Glover continues the series from Abilene Christian University.
Lack of Child Care, part 2
Child care is a major challenges facing parents during the pandemic. The start of school hasn’t provided much relief since most districts across Texas are utilizing virtual learning for now. KUT Austin’s Claire McInerny brings us the story of one mother’s struggle to prioritize her kids’ education, and keep her job as part of an ongoing series.
Sounds Of Texas: Jerod Couch
Jerod Couch is a director and writer from Dallas. He’s the creator of the independent TV series, “#Washed.” The second season of the show — which is set in his hometown — is out today.
Art and Social Movements, part 1, Jammie Holmes
At the end of May, planes flying banners with George Floyd’s final words swept across five cities. The memorial in the sky was a first for Dallas artist Jammie Holmes. But Black lives are central to his work. Since Floyd’s death, protests against police brutality and racism have persisted. KERA’s Miguel Perez reports on why art must play a part in the social movements defining 2020.
PolitiFact: Is Austin Number 1 For Murders?
Gov. Greg Abbott says crime is on the rise in Austin. He says a new study showed that it “is the No. 1 city in America in the year-to-year percentage increase in murders, with a percentage increase of more than 64% for the first half of this year.” But is that a fact? Madlin Mekelburg with PolitiFact Texas, based at the Austin American-Statesman digs into the matter for the Standard.
All this and Texas News Roundup, plus Social Media Editor Wells Dunbar with the talk of Texas.
