Texas Standard For September 14, 2020

Primary care physicians on the front line of a health crisis now asking for a primary care “Marshall Plan” to survive long-term. And: El Paso, long a Democratic stronghold but also with a history of low turnout among Latinos and young voters. A closer look at what issues might get them to the polls with Election Day now 50 days away. Also: How one of the biggest legacies of the Obama administration echoes in this election season. Plus: Colleges and universities trying to get in good with social media influencers, but at what price? Those stories and more.

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By Texas StandardSeptember 14, 2020 9:39 am

Here’s what’s coming up on Texas Standard for Monday, September 14, 2020. Listen on your Texas public radio station, or ask your smart speaker to play Texas Standard. We’ll have full posts for each story, including audio, a little later today.

TAFP Primary Care Marshall Plan

Like other busiensses, doctors and medical practices have been seeing fewer customers during the pandemic. The Texas Academy of Family Physicians have come up with what they are calling a “Primary Care Marshall Plan,” named after the World War II recovery blueprint. The group’s chief executive, Tom Banning, talks to the Standard about what the plan entails.

El Paso Voters

El Paso is a Democratic stronghold, a deep pocket of blue in a red state and home to high profile former congressman and presidential candidate, Beto O’Rourke. The city is predominantly Latino and young. Both groups have historically low voter turnout. Angela Kocherga with member station KTEP in El Paso talked to voters in the Texas border city about their concerns.

Health Care Election 2020

Texas is suing to strike down the Affordable Care Act. The Supreme Court is due to hear the case one week after Election Day. Democrats up and down the ballot are making this an issue, focusing on the importance of insurance coverage to Texans during the COVID-19 pandemic, as Houston Public Media’s Andrew Schneider explains.

The Oil Sector

Last week marked the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season. It’s been a busy season, as meteorologists have identified seven systems in the Atlantic, ranging from tropical storms down to tropical disturbances. Several offshore drilling platforms are hunkering down for their second potential hurricane in less than a month as a strengthening Tropical Storm Sally heads toward the Louisiana coast. Matt Smith, who has been watching the storms and their impact on the energy sector for ClipperData, talks to the Standard.

Colleges and Social Media Influencers

All sorts of skills that can help students get a college scholarship – athletics, academic excellence and the arts, to name a few. Now you can add mastery of social media. College students who happen to be social media influencers are making deals to advertise for the very schools they attend. It’s a fairly new practice, but one that appears to have some staying power. Karen Freberg, an associate professor of strategic communications at the University of Louisville talks to the Standard about this trend. 

Sarah Maslin Nir on Horse Crazy

Black-Owned BBQ Businesses

Many North Texas restaurants have been struggling during the pandemic – including Black-owned barbecue establishments. As KERA’s Elizabeth Myong reports, they are among just some of the region’s Black-owned businesses trying to withstand the financial ups and downs of the worst recession in generations.

Alamo Plan

The Alamo is in the midst of a massive redevelopment. There are big plans for the old San Antonio mission, including a new museum and visitor’s center, an expanded footprint, and restoration of some of the original structures. The idea is to create a world class experience – and it comes with a price tag of $450 million. But all those plans depend on a vote later this month by the Texas Historical Commission, according to the Alamo’s outgoing CEO, Douglass MacDonald. 

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

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