Here’s what’s coming up on Texas Standard for Friday, September 18, 2020. Joy Dîaz fills in as host for David Brown. 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.
Gov. Abbott’s Latest COVID Announcements
Gov. Greg Abbott has relaxed some pandemic limits on businesses throughout the state. Bars remain closed, but some are working around that shutdown by selling more food than alcohol. Elder care facilities are open to visitors unless there is an outbreak. Nicole Cobler is a state politics reporter for the Austin-American Statesman. She talks to the Standard about Abbott’s latest actions.
Will Protesters Go to the Polls?
Protests over the summer after the killing of George Floyd brought thousands into the North Texas streets. Many of those protesters were new to civic participation. But with a momentous election looming, will they vote? KERA’s Bret Jaspers reports on efforts to get protesters to vote.
Houston Contact Tracers
Houston health authorities have been praising residents for beating back the summer surge of the coronavirus. But one tool in that fight – the use of contact tracers – continues to face a simple barrier: language. Houston Public Media’s Matt Harab discussed this hurdle with a bilingual contact tracer.
A Plan to Rescue Austin Music Venues
The Austin City Council has a plan to provide relief to music venues forced to close because of the pandemic. KUT Austin’s Andrew Weber spoke to the Standard.
COVID Lab Woes
There’s been problems with getting COVID-19 tests, problems with the varying costs of them. And there have also been problems with one of the labs Texas uses to analyze those tests. Dallas Morning News investigative reporter Holly Hacker talks to the Standard about one of the testing companies Texas has used.
Quinceañera
For a young Latinas, her fifteenth birthday is special. Families plan their Quinceañera celebration for months, sometimes years. This year, the pandemic wiped out many of those dreams. KERA’s Alejandra Martinez met one young woman who finally got her moment in the spotlight
Commentary: Montinique Monroe on Children Who Witness a Killing by Cop
Typewriter Rodeo
The Week in Politics
All this and Texas News Roundup, plus Social Media Editor Wells Dunbar with the talk of Texas.
