Here’s what’s coming up on Texas Standard for Friday, November 13, 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.
The COVID Vaccine Timeline
We’ve had little good news to report this week regarding COVID-19 with one major exception: on Monday, Pfizer announced that phase three trials of its COVID-19 vaccine showed 90% protection against the virus. The next question is – when can people get it? Lauran Neergaard, medical reporter for The Associated Press, talks to the Standard about next steps.
Potential Texans in Biden Administration
Beto O’Rourke and Julián Castro are two of the Texans being floated as potential cabinet members in president-elect Joe Biden’s administration. But how likely is it a Democrat from a red state lands a spot in Biden’s cabinet? Dallas Morning News reporter Tom Benning talks to the Standard about which Texans have a shot.
Dallas Black Dance Theatre
There’s no business like show business, wrote Irving Berlin. But arts organizations in Texas are working hard to remain afloat. And they’re finding ways to transform by adding virtual performances to their repertoire. As KERA’s Jerome Weeks reports, this Saturday, Dallas Black Dance Theatre is moving forward with a virtual world premiere by choreographer Joshua Peugh.
Texas Rural Broadband Hero Award
High-speed Internet is still a problem for rural Texas residents. In the West Texas town of Monahans, a lack of reliable internet access has hurt the town’s economy. But recently, one local leader was recognized for her work to improve access there by Connected Nation Texas. Teresa Burnett, the Monahans Chamber of Commerce executive director and the first-ever recipient of the Texas Broadband Hero Award, talks to the Standard.
Election Transition Laws
A week after The Associated Press called the presidential race in favor of Joe Biden, President Donald Trump has yet to concede. Instead, Trump’s team has called for recounts and launched a flurry of lawsuits aimed at invalidating votes, and is hamstringing efforts for a smooth transition to the next administration. What if the president never concedes? It’s something Richard Hasen has been thinking about. He’s a law professor at the University of California, Irvine School of Law. He’s also the author of “Election Meltdown: Dirty Tricks, Distrust, and the Threat to American Democracy.”
Ted Cohen on Finding Afro Mexico
COVID Mums
Fall in Texas means high school football, Friday night lights and a statewide tradition: the homecoming mum. They’re the star in what have become elaborate accessories that many high schoolers wear the day of homecoming games. This year, though, COVID-19 has delayed or otherwise altered many school’s festivities. KERA’s Rachel Osier Lindley digs into the business side of mums and whether the tradition can survive the pandemic.
Typewriter Rodeo
The Week in Texas Politics with the Texas Tribune
All this and Texas News Roundup, plus Social Media Editor Wells Dunbar with the talk of Texas.
