Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Monday, April 10, 2023. Check back later today for updated story links and audio.
A judge in Texas says medication abortion is illegal. What’s next?
A federal judge in Texas claims the FDA erred in its decades-old approval of mifepristone, a drug used to terminate pregnancies. Hours later, in a separate lawsuit, another judge ordered the federal government to keep mifepristone available. What’s next, before a likely trip to the U.S. Supreme Court? Elizabeth Sepper, professor at The University of Texas at Austin School of Law, has more.
Indigenous tribe traverses Texas to protest oil and gas plans in the Rio Grande Valley
The Carrizo Comecrudo Tribe of Texas recently concluded a weeklong journey through the state. In a protest against oil and gas projects, the tribe made a prayer run that started in West Texas and ended in the Rio Grande Valley. Texas Public Radio’s Gaige Davila was there as members of the tribe and supporters finished the run outside of Brownsville.
The good, bad and the ugly of Texas energy projects
It’s obvious: issues swirling around the Texas energy industry are complicated. For the good, the bad and the ugly, we go to our resident energy expert Matt Smith, lead oil analyst for the Americas at Kpler.
Has Tennessee’s expulsion of Democratic lawmakers set a precedent?
Most state legislatures have the power to remove members, but the practice is rare. Now, after two Democrats were questionably expelled from the Republican-led Tennessee House, many are wondering whether that precedent may change. Rice University political science professor Mark Jones shares more.
There’s no easy fix to Austin ISD’s special education evaluation backlog. Students are left waiting.
The Texas Education Agency plans to oversee the Austin Independent School District’s special education department. The move comes as AISD is trying to clear a backlog of special ed evaluations that are needed for students to get targeted services. KUT’s Becky Fogel explains how the district got here, and what’s next.
Is fentanyl the ‘social media drug’?
Fentanyl is the new social media drug, and Mexican criminal groups are exploiting the technology to dominate the market and recruit dealers in Texas, The Dallas Morning News’ Alfredo Corchado writes. He joins us today.
All this, plus the Texas Newsroom’s state roundup and Wells Dunbar with the Talk of Texas.
