Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Monday, April 28, 2025. Check back later today for updated story links and audio.
Bills on religion, furries spark debate at the Texas Capitol
The House Public Education Committee is holding hearings this week on bills that would place the Ten Commandments in Texas classrooms and address debunked claims about students identifying as “furries.”
Houston Public Media’s Andrew Schneider joins the Standard to break down the proposals and whether they stand a chance of passing.
Questions remain after death of man in Dallas County jail
Fifty-year-old Andra Adkins died hours after being booked into the Dallas County Jail by DART police on March 10. Six weeks later, the cause of death is still unknown, raising concerns about transparency in jail death investigations.
KERA’s Marina Trahan Martinez has more, as part of our monthly Drill Down series highlighting investigative reporting across Texas.
This week in Texas music history
Jason Mellard with The Center for Texas Music History at Texas State University consults the calendar.
Nueces County faces growing doctor shortage
A recent survey finds Nueces County, including Corpus Christi, will need dozens more doctors by 2030 to meet local health care needs. But attracting and retaining those doctors poses a major challenge.
Olivia Garrett of the Corpus Christi Caller-Times joins the Standard with a look at how officials are trying to close the gap.
Will Trump lift Russian oil sanctions?
The Trump administration is reportedly considering lifting sanctions on Russia’s NordStream 2 pipeline, as part of a discussions to end the Russia–Ukraine conflict.
With an update on where things stand is Kpler energy analyst Matt Smith.
UT student pushes bill for better evacuation plans for disabled students
Fabiola Amaya, a 21-year-old UT Austin student, is leading the charge for Senate Bill 752, which would make university evacuation protocols more accessible for students with disabilities.
She joins Texas Standard to share the two-year journey that brought her to the state Capitol and what the legislation would change.
Egg prices pushing some to consider renting chickens
In recent years, more people have welcomed chickens to their backyards. But for those who aren’t ready to fully commit, renting chickens is an option. Chicken rental businesses will provide everything you need – the coop, the food and the hens.
As Harvest Public Media’s Skyler Rossi reports, recent egg shortages at the grocery store are pushing more people to try it.
Long waits at Social Security offices leave Houston-area seniors frustrated
Houston-area seniors are facing hours-long wait times when calling or visiting Social Security offices. Critics say staffing cuts under the Trump administration are to blame.
Joel Smith, president of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 3184, joins the show to talk about what’s behind the delays and what could come next.
All this, plus Alexandra Hart with the Texas Newsroom’s state roundup and Raul Alonzo with the Talk of Texas.
