Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Tuesday, April 8, 2025:
Advocates warn special ed changes could erode student protections
Despite plans dismantling the Department of Education, Texas is still set to receive $1.3 billion in special education funding – but advocates worry oversight is slipping. They say fewer safeguards could mean students with disabilities miss out on the support they’re legally entitled to.
Sneha Dey of The Texas Tribune joins the Standard with more.
Veterans push back as Trump proposes steep VA cuts
Despite strong support from veterans at the ballot box, some are protesting deep proposed cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs under a second Trump term.
Andrew Dyer reports for the American Homefront Project.
Lawmakers mull new requirements for oil and gas producers, regulators
Texas lawmakers are considering a proposal that could put a host of requirements on oil and gas operators, as well as the Texas Railroad Commission that regulates them. The goal is to make sure well sites are regularly inspected to reduce wildfire risk. KTTZ’s Brad Burt reports:
Texas housing market cools, shifting power to buyers
With a median sale price of $328,000, Texas homes are selling for well below the national average — and they’re sitting on the market longer. As the spring buying season begins, experts say the advantage is swinging back toward buyers.
Yanling Mayer with the Texas Real Estate Research Center joins the Standard with more.
Texas keeps child abuse and neglect deaths out of sight
When children die from abuse or neglect after state involvement, families are often left in the dark, with few answers about what went wrong or who was responsible. Experts say outdated systems, open records exemptions and steep fees keep the public shut out, leaving the agency’s actions largely hidden.
Texas Public Radio’s Paul Flahive reports.
Genetically engineered ‘dire wolves’ are now alive in the U.S.
A Dallas-based company says it’s successfully created three genetically engineered wolf pups resembling the long-extinct dire wolf. The animals, already 80 pounds at just a few months old, are part of Colossal Biosciences’ plan to revive vanished species. Scientists say they could grow to 140 pounds, with traits inspired by wolves gone for 10,000 years.
Colossal Biosciences co-founder Ben Lamm, chief animal officer Matt James and chief science officer Beth Shapiro join the show with more.
Texas state workers face uncertainty as remote work policy shifts
Gov. Greg Abbott’s directive to phase out hybrid work has prompted widespread concern among state employees, many of whom had adapted to remote operations over the past several years. As agencies implement return-to-office mandates, workers report cramped conditions, insufficient parking and more.
KUT’s Andrew Weber reports.
All this, plus Alexandra Hart with the Texas Newsroom’s state roundup and Wells Dunbar with the Talk of Texas.
