Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023:
Texas’ heatwave could evaporate billions from the economy
For many Texans, one strategy to beat the heat has been to hunker down inside air conditioning for much of the day.
But those record temperatures may be having a cooling effect on the state’s economy, according to Ray Perryman. The Waco-based Perryman Group economist joins us with his findings on the economic impact of the heatwave.
Eagle Pass the latest battlefield in the Abbott-Biden war over control of U.S.-Mexico border
On the Texas-Mexico Border there’s a legal struggle between Gov. Greg Abbott and the Biden administration. The Department of Justice is seeking an injunction to pull Abbott’s buoy barrier out of the Rio Grande, saying the governor is interfering with federal authority for border control. Abbott says the border is in crisis.
But Texas Public Radio’s David Martin Davies reports from Eagle Pass that the entire squabble could be about national politics.
Surging gas prices: Key drivers behind the sudden rise
Summer road trippers have likely noticed a significant increase in gas prices lately. In Texas, the average price per gallon has surged from $3.16 a month ago to $3.46 currently, according to AAA.
But what is fueling this sudden rise in prices? Joining us to shed light on the key drivers behind this surge in gas prices is Matt Smith, who closely monitors energy market moves for Kpler.
Is Texas pulled pork barbecue really the pits?
At Texas barbecue joints, brisket is king. Meanwhile, throughout the South, pulled pork reigns supreme in barbecue. Recently, Daniel Vaughn, the barbecue editor of Texas Monthly, made an audacious statement, describing Texas-style pulled pork as “embarrassing.” But what does he mean by this?
Joining us is Vaughn himself, ready to delve into the spirited debate between Texas barbecue’s cherished brisket and the perception of pulled pork in the Lone Star State.
Johnny Winter’s historic show at the Vulcan Gas Company
On August 2, 1968, Beaumont guitarist Johnny Winter played the Vulcan Gas Company on Congress Avenue in Austin, helping usher in a new era of psychedelic blues. Jason Mellard from the Center for Texas Music History at Texas State University puts the performance in context for us as part of KUTX’s “This Week in Texas Music History” series.
Great Springs Project working to connect Austin and San Antonio
It’s a transformative project so big it’ll stretch all the way from Austin to San Antonio. Texas Public Radio’s Jack Morgan says it won’t be powered by gasoline or run on rails.
It’s called the Great Springs Project, a 110-mile trail that will start at Barton Springs in Austin and go on to San Marcos Springs, then to Comal in New Braunfels and end at the Blue Hole in San Antonio.
Remembering Paul Reubens and Pee-wee’s ties to Texas
In the 1985 movie “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure,” Pee-wee Herman goes on a quest to retrieve his red bicycle from the basement of the Alamo. (Or so he thinks.) The movie became a cult classic, and it’s particularly beloved in San Antonio because of its ties to the city.
News broke Monday that the actor behind Pee-wee, Paul Reubens, had died from cancer at the age of 70. Reubens played Pee-wee in several movies as well as on “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” a children’s show that was singular as it was strange. To help remember Reubens we’re joined by Kiko Martinez, a San Antonio-based film critic.
All this, plus the Texas Newsroom’s state roundup and Wells Dunbar with the Talk of Texas.
