Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Monday, Aug. 25, 2025.
Texas lawmakers move forward in special session
Texas legislators have advanced new, divisive congressional maps, which are now heading to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk. The maps face immediate legal challenges while lawmakers also consider bills responding to the July 4th floods and GOP legislation targeting quorum-breaking House members.
The Texas Newsroom’s Blaise Gainey joins Texas Standard with more.
New education law reshapes classrooms
Supporters call SB 12, one of over a hundred new education laws taking effect this fall, a “Parental Bill of Rights.” It grants families more control over curriculum, reading materials and classroom practices, but it also outlaws DEI programs and bans LGBTQ student clubs.
Bill Zeeble of KERA News reports on the impact.
The week in Texas music history
Jason Mellard with The Center for Texas Music History at Texas State University celebrates the birthday of conjunto legend Jimmy Garcia.
California weighs in on Texas redistricting fight
Texas and California are at the center of a new nationwide redistricting battle that could shape control of the U.S. House. With Texas lawmakers having approved new maps, California Democrats are now advancing a competing plan that would create more Democratic representatives in the Golden State.
Houston Chronicle senior columnist Lisa Falkenberg asked former governor Arnold Schwarzenegger what he thinks. She joins the Standard with more.
Communities confront the challenge of light pollution
As skies grow brighter, many Americans are losing their view of the stars. Researchers warn light pollution disrupts ecosystems and human health – but local communities can make choices to balance safety with conservation, and now some areas are exploring new lighting standards to restore night skies.
Harvest Public Media contributor Celia Llopis-Jepsen reports.
Texas law tweaks access to medical test results
Patient portals were designed to give people faster access to their health records, but new requirements for releasing test results have led to unintended consequences. A Texas law now delays when some results are shared, a change many doctors support.
Dallas oncologist Dr. David Gerber is one of them; he joins the Standard with his take on the new rules.
UT System gains authority over faculty bodies
The University of Texas System has authorized campuses to dismantle their faculty senates, a change prompted by Senate Bill 37. The new law reduces faculty influence over hiring, firing and academic policy decisions – giving more authority to administrators and political appointees.
Texas Tribune reporter Jessica Priest joins the Standard with more.
