Texas Standard for Aug. 26, 2022: Gearing up for Texas’ big weekend in pro soccer

Love professional soccer, or wonder what the fuss is about? It’s a great time to come off the sidelines, as this weekend sees key Texas matches in men’s Major League Soccer and the National Women’s Soccer League. Also: A judge in Fort Worth rules that Texas can’t ban 18- to 20-year-olds from carrying handguns. We’ll hear more about what’s behind the decision and what comes next. And: Beyond debt forgiveness: what can be done to bring down the cost of higher ed in the first place?

Plus the week in politics with the Texas Tribune and more today on the Texas Standard:

By Texas StandardAugust 26, 2022 9:32 am,

Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Friday, Aug. 26, 2022:

Federal judge rules Texas can’t keep young adults from carrying guns

Under Texas law, young adults between the ages of 18 and 20 are prohibited from obtaining a license to carry a handgun. With support from a gun advocacy group, two young adults sued over the law – and now a federal judge based in Texas has agreed with them, citing the Second Amendment. Charles “Rocky” Rhodes, law professor at South Texas College of Law, joins with more.

Student debt forgiveness prompts a look at spiraling costs of college

President Joe Biden’s decision to forgive some student loan debt came as a relief to many borrowers. It also prompted a broader discussion on how to address the root causes of college debt and affordability. For some ideas we turn to Sara Goldrick-Rab, author of “Paying the Price: College Costs, Financial Aid, and the Betrayal of the American Dream.”

Reduce or re-use? Reclaiming water in the Rio Grande Valley

The Rio Grande Valley’s critical water shortage has resulted in involuntary water restrictions. The region’s main source of water, the Falcon Reservoir, is at its lowest level in more than twenty years. While the region’s water plan depends on using less water to withstand this drought, the City of Edcouch is looking ahead. Texas Public Radio’s Carolina Cuellar reports.

‘They are not naive about the reality‘: New Texas teachers enter a field in crisis

It’s no secret that a lot of teachers have been leaving education over the last couple of years. Issues ranging from the pandemic, political attacks, school safety concerns, low pay, and what many describe as an overall lack of respect have all taken a toll. But what about the next generation of educators entering the field? KUT’s Becky Fogel finds new teachers are optimistic but are also aware teaching might not be a lifelong career.

Your guide to Texas’ big weekend in pro soccer

Love professional soccer, or wonder what the fuss is about? It’s a great time to come off the sidelines, as this weekend sees key Texas matches in men’s Major League Soccer and the National Women’s Soccer League. KUT’s Jimmy Maas takes us to the pitch.

Inside Austin’s comedy scene

Comedy Wham is a website devoted to coverage of Austin’s bustling comedy scene. Editor Valerie Lopez (who hopes to be known one day as “The James Lipton of Austin comedy”) shares a scene report.

Legendary Hemisfair in San Antonio art gets some overdue TLC

The huge mural above the Lila Cockrell Theater in San Antonio’s is one of the city’s biggest pieces of public art. But it’s also a window into an especially important event in Texas history. Texas Public Radio’s Jack Morgan says the mural is now getting some TLC.

Typewriter Rodeo 

The gang delivers another custom poem. Submit your own suggestions online

The week in Texas politics

Texas Tribune political reporter James Barragán stops by with a recap of the week that was.

All this, plus the Texas Newsroom’s state roundup and Wells Dunbar with the Talk of Texas.

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