Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025.
Trump allies push mid-decade redistricting strategy
Months before Texas entered its latest redistricting battle, the Trump administration began testing legal strategies to tilt political outcomes – including efforts to push through mid-decade map changes. State leaders and conservative activists have supported these moves.
ProPublica contributor Bob Garrett has been reporting on the coordinated strategy and joins Texas Standard with more.
New law bars certain foreign nationals from buying land in Texas
Starting Sept. 1, more than 800 laws passed during Texas’ 89th legislative session will officially take effect. One measure, Senate Bill 17, bars people connected with certain countries from buying land in Texas. Supporters argue the law strengthens security, but opponents call it discriminatory.
The Texas Newsroom’s Lucio Vasquez reports.
Lege OKs bill allowing attorney general to directly prosecute election crime
The Texas Legislature has passed a measure that gives the state attorney general the power to directly prosecute election crimes.
The Texas Newsroom’s Blaise Gainey has more details on the legislation, known as Senate Bill 12.
After Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans evacuees changed Houston — and Houston changed them
Twenty years ago, Hurricane Katrina destroyed much of New Orleans. At least 100,000 people found refuge in Houston in the aftermath of the storm.
Houston Public Media’s Dominic Anthony Walsh reports on how they reshaped the cultural landscape of the largest city in Texas.
Frito pie, a mainstay under Friday night lights, is a Texas original
Frito pie: It’s a much-loved delight often spooned up under Friday night lights here in Texas and beyond.
As Frito Pie season is upon us again, Texas Standard commentator W.F. Strong digs into its history and lore.
Austin Butler and Darren Aronofsky on movies, Texas and “Caught Stealing”
“Caught Stealing” is the latest film from rising star Austin Butler (“Elvis,” “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”) and director Darren Aronofsky (“The Whale,” “Black Swan”).
The Standard’s Laura Rice caught up with them at their Austin premier to talk about filmmaking in Texas and much more.
How UTRGV built a football program up from scratch
Yesterday, we took a look at how the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley built a football program with the help of their community. Today, the Texas Standard’s Kristen Cabrera explores what it’s like to build a team from scratch.
