Here’s what’s coming up on Texas Standard for Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024:
Dustin Burrows eyes Texas House speaker role
Who is Dustin Burrows, the Texas representative aiming for the House speaker position? Burrows has emerged as a key figure for the state’s moderate GOP establishment. But how do his politics compare with those of current House Speaker Dade Phelan or Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, the Senate leader?
Jasper Scherer, who covers state politics for The Texas Tribune, joins the Standard with more.
Carbon capture facility raises climate concerns
Outside Odessa, Occidental Petroleum is building a facility to pull carbon dioxide out of the air and store it underground – a promising tool to combat climate change. However, the technology is raising environmental concerns in West Texas.
Marfa Public Radio’s Mitch Borden reports.
A&M’s next giant leap: Texas Space Institute
Last year, Texas lawmakers created the Texas Space Commission, earmarking $200 million for a Texas A&M Space Institute. In November, the institute broke ground near NASA’s Johnson Space Center.
Dr. Nancy Currie-Gregg, a former astronaut and the institute’s director, joins Texas Standard with the details.
USDA research tackles 100-year tick problem
In the Rio Grande Valley, cattle fever ticks have been a persistent threat to livestock for more than a century, spreading disease that devastates the industry. While containment efforts have worked so far, scientists are exploring new tools to combat the pests.
Jason Tidwell, a USDA microbiologist based in Edinburg, joins the Standard with more on this research.
Billy Bob Thornton’s Texas-sized Golden Globe nod
From “Friday Night Lights” to “The Alamo,” Billy Bob Thornton has long been an honorary Texan. Now, he’s earned his seventh Golden Globe nomination for his role as Tommy Norris in Taylor Sheridan’s new series, “Landman.”
Thornton stopped by the Texas Standard studio to discuss his portrayal of this iconic Texas character.
Advocacy group pushes for Railroad Commission reform
As the 89th legislative session approaches, advocacy groups are sharing their top priorities for Texas lawmakers. Virginia Palacios, executive director of Commission Shift and Commission Shift Action, joins the Standard to discuss their push for reforms at the Railroad Commission of Texas, the state’s oil and gas regulator.
All this, plus Alexandra Hart with the Texas Newsroom’s state roundup and Wells Dunbar with the Talk of Texas.