Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Friday, Dec. 9, 2022:
Texas’ report on maternal mortality appeared ready before the election
Hopes that the state would take action to curb maternal mortalities in Texas have been frustrated again. Following reports about the state’s deaths during childbirth, the Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee was set to release its findings for action this fall – but the report’s not coming out as expected. The Houston Chronicle’s Jeremy Blackman has more.
The state’s telling this teacher training program to make changes or close
A teacher preparation program in the state is at risk of losing accreditation. Texas Teachers of Tomorrow was given several months to show improvements to what state officials called problems with how the agency operated. For more on the details, we’re joined by Talia Richman, education lab reporter for The Dallas Morning News.
Boeing invites children to create art to be carried aboard the Starliner spacecraft
We sometimes tell children to shoot for the stars. Now there’s a program that’s encouraging them to send their art literally out of this world. Texas Public Radio’s Jack Morgan explains.
Local governments are undermining pot decriminalization laws
Last month, voters in several Texas cities passed marijuana decriminalization ordinances. But after their passage, some local lawmakers are working to undermine these voter-approved measures. Katharine Neill Harris with Rice University’s Baker Institute has more.
The connection between domestic violence and gun possession
A federal judge in the Western District of Texas has ruled that laws to take guns from people under domestic violence protection orders violates the Second Amendment. But keeping guns out of the hands of domestic abusers saves lives, advocates say, and academic researchers say studies support that claim. Professor April Zeoli from the University of Michigan has more about the case.
What it’s like navigating the country music scene as a Latina artist
El Paso native Valerie Ponzio rose to fame in 2017 after a country-infused stint on NBC’s “The Voice.” This September, she released her debut EP “Frontera,” which explores her experiences growing up along the U.S.-Mexico border and how Latino music and culture has influenced her as an artist. Ponzio joins us for a far–ranging conversation today.
Typewriter Rodeo: The Great War (of buying Taylor Swift tickets)
The gang delivers another custom poem.
The Texas Tribune’s James Barragán offers up a political recap, including the lawsuit against Beto O’Rourke, Texas House Democrats’ new leader and Gov. Greg Abbott’s new secretary of state pick.
All this, plus the Texas Newsroom’s state roundup and Wells Dunbar with the Talk of Texas.
