Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Friday, Feb. 14, 2025:
Texas House speaker names committee chairs
Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows has named 30 Republican committee chairs, relying on close allies to push his agenda and maintain GOP control in the chamber. While some Democrats secured vice-chair and subcommittee roles, their influence remains limited.
The Dallas Morning News’ Aaron Torres joins us to break it all down:
With the New York Stock Exchange moving part of its operations to Dallas and a separate Texas Stock Exchange in the works, North Texas could soon be home to two major trading hubs.
What does this mean for the region’s financial future? UT San Antonio economics professor Bulent Temel weighs in.
Dozens of Dallas refugee resettlement workers laid off after cuts to federal funding
Catholic Charities of Dallas has laid off dozens of employees with its refugee resettlement program. KERA’s Priscilla Rice reports it comes after President Donald Trump signed an executive order suspending the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program:
These are the businesses displaced by Austin’s rail plans
Austin’s long-awaited light rail project is moving forward, but not without controversy. New reporting from KUT News details the businesses that could be demolished to make way for the transit line. Nathan Bernier reports.
A missing link in bird evolution
A newly analyzed fossil could help answer a key question about the evolution of modern birds. The skull of Vegavis iaai, a duck-like species from the dinosaur era, sheds light on ancient avian diversity.
One of the researchers, Chris Torres, did the work at UT Austin and joins us today.
Austin runner aims to break another world record this weekend on the marathon course
Running a marathon is tough – but running one while dribbling a basketball? Austin’s Ben Duong is attempting to set a Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon while dribbling. And he’s got the support of the San Antonio Spurs. We’ll hear his story today.
Austin gears up for major esports event
The city is set to host one of the biggest esports tournaments of the year, with 40,000 attendees expected at Moody Center and millions more tuning in worldwide. The Austin Major could put the city on the global gaming map. The Austin American-Statesman’s Karoline Leonard joins us with details.
The gang delivers another custom poem. Reach out to Texas Standard with your topic suggestions!
The Texas Tribune’s James Barragán joins the Standard with a recap of the week that was in Texas politics.
All this, plus Alexandra Hart with the Texas Newsroom’s state roundup and Wells Dunbar with the Talk of Texas.
