Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Friday, Feb. 20, 2026.
What’s behind ICE detention deaths in Texas?
In the span of just six weeks between December and January, six people died while detained by ICE in Texas — three of them at Camp East Montana in El Paso. Last year, nearly a quarter of all ICE detention deaths occurred in Texas.
What’s behind the deadly trend?
Lomi Kriel, who reports for the ProPublica-Texas Tribune investigative unit, joins the show with the story.
With Chip Roy out, 12 Republicans eye open District 21 seat
Early voting is underway in the Texas primaries. In the 21st congressional district, south of Austin, voters are choosing nominees to replace outgoing Republican Rep. Chip Roy.
Roy has held the position since 2018, but is leaving to run for Texas Attorney General. 12 Republican candidates are vying for the nomination to represent the solidly red district.
KUT’s Leigh Walden spoke to some GOP voters in the district to hear what issues they’re thinking about as they head to the polls.
Meet Ernie Mae Miller, pioneering jazz musician and Austin Music Hall of Fame inductee
Ernie Mae Miller was a popular and acclaimed vocalist and musician, playing and singing in the jazz, blues and pop styles. KUT and KUTX producer/host Miles Bloxson shares her story.
Facing teacher shortages, South San Antonio ISD partners with Teach for America
South San Antonio ISD is a relatively small school district. It has a total student population of about 7,000. If you go to the district’s website, you’ll likely see a pop up in all caps at the top that says “SSAISD is hiring.” and there’s a list of sign–on bonuses for teachers in special education and English language arts and reading.
The shortage of teachers is why South San ISD recently partnered Teach for America. Xochilt Garcia covers education for the San Antonio Report and joins the Standard with the story.
US Supreme Court strikes down Trump’s tariffs
As we were getting ready for today’s show this morning, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down a decision that will have major ripple effects for the world economy. The court ruled 6-3 that the Trump administration does not have the legal power to impose tariffs like it did in 2025 on nearly every U.S. trading partner.
For more on this decision from the high court, we’ll be joined by Raymond Robertson, director of the Mosbacher Institute for Trade Economics and Public Policy Texas A&M University.
UTSA launches first-ever Tejano music ensemble – led by one of the genre’s stars
As a cultural crossroads, Texas music can mean just about anything when it comes to genre, but few genres are so inherently Texan as one in which “Texas” is literally baked into the name. Take the folk traditions of conjunto music, blend in synths and more modern electronic instrumentation, and you’ve got the essence of Tejano music – a genre that’s been on the wane in recent years.
But there are signs of a comeback of sorts. As evidence? For the first time, a new ensemble at the University of Texas at San Antonio will give students the opportunity to study and perform Tejano music.
The program is spearheaded by Michael Acevedo, UTSA’s mariachi director, and Shelly Lares, UTSA’s first Artist in Residence and a Tejano music icon. Acevedo and Lares join us today to talk about the ensemble.
The gang delivers another custom poem.
Week in Texas politics
The Texas Tribune’s Kayla Guo joins the Standard with a recap of the week that was in Texas politics.
