Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Monday, Jan. 13, 2025:
Legislative session kicks off tomorrow
It’s go-time at the Texas Capitol as the 89th legislative session opens tomorrow, running through June 2. Key issues include school vouchers, hemp and THC products, sports betting, border security, minimum wage, abortion and more. Plus, a leadership fight looms in the House over who will take retiring Speaker Dade Phelan’s post.
Blaise Gainey from The Texas Newsroom will lead coverage of the session. He joins the show today with a preview.
After Austin’s overdose crisis
Last year, Austin faced a deadly mass overdose event that overwhelmed emergency services. The crisis sparked questions about Texas’ approach to drug policy, which Jason Buch of The Texas Observer argues emphasizes punishment over prevention and harm reduction. He joins the Standard with more.
This week in Texas music history: Bach Yen records at Sonobeat in Austin
On Jan. 18, 1968, Vietnamese singer Bach Yen cut a 45 single for Sonobeat Records in Austin. Jason Mellard with The Center for Texas Music History at Texas State University has the story.
Microreactors and regulatory battles
Abilene Christian University is advancing its nuclear microreactor project, but regulations are in the spotlight. Texas, Utah and a nuclear company are suing the Nuclear Regulatory Commission over microreactor rules they call overburdensome.
Brian Martucci of Utility Dive joins the Standard to explain.
While it’s not the stuff of midnight movies, January’s full moon – called the “wolf moon”– has celestial significance.
For the details, we turn to Amy Ray, resident astronomer at the McDonald Observatory in Fort Davis.
Wizzie Brown is a program specialist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, and our go-to insect expert. Something bugging you? Drop us a line, and we’ll pass it along.
San Antonian makes Cuban-American relations a work of art
Artists from San Antonio have worked to foster cultural ties with Havana, overcoming hurricanes, earthquakes and systemic challenges. Texas Public Radio’s Jack Morgan reports.
Disability advocates eye 2025 legislative goals
In 2023, Texas lawmakers approved wage increases for attendants who assist people with severe disabilities, but many other priorities for the disabled community stalled. Advocacy groups plan to revisit issues like education and voting accessibility in 2025.
Jolene Sanders from the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities weighs in.
All this, plus Alexandra Hart with the Texas Newsroom’s state roundup and Wells Dunbar with the Talk of Texas.
