Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Friday, July 17, 2026.
The latest in the wake of South Central Texas floods
Heavy rainfall led to major flooding across the South Central Texas region yesterday, with at least two confirmed dead as of this morning.
Lucio Vasquez, who reports on breaking news for the Texas Newsroom, joins Texas Standard with the latest.
North Texas families struggle with inflation and food costs
With prices of groceries skyrocketing because of inflation, many North Texas families are struggling to bring food to the table — especially during the summer, when kids are out of school.
Many turn to free meal programs to fill the gap, but as KERA’s Avery Escamilla-Wendell reports, the pantries and food banks providing vital resources are also struggling with rising costs.
Hemp beverage industry navigates regulatory uncertainty
The hemp beverage industry sold about 2.3 million cases last year. Texas is one of the largest markets for these drinks, with an estimated value in the billions. But clouding all the growth is the looming threat of bans and restrictions.
On a hot day in June, business owners from the hemp industry gathered in an Austin convention center. The Texas Standard’s Charlie Sharpe has the story.
Wes Anderson’s Houston homecoming looks to benefit local nonprofit
30 years ago, a young Houstonian burst onto the film scene with a movie that would launch not only his career, but the film’s two stars — his friends from UT-Austin — a pair of brothers from Dallas. The film was “Bottle Rocket” and the brothers are now Hollywood A-listers: Owen and Luke Wilson. That director was Wes Anderson.
Anderson went on to make “Rushmore” in his hometown of Houston, but soon largely moved on from Texas with films set all over the world as he developed his artistic palate and unique style. Now, he’s coming home at least briefly to help benefit a Houston arts nonprofit.
Maureen McNamara, director of Art House Houston, joins the Standard with the details.
Remembering a pioneer of norteño music
Ramiro Cavazos may not be a household name, but the sounds he influenced have undoubtedly filled many a home, dancehall and cantina across Texas and Mexico. That’s because Cavazos, and the 1940s duo he formed in the Rio Grande Valley town of Donna with accordion-player Mario Montes, were among the earliest pioneers of modern norteño music.With Cavazos on the bajo sexto, the duo performed as Los Donneños.
Earlier this month, Cavazos died at the age of 99. Frutty Villarreal, a musician who knew and played with Cavazos for several years, joins Texas Standard with a remembrance.
Typewriter Rodeo
The gang delivers another custom poem.
The week in Texas politics
The Texas Tribune’s Jasper Scherer joins the Standard with a recap of the week that was in Texas politics.
