Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Monday, July 18, 2022:
The Texas House report on Uvalde
A 77 page report released Sunday by a state House committee investigating the May 24th mass shooting offers more detail on what happened leading up to and on the day of the attack on Robb Elementary. The Texas Tribune’s Zach Despart tells Texas Standard the report details missed warning signs about the shooter and law enforcement disregard for its own active shooter training at almost all levels.
Texas Democrats wrap convention — without voting on a platform
Texas Democrats honed in on issues such as abortion access, gun control and voting rights at their state convention over the weekend. The Texas Newsroom’s Sergio Martínez-Beltrán tells the Standard the gathering was on the heels of a record-setting fundraising haul from gubernatorial hopeful Beto O’Rourke — but there were also signs that momentum might already be lagging.
How one Dallas group is helping the unhoused deal with the heat
Most folks know staying outside too long can be dangerous. But some Texans have little choice. KERA’s Bill Zeeble tagged along with a group in North Texas dedicated to helping those without a home.
A court win for Texans needing assistance while voting
Voters with limited English proficiency, or who have a disability can receive assistance at the polls from a person they choose. Under the Texas voting law passed last year, the amount of assistance was limited but advocates just won a court battle to block that provision of the law. Susana Lorenzo-Giguere is lead attorney on the case, and is Associate Director of the Democracy Program at the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund. She talks with Texas Standard about what the ruling means for voters.
What’s going on at a prison in Fort Worth?
Corruption, misconduct and malfeasance are some of the accusations in a whistleblower complaint against a federal women’s prison in north Texas. The union president at FMC Carswell in Fort Worth is calling for a congressional inquiry into operations at the facility, claiming that management has been covering up misconduct reports and retaliating against staffers who raise concerns. Kaley Johnson has been covering this story for the Fort Worth Star Telegram and shares her findings with the Standard.
Seawater temperature increases in the Gulf
Seawater temperatures at an important ecological site in the Gulf of Mexico have significantly increased over the past 30 years. Houston Public Media’s Katie Watkins tells us warmer ocean temperatures are one of the impacts of climate change and can cause problems like coral bleaching.
An iconic Austin sculpture has a new home
An edgy outdoor art installation fascinated Austinites for more than two decades. Then a real estate deal meant it had to come down. But now, there’s new life for one of the capitol city’s quirkiest, most-loved pieces. Texas Public Radio’s Jack Morgan has its odd little backstory.
Lubbock’s low voter turnout problem
Lubbock is trying to get people more involved in local government. The city will soon change its council meeting times to earlier in the afternoon, saying they hope more people will participate. But Texas Tech Public Media’s Sarah Self-Walbrick reports there is another engagement challenge that needs attention: actually getting people to vote in local elections.
All this, plus the Texas Newsroom’s state roundup and Michael Marks with the Talk of Texas.
