Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Wednesday, July 2, 2025:
Musk’s lobbying machine finds wins in Texas
Elon Musk’s political power in Texas is growing. Lobbyists for Tesla and SpaceX were a strong presence in the Capitol this past legislative session. So what did they want, and what did they get?
The Texas Newsroom’s Lauren McGaughy tracked Musk’s agenda in a new investigation for ProPublica and joins the show with more.
AI regulation pause rejected by Senate
The U.S. Senate overwhelmingly struck down a proposed 10-year freeze on state AI regulations, with just one dissenting vote. It’s a surprising moment of unity in a deeply divided Congress – and a Texas-based group is helping lead the charge.
Brendan Steinhauser, CEO of the Alliance for Secure AI, joins us with more.
Could geothermal be the answer to powering Texas homes?
Most Texans have seen solar panels on rooftops. But what about geothermal? At a neighborhood east of Austin, homeowners are tapping into the Earth’s heat to power their homes.
Terry Jones with Floodlight News has been reporting on how the Whisper Valley development is becoming a model for sustainable living. He joins the Standard with more.
Stories from Texas: Creative smuggling when Texas was a republic
If there’s one thing the Texans of the early Republic never lacked, it was imagination. Especially when it came to dodging tariffs and taxes. Commentator W.F. Strong has more.
Remembering Cass Wheeler, a longtime heart health advocate
Cass Wheeler helped transform the American Heart Association into a national force during his 30 years at the helm. His legacy includes high-profile campaigns like “Go Red for Women” and a focus on preventive care.
American Heart Association CEO Nancy Brown reflects on Wheeler’s impact after his passing at age 84 in Central Texas.
The cost of creativity: Inside the lives of global women artists
“Art Above Everything: One Woman’s Global Exploration of the Joys and Torments of a Creative Life” introduces readers to artists who’ve dedicated their lives to their craft, no matter the cost.
Author Stephanie Elizondo Griest joins the show to talk about the creative life and the unique challenges facing women and nonbinary artists.
After years of dysfunction, Austin Police and the Travis County DA say they’re trying to mend fences
The relationship between the Austin Police Department and the Travis County District Attorney’s office has long been fraught. But with new leadership at APD and signs of renewed cooperation, could things be changing?
KUT’s Andrew Weber reports on where things stand now and what’s next.
All this, plus Alexandra Hart with the Texas Newsroom’s state roundup and Wells Dunbar with the Talk of Texas.
