Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Monday, July 21, 2025.
Texas lawmakers begin special session focused on floods, maps
The Texas Legislature reconvenes today with a packed special session agenda, including disaster recovery and a late-breaking push for congressional redistricting.
The Texas Newsroom’s Blaise Gainey joins the Standard with more
Redistricting push could reshape Texas congressional map
Gov. Greg Abbott’s call for mid-decade redistricting has added urgency to the special session, drawing national attention and Democratic opposition.
Houston Public Media’s Andrew Schneider brings us the story.
Austin schools scramble after federal grant freeze
The Trump administration’s decision to withhold more than $6 billion in federal education funding is forcing tough decisions in Central Texas school districts.
KUT News reporter Becky Fogel brings us the story.
Kerrville bar owner recounts flood rescue effort
A Hill Country man risked his life to save a family during deadly July 4th flooding.
The Texas Newsroom’s Lucio Vasquez brings us the story.
How Russian oil sanctions could impact U.S. energy markets
Energy analyst Matt Smith describes the expected impact of sanctions against Russian oil from the EU.
This week in Texas music history
Jason Mellard with The Center for Texas Music History at Texas State University consults the calendar.
WNBA stars demand better pay at All-Star weekend
Players wore “Pay Us What You Owe Us” shirts during weekend warmups as contract talks heated up in Indianapolis.
DallasHoopsJournal.com’s Grant Afseth joins Texas Standard with more.
Congress cuts $9 billion from public media funding
The recently passed federal rescission bill slashed funding for NPR and local stations, raising concerns about service cuts across Texas.
Heather Claborn, news director with NPR member station KACU in Abilene, joins the Standard to explain the cuts’ impact on smaller stations like hers.
All this, plus the Texas Newsroom’s state roundup and Wells Dunbar with the Talk of Texas.
