Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Monday, July 28, 2025:
What to expect in week two of the special session
Flood relief, redistricting and quorum drama: Blaise Gainey of The Texas Newsroom walks us through what’s next for the Legislature this week as lawmakers head to Kerr County for hearings.
Redistricting sparks protest at University of Houston
As state lawmakers gathered for public testimony in Houston, demonstrators rallied against proposed changes to Texas’ 18th congressional district.
Houston Public Media’s Andrew Schneider has the story.
What July floods mean for Austin’s water restrictions
After months of drought, reservoirs are finally full – but don’t expect the city’s Stage 2 restrictions to vanish overnight. KUT’s Mose Buchele reports:
How Project Connect got stalled before it even started
Nearly five years after Austin voters approved a multibillion-dollar transit plan, construction has yet to start on an ambitious light rail plan.
Andrew Wheat of the Austin Free Press explains what led to this point.
Tariff deadline looms for Mexico – and Texas
Unless a deal is reached this week, new U.S. tariffs could hike prices on Mexican imports like cars and produce.
Mexico-based journalist and Texas Public Radio contributor Stephania Corpi breaks down what’s at stake.
This week in Texas music history
In August 1935, Western swing icon Bob Wills invited piano player Al Stricklin to join his band.
Jason Mellard with The Center for Texas Music History at Texas State University has the story.
Black farmers in East Texas feel the sting of DEI cuts
The Texas Tribune reports how the rollback of USDA diversity programs is impacting East Texas, which is home to more Black farmers than anywhere else in the U.S.
Tribune reporter Jess Huff joins the Standard with more.
These are the Venezuelan immigrants deported to an infamous Salvadorian prison
The Trump administration rendered over 230 men to a prison in El Salvador with little explanation. In the wake of their just-as-sudden release last week, ProPublica and The Texas Tribune are sharing their stories.
Investigative reporter Perla Trevizo joins the show with the story.
All this, plus the Texas Newsroom’s state roundup and Wells Dunbar with the Talk of Texas.
