Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Thursday, July 3, 2025:
Trump administration freezes $6 billion in school grants nationwide
Federal education grants that support after-school programs, bilingual instruction and teacher training were supposed to hit state accounts July 1. But the Trump administration paused the payments, citing a “review” of the spending.
KUT’s Becky Fogel joins to explain what this means for Texas schools.
Adult education programs feel the squeeze as federal funds remain on hold
More than 1 million adults across the U.S. take part in federally supported education programs, including tens of thousands in Texas. But with funding still frozen, some programs are already cutting back.
The Texas Standard’s Sarah Asch reports.
Rural Texas schools may hold lessons for a divided America
Despite national headlines about tense school board meetings and culture war clashes, a new study suggests some rural Texas communities are finding ways to bridge political divides.
William McKenzie and Chris Walsh of the Bush Institute join us to discuss the research.
The hottest pit in Texas barbecue comes from Brazil
They call it “The Bomb” – a custom-made smoker from Brazil with a cult following among Texas pitmasters. Texas Monthly’s Daniel Vaughn explains why some barbecue pros swear by it.
Is a bug the same thing as an insect?
We’ll get the answer from Wizzie Brown, a program specialist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and our go-to insect expert.
Austin Police and DA say they’re trying to reset after years of tension
The relationship between the Austin Police Department and the Travis County District Attorney’s Office has been strained. But as KUT’s Andrew Weber reports, there’s a renewed push from both sides to cooperate on fighting crime.
After Cruz drops AI proposal, states are free to regulate on their own
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz had proposed blocking states from regulating artificial intelligence – but backed off after bipartisan opposition. So what does this mean for Texas and other states looking to draw their own lines around AI?
Tech expert Omar Gallaga joins us with the latest.
All this, plus Alexandra Hart with the Texas Newsroom’s state roundup and Wells Dunbar with the Talk of Texas.
