Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Tuesday, June 14, 2022:
Experts say there’s no end in sight for the Texas heat
Triple-digit temperatures continue across Texas this week, and there seems to be no end in sight to the record-breaking heat. After this scorching start to summer, will July will be any different? Victor Murphy, southern region climate services program manager for the National Weather Service, joins us today.
Before Roe v. Wade: What abortions looked like before 1973
An official ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court on Roe v. Wade could come as soon as Wednesday. Both supporters and opponents of abortion rights are anxiously awaiting that release after a leaked draft opinion revealed the high court may overturn the landmark 1973 decision that legalized abortion in the U.S. We’ll hear from Texas Public Radio’s Carolina Cuellar on how in states like Texas, people sought abortions illegally, sometimes resulting in life-threatening complications, before Roe v. Wade.
Texas melons are set to be good this year – but yields are down overall
The Fourth of July is just around the corner, and Texas melon growers say the fruit should taste especially delicious this year. But while sweetness is up for cantaloupes and watermelon quality is high, overall melon yields are down. This comes as production costs across the board are rising and market prices remain stagnant. Juan Anciso, professor and horticulturist with Texas A&M’s AgriLife Extension, joins us with more.
Mourners describe what brought them to Uvalde
It’s been exactly three weeks since the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde. In the center of town, mourners continue gathering at a growing memorial for the 21 people killed. The Texas Standard’s Alexandra Hart was there Tuesday and heard from several visitors about why they were compelled to make the trip and what they hope happens now.
‘Infowars’ host Alex Jones’ long legal fight to avoid paying damages to Sandy Hook families
After the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown in 2012, Austin-based “Infowars” host Alex Jones described the shooting as “synthetic, completely fake, with actors” on his popular radio program. Many victims’ families sued Jones, and he was found guilty in Texas and Connecticut of defamation and intentionally inflicting emotional distress on Sandy Hook families. Jones has avoided paying the families any of the massive damages so far What’s next? Dan Solomon of Texas Monthly joins us to discuss what he calls Alex Jones’ legal meltdown.
Oak Lawn United Methodist Church self-appoints LGBTQ pastors after bishop rejected requests
The United Methodist Church has long been divided on the ordination and marriage of LGBTQ people. Dallas’ Oak Lawn United Methodist Church is self-appointing two new LGBTQ-identifying pastors after the bishop of North Texas rejected requests for their appointments. The Rev. Rachel Baughman joins us today, along with Associate Pastor Ryan Wager, who is one of the two pastors appointed by Oak Lawn.
New investigation finds Texas-based nonprofit used funds for personal gain
At the center of the Jan. 6 hearings investigating the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol is the false claim that former President Donald Trump actually won the 2020 election – and a Houston-based organization called True the Vote has fanned those flames. A new investigation from Reveal says True the Vote raised millions with false claims of widespread voting fraud – but never released evidence. Instead, evidence points to funds being used for personal gain. Cassandra Jaramillo, who led the investigation for Reveal, joins us today.
All this, plus the Texas Newsroom’s state roundup and Wells Dunbar with the Talk of Texas.
