Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Thursday, June 15, 2023:
Fresh subpoenas in Ken Paxton impeachment show the investigation’s far from over
The day after the Texas House voted overwhelmingly to impeach Attorney General Ken Paxton, the ethics panel investigating his alleged misdeeds issued a dozen new subpoenas, indicating their inquiry is far from over. For more on the investigation, we’re joined by The Dallas Morning News’ Allie Morris.
How did lawmakers tackle Texas’ mental health crisis?
The years-long waiting list for state mental hospital beds got money and attention at the Texas Legislature this year. But serious questions remain about whether people accused of crimes will actually get the mental health care they need. KERA’s Bret Jaspers reports on how Texas lawmakers tried to tackle the crisis.
Just over a month ago, a fire at Shell’s Chemical plant in Deer Park broke out. It sent up plumes of black smoke and raised familiar concerns for those living nearby. Houston Public Media’s Katie Watkins looks at the plant’s history of violations and the ongoing investigation.
Inside the Activision-Blizzard controversies
Diablo 4 finally hit the streets last week. The eagerly awaited video game also brought renewed attention to its publisher, Acitivision Blizzard, which has been accused of fostering of a hostile work environment, including sexual harassment. And this week, a judge temporarily blocked Microsoft’s acquisition of the game company at the Federal Trade Commission’s request. Our tech expert Omar Gallaga joins us with his thoughts.
Summer heat is here – and so is the strain on Texas’ electric grid
With triple-digit temperatures on the horizon, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas expects record-high energy usage in Texas over the next few days. Now, many Texans are wondering whether the state’s electric grid can handle it. Doug Lewin, author of the Texas Energy power newsletter and host of the Texas Power podcast, joins us with his take.
‘Sugar Land’ podcast exposes some of the city’s dirty secrets
In 2018, construction crews in the city of Sugar Land made a gruesome discovery – 95 unmarked graves. Sugar Land was, after all, once home to one of the largest convict labor camps in Texas, and hundreds of the Black men who worked in such camps ended up unceremoniously buried throughout the county. The discovery and its aftermath is the focus of a new podcast from The Texas Newsroom, “Sugar Land.” Hosts Brittney Martin and Naomi Reed join us today.
Low water levels at Jacob’s Well could signal trouble ahead for a growing community
A beloved Central Texas swimming hole probably won’t open this summer. Jacob’s Well in Wimberley is usually bustling with people this time of year, but officials managing the park say low water flow has caused it to close until further notice. KUT’s Maya Fawaz reports.
All this, plus the Texas Newsroom’s state roundup and Wells Dunbar with the Talk of Texas.
