Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Thursday, June 16, 2022:
Texas legislators host second private meeting on Uvalde mass shooting
Texas House lawmakers tasked with investigating the response to the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School will be meeting for the second time today. The hearings have been held primarily in executive session – so we don’t expect to gain much insight into big questions surrounding law enforcement’s delayed response. John Moritz, who covers Texas government and politics for the USA Today Network, joins us to share more.
A timeline of Texas’ abortion-related laws after Roe v. Wade
By the end of this month, the U.S. Supreme Court may overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 decision that made abortions legal in the United States. Abortion-rights opponents in Texas say this expected reversal has been years in the making. But there was a time in the state when abortion-rights advocates felt there was some momentum to protect the procedure. The Texas Newsroom’s Sergio Martínez-Beltrán walks us through the abortion-related laws passed in the state in the past decade.
Water has been restored in Odessa but still not drinkable
The water is now back on in most of Odessa, but residents still can’t drink it. That’s the latest as of Thursday morning after a huge pipe broke Monday evening, leaving the city of about 112,000 without any water during a spell of days nearing 100 degrees. Laura Dennis, editor of The Odessa American, joins us to discuss the latest.
A graduating student’s thoughts on Uvalde
Three weeks ago, as Texas recoiled in grief and horror over the shooting deaths of 19 students and two teachers at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, a graduation ceremony for the class of 2022 was underway in Katy. Cecilia Gullett, a graduating senior, sent in her thoughts about celebrating a school accomplishment so shortly after a massive school tragedy. (We’re still collecting thoughts about Uvalde. You can share them with us on social media or record and upload your thoughts directly here.)
Consequences stack after cryptocurrencies plummet
The sharp decline in several cryptocurrency platforms that began Monday is continuing. Bitcoin briefly dropped to just over $20,000 per coin. The leading crypto assets’ losses on Wednesday alone amounted to 2.6 percent, and Bitcoin is far from the hardest hit. Some platforms have halted trading; others have slashed jobs. Our tech expert, Omar Gallaga, helps us understand why the crypto crash happened and its connection to the turmoil in the larger economy.
John Tsung’s new album grapples with Asian American identity
“What does it mean to be Asian American in 2022?” The question drives musician John Tsung’s new album, Empire Postcards, with songs inspired by conversations he had with immigrants across the country over the past few years. Tsung, a Taiwanese immigrant whose family resettled in Houston when he was a child, speaks about grappling with his own sense of place and identity.
Republicans flip seat in South Texas
Republicans are taking a victory lap this week after newcomer Mayra Flores won a special election in South Texas’ Congressional District 34. The seat held by Democrat Filemon Vela came up for grabs after his abrupt retirement announcement in March. Though this win only holds until the November election, it does signify how much the Republican party put into flipping the seat. Texas Monthly political reporter Jack Herrera, who has been covering the race, tells us more about Flores.
All this, plus the Texas Newsroom’s state roundup and Wells Dunbar with the Talk of Texas.