Texas Standard for June 9, 2023: ‘Flamin’ Hot’ shares the spicy story of a snack food phenomenon

We’re talking to “Flamin’ Hot” director Eva Longoria and stars Jesse Garcia and Annie Gonzalez.

By Texas StandardJune 9, 2023 9:39 am,

Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Friday, June 9, 2023:

Will the Republican ‘Death Star bill’ obliterate city ordinances across Texas?

Critics dub it the “Death Star” bill, capable of obliterating local ordinances like the fearsome space station from Star Wars. Assuming Gov. Greg Abbott signs it, HB 2127 will preempt slews of local laws, from construction standards to payday lenders to bans on discrimination in hiring and housing. KUT reporter Andrew Weber joins Texas Standard with an overview.

Farmers in the Panhandle careen from drought to flooding

Over the past few years, drought has been a big problem for farmers and ranchers in the Texas Panhandle. Now, with heavy rains drenching much of the region over the past week, they have the opposite problem. Texas A&M Agrilife Extension agent Rick Auckerman shares an update.

A talk with the Thai chef named best in Texas

Houston is known as having one of the best culinary scenes in the country. This year, the James Beard Award for best Texas chef has gone to a Houstonian: Chef Benchawan Jabthong Painter, of local Thai restaurant “Street to Kitchen.” She joins the Standard for a mouth-watering chat.

Jesse Tafalla Jr., North Texas leader, remembered as tireless advocate and humorous friend

Jesse Tafalla Jr., a longtime advocate of the arts, died this week. KERA’s Stella Chavez reports the 60-year-old Dallas resident was also known for speaking out on issues affecting the LGBTQ and Latino communities.

Week of action highlights the hidden issues many adopted people face

Around 5 million Americans are adopted. Some adopted people struggle to gain access to things that a lot of other folks take for granted: medical history, original birth certificates, and even citizenship. Gregory Luse, founder of Adoptees United and the Adoptee Rights Law Center, joins the Standard to outline changes they’re pushing for.

‘Flamin’ Hot’ shares the spicy story of a snack food phenomenon

He was a former gang member and a janitor at a Texas-based food company who leaned into his Mexican heritage – and claimed to have set the snack world on fire with the development of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. “Flamin’ Hot,” a movie based on the story, debuts on Hulu and Disney+ today. We’re talking to stars Jesse Garcia and Annie Gonzalez and director Eva Longoria.

Typewriter Rodeo

The gang delivers another custom poem. Reach out to Texas Standard with your own topic suggestions!

The week in Texas politics

Texas Tribune political reporter James Barragán stops by with a recap of the week that was in Texas politics:

All this, plus the Texas Newsroom’s state roundup and Wells Dunbar with the Talk of Texas.

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