Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Wednesday, March 12, 2025:
Texas scrambles to contain measles outbreak as cases climb and a child dies
Since late January, 198 Texans have contracted measles, with one child dying — the first U.S. measles death in a decade. The outbreak is hitting rural West Texas hardest, where limited healthcare infrastructure and long distances to labs complicate response efforts.
The Texas Tribune’s Pooja Salhotra joins the show with more.
Court blocks Texas inmate’s execution days before scheduled date
David Wood’s execution has been halted for a second time, just two days before he was set to die. Convicted in part due to jailhouse snitch testimony, Wood has always maintained his innocence. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals didn’t explain its decision, leaving victims’ families in El Paso grappling with uncertainty.
El Paso Matters’ Bob Moore joins the Standard with the latest.
New program helps Travis County residents prepare homes for wildfire risk
With wildfire risk growing, Travis County safety experts are urging homeowners to “harden” their properties – but the cost and effort can be prohibitive for some.
KUT’s Katy McAfee reports on a new program offering support to help residents make their homes more fire-resistant:
Galveston becomes a major hub for the luxury cruise industry
Forget Miami – Galveston is now a key player in the cruise industry. With more ships and passengers setting sail from the Texas port, the city’s blend of history and convenience has made it a top destination for cruise lines.
Jacob Passy from the Wall Street Journal explains the shift.
W.F. Strong explains Texas’ natural divide between east and west
A line from the Panhandle to Laredo marks Texas’ east-west split: lush and humid on one side, dry and arid on the other.
Commentator W.F. Strong explores how the 100th meridian has shaped Texas’ landscape and culture.
Butthole Surfers doc makes its wild debut at SXSW
The Butthole Surfers – known for their chaotic live shows and experimental sound – are the subject of a new documentary premiering at South by Southwest.
“Butthole Surfers: The Hole Truth and Nothing Butt” director Tom Stern traces the Texas post-punkers’ improbable rise to fame. He joins the Standard with a look.
Houston sees surge in juvenile detentions for mass violence threats
Juvenile detentions in Houston for threats of mass violence spiked this fall — jumping from three cases last year to 39. The surge raises questions about how communities handle such threats and their impact on youth.
Houston Chronicle reporter Elizabeth Saunders joins the Standard to break down the data.
All this, plus Alexandra Hart with the Texas Newsroom’s state roundup and Wells Dunbar with the Talk of Texas.
