Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Monday, March 30, 2026.
Texas GOP tensions surface at CPAC as Cornyn skips key gathering
Texas Republicans gathered in Grapevine for this year’s CPAC conference, where Attorney General Ken Paxton drew strong support ahead of a looming Senate runoff.
The Texas Newsroom’s Blaise Gainey joins the Texas Standard to explain what John Cornyn’s absence signals, how the base is aligning, and what it could mean for November.
Rising oil prices fuel concern as Strait of Hormuz disruption continues
Gas prices are climbing amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran, with analysts warning the situation could worsen if key shipping routes remain constrained.
Matt Smith, lead oil analyst at Kpler, joins the Standard to explain why even energy-producing states like Texas aren’t insulated.
Immigration enforcement crackdown rattles North Texas construction industry
Heightened immigration enforcement is creating fear among construction workers and uncertainty for employers across North Texas.
KERA News’ Pablo Arauz Peña reports on how the crackdown is slowing projects and reshaping the region’s labor force.
Floating border barrier plan raises flood concerns along Rio Grande
The Trump administration is proposing a new kind of border barrier — a floating buoy system stretching hundreds of miles along the Rio Grande.
Texas Public Radio’s David Martin Davies reports on how the plan would work and why experts worry about what could happen during flooding events.
‘No Kings’ rallies against Trump stretch from major Texas metros to Abilene
Millions of Americans participated in over 3,000 No Kings rallies across the county Saturday, the protestors gathering to show their disapproval of President Donald Trump and his actions. Rallies in larger Texas cities attracted hundreds of thousands of people.
KACU’s Baylie Simon reports on the rally in one smaller city: Abilene.
This week in Texas music history
Jason Mellard with the Center for Texas Music History goes digging in the crates.
Texas Movie Madness narrows to Elite Eight as voting intensifies
The Texas Standard’s Movie Madness bracket is entering its final stages, with just eight films remaining.
Shelly Brisbin joins the Texas Standard to share some of the top picks and which matchups are generating the most debate.
Tighter SNAP rules could make it harder for veterans to access food aid
New federal work requirements are expected to make it more difficult for some veterans to qualify for food assistance.
Shelby Herbert of the American Homefront Project reports on how the policy changes are affecting veterans and the organizations working to support them.
