Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Monday, May 12, 2025:
Land sale prohibition bill among several still mulled as Legislature winds down
There’s just about 20 days left of the Texas legislative session, and lawmakers are scrambling to get their bills passed. One of the latest to advance from the House is SB 17, which would prohibit the sale of land to people or entities from certain countries.
Blaise Gainey, who covers the statehouse for The Texas Newsroom, joins us with his weekly lookahead.
Texas Lottery system under investigation
Americans spent more than $110 billion trying their luck on the lottery last year. Among the largest systems is the Texas Lottery. But after jackpot controversies, multiple resignations and a ban on online lotto ticket sales, the state’s lottery system is now under investigation.
The Texas Newsroom’s Lucio Vasquez has more.
This week in Texas music history
Jason Mellard with The Center for Texas Music History at Texas State University shares the background on “Lost Highway” writer Leon Payne’s roots at the Texas School for the Blind.
Why Houston might be having that sinking feeling
According to a new study by Nature Cities, Houston is sinking the fastest out of any major U.S. metropolis. Rebekah Ward, who covers the environment for the Houston Chronicle, joins us with the details:
What the energy sector is watching for this hurricane season
A potentially historic heatwave is forecasted in parts of the state this week, with South Texas likely to see record-breaking early season temperatures. Also heating up right now are those Atlantic Ocean waters – with hurricane season just around the corner.
Matt Smith, energy analyst for Kpler, joins us with a look ahead at what the energy industry will be watching for this hurricane season.
The story behind a Mansfield stylist’s treasured vintage mirror
Voke Onoriose always had a special relationship with her father. But a gift to the Mansfield fashion stylist took on new meaning when her father passed away.
KERA reporter Elizabeth Myong has been asking North Texans to share the meaning behind their most treasured objects for the series “Home is Where the Art Is.” We’ll hear from Onoriose today.
Dallas Stars take series lead against Jets in their latest playoff run
The Dallas Stars’ pursuit of a second Stanley Cup took another step forward on Sunday when they they defeated the Winnipeg Jets 5-2. Dallas now leads the Jets two games to one in the second round of playoffs.
Taylor Baird, managing editor at Defending Big D and independent correspondent in Dallas for NHL.com, joins us to talk about the Stars’ playoff run.
Checking in with Texas Catholics on the first Sunday with a new pope
Yesterday was the first Sunday since Pope Leo XIV became the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
Reporters from across the state spoke with Catholics before Mass to see how people are feeling about the future of the religious institution:
All this, plus Alexandra Hart with the Texas Newsroom’s state roundup and Raul Alonzo with the Talk of Texas.
