Texas Standard for May 23, 2022: Agency falls short on environmental justice initiative

More than a year ago, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality announced a social justice initiative. So what’s happened since, and what hasn’t? Also: Plans to lift Title 42 at the border today are now on hold. We’ll look at what this means for the future of immigration and deportations. And: How the mass shooting in Buffalo, N.Y., is resonating in El Paso, the site of a racist shooting at a Walmart three years ago.

All that and more today on the Texas Standard:

By Texas StandardMay 23, 2022 9:25 am,

Here are the stories for Texas Standard for Monday, May 23, 2022:

Federal judge rules policy that allows for rapid expulsions at the border must stay in place

Today is the day that the Biden administration had planned to end Title 42 – the public health policy that allows for immigrants at the southern border to be expelled immediately, citing COVID-19. But on Friday, a federal judge in Louisiana sided with several states, including Texas, who sued to keep the policy in place. Joining to tell us more is Texas Newsroom reporter Julián Aguilar.

El Paso and Buffalo experience nearly identical hate crimes

The 10 Black shoppers killed during a mass shooting at a grocery store in Buffalo, N.Y., were honored at a vigil in El Paso on Sunday night. Though nearly 2,000 miles apart, the two cities have experienced very similar racist attacks. KTEP’s Angela Kocherga reports on how the Buffalo shooting is hitting home in El Paso.

The Cuellar/Cisneros runoff exposes a rift in Democratic priorities 

The battle for the direction of the Democratic Party is on full display once again in Texas’ 28th District, which spans from San Antonio to Laredo to the Rio Grande Valley. Immigration Attorney Jessica Cisneros is challenging nine-term incumbent Henry Cuellar, who narrowly defeated her in 2020. Ahead of Tuesday’s primary runoffs, some big-name politicians from the establishment and progressive wings of the party made their case to voters in San Antonio. Texas Public Radio’s Dan Katz reports.

This Texas agency vowed to address environmental justice. But it hasn’t done much.

It’s been a year since the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality announced an initiative on environmental justice: the idea that people of all races and backgrounds should receive the same treatment when it comes to environmental protection. But Axios reporter Asher Price finds there’s been no money budgeted for the initiative – and the state agency seems to be avoiding even using the term “environmental justice.” 

The Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas are tackling mental health, one patch at a time

The COVID pandemic worsened stress, anxiety and depression for young people, especially young girls. Those are things the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas have addressed through a mental health patch scouts can earn, called “Okay to Say.” KERA’s Elena Rivera reports on how the prevention effort fits into the wider network of mental health support in Texas. (Note: this story discusses suicide.)

A new documentary explores the many faces of Texas baseball icon Nolan Ryan

Houston Astro. Texas Ranger. Brawler. Salesman. Baseball Hall-of-Famer Nolan Ryan has many faces – and if you were up at-bat, it generally wasn’t one you wanted to see. “Facing Nolan” is the perfect title for an acclaimed new documentary about the life of the baseball pro. Ahead of a one-off nationwide theatrical release tonight, we’re talking to director Bradley Jackson.

Lubbock County water woes call for inventive conservation

Agriculture is one of the biggest sectors in the West Texas economy. However, some residents in Lubbock County worry there isn’t enough water to sustain agriculture alongside the City of Lubbock’s growth. Texas Tech Public Media’s Jayme Lozano looks into the issue.

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

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