Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. Check back later today for updated story links and audio.
Texas Democratic Party chair resigns
Following bruising campaign losses, longtime Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa announced today that he will resign, effective next March.
The Texas Newsroom’s Lauren McGaughy will tell us more.
John Cornyn seeking Senate majority leader job
Republicans won a majority in the U.S. Senate this week, ending three years of a Democratic leadership in the chamber. And the party is in the market for a new majority leader, since Sen. Mitch McConnell announced that he will vacate the position.
One name in the mix to fill that role hails from the Lone Star State: Sen. John Cornyn.
Jeremey Schwartz, who covers state politics for the Houston Chronicle, joins us with more.
Longtime Dallas medical examiner retires
Nearly four decades since he took charge, Dallas County’s chief medical examiner has retired. Jeffrey Barnard led administrative staff and medical examiners who investigate non-natural or suspicious deaths and process and analyze forensic evidence.
KERA News’ Marina Trahan Martinez spoke to him about his career with the county.
New exhibit details the story of Rosenwald Schools
During the early 20th century, Sears executive Julius Rosenwald and Black educator Booker T. Washington came together to address a major problem: Black students didn’t receive nearly as much education funding as white students. So Rosenwald used his fortune, and Washington’s knowledge of Southern school systems to help pay for the construction of what historians now call Rosenwald Schools. Thousands were built – including 500 here in Texas.
Once public school systems had been integrated, many Rosenwald schools fell into disrepair. Photographer Andrew Feiler has documented what’s left. Fieler shares the story of his photos, as well as artifacts from Texas Rosenwald schools, which are on display now at the Bob Bullock Museum in downtown Austin.
What’s behind the Dallas Cowboys’ ‘flop’ era?
At the start of this NFL season, a lot of Dallas Cowboys fans were saying, “this is our year.” Last year, America’s Team won their division and made the playoffs. Before this season started, the team signed a $60 million per year contract with quarterback Dak Prescott.
But we’re about halfway through the season, and those hopes of glory have almost entirely been dashed. Right now, the Cowboys have a losing record and will likely not make it to the post–season.
Wall Street Journal Reporter Andrew Beaton recently published a story explaining how he thinks “the Dallas Cowboys turned into the NFL’s most surprising mess.” We’ll talk with him today.
This week in Texas music history
This Week in Texas Music History, country music’s first megastar breaks the seal on its hall of fame.
Children’s picture book details the beauty of West Texas
From the Marfa Lights to the scenic vistas of Big Bend, there’s a lot to see and to love about West Texas. Now, first-time author Callie Fuqua has translated that love into a picture book for kids, focusing on the natural and man-made wonders of the West.
It’s called “Goodnight, West Texas.” Fuqua joins us to talk about the book.
The gang delivers another custom poem. Reach out to Texas Standard with your topic suggestions!
The Texas Tribune’s Zach Despart joins the Standard with a recap of the week that was in Texas politics.
All this, plus Alexandra Hart with the Texas Newsroom’s state roundup and Wells Dunbar with the Talk of Texas.
