Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Monday, Oct. 20, 2025.
Early voting kicks off on 17 proposed amendments
Early voting begins today in Texas, and the statewide ballot is packed with 17 proposed constitutional amendments. From property tax changes to infrastructure funding, these measures could reshape key aspects of life in the state.
Houston Public Media’s Andrew Schneider reports on the most consequential proposals and what they mean for Texans.
What early voting means for local races
With voting underway across Texas for state and municipal elections, what should voters expect at the polls this year?
The Texas Newsroom’s Blaise Gainey joins the show to talk about everything else that’s on the ballot this election.
Alice faces an uncertain energy future
Alice, Texas, once a hub for oilfield services and a symbol of boom-and-bust cycles, is grappling with what comes next as the state shifts away from fossil fuels.
Andy Uhler reports in the latest “Phases and Stages” energy podcast on how this South Texas town is navigating economic uncertainty and searching for stability.
A new federal provision sets aside $85 million to relocate the Space Shuttle Discovery from a Virginia museum to Houston’s Johnson Space Center. But experts warn the move could cost more than expected and even damage the historic craft.
Scientific American’s Dan Vergano joins the show to explain the stakes and the controversy.
This week in Texas music history
Jason Mellard with The Center for Texas Music History at Texas State University consults the calendar.
Kleberg residents say Dallas left them behind
Nearly five decades after Dallas annexed Kleberg, residents in the city’s far southeast corner say they still lack basic infrastructure and attention from city leaders.
KERA’s Pablo Arauz Peña reports on the community’s push for long-overdue improvements and what it reveals about urban equity.
Alzheimer’s cases rise sharply in the Valley
Alzheimer’s disease is surging in Texas, especially in the Rio Grande Valley, where Latino populations face disproportionate risk. A November ballot measure would dedicate $3 billion to research and caregiver support.
Dr. Joanne Pike, CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association, discusses the proposal and its potential impact.
