Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Friday, Oct. 21, 2022:
What Texas polls tell us on the eve of early voting
Where do voters stand on Gov. Greg Abbott versus challenger Beto O’Rourke, and big issues of the day on the eve of early voting? Jim Henson, director of the Texas Politics Project, offers a snapshot of his group’s latest polling data.
Some Texas Republicans want an exception for rape in the abortion ban. That doesn’t mean much.
Since Roe v. Wade was overturned, there have been disturbing reports across Texas and the country of pregnancy complications turning into life and death moments, because doctors are worried about breaking laws that ban abortions. There are also reports of young rape victims forced into pregnancy and childbirth, or traveling out-of-state to receive an abortion. Some Republican lawmakers who pushed for these laws now say they’d be open to add exceptions for rape and incest. Will they actually push for changes in the next legislative session? The Texas Newsroom’s Sergio Martínez-Beltrán reports.
Uvalde school district starts search for new superintendent
The Uvalde school board has hired an interim superintendent to lead the district through the aftermath of the shooting at Robb Elementary. But the board has yet to announce when the interim superintendent will start the job. Texas Public Radio’s Camille Phillips reports:
A Texas district’s scheme to offer school vouchers
School vouchers – which allow parents to use government funds to send their kids to private school – have long been the third-rail of Texas politics, even dividing Republicans. Now, an investigation by Texas Monthly reveals a small Hill Country school district became a testing ground for school voucher advocates trying to implement such a program under existing rules. Forrest Wilder wrote the story for Texas Monthly and shares it with us today.
Is carbon capture just smoke and mirrors?
With climate change, oil companies including BP, Exxon and Chevron are planning to build a carbon capture complex in Houston. But critics say the carbon capture boom amounts to a massive greenwashing effort aimed at keeping the fossil fuel industry pumping along. Investigative climate reporter Sara Sneath shares the story.
The documentary “Shouting Down Midnight” examines the 2013 filibuster at the Texas capitol and what has happened since. It airs this Sunday on MSNBC and Peacock.
In North Texas, DACA recipients worry about the future and their immigration status
A federal judge recently ruled that the program known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals could continue for those who are already enrolled. But as KERA’s Stella Chavez reports, new applications still can’t be processed and those with DACA status are worried about their future.
The gang delivers another custom poem.
Texas Tribune political reporter James Barragán stops by with a recap of the week that was.
All this, plus the Texas Newsroom’s state roundup and Wells Dunbar with the Talk of Texas.
