The state of Texas may be one of more profound disarray than first thought.
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Just over a month ago, before the first lockdowns and school closures, it was hard to imagine the potential impact of COVID-19 on Texas. But fast forward to this Wednesday and one might say the same thing. Impending government worker furloughs in Houston, long lines for food handouts in our major cities and more than a million unemployment applications : it all suggests that the state of our state may be one of more profound disarray than first thought. The historic upending of the oil sector only underscores the sense that we are moving forward in truly uncharted waters. In the stories below, you will hear the sound of a Texas yearning for a return to normal, but aware there is much we still don't know. Still, there’s also a sense of resolve that we will make it through this chapter in our history by holding together and helping our fellow Texans where we can. Stay safe, stay strong, and stay with us as we continue to keep you updated to the best of our ability.  As ever, we'll see you on the radio.
- David Brown
Work safe, Texas. Texas Work Comp Insurance

Despite Loosened State Rules, Dennis Bonnen Says COVID-19 Precautions Should Continue


We talked to Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen about COVID-19, the Texas economy and shelter-in-place protests at the Capitol.
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Unprecedented Demand Strains Texas Food Banks


Soaring demand is pushing Texas food banks to the limit as they wait for sorely-needed state and federal aid to arrive. “We’ve never seen anything like it.”
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Her Brother Is On Death Row, But She Can’t Visit Him During The Pandemic


They would talk for two hours through a prison phone. But due to COVID-19, those visits have stopped.
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Effects Of ‘Reckless’ Deepwater Horizon Disaster Persist 10 Years Later


Ten years ago this week, BP's Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded off the Gulf Coast. It led to one of the worst environmental catastrophes in U.S. history. Its long-term effects are still being evaluated.
Read More
  • Advocacy Group Commits To Bailing People Out Of Large County Jails (Texas Public Radio)
  • As West Texas Crude Falls, State Regulators Weigh Restricting Oil Production (Marfa Public Radio)
  • Working From Home During COVID-19 Isn't For Everyone (KERA News)
  • As COVID-19 Continues To Spread, The Austin History Center Wants Your Diary (KUT)

As the technical director for Texas Standard, I coordinate and record every interview. I've heard some thought-provoking conversations in that time, but nothing compares to the situation we’re all in now. With social distancing due to COVID-19, everyone on our team is working from home – except me. I still coordinate the technical aspects of the show from our home base at KUT Austin. With everyone at home, there are even more technical aspects of day-to-day operations to direct. Our host David Brown and social media editor Wells Dunbar are set up with remote codecs at their home studios, which transmit a high-quality signal back to Texas Standard HQ. And all of our producers still listen in to each interview they set up and edit, but now they too have to also be dialed in remotely. We're still working hard – if not harder – to deliver fair, unbiased journalism in these strange times. It’s inspiring, and I feel a sense of pride to be part of bringing our listeners updates on COVID-19 in our state and the world. Thanks for listening – and I look forward to showing you around the Texas Standard studios when all this is behind us. In the meantime, I'll be here, making sure the Standard is there for you. Fact-based information is more important now than ever.
- Casey Cheek
@ccheek_tx
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