As Texans head out to polling stations for the first time this general election season, it appears they're not put off by (social-distancing enhanced) long lines. In some parts of Texas, those lines began forming as early as 5:30 a.m. yesterday, eventually snaking around city blocks as the numbers of first-day early voters set new records in places like Harris County. Reporting that story was a challenge, itself. Many hours before the first in-person ballots were cast, senior producer Rhonda Fanning had been working the phones, coordinating with reporters in Houston, Dallas, Austin and El Paso so that they could call in throughout the morning with updates from various polling stations statewide. Aside from a few first-day glitches, early voting appeared to be going smoothly. With director Leah Scarpelli serving as our de facto "air traffic controller," directing incoming reports to the right place and working out timings so that segments won't crash, technical director Casey Cheek juggled the phone lines and captured the audio in the system for our daily takeoff. Even with all the work that goes into producing a week of the Texas Standard, our producers manage to win regional and national recognition for their reporting. Over the weekend, producer Alexandra Hart took home a coveted national Murrow Award from the Radio Television Digital News Association for her reporting on an East Texas marching band upholding a tradition, perhaps for the last time. Check it out for some masterful storytelling and get caught up on some of the rest of our favorite stories from the past week, below. Until next Wednesday, we'll see you on the radio.

- David Brown

Work safe, Texas. Texas Work Comp Insurance

I Requested A Mail-In Ballot. When Will I Get It?

Once a voter has cast a ballot by mail, there’s a straightforward way to be sure it’s been received. But what if you’re still waiting on yours?

As Stimulus Talks Fizzle, The Fate Of Texas Restaurants Remains Uncertain

The Texas Restaurant Association is telling eateries not to count on further federal assistance.

Lottery Scratch-Off Sales Have Soared Since The Pandemic Started

But experts say a big jump in people playing the odds is nothing new during a recession.

This Fly Has Many Names, But They Almost Always Indicate Something Gross

Our Texas insect expert answers common questions about bugs.

Federal Court Strikes Down Texas Ban On Common Abortion Procedure (KUT)
Harris County Shatters Single-Day Early Voting Record (Houston Public Media)
More Foreign-Born Voters In Texas May Have Impact On 2020 Election (KERA)
RGV Activists Held Mock Funeral Procession To Protest Border Wall (Texas Public Radio)

Día De Los Muertos will be different this year. Usually, we honor the dead by commemorating what they did in life. But this year, there will be so many more newly departed souls. When we spoke to infectious diseases expert Dr. Peter Hotez back in July , he warned of COVID-19 causing a “historic decimation of Hispanic communities." With record spikes unfolding in El Paso and a high level of ongoing cases in the Rio Grande Valley, that prediction sadly appears to be coming to pass. These were some of the thoughts swirling in my head as we approach this year’s holiday. So, we decided to address them with a special broadcast on Oct. 30, ahead of Día De Los Muertos. If you’ve lost a loved one this year due to COVID-19 and you’d like to share their story, email us here. Send us their photo with their name and date of passing. And, since Día De Los Muertos is such a sensory experience, tell us: what foods remind you of your loved one? What sound immediately brings them to mind? What was their favorite color? What did they call you? And, what is your favorite memory together? We look forward to hearing your stories and sharing them with our friends and listeners on our virtual ofrenda.

- Joy Diaz
@KUTJoyDiaz

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