The courthouses across Texas and the rest of this nation are decorated with reminders that they stand as institutions of “justice for all.” But to many, these structures have been painful monuments to hollow promises, underscored by the countless numbers of Black citizens whose lives have been wrongfully taken by police, with little or no accountability. Yesterday’s verdicts against a white former Minneapolis police officer for the killing of George Floyd may indeed have brought a rare rebuke of police conduct, as The New York Times put it. But justice for all? “This verdict is not justice – it’s accountability,” read the Twitter post from Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, after the verdicts were announced. “Justice is George Floyd still being alive today, raising his children and spending time with his family,” she added. The fact that there would be a question about a conviction in this case, with the mountains of evidence presented, including extensive video showing exactly what transpired on the day George Floyd was murdered, serves as its own indictment of a system that promises justice for all, but has so frequently ignored its promises to Black Americans and people of color. President Joe Biden acknowledged as much in a move that is highly unusual for any chief executive – weighing in on a specific outcome in a judicial proceeding before its conclusion. Hours before the verdict was read, the President called the family of George Floyd and told reporters that he was praying for the “right verdict.” As you likely know, George Floyd was a resident of Houston’s Third Ward, an historically Black neighborhood, before he moved to Minneapolis. The reaction there was similar to what we’ve seen in other parts of Texas: a sense of relief, tempered with the understanding justice means more than a verdict in a single trial. Police reform bills named for George Floyd have stalled at the Texas Capitol – and in Washington as well. Whether this moment creates momentum for those changes (and more) remains a top focus for the reporters and producers who produce the Texas Standard. We hope you enjoy catching up on some of our favorite recent stories below. Until next Wednesday, we’ll see you on the radio.

- David Brown

Work safe, Texas. Texas Work Comp Insurance

Permitless Carry Faces Legislative Limbo In Senate

A bill allowing the unlicensed carry of firearms doesn't currently have enough support to pass, according to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.

Nearly 9,000 Texans In Nursing Homes Died From COVID-19

Last year, the state’s 1,200 nursing homes scrambled to keep the virus from invading the facilities and infecting their 90,000 residents. But one-tenth of their population succumbed.

How Ramadan Has Become A Thread In The Multicultural Fabric of Texas

Texas’ Muslim community has grown massively since Imam Islam Mossaad’s childhood – when there was only one mosque in Austin.

Some Neighbors Say Ring Doorbells Have Worn Out Their Welcome

Amazon has been criticized for providing Ring doorbell data to police, yet the tech giant continues to do so.

In George Floyd’s Texas Hometown, Chauvin Guilty Verdict A Bittersweet Moment (Houston Public Media)
There’s More Work To Do In Police Reform, North Texas Activists Say After Derek Chauvin Verdict (KERA North Texas)
Two Fatal Police Shootings Occur In San Antonio On Tuesday (Texas Public Media)
Publisher Of Rolling Stone Buys Share Of South By Southwest (KUT Austin)

Hi there. My name is Audrey McGlinchy and I cover housing, affordability and Austin City Hall for KUT. Phew, that’s a lot to cover, especially in a city like ours. I’m originally from a small town outside Philadelphia (Go Iggles!) and have lived internationally, including stints in Thailand, Ireland and Ecuador. I’ve lived in Austin for just over six years now, and I love writing about this city. Particularly important to me are stories about housing; that could be either the recent coverage of renters still living in apartments damaged by the February winter storm or the story of one man feeling pressure to move away from a rapidly changing part of Austin. I also value the opportunity to explain complex local government issues to listeners. Take, for example, the upcoming elections in Central Texas. Voters are deciding on whether to change the makeup of Austin’s government, including what powers the mayor should have. Hopefully, the more KUT listeners understand about their local government, the more involved they’ll be. I’m always game to talk about housing, city council or how people are struggling to afford to stay in this city. Feel free to email me, and thanks!

- Audrey McGlinchy
@AKMcGlinchy

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