Historically speaking (and despite its modern record), Texas has at times resettled more refugees than any other state in the U.S. The numbers of refugees finding new homes in Texas totaled more than 8,200 people in 2009, according to the Texas Tribune . The levels dropped off in 2011 and 2012 but hovered around 7,500 for the next four years. In more recent years, the numbers have been falling – and Gov. Greg Abbott has fought accepting more refugee resettlements, as he did with Syrian refugees in 2016. Of late, the numbers of refugee resettlements in Texas have been closer to the 2,000 mark. But with the rapid U.S. troop withdrawal in Afghanistan – and harrowing images of civilians, including Afghans who worked with the U.S. and U.S. contractors, clamoring to escape as the Taliban retakes Kabul – it’s likely many of those fleeing for safety will wind up in Texas. On Monday, Pentagon officials announced that Fort Bliss in El Paso was one of two Army bases being prepared to house an estimated 20,000-plus Afghans. And that’s the first step. An expert with Refugee Services of Texas told me that group plans to settle more than 300 Afghans over the next few weeks in Austin, Houston, Dallas and Fort Worth. As recriminations fly over the U.S. involvement in Afghanistan and a pullout the President has conceded was "messy," there seems little doubt Texas (and Texans with open arms) may play a major role in the next chapter of this story. How welcoming we will be to those seeking peace and shelter after two decades of war may well be seen as a new test of our commitment to the Afghan people – especially living up to our promises made to those who worked alongside American soldiers. It is a story we will continue to follow; in the meantime, we hope you enjoy some of the coverage hand-picked by our producers from the past week. Until next Wednesday, we'll see you on the air and online.

- David Brown

Work safe, Texas. Texas Work Comp Insurance

These Moms Are Struggling To Balance Their Kids’ Safety And Education

We asked Texas Standard listeners to tell us what they’re thinking about as the school year begins. Share your own thoughts here.

Former Ambassador To Afghanistan On US Troop Withdrawal: ‘It Just Didn’t Need To Be This Way’

Ambassador Ryan Crocker says the U.S. troop drawdown is creating a “humanitarian nightmare” in Afghanistan and threatens national security at home.

Remembering Nanci Griffith: ‘She Was Just A Good, Good, Good Songwriter’

Born in Seguin and raised in Austin, Griffith cut her musical teeth in the 1970s Texas folk scene, eventually winning the hearts of critics and fans from Central Texas to Ireland.

Greg Abbott’s Appeal Is Still Strong In Texas, Despite Grid Failure And Stalled Legislature

The governor has pivoted toward championing more conservative causes to “suck the oxygen” out of his competition for governor in 2022.

Paris ISD, Defying Abbott, Adds Masks To Dress Code (KETR Northeast Texas)
Presidio Works To Preserve a Lipan Apache Cemetery And Tell Its Story (Marfa Public Radio)
Alamo Breaks Ground On New Exhibit Hall And Collections Center (Texas Public Radio)
Drop The Pressure, Threats And Agendas: Talking To The Unvaccinated About Getting A COVID-19 Vaccine (KUT Austin)

Hi everyone. My name is Rob Avila and I’m a reporter with Texas Tech Public Media , Lubbock’s NPR station. My hometown is San Antonio, but I moved to Lubbock for law school in 2016, fell in love with the city and have been here ever since. I transitioned from the legal field and joined the newsroom in June. It was more of a return to journalism: in college I was a staff writer and weekly satire columnist for UTSA’s independent student newspaper, The Paisano. In law school I wrote columns for Texas Tech’s Daily Toreador. And after graduation I wrote columns for Lubbock’s Avalanche Journal and Port Isabel South Padre Press. So I never fully left what I love in journalism or writing humor; the pandemic just gave me the time to re-evaluate and re-prioritize where I wanted to be. I admired the local coverage of Texas Tech Public Media and knew I wanted to be a part of their newsroom expansion. We try to bring light to stories in the area that aren’t often heard. I’ve written on the concerns of ‘Trumpism’ at a local venue, discussed the wider national context of a local wine growers lawsuit, and most recently, put local voices to a potential state legislative bill empowering poll watchers. At times, it’s useful having a law degree, especially when the law dictates so much around us. (It was also too expensive, but at least it carries an entirely unnecessary flex on my signatures.) What I’m really trying to say is, there are important stories to tell in West Texas, and I’m excited to learn and help create and share stories with the NPR and Texas Newsroom teams.

- Rob Avila, J.D.
@ Robavila_TTUPM

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