And they're off! Even as many Texans set their eyes on the holiday season (it's closer than you think!), it is fair to say that this week we're witnessing the start of another season, too. 'Tis the season for candidates to put in their paperwork and make their announcements for political office as 2022 campaigns get underway. And we appear to have a battle royal at the top of the ticket. On Monday, after months of speculation, former congressman Beto O'Rourke made it official that he's running for governor against incumbent Greg Abbott. Not that Abbott had any doubts this was coming, mind you. Back in October, he began running ads against his (then-undeclared) rival, emphasizing some of O'Rourke's comments during his 2020 presidential bid with regard to guns. In our conversation earlier this week, O'Rourke did not appear to be backing down, but rather seemed to be emphasizing other issues he hoped Abbott would pay a political price for: from the new restrictive abortion law to his handling of the pandemic. Our conversation with Dallas Morning News political columnist Gromer Jeffers on Tuesday offered much to contemplate about the oncoming primaries on March 1. Definitely worth checking out, as well as some of our editor's hand-picked favorites from the past week, below. How do you see 2022 playing out politically in Texas? Let us know online. Visit TexasStandard.org. Until next week, we'll see you on the radio.

- David Brown

Work safe, Texas. Texas Work Comp Insurance

Listen: Beto O’Rourke on why he’s running for governor

The former El Paso congressman tells Texas Standard he wants to “get us past the very small, divisive politics of this moment and of the current governor.”

‘I don’t need white folks to feel guilty’: A practical guide for why everyone needs to understand Black history

UT-Austin professor Leonard Moore decided to share 25 years of classroom teaching with the world after the police killing of George Floyd.

San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg says the next infrastructure battle will be over how to divvy up money

Texas is expected to receive $35 billion as part of the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, with cities all vying for their cut.

Why critics say Texas’ new ‘good Samaritan’ law for overdoses isn't enough

A new law seeks encourage people to call 911 if they're experiencing a drug overdose or seeing one – but it comes with many caveats.

FBI says suspected arsonist wrote that he 'set a synagogue on fire' in his journal (KUT Austin)
Texas A&M student who died after Astroworld is remembered for her generosity (Houston Public Media)
FAA says it will finish environmental assessment of SpaceX facility in South Texas by year’s end (Texas Public Radio)
Aaron Dean murder trial set to begin on Jan. 4 (KERA North Texas)

Listen to stories from Texas with W. F. Strong

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