I was raised in rural Central Texas. When I graduated high school, I was more than ready head to the “big city” in Austin and San Marcos for college. I really had no plans of turning back. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve become more reflective on my time growing up in a rural Texas community. Most of my close family members still live in small town Texas. They are directly affected by hospital closures, school funding cuts and teacher shortages, infrastructure and economic issues, and a lack of high-speed internet access. (I can’t work remotely at my parents’ house because their internet is too slow!) Being so close to these issues influenced me to explore stories involving policy decisions in rural cities for Texas Standard. How are small towns dealing with the fact their young people are moving away and not coming back? What are they doing to remain relevant, despite Texas’ population triangle holding the most jobs and educational opportunities for small town talent? What’s at stake if these towns remain on the decline? I’m exploring all these issues in a report on the people returning to their small community of Carthage, airing today on the Standard. Tune in or see the report online, including lots of additional content. Do you live in, or have relatives in small town Texas? I’d like to hear your thoughts.

- Jill Ament
@jill_ament

Dan Patrick wants to bring ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law to Texas

The Republican lieutenant governor wants the Texas Legislature to take up a measure similar to Florida’s law. He also wants lawmakers to examine the book approval process in public school libraries, and what he calls a lack of parental oversight in public school curriculum.

New labor unions are hitting Texas in unexpected places

Service industry workers at places like Starbucks and Alamo Drafthouse are among the employees organizing for better benefits, health protections and work environments.

Early governor’s race poll shows tight margin between Greg Abbott, Beto O’Rourke

The incumbent governor leads his Democratic challenger by only two percentage points, according to a recent poll by The Texas Lyceum. The poll also found economic issues were most pressing to Texas voters.

Behind the guitar: A new collection of his belongings paints a nuanced picture of Stevie Ray Vaughan

The Wittliff Collections in San Marcos has acquired an archive containing song lyrics, clothing and the musician’s personal library.

Dan Patrick tasks lawmakers with investigating release of 300 people from Harris County Jail (Houston Public Media)
Spurs Manu Ginóbili will be inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame (Texas Public Radio)
Can a Dallas plan overcome the sidewalk gap between low-income and affluent neighborhoods? (KERA North Texas)
Blink and you'll miss it: Cold, dry spring could cut short Texas' bluebonnet season (KUT Austin)

The Talk of Texas is running down the state’s entire 254 counties – Anderson to Zavala – with points of interest pulled from the Texas Standard archives.

Is there a can't-miss attraction in your area? Drop us a line and let us know.

Andrews County
Established: 1876
County seat: Andrews
Population: 18,610
Andrews’ big industry: Located in the Permian Basin, oil and gas exploration drives the region’s economic activity. Get a deeper look at the oil explosion unleashed by fracking in our special reporting project “Untapped: The New West Texas.”
Nuke so fast: Another economic opportunity for Andrews has been tied up in court for years: a plan to store tons of radioactive waste. A company which currently stores low-level radioactive waste has long sought to store spent nuclear fuel from the nation’s power plants . Despite Gov. Greg Abbott signing a bill prohibiting such disposal in Texas, just days later the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission approveda plan to bring it to Texas. It’s a story we continue to watch.
One last thing: It’s about a 35 minute drive from the city of Andrews to the New Mexico border – just in case you feel like saying hi.

- Gromer Jeffers

The Dallas Morning News political writer and frequent Texas Standard guest joined us to discuss what Democrats can do to be competitive in the upcoming midterms.

Listen to stories from Texas with W. F. Strong

Thank You to our Sponsors

The Texas Standard is a partnership of

No matter where you are,
you're on Texas Standard Time

Connect with The Texas Standard

512-471-1631 | Contact Us

This email was sent by: KUT and KUTX Public Radio
300 W. Dean Keeton, A0704, Austin, TX, 78712-8546 US

A Partnership of
Texas Public Radio San Antonio, KERA Dallas, KUT Austin, and Houston Public Media

A service of the Moody College of Communication at The University of Texas at Austin

Subscription Center | Unsubscribe | Privacy Policy

©2020 Texas Standard