You're on Texas Standard time. We're a production of KUT Austin, KERA North Texas, Texas Public Radio San Antonio & Houston Public Media.https://bsky.app/profile/texasstandard.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/texasstandard.bsky.social/post/3ml7f4xm23u2tIf the Spurs are knocked out of the NBA playoffs, it may be due to their lack of playoff experience, especially in crunch time. It’s rare for such a young, inexperienced team to make it into the NBA Finals on its first deep playoff run. https://buff.ly/G6aT3Sc06 May 2026 19:00 +0000at://did:plc:33a2tzachcyxwpwft7jpk3ya/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml7f4xm23u2thttps://bsky.app/profile/texasstandard.bsky.social/post/3ml7dsam5f72tA recent poll shows Attorney General Ken Paxton slightly ahead of incumbent U.S. Senator John Cornyn in the runoff for his seat. But by another measure – fundraising – Paxton is running behind both Cornyn and the Democratic Senate nominee, James Talarico. buff.ly/GHeZkGV https://www.texasstandard.org/stories/ken-paxton-fundraising-struggles-texas-us-senate-race-cornyn-talarico/06 May 2026 18:36 +0000at://did:plc:33a2tzachcyxwpwft7jpk3ya/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml7dsam5f72thttps://bsky.app/profile/texasstandard.bsky.social/post/3ml2e77bhwt2tU.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin, cautioned his party not to nominate Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for U.S. Senate. https://buff.ly/dQVI6rm04 May 2026 19:00 +0000at://did:plc:33a2tzachcyxwpwft7jpk3ya/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml2e77bhwt2thttps://bsky.app/profile/texasstandard.bsky.social/post/3ml2au3hiss2rWith two elections coming up in May, advocates say gaps in support services can make voting a time-consuming challenge for many people with disabilities, despite legal protections guaranteeing access. https://buff.ly/adomG0V04 May 2026 18:00 +0000at://did:plc:33a2tzachcyxwpwft7jpk3ya/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml2au3hiss2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/texasstandard.bsky.social/post/3mkv4lva35q2vTexans with disabilities can encounter a lot of barriers to employment – which can limit their independence. That’s where job skills programs come in. The largest behavioral health provider in Dallas County opened a café that’s preparing people for future jobs. https://buff.ly/Wj8tJbt02 May 2026 17:00 +0000at://did:plc:33a2tzachcyxwpwft7jpk3ya/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkv4lva35q2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/texasstandard.bsky.social/post/3mksxygxo322vU.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins is from Texas — and she’s facing an ethics complaint alleging she did not fully step away from conservative policy groups after joining the Trump administration. https://buff.ly/Ztsuyi201 May 2026 20:33 +0000at://did:plc:33a2tzachcyxwpwft7jpk3ya/app.bsky.feed.post/3mksxygxo322vhttps://bsky.app/profile/texasstandard.bsky.social/post/3mksphqssab2mAustin-based Infowars won’t be acquired by The Onion. That is, at least for now. A successful last-minute appeal by conspiracy theorist Alex Jones means his flagship platform won’t be turned over to the satirical media outlet until after a hearing next month. https://buff.ly/DHOkUZI01 May 2026 18:00 +0000at://did:plc:33a2tzachcyxwpwft7jpk3ya/app.bsky.feed.post/3mksphqssab2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/texasstandard.bsky.social/post/3mksnrdsk7i2mMore hemp news! The Texas Supreme Court ruled hemp retailers were harmed when the Department of State Health Services effectively criminalized delta-8. But the court lifted a temporary injunction, meaning for now, DSHS has authority to classify delta-8 as a controlled substance. https://buff.ly/MI3SQ1u01 May 2026 17:30 +0000at://did:plc:33a2tzachcyxwpwft7jpk3ya/app.bsky.feed.post/3mksnrdsk7i2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/texasstandard.bsky.social/post/3mksmpfgil72vA Travis County judge issued a temporary injunction allowed the sale of hemp flower and concentrates and blocking sharply higher state fees charged to businesses that make and sell hemp products. buff.ly/Fq602GR https://www.texasstandard.org/stories/court-order-allows-smokable-hemp-to-stay-on-shelves-in-texas/01 May 2026 17:11 +0000at://did:plc:33a2tzachcyxwpwft7jpk3ya/app.bsky.feed.post/3mksmpfgil72vhttps://bsky.app/profile/texasstandard.bsky.social/post/3mkqcelzaax23Houston and Dallas are set to host the FIFA World Cup – but staging the tournament could cost cities hundreds of millions while FIFA earns billions. https://buff.ly/tbVEeQ530 Apr 2026 19:00 +0000at://did:plc:33a2tzachcyxwpwft7jpk3ya/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkqcelzaax23https://bsky.app/profile/texasstandard.bsky.social/post/3mkq6ydvhn72yA court fight in Austin this week could determine whether Texans can keep buying cannabis flower, pre-rolls and concentrates sold under the state’s hemp laws. https://buff.ly/OEYRdFM30 Apr 2026 18:00 +0000at://did:plc:33a2tzachcyxwpwft7jpk3ya/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkq6ydvhn72yhttps://bsky.app/profile/texasstandard.bsky.social/post/3mkq6ya233f2tWhen and how can police use cell phone location data to find a criminal suspect? And how much data about people who happen to be in the area can law enforcement scoop up at the same time? Those questions are at the heart of a case before the Supreme Court this week. https://buff.ly/gMQf9k730 Apr 2026 18:00 +0000at://did:plc:33a2tzachcyxwpwft7jpk3ya/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkq6ya233f2thttps://bsky.app/profile/texasstandard.bsky.social/post/3mknruty4wv2d“If you want to launch big ships, you have to go where the water is deep.” https://buff.ly/aU671g229 Apr 2026 19:00 +0000at://did:plc:33a2tzachcyxwpwft7jpk3ya/app.bsky.feed.post/3mknruty4wv2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/texasstandard.bsky.social/post/3mknqnrlzrh23After the success of Artemis II, NASA has unveiled its main rocket for next year’s Artemis III mission. The agency hopes a growing cadence of moon missions will inspire a new Artemis generation. buff.ly/SBufe0v https://www.texasstandard.org/stories/today-on-texas-standard-april-29-2026/29 Apr 2026 18:38 +0000at://did:plc:33a2tzachcyxwpwft7jpk3ya/app.bsky.feed.post/3mknqnrlzrh23https://bsky.app/profile/texasstandard.bsky.social/post/3mknkbbwrl52tThe U.S. Supreme Court weakened but did not eliminate a key provision of the Voting Rights Act on Wednesday, making it harder to bring voter discrimination claims against electoral maps while stopping short of a widely anticipated full strikedown. buff.ly/VH1kSol https://www.texasstandard.org/stories/us-supreme-court-voting-rights-act-louisiana-callais-texas-redistricting-maps/29 Apr 2026 16:44 +0000at://did:plc:33a2tzachcyxwpwft7jpk3ya/app.bsky.feed.post/3mknkbbwrl52thttps://bsky.app/profile/texasstandard.bsky.social/post/3mkixona7p42cOn April 26, 1967, Austin-born trumpeter Martin Banks appeared on Archie Shepp’s LP The Magic of Ju-Ju, recorded for Impulse! records. https://buff.ly/YJWdgUe27 Apr 2026 21:00 +0000at://did:plc:33a2tzachcyxwpwft7jpk3ya/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkixona7p42chttps://bsky.app/profile/texasstandard.bsky.social/post/3mkiubzjc3w26Once considered a premium option, buying beef in bulk from a rancher has become comparatively affordable as retail prices rise. But it requires paying more upfront — and enough freezer space. https://buff.ly/yHmb9i027 Apr 2026 20:00 +0000at://did:plc:33a2tzachcyxwpwft7jpk3ya/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkiubzjc3w26https://bsky.app/profile/texasstandard.bsky.social/post/3mkiqwuibxn2rGreg Abbott could become Texas’ longest-serving governor. After 11 years in office, his tenure is also reshaping how the governor’s power is used. https://www.texasstandard.org/stories/how-gov-greg-abbott-has-expanded-the-power-of-the-office/27 Apr 2026 19:00 +0000at://did:plc:33a2tzachcyxwpwft7jpk3ya/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkiqwuibxn2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/texasstandard.bsky.social/post/3mkioonqq7c2uThe court issued a decision Monday morning allowing Texas to use the controversial congressional maps that were drawn last summer. The order reverses a lower court ruling that could have led to the maps being thrown out. buff.ly/8cOGMe3 https://www.texasstandard.org/stories/supreme-court-approves-texas-congressional-map/27 Apr 2026 18:19 +0000at://did:plc:33a2tzachcyxwpwft7jpk3ya/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkioonqq7c2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/texasstandard.bsky.social/post/3mkiiv3lhgf2uWith a barrage of conflicting information, advocacy organizations and law enforcement differ about whether sex trafficking increases during large sporting events. buff.ly/w2xHbvE https://www.texasstandard.org/stories/will-there-be-a-sex-trafficking-spike-during-the-world-cup-law-enforcement-is-preparing-for-one/27 Apr 2026 16:36 +0000at://did:plc:33a2tzachcyxwpwft7jpk3ya/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkiiv3lhgf2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/texasstandard.bsky.social/post/3mk6ub25dwv2nCity leaders intend to make unprecedented cuts to water use in September, but they aren’t sure exactly how. https://buff.ly/J7kAGm423 Apr 2026 20:33 +0000at://did:plc:33a2tzachcyxwpwft7jpk3ya/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk6ub25dwv2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/texasstandard.bsky.social/post/3mk6lq2hasa2dHow do you prove you’re human online? A new platform says it can help verify identity in an era of bots, scams and AI-generated accounts. https://buff.ly/CugCiMQ23 Apr 2026 18:00 +0000at://did:plc:33a2tzachcyxwpwft7jpk3ya/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk6lq2hasa2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/texasstandard.bsky.social/post/3mk6j74mcxk2yIn a 13-4 vote on Wednesday, the Houston City Council revised a measure intended to limit the police department’s coordination with federal immigration enforcement. https://buff.ly/7JA2AtX23 Apr 2026 17:15 +0000at://did:plc:33a2tzachcyxwpwft7jpk3ya/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk6j74mcxk2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/texasstandard.bsky.social/post/3mk6hjz7kcc2nNearly 200 Austin students are competing at a national archery tournament. The fast-growing sport is helping kids build focus while sending some to the top level of youth competition. buff.ly/AfQhsml https://www.texasstandard.org/stories/one-of-the-strongest-archery-programs-in-the-country-is-at-this-austin-elementary-school/23 Apr 2026 16:45 +0000at://did:plc:33a2tzachcyxwpwft7jpk3ya/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk6hjz7kcc2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/texasstandard.bsky.social/post/3mk4pej6exj26Texans hoping to see some of the state’s springtime colors have a new tool at their disposal — a map created by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) showing the location of wildflowers. https://buff.ly/aA33qrI23 Apr 2026 00:00 +0000at://did:plc:33a2tzachcyxwpwft7jpk3ya/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk4pej6exj26https://bsky.app/profile/texasstandard.bsky.social/post/3mk4nlvi7qf2tThe Trump administration is once again planning to install physical border barriers within Big Big National Park in West Texas, according to an updated map of “Smart Wall” projects that now shows plans for a “vehicle barrier system” and “patrol roads” in the park. buff.ly/OLElhPj https://www.texasstandard.org/stories/big-bend-national-park-could-see-vehicle-barriers-patrol-roads-under-latest-changes-to-border-wall-plans/22 Apr 2026 23:28 +0000at://did:plc:33a2tzachcyxwpwft7jpk3ya/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk4nlvi7qf2thttps://bsky.app/profile/texasstandard.bsky.social/post/3mk4ds4s62d23Rick Roderick wasn’t filling arenas, but his lectures, which were recorded by a company known as the Teaching Company, circulated widely passed hand to hand, mind to mind. For a certain audience, he became something rare even then: A public intellectual. https://buff.ly/pXymiDM22 Apr 2026 20:33 +0000at://did:plc:33a2tzachcyxwpwft7jpk3ya/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk4ds4s62d23https://bsky.app/profile/texasstandard.bsky.social/post/3mk3vf7qdcp2cDan Patrick’s latest comments are drawing fresh attention. As head of Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission, the lieutenant governor’s remarks are fueling debate over Christian nationalism in Texas politics. https://www.texasstandard.org/stories/christian-nationalism-is-central-to-the-texas-gop-primary-runoffs-for-senate-and-attorney-general/22 Apr 2026 16:15 +0000at://did:plc:33a2tzachcyxwpwft7jpk3ya/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk3vf7qdcp2chttps://bsky.app/profile/texasstandard.bsky.social/post/3mk3tdfjyi623Texas can enforce a state law requiring public schools to display posters of the Ten Commandments in classrooms, a federal appeals court ruled Tuesday. buff.ly/NbHGmjI https://www.texasstandard.org/stories/texas-can-force-schools-to-post-ten-commandments-federal-appeals-court-rules/22 Apr 2026 15:38 +0000at://did:plc:33a2tzachcyxwpwft7jpk3ya/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk3tdfjyi623https://bsky.app/profile/texasstandard.bsky.social/post/3mjxcupy45623Cheap attack drones are changing modern warfare. Used heavily in Iran and Ukraine, the one-way systems are seen as effective and expendable. The U.S. is viewed as falling behind. https://buff.ly/cCWNS5420 Apr 2026 20:33 +0000at://did:plc:33a2tzachcyxwpwft7jpk3ya/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjxcupy45623