Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Tuesday, July 27, 2021.
As the highly contagious delta variant of COVID-19 takes hold in many states, including Texas, infection and hospitalization rates are spiking. Increasingly, many companies are requiring employees to be vaccinated. Back in June, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit brought by employees of Houston Methodist Hospital challenging the hospital’s vaccination requirement. Joining us with more is Rekha Lakshmanan. She’s with the statewide organization, the Immunization Partnership, and a contributing expert to the Baker Institute for Public Policy at Rice University.
A growing number of young people with parents who are skilled immigrant workers may be forced to leave the country. They’re often called “documented dreamers:” young people who grew up in the US, but because of the visa backlog, they can’t stay. Houston Public Media’s Elizabeth Trovall spoke to one family in the Houston area about their possible separation.
Yesterday, conference rivals the University of Texas and the University of Oklahoma announced they will not re-up their broadcast contracts with the Big 12 Athletic Conference once they expire. Although the move hasn’t been made official yet, they are reportedly leaving for the Southeastern Conference: home of the country’s best football teams and the biggest pot of money in college sports. We’ll unpack the move with Sam Khan, a senior writer covering college football in Texas for The Athletic.
Afghan Troop Withdrawal and Civilian Casualties
President Joe Biden is rapidly pulling troops out of Afghanistan. Earlier this month, he said U.S. forces will be out by August 31. Against the backdrop of American and allied troops exiting, violence is rising – and the Taliban is making gains in the region. Here to explain the situation is Michael Mosser, professor at UT’s International Relations and Global Studies department.
The Sounds of Texas: Jamila Wignot on “Ailey“
Wignot is the director of a new documentary chronicling the life and impact of modern dance choreographer Alvin Ailey. Ailey was born in Texas and Wignot says those roots inspired many of his masterworks.
Sesame Street Teaching Military Kids About Racial Justice
A new special project is helping military kids navigate race, diversity and discrimination. It’s the work of the Sesame Workshop and its Muppets. Desiree D’Iorio reports with more for the American Homefront project.
The Houston region is no stranger to chemical accidents. Just this week, a chemical leak at a Dow facility in La Porte prompted an evacuation and shelter-in-place alert. The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board is tasked with investigating incidents like these. But a recent editorial in the Houston Chronicle asks, just how well is it doing its job? Joining us today is the author of that editorial, the Chronicle’s Nick Powell.
All this and Texas News Roundup, plus Social Media Editor Wells Dunbar with the talk of Texas.
