Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Thursday, November 18, 2021.
Beto O’Rourke’s entry into the Texas gubernatorial race marks the third time he’s run for office since leaving Congress in 2017. Is the third time the charm? The Texas Standard’s Jill Ament reports the Democratic challenger faces an uphill battle.
Port of Houston Supply Chain Squeeze
Delivery services of all sorts are scrambling to get stuff out of shipping containers and onto shelves as quickly as possible, with the busiest shopping season of the year fast approaching. The supply chain crunch has made places like the Port of Houston quite busy. For more, we turn to Amanda Drane, business reporter for the Houston Chronicle.
Texas Pecan Growers Report Good Crop
The Texas Pecan Growers Association reports the state’s pecan crop is looking good this harvest time. Texas Public Radio’s Brian Kirkpatrick visited the Comal Pecan Farm, south of New Braunfels off of I-35, as one grower was winding down his harvest.
Activision Workplace Revelations
Employees at video game powerhouse Activision Blizzard walked off the job this week for the second time in recent months, amid allegations of sexual misconduct and pay discrimination. The walkout came after a Wall Street Journal investigation alleged that longtime Activision CEO Bobby Kotick knew of misconduct but did little to address it. Our tech expert Omar Gallaga is here with more.
Across Texas, water infrastructure systems are falling into disrepair. And as the state grows, experts say demand will only increase. Now, President Biden’s new infrastructure plan will send at least $3 billion to Texas over five years to improve our water systems. Todd Votteler, editor in chief of the Texas Water Journal and fellow with Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University, will tell us more.
Houston ballet dancer Harper Watters made it big on social media after a video featuring Watters and a fellow dancer romping around a gym in pink stilettos went viral in 2017. Watters is a soloist for the Houston Ballet, the fourth largest ballet company in the United States, where he’s been for over a decade. The 29-year-old has amassed over 720,000 followers on his Instagram and TikTok accounts combined. His content is a distinctive mix of ballet videos, runway-worthy fashion, and unapologetic Black and LGBTQ advocacy. Harper Watters joins the Texas Standard today.
Commentary: Malcolm X Exonerations
After almost 56 years, two Black men convicted of the assassination of Malcolm X are expected to be exonerated. Texas Standard commentator Peniel Joseph says the exonerations right a grave miscarriage of justice and open new questions about race in America’s criminal justice system.
All this and Texas News Roundup, plus Social Media Editor Wells Dunbar with the talk of Texas.
