Here’s what’s on Texas Standard for Wednesday, July 21, 2021.
Texas Democrats’ Walkout Strategy
When Democrats from the Texas Legislature left the state to break quorum, they went to Washington to pressure Congress to pass their own voting rights bills. Is that strategy working? For more on this and the breakthrough COVID cases among the Texas Democrats, we’re joined by Paul Weber, an Austin-based reporter for the Associated Press
COVID Cases In Texas
A delta-variant-driven increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations across Texas has doctors and policy makers worried. Texas Public Radio’s Bonnie Petrie takes a look at the situation around the state.
EMS Station Closure In Ralls
While rural communities in Texas grapple with hospital closures, some are also at risk of losing another vital service – their EMS stations. Last week, the small town of Ralls nearly lost theirs. And Texas Tech Public Media’s Jayme Lozano reports, they might not be in the clear just yet.
Solar Jobs
Green energy sources like solar power are having a moment in Texas. It’s driven in part by February’s winter storm and subsequent grid failure. But sustainable energy jobs aren’t necessarily paying sustainable wages for workers. It’s something that Noam Scheiber explores in a recent piece for The New York Times, where he covers workers and the workplace. He joins us today.
The Olympics And Texas
The 2020 Olympics officially kick off on Friday in Tokyo. Yes, they’re still being branded as “2020” even though we’re now well into 2021. That of course is because of pandemic-related delays. But as you know, pandemic concerns are not at all behind us. And that’s true — even more so — in Tokyo. Dallas Morning News reporter Callie Caplan is covering the games in Japan and talks to the Standard.
Blanton Museum’s Sound-Art Space
What does Texas sound like? That’s something an upcoming installation at the Blanton Museum of Art in Austin will explore. The outdoor exhibit will incorporate sound sculptures and is part of a larger revamp of the Blanton’s grounds. Designed by sound artist Bill Fontana, the future Butler Sound Gallery will be the first dedicated space of its kind at an art museum in the U.S. Bill Fontana and Blanton Museum director Simone Wicha join us with more.
PolitiFact: Ted Cruz On Arresting Texas Democrats
Sen. Ted Cruz said that there is legal authority to “handcuff and put in leg irons” Texas legislators that impede the Legislature from operating. Is that a fact? Brandon Mulder checked on it for PolitiFact Texas, based at the Austin American-Statesman, and he joins us today.
All this and the Texas News Roundup, plus Social Media Editor Wells Dunbar with the Talk of Texas.
