Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Thursday, April 9, 2026. Check back later today for updated story links and audio.
Lawsuit challenges Texas crackdown on hemp-derived products
A new lawsuit is targeting recent changes to Texas law that restrict the sale of certain hemp-derived products, with business owners arguing new rules and fees impact their ability to operate.
Nathan Bernier with our home station KUT News joins Texas Standard to explain.
Texas voters signal appetite for political turnover in Congress
An unusually high number of congressional seats are expected to turn over this election cycle, including several in Texas. That’s fine with voters, who say they’re looking for new leadership.
The Texas Newsroom’s Blaise Gainey reports on what’s driving the shift.
Community colleges expand nursing degrees to address shortages
As Texas faces a growing nursing shortage, more community colleges are stepping in to offer bachelor’s degrees in nursing, hoping to help meet demand across the state.
KACU’s Baylie Simon reports from Abilene.
After Cesar Chavez allegations, conversations turn to generational trauma
Allegations against labor leader Cesar Chavez are prompting deeper reflection within Hispanic communities. For some, the revelations are opening conversations about generational trauma and how it is addressed.
KERA News’ Priscilla Rice reports from Dallas.
Study finds rapid evolution in fish tied to Texas border waters
As water scarcity and environmental pressures intensify along the Texas-Mexico border, scientists studying fish there are finding evidence of rapid evolutionary changes.
Darrin Hulsey, researcher and professor at University College Dublin, joins the Standard with more.
New PBS series ‘Daytripping with the Nature Conservancy’ explores Texas landscapes
A new television series pairs travel storytelling with science to highlight the diversity of Texas ecosystems. The project explores more than a million acres of protected land and the challenges of preserving it.
Chet Garner, host of “The Daytripper,” and Charlotte Reemts, ecologist with The Nature Conservancy, join the show with a preview.
Tech threats persist despite ceasefire in Iran conflict
Amid the U.S. and Israel’s strikes on Iran, concerns are high about cyberattacks targeting American infrastructure. Experts say both physical and digital threats to tech systems continue to evolve.
Omar Gallaga, tech journalist for CNET, joins the Standard to explain.
