Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026. Check back later today for updated story links and audio.
Border wall construction halted inside Big Bend National Park
Federal officials have halted border barrier construction inside Big Bend National Park after crews had already begun clearing land for the project. The decision follows weeks of concern from residents and conservationists about potential damage to one of Texas’ most distinctive landscapes, though broader construction plans remain.
Marfa Public Radio’s Travis Bubenik joins the Standard with the latest.
Texas pauses $3 billion broadband program amid scrutiny
Texas has temporarily halted new spending from a federal program providing more than $3 billion to expand high-speed internet access in underserved communities. The pause comes amid allegations that the state’s Broadband Development Office favored certain applicants, including Elon Musk’s Starlink, in awarding funds.
Texas Tribune reporter Jayme Lozano Carver joins the Standard with more.
Fort Bliss immigration detention camp marks one year
One year after the Trump administration opened a massive immigration detention facility at Fort Bliss, advocates and elected officials are renewing calls for its closure. The tent complex has faced allegations of inhumane conditions since opening, and three people have died while in custody.
KTEP’s Angela Kocherga reports.
Houston and Austin compete for potential NHL team
Texas could eventually add another NHL franchise alongside the Dallas Stars, with Houston and Austin emerging as possible destinations for a future team. Houston billionaire Dan Friedkin is exploring the opportunity, though the league has not formally committed to expansion and questions remain about arenas, market size and timing.
Houston Chronicle weekend sports editor Greg Rajan joins the Standard with more.
Court affirms mail-in voting restrictions, which disproportionately impact disabled Texans
SB 1, a state election law that expanded restrictions on mail-in voting and tightened rules for people assisting with in-person voting, was affirmed last week by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. It reversed a district court ruling that had found in favor of plaintiffs.
Molly Broadway works with Disability Rights Texas, which trains and assists voters with disabilities. She joins the show to talk about the SB 1’s impact on disabled Texans.
San Antonio’s Frida Fest celebrates 10 years
San Antonio marked the 10th anniversary of Frida Fest with a celebration inspired by the life, art and unmistakable style of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo. The annual gathering brings together artists, vendors and fans while highlighting Kahlo’s enduring cultural influence on both sides of the border.
Texas Public Radio’s Yvette Benavides reports.
How Austin restaurant inspections keep diners safe
Restaurant health inspections can reveal problems diners rarely see, from food storage and kitchen sanitation to pest control. But Texas cities take different approaches to conducting inspections and sharing the results with the public.
KUT’s Gabriel Velasquez Neira followed an Austin public health inspector to see how the city evaluates restaurants and shares this report.
West Texas communities struggle with radium in drinking water
Residents of Imperial have faced repeated violations of federal radium limits in their drinking water, forcing some families to travel elsewhere for water they consider safe to drink and cook with. Similar problems affect thousands of Texans served by small water systems, particularly in West Texas.
Inside Climate News reporter Martha Pskowski joins the Standard with more.
