Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026.
Cornyn blocks Trump’s DOJ in exchange for before AG vote
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn reached an agreement with the Justice Department to eliminate a proposed fund that could have compensated Trump allies and Jan. 6 defendants. Cornyn and Sen. Thom Tillis demanded written assurances before supporting Todd Blanche’s nomination for attorney general.
Texas Tribune Washington correspondent Gabby Birenbaum joins the Standard with more.
Former US Rep. Kay Granger dies at 83
Kay Granger, the first Republican woman from Texas elected to Congress, has died at age 83. The former Fort Worth mayor served nearly three decades in the U.S. House and became the first Republican woman to chair the powerful House Appropriations Committee.
KERA’s James Hartley reports on her legacy.
Federal SNAP cuts strain Houston families
Hundreds of thousands of Houston-area residents rely on SNAP benefits to afford food, but federal cuts are creating new challenges for families managing tight budgets and the local agencies attempting to help them.
Houston Public Media’s Keenan Vaughan reports.
Texas A&M-Kingsville opens health professions college
Texas A&M University-Kingsville is launching a new college focused on nursing and health professions as South Texas works to address persistent healthcare workforce shortages.
KEDT’s Rob Boscamp reports from Corpus Christi.
Abbott pauses new Texas data centers for state audit
Gov. Greg Abbott has directed Texas utility regulators to collect more information about proposed data centers and temporarily pause new developments’ ability to tie into the state grid. The order comes amid growing concern about how much electricity and water the facilities require — and how little communities often know before projects advance.
Houston Public Media energy and environment reporter Natalie Weber joins the Standard with more.
San Antonio neighborhoods push for more dog parks
San Antonio has expanded from one city dog park in 2005 to 21 today, but residents in several neighborhoods say demand continues to outpace access.
Texas Public Radio’s Brian Kirkpatrick reports.
‘After the Flood’ finale revisits a second disaster
A newly produced final episode of the “After the Flood” podcast follows Hill Country residents confronting another historic flood just days after marking the first anniversary of the deadly July 2025 disaster. It’s a firsthand look at recovery, preparedness and repeated loss.
The podcast is produced by The Texas Newsroom and PBS’s FRONTLINE. Listen to an excerpt on today’s show.
The Sasha will house Austin abuse survivors
The SAFE Alliance has received $1 million toward The Sasha, a planned 60-unit Austin housing development for survivors of human trafficking, sexual assault and domestic violence. The project will also provide counseling, legal assistance and services for children, with residents expected to begin moving in next year.
SAFE Alliance leaders Pierre Berastaín and Sydney Da Costa join the Standard with more.
