Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Friday, Aug. 5, 2022:
As monkeypox cases rise, vaccine rollouts remain slow
On July 23, the World Health Organization declared monkeypox a public health emergency – its highest alert level, and one rarely given. On Thursday, the U.S. declared a public health emergency over the outbreak, which has infected more than 7,100 Americans. As cases and worry about infection begin to rise, officials around Texas are facing questions about public health messaging and how to distribute a very limited supply of vaccines. Texas’ Chief State Epidemiologist Jennifer Shuford explains the latest.
Military troops seeking abortions are ‘absolutely trapped’ in a post-Roe world
When the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, it made abortion access especially challenging for servicewomen: More than 100 military installations are in states where abortion is now banned. That means women in the military may have to travel longer distances, spend more money, or incur greater risks to their privacy. Texas Public Radio’s Carson Frame has the story for the American Homefront Project.
Abilene soccer camp launches refugee-designed soccer balls around the world
A summer soccer camp that started as a way to engage Abilene’s population of refugee children has sparked a business plan aimed at sharing soccer balls with kids around the world. KACU’s Heather Claborn reports that the campers get to design soccer balls that are sold in the buy-one-give-one style.
The Disconnect season 2 dives deeper into challenges facing the state power grid
As temperatures around the state continue to hover in the triple digits, many Texans are still concerned about the lingering impact of the deadly 2021 winter storm and what has – and has not – been done to fix the state’s power grid. Those questions are being tackled in season 2 of the podcast The Disconnect: Power Politics and the Texas Blackout, which has just launched. Host Mose Buchele, energy and environment reporter for KUT in Austin, shares more.
Good Looks’ “Bummer Years” takes on Texas’ hard times
Texas-based band Good Looks has been getting a lot of second looks from critics with its debut album, “Bummer Year.” Many Texans may recognize a lot of the stories as snapshots of life in Texas during challenging times. The songs touch on universal themes of friendships and relationships that don’t always turn out as planned, with feelings of loss and what might have been mixed in. Frontman and songwriter Tyler Jordan joins us to discuss more.
The Typewriter Rodeo poets share this week’s on-the-spot poem.
This Week in Texas Politics
The Texas Tribune’s James Barragán rounds up the biggest news in Texas politics this week:
– Texas Democrats see hope in Kansas abortion vote, but challenges remain
– With rural Texas watching, Greg Abbott and Beto O’Rourke dig in on school vouchers fight
– After fierce criticism for delaying landmark veterans bill, Ted Cruz votes to pass it
All this, plus the Texas Newsroom’s state roundup and Shelly Brisbin with the Talk of Texas.
