Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Friday, Aug. 7, 2026.
What numbers tell us about school voucher participation so far
The rollout of Texas’ new school voucher program is entering a new phase. After months of applications and debate, the state has published its first snapshot of the students selected to receive education savings accounts. The numbers offer an early look at who is participating in the billion-dollar program, but they also leave some questions unanswered.
For a closer look at what we know so far, we’re joined by Lawrence Mower, who covers education for the Houston Chronicle’s Austin bureau.
How farmers are looking to boost demand for cotton
American farmers grow a lot of cotton — but not as much as they used to. Cotton is more expensive to grow these days, and the rise of synthetic fabrics has also tamped down demand for it. There is a plan to try to reverse that trend, though.
The Texas Standard’s Michael Marks reports.
San Antonio’s CPS Energy pushes back against Abbott’s claims
Leaders at CPS Energy are pushing back against Gov. Greg Abbott over his claims that private competition would lower energy bills in the San Antonio region.
Texas Public Radio’s David Martin Davies has more.
Did July’s rains open Jacob’s Well back up to swimming?
A truly Texas way to escape the summer heat is to visit one of its cool, spring-fed watering holes.
Jacob’s Well in Wimberley might win the award for the most stunning watering hole, but it’s been closed to swimming the past four summers. And even with the rain that caused devastating flooding in July, the flow isn’t back up to normal.
The Texas Standard’s Laura Rice has this deep dive.
Abilene studio gives parents an outlet
Summer is a great time for kids to take a break from homework, tests and projects. And a lot of parents look forward to the break — but they also find themselves looking for ways to make the most of all that time.
As KACU’s Allison Dias reports, some of them find what they’re looking for at a local performing arts studio.
Austin Sketch Fest returns with SNL names and local talent
In your average Texas comedy scene, you mostly find stand up shows and long-form improv. But there’s another discipline that requires a different comedic brain: Sketch. Think tight premises, wacky characters, callbacks and hilarious buttons.
Dozens of the nation’s top sketch performers are going to be showing off all of these skills and more over the next few weekends at Austin Sketch Fest, which is returning to the Lone Star State for its 17th year.
Ashley Ellis, the festival’s executive producer, and Mimi Meier, a comedian and actor on the lineup this year, join the Standard with the details.
The gang delivers another custom poem.
The week in Texas politics
The Texas Tribune’s Jasper Scherer joins the Standard with a recap of the week that was in Texas politics.
