Here’s what’s coming up on Texas Standard for Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. Listen on your Texas public radio station, or ask your smart speaker to play Texas Standard. Check back later today for updated story links and audio.
Trump pardons Rep. Henry Cuellar ahead of trial
President Trump has issued a preemptive pardon for Democratic U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, who had been awaiting trial on federal bribery charges. The surprise move is prompting questions about political implications in an election year and how the decision effects Cuellar’s standing with both parties.
Bayliss Wagner, politics reporter for Hearst Newspapers, joins Texas Standard with more.
Texas becomes first state to purchase bitcoin
Texas has made its first public investment in cryptocurrency, purchasing $5 million in bitcoin through an exchange-traded fund. Supporters say the strategic reserve, authorized under Senate Bill 21, positions the state for financial innovation, while critics warn of volatility and risk to public dollars.
Trevor Bach, business trends reporter with the Dallas Morning News, joins the Standard with the story.
Buggin’ out with Wizzie Brown
Wizzie Brown is a program specialist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and our go-to insect expert. She joins with what’s buggin’ her.
What streaming’s ‘Wrapped’ season reveals about media habits
As Spotify releases its annual Wrapped report, Apple, Amazon and YouTube have rolled out their own end-of-year recaps. Each platform offers different insights into user behavior and the growing competition to shape how listeners reflect on the past year.
Tech journalist Omar Gallaga joins Texas Standard to explain what’s new in the 2025 roundup landscape.
Why many Texas communities decline state flood-prevention grants
Following deadly floods in Kerr County, scrutiny has grown over why local governments across Texas have rejected tens of millions of dollars in state flood-mitigation grants. A new investigation shows concerns about matching requirements, long-term upkeep and project fit.
Lexi Churchill of ProPublica and the Texas Tribune joins the Standard to share her reporting.
Melissa Carper releases new holiday album ‘A Very Carper Christmas’
Austin singer-songwriter Melissa Carper is out with a new holiday album blending originals and classic covers across country, swing, Cajun and folk styles. The record explores both festive joy and seasonal melancholy, drawing on personal memories and longtime collaborators.
Melissa Carper joins Texas Standard to talk about making holiday music year-round.
The gang delivers another custom poem.
The week in Texas politics
The Texas Tribune politics editor Jasper Scherer joins the Standard with a recap of the week that was in Texas politics.
