Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026.
Questions after FAA closes, reopens El Paso airspace
While most residents were asleep, the Federal Aviation Administration shut down the airspace around El Paso and parts of southern New Mexico for ten days, halting commercial flights in and out of the region. While the halt was lifted this morning, the order came without advance public explanation and created major transportation disruption.
KTEP news director Angela Kocherga joins the Standard with newly updated information.
West Texas Democrats hopeful after Taylor Rehmet’s upset victory
The surprise special election runoff win by Democrat and labor leader Taylor Rehmet in Texas Senate District 9 stunned political observers across the state. Now, Democratic candidates in deep red West Texas districts say they’re studying that strategy for their own races.
KTTZ’s Brad Burt reports from Lubbock on how local Democrats are responding.
South Texas researchers use AI and imaging tech to detect harmful algal blooms
Researchers in South Texas say artificial intelligence models and advanced underwater imaging are helping them detect harmful algal blooms like red tide earlier than before. The technology could help protect wildlife and public health – and save millions of dollars for coastal businesses.
KEDT’s Rob Boscamp reports from Corpus Christi.
Department of Veterans Affairs plans largest health system reorganization in decades
Leaders at the Department of Veterans Affairs are planning what could be the largest reorganization of the VA health care system in three decades. Officials say the changes are aimed at improving efficiency, but some VA workers and members of Congress are skeptical about whether patient care will improve.
Jay Price reports for the American Homefront Project.
Texas Republicans campaign against Islam ahead of midterms
In campaign ads and public events, Republican candidates across Texas are increasingly making opposition to Islam a talking point ahead of the midterm elections. From U.S. Senate ads to state legislation, critics say the rhetoric targets a small minority population for political gain.
Forrest Wilder, senior writer at Texas Monthly, joins Texas Standard to discuss where this messaging is appearing and why.
New novel ‘Dark Texas’ imagines total grid collapse after 2021 winter storm
The February 2021 winter storm left millions without power and put Texas within minutes of total grid failure. In his debut novel “Dark Texas,” author Charles J. Petrie imagines what might have happened if the grid had fully collapsed, triggering cascading crises across the state.
Petrie joins the Standard to discuss the story and how it connects to real-world infrastructure concerns.
New collaborative investigation with Texas, California Newsrooms
A months-long investigation by The Texas Newsroom and The California Newsroom has implications for both states.
Mark Betancourt, a lead reporter on the investigation, joins Texas Standard with details.
