Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Monday, Feb. 20, 2023:
Will Texas foot the bill for Ken Paxton’s $3.3 million settlement?
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has negotiated a $3.3 million settlement with former employees turned whistleblowers who say they were wrongly fired. But whether the state should shoulder the cost of the settlement is a different matter. The Texas Newsroom’s Sergio Martínez-Beltrán tells us the Texas Legislature is mulling its options.
The U.S. says Russia committed crimes against humanity in Ukraine
The United States has determined that Russia committed crimes against humanity in Ukraine. The statements from Biden administration officials come as the Russia-Ukraine war approaches the one-year mark. South Texas College of Law Houston national security professor Geoffrey Corn has more.
Galveston is looking for public art
Galveston wants to invest in public arts projects. They’re looking for ideas from local artists. Houston Public Media’s Gail Delaughter says the city is offering thousands of dollars for two new commissions:
A Wall Street investigation poses high stakes for free speech
Most stock market investors hope their securities increase in value. But others in the market want to see certain stocks fall in order to profit. Now, some of these “short sellers” are in the crosshairs of investigators. Atlantic writer Evan Hughes has more.
Texans of color voice water quality concerns
With more boil-water notices and problems with infrastructure, Texans are concerned about the quality of their water. A new survey shows Black and Hispanic Texas are among those who are least likely to feel safe drinking what comes out of the tap. Texas Tribune reporter Jayme Lozano has more.
How North Texas theaters can make performances more accessible to the deaf
Specialists from Dallas’ Deaf Action Center are sharing what theaters can do to be more inclusive of people who are deaf or hard of hearing. KERA News’ Elizabeth Myong reports.
A deep dive on big plans at the Texas State Aquarium
The Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi takes on a new role next month: the largest coastal wildlife rescue facility in the state, and one of the largest in the country. Jesse Gilbert, aquarium president and CEO, joins us with an overview.
A new front could open into attacks on library books
Texas took the most library books off the shelves last year, according to free speech group PEN America. Could those numbers climb even higher in 2023? Axios reporter Asher Price has more on potential legal challenges in store.
All this, plus the Texas Newsroom’s state roundup and Wells Dunbar with the Talk of Texas.
