Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Wednesday, July 1, 2026.
ICE shifted attention towards people without criminal convictions
The Houston Chronicle examined Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrest records and found that after an initial focus on immigrants with criminal conventions or pending criminal charges, ICE increasingly shifted its attention toward people whose only known violation was related to immigration itself. Between February 2025 and February 2026, more than 38,000 people in Texas were arrested by ICE who had no criminal convictions or pending charges.
Julián Aguilar, who co-reported the story for the Houston Chronicle, joins the show with more.
275 recruits affected by flu outbreak at Lackland Air Force Base
A flu outbreak at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio started weeks ago after the military stopped requiring troops to receive flu shots, citing medical autonomy and religious freedom.
Bonnie Petrie reports for the American Homefront Project.
USMCA renewal negotiations underway
Several food and agricultural organizations from the U.S., Canada and Mexico are urging the three countries to renew a massive trade agreement.
Harvest Public Media’s Rachel Cramer reports.
How officials monitor this year’s high mosquito activity
You aren’t imagining it — health officials say mosquito activity appears to be higher than normal.
KUT News’ Alexandra Hart reports on how authorities in Central Texas keep an eye on mosquito populations and the diseases they carry.
Violence prevention plan tests San Antonio’s tightening budget
In 2024, local leaders in Bexar County implemented the Regional Violence Prevention Strategic Plan in hopes to bring down violent crime. So far, it’s seen as a success. However, this year, amid a tightening budget, the city council is facing a grim set of options: Can they keep what appears to be positive outcomes without breaking the bank?
San Antonio Report’s Diego Medel joins the Standard with the story.
Denton action figure artist immortalizes local legends
The latest episode of KERA Arts Docs, a video series highlighting the lives of North Texas artists, explores the work of David Bayon, who makes action figures of local legends like The PriceMaster and Tigerhead Keyboard Guy.
Marcheta Fornoff reports.
Live music is growing in Corpus Christi
The live music scene in Corpus Christi has been expanding for several years.
KEDT intern correspondent Gabriel Cando has some insights into its growth.
Fort Worth mayor’s husband listed as lobbyist for a data center advocacy group
David Parker has been a registered Texas lobbyist for over 20 years. He’s recently come under fire as his name was found listed as a lobbyist for the Data Center Coalition, an advocacy group for the development of data centers.
Cecilia Lenzen with the Fort Worth Report tells us what that actually means.
