Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Monday, July 14, 2025:
Kerrville still reeling as search continues and questions grow
It’s been more than a week since catastrophic flooding devastated the Texas Hill Country. The death toll continues to rise, and questions remain about warning systems and emergency alerts. With more rain falling in the region over the weekend, many in Kerr County are watching the skies.
KERA accountability reporter James Hartley has been in Kerrville since Saturday and joins us with the latest:
Faith amid the floodwaters in Kerrville
For many in Kerr County, Sunday marked the first return to church since the catastrophic July 4th floods. As rain continued to fall and search efforts paused, residents gathered for worship – seeking comfort, connection and strength.
KERA’s James Hartley spoke with congregants about grief, faith and the long road ahead:
U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar makes appeal for tomato industry
Cuellar and Ramiro Cavazos, the president and CEO of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, held a press conference on Saturday to urge the Trump administration to extend the Tomato Suspension Agreement or risk economic damage to business sectors built on stable tomato prices. Texas Public Radio’s Jerry Clayton reports.
Mexico falling short on water treaty as Rio Conchos dries up
Under a 1944 treaty, Mexico is supposed to send 1.75 million acre-feet of water to the U.S. every five years. But with just months left in the current cycle, only 28% has been delivered – a shortfall with serious implications for South Texas farmers and communities.
One reason? A key source, the Rio Conchos in Chihuahua, is drying up. Chilton Tippin has been reporting on this for the Texas Observer and joins us with more.
Texas trucking industry faces new border bottleneck
The Trump administration is enforcing an English-language requirement for commercial drivers, and some Mexican truckers are losing their licenses. Reports of license seizures in Texas and other southern states are raising concerns about supply chain slowdowns and worker rights.
John D. Esparza, head of the Texas Trucking Association, joins the Standard with the latest.
Iranian heritage inspires Austin filmmaker
Austin filmmaker Bita Ghassemi’s new film “Firewall” is a passion project – inspired by her own childhood and touching on the complex issues faced by Iranian diaspora. She shares what the film means to her, as well as where she hopes to take it.
As the search for flood victims continues in Central Texas, so does the quiet work of recovery. Along with mud and debris, volunteers are finding children’s toys scattered in the wreckage.
KUT’s Audrey McGlinchy reports on the stuffed animals turning up in the flood zone and the efforts to return them home.
Why is it so tough to get disaster alerts right?
After complaints about an unhelpful Blue Alert in the Panhandle last year and fresh outrage following deadly flooding in Central Texas, public safety warning systems are under scrutiny.
Wall Street Journal reporter Drew FitzGerald has been digging into the systemic failures and joins the Standard with more.
All this, plus the Texas Newsroom’s state roundup and Wells Dunbar with the Talk of Texas.
