Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Wednesday, July 29, 2026.
New poll shows James Talarico leading Ken Paxton
A new poll places Democrat James Talarico five points ahead of Republican Ken Paxton in the race for Texas’ U.S. Senate seat — the first survey to show Talarico leading. The results come as the candidates vie for money and attention, and Paxton faces questions about his voter registration.
Texas Tribune Washington correspondent Gabby Birenbaum joins the Standard with more.
Warm winter and late freeze devastate Texas peach crop
Texas peach-growers are facing a difficult season after an unusually warm winter and a late freeze damaged much of the state’s crop. Farmers and produce-sellers are adjusting to limited supplies during what would normally be the height of peach season.
Houston Public Media environment reporter Natalie Weber reports.
Inside the data centers spreading across Texas
Hundreds of data centers are operating or planned across Texas as demand grows for the computing power behind artificial intelligence, cloud storage and other digital services. The first installment of KUT’s “The Data Center Next Door” series explains what happens inside these facilities and why so many are being built.
KUT’s Leigh Walden, Kailey Hunt and Katy McAfee report.
A peek inside a Texas wolf sanctuary
Wolves used to roam Texas in the tens of thousands. Now functionally extinct in the state, the remaining wolves are trafficked in the illegal pet trade.
Nicole Rogers at the St. Francis Wolf Sanctuary discusses how her facility cares and advocates for this misunderstood keystone species.
Nearly a decade after Texas shifted much of its foster care system to private contractors, dozens of child placement agencies have closed. An investigation into one provider, Hope Rising, examines how financial pressures and oversight failures have affected efforts to place vulnerable children close to home.
Willow Higgins has been reporting this story for the Texas Observer and joins the Standard with more.
Judge sides with Second Baptist Church in voting dispute
A Houston judge has ruled in favor of Second Baptist Church in a lawsuit brought by members who challenged the megachurch’s decision to eliminate congregational voting rights. The dispute involves church governance, billions of dollars in assets and broader questions about how far courts can intervene in religious institutions.
Houston Chronicle religion reporter Adrian Ashford joins the Standard with more.
