Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Thursday, June 18, 2026.
The top statewide races on Texas ballots this November
Texas’ top two statewide seats — governor and lieutenant governor — are both on the ballot this midterm election.
Joining the Standard with a look at the races is Brandon Rottinghaus, professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Houston.
What the World Cup has revealed so far
The World Cup is underway across North America, and Texas has already hosted memorable early matches as fans flock to stadiums in Dallas and Houston. With the U.S. men’s national team preparing for its next match, the tournament is entering a pivotal stretch.
USA Today’s Jon Arnold joins the Standard with more.
Shades for Migraine sheds light on the debilitating condition
Shades for Migraine is a global social media awareness campaign aimed at raising awareness and education about migraine disease, encouraging participants to wear sunglasses and share their support online.
We’ll learn more from a Texas campaign ambassador, Tonya Henry.
Meta’s facial recognition ambitions face fresh scrutiny
Meta is again drawing criticism over facial recognition after reports revealed it tested an unreleased feature that could identify people through its AI-powered smart glasses. The controversy has renewed questions about privacy, surveillance and the company’s long-running interest in biometric technology.
CNET’s Omar Gallaga joins the Standard with more.
The Day the Music Died and the Texas 250
As part of KUTX and Texas Standard’s Texas 250 initiative — taking your input to name the top 250 Texas songs — KUTX’s Matt Reilly is running down 10 big moments in Texas music history. Today, the “Day the Music Died.”
A Hill Country band keeps Boerne’s German roots alive
On summer evenings in downtown Boerne, the sound of brass instruments echoes across the town square as a community band celebrates the city’s German heritage. The longstanding tradition offers residents and visitors a musical connection to the past while keeping local history alive.
Texas Public Radio’s Jack Morgan reports.
How ‘The Dallas Way’ shaped a different path for LGBTQ rights
A new book explores the strategies LGBTQ advocates used to build political influence and protect civil rights in one of Texas’ most conservative cities. The approach became known as “The Dallas Way” and continues to influence conversations about activism and coalition-building today.
University of Texas at Tyler historian M. Rhys Dotson joins the Standard with more.
The week in Texas politics
The Texas Tribune’s Alejandro Serrano joins the Standard with a recap of the week that was in Texas politics.
