Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Tuesday, June 21, 2022:
Uvalde Police video revelations show armed officers, but no clear plan
A damning picture of police failure is emerging in Uvalde, where 19 children and two teachers were slain in a mass shooting. Rifles, a ballistics shield and a door-busting tool were at Robb Elementary School within 20 minutes – but police still waited nearly another hour to storm the classroom. Texas Tribune editor Terri Langford has put together a timeline and joins us today.
Did Uvalde Police even try opening the door? Evidence suggests they didn’t.
We’re told that the hour-plus wait by law enforcement to storm Robb Elementary classrooms hinged on waiting for keys. The Uvalde CISD police chief was adamant about getting a master key for one of the classroom doors the shooter had gone into first. But the San Antonio Express-News reports the door to that classroom was never locked in the first place. Brian Chasnoff, an investigative reporter for the Express-News, joins us to explain more.
Wildfires bring both consequences and ecological benefits
Texas is facing an intense wildfire season, with over 200,000 acres burned so far. Wildfires can have devastating consequences for people, agriculture and the environment. But they also bring some positive ecological effects. KACU’s Sheridan Wood reports from the aftermath of the Mesquite Heat wildfire in Taylor County, which was contained about three weeks ago.
Dallas City Manager T.C. Broadnax is on the hot seat. What led up to this?
There’s disagreement among Dallas City Council members about city manager T. C. Broadnax’s performance. The mayor and some members are frustrated with his work and even tried to move up his evaluation so they could decide his future. But others have spoken highly of his work crafting the city’s budget. KERA’s Alejandra Martinez reports now Broadnax’s evaluation is coming up on Thursday, as originally scheduled.
Snake season s-s-s-starts in Texas
An unwanted visitor – the slithering variety – may find its way into Texans’ yards this summer. As temperatures hit triple digits across Texas, the possibility of a snake sighting is all the more likely. Greg Pandelis, curator of UT-Arlington’s Amphibian and Reptile Diversity Research Center, joins us to discuss “snake season.”
RGV PRIDE organizer teaches acceptance in his community
Steven Cano is the lead coordinator for RGV PRIDE, an organization that hosts an annual LGBTQ+ family-friendly event that encompasses the entire Rio Grande Valley. As a gay Latino man, pride month isn’t just an opportunity for Steven to express who he is, but a chance to educate his community on the acceptance and inclusivity still needed within his region.
Kerrville morning radio host transitions in a very public way
For someone who is transgender, their journey is typically complicated. Transitioning is a huge step, and can be even more daunting in a small town – and when you’re a local celebrity. Texas Public Radio’s Jerry Clayton has this story.
What these pending Supreme Court decisions mean for Texas
While people in Texas and across the country wait to see if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns federal abortion protections, there are also a handful of other pending opinions from the high court with Texas implications. Steve Vladeck, the Charles Alan Wright Chair in Federal Courts at the University of Texas School of Law, tells us more.
All this, plus the Texas Newsroom’s state roundup and Wells Dunbar with the Talk of Texas.
