Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Thursday, June 4, 2026. Check back later today for updated story links and audio.
Could a Libertarian swing Texas’ Senate race?
Polls suggest the matchup between Ken Paxton and James Talarico could be unusually tight — tight enough that Libertarian Ted Brown may matter more than expected.
Houston Public Media’s Andrew Schneider explains why both parties are watching the race closely.
The New World screwworm is back in Texas for the first time since 1966
A parasitic pest once considered eradicated in the U.S. has been confirmed in a South Texas calf. Texas Standard’s Michael Marks joins us to explain why ranchers are alarmed — and what officials are trying to do to stop a wider outbreak.
Pantera thrashes into the Texas 250
As part of KUTX and Texas Standard’s Texas 250 initiative — taking your input to the top 250 Texas songs — KUTX’s Matt Reilly is running down 10 big moments in Texas music history, turning today to Texas’ own Cowboys From Hell, Pantera.
Lockheed Martin lands major defense contracts amid global tensions
Fort Worth defense giant Lockheed Martin has secured hundreds of millions of dollars in new Pentagon contracts tied to F-35 production.
Fort Worth Report business reporter Eric Garcia breaks down what’s being built and why.
Erin Brockovich wants Texans to help track data centers
As concerns grow over data centers’ impact on water and the electric grid, environmental activist Erin Brockovich is launching a public mapping project.
Tech expert Omar Gallaga joins us with details.
A photographic portrait of Black Texas and the American South
Photographer Rahim Fortune’s new collection “Kinship & Community” documents Black life, memory and culture through deeply personal images rooted in Texas and beyond. He joins the Standard with more.
What does San Antonio do better than New York?
With the Spurs facing the Knicks in the NBA Finals, Texas Public Radio’s Dan Katz defends San Antonio’s honor — from breakfast tacos and Fiesta to friendliness and H-E-B.
