Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Thursday, June 8, 2023:
Texas Senate moves forward with border and immigration bills, despite House absence
The Texas Senate passed three border-security and immigration-enforcement bills on Wednesday. The Texas Newsroom’s Julián Aguilar talks about the bills, and whether they have a path to passage with the House in recess.
New Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles promises sweeping reforms to 29 schools
The Texas Education Agency took over the Houston Independent School District last week, replacing the elected trustees with a Board of Managers and installing a new superintendent. Houston Public Media’s Dominic Anthony Walsh reports major reforms are already underway.
What are Texas lawmakers doing for maternal health?
During the regular legislative session in Austin this year, Texas lawmakers committed to better health coverage for new parents. KERA’s Elena Rivera reports it’s one way they’re addressing maternal health in the state:
The changes throwing baseball fans a curveball
Despite the big names and bigger contracts, baseball has developed, in some quarters, a reputation for being a little boring. To solve this, the MLB started a timer, or pitch clock, for its games. The change was initially met with backlash – but now games are shorter and viewership is up. So what’s this really mean for America’s pastime? Atlantic staff writer Mark Leibovich joins us with his take.
Apple unveils its $3,500 VR headset
Apple is entering the VR headset market with an augmented reality device headset called Vision Pro. In-person demos have tech reviewers impressed. But with an eyebrow-raising price of $3,500, it has many asking “who is this for?” Our go-to tech expert Omar Gallaga joins us with his take.
What’s the oldest music venue in Austin?
Across Texas, there are untold numbers of options for catching a performance. But there’s just one Texas city that claims to be the live music capital of the world. Austin, of course, has dozens and dozens of live music venues – which one is the oldest? KUT’s Miles Bloxson and Elizabeth McQueen wanted to find out.
Insurers are bailing on homes in disaster-prone regions. Is Texas next?
State Farm has announced it will no longer insure new homes in California, citing “rapidly growing catastrophe exposure.” In other words, there are just too many natural disasters in the state for the insurer to tolerate. What are the implications for Texas and its climate? University of Notre Dame professor Debra Javeline joins us with more.
All this, plus the Texas Newsroom’s state roundup and Wells Dunbar with the Talk of Texas.
