Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Friday, March 20, 2026. Check back later today for updated story links and audio.
Corpus Christi faces urgent timeline as water crisis deepens
Corpus Christi is accelerating its response to a looming water shortage, with state officials stepping in as reservoirs reach historic lows.
Dylan Baddour of Inside Climate News joins the Texas Standard to explain how the crisis escalated, what emergency actions are underway and what it could mean for the region’s future.
Residents grapple with uncertainty as water restrictions tighten
Communities across the Corpus Christi region are already living under water use restrictions as supplies dwindle.
KEDT’s Spencer Cihak reports on how residents are responding to the crisis.
Experts warn Corpus crisis reflects broader Texas water challenges
The water emergency unfolding in Corpus Christi highlights deeper concerns about long-term supply across the state.
Robert Mace, executive director of the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University, joins the Standard to explain how drought, population growth and infrastructure limits converge in the crisis.
The art of beachcombing along the Texas coast
For one coastal researcher, a walk along the beach can uncover everything from message bottles to rare marine life.
Jace Tunnell, community engagement director at the Harte Research Institute, joins the show to talk about his beachcombing discoveries and how they offer insight into ocean health.
Corpus Christi’s music scene blends legacy with new sounds
Corpus Christi’s musical identity stretches from Tejano legends to a new generation of genre-blending artists.
Musician and producer Dusty Oliveira, also known as El Dusty, joins Texas Standard to discuss the city’s creative evolution and how traditional sounds are being reimagined.
Texas State Aquarium leads coastal wildlife rescue efforts
Beyond its exhibits, the Texas State Aquarium plays a major role in rescuing and rehabilitating marine animals along the Gulf Coast.
CEO Jesse Gilbert joins the Texas Standard to explain how the operation works – from responding to mass strandings to releasing animals back into the wild.
