Here’s what’s coming up on Texas Standard for Thursday, March 5, 2026. Check back later today for updated story links and audio.
House Ethics Committee probes Rep. Tony Gonzales after affair admission as runoff looms
U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales is facing a House Ethics Committee investigation after admitting to an affair with a former staffer, whose death last year brought renewed scrutiny to the relationship. The announcement came a day after Gonzales was forced into a primary runoff.
Benjamin Weiss, who covers Congress for Courthouse News Service, explains how ethics investigations typically unfold and what this could mean for Gonzales’ reelection bid.
Bobby Pulido’s District 15 win spotlights Latino voter shifts in South Texas
Tejano music star Bobby Pulido won the Democratic primary in Texas’ 15th Congressional District, setting up a general election matchup with Republican Monica De La Cruz. The race is being closely watched as a potential bellwether for Latino voter trends.
Journalist and cultural anthropologist Cecilia Ballí, writing in the Texas Observer, discusses Pulido’s campaign strategy and what the primary results may signal for November.
Texas Film Awards celebrate 25 years of honoring cinema in Austin
The Texas Film Awards return to Austin, continuing a more than 25-year tradition of honoring actors, directors and film industry figures with ties to the state.
Holly Herrick, head of film and creative media at the Austin Film Society, previews this year’s ceremony and reflects on how the awards have helped spotlight Texas’ creative community.
Street vendors in Texas navigate uncertainty amid immigration fears
Nearly a decade after political rhetoric warned of “taco trucks on every corner,” street vendors in Texas are confronting renewed anxiety under the current Trump administration.
Mando Rayo, host of the Tacos of Texas podcast, shares what he’s hearing from vendors in Austin and how immigration enforcement concerns are affecting small, mobile food businesses.
Apple unveils MacBook Neo and new devices amid tariff and pricing pressures
Apple rolled out a series of product updates this week, including a lower-priced MacBook Neo starting at $599, along with refreshed iPhones, iPads and MacBooks powered by Apple-designed chips.
Tech journalist Omar Gallaga of CNET explains what stands out in this round of announcements and how tariffs and rising component costs could influence prices.
Life aboard: Exploring Texas liveaboard communities
For some Texans, living full-time on a boat is a lifestyle choice; for others, it’s a financial necessity.
In a report from Houston Public Media, Julianna Washburn offers a glimpse into daily life for liveaboards and the communities forming along Texas waterways.
W.F. Strong explores the value of classic Texas books
Texas Standard commentator W.F. Strong examines the world of rare and collectible Texas books, reflecting on what classic titles in good condition might be worth.
Strong, a professor of communication at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, shares stories from a recent visit with book collectors in Dallas.
New York Times investigation maps Elon Musk’s expanding web of companies in Texas
A New York Times investigation identified roughly 90 companies and legal entities tied to Elon Musk in Texas, many with unclear purposes.
Kirsten Grind, who reported the story with Susanne Craig and Alex Klavens, discusses how the companies connect to Musk’s business empire and political activity — and what disclosure laws do or do not require.
