Here’s what’s coming up on Texas Standard for Monday, May 18, 2026. Listen on your Texas public radio station, or ask your smart speaker to play Texas Standard. Check back later today for updated story links and audio.
Texas Children’s settles gender care fight with unprecedented clinic deal
Texas Children’s Hospital has agreed to a first-of-its-kind settlement with the state of Texas over allegations it provided prohibited gender-transition treatments to minors. The deal includes a $10 million payment and the creation of what Attorney General Ken Paxton calls the nation’s first “detransition clinic.”
Texas Tribune reporter Terri Langford joins the Standard to explain the allegations, the legal settlement, and why critics say the agreement could reshape medical decision-making in Texas.
Texas Republicans head into a high-stakes Senate runoff
Early voting begins in the Republican Senate primary runoff between incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Houston Public Media’s Andrew Schneider reports on how GOP voters are weighing the contest and whether the party can quickly reunite ahead of November’s midterms.
This week in Texas music history
Jason Mellard of the Center for Texas Music History marks the calendar.
Texas Redbacks spark lawsuit over gold-backed notes
The state’s new “Texas Redbacks” look and feel like currency, contain small amounts of real gold, and are issued through the state-run bullion depository — but Texas insists they are only commemorative collectibles.
Texas Monthly writer Sasha von Oldershausen joins the Standard to unpack why a major precious-metals dealer is suing the state, arguing the notes may come too close to functioning like government-issued money.
What the Iran stalemate means for Texas oil and gas
As tensions with Iran continue to disrupt global energy markets, Kpler oil analyst Matt Smith joins the Standard to break down how the Strait of Hormuz bottleneck, U.S.-China diplomacy and rising fuel prices are affecting Texas producers and consumers alike, from export opportunities to pain at the gas pump.
Why accessibility needs to shape the future of AI
A new book called “Digital Accessibility Ethics: Disability Inclusion in All Things Tech” argues accessibility should be foundational to how technology is designed — not treated as an afterthought.
Editors Lainey Feingold and Jutta Treviranus join the Standard to discuss disability inclusion, AI ethics and the risks of building technology around the what they dub the “trivial needs of the majority.”
Attack drones are changing battlefield medicine
Drones now account for a huge share of casualties in modern warfare, including in Ukraine — and they’re also making it harder to evacuate and treat wounded troops.
Jay Price reports for the American Homefront Project on how military medicine is adapting to a battlefield where drones are constantly overhead.
