Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Wednesday, May 20, 2026. Check back later today for updated story links and audio.
Trump backs Paxton in high-stakes Senate runoff
President Trump has officially endorsed Attorney General Ken Paxton in Texas’ closely watched Republican Senate runoff against longtime incumbent John Cornyn.
Houston Public Media political reporter Andrew Schneider joins the Standard to talk about the late-breaking nature of the endorsement, whether it changes the race, and what the increasingly bitter GOP divide could mean heading into November.
Texas leads the nation in hail damage
Texas sees more hail damage than any other state in the country, but scientists still don’t fully understand why some storms suddenly turn destructive.
Texas Public Radio’s David Martin Davies reports on the growing costs of hail and new research aimed at better predicting it.
Do immigrants feel safe calling 911? Austin leaders debate
Austin leaders are still divided over whether residents without legal status can safely contact emergency services without fear of immigration consequences.
KUT News’ Luz Moreno-Lozano reports on the debate surrounding police policy and public trust.
A Uvalde tragedy led to an unexpected connection
Nearly four years after the Robb Elementary shooting, grief still shapes daily life in Uvalde.
But as KERA News’ Priscilla Rice reports, one woman who lost family members in the attack found an unexpected bond with a North Texas artist who came to town hoping to help the community heal.
A ‘super’ El Niño could reshape Texas weather
Meteorologists say a strong El Niño pattern is beginning to develop in the Pacific — and it could bring major changes to Texas weather later this year.
NOAA drought specialist Joel Lisonbee joins the show to discuss what that could mean for drought, flooding and hurricane season across the state.
Prison inmates are helping train shelter dogs in Austin
A new partnership between the Austin Animal Center and a state prison in East Austin is giving shelter dogs a better shot at adoption.
The Texas Standard’s Sarah Asch visited the Travis Unit, where incarcerated trainers are helping socialize and prepare dogs for new homes.
Texas expands disability indicators on driver licenses
Texas drivers with communication differences, including autism and deafness, can now add new indicators to their state IDs and licenses aimed at improving interactions with law enforcement.
Jennifer Allen joins Texas Standard to discuss the Driving with Disabilities program and the push behind the Samuel Allen Law.
