Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Tuesday, May 26, 2026.
UT, A&M researchers find cities can change the way storms behave
After analyzing more than 40,000 storms across Dallas, Austin, San Antonio and Houston, researchers found urban areas can influence where storms form and how intense they become. The study examined decades of climate data to better understand how cities interact with weather systems and what that could mean for future risk and planning.
Texas State Climatologist John Nielsen-Gammon joins Texas Standard with the findings.
Texans are still traveling despite higher summer costs
Millions of Texans hit the road and boarded flights over Memorial Day weekend even as gas and airfare prices climbed amid international tensions and economic uncertainty. Travelers are adjusting their plans and budgets rather than skipping vacations altogether, signaling strong demand heading into the summer season.
Natalie Weber of Houston Public Media reports.
Waymo pulls autonomous vehicles from Texas streets over flooding concerns
Waymo has temporarily suspended service in several cities, including Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio, following safety concerns tied to severe weather and flooding conditions. The move comes amid a broader federal investigation and a separate recall involving the company’s driverless fleet.
Texas Standard producer Shelly Brisbin joins the Standard with the latest.
The Spurs have turned the Western Conference Finals into a fight again
The San Antonio Spurs evened their playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder with a dominant Game 4 performance that shifted momentum heading into a crucial stretch on the road. Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs’ young core are drawing national attention as the series becomes a showcase for two rising NBA powers.
Texas Public Radio’s Dan Katz joins Texas Standard with an update.
Sarah Damoff explores family strain and emotional fallout in ‘The Burning Side’
North Texas novelist Sarah Damoff returns with a new novel centered on a family rebuilding after a devastating house fire exposes deeper fractures within a marriage. “The Burning Side” examines grief, emotional labor and the complicated dynamics that emerge during recovery and reinvention.
“Burning Side” author Sarah Damoff joins the program with more.
Texas voters head to the polls as key runoff races take shape
Primary runoff elections are wrapping up across Texas, with several closely watched races expected to shape both state and national politics heading into November. From the Republican Senate runoff to open statewide contests and competitive congressional seats, political observers are watching for signs of shifting power within both parties.
Rice University political scientist Mark Jones joins Texas Standard with five things to watch this Election Day.
