Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Wednesday, May 27, 2026.
Ken Paxton’s Senate runoff win reshapes the Texas GOP landscape
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton handily defeated longtime U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in one of the state’s most closely watched Republican runoffs, setting up a high-profile Senate race against Democrat James Talarico this fall. The outcome is already fueling debate about the direction of the Texas GOP and the influence of former President Donald Trump within the party.
Blaise Gainey of the Texas Newsroom and Lauren McGaughy of the New York Times join Texas Standard with more.
A new study suggests voting may be linked to a longer life
Roughly 2 million Texans voted in this year’s primary runoffs, and new research suggests civic participation may come with health benefits beyond politics. Scientists studying voting patterns found a connection between casting ballots and reduced mortality risk, though researchers are still working to better understand the relationship.
Texas Public Radio’s David Martin Davies reports.
W.F. Strong recalls a beach race unlike any leisurely Gulf Coast stroll
Texas beaches are often associated with slow walks, seashell-hunting and long summer afternoons. But commentator
W.F. Strong recalls a very different tradition along the Gulf Coast: A grueling race to walk the length of Padre Island as quickly as possible.
Green card applicants could soon face new hurdles under policy changes
The Trump administration is changing how some immigrants apply for green cards, potentially requiring more applicants already living in the United States to return to their home countries during the process. Immigration attorneys and policy experts say the shift could create uncertainty for families, workers and visa-holders navigating the system.
Rebecca Santana of the Associated Press joins the Standard with an overview.
The filmmakers behind ‘Magic Hour’ are still embracing low-budget storytelling
More than two decades after “The Puffy Chair” helped define a generation of independent filmmaking, Mark Duplass and Katie Aselton are returning with a new collaborative project rooted in the same stripped-down creative spirit. Their latest film, “Magic Hour,” arrives in Texas theaters this weekend with a focus on intimate storytelling and small-scale production.
Katie Aselton and Mark Duplass join the Standard with a preview.
Texas runoff results sharpen the picture in key US House race
While the Senate runoff drew most of the attention this election season, several closely watched congressional contests across Texas are helping define the state’s future representation in Washington. These included Houston’s HD 9 and HD 18 and the Dallas area’s HD 33.
Gabby Birenbaum of the Texas Tribune and Rice University political scientist Mark Jones join Texas Standard with a recap.
