Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Monday, Nov. 17, 2025.
How the 2026 attorney general race is taking shape
With both major parties preparing for Texas’ 2026 attorney general primary, early candidate fields are beginning to emerge and policy themes are taking form. Analysts say the race could test how Texans view the office in the aftermath of years of political and legal turmoil.
Eleanor Klibanoff, law and politics reporter for the Texas Tribune, joins Texas Standard.
Parents remain unaware of new school voucher program
Texas lawmakers approved a billion-dollar education savings account program set to launch next school year, but a recent Texas Southern University study shows many parents still don’t know it exists. Researchers found gaps in outreach and uneven interest across racial and political lines.
Mark Jones, co-author of the report and professor at Rice University, joins the Standard with the findings.
Texas high school attrition rate hits record low
Texas’ high school attrition rate has dropped to 18 percent – the lowest level recorded since statewide tracking began. Analysts say demographic shifts, targeted programs and pandemic recovery efforts may be driving improvement.
Texas Public Radio’s Camille Phillips reports on what the new numbers reveal about student retention statewide.
Inside Elon Musk’s push for a Wikipedia rival
Elon Musk’s new platform Grokipedia aims to challenge Wikipedia with a self-described overhaul of online information. While Musk’s supporters hail it as a needed alternative, critics question its accuracy, oversight and rightward political slant.
John Herrman, tech columnist for New York Magazine, joins Texas Standard to discuss what he found digging through the site.
Why tiny plastic ‘nurdles’ are costing Texas
Plastic beads known as nurdles continue washing up along the Texas Gulf Coast, raising concerns for wildlife, tourism, and fishing industries. Now, environmental groups are urging state leaders to crack down on releases from plastics facilities.
Chris Gray, Gulf Coast reporter for Chron.com, joins the Standard to explain the environmental and economic stakes.
This week in Texas music history
Jason Mellard with The Center for Texas Music History at Texas State University consults the calendar.
Hayden Pedigo’s new music and a year of shifts
Texas-born guitarist Hayden Pedigo is earning national accolades for his latest releases – his acoustic, instrumental LP “I’ll Be Waving as You Drive Away” and “In the Earth Again,” a collaborative album with noise rockers Chat Pile.
He joins the show to reflect on his move from Amarillo to Oklahoma City, his creative process and his tour across Texas.
How US-Saudi talks could reshape natural gas markets
As the Saudi crown prince meets with President Trump this week, energy analysts expect major natural gas discussions to unfold behind the scenes. With U.S. production climbing and global demand shifting, Texas manufacturers and LNG exporters are watching closely.
Matt Smith, head energy analyst at Kpler, joins the Standard.
