Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. Check back later today for updated story links and audio.
Ted Cruz and Colin Allred to face off in Dallas debate tonight
Tonight, the WFAA Studios in Dallas will host the first and only debate between Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz and his Democratic challenger, Colin Allred. National attention is focused on the race, as Democrats aim to hold onto their slim Senate majority. The Cook Political Report recently re-ranked the race as more competitive, but polls still show Cruz with a slight lead.
Blaise Gainey, state Capitol reporter for the Texas Newsroom, joins the Standard with a preview.
New tool aims to simplify college applications for Texas students
A new tool shows which state public universities would accept applicants based on their credentials before they apply. The goal is to make the application process easier and remove barriers that might discourage students from applying.
Kate McGee, who covers higher education for The Texas Tribune, shares more about how the Direct Admissions tool works and what it means for students. She joins the Standard with the details.
How women’s pro basketball traces its roots to Houston
On Wednesday night, the New York Liberty will face the Minnesota Lynx in Minneapolis for the third game of the WNBA finals. This season set new records for attendance and TV ratings, a testament to how far the league has come. Back in the late ’70s, the Women’s Professional Basketball League debuted with eight teams, including the Houston Angels, who were the league’s first champions.
Houston Chronicle sports reporter Danielle Lerner joins the Standard to talk about the Angels’ legacy and the evolution of women’s professional basketball.
Celebrating Selena: Artist Stephanie Bergara’s journey
Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, Texas Standard has highlighted trailblazers across the state. One Austin-based artist has dedicated the past decade to honoring the legacy of the Queen of Tejano while making a name for herself.
KUT’s Jerry Quijano brings us the story of how Stephanie Bergara is closing one chapter and beginning another, as part of a special report for sister station KUTX.
The Texas Farm Workers Union’s ambitious 1,600-mile march
In the 1970s, the Texas Farm Workers Union used various methods to draw national attention to the struggles of agricultural workers. In this second part of a three-part series, Texas Standard digital producer Raul Alonzo speaks with individuals who participated in the union’s 1,600-mile march from Austin to Washington, D.C., a powerful undertaking aimed at amplifying farmworkers’ voices and demands for change.
Amateur radio operators keep communication alive during hurricanes
Volunteer amateur radio operators have been vital in maintaining communication during Hurricane Helene, and now, Hurricane Milton. These operators ensure information flows smoothly, especially when other systems fail. Texas Public Radio’s Jerry Clayton, an amateur radio operator himself, reports from San Antonio on the crucial role these volunteers play in disaster response.
All this, plus Alexandra Hart with the Texas Newsroom’s state roundup and Wells Dunbar with the Talk of Texas.
