Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024.
Texas House subpoena could delay execution of Robert Roberson
An East Texas man, Robert Roberson, is set to be executed tonight for the 2002 murder of his 2-year-old daughter – a crime many now doubt he committed. While the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles denied clemency, a surprise subpoena from a House subcommittee has left Roberson’s fate uncertain.
El Paso Democrat Joe Moody, who chairs the committee, joins the Standard with more on this unprecedented move:
Latino voters in North Texas share top election concerns
Early voting for the November election starts Monday – and beyond the headlines, reporters have been hearing directly from voters.
KERA’s Pablo Arauz Peña spoke with Latinos across North Texas and reports that while issues like reproductive rights and political division matter, the economy remains their top concern.
Texas sees record-breaking wildfire threat in 2024
It’s been a dangerous year for wildfires in Texas, with the Smokehouse Creek Fire – the largest in state history – burning over a million acres. Despite cooler fall temperatures, worsening drought has kept burn bans in place across more than 150 counties. Gov. Greg Abbott has issued a disaster declaration, urging Texans to stay prepared.
Erin O’Connor of the Texas A&M Forest Service joins the Standard to share tips on wildfire safety and emergency planning.
Tarrant County judge leads county into culture wars
Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare, known for his far-right stance, has brought culture war issues to local government since taking office in 2022. Jeremy Schwartz of the ProPublica-Texas Tribune reports on O’Hare’s impact, particularly at the county commissioners court.
Schwartz joins the Standard to discuss the political shifts in North Texas.
“Austin City Limits” celebrates 50 years on PBS
Fifty years ago, a performance by Willie Nelson was filmed for what would become “Austin City Limits,” the longest-running show of its kind. The series, under producer Terry Lickona, would later define Austin’s eclectic music scene, showcasing a mix of genres and talent before they made it big. Lickona joins the Standard with more.
AI-driven phishing scams target Gmail users
Security experts are warning about a rise in AI-enhanced phishing scams that target Gmail users. Scammers are using everything from fake Google notifications to AI-generated calls mimicking real support numbers.
Omar Gallaga, a tech expert following this trend for CNET, joins the Standard with the latest on how these scams are evolving.
All this, plus Alexandra Hart with the Texas Newsroom’s state roundup and Wells Dunbar with the Talk of Texas.
