Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Monday, Sept. 8, 2025:
How Republicans and Democrats fared with second special session wrapped
Texas’ second special legislative session wrapped up last week, capping a summer made already tense following further partisan entrenchment during the regular session. Democrats now find themselves further marginalized at the Capitol as Republicans grow ever-more unified.
Kayla Guo covers state politics and government for The Texas Tribune and joins us with a breakdown.
What’s behind the rising price of beef?
If you buy beef, you may have noticed that it’s gotten more expensive lately. In fact, beef prices in the U.S. are the highest they’ve ever been, at an average of $9.60 per pound, according to the USDA.
So, when might they come down again? For Harvest Public Media, the Texas Standard’s Michael Marks tried to find out.
This week in Texas music history: Amos Milburn makes his Aladdin debut
Jason Mellard with The Center for Texas Music History at Texas State University has the story:
Baylor University claims to be the rightful owner of an interlocking BU trademark logo, and in a newly filed federal lawsuit it’s demanding that Boston University be barred from using a logo it describes as essentially identical.
It’s a fight that’s been in the making for more than a century. Naheed Rajwani-Dharsi has been reporting on the battle for Axios and brings us the details.
What to know as black bears range reclamation spreads to East Texas
For several years, black bears have gradually spread throughout the Trans-Pecos region. But recently, bear sightings in East Texas have earned headlines, too. The Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife confirmed that a black bear had been seen in Cherokee, Anderson, Panola and Rusk counties in August.
Dana Karelus, state mammal specialist at TPWD, joins Texas Standard to discuss.
How Texas students are dealing with state’s new anti-DEI law
Senate Bill 12, a law that bans diversity, equity and inclusion in Texas public schools, took effect last week. But students in some school districts were already feeling its impact even before it officially became law.
Texas Public Radio education reporter Camille Phillips spoke to two of those students and their families.
Falling oil prices leading some companies to reduce workforces
Newsweek reports that Houston-based ConocoPhillips plans to lay off up to a quarter of its workforce, or roughly 3,200 employees and contractors. The company says it’s part of streamlining and restructuring.
A number of other oil companies have announced similar plans this year as oil prices and crude oil futures have fallen. And against that backdrop, some news came in over the weekend from OPEC, which has been increasing production since April.
Matt Smith, head analyst at Kpler, joins us to break it all down.
