My friend, Jac Darsnek, owner of the always remarkable Traces of Texas webpage sent me a message recently. He asked if I had ever told the story of Dora Hand on the radio. I said, no, but I will. Thanks for the suggestion Jac. Here we go: Dora Hand, many said, was the most beautiful…
Texas Cowboy Moves to Montana
by W. F. Strong (adapted from folklore) I think we’re in need of humor more now than ever before. So I thought I’d share with you this bit of classic Texas folklore. You may well have heard it before and, if you have, I’m sure you won’t mind hearing it again. If you haven’t heard…
Texas Standard: November 14, 2019
A fact finding process in an era of fake news: do the facts still matter? We’ll look at some Texas takeaways from the impeachment hearing so far. Also, new guidelines for how the state tabulates ballots. Are we getting early warning signals about problems for 2020? We’ll take a look. Plus, what can dogs tell…
Texas Standard: July 5, 2018
A new outbreak in Texas of a fast spreading parasitic disease. How bad is it and where’s it coming from? We’ll hear about the search for answers. Also, critics are calling it the treason trip. A group of Republicans from Capitol Hill spending their Independence Day break in Moscow meeting with Russian officials to discuss…
Texas Standard: February 22, 2018
Governor Abbott is not having it: schools need to implement safety measures or be be called out publicly, we’ll explore. Also, the reverend, crusades, and the role Texas played in all this. Plus, presidential Elections are coming up in Mexico: what’s different from US elections? And in Texas how do you become “election judge”? We’ll…
Texas Standard: October 26, 2017
Some see it as the start of a new chapter in Texas politics, but some so-called moderates fear it could turn into a horror story. Joe Straus was seen as a voice of the republican establishment, a defender of business who steered the house chamber clear of some of the most contentious issues raised by…
Texas Standard: May 18, 2017
Special prosecutor. While the country is abuzz over an investigation in Washington a case involving a lawmaker in Texas is also moving forward, we’ll explore. Plus there are still almost two weeks left in the Texas Legislative Session but talks of the double-S word: “Special Session”, are looking serious. We’ll tell you why. And one…
Texas Standard: May 9, 2017
Mere hours after the governor signed it into law, his attorney general sues a Texas county over the sanctuary cities bill, we’ll explore. Also: they say robots will eventually take your job. For one Texas town, that day could be around the corner. We’ll have more. Plus billions on the table and less than three…
My Bicycle is My Horse
Many folks assume all Texans ride horses – and sure, some of us do. But a special kind of horse, the two-wheeled breed, is much more common on the streets around here.
Texas Standard: February 15, 2017
President Trump calls it nonsense but the New York Times says Trump’s aides and close associates were in constant contact with Russian intelligence, before the election. Also day 27 of the Trump administration. We’ll break down the latest developments with a Texan who served on the National Security Council. Plus, a group of former US…
City Girls in Cowboy Boots
Texan ladies love a good pair of cowboy boots, even if they’ve never seen a horse. That was the inspiration for Typewriter Rodeo’s Jodi Egerton as she wrote this week’s poem.
Texas Standard: January 29, 2016
Equal Rights. Equal Obligations? A rite of passage for men may become a legal requirement for young women, too. Details today on the Texas Standard. Efforts are underway to remove a last vestige of sexism in the military. Not all women are thrilled about it, however. We’ll explore. Also Is growth is Texas making economic…
V&B: Cowboy Poetry Set to Music
What it means to bring your home and your place into your work, however international it may be. Why is it important to “go back to your roots”