Today on Texas Standard: Deadly floods swamp South Texas, shatter records

Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Tuesday, April 1, 2025. Listen on your Texas public radio station, or ask your smart speaker to play Texas Standard. Check back later today for updated story links and audio.

Deadly floods swamp South Texas, shatter records

Record-breaking rainfall along the Texas-Mexico border left residents stranded, closed airports, and killed at least four people. Harlingen saw 21.5 inches of rain, with the worst flooding hitting Thursday.

Hidalgo County emergency coordinator Ricardo Saldaña joins us with more.

Pentagon restores military history pages deleted in DEI purge

The Pentagon admits it mistakenly erased web pages on Jackie Robinson, the Tuskegee Airmen and even actress Bea Arthur in a broader effort to remove DEI content. Many pages are back, but Defense Department employees say the process has been chaotic.

Gabriella Alcorta-Solorio reports for the American Homefront Project.

Austin churches rethink empty buildings as attendance drops

With church attendance declining nationwide, some Austin congregations are looking at their vacant spaces and asking: What now?

From housing to community hubs, churches are considering new ways to use their land. KUT’s Audrey McGlinchy reports.

Texas eyes water fixes while Legislature is in session

As Texas continues to grow, the state needs to find more sources of water. Meanwhile, much of Texas’ existing water infrastructure needs an upgrade. The best way to strengthen and protect the state’s water supply is under discussion as lawmakers convene in the state Capitol.

Texas Tribune environmental reporter Alejandra Martinez joins the show to discuss what’s under consideration.

Buggin’ out with Wizzie Brown

Wizzie Brown is a program specialist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and our go-to insect expert. Something bugging you? Drop us a line and we’ll pass it along.

West Texas doctors warn of vitamin A overdoses amid measles outbreak

As measles cases surge in West Texas, some parents are giving children dangerous amounts of vitamin A, wrongly believing it can cure or prevent the disease.

Texas Public Radio’s David Martin Davies reports.

Texas lawmakers push school vouchers with little oversight

The Texas Legislature looks poised to approve education savings accounts, a voucher-like program giving families public money for private school tuition. But research from other states suggests vouchers don’t improve student outcomes – and state lawmakers have designed their bills to shield Texas student data from public view.

Texas Public Radio’s Camille Phillips reports.

All this, plus the Texas Newsroom’s state roundup and Wells Dunbar with the Talk of Texas.