Here’s what’s coming up on Texas Standard for Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. 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.
Last year, Republican lawmakers redrew the state’s congressional map with the explicit goal of making five Democratic seats more winnable for the GOP. Despite that effort, right now six Texas congressional districts are considered especially competitive — including four of those newly redrawn seats, along with two Republican-held districts Democrats hope to flip. All six have majority-Hispanic eligible-voter populations, and four touch the U.S.-Mexico border.
Did redrawing the map actually make Texas more predictable as Republican politicians hoped, or just reshuffle the battleground?
Gabby Birenbaum, who reports from Washington for The Texas Tribune, tells us more.
The latest on the governor’s race
This is Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s 12th year leading the state, making him the country’s longest-serving governor in office right now. If re-elected in November, Abbott would be on track to becoming Texas’ longest serving governor in history.
While most polls currently show him in the lead over his Democratic challenger, Gina Hinojosa, the race has tightened as Election Day draws near.
The Texas Newsroom’s Blaise Gainey reports on what’s making this race more competitive — and what Abbott is doing to turn up the pressure.
Rope ladder washes ashore on Texas beach
Texas has hundreds of miles of coastline, yet for many of us, the Gulf can feel a world away. Resident beachcomber Jace Tunnell provides a glimpse of beach life even for those among the pines or on the plains.
This week, he tells us about a 70-foot-long rope ladder that washed ashore.
What’s the ROI for Texas library funding?
The Texas Library Association commissioned a study this summer to measure the return on investment for public dollars spent on libraries. Their findings? Every dollar spent by local libraries generates almost $5 in statewide economic activity.
Shirley Robinson, the association’s executive director, joins Texas Standard with more.
Freshman forward making an immediate impact for Abilene Christian University women’s soccer
Conference play kicked off last week for Abilene Christian University’s women’s soccer. The Wildcats have faced top competitors from outside the conference and have had an impressive showing so far.
KACU’s Josiah Wonnell takes a look at Addison Briscoe, an impactful freshman forward who chose ACU over bigger programs.
Fangoria on ‘The Town That Dreaded Sundown’
Ready for spooky season? Jason Kauzlarich, creative director of FANGORIA Magazine, tells us about “The Town That Dreaded Sundown,” a movie filmed in Texas and inspired by iconic horror villains while being based on a true story.
Artemis II crew returns to Houston
For the first time since NASA’s historic Artemis II mission, Houston celebrated the crew in Space City this week. The four astronauts say it’s still surreal to have returned to Earth as celebrities — and some of them are moving on to new roles.
Houston Public Media’s Michael Adkison reports.
Typewriter Rodeo
The gang delivers another custom poem.
The week in Texas politics
The Texas Tribune’s Jasper Scherer joins the Standard with a recap of the week that was in Texas politics.