Here’s what’s coming up on Texas Standard for Thursday, March 19, 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.
Debate grows over César Chávez Day and public memorials in Texas
Questions are emerging about the future of César Chávez Day and monuments honoring the labor leader after reports he coerced and assaulted women and girls for sex.
Lauren McGaughy, Texas politics correspondent for The New York Times, joins the Texas Standard to explain how state leaders are responding.
Why the US stores oil reserves along the Texas Gulf Coast
The federal government is releasing oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve amid the U.S.-led attack on Iran, drawing renewed attention to where and how that supply is stored.
Houston Public Media’s Natalie Weber reports on why key reserve sites are located along the Texas Gulf Coast and how they factor into national energy strategy.
South Texas chess players prepare for their own version of March Madness
While basketball dominates March headlines, competitive chess is also heading into a high-stakes final round.
The Texas Newsroom’s Ana Campbell reports from the border on the college teams competing for a national title and the game’s importance in the region.
SXSW wraps after a year of changes and a compressed schedule
Austin’s signature festival wrapped up this week after a shorter and more decentralized run than usual.
Omar Gallaga, tech reporter for CNET, joins the Texas Standard to discuss what stood out this year, how the new format reshaped events and what it could mean for the festival’s future.
Texas pitmasters set sights on $1 million BBQ world championship
A new global barbecue competition is promising one of the largest prizes in the sport’s history.
Daniel Vaughn, barbecue editor for Texas Monthly, joins the Texas Standard to explain how the BBQ World Cup will work, why it’s drawing top pitmasters and what fans can expect.
UT researchers help identify new species of baby dinosaur
A fossil discovery is shedding new light on dinosaur development, with help from researchers at the University of Texas at Austin.
Dr. Jongyun Jung and Dr. Julia Clarke, both with UT’s Jackson School of Geosciences, join the Texas Standard to discuss the newly identified “Doolysaurus” and what makes the find significant.
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.