Texas Standard » Stories From Texas

Over 30% of annual nonprofit giving happens in the last month of the year. In Texas, philanthropists Jesse H. Jones and his wife, Mary Gibbs Jones, have been very generous. Texas Standard commentator WF Strong has more on the gifts bestowed by the couple on the Lone Star State. The post Jesse H. Jones was a model philanthropist appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Many Texas Standard listeners are thankful for the “Stories from Texas” brought to us by our regular commentator WF Strong. Today’s story is a little different — he explains why. The post ‘Three red marbles’ is a story fit for Thanksgiving appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

A 500-year-old Mexican legend is still freshly scaring kids — especially in the border regions. The story about a crying woman called La Llorona no doubt arrived in what is now Texas with the earliest Mexican settlers. Ever since, this ghostly figure has haunted our rivers, lakes and streams. There are dozens of versions of […] The post La Llorona appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Texas Standard commentator W.F. Strong explores Texas for us — often through history and lore. But he also picks up new stories from Texas. And, occasionally, he recommends one. The post Yonderings appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The number of American bison has increased in recent years from a historic low of just a few hundred to half a million. Texas Standard commentator WF Strong says the Lone Star State – and one of its most famous ranchers – made a very significant contribution to those efforts. This story originally aired in […] The post How Texas Saved the Buffalo appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

A lot of people love bacon. Maybe no one more-so than comedian Jim Gaffigan. Texas Standard commentator WF Strong says Gaffigan’s bacon commitment might make him a good candidate for a honor this weekend in a Texas city you’ve likely never heard of. The post Wright Bacon: A Texas Original appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Queen Elizabeth II’s seven decade-long reign makes it challenging to whittle down to just a few big moments. She witnessed some of the world’s most pivotal events. But from a Texas perspective, there are two days in 1991 that stick out. Commentator W.F. Strong tells us about when the Queen toured the Lone Star State. […] The post Remembering Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Texas appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

With school back in session across most parts of the lone star state, Texas Standard commentator WF Strong is among those starting off the morning with drop offs at school. But while he was dripping off his daughter the other day — waiting in a line of cars stretching for blocks — he noticed no […] The post Flying to school on my Western Flyer appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

There’s been a lot of concern focused on Lake Mead in Nevada. It’s the largest reservoir in the United States and is the water source for more than 25 million people. But it’s fallen to just 25% capacity and is dropping rather rapidly. In Texas, Falcon Lake is at just 12% capacity. Commentator W.F. Strong […] The post Falcon Lake appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Usually WF Strong brings Texas Standard listeners quirky facts about the state or bits of overlooked history. Today, he said there was just one thing on his heart: the stories of the lives lost in the Uvalde shooting. WF and his wife Lupita scoured obituaries, social media, fundraising efforts, and news reports to — as […] The post Remembering the Uvalde 21 appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Texas has had perhaps more than its share of unusual names of cities and towns. Cut and Shoot – Dime Box – Bug Tussle. But perhaps the strangest was Toadsuck, Texas. You won’t find it on a map today because it eventually became Collinsville in western Grayson County. But for a relatively brief and shining […] The post What happened to Toadsuck, Texas? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

One in 7 working Texans has an agriculture-related job. That’s a lot of people who depend at least in part on unpredictable markets and mother nature to make a living. So it’s no surprise some of those folks might look towards the future with a bit of uncertainty. At least that’s the sentiment behind the […] The post The Pessimistic Farmer appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Early Texas towns took hold alongside protected bays – think Galveston and Corpus Christi. Others developed along the banks of fine rivers, such as San Antonio, Goliad and El Paso. But later it was the steel tributaries called railroads that were planting the seeds that raised towns alongside them. Texas Standard commentator W.F. Strong says […] The post How The Railroad Help Built Texas appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

By this time, you’ve no doubt seen or heard of the game Wordle. The daily puzzle game with the yellow and green boxes has become part of the morning routine for millions of people around the world. To coin a word too long for the puzzle — it’s become a wordemic. The post Wordle For Texas appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

When most people think of Lyndon Johnson they don’t envision a man with a great sense of humor. He was in power in turbulent times. When I see his face in my mind I see a man who was troubled, an unsmiling man with furrows in his brow accentuating unrelenting worries. Yet even in those […] The post LBJ’s Humor appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Likely you haven’t had a test of Texas’ official symbols since about 5th grade. You probably still know the major ones – but do you remember the state small mammal? The post A Little Test Of Texas’ Official Symbols appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

These days, if you’re out working on a ranch and you need some backup, you just pick up your cell phone. If you’re in a remote area of Texas with bad service — you might also have a walkie talkie handy. But not so long ago, the options were a little less sophisticated. Still, you […] The post How Ranchers Used Barbed Wire To Make Phone Calls appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

It’s unlikely Texas will see a major freeze this winter like we did last year. At least that’s what forecasters are saying right now. The extreme cold of last February reminded Texas Standard commentator W.F. Strong about a bit of folklore he once heard about a Texas winter. The post Texas Ice Fishing appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Most Texans probably know the Brackenridge name. But, depending on where you’re from, you might have a different landmark (and namesake) in mind. In Austin, there was the area’s first public hospital. In Edna, there’s a more than one thousand acre Brackenridge Recreation Complex. But as Commentator WF Strong notes, the Brackenridge who lent his […] The post The Most Generous Texan Of Yore? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

On Google Maps you can get navigator voices in English with either an American, British, Indian, or Canadian accent. Commentator W.F. Strong thinks they should offer a Texas navigator accent – one that also offers Texas expressions and colloquialisms. The post Texas Navigator App appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.