Here’s what’s coming up on Texas Standard for Monday, Jan. 12, 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.

ICE protests in Austin lead to arrests and statewide response

Protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement drew crowds in Austin over the weekend. Demonstrators say they’re pushing back against violent federal overreach; Gov. Greg Abbott has framed the protests as unlawful.

Andrew Weber, KUT News government accountability reporter, joins Texas Standard to share what happened.

Texas sends voter data on millions to the Justice Department

Texas has turned over voter roll information for more than 18 million registered voters to the U.S. Justice Department at the request of the Trump administration. The data includes personal identifiers, raising concerns among election experts and voting rights advocates about privacy and potential misuse.

Natalia Contreras, who covers voting access for VoteBeat in partnership with the Texas Tribune, joins the Standard with more. 

Financial literacy program supports women in Nueces County Jail

A Texas A&M graduate student has launched a program inside the Nueces County Jail aimed at helping incarcerated women build confidence around money and financial decision-making.

Lon Gonzalez reports from Corpus Christi on how the program works and why participants say it’s making a difference. 

Austin airport expansion reaches multibillion-dollar milestone

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is moving forward with a massive expansion that will add new gates and reshape passenger flow for years to come. City officials say the full buildout could cost more than $5 billion as Austin’s population and air traffic continues to grow.

KUT News’ Nathan Bernier reports on what travelers can expect next. 

Iran protests intensify as calls for regime change grow

What began as demonstrations over economic hardship in Iran have grown into massive anti-government protests, with human rights groups reporting hundreds killed and widespread communications blackouts.

Michael Mosser, director of the Center for European Studies at UT Austin, joins Texas Standard to explain how the protests reached this point and what may come next.

This week in Texas music history

Jason Mellard with the Center for Texas Music History checks the archives. 

Are the Houston Texans America’s new team?

Move over Cowboys: As the Houston Texans enter the NFL playoffs with one of the league’s best records, are they really America’s Team?

Dan Solomon, senior writer for Texas Monthly, joins the Standard with his hot take.

Texas A&M policy could reshape hundreds of courses

Texas A&M University says roughly 200 courses could be affected by a new policy limiting classroom discussion of race and gender. Arriving just as the spring semester begins, students and faculty are trying to understand how the policy will be enforced – and whether similar changes are coming systemwide.

Jessica Priest, higher education reporter for the Texas Tribune, joins Texas Standard with the details.