David Martin Davies

Remembering the lessons of the Dust Bowl. We listen back to an interview with Timothy Egan, author of the book, “The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl.”

Egan's book won the 2006 National Book Award for Nonfiction and the 2006 Washington State Book Award in History/Biography. 

Texas Matters: "One Day in Dallas," a 30-minute special report from KUT based on extensive interviews with Sid Davis, the Westinghouse radio pool reporter in Dallas, and Julian Read, press aide for Texas Gov. John Connally. Both men describe that day in 1963 in vivid detail.

  *More on this story is available from KUT in the related content block below.

As the nation remembers the last tragic day of John F. Kennedy’s presidency, many Latino voters of that era reflect on what the 35th president meant to their emerging political bloc.

JFK had a special connection to the Mexican-American voter, and his campaign helped create the Latino Democratic political coalitions that still exist today.

Texas Matters: Still no official word from the San Antonio state senator, but Leticia Van De Putte has announced that she will make an official announcement next week. Would her addition to the Texas Democratic ticket make the party a serious challenger in 2014? Also on this show: Did race, or clever advertising, decide the winner in a Houston election? A Texas silver mine closes down on the border, causing big headaches for the area.

Texas Matters: An update on the Texas state fire marshal's online tool to locate ammonium nitrate facilities in the state like the one that exploded in the town of West. Are communities safer from this kind of a disaster? Also on this show: Texas libraries are set to lose federal funding, author Beverly Donofrio on her new memoir.

Ammonium nitrate storage in Texas after the West explosion

On April 17, the town of West, Texas, was leveled by an explosion at the local fertilizer plant.

Texas Matters: Pro-life supporters are pleased with 5th Circuit Court ruling to put HB 2 restrictions into law -- doctors at clinics providing abortions must now have admitting privileges at local hospitals within 30 miles. Also on this show: The Permian Basin is the nation's largest oil production center, Brownsville hopes to make something good from "poorest city" label, and Juárez tries to move beyond its violent past.

5th Circuit Court reverses ruling on admitting privileges

Texas Matters: There are reports that the state's new voter ID law is causing problems for women at the polls whose names on their drivers license don't exactly match their voter registration card. A closer look at Prop. 5, the reverse mortgage issue on this year's statewide ballot. Also on this show: Kinky Friedman back in politics, Ted Cruz' father steps into the limelight.

Does new voter ID law disenfranchise women?

With a reverent tone, the people at the Floresville Community Center sang the patriotic hymn "America the Beautiful." It was a Saturday afternoon of singing patriotic songs and listening to a fire and brimstone political speech from Reverend Rafael Cruz, father of Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas.

"Outside of the Bible, the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence are the greatest documents ever written by man," Rev. Cruz said.