Leah Scarpelli

Jan 7, 2025 | tpr.org | Leah Scarpelli

Texas has more than its share of apocryphal stories, so it’s wise to think twice when you hear a yarn so compelling it seems almost too wild to be true. With that caveat, take a step back to the early ’70s for one such tale. The story goes that on a street in a mostly segregated Texas capital city, a street known for an aging hotel and a handful of seedy bars, a guy from Houston opened a sandwich shop. As local musicians came in for a bite, they’d leave their guitars and amps in the back.

Oct 17, 2024 | kut.org | David Brown |Leah Scarpelli

On Oct. 17, 50 years ago, Willie Nelson did a live performance captured by TV cameras for a public TV show pilot – a series that would end up getting the green light and be known the world over by three letters: ACL. “Austin City Limits” is the longest-running show of its kind in television history. Early on, people might have been tempted to pigeonhole it as a country music show – but then producer Terry Lickona arrived on the scene.

Sep 5, 2024 | texasstandard.org | Leah Scarpelli

From the bustling barrios of Caracas to lush jungles along the coast, Alejandro Puyana takes us on a decades-long saga of a Venezuelan family in his debut novel, “Freedom is a Feast.”A native of Venezuela, now living in Austin, Puyana is also a graduate of the Michener Center for Writers at the University of Texas. He joined the Standard to discuss his new book. Listen to the interview above or read the transcript below.

Sep 3, 2024 | texasstandard.org | Leah Scarpelli

That Netflix special must have been a real big springboard for your career. Yes, that was huge. Before I put that out – I mean, I’ve done a handful of TV appearances. I did a half hour comedy special on Comedy Central, and I did an album, but none of it really moved the needle that much. Everything’s been a slow, slow build and grind. And then I kind of stepped away from comedy for a little bit to write for television. I was writing on the ABC show “Fresh Off the Boat” for a few years.

Jul 15, 2024 | afslaw.com | Angela Santos |Kay Georgi |Nancy A Noonan |Leah Scarpelli

Welcome to the July 2024 issue of “As the (Customs and Trade) World Turns,” our monthly newsletter where we compile essential updates from the customs and trade world over the past month. We bring you the most recent and significant insights in an accessible format, concluding with our main takeaways — aka “And the Fox Says…” — on what you need to know.