ATXplained

May 7, 2026

Was Austin’s Barton Springs sacred to Indigenous people before Europeans showed up?

The springs that feed Barton Springs were formed millions of years ago. So what have human relationships with Austin’s “Crown Jewel” been like in that time?

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April 23, 2026

Are there wild elk lurking in southwest Austin?

Darren Smith swore the dark, antlered figure he saw in the early morning hours was an elk. No one believed him. This story was originally part of KUT’s ATXplained Live on Oct. 29, 2025. Tickets for our next show on May 21 are available here.

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April 9, 2026

What’s the story behind this freaky sculpture hanging in the Barton Creek Greenbelt?

The story starts with a mysterious, long-nippled figure lurking among the tree tops, but it gets weirder from there.

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March 26, 2026

Who’s the guy who dances and silently raps at the corner of Barton Springs and South First?

We’re back with a new season of ATXplained. Lots of great stories coming your way this year. We’ll start with one from our last ATXplained Live. It’s about a guy who’s whole thing is to stand out.

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October 28, 2025

Who was that guy who used to read psychedelic poems before big concerts in Austin?

We go in search of a poet who was a fixture in Austin more than a decade ago — but suddenly dropped off the map.

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October 23, 2025

Is the Texas Capitol radioactive?

We’re not talking about politics. Is the capitol building itself literally radioactive?

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October 9, 2025

Who made those giant sandwiches outside of Thundercloud Subs?

We go in search of the sandwich artist. But we find they’re behind a lot more iconic business art in Austin.

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September 25, 2025

How did Texas become the only state with its own toast? (archive episode)

Think of a food that reminds you of Austin or Texas. Tacos? Barbecue? How about a thick slice of bread, buttered on both sides and toasted to perfection?

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