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The light-rail transit line long promised to Austinites could soon clear a major hurdle – and that could give new momentum to a project that’s been dragged down through legal and political resistance. The latest on where the project is headed.
Months after a Texas A&M professor was fired for discussing gender identity in a literature class, transgender college students in Texas are working out how to make their voices heard. Some are finding solace through expression in their community.
Plus, on the music side: Some Austin music history and more from KUTX’s favorite local songs of 2025.
The full transcript of this episode of Austin Signal is available on the KUT & KUTX Studio website. The transcript is also available as subtitles or captions on some podcast apps.
Jerry Quijano [00:00:09] The light rail transit line, long promised to Austinites, could soon clear a major hurdle. And if it does, it could give new momentum to a project that’s been dragged down through legal and political resistance. We’re gonna hear about where that project is headed next. And months after a Texas AM professor was fired for discussing gender identity in a literature class, transgender college students in Texas are working on how to make their voices heard. Some are finding solace through expression in their community. Come hear their stories. That’s coming up on today’s show.
KUT Announcer: Laurie Gallardo [00:00:40] The Austin Signal is a production of K U T News, hosted by Jerry Quijano.
Jerry Quijano [00:00:46] Plus, our sister station KUTX is highlighting some of their favorite Austin songs of 2025. Stay tuned for that, and a little bit of Austin music history. That’s next on Austin Signal. Howdy out there, this is Austin Signal. Thank you for tuning in. We are glad to be part of your day. It is Thursday, December 11th. We’re officially two weeks out from the Christmas holiday, and Austin Bergstrom International Airport’s already got a brand new toy, a mint baggage handling system. Airport officials say the upgraded system can process 4,000 outbound bags an hour. That’s about more than twice as much as the old system. And officials say this change could cut down on flight delays, which could be clutch ahead of the holiday rush. Speaking of which, more than 9 million Texans are expected to travel for the holidays later this month. That’s according to Triple A Texas. About 93% of those commuters are expected to go by car. Triple A says gas prices are lower this year compared to last holiday season. Let’s stay on the topic of transportation and get right into today’s show. Austin’s long promised light row line is about to clear a major bureaucratic hurdle within days, giving new momentum to a project that has pushed through years of political and legal resistance. KUT’s transportation reporter Nathan Bernier sat down with morning edition host Jennifer Stayton to talk about this new development. Nathan starts off the conversation.
Nathan Bernier [00:02:24] So, federal transportation officials are expected to issue a final environmental ruling by the end of the month. Basically, it’s called a final environmental impact statement and record of decision in government speak. And it’s, you know, it’s a sign that Washington still views Austin’s light rail plan as viable after years of uncertainty. This decision, it’s not going to settle the project’s fate. It’s not going to lock in the billions of federal dollars that Austin is depending upon to build this 9.8 mile light rail system. Those grants would come only after the Austin Transit Partnership nails down the most final, most detailed designs of the system, and the Federal Transit Administration has a chance to scrutinize those. And as you pointed out, you know, there are major challenges to this project still. But this sprawling document, I mean thousands of pages, this would move Austin’s light rail line into its most consequential phase since the 2020 election, when voters approved the largest ever transit expansion by authorizing a similarly historic property tax increase.
Jennifer Stayton [00:03:38] So this sounds like a a big step, Nathan. So once the Austin Transit Partnership gets this federal environmental clearance, what can they do next?
Nathan Bernier [00:03:49] At a high level, they there are three major contracts they can issue. And these are big high dollar contracts. One is for building the actual light rail line, the 9.8 mile three-pronged system. Another is for designing and building the operations and maintenance facility, 62-acre facility, big area right across Ben White Boulevard from Austin Bergsham International Airport. And then the third contract is for acquiring the light rail vehicles that would run on this system and would be arriving as often as every five minutes in the city’s core, assuming this all goes according to plan and is up and running by 2033. The Austin Transit Partnership, once it gets environmental clearance, can also, and you know, this happened with the text.i35 project, once they get federal clearance, they can begin using eminent domain to acquire property. And that would be dozens of businesses and up to three single family homes that they would purchase and so that they can use that property integrated into the rail line. Because this project is is not just about light rail, it also includes complete reconstruction of city streets, utility relocation, a new bridge over Lady Bird Lake, three parking rides. And so it has a very high cost per mile, this project relative to other light rail projects under federal review, it’s among the most expensive, but it also includes. All this other stuff. So 2026, Greg Canale, the head of ATP, has described it as an inflection point. Once this environmental clearance comes through, if it comes through as expected, it’s going to be a very busy year.
Jennifer Stayton [00:05:33] Okay, Nathan, so I seem to recall though that there is a lawsuit involving Austin Transit Partnership. What is going on with the lawsuit that that could stop this project?
Nathan Bernier [00:05:43] Right. So this lawsuit began after the Austin Transit Partnership came out and said, you know what, instead of building the 20-mile light rail line like we said we were going to do before voters approved the property tax increase, turns out we can only afford to do about 10 miles. That prompted a lawsuit where the plaintiffs accused essentially the city and Austin Transit Partnership of doing a bait and switch. However, that’s been kind of tied up with another lawsuit. The Austin Transit Partnership to build this light rail system needs to borrow billions of dollars in bonds. And the Attorney General of Texas needs to would have to approve those bonds. So ATP went to the courts and said, Can you s essentially establish that we are entitled to issue these bonds so that the attorney general can’t block us from doing it? Those two cases got wrapped up together. And what’s happening on January 14th is a hearing before the Texas Supreme Court on a somewhat of a side matter, but it does tie back. And it really has to do with whether or not ATP can even file a bond validation suit. So that is definitely something to watch, you know, how the Texas Supreme Court rules. And of course, the Texas legislature in 2023 and 2025, Republican lawmakers tried to pass legislation that would essentially undo the financing for this project. Without getting too much into the details, they’re arguing that. The city is playing a bit of a shell game with maintenance and operations tax that you’re not supposed to be able to use that type of tax to borrow bonds against. So they tried to pass legislation to like hammer that into law, but failed both times. So they’ll have another chance in 2027. By that point, ATP is hoping they’re already under construction and it will be much harder to stop.
Jennifer Stayton [00:07:31] Lots of moving parts here, Nathan. But just to remind us kind of to step back maybe for those who are new to Austin, what exactly is This light rail project.
Nathan Bernier [00:07:41] That is a great question, Jennifer. I often forget the details of this when I don’t cover the story for a while, but essentially what we’re looking at here is a 9.8 mile light rail system with electric rail vehicles powered by overhead wires. And it’s a three-pronged system extending north to 38th Street, east to Yellow Jacket Lane, which is sort of near the intersection of Riverside Drive and Benwite Boulevard, and south to Olttorf Street. There would be 15 stations. And these electric trains would run at street level every five minutes during peak hours in the downtown and north sections. And that would, you know, drop, they’d be less frequent during off hours, seven and a half minutes. And then the eastern and southern segments would have peak hour service every 10 minutes. Another feature of this would be tree-lined pedestrian and bike paths down the middle of Riverside Drive. I mentioned the elevated rail bridge over Ladybird Lake, which would include pedestrian and bike paths. But to make way for that bridge, ATP will have to tear down the Waller Creek boathouse and relocate it elsewhere. So there’s many displacements with this project. There are many changes to the streetscape with this project. Making left turns would be more difficult if you’re driving in a car in certain areas. So much to talk about, Jen, but this is a huge project. And the point is with this federal environmental impact statement, it is. Clearing the way for this to steam ahead in twenty twenty six. If you pardon the pun, it’s electric rail, but you know what I mean.
Jennifer Stayton [00:09:12] Yeah, got it, Nathan. And we will certainly have many more conversations on this in the coming years. K U T’s transportation reporter, Nathan Bernier. Thanks, Nathan.
Nathan Bernier [00:09:22] Thank you so much, Jennifer.
Jennifer Stayton [00:09:23] And you can keep up with more coverage of Austin Light Rail and more transportation projects at kut.org.
Jerry Quijano [00:09:42] This is Austin Signal. Thank you for tuning in and making us part of your Thursday. It’s been close to three months since Texas AM fired a professor after she discussed gender identity as part of a children’s literature class. The shock waves have continued to rock higher education across the state of Texas. Mandatory course reviews and changes to policies at universities have faculty warning of dire threats to academic freedom, especially when it comes to teaching hot button topics like transgender identity. For transgender students worrying about being silenced, Texas Standard intern Kaye Knoll reports that the solution has been to get out into the community and to get loud.
Kaye Knoll [00:10:31] Transgender university students are dealing with the scrutiny over courses involving gender identity the best way they know how. By partying through the panic. Kai Pacheco is the president of Transcend, a club for transgender students at Texas State University in San Marcos. He says he’s proud of the ways the club serves the city’s sizable trans community.
Kai Pacheco [00:10:50] I know that when I came in as a freshman I felt very lonely and still freshly new in the community. I wasn’t sure if there was gonna be a place where I was able to explore my identity further and I just think it’s amazing that I am now able to give that community to someone else.
Kaye Knoll [00:11:11] On this night in particular, the students are creating community behind a queer coffee house in downtown San Marcos. There are pride flags, drag queens, and queer student organizations showing their colors. In the background, though, there are concerns about what’s happening on campus. Medusa Abercrombie is another transcend club leader.
Medusa Abercrombie [00:11:29] There are definitely moments of pretty intense hostility. I’ve gotten some pretty intense death stares. I’ve been lucky enough to not have any verbal sort of assaults or anything.
Kaye Knoll [00:11:44] And Kai Pacheco says he’s already seen the impact of recent policy changes.
Kai Pacheco [00:11:48] I feel like the idea of gender in general is just not really talked about or advocated for. Like currently, like our advisor at the moment is being somewhat targeted because they teach a gender studies course and they’re essentially attempting to get rid of
Kaye Knoll [00:12:11] Texas Standard reached out to Texas State University for comment about changes in how the school is treating gender-related topics, but officials declined to speak on the matter. When we instead reached out to the Texas State Employees Union, which represents some Texas State faculty, many of their members were ready to talk, but they wanted to do so on the condition of anonymity, for fear of retaliation. I spoke with four people who I verified teach at the university, but their names and voices will not be used. Our discussions gave some insight into the upcoming implementation of what Texas State is calling value-neutral instruction. The new guidelines go into effect next semester and ask teachers to change almost everything about their classes, from course descriptions to the structure of assignments. In a pamphlet instructing faculty on how to institute these new guidelines, Texas State says that they’re designed to promote critical thinking and help teachers retain academic freedom. The faculty members I spoke with say they will do the exact opposite. The professors believe that this new so-called value-neutral initiative and the intensified scrutiny that comes with it will hurt areas of learning that tend to sit on the leading edge of theory and critical thinking, like the humanities and social sciences. These subjects are where transgender students are more likely to see themselves represented. The faculty members I talked with said Texas State’s guidelines on being neutral in all applications are too vague, and since crossing a line could mean risking suspension or their job, they’re worried that they may have to avoid issues like transgender identity entirely. Fears of losing their academic independence are even causing some professors to think about leaving the state. Meanwhile, transgender students are left feeling unsupported, and the instructors see that. They told me they’ve noticed trans students participating less in class and experiencing more distress about their academic futures. Medusa Abercrombie says trans students would like to see a little more support from their university.
Medusa Abercrombie [00:13:56] Just seeing that Texas State is on our side. And, you know, it’s not a this side or that side necessarily, but I just mean that they’re going to, you know, support us, make sure we’re safe and comfortable. And in some aspects I think they’ve let down recently in that in that prospect.
Kaye Knoll [00:14:18] But as the university has taken a step back, the community has stepped up. Even as Texas State debates trans people’s place in curriculum, transcends leaders insist that they will never disappear.
Kai Pacheco [00:14:28] And we want to let people know that we are here for them. So we make sure we show up. And we’re gonna continue to show up for our community as much as we can.
Medusa Abercrombie [00:14:40] Basically our goal is to foster a kind, caring community for the trans students at Texas State where they can be somewhere and feel safe and experience joy even in a place that is is rapidly growing more hostile to them.
Kaye Knoll [00:14:58] The faculty members aren’t sure if or when this intense scrutiny on what they teach may pass, but they’ve told us that they’re confident trans students are strong enough to weather it. Kai Pacheco is, too.
Kai Pacheco [00:15:08] I’d say in these struggling times, stay strong for yourself, stay strong for your community. If you feel as if you do not have a community, keep searching because there is one out there for you.
Kaye Knoll [00:15:21] He has faith that standing together and sometimes throwing a party will give them the power to overcome. I’m Kaye Knoll, the Texas Standard.
Jerry Quijano [00:15:35] We’ve got more Austin Signal coming up in one moment. But don’t forget, if you ever miss an episode, worry not, you can find our show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, all the places where you get your shows. Just search for Austin Signal and hit subscribe. And you can also find those at K U T.orgslash Signal.
KUT Announcer: Laurie Gallardo [00:15:57] This is Austin Signal. Hi, I’m Laurie Gallardo. I’m a show host and producer for KUTX 989. And I’m here to talk about one of my favorite songs from this year. And it happens to be from an Austin-based artist. I am talking about Black Odyssey and the song Heartbreak. You can find that on his sensational album, Mood Control. On my podcast, SPF 1000 Vampire Sunscreen, I had the opportunity to speak with Black Odyssey about his songwriting process for the album. And they actually used frequencies, not just certain sounds, not just certain textures, but frequencies. I was like, oh, creativity and science, they go great together. And it really is an outstanding experience. They wanted to connect emotionally with these different frequencies or or kind of, you know, hone in on very specific emotions, I should say. That is what fascinates me about the entire album because I believe it’s working. I love this song so much because I connect to this feeling of longing. Not just on this track in particular, but on the entire album. With something like mood control, it’s the thing in its entire picture, the entire chemistry, the way these stories are all connected throughout. Now, obviously you can listen to these as singles individually, but I think it’s the entire story on mood control and this whole idea of using frequencies, that is always going to get my attention. That is always fascinating me every time I think about that. Black Odyssey is an extraordinary artist because he’s not confined to just one genre. So the thing that initially caught my attention was the sound of it, the pop of it. And of course I’m I’m all about the beats, I’m all about the rhythm. That’s always my my first impression. That that kind of pulls me right in right away. My name is Laurie Gayardon. I’m a show host and producer at KUTX 989. You can find out more about all our favorite songs from 2025 at KUTX.org. This is Austin Signal.
Jerry Quijano [00:19:25] Thank you for listening. This is indeed Austin Signal. There was a mystique and a magic that permeated Austin’s music scene in the late seventies and eighties when legends like Townes Van Zandt and Doug Som roamed the streets of an Austin that was much different than ours, probably much cooler. One such legend, Blaze Foley. His story comes to us from the Center of Texas Music History at Texas State. Here’s Jason Mellard on how a wandering Arkansas born musician found a home and a place of refuge here in Austin.
Jason Mellard [00:20:05] This week in Texas Music History, a singer-songwriter sets the Outhouse ablaze. In December 1988, singer-songwriter Blaze Foley played the Austin Outhouse for the last time, an appearance later released as a live album. His birthday falls this week too, born December 18, 1949 in Arkansas. Foley grew up in San Antonio, Dallas Fort Worth, and around the south. He wandered further after dropping out of high school, a drifter, biker, roadie, and songwriter. His songcraft flowered after settling in Georgia, living in a treehouse with partner and muse, Sybil Rosin. Foley moved to Austin in 1977, the Progressive Country Boom years, and became a stalwart in spots like Emma Joe’s, Spellman’s Lounge, Hole in the Wall, and the Austin Outhouse. He grew close there to another Starcross songwriter, Towns Van Zandt. Their hard-luck drifter ways drew them together, but their lyrical gifts cemented the relationship. Blaze and Towns could plumb the depths of human despair in one stanza and pivot to absurd silliness in the next. Foley’s craft shone in such songs as If I Could Only Fly, Clay Pigeons, and Election Day, but missed opportunities abounded. In 1984, he recorded an album in Muscle Shoals, but it didn’t see the light of day. Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard recorded If Only I Could Fly, but it didn’t take off like the duo’s cover of Banzance Poncho and Lefty. Foley remained a hometown hero, though, a songwriter’s songwriter, known for the duct tape holding his boots together and sleeping rough under pool tables. In February 1989, Blaze Foley lost his life in an altercation in South Austin, defending an elderly friend. Lyle Lovett, John Prime, Gurf Morlicks, and Lucinda Williams covered his songs and sung his praises in later years. Ethan Hawke told his story on screen in 2018, and the Live at the Austin Outhouse album captures the city’s poet in his prime. Rough and raw and ready. You can hear music from the Lone Star State 24-7 on the Texas Music Experience at TMX.fm.
Jason Mellard [00:22:11] Support for this week in Texas Music History comes from Brain Audio, maker of portable speakers with patented, built-in subwoofer technology to deliver deep bass sound with waterproof design and Alexa functionality. Holiday inspiration at Brainaudio.com.
Jerry Quijano [00:22:28] That is it for today’s episode of Austin Signal. Thank you for being with us. You can mind you can find more from us at kult.org slash signal. Kristen Cabrera is our managing producer. Rayna Sevilla is our technical director. Austin Signal will be back with you tomorrow. I’m your host, Jerry Quijano. We will talk to you then.
This transcript was transcribed by AI, and lightly edited by a human. Accuracy may vary. This text may be revised in the future.
