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July 27, 2026

“There is this sense of helplessness,” UT Professor talks about faculty fears following his tenure denial

By: Austin Signal

Extended Interview: UT Austin professor Chaar López, a scholar on border surveillance, was denied tenure without a stated reason, despite positive reviews and recommendations. He talks about what this means for his future, and the chilling effect it has had on faculty across the country. At the core of the conversation, the loss of academic freedom and changes to education in the state and what he sees as a “growing spiral of censorship and control and demands for obedience that are concerning and troubling.”

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Episodes

October 29, 2026

Trans advocacy texts and mailers, Housing assistance for aging musicians, October songs to know

A Travis County judge says a telecommunications company and a Wyoming LLC must reveal who sent unauthorized texts and mailers purporting to come from Texas transgender advocacy groups. Friday is the last day to cast an early ballot in next week’s midterm elections, and it looks like rain could be another factor to consider when […]

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October 28, 2026

City Council District 1 race, Travis & Williamson voter guides, Austin Film Festival

Election Day is less than a week away, and voters in districts across Austin are deciding who will represent them on City Council. The dais will include at least two new representatives next year, including the council member from District 1. More about the candidates vying to represent Northeast Austin. We’re taking a look at the big […]

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October 27, 2026

Lakeway seniors head to the polls, Hays County judge race, Texas House districts 45 & 52

We’re one week out from Election Day, and 30% of registered voters in Travis, Hays and Williamson counties have already cast their ballots. If you haven’t made it to your polling place just yet, don’t fret! We’ve got more information about contests for a pair of Texas House districts, 45 and 52. We’ll also talk about Hays County, […]

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October 26, 2026

James Talarico’s UT years, Dan Patrick’s rise to power, Age-friendly Austin

Austin state Rep. James Talarico is locked in a tight battle against Attorney General Ken Paxton to become the next senator from Texas. Before his time in the halls of the Texas Capitol, Talarico’s political career commenced on the University of Texas campus. Dan Patrick is seeking his fourth term as lieutenant governor of Texas. The […]

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October 23, 2026

Answering common voting questions, SAFE Alliance forensic exams, 10 Years of Rock the Park

We’re approaching the only weekend of early voting in Texas, and nearly 1 in 5 registered voters in Travis County have cast their ballot. We’ve got answers to some common voting questions. A new partnership will allow the Austin nonprofit SAFE Alliance to offer forensic exams to sexual assault survivors. Funding challenges ended those services earlier this […]

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October 22, 2026

Vikki Goodwin’s bid for lieutenant governor, Camp Mystic bankruptcy case, Girl Gurl Gorl

We’re halfway through the first week of early voting, and there are many statewide races in Texas that appear to be tight contests. Austin state Rep. Vikki Goodwin is running to unseat incumbent Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who’s held the position for more than a decade. We’ll tell you more about that race and the […]

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October 21, 2026

Early voting numbers, local council and House races, F1 Grand Prix

It’s the third day of early voting and so far in Travis County the number of early ballots cast is higher than past midterm years. We’ll talk about the numbers we’re seeing so far.Southwest Austin will have a new city council representative for the first time since 2019. We’ll tell you about the candidates vying for the […]

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October 20, 2026

Dashcam audio from Austin ICE shooting, Agriculture commissioner race, Agreement to save Muny

Wilber Garces Perez, the man shot in September by an ICE agent in North Austin, appeared in a federal courthouse this month on charges of assaulting and resisting a federal officer. KUT News has obtained exclusive audio from that hearing. Texans will be electing a new agriculture commissioner for the first time in a decade. […]

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