KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts
KUT and KUTX news and music podcasts for Austin, Texas and beyond
A deal over school vouchers at the Legislature – or high political theatre? As Gov. Greg Abbott declares victory, others have their doubts. Sergio Martínez-Beltrán of The Texas Newsroom shares the latest.
You’ve heard of solar farms, but how well do animals share that land? Why agrivoltaic farms are popping up all over Texas.
And our spooky season isn’t over. The Texas Standard’s Kristen Cabrera explores the story of the arguable king of the Texas cryptids: the Chupacabra.
Up for a vote statewide: an amendment to the constitution to lower property taxes for Texans.
We continue to monitor events in the mideast, where President Biden is trying to tamp down tensions as a prominent congressman from Texas tries to turn up the heat on Hezbollah, calling to give the president the authority to use military force against Iranian proxies. we’ll hear more.
With the danger of a disruption to energy prices, a renewed focus on the US strategic oil reserves. Was it a mistake to draw them down with the outbreak of war in Ukraine?
Plus the effort to make Texas a hydrogen hub.
Politically radioactive: a popular plan to protect domestic violence survivors gets the governor’s veto. The reason? Nuclear waste. We’ll have the backstory. Also summer’s here, does that mean your kids will lose a lot of what they’ve learned? Probably not, says a Texas researcher who’s bucking the conventional wisdom… we’ll hear why. And from San Benito all the way to the Big Apple and the Billboard top 10: our conversation with Charlie Crockett. Plus the week in Texas politics with the Texas Tribune and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Alarming figures from the border show an 11 year high in the number of migrant families apprehended. But do the numbers add up? Just a few weeks ago, we were hearing that the claim of a border emergency was overblown, but now mainstream news outlets report what sounds like, at the very least, a crisis overwhelming customs and border patrol. We’ll try to get a better sense of what’s happening. Also, a first of its kind effort in Texas to be prepared for wildfire season. And a top doctor warns of a looming crisis in Texas health care. All of those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
The senate approves pay raises for Texas teachers. The House has a bill of its own. What does it add up to for school reform in a larger sense? We’ll try to reconcile the differences between two approaches for fixing Texas public schools. Also, here’s a sentence some thought they’d never hear: the push to decriminalize marijuana gains momentum in Texas. We’ll get the how and why. And after a wicked cold snap, your forecast for bluebonnets. All those stories and then some today on the Texas Standard:
The state Senate has some suggestions to combat school violence. We’ll take a look at what they mean for students settling into the new school year. Also, separated from her three-year-old without any explanation. A Mexican woman who legally sought asylum in California four months ago is telling her story desperate to be reunited with her daughter. And one of the largest home developers in Dallas continues to operate in the red. But a new CEO for Dallas Habitat for Humanity has a plan to turn things around. Plus, a new book tells the story of the Texas doctor who created the artificial heart. And Austin is looking to score a major league soccer team. What it means for San Antonio’s chances to do the same. Those stories and so much more on today’s Texas Standard:
U.S. Senator Ted Cruz is sounding the alarm about his Democratic challenger, Beto O’Rourke. We’ll take a look at why Cruz says the race is “too close for comfort.” Also, steer clear of the Koch Brothers! That’s the message from national Republican leaders after the Koch’s, unhappy with Trump’s trade policies, said they’d back some Democrats. And hot and dry. Weather experts say this year’s drought is bad. But how does it compare with 2011 when Texas farmers lost billions in agriculture? Plus, wind insurance rates are going up, again. We’ll explain why even Texans who live far away from the coast will feel the effects. And we look at how some Houston neighborhoods have changed since Hurricane Harvey. That and more on today’s Texas Standard:
There aren’t enough people willing to work, so say’s Texas shrimpers. Now the Texas agriculture commission is asking the Feds for help. We’ll hear what he’s hoping for. Also: a year ago, nearly 250 people were laid off from a factory in Ft. Worth. Now they’re being asked to come back and the factories on the rebound. A locomotive company rediscovers it mojo and what it means. Plus the week in Texas politicism, and so much more, today on the Texas Standard:
President Trump orders troops to the border. Governor abbot says he welcomes the move, but what about residents on the front lines? We’ll explore. Also, the clock is ticking on a new NAFTA deal: with just days to go, where do things stand? We’ll find out. Plus farmers and ranchers get a reprieve from EPA rules. But not everyone’s breathing easier, notably environmental groups concerned about air quality. And despite huge advances in high tech, why is it no one’s come up with a cure for the common conference call? The digital savant checks in. Plus our weekend trip trip, and planning a family camping trip at one of Texas’ military bases? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Shakeup at the V-A: Texas is home to the second largest population of veterans in the U.S. We’ll explore what changes at the top could mean. Also, some Texas city and county leaders want the option to change open meeting rules in an emergency. We’ll look at why they’re pointing to Harvey as evidence. And you’ve heard of Bitcoin, but do you understand how crypto-currency actually works? We’ll ask our tech expert about the basics and why some see it as a bubble waiting to bust. And the Mexican game that’s gaining new fans. A look at the history of Loteria. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
The University of Texas and the Texas Tribune team up to tell us which politicians are ahead on the polls, we’ll have the latest. Also, is OPEC bringing in more members to better control oil prices? We’ll Explore the role of Historically Black Colleges and speak to the film-maker. Plus comfort food has a whole other meaning to families in poverty, we tell you why. And the art of Arturo Torres is putting Garland on the map, we’ll explain. Also, it’s president’s Day! And early voting starts tomorrow, be sure to Wear your red white and blue all week! Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
A democratic victory in ruby red Alabama: was it just Roy Moore, or is it something bigger shaking the southern political landscape? We’ll explore. Also, a new war on drugs? This time it’s the most populous county in Texas suing big pharma over the opioid epidemic. And a new white house directive: another manned mission to the moon and then to mars. Should Houston get ready for relaunch? Plus attention holiday shoppers: commentator WF Strong has been making a list of gifts that made Texas what it is today, and you won’t find em at the mall. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
As the Weinstein effect hits Washington, a Texas congressman still standing despite growing allegations, we’ll explore. Also, filing deadline comes for what could be a watershed midterm election season. Bob Gee of the Austin American Statesman boils things down to 5 races to watch in 2018. And the Texas wind power revolution: causing a stir for property owners. Are you sure who owns the wind above your land? And in the dust bowl days it was hailed as a savior for ranchers. Now, they’re branding it a scourge. The zombie grass taking over south Texas and beyond. Those stories and lots more today on the Texas Standard:
Should Texas child protective services be forced to recruit more foster care families? A federal case nears a climax, we’ll have the latest. Also, a south Texas lawmaker calls for hearings on Russian meddling in Mexico’s elections? US Congressman Henry Cuellar tells us why he’s concerned, and why Texans should take note. Plus, net neutrality reconsidered: as the FCC approaches what could be a landmark vote, we’ll explore the practical implications of the proposed change. And retired teachers leaving a state health care system in droves, and agents stand down for an emotional family reunion at the border near el paso. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Fifteen-hundred school superintendents from across Texas lobby the lieutenant governor to put more money into education. We’ll explore the Senate’s willingness to do that. Also, imagine having to drive more than a hundred miles to see a doctor. That’s the reality for some Texans living in rural parts of the state. A look at what’s forcing hospitals to close up shop. And fuel thefts are nothing new, but one Texas company is helping store owners protect the goods at the pump. Also, we know everything’s bigger and better in Texas, and it turns out that’s true for supercomputers. Plus, we check in with The Texas Tribune for a look at the week that was in state politics today on the Texas Standard:
North Korea’s threat to fire as many as four missiles at a U-S territory, has many Americans on edge. We put Kim Jong Un’s words in perspective, today on the Standard. Also state lawmakers vote to undo a law they just passed in the spring. Why Republicans are calling a law to crackdown on mail-in ballot fraud a “well-intentioned mistake.” And self-driving cars sound like a dream for many commuters. How the new technology would change several aspects of life in Texas cities. Plus summer’s over for most Texas school children, but imagine going to school year-round? It’s a reality for kids at one elementary in San Antonio. And finding the perfect boots and barbecue – We tap into a little Texas culture to give you some guidance. Turn up your dial, it’s Texas Standard time:
Should women be required to buy separate insurance for abortions? The Texas lawmakers behind the emotional debate explain their positions. Also the ballot measure never said anything about ‘sports.’ That’s the argument attorneys for a historic El Paso neighborhood are making to fight a proposed activity center. And crude exports from the the Permian Basin are injecting new life into the port of Corpus Christi whose economy took a hit during the energy downturn. Also the misuse and addiction of opioids kill as many as one hundred Americans every day. The new task force in San Antonio to combat the crisis. And a team at Texas A&M is working to keep the lights on across the state. A look at the vulnerability of the power grid. That’s all ahead on The Texas Standard:
A meeting months in the making – with just about a week left for lawmaking in the special session, Speaker Straus and Lt. Gov. Patrick have a face-to-face. We’ll have the details. Plus, after last month’s deadly discovery in San Antonio of migrants smuggled inside a tractor-trailer, Texas is all the talk at the largest truck stop in the nation. And they can detect bombs and bed bugs. What a shortage of specially-trained canines mean for safety here in Texas and worldwide. And some “milk people” in the Lone Star State are none too pleased with President Trump’s comments about immigrants not working for local dairy farmers. We explore their concerns. Turn it up, it’s Texas Standard time:
Leaks at the White House are nothing new. Every president’s dealt with information getting out they’d rather not disclose, we’ll have the latest. Plus the Farm Bill: it’s a massive piece of legislation that guides the nation’s food and agricultural supply. And a Texan will be tasked with helping a new version pass in 2018. Plus today’s rain across many parts of the state is highlighting the flooding challenges facing Houston – and the many flood-related deaths. And Texas has yet another tropical disease making a comeback in parts of the state. The source of a rise in cases of typhus. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Another border security proposal. And it one, drafted by a Texan. We’ve got the details. Also, near San Antonio, they tried to create a small Texas city, with none of the big city taxes. Plus, a possible, private solution to bringing back troops from Afghanistan. And how Hippie Hollow became only clothing-optional public park in Texas. All that and more, today Texas Standard: