Jerry Quijano

A massive data center in Taylor is moving forward

A judge has dismissed a lawsuit in a case centered around the construction of a data center in Taylor on land that had been set aside for a park. We’ll hear from KUT Williamson County reporter Kailey Hunt, who has been following the story and speaking with the folks looking to put a halt to that development.

A group of volunteer musicians, the Viva Palestina Orchestra, is raising money for aid in Gaza by playing Palestinian music.

Need to yell out your feelings? How to join the next meeting of Scream Club Austin.

34 years later, Austin reflects on the impact of the yogurt shop murders

It’s been 34 years since Austin was rocked by the violent yogurt shop murders. Now, after a recent breakthrough in the case, the impact of the crime and the push to find justice is reverberating throughout the city.

KUT’s Andrew Weber has an exploration of the many feelings running through the minds of folks trying to make sense of such a senseless act.

Plus: We hear from a Lockhart pitmaster and look ahead to weekend two of the ACL Music Festival.

How Austin leaders hope to fund nonprofits’ efforts to ease homelessness with Prop Q

The discussion around Austin’s upcoming tax rate election is picking up as voters head to the polls in the coming weeks. That tax rate hike, on the ballot as Proposition Q, goes above what local officials are normally allowed by state law.

It’s all part of the City of Austin’s effort to generate revenue to offset a budget deficit and to continue funding a variety of things like public safety, local parks and homelessness services.

KUT’s Luz Moreno-Lozano has been reporting on how the city is planning to fund services like these, whether or not Austin voters approve the tax rate increase.

Greg Stoker, the Austin activist who was detained by Israel while attempting to deliver aid to Gaza, is heading back home.

And: We’re chatting with one of our multimedia mavens, Patricia Lim, about what it’s like to photograph the Austin City Limits Music Festival.

Austin ISD proposes 13 school closures to curb $20 million budget deficit

Howdy out there, Austin! This episode is the first live radio broadcast for Austin Signal.

We’re discussing the proposed campus closures announced by the Austin Independent School District. More than a dozen schools would be shut down ahead of next school year as AISD works against a budget shortfall. We’ll dive into those details with KUT’s Katy McAfee.

Speaking of budget: If buying meat is in yours, you’ve probably noticed the price is on the rise. Will it fall anytime soon? Texas Standard’s Michael Marks joins us to talk more.

And KUT’s Jimmy Maas talks college football with UT’s loss to Florida and more in today’s sports wrap.

Bastrop asks Elon Musk for tunnels to connect city trails

ACL Fest is just one day away, but if you’re looking to take in EVEN MORE live music this weekend, KUTX Program Director Matt Reilly will stop by to talk with us about the shows happening tonight and outside of the festival gates.

Also, we’re talking tunnels! Bastrop is looking to have Elon Musk’s Boring Company build a pedestrian tunnel connecting the area’s trail system. The Texas Newsroom’s Lauren McGaughy will dig into it and give us the lowdown about what’s happening in Bastrop.

Plus, we’ll have an update on an Austin veteran and activist who is believed to be in the custody of Israeli forces after attempting to deliver aid to Gaza by flotilla.

What is Proposition Q on Austin’s ballot this November?

Election season is upon us once again. It’s not midterm time and we don’t have a president to pick, but voters in Central Texas will have a reason to cast their ballots. Here in Austin, folks will be deciding whether to approve a tax-rate hike above the normal threshold allowed by the state.

Why is the city asking for so much? And how are folks feeling a week out from early voting? KUT’s City Hall reporter Luz Moreno-Lozano joins the show to answer those questions.

And a new bird just dropped! Texas Standard’s Raul Alonzo talks Austin birding and the new “Grue Jay.” Plus catching us up on Austin FC’s run for the U.S. Open Cup championship with the co-host of the Vamos Verde podcast, Juan Diego Garcia.

34 years later, police identify suspect in yogurt shop murders

For the families of the girls killed in one of Austin’s most notorious murders, justice seemed to be slipping away as more time passed. But now, almost 34 years later, a new break in the case of what’s known as the “Yogurt Shop Murders” yields the name of a suspect, identified through DNA.

KUT’s justice and accountability reporter Andrew Weber tells us how this decades-long cold case that captured the attention of the city – and the nation – was broken open once again.

We’ll get the latest on the case and look back at the impact to Austin when the crime first happened.

Levitation Fest hits Austin this weekend

Texas Republican lawmakers redrew the state’s congressional districts in a special session this summer, doing so at the desire of President Trump and leaving no questions about their reasoning: They were changing the maps to benefit their party. But the idea of gerrymandering hasn’t been limited to just Texas this year. KUT’s Mose Buchele will dive deeper.

While some are counting down to the Austin City Limits Music Festival, others are hitting up Levitation Fest this weekend. It’s the perfect weekend to hit the town before thousands of visitors take over the city.

Plus: more live music and movie recommendations that are worth leaving your couch for.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for September 24, 2025: Travis County is offering disaster response training to prepare public for future catastrophes

Central Texas top stories for September 24, 2025. Travis Co offering the public disaster response training. Austin council to vote on animal shelter overcrowding prevention. CapMetro wants input on plan to expand service. Burnet Rd to be rebuilt near Q2 Stadium. Texas Volleyball looks to lengthen win streak.

This podcast is made at KUT Public Media Studios. You may have heard that Congress took back the money it had allocated for public radio. Our organization stands to lose 1.2 million dollars. We’re asking our listeners now to help us make up this shortfall. If you want to help us out, you can make a donation at supportthispodcast.org.

Austin fire union, city at standstill over contract days before deadline

Contract negotiations between the city of Austin and its fire department are fast approaching the deadline for a new deal, with negotiations at a standstill. The firefighters union called the city’s offer insulting; the city says it’s willing to negotiate. KUT government accountability reporter Andrew Weber joins the show with more.

We’ll hear about the journey and future plans of 20-year-old professional soccer player Owen Wolff, who has been part of Austin FC since its inaugural season in 2021 and is a big part of the current run of success his side is experiencing.

Plus from our sister station KUTX, a bit Mama Duke the Austin musician who will be featured on the America’s Got Talent finale tonight.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for September 23, 2025: Truck driver accused of killing five people in I-35 crash indicted

Central Texas top stories for September 23, 2025. Driver in deadly I-35 pile-up indicted on 22 counts. Travis County imposes burn ban. Leander mayor stepping down. Austin Resource Recovery getting more eco-friendly facility. Lower gas prices. 20^th annual HAAM Day.

This podcast is made at KUT Public Media Studios. You may have heard that Congress just took back the money it had allocated for public radio. Our organization stands to lose 1.2 million dollars. We’re asking our listeners now to help us make up this shortfall. If you want to help us out, you can make a donation at supportthispodcast.org.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for September 22, 2025: Austin’s first week of autumn could produce triple-digit heat across the area but relief is on the way

Central Texas top stories for September 22, 2025. A hot first day of fall in Austin but relief is on the way. New lawsuit against posting Ten Commandments in every Texas classroom. Leander and Austin ISDs looking at closing campuses to ease budget shortfalls. No classes today for several area school districts with Austin and Round Rock also staying shut tomorrow.

Williamson County deals with the ramifications of a proposed data center in Taylor

Up in Williamson County, a proposed data center is set to break ground in the city of Taylor. These kinds of centers have drawn all kinds of feedback for the resources and electricity demand required to power them. But the progress of this latest data center could be stopped in its tracks. Williamson County Reporter for KUT News Kailey Hunt joins Austin Signal for more on this. Plus, there’s a lot of news and emotions to take in daily as a human being. So, we make the time to take a moment for ourselves with the help of Marnie Castor. Learn a little and relax a little here on Austin Signal from KUT News.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for August 12, 2025: Suspect in shooting at North Austin Target had extensive criminal history

Central Texas top stories for August 12, 2025. Suspected gunman at North Austin Target had a history of mental health issues and frequent run-ins with law enforcement since at least 2012. The Austin Independent School District has released a list of schools that will be used to decide which campuses should be merged, and how school boundaries should be redrawn. The deadline is quickly approaching for folks affected by the July flooding to apply for FEMA assistance. Central Health will lays out its proposed budget for Travis County commissioners.

This podcast is made at KUT and KUTX, which are public radio stations in Austin, Texas. You may have heard that Congress just took back the money it had allocated for public radio. Our organization stands to lose 1.2 million dollars. We’re asking our listeners now to help us make up this shortfall. If you want to help us out, you can make a donation at supportthispodcast.org.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for August 11, 2025: 3 people killed in parking lot of Target store in North Austin

Central Texas top stories for August 11, 2025. Three people killed after shooting in northeast Austin Target parking lot. The Austin city council considers asking voters to approve tax rate increase of about 5 cents. Students at 76 AISD schools will receive free breakfast and lunch this school year. I-35 overhaul causes a detour on Austin’s Butler hike-and-bike trail. New barriers going up on Austin’s Sixth Street. State lawmakers consider capping how much cities and counties can tax homeowners. Texas Football achieves a program first prior to season kickoff.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for June 19, 2025: Annual Juneteenth celebrations across Austin buzz with energy, joy and reverence

Central Texas top stories for June 19, 2025. Juneteenth celebrated across Austin area, marking 160 years since Union troops arrived in Galveston with the news of emancipation. Austin is losing even more water to leaky city pipes than previously thought. Austin conspiracy theorist Alex Jones accused of hiding money from Sandy Hook families. Texas bills on religion in public schools await Gov. Abbott’s signature as Sunday deadline looms

KUT Morning Newscast for October 4, 2024

Central Texas top stories for October 4, 2024. Texas planning to vote in this fall’s election must be registered to vote by Monday. While some cities appear to attract to extra rainfall, Austin doesn’t seem to share the same luck. Travis County will launch mental health diversion program on Monday. Being recognized as a “dark sky” place isn’t cheap, but one Central Texas nonprofit is trying to ease that cost. Day one of the Austin City Limits music festival kicks off in Zilker Park and that means extra humans and traffic in Austin.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for August 21, 2024

Central Texas top stories for August 21, 2024. Today is the hottest day of the hottest week of 2024. Texas sets new electricity demand record. No shelter from the heat at night. Kealing Middle School won’t open until Monday. San Marcos allocates remaining ARPA money. Austin offering equity grants.

KUT Morning Newscast for August 12, 2024

Central Texas top stories for August 12, 2024. Another hot week ahead for Austin and Central Texas. Austin Community College receives $7.5 million grant to expand and develop new training programs for semiconductor manufacturing. Texas lawmakers kick off two days of hearings on educational issues. The city of Austin is looking to include $50 million in next budget to increase parkland in the city. Texas Longhorn athletes earn 16 medals at Paris Olympic games, including 6 gold.

KUT Morning Newscast for August 9, 2024

Central Texas top stories for August 9, 2024. National Weather Service extends local heat advisory for third straight day. Austin Pride and Festival takes to downtown this weekend. The AISD school board moves closer to deciding whether to ask voters to approve a new tax rate in November to help plug funding gaps, while the district works to fill its teacher vacancies ahead of the new school year. The annual Texas sales tax holiday takes place this weekend. RFK Jr. will appear on Texas ballots this fall.