KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts

KUT and KUTX news and music podcasts for Austin, Texas and beyond

Laura Rice

Part 1: Coverage of closing arguments of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton impeachment trial

(Part 1 of 4)

The Texas Senate impeachment trial of suspended state Attorney General Ken Paxton gaveled in for closing arguments on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. This is an archive of live Texas Newsroom coverage.

Part 1 includes opening analysis, an explanation of procedure, the reading of the articles of impeachment, and the first part of closing arguments by House impeachment manager Rep. Andrew Murr (R-Kerrville).

This coverage features Texas Standard host David Brown, Texas Standard managing producer Laura Rice, Texas Newsroom political reporter Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, KUT Austin managing editor Ben Philpott, Texas Monthly senior editor Alexandra Samuels, University of Texas School of Law lecturer Mike Golden, and Texas Standard social media editor Wells Dunbar.

Part 5: Coverage of first day of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton impeachment trial

(Part 5 of 5)

Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023 marked the beginning of the Texas Senate impeachment trial of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton. Paxton was impeached by the Texas House of Representatives in May and suspended shortly after from his duties as AG.

There are, in total, 20 articles of impeachment against Paxton. They include seven counts of disregarding his official duties, three counts of making false statements in official records, two counts each of constitutional bribery and obstruction of justice. He’s also accused of misapplying and misappropriating public resources, conspiracy or attempted conspiracy, dereliction of duty, unfitness for office, and abusing the public trust.

Most of the charges center on Ken Paxton’s relationship with an Austin businessman and political donor, Nate Paul.

This podcast is an archive of live coverage of the first day of the trial featuring Texas Standard host David Brown, Texas Standard managing producer Laura Rice, Texas Newsroom political reporter Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, KUT Austin managing editor Ben Philpott and Texas Monthly senior editor Alexandra Samuels.

Part 4: Coverage of first day of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton impeachment trial

(Part 4 of 5)

Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023 marked the beginning of the Texas Senate impeachment trial of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton. Paxton was impeached by the Texas House of Representatives in May and suspended shortly after from his duties as AG.

There are, in total, 20 articles of impeachment against Paxton. They include seven counts of disregarding his official duties, three counts of making false statements in official records, two counts each of constitutional bribery and obstruction of justice. He’s also accused of misapplying and misappropriating public resources, conspiracy or attempted conspiracy, dereliction of duty, unfitness for office, and abusing the public trust.

Most of the charges center on Ken Paxton’s relationship with an Austin businessman and political donor, Nate Paul.

This podcast is an archive of live coverage of the first day of the trial featuring Texas Standard host David Brown, Texas Standard managing producer Laura Rice, Texas Newsroom political reporter Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, KUT Austin managing editor Ben Philpott and Texas Monthly senior editor Alexandra Samuels.

Part 3: Coverage of first day of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton impeachment trial

(Part 3 of 5)

Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023 marked the beginning of the Texas Senate impeachment trial of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton. Paxton was impeached by the Texas House of Representatives in May and suspended shortly after from his duties as AG.

There are, in total, 20 articles of impeachment against Paxton. They include seven counts of disregarding his official duties, three counts of making false statements in official records, two counts each of constitutional bribery and obstruction of justice. He’s also accused of misapplying and misappropriating public resources, conspiracy or attempted conspiracy, dereliction of duty, unfitness for office, and abusing the public trust.

Most of the charges center on Ken Paxton’s relationship with an Austin businessman and political donor, Nate Paul.

This podcast is an archive of live coverage of the first day of the trial featuring Texas Standard host David Brown, Texas Standard managing producer Laura Rice, Texas Newsroom political reporter Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, KUT Austin managing editor Ben Philpott and Texas Monthly senior editor Alexandra Samuels.

Part 2: Coverage of first day of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton impeachment trial

(Part 2 of 5)

Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023 marked the beginning of the Texas Senate impeachment trial of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton. Paxton was impeached by the Texas House of Representatives in May and suspended shortly after from his duties as AG.

There are, in total, 20 articles of impeachment against Paxton. They include seven counts of disregarding his official duties, three counts of making false statements in official records, two counts each of constitutional bribery and obstruction of justice. He’s also accused of misapplying and misappropriating public resources, conspiracy or attempted conspiracy, dereliction of duty, unfitness for office, and abusing the public trust.

Most of the charges center on Ken Paxton’s relationship with an Austin businessman and political donor, Nate Paul.

This podcast is an archive of live coverage of the first day of the trial featuring Texas Standard host David Brown, Texas Standard managing producer Laura Rice, Texas Newsroom political reporter Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, KUT Austin managing editor Ben Philpott and Texas Monthly senior editor Alexandra Samuels.

Part 1: Coverage of first day of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton impeachment trial

(Part 1 of 5)

Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023 marked the beginning of the Texas Senate impeachment trial of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton. Paxton was impeached by the Texas House of Representatives in May and suspended shortly after from his duties as AG.

There are, in total, 20 articles of impeachment against Paxton. They include seven counts of disregarding his official duties, three counts of making false statements in official records, two counts each of constitutional bribery and obstruction of justice. He’s also accused of misapplying and misappropriating public resources, conspiracy or attempted conspiracy,  dereliction of duty, unfitness for office, and abusing the public trust.

Most of the charges center on Ken Paxton’s relationship with an Austin businessman and political donor, Nate Paul.

This podcast is an archive of live coverage of the first day of the trial featuring Texas Standard host David Brown, Texas Standard managing producer Laura Rice, Texas Newsroom political reporter Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, KUT Austin managing editor Ben Philpott and Texas Monthly senior editor Alexandra Samuels.

As Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial begins, Collin County voters are standing by him

Today, the Texas Senate has begun the impeachment trial of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton – the first time since 1975 that any Texas statewide official has faced impeachment. He is accused of constitutional bribery, abuse of official capacity, misuse of official information, and retaliation against former employees.The Texas Standard is following the trial live on air today. In this special abbreviated podcast episode, we’ll hear from the Texas Newsroom’s Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, who traveled to Collin County to report on how voters there – Paxton’s home county – remain loyal to him.

Summer Training

While school is beginning again, the calendar still reads summer — and so does the temperature gauge. This Typewriter Rodeo poem embraces the challenge of exercising in the heat. Still, be careful out there!

Why the film and TV strikes are at an awful time for Texas

A change in leadership in the embattled Texas foster care system is bringing with it some optimism.

Texas doesn’t have enough space in psychiatric hospitals, so some people are staying in jails instead. We’ll explore their legal limbo.

A new investigation from the Dallas Morning News explores the history and impact of excessive use of police force in Dallas.

The film strikes in Hollywood are having more than just ripple effects here in Texas – why the timing was especially bad for the state.

And it’s Friday, so that means the Typewriter Rodeo and a wrap of the week in Texas politics.

My Best Day

Not every day seems easy — or even “good.” But support from those who love us can remind us that every day has the potential to be our best. Maybe it’s just a matter of perspective. That’s what inspires us about this Typewriter Rodeo poem.

Examining the skills gap in a post-pandemic workforce

Border Patrol agents say Texas efforts to address migration are disrupting their work. Troopers say complaints are overblown.

We’ll have an update on the state’s wildfire risk as the dangerous pattern of hot and dry conditions continues.

How one Texas school district spent the the summer addressing safety concerns.

Reports of a concerning trend in the workforce: new employees that just aren’t ready to do the job.

There’s bipartisan support for rolling back some environmental regulations to speed up the production of U.S.-made semiconductors.

And we’ll hear from Kiana Fitzgerald, author of the new book “Ode to Hip-Hop: 50 Albums That Define 50 Years of Trailblazing Music.”

A Tribute to Typewriters

If there’s one thing we know about the folks at Typewriter Rodeo, it’s that they’re into expressing themselves through poetry. But why via typewriters? And not just any ol’ electric typewriter — but vintage, manual typewriters. This poem explores that.

What My Grandmother Taught Me

There are plenty of quotes about age and wisdom. This Typewriter Rodeo poem doesn’t pull from stereotype or adage. It’s just a real-life example of a good lesson passed down.

The McDonald Observatory

(AKA the stars at night)

This Typewriter Rodeo poems celebrates one of Texas’ most beloved scientific treasures.

Texas Extra: More from a Texas intersex advocate about what we all need to know about bodies

We’re experimenting with bonus episodes here at the Standard. This one is another extended interview.

This conversation with political consultant and intersex activist Alicia Roth Weigel first aired Thursday. We had so much to talk about when it came to her experiences in life and with her new movie — “Every Body” — and we wanted to bring you more.

As always, we’re interested in what you think of our bonus content. You can let us know on social media or on the contact us page at Texas Standard dot org. Thanks — and happy extended listening!

Still Wearing Pajama Pants

The pandemic impacted many parts of many of our lives. For some, that included what we wear. This Typewriter Rodeo poem celebrates one change that the poet is embracing as permanent.

How to keep yourself and your pets safe this Fourth of July

Texas prison heat is an issue we’ve highlighted on this program for years. Why it’s not being solved quickly.

Abortion access is one of the top political issues in Texas. So how did state lawmakers manage to quietly pass a bill clarifying exceptions to the ban?

On the eve of July Fourth, we’ll give you a checklist to run through to make sure people, pets and property are all well taken care of.

And how the Supreme Court’s latest ruling on affirmative action will impact the processes at some Texas colleges and universities.

What the Supreme Court’s ruling on student loans means for Texans

We have the latest on two rulings today from the Supreme Court: one striking down President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan, and another in favor of a web designer who refused to do wedding work for same-sex couples.

In about 30 years the number of banks across the United States has dropped by 75%. One perspective on what that means for consumers.

It’s always mosquito season in Texas, but there’s some reason to be extra cautious right now about getting bit. How to protect yourself from mosquito-borne illnesses.

Harder math classes may be in store for many Texas middle schoolers – why supporters of a new law say this is really good news.

And a wrap of one Texas special legislative session and the start of another. What you need to know to end your week.

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