Central Texas top stories for May 2, 2025. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect in the Austin area until 8pm tonight. Tomorrow is Election Day. Texas lawmakers are considering a number of bills that would significantly change how the state’s power grid operates. Two judges are ordering the University of Texas not to delete communications surrounding arrests last year during campus protests. The city of Austin has replaced several of the temporary barriers along 6th Street.
89th Texas Legislative Session
KUT Afternoon Newscast for May 1, 2025: A bill allowing Texans to sue abortion pill distributors passes the Texas Senate.
Central Texas top stories for May 1, 2025. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for Austin and much of the surrounding area. The Texas Senate has passed an expansive bill that would crack down on abortion pill prescribers and manufacturers. Current and former UT Austin students have filed a federal lawsuit against the University over their arrests during a pro-Palestinian demonstration on campus last year. Starting today, it costs more to park at the airport. May Day ushers in what is historically the rainiest month in Austin.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for April 18, 2025: Texas lawmakers are targeting local prosecutors – again
Central Texas top stories for April 18, 2025. The Travis County Fire Marshal has determined the cause of the house explosion in Northwest Austin last weekend. A measure making its way through the Texas Legislature looks to give local district attorneys more oversight from the state. The Trump administration has revoked the visas of more than 200 international students at Texas colleges and universities. The Texas baseball and softball teams are back in action today. Several businesses will be closed this Sunday for Easter.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for April 16, 2025: City audit finds the Austin Police Department doesn’t have a plan to hire more police
Central Texas top stories for April 16, 2025. APD has strained for years under the weight of staffing shortages. The Texas House is debating this afternoon one of the governor’s top priorities: education savings accounts, also referred to as school vouchers. Ascension Seton will be taking full ownership of Cedar Park Medical Center. The Texas Department of Transportation has closed the southbound I-35 exit for Woodland Avenue just north of Oltorf in Austin as part of the I-35 Capital Express Central Project.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for April 15, 2025: Travis County leaders are trying to keep “coffin chasers” from accessing your information
Central Texas top stories for April 15, 2025. A Republican-backed bill would limit what information from the Medical Examiner’s office is public record. The Texas House is about to take up an effort from the governor that would use public money for private schools. A memorial service will be held tomorrow for a Georgetown firefighter and paramedic. The Longhorns are the top-ranked team in collegiate baseball for the first time in three years.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for April 8, 2025: A measure in the Texas Legislature aims to clarify when emergency abortions are legal.
Central Texas top stories for April 8, 2025. House Bill 44 would clarify when emergency abortions are legal. We Are Blood needs donations of type-O blood. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is warning about another telephone scam. Liberty Hill ISD Superintendent Steven Snell has submitted his resignation, now that he’s been appointed to be Williamson County Judge. A man accused of fatally shooting six people in Austin and San Antonio in 2023 is now in a state mental health facility. Austin’s sales tax revenue has flattened, and that’s putting the city in some financial strain. Texas State University is changing its contract with a bus company after university-branded buses were seen transporting people to a protest rally in Austin over the weekend. Texas Baseball is the number two team in the country after sweeping Georgia.
KUT Morning Newscast for March 28, 2025: The Texas NCAAP is challenging President Donald Trump’s executive order seeking to dismantle the Department of Education.
Central Texas top stories for March 28, 2025. The Life of the Mother Act is aimed at clarifying when doctors can offer emergency abortion care. Williamson County commissioners have selected Liberty Hill Independent School District’s Superintendent Steven Snell as the county’s new chief executive. The Texas NAACP has joined a federal lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump’s executive order seeking to dismantle the Department of Education.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for March 26, 2025: Austin remains free to govern itself – for now.
Central Texas top stories for March 26, 2025. The City of Austin can keep making its own budgets and local laws. State lawmakers are considering whether to shield certain police complaints from public view. The Department of Education is facing lawsuits for blocking access to income-driven repayment plans for federal student loans. Some much-needed rain is in the forecast, starting as soon as today.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for March 21, 2025: The Texas Legislature looks to clarify abortion exemptions.
Central Texas top stories for March 21, 2025. A bill aimed at clarifying the medical exception to the Texas abortion ban was filed this week in the state legislature. Arrivals from Houston and Dallas were halted at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport this morning. Leander is working to secure access to water for its growing population. Longhorn Women’s Basketball Team kicks off its NCAA tournament campaign this weekend.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for March 20, 2025: State lawmakers are considering a bill that could speed up the eviction process for landlords.
Central Texas top stories for March 20, 2025. A tenant advocacy group says landlords filed the highest number of evictions last year in Travis County. Public education advocates in Austin are criticizing President Trump’s decision to dismantle the Department of Education. Austin officially has its first-ever poet laureate.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for March 19, 2025: What’s up with all the Red Flag Warnings?
Central Texas top stories for March 19, 2025. The Austin area is under a red flag warning again today. APD fired an officer after he pleaded guilty to an on-duty assault charge. State lawmakers heard testimony today on a bill that would put Austin under state oversight. The Texas men’s basketball team plays Xavier tonight for a chance to compete in the NCAA College Basketball Tournament.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for March 18, 2025: A bill filed in the Texas Senate could change the way Travis County voters have cast their ballots for more than 10 years.
Central Texas top stories for March 18, 2025. A bill filed in the Texas Senate could change the way Travis County voters have cast their ballots for more than 10 years. A bill to restrict cellphone use in classrooms has bipartisan support. Most of Central Texas is under a Wind Advisory until tonight, with a Red Flag Warning starting tomorrow morning.
KUT Morning Newscast for March 11, 2025: Texas will not participate in the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer Program.
Central Texas top stories for March 11, 2025. Texas state lawmakers want to penalize cities for not enforcing bans on sleeping outdoors in public. Texas is one of a dozen states that will not be participating in a federal program that helps families pay for groceries while school is out. Today is the last day you can leave an official comment on Austin’s light-rail plans.
KUT Morning Newscast for March 7, 2025: Thousands of visitors flock to Austin for South by Southwest.
Central Texas top stories for March 7, 2025. South by Southwest 2025 officially kicks off this morning. State lawmakers want to further restrict equity-minded programs across Texas.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for March 6, 2025: Barton Springs Pool closes as South by Southwest hits Austin.
Central Texas top stories for March 6, 2025. Weather conditions are raising the risk of fire today in the Austin area. Public education advocates say a proposal to increase per-student funding falls short of what schools need. Barton Springs Pool is closed through next week for its annual spring cleaning. The City of Austin is trying to improve its Art in Public Places program. Frontier Airlines is expanding its service from Austin.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for February 26, 2025: Austin’s police oversight measures are being targeted by Texas lawmakers.
Central Texas top stories for February 26, 2025. A new text scam asks people to pay overdue toll bills. The Texas Senate Committee on Health and Human Services wants to “Make Texas Healthy Again” with a slate of bills in the Texas Legislature. San Marcos wants feedback on downtown parking options. The early spring weather rolls on this weekend after a brief cold front tomorrow.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for February 18, 2025: Austin-Travis County EMS prepare for extreme cold tonight.
Central Texas top stories for February 18, 2025. The National Weather Service expects temperatures in Austin to go below freezing tonight. Texas lawmakers got an update today on an expansion to the state’s mental health hospitals. Liberty Hill ISD could adopt a four-day school week next year.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for February 7, 2025: InfoWars will not be auctioned
Central Texas top stories for February 7, 2025. Austin-based conspiracy theorist Alex Jones was back in court this week. Texas lawmakers are looking at another increase in the homestead exemption. Some business owners on 6th street are welcoming recent changes that now allow vehicle traffic on the road. Texas State Technical College is expanding its campus in East Williamson County. The second southbound MoPac exit to Steck Avenue will be closed for up to three months starting next week.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for February 5, 2025: Hundreds gathered at the Texas Capitol to protest the Trump Administration.
Central Texas top stories for February 5, 2025. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered on the Texas Capitol grounds today to protest the Trump administration. The Texas Senate is debating on a bill to spend public money on private schools. Uber customers can sign up to get a ride in a self-driving vehicle starting today. Gas prices have continued their climb in the Austin area. Drizzle and cloud cover around the Austin area kept temperatures in the 70’s today.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for February 4, 2025: Austin is revamping its Live Music Fund.
Central Texas top stories for February 4, 2025. Austin may be making some changes to its Live Music Fund. Texas Governor Greg Abbott wants the state legislature to secure the future of the Texas water supply. Rent prices in the Austin area fell again last month. Austin Community College will begin offering classes in Lockhart this month. There’s been a sudden jump in gasoline prices in the Austin area.