ACC

The latest on the freeze heading towards Austin

The forecast continues to evolve as an arctic cold front heads towards the Austin area this weekend. Temperatures are forecast to remain below freezing starting Saturday night in Central Texas and could stay that way through Monday. We’ll have the latest forecasts and updates from city officials.

Austin Community College’s free tuition pilot program ballooned to nearly 10,000 students this academic year. We’ll look at the students who are being impacted and the things they’re learning about.

Huston-Tillotson University’s Jazz Orchestra is among the top bands in the country. We’ll hear about their competition last weekend in New York.

Plus, photojournalism collides with original songwriting in the new project “Witness.” We share a special sneak listen.

KUT Morning Newscast for September 18, 2025: A new audit finds the City of Austin is falling behind on its “zero waste” goals

Central Texas top stories for September 18, 2025. News organizations fight to unseal Texas AG Ken Paxton’s divorce case records. A new audit finds the City of Austin is falling behind on its “zero waste” goals. Austin severs ties with a nonprofit that runs two downtown homeless shelters. ACC has a new partnership to help students find affordable housing. Leander ISD is considering closing some schools amid a budget deficit. Austin FC beat Minnesota last night, they move to advance to the U.S. Open Cup Final.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for August 19, 2025: A Texas Democrat is sleeping at the Texas Capitol to protest GOP redistricting and state trooper escorts

Central Texas top stories for August 19, 2025. House Democrats are back in Texas and the House Speaker wants to keep it that way to push through new Congressional maps. ACC and immigrant rights advocates are trying to intervene in a case that ended access to in-state tuition for students without legal status in Texas. A bridge over Cow Creek in Northwest Travis County is open again. Voters in the Hays school district will decide whether to give themselves a roughly 15% tax rate increase. A ban on outdoor burning was lifted today for parts of Northwest Travis County.

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 Morning Newscast for August 19, 2025: Texas House Democrats return to Capitol after two-week walkout

Central Texas top stories for August 20, 2025. Today’s the first day of class for 70 thousand AISD students. Texas House Democrats returned to Austin on Monday, ending their 2-week-long walkout and restoring the chamber’s quorum. Austin Community College has been awarded $3.6 million from the state to help create a new semiconductor manufacturing lab. Is it a summer cold… Or is it COVID-19? 

KUT Afternoon Newscast for July 24, 2025: Austin Community College could get an air traffic controller academy

Central Texas top stories for July 24, 2025. The City of Austin is trying to set up an air traffic controller academy in ACC, but there’s no guarantee it will happen. The Texas House and Senate’s new special committees on flood relief and preparedness met for the first time this week. The Austin City Council is postponing a vote to update the city’s comprehensive plan. Prices at the gas pumps have been trending lower.

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 Morning Newscast for July 24, 2025: UT Austin is asking some students for proof of “lawful presence.” Advocates worry this could have ripple effects.

Central Texas top stories for July 24, 2025. The Texas House and Senate’s new special committees on flood relief and preparedness met for the first time yesterday. Austin’s city council could vote today on a measure aimed at addressing a critical shortage of air traffic controllers at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.  UT Austin is asking certain students to show proof of quote “lawful presence” by today. Tomorrow is the last day to volunteer with flood recovery through Travis County’s Volunteer Reception Center.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for June 27, 2025: Austin Water is providing more details about what caused a massive increase in the amount of treated water that’s leaked from its distribution system

Central Texas top stories for June 27, 2025. The city lost nearly 9.3 billion gallons in 2024. Job Corps in San Marcos was set to shut down next week, but will remain open temporarily. Tomorrow is Austin Public Health’s Take a Loved One for a Check-up Day. Taylor Pride will hold its fifth annual music and arts festival tomorrow from 4-10 p.m. at Heritage Park in downtown Taylor.

KUT Morning Newscast for June 25, 2025: ACC sues the DOJ to challenge the end of the Texas Dream Act 

Central Texas top stories for June 25, 2025. The Austin Community College District’s Board of Trustees joined a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton challenging the end of the Texas Dream Act. The Austin Independent School District is asking the public for feedback on the criteria it’s using to evaluate campuses for potential closure. Georgetown’s City Council approved new ordinances that restrict the use of public spaces, despite concerns about possible impacts to unhoused individuals. A Travis County Judge ruled that a $440 road bond package approved by Hays County voters in November is now void. The George Washington Carver Genealogy Center is teaching people how to track down their family history.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for June 23, 2025: Governor Greg Abbott has vetoed Senate Bill 3, which would have banned consumable THC products in Texas

Central Texas top stories for June 23, 2025. Governor Greg Abbott vetoed 26 bills and signed more than 11 hundred into law, including the Life of the Mother Act. ACC’s District Board of Trustees plans is joining a lawsuit challenging the end of the Texas Dream Act. Homes in Austin sold for an average of just under $600,000 last month. Austin ISD has two virtual community meetings this week on the school consolidation process to save money.

As the clock winds down, Texas lawmakers scramble to pass key bills

A look at the behind-the-scenes dealmaking happening at the Texas Capitol with less than two weeks until lawmakers gavel out on June 2.

How proposed cuts to SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, would impact Texans.

Apple has a plan to make it possible to use your laptop, phone and even smartwatch with brain control. Tech reporter Omar Gallaga says it’s no gimmick and could bring serious accessibility benefits.

Plus: A new coach, a new star – and a bumpy takeoff for the Dallas Wings.

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 Morning Newscast for February 21, 2025: ACC plans to expand its partnership with Texas A&M’s engineering department.

Central Texas top stories for February 21, 2025. We’ll have below freezing temperatures tonight, Austin’s overnight shelters are set to remain open. ACC plans to expand its partnership with Texas A&M’s engineering department with a $1.5 gift from Samsung Austin semiconductor. The University of Texas head football coach is set to make more than $80million over the next seven years. The San Antonio Spurs beat the Phoenix Suns 120 to 109 at the Moody Center. The Hill Country Conservancy finalized an agreement with the John Knox Ranch to protect 255 acres of land. 

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.

KUT Morning Newscast for January 21, 2025

Central Texas top stories for January 21, 2025. The Austin area is covered in snow this morning, some areas of the city got more snow than others. School districts are closed, and some City services will operate under modified schedules. Sales prices on homes in the Austin area rose, which is rare for this time of year.  

KUT Morning Newscast for January 20, 2025

Central Texas top stories for January 20, 2025. We might get some snow in the Austin area, but it might not linger for too long. Here’s how to protect your pipes from freezing weather. City closures are expected in observance of MLK day today and due to the winter storm tomorrow.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for December 12, 2024

Central Texas top stories for December 12, 2024. It’s flu season. The City of Austin has a plan to fund The Marshalling Yard through September of next year. The Austin City Council is set to vote today on a new Resource, Generation, and Climate Protection Plan for Austin Energy. Austin Water is conducting a prescribed burn today along the I-35 corridor. Austin Community College is celebrating a record number of graduates today during its Fall Commencement Ceremony.  Hays CISD is considering a nearly $1 billion bond that would go to voters in May.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for November 27, 2024

Central Texas top stories for November 27, 2024. The Central Texas Food Bank has been gathering and distributing food for families in need for Thanksgiving. The City of Austin has opened a new affordable housing development. ACC is expanding in Round Rock. It’s the last day on the job for Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw.