AISD

How a UT professor is helping the CDC plan for the next pandemic

The Texas Education Agency is moving forward with plans to monitor problems with Austin ISD’s special education services.

What did we learn from COVID-19? We’ll talk to UT’s Lauren Ancel Meyers, who has been tapped to help the U.S. develop a plan to better tackle the next pandemic.

Texas tops the nation in oil industry deaths – but there’s more to the story once you get into the numbers.

Also: Remembering a pioneer of Tejano music, Lydia Mendoza, who earned the title of “Meadowlark of the Border.”

KUT Morning Newscast for September 28, 2023

Central Texas top stories for September 28, 2023. Ozone day of action for Central Texas. Travis County takes I-35 concerns to the federal government. Texas Education Agency monitors assigned to Austin.

Historic heat makes Texas’ ailing water infrastructure even harder to fix

A plan for state officials to take over special education in the Austin Independent School District is being reconsidered. Becky Fogel of KUT in Austin shares more.

Record heat this summer statewide has led to widespread water leaks amid an already pressing need for repairs – but will a fund earmarked for fixes be enough?

With five deaths from fentanyl on average in Texas each day, a growing number of those deaths is among young people. The Dallas Morning news turns a monthlong spotlight on a growing crisis.

KUT Morning Newscast for August 31, 2023

Central Texas top stories for August 31, 2023. Austin Independent School District works towards alternate special education plan. Vote over armed officers in AISD. Uvalde sues District Attorney over records.

Taco Tuesdays in School Cafeterias: Exploring culturally relevant foods in elementary schools

Grab a lunch tray and join us at the cafeteria as we explore Mexican food served in elementary schools. We talk to Austin Independent School District’s Executive Chef Diane Grodek about the food served in schools, cafeteria worker Ofelia Diaz and get honest feedback from kids eating tacos and tamales over lunch at McBee Elementary School in Austin.

Booksellers sue Texas over law that will restrict school library books

On Capitol Hill, a former military officer-turned-whistleblower shares out-of-this world claims about UFOs and what he says the government’s hiding.

Following sex discrimination lawsuits over Texas’ border security crackdown, the state has started placing migrant women in state prisons as well.

The Austin school district is considering nearly doubling the size of its police department to comply with a new state law that takes effect in September.

A lawsuit by booksellers and publishers targets new book restrictions for Texas school libraries.

New research on Alzheimer’s finds Texas a hot spot, with border counties hit harder than the rest of the state.

And a women’s soccer champion from Georgetown weighs in on the women’s World Cup.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for May 31, 2023

Central Texas top stories for May 31, 2023. Union representing Austin ISD employees upset with lack of legislative action. More folks experiencing homelessness in Williamson County. Central Texas Food Bank brings back pandemic food assistance program for summer. Austin Public Library offering new ID cards. Round Rock ISD pop-up library. Austin FC takes on Minnesota to close out May.

KUT Morning Newscast for May 18, 2023

Central Texas top stories for May 18, 2023. Raises for teachers in Austin and Georgetown. National bike to work day. Austin Police Department overtime.

The state’s appointing conservators to oversee Austin’s school district

The Texas Education Agency wants to appoint a management team to help Austin ISD address “systemic issues” in serving students with disabilities, less than a month after the state announced a takeover of Houston ISD.

Some real fish tales out of San Angelo: We’ll tell you about the lake where anglers are catching tons of monster fish.

We’ll hear about the Country Music Television Awards’ Texas debut, the first time the ceremony has been held outside Nashville.

And what to look for from the state Legislature this week.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for March 31, 2023

Central Texas top stories for March 31, 2023. Austin Energy GM abruptly resigns. Texas bill would limit renewable energy. Austin man gets prison for Jan 6. Austin auditor looking for more COVID funding fraud. AISD interim superintendent to remain. Austin events to increase congestion Saturday.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for March 10, 2023

Central Texas top stories for March 10, 2023. Avoiding SXSW. AISD reading levels. Voter roll integrity system. Food for Fines. Austin FC. Texas basketball.

How are rising housing costs affecting Austin ISD staff?

The district conducted a survey earlier this year which found that more than half of employees who responded are spending more than 30% of their salary on housing costs. Responses show that AISD staff members are moving out of Austin to more affordable areas, taking on longer work commutes in the process.

Austin ISD is looking for a new superintendent. The school board says community input is key.

The AISD Board of Trustees is hammering out the details for its superintendent search. Trustees held a board retreat Monday with the search firm it hired to help find the district’s next leader. The big question trustees are considering is: How open should the superintendent search be?

KUT Afternoon Newscast for February 10, 2023

Central Texas top stories for February 10, 2023. Less than 1000 Austin Energy customers still affected by power outages. City Manager Spencer will be fired or asked to resign. Austin opening cold weather shelters and exploring better options. Austin ISD working to make it simpler for families to enroll. Texas and Oklahoma poised to leave the Big 12 early. Texas basketball doubleheader this Saturday.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for February 09, 2023

Central Texas top stories for February 09, 2023. Fewer outages but some persist. Venting at Austin City Council meeting. Austin utility late fees waived. Agreement on APD contract. Disability Rights Texas wants AISD investigation. New ACC mental health center. Water research funding. Lower gas prices.

KUT Morning Newscast for January 9, 2023

Central Texas top stories for January 9, 2023. ERCOT Texas Supreme Court. Austin ISD registration postponed. Voting Bills in the Texas Legislature. Rep. Hinojosa on school funding. COVID-19 Omicron sub-variant. UT mapping deep space. Longhorn Men’s Basketball.