AISD

After its buyout, has Whataburger lost its spice?

There’s a fight to lead the Texas House of Representatives, and two names top the list. Yesterday we heard about Justin Burrows; today we’re taking a closer look at his challenger, David Cook, who the support of the House GOP caucus.

How one Central Texas school district is trying to do something about chronic absenteeism.

And: Whataburger has long been celebrated as a Texas fast food icon, but after its sale to a Chicago-based company, many claim it just isn’t what it used to be. Omar Gallaga explains.

KUT Morning Newscast for December 11, 2024

Central Texas top stories for December 11, 2024. A federal judge ruled Infowars won’t be sold to The Onion after all. AISD is taking feedback on its plan to cut tens of millions of dollars in spending over the next three years, they’re not the only Texas district operating under a budget deficit. The City of Austin is working to educate residents on how to prepare for severe weather. Here’s what you need to know about Cedar Fever.

KUT Morning Newscast for December 9, 2024

Central Texas top stories for December 09, 2024. Tomorrow is the last day of early voting for the December 14^th runoff election. AISD is asking the public for feedback on its plan to eliminate its 92-million-dollar budget deficit over the next three years. The City of Austin is considering a new rule that would require certain businesses to display information about mental health and firearm safety. Austin City Council will vote on a plan to generate electricity in Austin into the future. The Longhorns came up short in the SEC game on Saturday, but they’re fifth seed in this year’s expanded College Football Playoff. An asteroid has been named after a UT professor.

KUT Morning Newscast for December 06, 2024

Central Texas top stories for December 06, 2024. You can still vote to decide who will get the seat left on the AISD Board of Trustees. We’re expecting a warmer winter, but Texas could still see dramatic cold snaps. The Longhorns will go for their first Southeastern Conference Championship tomorrow. Texas Volleyball team will play NCAA Second Round against USC tonight. You can get your dog or cat spayed or neutered for free this week.

KUT Morning Newscast for December 03, 2024

Central Texas top stories for December 03, 2024. Early voting is underway in runoff races in Travis County, that includes a seat on the AISD Board of Trustees, Austin City Council District Seven and Manor’s mayor. Travis County is seeing a decline in drug-related deaths. Work is underway to build a new pipeline in Lake Travis, but the project is facing delays.

KUT Morning Newscast for December 2, 2024

Central Texas top stories for December 2, 2024. Early voting for runoff elections in Travis County starts today. President-elect Donald Trump’s plans on how to address homelessness might affect Austin’s long-term plans to get people to housing. The only clinic in Texas that exclusively serves uninsured children needs to find a new place. Here’s how to watch out for seasonal scams. The Longhorns will play to win the SEC championship. UT- Austin will host first and second rounds of the 2024 NCAA Volleyball Championship.

KUT Morning Newscast for November 27, 2024

Central Texas top stories for November 27, 2024. The Austin Police Department says mail theft cases rise by about 50% in December compared to the rest of the year. Austin Community College is expanding its Round Rock campus, recently breaking ground on two new buildings, will provide space for ACC’s popular advanced manufacturing and automotive technology programs. About 10-thousand people were at last night’s Feast of Sharing at Austin’s Palmer Events Center. AISD students will be part of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade tomorrow.

A closer look at the country music Grammy nods

As lawmakers prepare to take up a school voucher-like plan, many state public schools are struggling with more cutbacks.
Gov. Greg Abbott is seeking an extension of a tuition freeze for public colleges and universities.
What the tiny town of Rockdale, Texas, could teach us about the energy transition and rising demand.
Mando Rayo of the Tacos of Texas podcast breaks down the state’s new Michelin-recognized restaurants.
And: What the Grammy nominations tell us about the changing landscape of country music – and why it’s sounding a lot more like an increasingly diverse Texas.

KUT Morning Newscast for November 6, 2024

Central Texas top stories for November 6, 2024. Results for local elections in the Austin area. Austin Mayor Kirk Watson needs more than 50% of the vote to avoid a runoff, numbers are uncertain. Here’s what Autsinites decided on City Council. Travis County voters approved Proposition A to expand affordable childcare options in the county. Manor residents approved a new tax rate election to generate more revenue for the Manor Independent School District. Hays County voters have approved a 440-million-dollar bond for road improvements. Voters gave the Lockhart Independent School District a green light to join Austin Community College’s taxing district.

KUT Morning Newscast for November 1, 2024

Central Texas top stories for November 1, 2024. Today is the last day of early voting. Low-income residents can apply for help paying their rent from the City of Austin. A federal judge says pro-Palestinian student groups have a right to sue top officials at three public universities in Texas. School is out in many Central Texas school districts today.

KUT Morning Newscast for October 23, 2024

Central Texas top stories for October 23, 2024. CapMetro announced its Metro Rail will go back to its regular schedule. Travis County is seeing a record number of people show up to the polls. AID voters will decide on a tax rate increase. The Austin City Council is expected to vote tomorrow on a new police labor contract.

KUT Morning Newscast for October 15, 2024

Central Texas top stories for October 15, 2024. Ted Cruz and Colin Allred face off tonight in their only debate ahead of the fall election. Voters will decide this fall whether to approve a new tax rate for AISD. The city of Austin could purchase a building to serve as its new public safety headquarters. Work is underway to tear down a historic building on the University of Texas campus despite activists pushing for preservation. Lisa Davis was officially sworn in as Austin’s Police Chief.

KUT Morning Newscast for October 14, 2024

Central Texas top stories for October 14, 2024. Airport officials say travelers should expect long lines at Austin Bergstrom International Airport. About 30 AISD schools and facilities will serve as polling sites on election day. A local group is asking Hays County voters to reject the bond for road improvements. Travis County is considering joining Austin’s food plan to avoid food waste. Travis County is holding a job fair today.

KUT Morning Newscast for September 27, 2024

Central Texas top stories for September 27, 2024. The Austin City Council has rejected a proposed rate hike from Texas Gas Service. AISD is working on a place to reduce its spending by tens of millions of dollars, here’s an update. Unhoused Austinites staying at the ARCH or 8th Street shelters will soon have access to a free career training course from Austin Community College. Travis County residents can get their dogs and cats spayed or neutered for free today and tomorrow, here are the details.

KUT Morning Newscast for September 24, 2024

Central Texas top stories for September 24, 2024. Travis County’s budget for next year includes a new law enforcement department, it is set to be approved today. The City of Austin and the Austin Police Association have reached a tentative contract agreement that includes a 28% pay increase. The Austin Independent School District is moving forward with an effort to build housing. The FDA is re-launching a program for people to order free COVID-19 tests.

KUT Morning Newscast for September 23, 2024

Central Texas top stories for September 23, 2024. Austin’s police official Christopher Taylor goes back to trail for a second time for another on-duty shooting. Travis County Commissioners are set to approve a nearly $2 billion dollar budget. Central Texas school districts have seen an uptick in violent threats. Texans who have federal student loans in default can sign up for a temporary relief program. UT Austin’s police chief, Eve Stephens, resigned Friday. Texas Longhorns remain no. 1 on the AP college football poll.

KUT Morning Newscast for September 16, 2024

Central Texas top stories for September 16, 2024. Homes in Austin are selling for a bit more than they did last year. Uber says it will start using self-driving cars in Austin and Atlanta early next year. A nonprofit focused on supporting children and families has given tens of thousands of dollars to the AISD. This year has not been great for bat viewing in Austin, but that doesn’t mean it has been a bad year for the bats. The Texas Longhorns are now number one in the Associated Press Top 25 college football poll.

KUT Morning Newscast for September 4, 2024

Central Texas top stories for September 4, 2024. Austinites will have a chance to meet the candidates running for the city council in November. Lake Travis ISD has rolled out new parental controls for its online library catalog. Austin Independent School District students who are caught with e-cigarettes on campus will have to take an anti-vaping course. Llano got 6 inches of rain on Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning.

KUT Morning Newscast for August 27, 2024

Central Texas top stories for August 27, 2024. The Austin City Council is set to approve more than a million dollars in contracts to expand the services of a nonprofit addressing homelessness. Community is coming together after the fire at Kealing Middle School delayed the start of the school year. AISD is getting a grant for solar panels. Edith Royal passed away yesterday at age of 98.

Central Texas top stories for August 21, 2024.

Austin Pets Alive is expanding its efforts to move animals from under-resourced shelters in Texas to out-of-state foster and adoptive homes. Manor ISD’s school board decided this week to ask voters to approve a new tax rate in November. An Austin ISD trustee who represents voters across the entire district, Noelita Lugo, is not running for reelection in November. The City of Austin has put out a help-wanted sign for artists.