Central Texas top stories for November 4, 2025. It’s Election Day, here’s what you need to know before heading to the polls. More than 87,000 people in the Austin area are likely to face delays receiving SNAP benefits. A section of the Shoal Creek Trail that runs along North Lamar Boulevard is about to get an upgrade. The UT women’s basketball team opened the season at home with a win.
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How state Prop 14 could help fund Texas dementia research
Voters tomorrow will have one last chance to make their voice heard this election. One state constitutional amendment on the ballot – Prop 14 – would commit $3 billion to fund the new Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. We’ll get the details from KUT’s Olivia Aldridge.
Check out KUT’s Voter guides for Travis County, Williamson County and the proposed constitutional amendments. Plus what you need to know for election day.
Texas Standard’s Sarah Asch explores adult education programs across Texas that are working to help immigrants find jobs relevant to their professional experience from before they came to the U.S.
Plus: Austin FC is out of the playoffs after a weekend loss to LAFC.
KUT Morning Newscast for November 3, 2025: Pause in SNAP funding to impact almost 45,000 Travis County households
Central Texas top stories for November 3, 2025. More than 117,000 people in Travis County cast a ballot during Early Voting this year. Prop 16 clarifies that a person must be a U.S. citizen to vote in Texas. City of Austin officials say the pause in SNAP funding impacts almost 45,000 Travis County households, over 87,000 people. Open enrollment is underway for insurance on the Affordable Care Act marketplace, Texans are seeing higher prices. Texas is now number 13 in AP Top 25 College Football Poll. Austin FC’s 2025 season is over.
Rap Missing On The Billboard Top 40?
On this episode we discuss the aftermath of the No Limit and Cash Money Records Verzuz in Las Vegas. We also discuss the Billboard Top 40 not having in hip-hop songs on it since 1990 and the possible fall out from that. Hip-Hop facts include Outkast, Michael Jordan, Warren G and more. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion is that causal hip-hop fans don’t care if an artist performs over their backing vocals or not.
KUT Morning Newscast for October 31, 2025: AISD is expected to release updates on its school consolidation plan today
Central Texas top stories for October 31, 2025. Today is the last day of early voting. The Austin Independent School District is expected to release updates on its school consolidation plan later today. Some faculty and students at UT’s College of Liberal Arts are fearful about a possible restructuring of departments. Austin’s air traffic controllers are under extra strain during the federal government shutdown. Open enrollment for Affordable Care Act marketplace insurance plans begins tomorrow.
What is Latin music? Carrie Rodriguez explores with ‘Laboratorio’ series
Texans are voting on 17 proposed amendments to the state constitution – and one of them involves voting itself. Joshua Blank from the Texas Politics Project joins us for a chat on Proposition 16, which clarifies citizenship as a requirement to cast a ballot.
KUTX’s Maile Carballo talks the Beach Boys coming to Longhorn City Limits after this weekend’s UT-Vanderbilt game.
Texas Standard has been exploring horror movies with Texas ties – today it’s “Grindhouse,” filmed in Austin.
What is Latin music? Austin musician Carrie Rodriguez is still exploring that question through her “Laboratorio” concert series and shares more about the old-timey radio show she’s planning.
What Texas voters should know before Election Day
With 17 constitutional amendments on the ballot next week, state officials are reminding Texans what to expect at the polls. We’ll talk with the Texas Secretary of State’s Office about dos and don’ts while voting.
Both Austin and Houston are facing financial strain, but their solutions couldn’t be more different: One wants to raise taxes, while the other wants to hold the line.
Austin DJ Laurie Gallardo, host of the podcast “SPF 1000: Vampire Sunscreen,” discusses Latinx goth culture, its roots in border life and the darker side of music and identity.
KUT Morning Newscast for October 30, 2025: Neighbors of Sandy Creek are still in need of volunteers after July floods
Central Texas top stories for October 30, 2025. The City of Austin says it’s connecting those living outside with housing and medical services. Neighbors of Sandy Creek say they are still in need of volunteers after the July floods. Prop 12 would amend the Texas constitution to grant the governor significant new powers when it comes to disciplining or dismissing elected judges. Make sure the tire pressure on your car is right during this cold front. Austin FC fell to LAFC last night.
KUT Morning Newscast for October 29, 2025: Barton Springs’ historic bathhouse begins to reopen after renovations
Central Texas top stories for October 29, 2025. A campaign against Prop Q is misrepresenting how much property owners bill go up if it’s approved. Barton Springs Joan Means Khabele Bathhouse is now partially reopened, and people can access showers and bathrooms. Whooping cough is likely spreading at an AISD campus. Frontier Airlines is adding limited time service to New Orleans in time for Mardi Gras next year.
How much would Prop Q cost homeowners in Austin?
Prop Q has brought out early voters in numbers that are higher than usual for an off-year election. The proposed tax rate increase, Austin officials say, would raise money to improve local parks, safety and homelessness. How much would that cost that homeowners? KUT government accountability reporter Andrew Weber breaks it down ahead of Election Day.
Meanwhile, the city is facing a deadline to remove painted crosswalks and street murals or risk losing state and federal money for future transportation projects. KUT’s Nathan Bernier has an update on which artwork could be affected.
Plus, ATXplained Live is tomorrow! Get into the spirit with a story about the man who used to recite poetry before Austin concerts.
KUT Morning Newscast for October 28, 2025: The City of Austin released a list of crosswalks and street murals that may have to be removed under Abbott order
Central Texas top stories for October 28, 2025. The City of Austin released a list of crosswalks and street murals that may have to be removed under Gov. Abbott order, it includes a giant mural that says “TEXAS” on Guadalupe. State Senator Sarah Eckhardt, an Austin Democrat, is running for Congress. Residents of Sandy Creek met with Travis County officials yesterday to discuss concerns about ongoing flood recovery effort. This weekend the Longhorns will play Vanderbilt, a seven-and-one team in the Associated Press top ten for the first time since the 1940s.
3.5 million Texans could lose their SNAP benefits
The federal government has been shut down for 27 days, and if it continues, more than3.5 million people in Texas – including 1.7 million children – will lose access to their SNAP benefits to help pay for groceries. KUT’s Olivia Aldridge shares more on what that will mean for Texans facing food insecurity.
Ahead of Halloween this week, we’ll take a look at one ’90s teen horror movie filmed right here in town: “The Faculty.”
Matthew Odam, longtime restaurant critic at theAustin American-Statesman, stops by to chat about the latest edition of his dining guide to the best restaurants in town.
KUT Morning Newscast for October 27, 2025: Tens of thousands of Travis County voters are in suspense
Central Texas top stories for October 27, 2025. It’s the second week of early voting in the November 4th election, and less than 5 percent of registered voters have cast a ballot. Tens of thousands of Travis County voters are in suspense. Data centers in the Austin area are placing considerable strain on the state’s electric grid. AISD is still hearing feedback from the community on its school consolidation plan; there’s a virtual meeting tonight. The Longhorns beat Mississippi State in overtime on Saturday.
Our Favorite Moments In Hip-Hop
On this episode we discuss some of favorite, or most important, moments in hip-hop. We also discuss a proposed Houston hip-hop Verzuz between the Screwed Up Click and Swisha House. Hip-hop facts include facts about Warren G, The Alchemist, and Eddie Murphy. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion this week is that no artist truly wants to be “anti-industry” that they claim.
What Travis County voters need to know this election
There’s a lot on the November ballot, from proposed property tax increases to state constitutional amendments. KUT’s Katy McAfee walks us through what Travis County voters will see.
Is something radioactive lurking in the walls of the state Capitol? KUT’s Juan Diego Garcia grabbed a geiger counter and went exploring for ATXplained.
Plus: A look ahead at a busy weekend in sports, including Longhorns football trying for a more decisive win on the road at Mississippi State.
KUT Morning Newscast for October 24, 2025: Main lanes of southbound I-35 in South Austin are expected to be closed tonight and tomorrow night
Central Texas top stories for October 24, 2025. Today’s the last day to apply for a ballot by mail. Main lanes of I-35 in South Austin will be closed tonight and tomorrow night. The Longhorns play Mississippi State tomorrow. The Viva la Vida parade and festival will take place tomorrow in downtown Austin.
Williamson County voters to weigh in on proposed tax rate increases
Austinites aren’t the only Texans weighing proposed tax rate increases at the ballot box this year. In Williamson County, the Taylor and Liberty Hills school districts are asking voters for more dollars. KUT’s Kailey Hunt has a breakdown.
We’re one week out from KUT’s ATXplained Live show at the Bass Concert Hall. We’ll talk with Project Manager Matt Largey on this community-powered live storytelling event.
And Texas Standard teams up with magazine “Fangoria” to highlight a horror film shot in Central Texas’ waterways: 1978’s “Piranha.”
KUT Morning Newscast for October 22, 2025: CapMetro has a new poliece chief
Central Texas top stories for October 22, 2025. Austin wasn’t warned that state police would be clearing homeless camps on city land, mayor says. Capital Metro has a new police chief. Travis County is looking into building a commuter rail system from Austin to San Antonio. Early voting turnout has been low.
Anti-Prop Q website raises ethics questions
With early voting underway, Austin’s Prop Q is front and center for many folks – and was the subject of an ethics complaint against a resident who created a website aiming to take down the ballot item. KUT’s Andrew Weber breaks it down.
What Gov. Greg Abbott’s latest announcement of Austin cleanup efforts means for the city.
Plus: Barbara Morgan, executive director of the Austin Film Festival, previews what to expect from this year’s fest.
KUT Morning Newscast for October 21, 2025: CapMetro approves sweeping plan to reshape Austin’s public transit network
Central Texas top stories for October 21, 2025. CapMetro approved a plan to reshape Austin’s public transit network, but not everyone is on board. Monday was the deadline for universities to submit comments to the White House on a funding compact. It’s unclear if UT Austin will sign the document. Neighbors complain about AISD’s new plan to turn former Rosedale School into a six-story apartment complex. Liberty Hill ISD is asking voters to approve a tax rate increase. The Austin area is under disaster declaration due to elevated fire risk.