austin

How the primaries played out amid Williamson County confusion

Election Night is over in Texas, but we’re still figuring out exactly what happened yesterday in Williamson County. Some voters waited in line for hours, only to be told they’d have to go to an entirely different polling site to vote. Others made an after-hours trip to cast a ballot, only to find out their vote may not be counted.

Our team of county reporters was covering the most important races in Central Texas. They join us in the studio with their latest reporting.

And the City of Austin is ending a rental assistance program; it’s a byproduct of a trimmed budget. We’ll have more about the help that’s going out for the last time and the future of other assistance programs.

The people of Austin have voted Soundfounder on KUTX Radio Show of the Year! The host of the show, Andrew Brown, is with us today on Austin Signal

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

Central Texas voters head to the polls on primary Election Day

We’re getting more information about the three victims from Sunday morning’s shooting at Buford’s. We’ll have the latest from the KUT newsroom.

It’s primary Election Day here in Texas. Four Austin-area Texas legislators are vying for the Democratic nomination of various positions. In addition to the statewide offices, there’s lots going on in the Central Texas area. KUT’s county reporters for Hays, Travis and Williamson counties are out in the field talking to voters. We’ll hear about the reasons they’re coming out to cast a ballot this Election Day.

Plus, Austin wouldn’t be Austin without its wacky cast of characters. Who’s the guy who used to write and read poems before concerts across town? We’ll have the answer from our ATXplained project.

More details emerge following West Sixth Street shooting

Three people are dead and many more are hospitalized following a deadly shooting over the weekend at a popular West Sixth Street bar.

The incident is being investigated by the FBI as a potential act of terrorism, but authorities say it’s still too early to determine a motive.

Austin Mayor Kirk Watson, Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis and other local officials held a press conference sharing more information on the victims of the shootings.

We’ll also delve into what’s known regarding the 53-year-old alleged gunman.

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

Iran strikes stoke fears of wider war, impact on energy prices

Fighting widens as U.S. and Israeli warplanes pound Iran. Iran and its proxies hit back, leading to a spiraling expansion. We’re following a rapidly expanding Middle East conflict with a close eye on the implications for Texas. UT international affairs expert Jeremi Suri answers some of the critical questions right now.
Also, we’ll have a warning about energy prices Texans may be facing with the conflict underway as well as reactions from people in Texas with ties to Iran.
Plus, a deadly shooting at a bar in Austin this weekend is being investigated as a potential act of terrorism.

The Breaks LIVE!

On this episode we are LIVE at Central Machine Works with a special episode featuring fellow KUT/KUTX personalities. Our first two segments we have Miles Bloxson (KUT) and Ryan Wen (KUTX) to discuss topics about the culture of hip-hop. For Hip-Hop Facts and Unpopular Opinion we have on Soundfounder (KUTX) and DJ Shani (KUTX) of The Groove Temple.

A Central Texas voters’ guide as primary Election Day nears

There are still a few hours left to vote early ahead of Tuesday’s Texas party primaries. We’ll tell you what you need to know before heading to the polls to vote today or Election Day on Tuesday.

We’ll also have closer look at races for two Travis County Commissioner seats and go over what exactly commissioners do.

Also, the federal government is now challenging a court order to repatriate college student Any López Belloza, who was deported after trying to fly to Austin last year.

Huston-Tillotson’s group of jazz musicians with fresh roots on the east side of Austin have already gained national recognition.

And it’s going to get loud at Circuit of the Americas this weekend: NASCAR is in town.

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

Austin Police may be handing out more speeding tickets

We’ve all seen it: People speeding down Mopac or neighborhood streets in Austin. Maybe you’ve thought, “shouldn’t they be getting a speeding ticket?” Well, new data shows Austin Police may be handing out more of those.

Austin’s Live Music Fund is about to grant another round of funding after two years of controversy and complaints over the how those funding decisions are made.

Speaking of music, you can’t pin down local band The Animeros to just one genre. They span beyond bolero, psychedelic, and cumbia, and their music will get you out on the dance floor. We’ll talk with a couple of band members from our sister station KUTX’s Artist of the Month.

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

What’s driving Central Texas early voters to the polls

Early voting in the March 3 primary wraps up Friday. Turnout is trending upward across Central Texas, with more voters casting ballots in Travis, Hays and Williamson counties compared to previous primaries. We’ll taking a closer look at who’s showing up and what patterns are beginning to emerge at polling locations locally and across the state.

Questions about how ballots should be counted continue to spark debate. We’ll tell you about Republicans in one Texas county who are planning to hand count election day ballots.

We’ll also hear the story of the Texas musician known as the “Jimi Hendrix of the accordion.”

Plus, KUTX’s Ryan Wen stops by with the Austin music you need to know about.

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

New Daniel Johnston exhibit celebrates Austin artist’s enduring impact

Nearly 1 in 5 Americans live in rural areas, where there are often fewer licensed therapists and longer travel distances to mental health care. But hotlines like 988 give people access to the help they need. Today, we’ll find out why the support for that lifeline is stronger in some states than others.

Daniel Johnston was known for his art and music. When he died in 2019, he left behind a trove of his work. But where can you check it out? Well, some of that work is on public display for the first time as part of a new exhibit at Texas State University.

This month marks 100 years of celebrating Black History Month and one local organization is creating space to celebrate Black Austinites. Find out what they have planned this weekend.

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

Doula services growing, becoming accessible in Austin area

A growing body of evidence shows that doulas can improve health outcomes; especially for Black women, who have a maternal mortality rate 2.5 times higher than white women in Texas. Birth workers want their services to be accessible and understood by more folks. We’ll delve more into the practice.

And the Texas DREAM Act gave undocumented Texans the chance to attend college at the cost of in-state tuition. Now, Texas public universities are progressing through the first full academic semester under new tuition rules. We’ll hear from one UT Austin student about the adjustment and the future.

Plus, another Black History Month music profile.

Finally, we’ll round up a busy weekend of sports news across the Austin area.

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

Rockin’ With TheBrosFresh!

On this episode we sit down with Louisiana artists TheBrosFresh and talk about their upcoming music and how is Austin treating them. We also discuss VladTV making tweets about Jay-Z to garner attention from the worse parts of the internet. Hip-Hop facts include facts about I Love Lucy, Drake, Master P and more. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion this week is that 90s/2000s themed parties are overrated.

Talarico interview on Colbert controversy shakes up race

James Talarico’s campaign raises millions after an interview with Stephen Colbert is pulled. But was it really a backfire against President Trump? The Texas Newsroom’s Blaise Gainey with the lowdown.
A look at a hugely important hearing today for four men accused of the notorious 1991 yogurt shop murders in Austin.
Also, why are so many barbecue joints closing?

New Jersey

Songwriter Lindsey Mackin, frontwoman of Austin band Annabelle Chairlegs talks with Jimmy Maas and Juan Diego Garcia about the group’s new album, her roots in “Soccer Town USA” (Kearny, NJ), and the power of the cowbell. Also, we talk what’s new for Austin FC with team president Andy Loughnane. The kickoff episode of the 2026 season for Austin FC and ¡Vamos Verde!

¡Vamos Verde! is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can help make this podcast happen by donating at supportthispodcast.org.

Early voting begins for the 2026 primaries

It’s the first day of early voting in the Texas primaries and there are many statewide races for consideration: comptroller, lieutenant governor, governor, as well as lots of eyes on the Democratic and Republican races for U.S. Senate.
We’ll have an overview, plus plenty more on the ballots in Travis, Hays and Williamson counties, as well.

Also, the Austin-raised college student who was deported while trying to visit family last Thanksgiving could soon be headed back to the U.S. We’ll have the latest from a judge’s order and from the attorney representing the student, Any López Belloza.

And we mark the start of the Lunar New Year by hearing what the occasion means to some Austinites.

Plus, we have a conversation with a legendary music maker turned mental health advocate at the SIMS Foundation.

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

Austin’s $25 million Long Center contract draws scrutiny

A $25 million contract between the City of Austin and the Long Center is under scrutiny over how the public money is being spent. The contracts and the fees inside it are tied to the city’ cultural arts grants program, raising questions about transparency and oversight. We’ll dig into the details of the contract and the future between the two sides.

Texas Republicans have revived anti-Muslim messaging in races across the state as early voting begins tomorrow. It’s a change in messaging from elections over the past decade or so. We’ll look at why that’s the case and what it could mean for elections in Texas.

Real love means working through the good, the bad, and the funny. It’s all explored in the mockumentary “Tying Knots” from an Austin filmmaker that’s premiering this week.

Lovers & Friends

It’s our Valentine’s Day episode! We talk about our favorite rap songs about love and we also talk about two people who hate each other, 50 Cent and Ja Rule. Hip-Hop facts include facts about Boyz 2 Men, T.I., Paula Patton and more. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion is about podcasting not hurting the reputations of New York rap artists.

For couple affected by dementia, a love song keeps memories alive

Five years on from the winter storm that caused blackouts across much of the state of Texas, what’s been done to address the failures of the blackout? And is Austin and Texas ready for the next big winter test of the power grid? More about what has and has not happened since February 2021.

There’s an argument to be made that the lieutenant governor of Texas is the most influential elected official in the state. Republicans have held the position for nearly three decades. We’ll hear about the candidates running to represent Texas Democrats in this fall’s election.

What happens to love when memories fade away? And how can we possibly try to hang on them? Hear how one woman in Pflugerville is doing her best to keep love alive through music.

UT Austin consolidates ethnic and gender studies departments

The University of Texas at Austin is restructuring departments in the College of Liberal Arts. The decision was announced today, but it’s a move that students and staff have been worried about for months. We’ll hear more about the departments affected.

Police in Austin are still using license plate reader data months after city council ended using the technology on grounds of privacy concerns. We’ll dig into how and when APD says they’re using the data and the tech’s future use here in Austin.

Today, we’re learning more about a life insurance salesman and former college football player who become a chronicler of Black Austin life.

Plus, over 30,000 people are gearing up for this weekend’s Austin Marathon. It will be an especially big deal for one man who was left paralyzed after a snowboarding accident. We’ll hear his story.

Travis Heights housing project scale draws some concerns

An affordable housing complex planned for the Travis Heights neighborhood is one step closer to becoming a reality. Neighbors around the proposed site say they aren’t opposed to the idea – more so the scale of it. We’ll hear more about the complex and the neighborhood it could be built in.

The Austin Independent School District is looking to save money and exit some contracts for schools that are slated to close. We’ll dig into how much money they’re looking to save, and how they could do it.

We’ll also hear the story of Dr. James Polk – not the president, but the Austin music legend.

And with the Olympics in full swing, we’ll tell you about an opportunity to get in on the action yourself.

Parents of missing Austinite file lawsuit against Camp Mystic

The parents of an 8-year-old Austinite still missing after last July’s flooding in Texas have filed a lawsuit against Camp Mystic. It’s the fifth such lawsuit against the camp in the Hill Country where campers and counselors drowned in the floodwaters. We’ll have more about that lawsuit.

Early voting in the primaries gets going next week and folks in southeast Travis County will elect a new leader for the first time in decades. We’ll hear about the candidates running for Precinct 4 commissioner.

It’s Black History Month all February long, and our sister station KUTX has been highlighting Black music history in Austin. We’ll hear about a historic music venue on the East side of town that dates back to World War II.

The fight to protect Austin’s first Black cemetery: We’ll delve into the history at the heart of Bethany Cemetery.

Plus, an update on the future of Austin’s Convention Center.