austin

Noah Hawley talks ‘Alien: Earth’

At the Texas Capitol, a big shift in focus as the spotlight swings from bare-knuckle politics to long-delayed flood relief.
Food is labeling set to change in Texas as a sweeping new law takes effect aimed at, among other things, alerting shoppers to ingredients long the focus of concern in other countries.
Austin-based filmmaker Noah Hawley likes to play in the worlds of some of his favorite directors – and he’s doing it again with Ridley Scott’s “Alien.” Hawley joins the Standard to talk “Alien: Earth.”
Alpha School, an AI-focused private school in Austin, puts an emphasis on parental choice. The Standard’s Zachary Suri has the story.
Plus: How the looming college football season is looking for Texas teams.

Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas.

You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org

KUT Morning Newscast for August 22, 2025: The City of Austin is considering changes to how it disposes of garbage

Central Texas top stories for August 22, 2025. The City of Austin is considering changes to how it disposes of garbage, that could mean a new “transfer station.” Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is getting closer to nailing down a ten-year deal with the biggest airlines. The UT System Board of Regents has signed off on a nearly $40 million contract for Vice President and Athletic Director Chris Del Conte. This weekend is Austin’s Pride Parade. 

The Other One With Nico Estévez

With nine matches left in Austin FC’s season, we check in with Austin FC head coach Nico Estévez. Hear about his experience in Austin so far, how he’s managed various injuries this season, including a season-ending knee injury to star striker Brandon Vázquez, and what’s ahead for the remainder of the season.

¡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.

KUT Morning Newscast for August 21, 2025: The Texas House passed a new congressional map designed to give Republicans an edge in Congress

Central Texas top stories for August 21, 2025. The Texas House passed a new congressional map designed to help Republicans flip five Democratic districts in the next midterms. A federal judge has temporarily blocked Texas from requiring public schools to display the Ten Commandments in some school districts, including Austin. Last time a bill to ban THC products passed at the Legislature Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed it, could it be different on a second time around? Travis County will soon stop free curbside flood debris pickup service in areas affected by the July 5th floods. 

KUT Morning Newscast for August 20, 2025: Eviction filings in the Austin area are the highest they’ve been in five years

Central Texas top stories for August 20, 2025. Eviction filings in the Austin area are the highest they’ve been in five years. Hays CISD is putting a tax rate election on the ballot this fall. The Texas Capitol will go back to regular activates today after it was evacuated yesterday evening. The Texas Senate passed a bill that would require government buildings to only allow people to use bathrooms that align with the gender that was assigned to them at birth. There’s an emergency preparedness pop-up event happening today. 

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 Morning Newscast for August 18, 2025: Thousands rally at Texas Capitol against Republican-backed congressional redistricting plan

Central Texas top stories for August 18, 2025. More than five thousand people took to the Capitol in Austin this weekend to protest President Trump and the Texas Legislature’s plan to redraw the state’s congressional districts to give Republicans more seats in the U.S. House. Starting tomorrow Austin’s streets will get busier with AISD going back to class. The Austin City Council adopted a $6.3 million dollar budget and now voters have to decide if they want to pay more property taxes. The man suspected of killing three people outside a Target in North Austin last week has an extensive criminal history. The City of Georgetown’s asking residents to give feedback on the one-point-three billion dollar proposed budget for the 2026 fiscal year. 

Spite Club w/ Jedi512 and Boots

On this episode we talk with former KUTX Artist of the Month Jedi512 about his newest project “Spite Club” with producer Boots. Hip-hop facts include facts about LL Cool J, Migos, and TLC. Unpopular Opinion with Fresh is about Frank Ocean being underrated.

KUT Morning Newscast for August 15, 2025: Some Austin Independent School District schools have again received failing grades from the state.

Central Texas top stories for August 15, 2025. The Texas Education Agency this morning released A-through-F grades for every school in the state, here’s how AISD is doing. The Austin City Council yesterday adopted a $6.3 billion dollar budget and called for a property tax rate increase that will require voter approval. An exhibit honoring decades of people who died from AIDS-related illness is coming to Austin. Officials say everyone with injuries is in stable condition after a Leander ISD school bus rolled over this week.

KUT Morning Newscast for August 14, 2025: The investigation into the Leander ISD bus rollover continues 

Central Texas top stories for August 14, 2025. After hours of public testimony and debate, the Austin City Council decided to hold off on adopting next year’s budget. School in Leander ISD will be in session as usual today after a school bus rolled over yesterday. After Monday’s fatal shooting at a North Austin Target, advocates are highlighting the need to restrict firearms through “red flag laws.” Tomorrow is the last the of the Texas Legislature’s current special session, but lawmakers will be called back into another special session the same day. More Central Texas school districts are going back to class today.

KUT Morning Newscast for August 13, 2025: APD points to failures in the mental health system after deadly shooting at North Austin Target

Central Texas top stories for August 13, 2025. APD Chief Lisa Davis points to the mental health system after a shooting at a Target in North Austin that left three dead. The Austin City Council could adopt its next budget today. With the deadline approaching, advocates say students without legal status are scrambling to find a way to pay for the first installment for the fall semester at UT Austin. September 4th is the official deadline to apply for FEMA assistance after the July floods. The Texas Senate passed a bill aimed at cracking down on abortion pill prescribers and manufacturers. More Central Texas school districts go back to school today, watch out for traffic.  

KUT Morning Newscast for August 12, 2025: AISD released a list of schools to help the school consolidation process

Central Texas top stories for August 12, 2025. The motive is still not clear in the shooting Monday afternoon in the parking lot of a Target in North Austin. The Austin Independent School District has released a list of schools to help decide which ones should close and how school boundaries should be redrawn. Travis County’s public hospital district Central Health will lay out its proposed budget for county commissioners today. Texas House Democrats are into their second week out of state, protesting a Republican redistricting plan, but they say they are willing to come back and attend the special legislative session. Some Central Texas school districts start school today, watch out for more traffic.

The Future of Music at SXSW

South by Southwest is changing. The festival has been shortened to 7 days. There is no dedicated music weekend. The convention center is being renovated and won’t be finished for 3 years. So what will music at SXSW 2026 look like? Brian Hobbs, VP of Music at SXSW, sits down to talk about the future of the festival.

Pause/Play is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. 

You can support our work by donating at supportthispodcast.org.

KUT Morning Newscast for August 11, 2025: The City of Austin is set to adopt its next budget this week

Central Texas top stories for August 11, 2025. After weeks of debate, the City of Austin is set to adopt its next budget this week. Students at 76 schools across the Austin Independent School District will get free breakfast and lunch this school year, but federal funding cuts mean the program faces an uncertain future. Starting today, city crews will replace water-filled barricades on East Sixth Street with pre-cast concrete barriers. 

Project Pat Interview

On this episode we interview legendary artist Project Pat (brother of Juicy J from Three 6 Mafia) ahead of his show in Austin this weekend. Hip-hop facts this week include Eddie Murphy and Whitney Houston, a Jay-Z inspired Hulu series, and the film Paid In Full. Unpopular Opinion with Fresh this week is about underground rapper Dom Kennedy needing to put his more known album on streaming services.

The One With The High School Champions

Austin area high schools won 5 UIL State Championships in soccer last school year, and others made deep runs in the playoffs. In honor of back-to-school season, Jimmy chats with three of the championship winning coaches about their title winning seasons. You’ll hear from Greta Kwedar, Head Boy’s Varsity Soccer Coach at Austin Achieve Polar Bears, Stefano Salerno, Head Men’s Soccer Coach for the Liberty Hill High School Panthers, and Winston Pool, Heads Women’s Soccer Coach for the Cedar Park High School Timberwolves. 

¡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.

Why Austin keeps turning intersections into roundabouts

The City of Austin has built almost 50 roundabouts with more on the way. Construction on Austin’s newest roundabout is set to begin this week. KUT’s Nathan Bernier finds out why Austin keeps turning intersections into roundabouts.

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.