austin

Delta-8 probable cause arrests, voter suspension list, Grocery Bag

A state rule that was reinstated July 31 bans Delta-8 in Texas. Austin police say the packaging on some products could now establish probable cause for a felony arrest. But the department says cracking down on Delta-8 isn’t a “primary objective.” We’ve got more about that.

More than a million Texans are on something called a voter “suspense” list, including about 100,000 in Central Texas. It doesn’t mean you won’t be able to vote in the midterms, but there are things to know if you find yourself on it.

And the KUTX artist of the month for September is Grocery Bag. They’ve had a busy year so far and now they’re gearing up for ACL Fest and a new project.

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

Big Bend businesses push back against border wall construction

In the Big Bend region, local businesses are banding together to push back against border wall construction.
Growing food insecurity in rural areas is on par with some of the country’s biggest cities amid changes to federal nutrition programs.
In the fight against the spread of a destructive parasite, a look at what may be a gaping hole in the strategy. A new warning about the New World screwworm.
Concerns are growing that many in Generation Z may be literally gambling away their futures.
Plus, the return of the Texas Beachcomber, the week in politics with the Texas Tribune and much more.

UT cutting ethnic studies majors, Nonprofit board diversity, Vanessa Gonzalez comedy special

UT Austin is set to eliminate at least four majors, including Mexican American & Latina/o Studies and women’s & gender studies. It’s the latest move following the consolidation of seven ethnic and gender studies departments earlier this year.

A new report found that 1 in 3 leaders of color serving on Central Texas nonprofit boards experience bias or exclusion. The ways to ensure that everyone is made welcome at the table.

Plus, comedian Vanessa Gonzalez has a new streaming comedy special that was filmed here in Austin. We’ll talk about her experience coming up in the city’s comedy scene and the East Austin event she’ll be at later this month.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton says he’s investigating that proposed data center in Taylor. KUT’s Kailey Hunt first reported this about the proposed data center last year and now she’s got the latest on this investigation.

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

Houston G20 energy summit confronts high oil and gasoline prices

As concerns grow over data centers in Texas, something is conspicuously missing: Reliable data on the impact. We’ll have a look at the search for real numbers.
A global conference on energy wraps in Houston as gas prices reach wallet-slimming levels across the Lone Star State. We’ll hear more on the G20 energy summit and ask about a possible disconnect.
Facebook’s parent company Meta claims to be doing more to protect children and privacy, but a new controversy is calling those claims into question.
Texas Monthly barbecue editor Daniel Vaughn dishes on what to do when something’s off about the brisket.

Austin DeFlock movement, Hispanic Heritage Month at MACC, Central Health budget

You’ve probably heard something about the pushback against automated license plate readers. The biggest name in the game is Flock, and there’s a growing movement to “De-Flock” Austin and other cities in Central Texas. We’ll hear their reasoning.

Austin’s newly renovated Mexican American Cultural Center is gearing up to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. We’ll dive into more about the changes and upcoming events.

Plus, we’ve got a budget update for the local health district, Central Health — as well as a budget update from Hays County.

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

UT students respond after Bo French targets them online

We assume the hundreds of new data centers popping up across Texas use quite a bit of water, but we’ll look at why we don’t know for sure.
Texas has a program to help expand access to preschool. But why do some providers say it’s having unintended consequences?
Republican candidate for the Texas railroad commission Bo French put dozens of UT students in an unexpected spotlight with a racist social media post. We’ll delve into what the students say about the experience.
A book first published in the 1940s offered a scathing social critique of the rich and powerful of Fort Worth. It caused a scandal and was quickly suppressed. Now, “The Inheritors” is getting new life.
Plus, as Netflix prepares to remake “Lonesome Dove,” we revisit some of our favorite moments from the 1989 series with W.F. Strong.

Hemp flower legality, Airbnb Austin investment, mail-in ballots ruling

For years, Texans could walk into their local smoke shop and buy cannabis flower that looked and smelled exactly like marijuana. It came from the very same plant but was legally sold as hemp. Stores in Texas can no longer sell these smokeable products, but can folks still have them on their person?

And the City of Austin is getting a $6 million investment from Airbnb to help fund affordable housing.

Plus, a big decision was handed down from the Supreme Court yesterday on mail-in ballots ahead of November’s midterm Election Day.

And a sneak peek of the latest episode of the Tacos of Texas podcast.

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

Dallas-raised, best-selling author R.F. Kuang talks new novel ‘Taipei Story’

Texas pulled smokable hemp out of stores but it’s still available in other forms. So, what does the law say now?
A North Texas community weathered a recent wildfire but still lacks basic resources for another emergency.
And there’s a rise in dangerous ectopic pregnancies and it varies by state. We’ll delve into what’s happening in Texas.
Dallas-raised, best-selling author R.F. Kuang talks about her new novel, “Taipei Story” and explores what it means to learn a language after losing a generational tie to it.
Plus, we kick of Hispanic Heritage Month celebrating an Olympic silver-medalist.

Black & Indigenous Mexicans: A coming together on food, untold history and rich identities at the Texas Table

In this Tacos of Texas – En Vivo live taping, we explore how Black, Indigenous, and Mexican histories connect through identity, food, migration, and what it takes to build power together through shared stories. Joining us are Barbara Reaves, a descendant of the Black Seminole community in Nacimiento de los Negros, Coahuila, Mexico; Miles Bloxson, a seventh-generation Central Texan and award-winning storyteller; and Irasema Reza Bailey, a traditional healer and cultural keeper.

Central Health budget preview, Running in the heat, Can Longhorns go undefeated?

Thousands of people here in Travis County depend on Central Health for their wellness needs, particularly those who earn the least amount of money. County commissioners are meeting this week to discuss the upcoming budget. We’ll tell you what’s in it.

And, the dog days of summer are still with us halfway through September. That means folks are still choosing the treadmill over the trails, though that’s not the case for one group of running fools.

There’s a new No. 1 team in college football after an all-time comeback this weekend by the Texas Longhorns. The season is still young and there are plenty of tough games are left on the schedule — but can this team go undefeated and end a national championship drought of over two decades?

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

How the Longhorns took down top-ranked Ohio State in a dramatic comeback

Rural Texas has long been a GOP stronghold, but one issue could make a top statewide race more competitive than previously thought. We’ll look at how data centers have emerged as critical in the Texas gubernatorial contest.
Some Texas institutions of higher learning are encouraging students to use AI. We’ll dig into why.
Public libraries in Texas aren’t just for checking out books anymore. We’ll hear how art class is making the stacks a little noisier at one branch.
Plus, the college football comeback everyone’s talking about: How Texas took down Ohio State.

Ridin’ Dirty Down IH-35 w/ Vontay Galaxy

On this episode we talk with Austin rap artist Vontay Galaxy about his start at Texas State and traveling up and down IH-35 spreading his music. We also talk about if there is a lack of new rap superstars being created to supplement the genres growth. Hip-Hop Facts this week include facts about Ol Dirty Bastard, Kriss Kross, Nelly and more. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion this week is that rap is no longer a young peoples game.

Texas Extra: Texas political history and intrigue with politico Ben Barnes

There’s a lot to talk about in Texas on a daily basis and Texas Standard wants to get to as much as we can. But sometimes that means taking a great conversation and making it much shorter than we’d like. Such is the case with one this week with longtime Texas politico Ben Barnes. Our David Brown talked with him about his new memoir “Get It Done: Seven Decades of Lessons from a Political Legend.”

We present the interview in its entirety here for you now. Check it out — you’ll definitely learn something.

Austin firefighters remember 9/11, second local measles case, weekend art events

It’s the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks on the United States. In Austin, many are taking time to remember an event that is unforgettable to those who were alive to see it. We’ll hear how the Austin Fire Department marked the occasion today.

Austin Public Health officials confirmed the year’s second local case of measles. We’ll share how you can protect yourself and your family.

There’s a pretty big football game in town this weekend. But if that’s not your speed, no problem: We’ve got the art happenings to know about this weekend.

Which is your favorite Austin burger? There’s plenty to choose from, but would you be willing to pay $40 for a fancy one?

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

Remembering a Houston family’s loss 25 years after 9/11

25 years since 9/11, in which a series of coordinated attacks on the U.S. marked the end of one era and the start of another. We’ll share some stories of Texans whose lives were impacted.
A first-of-its-kind midterm political convention wraps up in Dallas. Did Republicans move the needle with just two months to go before midterms? Caroline Love of KERA North Texas joins us with a closer look.
What may be a major discovery in the search for dark matter: We’ll talk with a Texan who’s been involved in this search and hear more about what may be a critical new piece of evidence.
And in West, Texas, a cultural celebration turns 50.

New novel ‘The Beauty of Days Gone By’ tackles the Texas frontier

How might AI-generated images affect a high-stakes political contest in Texas? Rice University political professor Mark Jones joins the Standard to talk about how Ken Paxton’s campaign is hoping to win votes with AI-generated images of his Democratic opponent, James Talarico.
Also: Some top-line takeaways from the first day of a first-of-its-kind GOP midterm convention underway in Dallas.
As opposition to Flock gathers steam, the cameras may be lingering for a while, even in more politically progressive parts of Texas.
New phone fatigue: Is it real? A test of sorts as Apple takes the wraps off new models.
And a new novel drawing comparisons to “Lonesome Dove” takes a look at Texas in the frontier era. “The Beauty of Days Gone By” author Jason Stone joins us with more.

High electricity costs contribute to senior heat deaths in the RGV

Costs for air conditioning are so high that some on limited incomes are trying to do without. But with temperatures also at extremes, that’s leading to some grave outcomes for seniors, in particular.
The GOP’s unconventional convention is in Texas for a reason — and part of that is the state’s fundraising power. We’ll take a closer look.
And do your feelings about AI change if it helps you save money on taxes?
Plus, an update on an effort to help monarch butterflies on their great migration.

Flock cameras in the Austin area, Texas Republican donors, Halal tacos

Flock cameras are under scrutiny for a variety of reasons, and that has police departments in the Austin area considering their use of the technology. Even so, you should still expect to see the cameras here in Central Texas. We’ll tell you why and where.

With less than two months left until Election Day, the Republican National Committee is bringing a first-of-its-kind midterm convention to the state this week. Why now? And why Texas?

In Austin, there are plenty of taco choices to explore: bougie or basic, flour or corn, with cheese or not. But when’s the last time you had a halal taco? It wasn’t even on the menu at an East Austin taco truck — until a customer asked.

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

Texas political legend Ben Barnes looks back on career

While all eyes are on the upcoming midterm election, there are signs one particular Texan is looking at running for president again. Is Ted Cruz gearing up for 2028?

Also, why Democrats see James Talarico’s Senate run as an opportunity to gain votes in parts of West Texas that have been reliably red for decades.

And Texas political luminary Ben Barnes joins us to talk about his new memoir “Get It Done: Seven Decades of Lessons from a Political Legend.”

Plus, how Texas Republican leaders are cracking down on so-called “birth tourism.”
And celebrating the life of aviation pioneer Wally Funk.

Special: The Data Center Next Door

It seems like every day, you hear a new story about data centers.
But beyond the hype, what do we know about them? What are they? Why are so many being built right now? And who gets to decide where they go?
Today, Austin Signal has a special 1-hour show focused on data centers. It’s a special KUT News series called The Data Center Next Door.
The show compiles five stories from KUT county reporters Leigh Walden, Katy McAfee and Kailey Hunt.
You’ll hear how the data center saga is playing out in Texas, the state where more data centers are being planned than anywhere else in the country.
Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org