KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts

KUT and KUTX news and music podcasts for Austin, Texas and beyond

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AISD updates consolidation plan, now only closing 10 schools

The Austin Independent School District announced changes this week to its plans to shutter campuses across the city as AISD looks for ways to save money. The consolidation plan started with 13 schools slated for the chopping block. Now, that number has been dwindled down, and some AISD parents are frustrated by what they consider the wishy-washy way the plans have been rolled out.

KUT’s Katy McAfee was at last night’s district school board meeting and she joins us to share the latest updates.

Plus, it’s a busy weekend of happenings with Rock The Park and the Austin Studio Tour.

And Maile Carballo talks about student media KVRX’s efforts to raise funds. You can find how to donate here.

KUT Morning Newscast for November 7, 2025: ABIA is not on the FAA’s list of airports that will reduce flights, but the effects will spread to Austin

Central Texas top stories for November 7, 2025. In less than two weeks the Austin Independent School District board will vote on a plan to close ten schools. ABIA is not on the FAA’s list of forty airports that will reduce flights, but the effects will spread to Austin. Record high temperatures are expected today and tomorrow, then a cold front is coming. The Central Texas Community Foundation started distributing funds to people impacted by the July floods in Travis and Williamson counties. 

The One With The Armadillo

Austin FC will get a new away shirt next season, set to replace the “Amadillo” shirt introduced ahead of the 2024 season. The shirt paid homage to the legendary Armadillo World Headquarters, the Austin music venue at the epicenter of the cosmic cowboy music wave. The shirt also gave Austin FC a mascot: an armadillo named Speed Bump. ‘Dillo handler Swift Sparks tells us all about Speed Bump’s celebrity, what it takes to care for him, and what the future holds for their partnership with Austin FC.

¡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.

Texas voters approve all 17 proposed constitutional amendments

Texans said yes to all 17 proposed state constitutional amendments. What’s that mean now?
We’ll also dig into some select local results from across the state, including an update in the race to fill the U.S. House seat of the late Sylvester Turner.
The Trump administration recently announced a new cap on the number of refugees that the U.S. will accept in the upcoming year. What’s that mean for the big picture?
Plus, an El Paso woman concerned about her neighbors who rely on government food assistance starts a program she hopes others will replicate.

Central Texas Food Bank braces for increased demand

The Central Texas Food Bank is preparing to help more folks with food assistance amid the government shutdown and ahead of the upcoming holiday season. Beth Corbett, the food bank’s vice president of government affairs and advocacy, shares more about their plans to handle the increased demand. Find out how you can help or get help during the SNAP delay here.

It’s Election Day, and Austin voters will give the final say on Prop Q, a proposed property tax rate increase that would result in more than $100 million dollars for city services. Statewide, Texans are considering 17 proposed amendments to the state constitution. KUT’s Katy McAfee brings us the latest from the polls.

KUT Morning Newscast for November 4, 2025: It’s Election Day, here’s what you need to know before heading to the polls

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.  

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.

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