Central Texas top stories for July 10, 2025. As recovery efforts continue after flooding in the Texas Hill Country, officials in Kerr County have yet to answer questions about how the emergency alert system was used. The aftermath of deadly flooding in the Austin-area has raised questions about how effective the region’s notification systems are. Two of the state’s best-known brands, both born in Kerrville, are showing their support for Hill Country flood victims. Elon Musk narrowly wins fight against neighbors over Austin-area home. A program that assesses Austin’s air for biological threats will continue after federal funding uncertainty put it at risk. KUT’s Olivia Aldridge reports.
austin
What can unite the DA’s office and APD? ‘Trying to take bad people off the street.’
Travis County District Attorney’s office and the Austin Police Department have butted heads for years over which crimes get prosecuted. In a joint interview with KUT News, Police Chief Lisa Davis and DA José Garza said they’re prioritizing violent crimes — and pushing staff to better cooperate with each other. Andrew Weber reports.
KUT Morning Newscast for July 3, 2025: A report from Zillow says Austin is the most affordable city for renters
Central Texas top stories for July 3, 2025. The Austin Independent School District is holding workshops to get feedback on its campus consolidation process. Zillow recently named Austin the most affordable major city for renters. The city of Manor doesn’t have its own emergency room or hospital, but that’s set to change soon. Some City of Austin offices and facilities will be closed tomorrow for the July 4th holiday.
China Smith
In the latest episode of Black Austin Matters, Lisa and Rich chat with Ballet Afrique founder and contemporary dancer China Smith.
China takes us on a joyful stroll down memory lane, sharing what she loved about growing up in Austin and why her community means so much to her. She talks about how her time in the Bay Area shaped her, the music that moves her, and why movement is so important for our physical, emotional, and spiritual health — no dance skills required!
She also emphasizes the importance of taking care of your body and shares her passion for a vegan lifestyle.
Austin’s first LGBTQ+ couples to marry celebrate their 10th anniversaries
A decade after the landmark Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage, Austin lovebirds returned to the spot where they became husbands and wives. KUT’s Katy McAfee was there and talked to couples who got married ten years ago.
Wealthy families are buying homes to get in-state tuition at Texas universities
Texas lets out-of-state students buy homes to get in-state tuition. KUT’s Audrey McGlinchy says the law has fed a growing industry of families buying condos in cash, holding onto them for a couple years and then selling to the next out-of-state family.
KUT Morning Newscast for July 2, 2025: The Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center could be relocating soon
Central Texas top stories for July 2, 2025. Advocacy groups say efforts to support migrant children and students learning English could be in peril because of delay in federal funding. The Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center in Austin could be relocating soon. Austin didn’t see any 100-degree days during June; it’s the first time since 2019. A watercraft ban is in effect on Lake Austin starting tomorrow afternoon.
KUT Morning Newscast for July 1, 2025: Report shows racial disparities in how Austinites are affected by chronic diseases.
Central Texas top stories for July 1, 2025. Texas Democrat Colin Allred announced he’s running for U.S. Senate in 2026. A new report from Austin Public Health shows racial disparities in how residents are affected by chronic diseases. Williamson County is getting more than a million dollars in state funding to launch a new program aimed at keeping kids out of the juvenile justice and child welfare systems. The Burnet Fire Department continues working to put out a fire at a tire recycling facility that started yesterday. Austinites can register for the 2025 CityWorks Academy to learn more about city government.
Summer Jam 2025!
On this episode we discuss the line up for this years Summer Jam showcase happening at Stubbs BBQ. We also discuss if Houston has moved past its former DJ Screw influenced sound. Hip-hop facts includes The Fugees, Ghostface Killah and Redman. Unpopular Opinion this week is about how genres are always changing and growing.
Weighing how much of an inheritance to put in a home, explaining minimum distributions from IRAs, and more on Social Security disbursements
Carl helps several callers and texters, like one trying to figure out what percentage of an inheritance to invest in markets and in her Austin home, what happens when the federal government requires minimum distributions from Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), and weighing how long to wait to take Social Security benefits — and more.
KUT Morning Newscast for June 27, 2025: AISD will head into the next fiscal year with a $20 million budget deficit
Central Texas top stories for June 27, 2025. The Austin Independent School District’s board of trustees approved next year’s budget; after making cuts, there’s a $20 million budget deficit. The board also approved the turnaround plans for AISD’s middle schools. Personal cell phones are not allowed in AISD classrooms anymore. Williamson County will go back to using paper ballots starting with this fall election.
KUT Morning Newscast for June 26, 2025: Lionel Messi will play in Austin for the first time
Central Texas top stories for June 26, 2025. State agencies can now develop their own telework plans, after Governor Greg Abbott signed a bill into law late last week. Austin area nonprofits are trying to re-home pets ahead of the 4th of July holiday. Lionel Messi will play in the Major League Soccer All-Star Game that is set to take place at Q2 Stadium in Austin. The City of Austin’s Watershed Protection Department wants people’s input on its Strategic Plan to Protect Austin’s Creeks and Communities.
KUT Morning Newscast for June 25, 2025: ACC sues the DOJ to challenge the end of the Texas Dream Act
Central Texas top stories for June 25, 2025. The Austin Community College District’s Board of Trustees joined a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton challenging the end of the Texas Dream Act. The Austin Independent School District is asking the public for feedback on the criteria it’s using to evaluate campuses for potential closure. Georgetown’s City Council approved new ordinances that restrict the use of public spaces, despite concerns about possible impacts to unhoused individuals. A Travis County Judge ruled that a $440 road bond package approved by Hays County voters in November is now void. The George Washington Carver Genealogy Center is teaching people how to track down their family history.
KUT Morning Newscast for June 24, 2025: Housing bills are set to become new laws
Central Texas top stories for June 24, 2025. Several bills related to housing in Texas are now officially set to become law on September 1st. The city of Hutto is forming a new commission focused on making local government more efficient. There’s a career fair for Austinites looking for jobs in infrastructure and skilled trades.
KUT Morning Newscast for June 23, 2025: Gov. Greg Abbott vetoes THC ban
Central Texas top stories for June 23, 2025. Texas Governor Greg Abbott vetoed a bill to ban products containing THC. Texas’s health system is ranked very low compared to other states. Musicians and music venues are at risk of losing unclaimed grants. Homes in Austin are selling for less but taking longer to sell compared to this time last year. A new pedestrian bridge is coming to East Austin. Today is the last day to give your input on Austin’s 2026 General Obligation Bond.
Managing your HOA’s reserve funds, taking another look at small-cap growth stocks, and changing financial advisors to the state where you retire
Carl Stuart takes your calls and texts on a lot of questions, including from the treasurer of a Home Owners Association about managing their reserve funds, a retiree who moved to the Austin area and wants advice on what to look for in a financial advisor here, and from an investor looking to push his luck on under-performing Russell small-cap funds.
KUT Morning Newscast for June 20, 2025: AISD cuts central office staff by 20% to reduce budget deficit
Central Texas top stories for June 20, 2025. The Austin Independent School District will cut 20% of its central office staff. The city of Austin is training Austinites so they can issue parking tickets on their own. Advocates are warning that potential cuts to federal financial aid will make it harder for low-income students in Texas to access higher education. There’s still time to submit feedback for the 2026 General Obligation Bonds.
KUT Morning Newscast for June 19, 2025: Austin’s Alex Jones is facing another lawsuit related to the families of the Sandy Hook school shooting
Central Texas top stories for June 19, 2025. Every year Austin’s water utility loses around 7 billion gallons of treated water because of leaks in the system. Alex Jones is facing another lawsuit related to his defamation of victims of the Sandy Hook school shooting. Expect some closures around the city because of Juneteenth celebrations.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for June 18, 2025: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is demanding the city of Austin stop contracting with anti-gun companies
Central Texas top stories for June 18, 2025. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sent a letter to the city of Austin demanding they cease contracting with anti-gun companies. CapMetro’s police chief is leaving the transit agency. Governor Greg Abbott says he’s still on the fence about whether he’ll sign or veto a bill that would ban consumable products containing THC. Austin paramedic Selena Xie announced today that she’s running for a seat on the Austin City Council. Travis County residents are invited to hear updates tonight on the county’s progress building a mental health diversion center.
KUT Morning Newscast for June 18, 2025: APD says they’re prepared for a potentially long summer of protests
Central Texas top stories for June 18, 2025. The Austin Police Department says they have maintained a delicate balance during recent demonstrations. Business leaders are reacting to the Trump Administration’s decision to continue immigration enforcement in critical industries. Travis County Commissioners passed a resolution calling for constitutional and humane treatment of all immigrants. Capital Metro’s police chief is leaving the transit agency.