Hundreds of bills killed in the Texas House as the legislative session nears an end. Why the Austin heat can make you crazy. The history behind Convict Hill. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend!
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Were There Convicts On Convict Hill?
In 1881, the first Texas Capitol building burned to the ground, and leaders set about building a new one. They wanted to use local materials, including limestone from a quarry in Oatmanville – the area now known as Oak Hill – so they built a 6-mile railroad line from Oatmanville to the Capitol site. Then they needed workers.
KUT Weekend – May 5, 2017
How does Texas’ “sanctuary cities” bill compare with Arizona’s “show me your papers” law? A deadly knife attack at the University of Texas highlights deficiencies in the campus alert system. The story of legendary Austin honky-tonk, the Broken Spoke. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend!
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KUT Weekend – April 28, 2017
A proposal to punish “sanctuary cities” clears a major political hurdle in the Texas legislature. Why people are racing lawn mowers in the Texas Hill country. And that glass of Texas wine might not be as Texas as you think. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend!
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KUT Weekend – April 21, 2017
The Texas legislature gets closer to overturning Austin’s ride-hailing rules. Sleep experts support an Austin City Council ambition to make council meetings end earlier. Report warns Red River Street’s music venues are “endangered.” Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend!
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KUT Weekend – April 14, 2017
The Travis County DA will no longer bring every police shooting to a grand jury. Kids in Texas can face criminal charges for skipping school. Austinites mark what would be Selena Quintanilla’s 46th birthday. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend!
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KUT Weekend – April 7, 2017
Central Texas members of Congress react to U.S. bombing of a Syrian airfield. The first ever strategic plan to improve housing affordability in Austin. Remembering comedian Don Rickles’ last visit to Austin. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend!
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KUT Weekend – March 31, 2017
Local officials respond to a warning from U.S. attorney Jeff Sessions of a crackdown on “sanctuary cities.” Why there is green oak pollen everywhere right now. A new restaurant merges Texan and Japanese culinary traditions. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend!
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KUT Weekend – March 24, 2017
The historically African-American neighborhood around the intersection of 12th and Chicon Streets has been the focus of a six-month reporting project by KUT called On My Block. In this edition of KUT Weekend, we cap off the coverage with a look at stories including why churches in the neighborhood are closing and why a North Texas company is buying up property along East 12th Street.
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12th & Chicon: Austin’s Affordability Crisis
Dr. Eric Tang is an associate professor at the Institute for Urban Policy Research and Analysis at UT-Austin. After analyzing that data a few years back, Tang wanted to look more closely at why African-Americans were leaving Austin – specifically, East Austin. KUT’s Jennifer Stayton spoke to Tang about this new research for our On My Block series.
12th & Chicon: Showing Kealing Students Their Potential
Kealing Middle School Principal Kenisha Coburn is focused on figuring out ways to get the school’s underrepresented students to realize their academic potential. The school is divided between a magnet program, which accepts students from across the district, and the academy program, which is made up of students from the neighborhood. One of the first things Coburn noticed was the racial division between the two programs.
12th & Chicon: What’s The Future Of East 12th Street?
One-fourth of what was once a thriving business corridor for Austin’s African-American community is now owned by Eureka Holdings, a company based in Grapevine, outside Dallas. Eureka is currently renting some of these properties and the buildings on them, other properties are undeveloped and being held for undetermined future plans.
12th & Chicon: Remembering the Harlem Theater
According to a book co-written by the curator of the Austin History Center, the Harlem Theater was one of only seven black-owned theaters in the country in the early 20th century. And, compared to other theaters in Austin, where black customers were either not allowed or segregated to the balcony seats, it offered moviegoers their full rights. On Dec. 30, 1973, it burned to the ground. Neither the Austin Police Department nor the fire department has records of the fire. The community has only ideas about what caused it – perhaps arson, perhaps electrical fire – but no real answers.
12th & Chicon: The Stability in Huston-Tillotson
Huston-Tillotson University President Colette Pierce Burnette says as the neighborhood surrounding the historically black college expands, the footprint and impact of the university must, as well. HT was once two separate schools founded in the late 19th century, Samuel Huston College and Tillotson Collegiate and Normal Institute. In 1952, the schools combined.
12th & Chicon: The Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex
The murder of 16-year-old Tamika Ross in East Austin in 1992 started a journey for social justice that would take seven long years to complete. The history of the Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex may not be well known, but its impact is felt and appreciated throughout the community.
KUT Weekend – March 17, 2017
Austin’s ride-hailing apps struggling during SXSW. Texas is suing the Trump administration over nuclear waste. A review of a new Chinese restaurant on East 11th Street called Old Thousand. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend!
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12th & Chicon: Consistency of Sausage Making
Gary Tharp, owner of Texas Sausage Company, has been running the the business since 1988. He says he’s considered moving from the East 12th Street location, but that it would likely cost more to move than it would to stay put. Tharp’s business has been in his family for the better part of 70 years.
KUT Weekend – March 10, 2017
The “bathroom bill” targeting transgender people advances in the Texas legislature. An effort to reduce penalties for marijuana possession. SXSW backs off controversial immigration language in its artist agreement. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend!
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KUT Weekend – March 3, 2017
South by Southwest slammed for immigration language in its performance agreement. Nuclear waste dump sought in Texas. Why are Mexicans leaving the U.S.? Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend.
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KUT Weekend – February 24, 2017
Demolitions in East Austin. What would moving Austin ISD’s best-performing school mean for diversity there? And learning about Islam — over coffee. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend.
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