Central Texas top stories for June 4, 2025. Austin’s Automated License Plate Reader program was set to be renewed by the City Council, but City Manager T.C. Broadnax pulled the item off the agenda. Rents continue to fall in the Austin area. Williamson County is working on serving its homeless population.
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KUT Morning Newscast for June 3, 2025: Bills banning guaranteed income programs fail at Texas legislature
Central Texas top stories for June 3, 2025. A bill to crack down on doctors from out of state prescribing abortion pills to Texas women died at the legislature. A bill banning guaranteed income programs in the state also failed. Austin farmers ask Governor Greg Abbott to veto Senate Bill 3, which would ban consumable hemp products in Texas. The Austin Bergstrom International airport has a new expansion.
KUT Morning Newscast for June 02, 2025: Power in Austin is fully restored after last week’s storms.
Central Texas top stories for June 2, 2025. Austin Energy says power has been restored to all customers after last week’s storm that left thousands without power. Local health care experts and nonprofits say a federal budget reconciliation bill would put more than 36,000 people in Austin at risk of losing Medicaid. Today the Texas legislature’s 2025 session is coming to a close. The legislature passed a bipartisan bill to let Texas state agencies determine remote-work policies, it heads to the governor’s desk. The season is over for the UT Baseball team. UT’s Softball team will play in the Women’s College World Series semifinals today.
Recycling rare earth elements could power the future
Severe storms brought flash floods, hail and widespread power outages to Central Texas, killing one and hospitalizing two. More than 10,000 are still without power.
Rare earth minerals are being wasted when you toss out an old phone or TV. Research in Texas could change the disposal process.
Texas Tech just won its first-ever game in the Women’s College World Series. We’ll introduce you to star pitcher NiJaree Canady, the first softball player making $1 million a season in NIL deals.
Plus: How about a little music? We’ll start with the Huston-Tillotson Jazz Orchestra, a relatively new group with big plans. And a lot of Americans used to have a piano in their homes – how and why that’s changed.
KUT Morning Newscast for May 30, 2025: Austin has paid out $27 million to people injured by police during 2020 racial justice protests.
Central Texas top stories for May 30, 2025. After Wednesday’s storms and floodings, officials are asking residents not to drive through low water crossings. Wednesday’s storms brought rain, hail and wind speeds up to 85 mph, but only to some parts of town, here’s why. Power outages continue in Austin after storms. Five years after protests following George Floyd’s murder, Austin has finally settled nearly 30 lawsuits over police conduct.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for May 29, 2025: City of Austin crews are in full recovery mode after last night’s storm that killed one person
Central Texas top stories for May 29, 2025. The National Weather Service says it was a microburst during the storm yesterday evening that knocked down so many trees and power lines. Last night’s storm killed one person, flooded roads and businesses, and left tens of thousands of people without power. Room Service Vintage is one of many local businesses damaged by last night’s storm. There’s some improvement in drought conditions in Central Texas. Texas lawmakers are staring down a deadline to get bills passed before the session ends Monday.
The One With The North End Pirates
Brothers Michael Canales and Brian Hensley have been by each other’s side for their highest highs and lowest lows. When the South End of Q2 stadium got a bit too rowdy for them, they crossed the pitch to the North End. They started leading family friendly chants and antagonizing opposing goalkeepers in a slightly mellower (and drier) side of the pitch. Hear how they got christened “The North End Pirates” and what it does for their relationship.
¡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 May 29, 2025: One person dead and multiple water rescues after last night’s storm.
Central Texas top stories for May 29, 2025. Last night’s storms left one person dead and extensive damage across the city of Austin. Thousands of Austin Energy customers are without power this morning due to last night’s storm. Two bills in the Texas legislature that could have brought Austin’s light-rail plans to a halt appear to be dead. A bill restricting how much land builders can set aside for homes in new neighborhoods looks poised to pass the Texas legislature.
Austin gas rates are up and they’re set to go higher. Here’s why.
Texas Gas Service customers have noticed different fees and charges on their bills have jumped in cost since the beginning of the year. Some of them have asked “why?” KUT’s Mose Buchele went looking for answers, and he got them.
New institute aims to immortalize the sounds of Texas music
A bill banning all products with THC is headed to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk. Is this the end of the state’s hemp industry?
Lawmakers are also revisiting efforts to reform or replace the STAAR test.
An investigation finds that some people in Central Texas are stuck behind bars beyond the 90-day limit without being indicted – only to have their charges dropped.
From Tejano to Texas country, the sounds of the Lone Star State are getting a new home at Texas A&M-Kingsville.
Plus: We’ll go behind the scenes of the new podcast “Better Outside,” hosted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
After outages last year, CenterPoint promises a better tracker
This Memorial Day, we’ll hear the story of Florentino Cantú Jr., a Laredoan who saw military service as a ticket to a better life for his parents and 10 siblings.
Memorial Day is a day of reflection to be sure, but it is also the unofficial start of summer for many folks. We’ll be getting some tips on how Texans can make the most of it, from experiencing the great outdoors to keeping cool – plus some Texas summer songs that hit just right.
And: Hurricane season starts June 1, and CenterPoint Energy says it’s ready with a new and improved outage tracker. But after failures during Hurricane Beryl and last year’s derecho, is that enough to restore customer trust?
Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can support our work by becoming a sustaining member at supportthispodcast.org
Fort Worth considers shuttering 14 schools to cut costs
With just over a week to go at the Texas Legislature: what’s passed, what’s stalled, and where we stand.
Retailers track your every move to build shopper profiles and offer “personalized discounts.” But these loyalty perks may be more misleading than helpful.
Declining enrollment and tight budgets have school districts reevaluating their campuses. In Fort Worth, officials are proposing a five-year plan to close more than a dozen schools.
And: the week in politics with Jasper Scherer of The Texas Tribune.
As the clock winds down, Texas lawmakers scramble to pass key bills
A look at the behind-the-scenes dealmaking happening at the Texas Capitol with less than two weeks until lawmakers gavel out on June 2.
How proposed cuts to SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, would impact Texans.
Apple has a plan to make it possible to use your laptop, phone and even smartwatch with brain control. Tech reporter Omar Gallaga says it’s no gimmick and could bring serious accessibility benefits.
Plus: A new coach, a new star – and a bumpy takeoff for the Dallas Wings.
How one West Texas town built its own broadband lifeline
Texas lawmakers are considering a plan that could help prevent fentanyl overdoses in the state. Why it may not become law.
A decade after the deadly biker shootout in Waco that led to nine deaths and more than 100 arrests, some civil cases against the city are still moving forward.
Some Texas law enforcement agencies are getting rid of a gun they consider too risky for their officers – by selling them to civilians.
State and federal money has been set aside to connect rural Texans to the Internet. When the remote West Texas town of Monahans couldn’t get that help, they did it themselves.
And: Texas cities once again top a list of the fastest-growing in the U.S., led by Princeton, a suburb east of Frisco.
A special broadcast from El Paso
Today we’re broadcasting live from El Paso for a special edition of the Texas Standard.
We hear from some prominent El Pasoans – former Congressman Beto O’Rourke and former El Paso Mayor Dee Margo – on the city’s dynamic politics.
El Paso has become a leader in innovative water management. How the city is securing its future in the desert.
KTEP’s Aaron Montes visits a local academy training the future stars of lucha libre.
And: How bighorn sheep have returned to El Paso’s mountains after a century away.
KUT Morning Newscast for May 20, 2025: Triple-digit highs and thick humid days are likely a taste of things to come
Central Texas top stories for May 20, 2025. Central Texas is moving closer to its hottest months of the year. Thousands of students participated in the first year of ACC’s free tuition program. The EPA is looking to support cleanup efforts in Austin. Sales of Energy Star appliances will be tax free this weekend.
10 years later, still no convictions in Twin Peaks biker shootout
A bipartisan bill on abortion has passed the Texas Senate and is making its way through the House. Why lawmakers agree it’s necessary.
It’s been a decade now since a deadly shootout involving rival biker gangs at a Twin Peaks in Waco. What an investigation reveals about how the case was handled.
Thousands of Brazilians live in Central Texas. How they’re feeling about those from their country being targeted for deportation.
Plus: We’ll take you to the Kentucky Club in Juárez, a beloved border bar and one of the last of its kind.
Did We Give Hip-Hip Away?
On this episode we discuss if the culture of Hip-Hop was too easily given away to streaming services without a fight. We also discuss the pros and cons of using A.I. in hip-hop. Hip-Hop facts this week include Aaliyah, Whitney Houston and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Unpopular Opinion is about about having too much access to celebrities.
Growing your cash even after you retire, tax strategies with real estate sales, and survivor benefits when one spouse paid into Social Security and the other did not
Carl Stuart takes on some more nuanced topics like staying (a little) aggressive with your nest egg in retirement, tax strategies behind 1031 exchange real estate transactions, and survivor benefits when one spouse’s employer paid into Social Security and the other, a teacher, only paying into a pension (TRS).
KUT Afternoon Newscast for May 15, 2025: It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity
Central Texas top stories for May 15, 2025. The National Weather Service is issuing a Heat Advisory for tomorrow afternoon. You may want to pay less attention to that air temperature and more attention to the heat index. This week’s heat wave can put dogs at risk. Austin is now the fifth most populous city in Texas. Texas baseball will close out the regular season on the road with three games against Oklahoma.