Central Texas top stories for January 8, 2025. Temperatures are expected to stay above freezing tonight and tomorrow. The Taylor Center for Assistance and Navigation is helping people experiencing homelessness find food and shelter during this week’s cold snap. Leander is asking residents to conserve water as they prepare to shut down its main water treatment plant for a major repair.
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Harrison Eppright
In this Black Austin Matters episode, join Lisa and Rich at the launch party of season 3 last year. They explore the essence of Austin, detailing how their fondness for the city drove them to kickstart the Black Austin Matters podcast. Joined by Austin native and tour guide Harrison Eppright, the hosts have an insightful dialogue covering his family legacy, Austin’s vibrant history, and the value of highlighting East Austin’s history and the narratives of all individuals.
Schmiddy: “Nebula” (ft. Andyah)
Austin beatmaker Blake Schmidt has released a string of instrumental mixtapes under the moniker Schmiddy for the last three years, all the while working towards something more comprehensive. Schmiddy’s background in composing for short films in college for grades to composing hip-hop tracks for fun has led him to last Friday: the release of Schmiddy’s debut album Lightning In A Bottle. The album is not only a showcase of Schmiddy’s brand of beatmaking and production, but of his talent for sourcing and matching the right vocal talent for each track and creating something true to his background: cinematic.
“Nebula” features Nairobi-based artist Andyah as vocalist and co-writer. Her vocals are light but rich, working in tandem to the movement of Schmiddy’s groove. Think of a camera slowly panning down a bolt of layered red velvet with an intoxicating fire burning in the background. And it’s that right kind of spicy that makes you want to sensually slow dance, even if just to yourself in the mirror.
KUT Morning Newscast for January 8, 2025
Temperatures are forecast to be near freezing some nights of this week, here’s how one local nonprofit is trying to help the area’s homeless population on these cold days. Travis County Community Centers will serve as warming centers. UT Austin released an investigative report into why a patio ceiling collapsed on campus collapsed recently. If you live in Austin or Travis County, you can get your pet or cat spayed or neutered for free.
KUT Morning Newscast for January 7, 2025
Central Texas top stories for January 7, 2025. Austin is still struggling to staff its police department. Rents continue to fall in the Austin area. Georgetown is finding new sources of water to meet the demand that comes with its rapid growth.
KUT Morning Newscast for January 6, 2025
Central Texas top stories for January 6, 2025. We have a cold week ahead and Austin Energy says it’s prepared for winter weather. Austin’s overnight cold weather shelters will be open through Thursday. Vehicle safety inspections are now a thing of the past in Texas for non-commercial vehicles, here’s what you need to know. The Longhorns will play Ohio State this Friday night at the Cotton Bowl, a trip to this year’s national championship football game is on the line.
Ted Cruz to chair powerful Senate committee
The FBI now says it believes the suspect in the New Year’s attack in New Orleans acted alone. We’ll have an update on the latest.
Ted Cruz is poised to take over leadership of the powerful Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.
As of Jan. 1, works published in 1929 and sound recordings from 1924 have entered the public domain. The Standard’s Shelly Brisbin shares some notable highlights of what’s now freely accessible.
And: Opposition mounts against an LNG export terminal along the Texas Gulf Coast.
What we know about Texas ties to deadly attack in New Orleans
The FBI has identified the suspect in a deadly terrorist attack in New Orleans as Texas resident Shamsud-Din Jabbar. We’ll have the latest on the rampage that left 15 people dead.
Ahead of next week’s national day of mourning for former President Jimmy Carter, a look at his impact on the Lone Star State.
What steps should lawmakers prioritize in the upcoming legislative session to address the state’s water crisis?
And: Scientists have identified a new bee species found only in Texas and Oklahoma.
KUT Morning Newscast for January 2, 2025
Central Texas top stories for January 2, 2025. A proposal to boost the number of lanes on MoPac through South Austin will be open to public comment for an extra month. State lawmakers are reigniting an effort to allow the State of Texas to take control of Austin. Texas moves on to the College Football Playoff semifinals. The IRS is hiring in Austin ahead of tax season.
A look ahead at the 89th legislative session
As the 89th session of the Texas Legislature looms, here’s a preview of some of the marquee issues that will likely hold the focus of lawmakers.
Our top music stories for the year
Queue up some jams for your New Year’s Eve party with this roundup of some of our favorite music segments from 2024, featuring Beyoncé, the Jesus Lizard, Bayonne and more.
Diving into Texas history
Through the years, countless Texans have made history, though some are far less remembered or memorialized. We’re bringing some of those stories to light today, from the far reaches of space exploration to the farmworkers who fought for change with the Texas Farm Workers Union.
Some of our favorite stories of the year
We asked our team of journalists at the Standard to reflect on some of their favorite stories of the past 12 months. Today we remember efforts to save animals during the big Panhandle fire, a Texas runner heading to his final marathon, prospects for a WNBA franchise in a city that’s long gone without a pro team, and much more.
Tour the Texas Museum Map
This year we kicked off the Texas Museum Map, exploring and highlighting museums big and small, traditional and weird.
Today we’ll take a tour of the state, with stops at the Museum of South Texas History in Edinburg, the Rangerette Showcase & Museum in East Texas, and Cadillac Ranch near Amarillo, among others.
The Best thing I ate in 2024 (Live at El Perrito ATX) — BONUS
We’ll bring El Cuatro, season 4 of the Tacos of Texas Podcast with a live event at El Perrito ATX. We recap some of the best things we ate in 2024 and talk to our special guest from Visit El Paso, Julio Cotto about his identity and favorite taco spots.
The best of The Texas Newsroom
We’re taking a look back at some of our favorite stories of the year from our public radio reporting partners across the state, including:
A Dallas ISD program that’s getting more Black and Latino men into classrooms.
Mobile health clinics rolling out to provide vital medical services as the state loses rural hospitals.
And: A visit to the traditional Mexican rodeo in San Antonio.
Inside the Conjunto Music Hall of Fame & Museum
At least five bills have been filed in the Texas Legislature so far to require Texas voters to show proof of citizenship. A look at the implications.
How education could take center stage in the upcoming 89th Texas legislative session.
Attorney General Ken Paxton files a motion to prevent testimony at the Capitol from death row inmate Robert Roberson.
And: Kristen Cabrera visits the Conjunto Music Hall of Fame & Museum for the Texas Museum Map project.
KUT Morning Newscast for December 20, 2024
Central Texas top stories for December 20, 2024. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a motion to prevent Texas death row inmate Robert Roberson from testifying. More homes are selling in the Austin area than this time last year. Cold Weather Shelters will open tonight in Austin. Hear all the details of tomorrow’s football game, it’s the Longhorns against the Clemson Tigers.
Remembering Melinda Wickman Swearingen, ‘the Annie Leibovitz of outlaw country’
It’s Republicans vs. Republicans to decide the speaker’s race in the Texas House of Representatives.
Photographer Melinda Wickman Swearingen, who died earlier this year, captured evocative images of outlaw country musicians. Her work will soon be on display at the Wittliff Collections at Texas State University.
And: What’s the deal with these mysterious drones? Should we be worried? Omar Gallaga has answers.
KUT Morning Newscast for December 19, 2024
Central Texas top stories for December 19, 2024. Some of “Old Austin” businesses closed this year. The City of Kyle is warning residents to stay away from feral hogs. ABIA is expecting more travelers this weekend, be prepared.