Ben Rollman has loved LEGO since he was a kid. After a brief ‘Dark Age’ away from the hobby, he started back up as an adult and is now a bigger LEGO fan than ever.
austin
KUT Morning Newscast for September 24, 2024
Central Texas top stories for September 24, 2024. Travis County’s budget for next year includes a new law enforcement department, it is set to be approved today. The City of Austin and the Austin Police Association have reached a tentative contract agreement that includes a 28% pay increase. The Austin Independent School District is moving forward with an effort to build housing. The FDA is re-launching a program for people to order free COVID-19 tests.
Researchers relocate coral to Texas coast in conservation project
The Matterhorn Express pipeline, a 580-mile project set to go online soon, will transport natural gas from a terminal in West Texas to Katy, near Houston. We’ll hear what it could add up to for Texas and for energy prices more broadly.
A proposed liquified natural gas terminal in the Rio Grande Valley is stirring debate among local Indigenous tribes.
In Corpus Christi, researchers are pitching in for “Operation Coral Rescue,” an attempt to save endangered reefs from the ravages of warmer oceans.
Voting in Texas means having the right ID. Need to update that driver’s license? Many Texans might be surprised it’s not quite as easy as it sounds.
KUT Morning Newscast for September 23, 2024
Central Texas top stories for September 23, 2024. Austin’s police official Christopher Taylor goes back to trail for a second time for another on-duty shooting. Travis County Commissioners are set to approve a nearly $2 billion dollar budget. Central Texas school districts have seen an uptick in violent threats. Texans who have federal student loans in default can sign up for a temporary relief program. UT Austin’s police chief, Eve Stephens, resigned Friday. Texas Longhorns remain no. 1 on the AP college football poll.
Proposed school curriculum with Bible stories nears vote
A possible government shutdown looming with an Oct. 1 deadline. With the backdrop of elections, how might this story unfold? UT-Austin political science professor Sean Theriault talks about a perennial issue of government funding and where its headed.
Bible stories in the classroom? The Texas Education Agency is getting a lot of feedback and blowback over a new curriculum.
Mando Rayo of the Tacos of Texas podcast introduces us to a James Beard award winner in the Rio Grande Valley named the best chef in Texas.
This Hispanic Heritage Month, a look at some of the artists shaping the sounds of Texas.
Also, the week in politics, Typewriter Rodeo and more.
KUT Morning Newscast for September 20, 2024
Central Texas top stories for September 20, 2024. TxDOT is looking to make changes regarding the customer service for TxTag. Eddie Garcia, who’s been serving as Dallas Police Chief, will become Austin’s assistant city manager overseeing public safety. State leaders are looking at expanding rules for automated vehicles. The City of Austin will soon require people to get microchips for their pets.
Ultramarathoner prepares for run across Texas
Americans are pretty evenly divided on the issue of gun rights versus regulated ownership. How might it show up at the polls?
The number of migrants trying to cross the border with Mexico into the U.S. is down quite a bit. A look at why.
We’ll also introduce you to an endurance runner preparing to make his way from El Paso to Galveston. His goal is to draw attention to a cause.
The first spacewalk involving private citizens instead of astronauts is in the books. How we got here and what’s ahead.
Plus, recalling the journey to erect the Tejano Monument at the state capitol.
And why Texas lawmakers are working across the aisle to reverse a death penalty case.
KUT Morning Newscast for September 19, 2024
Central Texas top stories for September 19, 2024. The Austin City Council could vote next week to keep a temporary homeless shelter open longer than originally planned. Leaders from Austin Water are set to give an update today on plans to better conserve the city’s water supply. Law enforcement officials are increasing security at the Williamson County Justice Center after discovering an alleged plot to kill a local judge. Today Austinites can hear from the city council candidates for district four, here are the details. Barton Springs pool is open again!
KUT Morning Newscast for September 18, 2024
Central Texas top stories for September 18, 2024. Travis County filed a federal lawsuit accusing state leaders of violating the National Voter Registration Act. Austin has seen a rise in its older population over the last decade, that’s according to a new Census survey. Travis County Commissioners postponed a vote on the budget for Central Health. Barton Springs pool will open tomorrow. The Austin History Center is hosting conversations with the community to celebrate Hispanic/Latino Heritage month.
KUT Morning Newscast for September 17, 2024
Central Texas top stories for September 17, 2024. Texas high school students will need to rank in the top five percent of their graduating class to be automatically admitted to UT Austin starting with the fall 2026 semester. Hays County Commissioners are set to vote on a new budget today. Texas is changing its rules for annual vehicle inspections, get the details here. The Austin Police Department is cracking down on aggressive driving, speeding, and other traffic violations in one part of the city.
KUT Morning Newscast for September 16, 2024
Central Texas top stories for September 16, 2024. Homes in Austin are selling for a bit more than they did last year. Uber says it will start using self-driving cars in Austin and Atlanta early next year. A nonprofit focused on supporting children and families has given tens of thousands of dollars to the AISD. This year has not been great for bat viewing in Austin, but that doesn’t mean it has been a bad year for the bats. The Texas Longhorns are now number one in the Associated Press Top 25 college football poll.
KUT Morning Newscast for September 13, 2024
Central Texas top stories for September 13, 2024. A larger percentage of Austin renters are living in housing they can’t afford, according to new Census data. Travis County staff are making sure ballots are accurate and voting equipment is working properly for the November election, they are encouraging residents to come see the process for themselves. Hays County voters will decide on a major bond for road improvements this November. Starting in March, British Airways will fly from Austin to London Heathrow twice a day. The Austin based theater group Proyecto Teatro got selected to be part of the Encuentro 2024 festival in Los Angeles.
KUT Morning Newscast for September 12, 2024
Central Texas top stories for September 12, 2024. Texas is one of six states that saw increases in the uninsured rate among children, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Diplomatic officials from the United States and South Korea were in Williamson County yesterday to discuss local economic development. Austin could make changes today to its noise regulations.
KUT Morning Newscast for September 11, 2024
Central Texas top stories for September 11, 2024. State officials are considering whether to approve a new reading curriculum for elementary school students that includes Bible stories. Rent prices in Austin have continued to fall, even as rents in other large cities are going up. A mosquito infected with West Nile Virus was found in San Marcos last week, the mosquito season continues. Officials are honoring firefighters who were part of 9/11 rescue teams.
This Is My Thing: Vintage Railroading!
Some folks like to watch trains or photograph trains or build model trains, but for Marc Opperman only the real thing will do. His love of trains led him to become a student conductor on a real, functioning vintage train.
KUT Morning Newscast for September 10, 2024
Central Texas top stories for September 10, 2024. Travis County Commissioners today will get a first look at an audit of Central Health. Austin-Travis County medics saw fewer opioid overdoses over the summer. The Austin city council will consider amending its noise ordinance. The City of Georgetown is encouraging residents to conserve water.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for September 9, 2024
Central Texas top stories for September 9, 2024. A new poll finds nearly 80 percent of Texas teachers have seriously thought about leaving the job in the last year. The Austin City Council is considering a resolution that would eliminate the use of harmful chemicals that firefighters are exposed to when they’re on a call. A civil trial started today in federal court in Austin claiming intimidation and harassment by the “Trump Train” in 2020. Travis County employees are set to get a 5 percent raise next year, but some say it’s not enough to keep up with their workload. TxDOT has announced a major environmental study to look at expanding the bridge from Corpus Christi to Padre Island. The Hays County Sheriff’s Office will be ramping up enforcement on US Highway 290 along a stretch between Cedar Valley and Dripping Springs. Sally Duval is highlighting a platform of marijuana legalization. Tropical Storm Francine is expected to make landfall on the Upper Gulf Coast as a hurricane later this week.
KUT Morning Newscast for September 9, 2024
Central Texas top stories for September 9, 2024.The Austin City Council this week is considering a plan to phase out forever chemicals used in firefighting. A poll shows 78 percent of Texas public school teachers say they have seriously considered leaving their job in the last year. Testing data shows students in Texas are still struggling with math post-pandemic, a Central Texas district is trying to help. A UT poll shows an uptick of support for Democrats. The Longhorns are now #2 in the AP Top 25 College Football Poll.
KUT Morning Newscast for September 6, 2024
Central Texas top stories for September 6, 2024. Travis County officials are responding to a recent announcement from Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who says more than a million people have been taken off state’s voter rolls since 202. Travis County is trying to revive efforts to fund a passenger rail from Austin to San Antonio. The City of Leander and its firefighters are one step closer to establishing their first-ever collective bargaining agreement. The City of Austin will receive a $10.5 million dollar grant to reduce fatal and serious pedestrian injuries.
KUT Morning Newscast for September 5, 2024
Central Texas top stories for September 5, 2024. Rents in the Austin area have been falling for almost a year and a half. Round Rock ISD is asking voters to pass bonds to help fund construction and renovation projects. ABIA will have jet bridges with air conditioning. Austin FC is looking to divert tons of trash from landfills.