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KUT and KUTX news and music podcasts for Austin, Texas and beyond

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What it takes to maintain Zilker Park’s great lawn after Austin City Limits

The two-weekend event means a lot more foot traffic and equipment putting stress on the park’s lawn and ecosystem. KUT’s Luz Moreno-Lozano tells us how the city keeps the grass healthy.

This podcast is made at KUT Public Media Studios. You may have heard that Congress just took back the money it had allocated for public radio. Our organization stands to lose 1.2 million dollars. We’re asking our listeners now to help us make up this shortfall. If you want to help us out, you can make a donation at supportthispodcast.org.

KUT Morning Newscast for October 10, 2025: Parents raised concerns over AISD’s school consolidation plan last night 

Central Texas top stories for October 10, 2025. Some AISD parents, staff and community members are expressing concerns over layoffs, academic continuity and the impact on low-income communities and emerging bilingual students if the district approves the current consolidation plan. Neighbors are uneasy about a new homeless services center near I-35 and Oltorf. The city of Austin set to remove painted street murals including one saying “Black Artists Matter” and a rainbow crosswalk. The Texas football team will play tomorrow their annual Red River Rivalry game against Oklahoma. It’s the second weekend of the Austin City Limits Music Festival, expect an increase in traffic.  

A massive data center in Taylor is moving forward

A judge has dismissed a lawsuit in a case centered around the construction of a data center in Taylor on land that had been set aside for a park. We’ll hear from KUT Williamson County reporter Kailey Hunt, who has been following the story and speaking with the folks looking to put a halt to that development.

A group of volunteer musicians, the Viva Palestina Orchestra, is raising money for aid in Gaza by playing Palestinian music.

Need to yell out your feelings? How to join the next meeting of Scream Club Austin.

KUT Morning Newscast for October 9, 2025: Former UT lecturer’s lingering charges from pro-Palestinian protest dismissed

Central Texas top stories for October 9, 2025. If AISD goes ahead with the consolidation plan, it would reshape some of the most valuable public land across the city. Travis County prosecutors have dropped all remaining charges against a former UT lecturer who was arrested in last year’s pro-Palestinian demonstrations. A judge dismissed a lawsuit that tried to stop a controversial data center from being built on restricted land. The Austin City Council today is set to vote on buying a new property to serve as a city-owned housing navigation center. 

34 years later, Austin reflects on the impact of the yogurt shop murders

It’s been 34 years since Austin was rocked by the violent yogurt shop murders. Now, after a recent breakthrough in the case, the impact of the crime and the push to find justice is reverberating throughout the city.

KUT’s Andrew Weber has an exploration of the many feelings running through the minds of folks trying to make sense of such a senseless act.

Plus: We hear from a Lockhart pitmaster and look ahead to weekend two of the ACL Music Festival.

KUT Morning Newscast for October 7, 2025: Some AISD parents wonder what would happen to their campus after it closes

Central Texas top stories for October 7, 2025. After AISD released a plan to close 13 schools, some parents are wondering what would happen to the buildings after schools close. A new state law that regulates who can speak on college campuses is shaking up the way one UT Austin group has been operating for decades. CapMetro is preparing to start construction in November for the new North Burnet/ Uptown Station near the Domain. Barton Springs Pool will be closed for most of the day today. 

Sertified In Australia!

On this episode, we talk with Austin legend Sertified about his upcoming shows in Australia for SXSW. We also discuss if the song “Still Tippin” is a hip-hop classic or not. Hip-hop facts include facts about Bryson Tiller, Prince, Mobb Deep, and 2pac. Fresh and Unpopular Opinion is that rapper Nas is the biggest fan of the culture of hip-hop.

Austin ISD proposes 13 school closures to curb $20 million budget deficit

Howdy out there, Austin! This episode is the first live radio broadcast for Austin Signal.

We’re discussing the proposed campus closures announced by the Austin Independent School District. More than a dozen schools would be shut down ahead of next school year as AISD works against a budget shortfall. We’ll dive into those details with KUT’s Katy McAfee.

Speaking of budget: If buying meat is in yours, you’ve probably noticed the price is on the rise. Will it fall anytime soon? Texas Standard’s Michael Marks joins us to talk more.

And KUT’s Jimmy Maas talks college football with UT’s loss to Florida and more in today’s sports wrap.

Houston megachurch faces legal revolt

A University of Texas professor says Congress has gotten so good at frequent government shutdowns, finding the political will to get back on track could be an obstacle in itself. We’ll take a closer look.

Nearly two weeks after the deadly shooting at a Dallas ICE facility, investigators say the motive may be more about notoriety than ideology.

Second Baptist Church in Houston is locked in a legal battle with its own members over leadership and finances, and the dispute is being heard in the city’s new business court.

Texas leads the nation in energy consumption, driven by population growth and the rise of AI data centers. What does it bode for the state’s grid and energy mix?

KUT Morning Newscast for October 6, 2025: A lawsuit against a homeless service provider in South Austin is heading to court today

Central Texas top stories for October 6, 2025. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton says the Sunrise Community Church is a danger to neighbors and nearby Joslin Elementary School. Today is the last day for Texans to register to vote in the election this fall. The Longhorns fell to the Florida Gators this weekend. The southbound main lanes of I-35 at State Highway 29 in Georgetown will continue to be closed at night through Thursday.   

Amarillo startup wants AI to go nuclear

A Texas congressional redistricting fight enters the courtroom, with both sides taking different positions from those taken earlier. The Texas Newsroom’s Blaise Gainey with more on the start of what’s expected to be a nine-day federal hearing over new congressional maps.
The most polluted air in Texas? We’ll hear why a Houston community may have a tough time getting companies to take speedy action to clear the air.
Also, would you vote for an increase in property taxes if it meant helping people who are homeless find a place to live? A test of that idea on the ballot in Austin.
Plus, the Amarillo startup wanting AI to go nuclear, the week in Texas politics with the Texas Tribune, and much more.

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.

KUT Morning Newscast for October 3, 2025: Austin ISD to release school closures list today

Central Texas top stories for October 3, 2025. A long-awaited list of which Austin Independent School District campuses are set to close is being released later today. Monday is the deadline for Texans to register to vote for this fall’s election. The Longhorns will be back on the field tomorrow. It’s Day one of the Austin City Limits Music Festival, expect traffic around the city. A city near Austin is asking Musk and The Boring Company to help them make their streets more pedestrian friendly.

Bastrop asks Elon Musk for tunnels to connect city trails

ACL Fest is just one day away, but if you’re looking to take in EVEN MORE live music this weekend, KUTX Program Director Matt Reilly will stop by to talk with us about the shows happening tonight and outside of the festival gates.

Also, we’re talking tunnels! Bastrop is looking to have Elon Musk’s Boring Company build a pedestrian tunnel connecting the area’s trail system. The Texas Newsroom’s Lauren McGaughy will dig into it and give us the lowdown about what’s happening in Bastrop.

Plus, we’ll have an update on an Austin veteran and activist who is believed to be in the custody of Israeli forces after attempting to deliver aid to Gaza by flotilla.

The One with Adrian Healey

Live (to tape) from the U.S. Open Cup Championship match, Jimmy Maas and Juan Diego Garcia talk with original Austin FC play-by-play announcer Adrian Healey, chat about the return of the tifo to the supporters’ section and the history made Wednesday night at Q2.

¡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 October 2, 2025: UT Austin is one of the nine universities the White House asked to sign agreement to get funding advantage

Central Texas top stories for October 2, 2025. UT Austin is one of nine universities the Trump administration is asking to sign a ten-point contract in exchange of giving the schools priority in accessing federal funds. Travis County and local public health provider Central Health have announced a new program to offer virtual medical care to Travis County jail inmates. If you’re traveling this month, know that ABIA is expected to be very busy. Austin FC lost their chance to win their first major trophy. 

Texas starts taxing seller fees on sites like eBay, Etsy

Buying new? In this economy? Shopping secondhand is the go-to for many these days. But things are about to change for sellers using online retail platforms in Texas.
KUT’s Nathan Bernier joins the show to tell us why the next thrifted gem you purchase may cost you more than it used to. Plus, we prepare for the October festival season in Austin with tips from Nathan and KUTX’s Maile Carballo ahead of the first weekend of the Austin City Limits music festival.

And longtime Austinites have legends about folks who once lived in the hills west of Austin, known as “cedar choppers.” Many of those stories aren’t exactly positive ones. KUT’s Maya Fawaz looked into their history for our ATXplained podcast series. Syeda Carrillo guest hosts on today’s Austin Signal.

KUT Morning Newscast for October 1, 2025: A coalition of organizations is voicing support for a proposed property tax increase in Austin

Central Texas top stories for October 1, 2025. A coalition of Austin unions and groups is voicing its support for a proposed property tax increase. AISD is set to share the first draft of its school consolidation plans this Friday at 5:30 p.m. Anyone in Texas who sells items on eBay, Etsy, Poshmark or similar online marketplaces will now have to pay sales tax on the fees charged by those platforms. It’s expected to be a busy couple of weeks at Austin Bergstrom International Airport. The State Highway 29 bridge over I-35 in Georgetown will be closed starting tonight at nine until Friday morning at five.

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