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

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Williamson County voters to weigh in on proposed tax rate increases

Austinites aren’t the only Texans weighing proposed tax rate increases at the ballot box this year. In Williamson County, the Taylor and Liberty Hills school districts are asking voters for more dollars. KUT’s Kailey Hunt has a breakdown.

We’re one week out from KUT’s ATXplained Live show at the Bass Concert Hall. We’ll talk with Project Manager Matt Largey on this community-powered live storytelling event.

And Texas Standard teams up with magazine “Fangoria” to highlight a horror film shot in Central Texas’ waterways: 1978’s “Piranha.”

KUT Morning Newscast for October 22, 2025: CapMetro has a new poliece chief

Central Texas top stories for October 22, 2025. Austin wasn’t warned that state police would be clearing homeless camps on city land, mayor says. Capital Metro has a new police chief. Travis County is looking into building a commuter rail system from Austin to San Antonio. Early voting turnout has been low.

Anti-Prop Q website raises ethics questions

With early voting underway, Austin’s Prop Q is front and center for many folks – and was the subject of an ethics complaint against a resident who created a website aiming to take down the ballot item. KUT’s Andrew Weber breaks it down.

What Gov. Greg Abbott’s latest announcement of Austin cleanup efforts means for the city.

Plus: Barbara Morgan, executive director of the Austin Film Festival, previews what to expect from this year’s fest.

KUT Morning Newscast for October 21, 2025: CapMetro approves sweeping plan to reshape Austin’s public transit network

Central Texas top stories for October 21, 2025. CapMetro approved a plan to reshape Austin’s public transit network, but not everyone is on board. Monday was the deadline for universities to submit comments to the White House on a funding compact. It’s unclear if UT Austin will sign the document. Neighbors complain about AISD’s new plan to turn former Rosedale School into a six-story apartment complex. Liberty Hill ISD is asking voters to approve a tax rate increase. The Austin area is under disaster declaration due to elevated fire risk.

KUT Morning Newscast for October 20, 2025: Today is the first day of early voting in the November 4th election

Central Texas top stories for October 20, 2025. Today is the first day of early voting in the November 4th election. This year, ballots in Texas will also have 17 proposed amendments to the Texas constitution. Organizers of Austin’s local “No Kings Day” event estimated that some 20 thousand people came out to protest this weekend. Gov. Greg Abbott confirmed that a UT professor was dismissed from his administrative duties due to “ideological differences.” The U-S Grand Prix will continue in Austin through at least 2034. Today could be one of the busiest days at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. The Longhorns beat Kentucky 16 to 13 on Saturday.  

D’Angelo The Great

On this episode we discuss the legacy of the late musican D’Angelo who suddenly passed last week at age 51. We also discuss the upcoming Verzuz between hip-hop labels Cash Money (Lil Wayne, etc) and No Limit (Master P, Snoop, etc.) and how it would look. Hip-Hop facts this week include facts about D’Angelo, UGK, 2pac and Lil Wayne. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion is about how Lil Jon might not be the biggest fan of Three 6 Mafia in the overall legacy of crunk music.

Downtown Austin’s Hideout Theatre moves after 26 years

Early voting in this year’s elections starts Monday and here in Texas, you’ll have your choice on adding 17 proposed amendments to the state constitution. The Texas Newsroom’s Blaise Gainey joins us with more.

The San Antonio Spurs have made Austin their home for a couple of games in each of the past few seasons. Now, whispers about a permanent move have been buzzing, especially as San Antonio voters consider approving a new downtown stadium.

After 26 years in downtown Austin, the Hideout Theater is moving. We’ll have a look at where they’re going, what this means for the local comedy scene and how that space is changing.

KUT Morning Newscast for October 17, 2025: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is preparing for one of its busiest weekends this year

Central Texas top stories for October 17, 2025. With the U.S. Grand Prix happening in Austin this weekend, ABIA officials are expecting one of its busiest weekends in the year. The Texas football team is gearing up to play against Kentucky tomorrow. Art From the Streets, an organization that provides spaces and supplies for people experiencing homelessness to make art, is preparing for their annual sale.

What to look for on your ballot as early voting starts next week

Early voting starts Monday for the Nov. 4 election, and the discussion in Austin is centered around Proposition Q, a proposed tax rate increase. The city of Austin wants to use those dollars for more services in the city, but not everyone is convinced. KUT City Hall reporter Luz Moreno-Lozano explains.

Texans’ ballots will also include 17 proposed amendments to the state constitution. The Texas Newsroom’s Blaise Gainey talk us through a few of them.

Plus: How George Strait got his start in San Marcos.

KUT Morning Newscast for October 16, 2025: The City of Austin has a new initiative to create healthy and safe environments for kids

Central Texas top stories for October 16, 2025. The City of Austin is launching a new initiative aimed at creating healthy and safe environments for kids. Hays County will no longer be using license plate readers from security company Flock Safety. During this fall’s election Texans will be deciding on 17 amendments to the state’s constitution. A wildfire continues burning in Burnet County between Inks Lake State Park and Burnet. AISD is holding its second virtual meeting tonight to hear feedback on the school consolidation plan.

KUT Morning Newscast for October 15, 2025: State Rep. Gina Hinojosa is joining the Democratic primary race for governor

Central Texas top stories for October 15, 2025. State Representative Gina Hinojosa announced this morning she’s joining the Democratic primary race for Texas governor. AISD kicked off a series of community meetings last night to hear people’s feedback on the district’s school consolidation plan. The New Braunfels Independent School District board of trustees temporarily closed the district’s middle and high school libraries this week to review books. The City of Austin is testing a new way to respond to mental health emergencies. ICE is notifying some Texas cities ahead of immigration sweeps, but Austin is not one of them.  

Parents ask for more time as AISD plans November vote on school closures

Students, parents and staff from the Austin Independent School District had their first opportunity to address the school board about the district’s school consolidation proposal. The board plans to vote on the decision next month, and some folks are pleading for more time to voice their concerns.

ACL Fest has come and gone, but you can still experience the magic of the music thanks to our team over at KUTX. We’ll chat about the joys and difficulties of capturing these special performances with one of our staff photographers.

And: “The Slip,” the debut novel from Austin author Lucas Schaefer, has won the 2025 Kirkus Prize for fiction.

KUT Morning Newscast for October 14, 2025: Austin has less than 30 days to remove its Pride crosswalk and the “Black Artists Matter” mural

Central Texas top stories for October 14, 2025. Austin has less than 30 days to get rid of rainbow crosswalks and the “Black Artists Matter” mural on 11th street to comply with an order from Gov. Greg Abbott. Students and faculty at UT Austin are concerned about some academic programs. Texas State University has once again fired a professor who was first terminated last month. Flights are expected to be on time at ABIA once more.

Austin’s rainbow crosswalks, street lettering could soon be gone

The city of Austin is facing a deadline to remove roadway art, like the rainbow crosswalk at Fourth and Colorado streets or the words “Black Artists Matter” painted atop 11th Street. Gov. Greg Abbott says failure to do so would cause the city to risk losing state and federal dollars for future road projects.

We’ll hear from KUT government accountability reporter Andrew Weber, who is following the story.

Ever wondered who makes the giant fake sandwiches that you see around town at Thundercloud Subs? ATXplained brings you the answer.

Pushing Austin City Limits w/ Geto Gala

On this episode we interview Geto Gala fresh off the stage at ACL 2025 and discuss their career accomplishments. We also discuss the lack of local rappers and singers at ACL this year compared to previous years. Hip-hop facts include facts about Vince Vaughn, Snoop Dogg, Black Eyed Peas and more. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion is about Kool Herc not being as influential as Grandmaster Flash in the legacy of hip-hop.

Live from ACL Fest a special Austin Signal broadcast

It’s Weekend 2 of the Austin City Limits Music Festival, and Austin Signal is capping off our first week on the air by broadcasting a special hour from Zilker Park.

We’re talking with local trio Next of Kin, who are playing the festival this year. And KUTX’s Deidre Gott joins with a retrospective on how ACL has changed over the years – and she would know, because she’s never missed a festival.

Plus: What happens to Zilker’s grass after two weekends of packed crowds? KUT’s Luz Moreno-Lozano has the details.

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.  

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