KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts

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

austin

After its buyout, has Whataburger lost its spice?

There’s a fight to lead the Texas House of Representatives, and two names top the list. Yesterday we heard about Justin Burrows; today we’re taking a closer look at his challenger, David Cook, who the support of the House GOP caucus.

How one Central Texas school district is trying to do something about chronic absenteeism.

And: Whataburger has long been celebrated as a Texas fast food icon, but after its sale to a Chicago-based company, many claim it just isn’t what it used to be. Omar Gallaga explains.

KUT Morning Newscast for December 18, 2024

Central Texas top stories for December 18, 2024. Travis County Commissioners pressed leaders of Central Health about conflicts with CommUnityCare. Texas death row inmate Robert Roberson has been subpoenaed to testify this Friday on his case. Round Rock is changing who can ban or restrict books in school. Lake Travis school superintendent was placed on paid leave after misconduct allegations.

A&M’s next giant leap is the Texas Space Institute

It’s still election season in the Texas Legislature, where there’s a race for speaker of the House of Representatives. We’re taking a close look at the top two contenders this week, starting today with Rep. Dustin Burrows.


Billy Bob Thornton, who’s long been an honorary Texan, has earned his eighth Golden Globe nomination for his role as Tommy Norris in Taylor Sheridan’s new series, “Landman.” He joins the show today.


Plus: Last month, the Texas A&M Space Institute broke ground near NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Director Nancy Currie-Gregg shares the details.

KUT Morning Newscast for December 17, 2024

Central Texas top stories for December 17, 2024. Hays CISD is considering a nearly one-billion-dollar bond. Travis County officials are encouraging county residents to apply for the annual Expunction Expo. The Longhorns will host an opening round game at DKR Memorial Stadium this Saturday. APD is increasing traffic and DWI enforcement through January first. 

Taco Font, A Latino Art Weekend – Live at The Cathedral ATX — BONUS

Taco Font, a Latino Art Weekend live event in collaboration with The Cathedral Austin and Of Color. Some taco trucks are colorful, some hand-written and painted, and others are inspired by the food they make. In this episode, we’ll capture the most creative taco trucks, the inspiration, and stories behind the art, and eat along the way. Guests include muralist, Ernesto “Cheche” Hernandez and Reyna Vasquez, Veracruz All Natural (Austin) and moderated by Mando Rayo, Taco Journalist.

YouTube cleaning sensation AuriKatariina heads to Texas

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit claiming a New York doctor illegally prescribed abortion pills to a Texas resident.

A state plan to provide incentives for affordable housing: A Houston Chronicle investigation finds little affordable housing being built – and taxpayers holding the bag.

Two Texas families take legal action against an AI chatbot, alleging it served up sexual and self-harming content to kids.

Finnish cleaning star AuriKatariina, with 3.4 million YouTube subscribers and billions of views, is on the hunt for Texas’ dirtiest house to clean.

And: The New York Times sparks a controversy over the use of “y’all.”  Texas Monthly would like a word.

KUT Morning Newscast for December 16, 2024

Central Texas top stories for December 16, 2024. Here are the results for this weekend’s runoff elections in Travis and Hays County. The City of Austin is working on a new plan to get information to people in case of a weather emergency.

A special broadcast from Abilene

Today we come to you from one of Texas’ once great railroad towns – and though the trains aren’t so much a central part of life here anymore, something else has happened that’s been bringing people, prosperity and a sense of renewal back to Abilene.

An AI-focused facility could transform the Big Country region.

Ahead of the 2025, legislative session, Stamford Mayor James Decker shares insights on what’s needed for small-town Texas.

And: Wylie ISD is enacting a strict no-phone policy to reduce distractions.

KUT Morning Newscast for December 12, 2024

Central Texas top stories for December 12, 2024. A lot coming from City Council today, starting with the vote on a roadmap for keeping electricity reliable and affordable into the future. Austin City Council is set to approve funding to continue operating the Marshalling Yard homeless shelter. Austin City Council will vote on designating 1500 East on 12th street as a City of Austin Landmark. Williamson County is preparing to launch a new office of death investigators.

KUT Morning Newscast for December 11, 2024

Central Texas top stories for December 11, 2024. A federal judge ruled Infowars won’t be sold to The Onion after all. AISD is taking feedback on its plan to cut tens of millions of dollars in spending over the next three years, they’re not the only Texas district operating under a budget deficit. The City of Austin is working to educate residents on how to prepare for severe weather. Here’s what you need to know about Cedar Fever.  

Cold snap grips West Texas and the borderlands

What possible cuts to Medicaid under the new Trump administration could mean in Texas, which already limits coverage.
A cold front is blowing through El Paso, bringing high winds and freezing temperatures.
Princeton’s growing pains have led to tension in its mayoral runoff election.
Most of those involved in high-speed chases by state troopers going after suspected smugglers are teens and young drivers. An interview with one of those behind the wheel.
And: We’ll take a look at the two Texas teams that made it into the college playoffs, the Texas Longhorns and the SMU Mustangs.

KUT Morning Newscast for December 10, 2024

Central Texas top stories for December 10, 2024. Today is the last day of early voting in the local runoff elections. Texas is struggling to get people out of jails and into mental health treatment. Eanes ISD is considering combining two elementary schools to save money. San Marcos are looking to combine the city’s bus routes with those serving Texas State University. Cold shelters in Austin will open today. 

KUT Afternoon Newscast for December 09, 2024

Central Texas top stories for December 9, 2024. Tomorrow is the last day of Early Voting in the runoff elections yet to be decided. The Texas maternal mortality and morbidity review committee will not release a report from the initial years after Texas’ near-total abortion ban. Round Rock ISD is considering limiting who can challenge book titles in the district’s libraries. Texas will host the Clemson Tigers in the first round of this year’s expanded College Football Playoff. Despite lower home prices, homes in Austin are taking longer to sell. We’re getting some weather whiplash this week in the Austin area.

KUT Morning Newscast for December 9, 2024

Central Texas top stories for December 09, 2024. Tomorrow is the last day of early voting for the December 14th runoff election. AISD is asking the public for feedback on its plan to eliminate its 92-million-dollar budget deficit over the next three years. The City of Austin is considering a new rule that would require certain businesses to display information about mental health and firearm safety. Austin City Council will vote on a plan to generate electricity in Austin into the future. The Longhorns came up short in the SEC game on Saturday, but they’re fifth seed in this year’s expanded College Football Playoff. An asteroid has been named after a UT professor. 

KUT Morning Newscast for December 06, 2024

Central Texas top stories for December 06, 2024. You can still vote to decide who will get the seat left on the AISD Board of Trustees. We’re expecting a warmer winter, but Texas could still see dramatic cold snaps. The Longhorns will go for their first Southeastern Conference Championship tomorrow. Texas Volleyball team will play NCAA Second Round against USC tonight. You can get your dog or cat spayed or neutered for free this week.

24 Hours at the Austin Airport

Nobody wants to be at the airport. At least not any longer than they have to. We spent 24 hours at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport— from 9 a.m. on May 6 to 9 a.m. on May 7 — to experience everything that happens there.

KUT Producers: Matt Largey, Greta Díaz González Vázquez, Maya Fawaz, Audrey McGlinchy, Stephanie Federico, Olivia Aldridge, Kailey Hunt, Nathan Bernier, Mose Buchele and Wynne Davis.

Production help from Hasina Shah, Sara Kinney and Tinu Thomas.

Graphic design by Maile Carballo.

Sonic logo design by Rene Chavez, Ezra Gomez and Simón Marulanda-Mesa

24 Hours in Austin is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org.

Uranium mining poised for a comeback in South Texas

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments about restrictions on gender-affirming care for young people. What a ruling could mean.
Texas elected officials will soon have to start disclosing more information about the properties they own – changes that could reveal more about Attorney General Ken Paxton’s recent real estate transactions.
Houston-based Enron went very publicly kaput more than 20 years ago. Now, it’s back? We’ll take a closer look.
Uranium mining is ramping up again in South Texas, raising questions about the environmental and economic implications.
Plus: ChatGPT is known to have its limitations. What one of its blindspots tells us about artificial intelligence.

KUT Morning Newscast for December 05, 2024

Central Texas top stories for December 05, 2024. Police officer Christopher Taylor was fired from the Austin Police Department after being convicted for the fatal shooting of Mauris DeSilva. Rent prices keep going down in Austin. There are no traces of forever chemicals in the city’s drinking water. Make sure you are ready for a cold winter this year.

Gaylon Clark 

Gaylon Clark, the Lead Pastor of Greater Mt. Zion Church, joins Lisa and Rich on Black Austin Matters. Pastor Clark shares insights on his journey from his hometown of Dallas to Austin, and how his path to ministry was inspired by his brother’s faith and guided by prayer. Tune in to learn about finding the right church for you, the significance of nurturing healthy relationships, and the importance of caring for your mental health.

×