There are a lot of moving parts and players in our local government systems. Sometimes it can be hard to know exactly what an elected officials job actually is. Take County Judge. As part of KUT’s Civics 101 coverage, we dive into that position with All Things Considered host Jerry Quijano and reporter Andrew Weber.
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Civics 101: Who pays for highways?
Texas has a sprawling highway network with more than 200-thousand miles of lanes — almost the distance from Earth to the Moon. And those roads don’t come cheap. The Texas Department of Transportation outspends every other state, devoting about 18-billion dollars a year to highways.
Ever wonder who foots the bill?
All this week the KUT newsroom is focusing on stories that explain how parts of our local government work. To kick things off KUT’s Nathan Bernier takes a look at who pays for highways in Texas.
You can find all of our Civics 101 stories at KUT.org
KUT Afternoon Newscast for May 16, 2024
Central Texas top stories for May 16, 2024. The City of Austin is moving closer to getting a permanent chief for the police department. Austin is now the 11th most populous city in America. Hays County is making plans for a new park in San Marcos. The Lake Travis ISD school board voted last night to form a public facility corporation. The H-E-B in Mueller is hosting a speed dating event tonight at 6:30. The final Big 12 series of the regular season begins tonight for the Texas Baseball team.
KUT Morning Newscast for May 16, 2024
Central Texas top stories for May 16, 2024. Austin City Council could vote to reduce the amount of land needed to build a house. The City of Austin is searching for a new police chief. The City of Austin does not have enough money to finish road projects promised to voters when they approved a property tax increase in 2016. Travis County voters will decide whether to raise taxes to expand child care options for low income families. The City of Georgetown could use treated wastewater to meet its long-term water supply challenges. Austin to host the 2025 MLS All Star Game. Strong to severe thunderstorms and heavy rain are possible this afternoon and evening in the Austin area.
Peace, Love, and Texas Women: Women in Austin music reflect on the Texas abortion ban
Women from the Austin music scene talk about how the Texas abortion ban is impacting their lives.
You’ll hear from music publicist Adrienne Lake, membership manager at The Recording Academy Amanda Garcia Davenport, Cassandra Shankman, aka DJ Cassandra, event producer Cheyenne Doer and songwriter, rapper and producer Qi Dada, who is one-half of the Austin hip-hop duo Riders Against the Storm.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for May 14, 2024
Central Texas top stories for May 14, 2024. DEI law compliance hearing. Travis County leaders took a big step today toward having a tax-rate increase election this year. The city says 40 to 50 Austin police officers assisted in making arrests at last month’s protests on the UT campus. The Leander School District has named Lucretia Rogers as its executive director of safety and security. The number of days in the Austin area with air quality considered unhealthy for sensitive groups increased to 21 last year.
KUT Morning Newscast for May 14, 2024
Central Texas top stories for May 14, 2024. An attempt to freeze funding for the I-35 expansion was defeated in a heated vote yesterday. Disruptions to various systems and services at Ascension-owned hospitals continue. Texas state Senators are getting an update on the steps university leaders have taken to comply with the DEI state law that took effect in January. Austin’s State of Our Environment Report for 2023. Austin Public Health is using two-million dollars in federal funding to address opioid overdoses. UT Austin will open a new center in Taylor.
How is climate change impacting Austin’s live music scene?
In the latest episode of Pause/Play, you’ll hear from musicians, venue owners and fans about how climate change is affecting Austin’s Music Scene. We also talk to weatherman David Yeomans and neuropsychotherapist Bella Rockman.
What does Drake’s A.I. Diss Song Mean for Rap?
Fresh defends Drake’s “Taylor Made Freestyle,” which uses dupes of Snoop and Tupac’s voices. Plus hear Confucius’ take on the University of Texas’ response to a recent pro-Palestinian protest along with other headlines, and Hip-Hop Facts.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for April 18, 2024
Central Texas top stories for April 18, 2024. Austin will restart a program that gives public cash to low-income families. Advocates and families of imprisoned Texans are calling on the state to provide AC in prisons ahead of another hot summer. The City of Austin will keep the Marshalling Yard open for another eight months. Healthcare worker shortage task force. The Austin area could get some severe weather tonight.
Why do bluebonnets grow so well along MoPac?
If you’ve ever been jealous of the lush, beautiful patches of wildflowers along Austin’s highways, this story is for you.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for April 17, 2024
Central Texas top stories for April 17, 2024. What the next regular session of the Texas Legislature could mean for the state’s power grid. More lawsuits have been filed in the deadly Hays CISD bus crash. Texas State University needs more housing for students. The City of Austin wants to give more resources to re-envisioning how sexual assault cases are investigated. We are seeing another spike in prices at the gas pumps. The 47th annual O. Henry Museum Pun Off World Championships are coming up next month.
KUT Morning Newscast for April 17, 2024
Central Texas top stories for April 17, 2024. The City of Austin is bracing for a budget shortfall this year and beyond. Travis County commissioners renamed the Justice and Public Safety Division to the Department of Innovative Justice and Program Analysis. The Biden Administration’s 6.4 billion dollar investment in Samsung is expected to bring more than 20 thousand jobs to Central Texas.
How are global and local changes impacting the Austin Music Scene?
How is climate change impacting Austin’s Music Scene? What about skyrocketing ticket prices? Or changes in AI and tech? How are new laws in Texas affecting women and LGBTQIA+ people in the music ecosystem? These are some of the questions that hosts Miles Bloxson and Elizabeth McQueen will explore in Season 5 of Pause/Play. In the first episode, they look at how COVID has shifted some people’s relationship with live music, plus they give you a season overview.
In this episode you’ll hear from neuropsychotherapist Bella Rockman, Lawrence Boone from the Far Out Lounge and Stage, Meteorologist David Yeomans, Jammy Violet from Pelvis Wrestly, Austin musician Caleb de Caspar, Adrienne Lake from Daydream Believer Austin and Frontgate Tickets founder Mellie Price.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for April 16, 2024
Central Texas top stories for April 16, 2024. Austin is facing a budget shortfall. San Marcos water restrictions may be changing soon. UT Austin President Jay Hartzell on staff layoffs to comply with a new state law banning DEI initiatives at public universities. “Bike lane bounty” initiative hits a snag. All Things Wild takes in a duck with a missing bill. Changes to Zilker Park’s weekend parking fee.
Lisa B. Thompson and Nadine Mozon
In this bonus episode, Rich talks to his co-host Lisa B. Thompson, award-winning playwright and Black cultural studies scholar about her new show, “The Black Feminist Guide to the Human Body.” They are joined by Nadine Mozon, an associate professor, actor, writer, poet and dramatist who will star in Lisa’s show. Lisa and Nadine talk about the show, their creative processes and what their art means to them. “The Black Feminist Guide to the Human Body” will run at the Vortex from April 12- May 4.
Revisiting the exploits of a notorious Texas jewel thief
As Texas eclipse watchers bask in the afterglow, we’re checking in on one event that was forced to end festivities early due to inclement weather.
A quarterly report offers a look at the health of Texas’ oil and gas industry. Energy analyst Matt Smith breaks it down.
The new book “The King of Diamonds” by Rena Pederson follows the trail of an elusive jewel thief who made off with millions by slipping into the homes of Dallas’ wealthiest residents.
Sea turtle nesting season is underway on South Padre Island. How many hatchlings are expected this year?
Plus: We’ll delve into the benefits of couples sleeping separately.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for April 8, 2024
Central Texas top stories for April 8, 2024. Severe weather possible in Central Texas tonight through Wednesday. Central Texans catch a break from breaks in the clouds during total solar eclipse. Folks travel to Hill Country from far and near to experience totality. Austin-area kids learn about, experience eclipse at school. Mobile mammogram service returns to Austin area.
What you should know about polling going into election season
After a prolonged legal back-and-forth that ultimately saw it paused again, Texas Senate Bill 4 returned to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals yesterday. We’ll have the latest on where the immigration law stands.
You’ve likely heard the poll numbers in the presidential race. Do you trust them? Some tips on following the many surveys we’ll be hearing as November approaches.
How community colleges are likely to play a growing role in the future of work in Texas.
And: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued to stop a light-rail initiative in Austin.
State approves Boca Chica State Park land swap with SpaceX
A Texas electricity company acknowledges its role in the largest wildfire in state history, a Panhandle blaze still only partially contained. We’ll hear more from the Texas A&M Forest Service.
Despite objections from Brownsville and Rio Grande Valley residents, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department voted to move forward with a plan to swap land within Boca Chica State Park to Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
Tech expert Omar Gallaga has an update on the Facebook/Meta outages shutting down services for many on Super Tuesday.
And: Actor Thomas Haden Church on his latest film, “Accidental Texan,” a title that also describes his journey to the state.