austin

KUT Weekend – May 24, 2019

Texas lawmakers have until Monday to pass their latest proposal on cutting property taxes and boosting school spending. Plus, how death certificate delays have put healing on hold for a grieving family. And how an Austin woman helped change the Texas constitution to make dads pay child support. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend!

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KUT Weekend – May 17, 2019

Why Austin’s mayor supports a plan to add lanes to I-35 even though he doesn’t think it will fix traffic congestion in the long run. Plus, where are all these people moving to Austin coming from? And how DJ Southpaw bridged a gap in Austin’s hip-hop scene. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend!

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Texas Standard: May 17, 2019

Even after evidence of Russian attempts to hack U.S. politics, campaigns for 2020 are turning down cybersecurity help. Is that a smart move? We’ll take a look. Also, a new immigration reform plan. Todd Gillman of the Dallas Morning News tells us why Democrats say its dead on arrival. Plus, skyrocketing insulin prices? For a Texas congressman this one’s personal. Joaquin Castro tells us what he’s planning to do about it. And U.S. military veterans, more and more of them denied U.S. citizenship. We’ll hear what’s happening. Plus the week in politics with the Texas Tribune and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

KUT Weekend – May 10, 2019

A plan to increase the state’s sales tax is dead. Plus, black advocates demand changes in library policies after a 13-year-old’s arrest. And how did Texas become the only state with its own toast? Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend!

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KUT Weekend – May 3, 2019

Why the Austin school district is turning to realtors to better market its schools. Plus, a CDC study saying many Austin scooter riders don’t wear helmets, ride fast and don’t know what they’re doing. And how do musicians make the cut for the Austin City Limits TV series? Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend!

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KUT Weekend – April 26, 2019

What’s happening with school finance and property tax cuts at the Texas legislature. Plus, presidential candidates court women of color at a Texas forum. And how one Texas man almost lost everything when it was his word against border officials. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend!

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KUT Weekend — April 19, 2019

In a special edition of KUT Weekend, we bring you a half-hour look at why many students of color are struggling in Austin’s public schools. It’s a documentary called Held Back, produced by KUT’s Claire McInerny.

KUT Weekend – April 12, 2019

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick considers the “nuclear option” to pass property tax legislation. Plus, problems with the state’s STAAR test. And a Texas family’s tradition of bloodless bullfighting. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend!

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Texas Standard: April 8, 2019

A surprise resignation by the head of Homeland Security and the impact amid rising numbers of people crossing the southern border. Also a top immigration official temporarily takes over the post of a department founded to fight terrorism after 9/11, we’ll have more. And as the president postpones a promised border shutdown, anxiety persists at the border. And the Lone Star State may be famous for its Friday night lights, but maybe we should be celebrating prowess in another sport right now. Plus the story of the woman behind a political dynasty and more today on the Texas Standard:

KUT Weekend – April 5, 2019

A battle over renewable energy takes shape at the Texas Capitol. Plus, how a wave of tech expansion could further strain affordability in Austin. And who is the crossing guard who waves to everyone near Mendez Middle School? Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend!

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Held Back: Why Austin’s Schools Aren’t Working For Students Of Color

Graham Elementary in Northeast Austin looks like many schools in the district: Its students are mostly Latino or black, more than half are learning English, and almost all of them come from low-income families. These are some of the major factors that contribute to an achievement gap. Like students in schools with similar demographics, Graham students were not doing well on those state tests before 2007. That changed after Blaine Helwig became principal. Listen to what they tried at Graham Elementary to help their students in this special report by Claire McInerny.

Trailer: Held Back

In most urban school districts across the country, black and Latino students don’t perform as well on standardized tests as their white and Asian peers. KUT’s Claire McInerny explores the reasons for this gap and looks at one teacher’s possible solution.

KUT Weekend – March 29, 2019

Texas Senate budget writers agree to spend an extra $9 billion on public education and property tax cuts. Plus, local entrepreneurs look to change the face of Austin’s startup scene. And why everything in Austin is covered in green gunk right now. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend!

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