We know a special legislative session starts this week. What we don’t know is what’s on the agenda. This week we’ll talk to Republican and Democratic strategists about the special session. Up first- the Democrats. Also, one in every four COVID-19 infections are from the aggressive delta variant. We asked health experts for their recommendations. And Texas based Exxon-Mobil is in the hot seat after revelations from a secret recording, we’ll tell you more. And how the student athletes of today will be able to do what students athletes of the past could never do – profit from their name and likeness. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
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Confucius vs Verzuz
This week on The Breaks:
- Fresh is still out so Confucius talks about the recent Verzuz between Souja Boy and Bow Wow, both of whom have been accused of physically assaulting women and asks whether the organizers of Verzuz should be more accountable when it comes to the artists they showcase.
- Confucius talks about the recent article in the Austin Chronicle that he was interviewed for called “21 Austin Rappers to Know in 21.” He applauds the spotlight on Austin’s hip-hop scene and encourages artists who may not have made it on the list not to worry and to keep on doing the work they love.
- you’ll learn interesting things about Cardi B, Young Thug, The Weeknd, T-Pain, Kanye & more in this week’s installment of Hip-Hop Facts.
- Confucius talks about Tyler the Creator after the release of his new mixtape “Call Me if You Get Lost.”
- In his Confucius Says segment, Confucius encourages listeners to lean into loyalty.
You can hear the latest full broadcast of The Breaks Saturday night show.
Texas Standard: May 24, 2021
Hurricane Harvey devastated Houston. We’ll look at why it’s not getting any federal money for flood mitigation managed by the Texas General Land Office. Also, Texas uses gas taxes to help to maintain and build new roads. So how does it make up the loss in revenue from more people driving electric vehicles? Some say the potential answer sends the wrong message. Plus, PTAs in wealthy parts of one Texas school district have actually been paying staff salaries. Why the practice is ending and what could replace it. And there’s been a lot of back and forth about how the capital city makes room for people experiencing homelessness. Austin voters said one thing, now state lawmakers may add another. Where things stand now. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Mobley (Ep. 22, 2021)
On this week’s In Black America program, producer and host John L. Hanson speaks with Austin-based singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Mobley, aka Anthony Watkins II, about his recent release, Young and Dying in the Occident Supreme.
Texas Standard: April 20, 2021
A bill to allow permitless carry of handguns in Texas has passed the House. A done deal in the Texas Senate too? Not so fast. Although republicans have control of the senate, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick says he does not now have the votes to pass permitless carry. We’ll hear the latest. Also, it was a rare act of bipartisanship to save music and theatre venues hard hit by the pandemic. Now months later, none of the money has been allocated. What’s the holdup and will Texas stages survive? Plus the push to address homelessness in the capitol city amid political controversy over public camping. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
KUT Weekend – April 16, 2021
New challenges in the rush to get people vaccinated: unfilled appointments! Plus, renters still stuck in limbo after their homes were damaged by the February winter storm. And how librarians are using the outdoors to get kids reading together again. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend!
Survey at survey.kut.org
Texas Standard: April 5, 2021
2 trillion for infrastructure. The big push from the Biden administration. But what might those big plans mean for the Lone Star State? We’ll have details. Plus, going to a concert? Baseball game? Getting on a plane? You may need a passport for that. The push for and the controversy over so-called vaccination passports. Also Dr.Fred Campbell of UT Health San Antonio takes on more of your COVID-19 questions. And new lockdowns in other parts of the world and the ripple effects on Texas and the energy business. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
KUT Weekend – April 2, 2021
COVID numbers continue to flatten in the Austin-area. Plus, why it’s so hard to find out what Austin Energy circuit your home is on. And how an out-of-work musician’s latest album was inspired by having to spend hours on hold with the unemployment office. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend!
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KUT Weekend – March 26, 2021
Texas expands coronavirus eligibility to everyone over 16 in Texas starting Monday. Plus, the legacy of Austin civil rights leader Bertha Sadler Means. And the story behind Herman the singing plumber. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend!
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Who Is Herman the Singing Plumber?
A plumber. Who sings?
As part of our Hi, Who Are You? spinoff, we get introduced to Herman Bennett.
Texas Standard: March 24, 2021
Everyone over 16 in Texas will be eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine come Monday, but will there be enough doses to go around? Also, a new chapter begins in the fight against COVID-19 in Texas. We’ll have the latest on the push to get everyone over 16 vaccinated in Texas as soon as possible, and what if anything is being done to protect vulnerable populations. Plus a bill in the Texas legislature that could shut down an iconic Texas swimming hole sparks protests in the Texas capitol city. And branding Madness. Why is the march madness label reserved for men, but off limits to women as the college basketball playoffs move forward? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
KUT Weekend – March 19, 2021
A recording of the state’s top utility regulator that caused him to lose his job. Plus, bills in the Texas legislature that seek to undo what local election officials did to try to make voting safe during the pandemic. And how some farmers are trying to get by after the winter storm decimated local farms. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend!
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Texas Standard: March 18, 2021
Bottlenecks creating a backup of detentions of young people crossing the border without documentation. We’ll have the latest on what’s needed as concerns grow over the detentions of young migrants. Also a wave of bills to restrict abortion rights in Texas taken up this week by the Texas legislature, abortion opponents seeing opportunity in recent changes to the supreme court. And a red hot real estate market in parts of Texas rivaling what we’ve seen in places like California. Demand up, supply down. Are more Texans getting priced out of homeownership for the long haul? Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 15, 2021
Texans 50 or over, get in line. New rules take effect opening up vaccine eligibility, the trouble? Finding enough doses. Coming up disputes between the feds and state officials over whether Texas is getting enough vaccine doses in its fight against COVID-19. Also, efforts by the republican legislature in Texas to curb the powers of the governor during a pandemic. Now a priority item in the house. We’ll hear why. Also more listener questions about COVID-19 and the vaccine , plus our conversation with Austin mayor Steve Adler, the power of the Black church in Texas politics and so much more today on the Texas Standard :
KUT Weekend – March 12, 2021
The Austin school district needs to evaluate 800 students for special ed. It doesn’t have the staff to do it. A UT Austin committee determines the intent of the school song ‘The Eyes of Texas’ was ‘not overtly racist.’ And Austin rents have dropped, ever so slightly, so now some renters see a chance to negotiate.
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One Year Later
We talked to people from across the spectrum of the Austin music ecosystem around the 1-year anniversary of the cancellation of SXSW. In this episode, you’ll hear how they’ve coped, pivoted, evolved, gained new perspectives and dealt with trauma during the last 12 months.
You’ll hear from singer, songwriter and guitar player Jackie Venson, songwriter, producer and activist Mobley, Stephanie Bergara who fronts the band Bidi Bidi Banda, Maggie Lea co-owner of Cheer-Up Charlies, musician and founder of Austin Texas Musicians Nakia, singer, songwriter and podcaster Walker Lukens, live-event coordinator, screenwriter and co-founder of The Amplified Sound Coalition, Jeannette Gregor, executive director of the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, Reenie Collins, and executive director of Austin Texas Musicians, Pat Buchta.
We have a survey and we’d love to hear what you think! Go ahead! Take the survey here!
Links:
Listen to Jackie Venson’s music
Check out Mobley’s new record “Young and Dying in the Occident Supreme”
Listen to Nakia’s new single “It’s Never Too Late.”
The Health Alliance for Austin Musicians
Texas Standard: March 8, 2021
Let’s set the table: we got a lot of food on the show today. From restaurants to citrus to food for thought. In the food for thought category we start with some little known side-effects of the COVID-19 vaccine. We also imagine what if would be like to be homeless from the book “You Are My Brother”. And we imagine the political cost of the pandemic and freeze. Then we visit restaurants still open and remember those that have closed during the pandemic. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
KUT Weekend – February 26, 2021
State lawmakers considering how to stop last week’s power outages from happening again. Plus, some Austin apartment dwellers still have no water. And how those sad mounds of dead cactus across Central Texas may be reborn. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend!
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KUT Weekend – February 5, 2021
Austin Public Health tries to shed light on its confusing vaccine rollout. Plus, how coronavirus testing has become a “cash cow” for freestanding ERs in Texas. And an effort to preserve the memory of East Austin’s Metz Elementary School. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend!
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Who Is Buried In This Cemetery On 51st Street In Austin?
Who will remember you when you die? Family? Friends?
We got a question about a cemetery in Central Austin for ATXplained.
It got KUT’s Matt Largey thinking about what happens when people are forgotten.