austin

Taylor rejects citizens’ effort to temporarily ban data centers

The Taylor City Council was set to consider a citizen-led initiative to temporarily ban data centers, but 15 minutes into its meeting on Thursday night, the city released a statement that state law would not allow the effort.

The City of Austin is releasing details on its proposed budget for the next fiscal year as it tries to chip away at a budget deficit. The programs and cuts that are up for consideration.

Enchanted Rock Natural Area is a favorite Austin getaway, and it’s growing in size to provide even more hiking and exploration.

And: We’ve got another anecdote from the Accent Unmuted storytelling series.

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

Questions remain after fatal ICE shooting in Houston

The latest on this week’s fatal shooting by ICE in Houston, described by Mexico’s president as part of a broader pattern of mistreatment of Mexican migrants. We’ll talk with reporters in Houston and in Mexico City.

Frisco has become one of the nation’s fastest-growing hubs for Indian American families, businesses and culture. But the North Texas city has also seen a rise in anti-Indian rhetoric online and in public life.

Lights, camera, Texas? As more big-ticket films focus on the Lone Star State, whether it’s looking like a long term shift in the industry.

Austin Community College continues free tuition program and staff raises despite lower revenue

Data center construction is booming in Texas, and though proponents say the industry stands to bring billions of dollars to the state’s economy, their rapid growth is under scrutiny from all sides of the political spectrum.

The Austin Community College Board of Trustees has approved a budget for the 2027 fiscal year that continues free a tuition program and staff raises despite lower revenue — but officials say they will need state legislators to approve new funding to be able to keep up with increased costs in the future.

The latest excerpt from the “After the Flood” podcast.

There’s lots more than World Cup watch parties happening this weekend in Austin: a roundup of the galleries and shows you don’t want to miss.

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

Toyota brings Tacoma production back to San Antonio

Many eyes in higher education are focused on Texas and whether we’re starting to see the fruits of a landmark rethink of two-year colleges. More on the significance of enrollment numbers rising at Texas community colleges.

In a deep red North Texas suburb, something that might have been considered unheard of not that long ago: why Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico appears to be finding fans in Collin County.

Toyota announced this week that it would move production of its Tacoma pickup truck from its Baja California plant in Mexico back to San Antonio.

Plus: taco journalist Mando Rayo on the secrets of the perfect tortilla.

New homeless navigation center coming to North Austin

For Austinites experiencing homelessness in the northern half of the city, accessing food, shelter or even a shower can mean taking the bus to downtown, or even South Austin. But a new center opening this summer will bring those services closer to many folks.

A group of activists gathered outside the Travis County Administrative building this morning to protest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Community members say ICE activity has ramped up in recent weeks.

People in Austin’s Bryker Woods neighborhood have lodged concerns about a dilapidated home that’s attracted rodents of all shapes and sizes. The owner hasn’t lived there in years but says the home still holds sentimental value. Andrea Ball from Austin Current, gives us an overview of the battle to address problems that go beyond eyesores.

After emerging from years spent as a caregiver, one woman wanted to process the experience by swimming in 50 bodies of water for her 50th birthday — including Barton Springs Pool. “Midstream” author Kate Washington shares her story.

Plus a Few Headlines mentions in the show today:

  • The Austin Community College Board of Trustees has approved the system’s $583 million dollar budget for the next fiscal year.
  • Two former Travis County Tax office employees have been indicted on charges of engaging in organized criminal activity.

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

Who, When, Where…and Now What?

After Matthew and Wendie Childress buried their only daughter, Chloe, an 18-year-old counselor at Camp Mystic, they turned their grief into action. In this episode, Matthew and other Camp Mystic families head to the Capitol in Austin to fight for stronger regulations around summer camps. Months later, they finally learn what really happened the night Chloe died in the flood along with another counselor, camp co-director Dick Eastland and 25 campers.

After the Flood is a collaboration of The Texas Newsroom and FRONTLINE (PBS).

Austin paves over street murals including ‘Black Artists Matter’ following state order

Two street murals in Austin were paved over last week at the behest of state leaders who’d threatened to pull federal transportation funds if the city didn’t act. How much will it cost? And what street art remains?

High prices for beef aren’t being driven by the New World Screwworm — at least, not yet. The U.S. contains the fewest cattle since 1951.

Austin-based filmmaker Edna Diaz has spent time in Mexico highlighting feminist voices working to bring attention to the rising amount of femicides there. We talk with her about her new documentary short, “Sangre Violenta, Sangre Violeta.”

Another summer book recommendation to knock out that KUT reading bingo challenge.

Plus: a few headline mentions in the show today:

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

Sandy Creek residents remember lives lost to 2025 flood

School’s out for the summer, but when Austin ISD students return in the fall, they’ll be navigating some big changes in how they get to school. KUT’s education reporter Greta Díaz González Vázquez will help get us up to speed.

It’s been one year since deadly floods tore through the Texas Hill Country. Residents of the Sandy Creek neighborhood in Travis County are honoring the neighbors they lost.

The FIFA World Cup is in full swing. KUT’s Jimmy Maas joins us to talk about tonight’s match between the U.S. and Belgium — which has suddenly gotten a lot more interesting.

Plus a Few Headlines mentions in the show today:

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

Vogue Magazine turns its lens on classic Texas

The CDC is trying to get to the bottom of a parasitic infection causing sickness in Texas and other parts of the country. The current spike in gastrointestinal illness has hit Texas, New York, Illinois and Michigan the hardest so far. We’ll hear what medical experts say about the dangers, possible causes and recommendations to stay healthy.


Many might think of fire ants as being as Texan as bluebonnets, but they don’t remember the war against them. Echoed in the more recent fight against the New World screwworm, we’ll hear the backstory.


Also, on the heels of Independence Day weekend, fashion magazine Vogue turns to classic images of Texas for inspiration and celebration.

Fake It Till You Make It

On this episode we discuss the lawsuit against rapper Moneybagg Yo and his manager over funding of his career and him not already being rich before fame. We also give our thoughts on if the BET Awards are still an important part of the culture. Hip-Hop Facts this week include facts about Jill Scott, Barack Obama, 2pac and more. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion this week is his opinion that Queen Latifah is everything we believe Lauryn Hill is.

After floods devastated Sandy Creek, new nonprofit aims to provide relief faster

A year after catastrophic flooding in Texas, the Sandy Creek neighborhood in northwest Travis County is still deep in recovery mode. We’ll tell you about a nonprofit that’s lending a hand.

How Central Texans are mobilizing to help after Venezuela was rocked by devastating earthquakes.

This week in Texas Music History: 1985 Austin punk music festival gets grungy in Dripping Springs.

And are you planning a Barton Springs visit this weekend? Are you tiptoeing in, or diving head first? ATXplained explores the best way to get into the chilly waters.

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

Austin’s Lawn Chair Brigade brings unique spin to Fourth festivities

The podcast “After The Flood” is marking one year since deadly flooding ravaged parts of Central Texas and the Hill Country. This area is often called Flash Flood Alley because of how frequently it’s affected by fast, accumulating waters. Today we’ll hear about another deadly flood that happened almost 50 summers ago.


Also, evidence-tampering charges against a former Williamson County sheriff and former assistant county attorney have been dropped. The move follows a years-long legal battle spurred by the death of Javier Ambler following a traffic stop.


Plus, one neighborhood in Austin has a unique way of celebrating Fourth of July. We’ll share the story of the Lawn Chair Brigade.

What immigration arrest data tells us about who is being targeted in Texas

The Trump administration says immigration crackdowns target the worst of the worst, but what do the numbers say? We’ll dig into the details of a Houston Chronicle analysis of immigration arrest data in Texas and what the numbers suggest about who’s really getting rounded up by immigration enforcement.
Also, the U.S. military reverses course on vaccines after flu numbers rise at bases like San Antonio’s Lackland.
Everything’s bigger in Texas, including skeeters, it would appear — especially this year. How health officials are trying to stay on top of the diseases mosquitos carry.
And in a city best known for the songs of Selena, a new and rapidly growing music scene.

How to protect yourself during a rough mosquito season in Austin

Mosquito season is hitting peak activity — and if it seems like this year’s batch is particularly bad, you might be on to something. We’ll hear from people keeping tabs on mosquito populations in our area, plus the do’s and don’ts of prevention.

Touch Girl Apple Blossom, the KUTX Artist of the Month for June, makes twee music that’s as dreamy as it is rockin’. They’re taking their latest album, “Graceful,” on tour overseas.

An update about the Austin Independent School District’s decision to to push most of its school boundary realignment changes to the 2028-29 school year.

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

Texas approves adding Bible passages to public school curriculum

A much-awaited decision from the U.S. Supreme Court expands the range of presidential power over regulators with a caveat.
Bernie Sanders keynotes as Texas Democrats convene in Corpus Christi to prepare for the midterms. We’ll look at the signals they’re sending in the run-up to November.
The state Board of Education made national headlines with a vote to add Bible passages to the public school curriculum. We’ll dig into what this means for classroom instruction and the likelihood of a legal battle.
Also, a red-letter day looms for folks with student loans. Changes are coming July 1. We’ll share what borrowers need to know.
Plus, renewed attention turning to Julian Onderdonk, the man some claim to be the Father of Texas Art.

Special episode: “After the Flood” podcast

A special guest episode from our friends at The Texas Newsroom:

In the early morning hours of July 4, 2025, floodwaters tore through the Texas Hill Country. At least 130 people died, many of them children. For the last 12 months, reporters from The Texas Newsroom have been talking to people about what happened that night and what it’s been like in the aftermath. The “After The Flood” podcast is about their stories and the remaining questions: Why did this happen? How could this happen with almost no warning? And could it happen again?

Episode 1: The Day Of
Matthew Childress and his wife, Wendie, learn that their daughter, Chloe, an 18-year-old counselor at Camp Mystic, is missing. And residents in Kerr County recount how they survived the grueling initial hours of the flood.

After the Flood is a collaboration of The Texas Newsroom and PBS’s Frontline.

How many Austin city council votes happen in secret?

The Austin city council approved a plan last month to build new natural gas power generators. One thing that’s still unknown: The price of this new project. It’s estimated to cost more than $1 billion, but the vote approving the plan took place in executive session — behind closed doors. The KUT Newsroom wanted to know how many more of such votes have happened away from public view.

For kids, summer should be a magical time: catching fireflies, belly-flopping into the pool and maybe a little too much TV. But life can be tough for some kids. Luckily, there’s a place in the Hill Country that wants to help those kids experience some summertime magic, too.

This week in Texas music history, Lonnie Guerrero is born.

A few of today’s headlines:

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

What you need to know about fire ants

Some hospitals are still denying miscarriage care despite a state law that’s supposed to prevent that. What an Austin-area woman having a miscarriage went through when she tried to get care.

Austin voters will decide this fall if they want an outside auditor to check the city’s books. But some city officials say that could be problematic.

What you need to know about those pesky fire ants in Central Texas.

We’re in the final stages of group competition as the knockout phase of this year’s World Cup starts this weekend. More from one of the hosts of KUT’s “Vamos Verde” podcast.

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org