KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts

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

barton springs

KUT Afternoon Newscast for September 18, 2025: U.S. Justice Department launches investigation into city of Austin employment practices

Central Texas top stories for September 18, 2025. The Department of Justice announced today that it’s investigating the City of Austin’s hiring practices. The Moody Foundation is donating $150 million to Huston-Tillotson University. Two men are being sought after an assault against a transgender woman and a bystander who intervened at the Barton Springs spillway. Severe drought has returned to parts of Travis and Hays counties.

This podcast is made at KUT Public Media Studios. You may have heard that Congress just took back the money it had allocated for public radio. Our organization stands to lose 1.2 million dollars. We’re asking our listeners now to help us make up this shortfall. If you want to help us out, you can make a donation at supportthispodcast.org.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for September 16, 2025: Travis County signs off on Central Health’s new budget — with a tax rate increase

Central Texas top stories for September 16, 2025. Travis County commissioners approved a new budget today for the local public hospital district Central Health. Travis County property taxes are going up to help cover the costs of the July 5th flooding and prepare for future climate disasters. Austin ISD and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton have reached an agreement over a lawsuit. The City of Austin is ending its contract with nonprofit Urban Alchemy, which operates two of the city’s homeless shelters. Remembering Hollywood legend Robert Redford, who spent his childhood at Austin’s Barton Springs Pool. The deadline for people affected by the July flooding to apply for FEMA assistance is less than two weeks away.

This podcast is made at KUT Public Media Studios. You may have heard that Congress just took back the money it had allocated for public radio. Our organization stands to lose 1.2 million dollars. We’re asking our listeners now to help us make up this shortfall. If you want to help us out, you can make a donation at supportthispodcast.org.

KUT Morning Newscast for September 15, 2025: New nonstop flights coming to Austin airport in the months ahead

Central Texas top stories for September 15, 2025. Republican Representative Michael McCaul announced on Sunday he won’t seek reelection to congress. The Texas Legislature formed new House and Senate committees focused on freedom of speech on Texas college campuses. Texas saw the largest increase in the rate of uninsured children in the country between 2022 and 2024.  New nonstop flights are coming to Austin airport this fall. The Barton Springs-Edwards Aquifer Conservation District has declared Stage 3 Exceptional Drought. The Longhorns beat UT El Paso over the weekend.  

KUT Morning Newscast for August 28, 2025: A cold weather front is coming to the Austin area this weekend

Central Texas top stories for August 28, 2025. The City of Austin won’t use glue traps to catch mice and rats in city buildings anymore. The City Council may hold off on approving a contract for the Zilker Cafe, the concession stand outside Barton Springs Pool. Travis County’s Disaster Assistance Center for people affected by the July 5th floods is updating its hours. Get ready for cooler weather over this long weekend. 

KUT Afternoon Newscast for July 30, 2025: Travis County is raising property taxes to pay for flood damage repairs

Central Texas top stories for July 30, 2025. Travis County is using its emergency authority to raise property taxes to pay to repair damage caused by this month’s flooding. Austin is in the homestretch of its budget season. Austin Police are asking for help from the public as they try to find a man accused of attacking a trans woman. Hays County has confirmed its first human case of West Nile virus this season. We’re starting to see afternoon high temperatures befitting the historically hottest part of the summer.

This podcast is made at KUT and KUTX, which are public radio stations in Austin, Texas. You may have heard that Congress just took back the money it had allocated for public radio. Our organization stands to lose 1.2 million dollars. We’re asking our listeners now to help us make up this shortfall. If you want to help us out, you can make a donation at supportthispodcast.org. 

KUT Afternoon Newscast for June 26, 2025: Floating the San Marcos river will get a little pricier for out-of-towners

Central Texas top stories for June 26, 2025. Some changes are coming to San Marcos parks for those looking to cool off in the river this summer. State Senator Joan Huffman has entered the race for Texas attorney general. Animal shelters across the Austin area are holding a “name your price” event this weekend. The Austin Parks and Recreation board has at long last chosen a vendor to operate the Zilker Cafe next to Barton Springs Pool.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for May 28, 2025: Barton Springs remains open for night swim

Central Texas top stories for May 28, 2025. The City of Austin had planned to close Barton Springs Pool an hour earlier than normal starting later this week. The Williamson County DA is joining other counties in the state in suing the Texas attorney general over new oversight rules. After some welcome rounds of rain, our chances for more are starting to drop off. Early voting is underway in the runoff election for Bastrop mayor.

Fort Worth considers shuttering 14 schools to cut costs

With just over a week to go at the Texas Legislature: what’s passed, what’s stalled, and where we stand.

Retailers track your every move to build shopper profiles and offer “personalized discounts.” But these loyalty perks may be more misleading than helpful.

Declining enrollment and tight budgets have school districts reevaluating their campuses. In Fort Worth, officials are proposing a five-year plan to close more than a dozen schools.

And: the week in politics with Jasper Scherer of The Texas Tribune.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for February 19, 2025: This week’s cold weather is even colder than expected.

Central Texas top stories for February 19, 2025. An Extreme Cold Warning is in effect until noon tomorrow. Why the sudden drop in temperature impacted your car’s tire pressure. The Austin American-Statesman is being sold to Hearst. More than 200 acres of environmentally sensitive land in Southwest Travis County and North Hays County is now permanently safeguarded from development. UT Austin names Jim Davis as interim-president.

KUT Morning Newscast for October 17, 2024

Central Texas top stories for October 17, 2024. The deadline to vote by mail for this fall’s election is approaching. The number of young people experiencing homelessness in the Austin area has more than tripled since 2020. Texas lawmakers are working on legislation that may restrict whether people can wear masks or other face coverings during protests. Join us for a night dip at Barton Springs during tonight’s supermoon! 

KUT Morning Newscast for September 19, 2024

Central Texas top stories for September 19, 2024. The Austin City Council could vote next week to keep a temporary homeless shelter open longer than originally planned. Leaders from Austin Water are set to give an update today on plans to better conserve the city’s water supply. Law enforcement officials are increasing security at the Williamson County Justice Center after discovering an alleged plot to kill a local judge. Today Austinites can hear from the city council candidates for district four, here are the details. Barton Springs pool is open again! 

KUT Morning Newscast for September 18, 2024

Central Texas top stories for September 18, 2024. Travis County filed a federal lawsuit accusing state leaders of violating the National Voter Registration Act. Austin has seen a rise in its older population over the last decade, that’s according to a new Census survey. Travis County Commissioners postponed a vote on the budget for Central Health. Barton Springs pool will open tomorrow. The Austin History Center is hosting conversations with the community to celebrate Hispanic/Latino Heritage month.

Plastic piles up as advanced recycling program in Houston struggles to get off the ground

Jefferson County, Texas, may not feel the brunt of Hurricane Francine but has prepared for any possible changes in the storm’s path.
Will last night’s presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump move the needle at all?
Campus libraries across Cy-Fair ISD are open only part of the time this year after trustees cut librarian positions in half.
An investigation into so-called “advanced recycling” in Houston reveals that hundreds of thousands of pounds of plastic waste have been piling up since 2022.
And: Elvis Presley wasn’t a Texan – but he owed the state a lot.

KUT Morning Newscast for September 5, 2024

Central Texas top stories for September 5, 2024. Rents in the Austin area have been falling for almost a year and a half. Round Rock ISD is asking voters to pass bonds to help fund construction and renovation projects. ABIA will have jet bridges with air conditioning. Austin FC is looking to divert tons of trash from landfills.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for September 3, 2024

Central Texas top stories for September 3, 2024. Texas sent the third-largest U.S. contingent to the 2024 Paralympic Games. A judge’s ruling could mean a dramatic shift in how Austin releases information related to police misconduct. Barton Springs Pool is now expected to be closed for several weeks. Austin Energy is now using Artificial Intelligence to help detect and respond to wildfires. Travis County is looking to hire over 100 people at a job fair tomorrow. A streak of cooler than normal weather continues in the Austin area.

KUT Morning Newscast for August 5, 2024

Central Texas top stories for August 5, 2024. AISD’s Board of Trustees is considering calling a tax rate election to generate more revenue for the district. City officials and the Austin Police Department are working on finalizing a labor contract by the end of the summer. Election officials in Williamson County say they plan to purchase pre-numbered paper ballots ahead of the November election. Travis County has a new website that’s intended to provide easy access to resources for sexual assault survivors ATXBelieves.org. Barton Springs is temporarily closed after Sunday’s storms. Longhorns had a busy weekend at the Paris Olympics. 

KUT Morning Newscast for September 26, 2023

Central Texas top stories for September 26, 2023. Austin affordable housing developments up in the air. Future of Barton Springs’ iconic tree uncertain. Ex-employees of Attorney General Ken Paxton go to state Supreme Court.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for July 26, 2023

Central Texas top stories for July 26, 2023. Flow from Barton Springs about 24% of normal due to drought. Conservation tips from Austin Water. Austin leaders hear hours of criticism about proposed budget. City leaders highlight steps toward more affordable Austin housing. Austin Community College set to get new leader. Austin FC transfers.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for July 25, 2023

Central Texas top stories for July 25, 2023. Flow in Barton Springs historically low, could necessitate aquifer water restrictions. More than one third of Georgetown residents under outdoor watering ban. 20+ Austin Fire trucks without AC. TxDOT asks for public input on long-term projects. School resource officers at Hays CISD. BookPeople sues Texas over new law. ACC considers brewery lab.

×