Central Texas top stories for November 4, 2024. Crews continue working to contain a wildfire in Bastrop County. Election Day is tomorrow, millions of Texans cast their ballots during early voting. In Travis County, about half of registered voters cast their ballots during early voting. Conflicts over LGBTQ student rights, lessons about race and book bans are costing public schools a lot of money. Georgetown is finding ways to increase the city’s water supply. Trains in San Marcos are sounding their horns again.
book bans
KUT Afternoon Newscast for January 18, 2024
Central Texas top stories for January 18, 2024. A federal appeals court struck down part of a state law restricting books available in school libraries. Austin is looking to expand the budget to help crime victims with immediate needs. The Austin Council voted today to give eligible child care providers a 100-percent property tax exemption. Winter respiratory viruses and COVID-19. Capital Metro security guards. Current state of drought in Central Texas.
On Censorship
A look at the headlines might sometimes give you a sense of déjà vu — haven’t you read or seen this before? Fights over government shutdowns… a looming presidential race that may pit the same candidates against one another. Texas Standard commentator WF Strong has been thinking about this while watching another political debate.
In attempts to ban library books, Texas leads the nation
Texas prisons are under a statewide lockdown as officials search for contraband to stem a rise in prison homicides.
More than 700 new state laws took effect in Texas on Sept. 1 out of the almost 3,000 that were filed – meaning the vast majority didn’t become law. Texas Public Radio’s David Martin Davies tells us more.
Texas had the most book challenges of any state last year, according to the American Library Association.
Outlaw country, born in the 1970s, has long been dominated by men. But female artists have been making noteworthy contributions, especially recently.
Plus the week in Texas politics with the Texas Tribune.
KUT Morning Newscast for January 2, 2023
Central Texas top stories for January 2, 2023. Legislature Books. I-35 Cap Plans. Crockett Gardens Falls Collapse. Vista Ridge High School Band in Rose Parade. New Years Closures.
Tracie Hall (Ep. 33, 2022)
This week on In Black America, producer and host John L. Hanson, Jr. speaks with Tracie Hall, who in February 2020 became the first African American female Executive Director of the American Library Association, a 146-year-old institution dedicated to advancing library and information services, the profession of librarianship, and access to information for all.