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What Texas voters should know before Election Day

With 17 constitutional amendments on the ballot next week, state officials are reminding Texans what to expect at the polls. We’ll talk with the Texas Secretary of State’s Office about dos and don’ts while voting.

Both Austin and Houston are facing financial strain, but their solutions couldn’t be more different: One wants to raise taxes, while the other wants to hold the line.

Austin DJ Laurie Gallardo, host of the podcast “SPF 1000: Vampire Sunscreen,” discusses Latinx goth culture, its roots in border life and the darker side of music and identity.

KUT Morning Newscast for September 12, 2025: Austin Police identified the suspect in the shooting near Zilker Park

Central Texas top stories for September 12, 2025. Austin Police have identified 30-year-old Brandon Thompson as the suspect in the shooting of two people near Zilker Park this week. The 183 North Project is running months behind schedule. The Austin City Council has approved new rules for short-term rentals like Airbnb. Central Health has given initial approval to a new budget and tax rate.

KUT Morning Newscast for September 11, 2025: Austin’s proposed short-term rental rules aim to crack down on unlicensed operators

Central Texas top stories for September 11, 2025. People operating short-term rentals in Austin without a license could risk being removed from online rental sites. Austin Police say they’re looking into their text-based alert system after confusion yesterday during the search for a man who shot two people, including an APD officer. Georgetown is making big investments in increasing its water supply and improving local infrastructure. Local first responders are honoring those who died at the World Trade Center in New York 24 years ago today. The second-ranked Texas volleyball beat number four Louisville last night.

KUT Morning Newscast for September 8, 2025: Twelve AISD schools have to make major changes to avoid closure or a state takeover of the district 

Central Texas top stories for September 8, 2025. Twelve schools in the Austin Independent School District have to make major changes to avoid closure or a state takeover of the entire district. Georgetown is expected to adopt a new budget and a lower property tax rate at tomorrow’s city council meeting. Texas Longhorn football fans are still celebrating Saturday’s home opener win over San José State. Austin FC beat Sporting Kansas City last night.  

KUT Morning Newscast for September 4, 2025: About one in five people across Central Texas are food insecure

Central Texas top stories for September 4, 2025. A report from the Central Texas Food Bank reveals food insecurity in the region has risen significantly over the past two years. Williamson County has adopted a higher property tax rate. Today is the last day to apply for help from FEMA after the July floods. The Immigration Services Network of Austin is holding an event to help raise awareness on how immigration law enforcement is impacting children and families in the Austin area. 

KUT Morning Newscast for September 3, 2025: Austin City Council is updating the City’s comprehensive plan, “Imagine Austin”

Central Texas top stories for September 3, 2025. he Austin City Council is moving forward with updating its comprehensive plan, known as “Imagine Austin.” The clock is ticking on efforts to ban or regulate THC products in Texas. A trial where a former Williamson County sheriff and a current county employee accused of evidence tampering is being picked up. People in Williamson County have a chance today to comment on the county’s proposed new budget and tax rate. 

KUT Morning Newscast for August 15, 2025: Some Austin Independent School District schools have again received failing grades from the state.

Central Texas top stories for August 15, 2025. The Texas Education Agency this morning released A-through-F grades for every school in the state, here’s how AISD is doing. The Austin City Council yesterday adopted a $6.3 billion dollar budget and called for a property tax rate increase that will require voter approval. An exhibit honoring decades of people who died from AIDS-related illness is coming to Austin. Officials say everyone with injuries is in stable condition after a Leander ISD school bus rolled over this week.

KUT Morning Newscast for August 14, 2025: The investigation into the Leander ISD bus rollover continues 

Central Texas top stories for August 14, 2025. After hours of public testimony and debate, the Austin City Council decided to hold off on adopting next year’s budget. School in Leander ISD will be in session as usual today after a school bus rolled over yesterday. After Monday’s fatal shooting at a North Austin Target, advocates are highlighting the need to restrict firearms through “red flag laws.” Tomorrow is the last the of the Texas Legislature’s current special session, but lawmakers will be called back into another special session the same day. More Central Texas school districts are going back to class today.

KUT Morning Newscast for August 13, 2025: APD points to failures in the mental health system after deadly shooting at North Austin Target

Central Texas top stories for August 13, 2025. APD Chief Lisa Davis points to the mental health system after a shooting at a Target in North Austin that left three dead. The Austin City Council could adopt its next budget today. With the deadline approaching, advocates say students without legal status are scrambling to find a way to pay for the first installment for the fall semester at UT Austin. September 4th is the official deadline to apply for FEMA assistance after the July floods. The Texas Senate passed a bill aimed at cracking down on abortion pill prescribers and manufacturers. More Central Texas school districts go back to school today, watch out for traffic.  

KUT Morning Newscast for August 11, 2025: The City of Austin is set to adopt its next budget this week

Central Texas top stories for August 11, 2025. After weeks of debate, the City of Austin is set to adopt its next budget this week. Students at 76 schools across the Austin Independent School District will get free breakfast and lunch this school year, but federal funding cuts mean the program faces an uncertain future. Starting today, city crews will replace water-filled barricades on East Sixth Street with pre-cast concrete barriers. 

KUT Morning Newscast for July 23, 2025: Austin voters could decide this November whether to increase property taxes

Central Texas top stories for July 23, 2025. Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has backed 16 bills for the legislature’s special session. Williamson County partnered with the Central Texas Community Foundation to launch the ‘WilCo CARES’ fund to provide direct financial assistance to people affected by the flooding. Travis County’s Flood Resource Recovery Center is moving to Travis County Community Center in Jonestown. Austin voters could decide this November whether to increase property taxes. As Austin continues to iron out its budget for next year, funding homeless services is top of mind for many. 

Texas lawmakers begin special session focused on floods, maps

Lawmakers recently ended a regular session of the Texas Legislature, but on this Monday, they’re back. They call it a special session: 30 days to complete a long list of action items including a response to the Hill Country flooding, the regulation of THC consumables, and a rare mid-decade push for redistricting that has some Democrats complaining the fix is in for next year’s midterms.
A hold on billions of education dollars sends Texas public school administrators scrambling.
Also, European sanctions against Russia’s oil industry – will there be ripple effects in Texas?
And this week in Texas music history.

Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas.

You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org

Adult education programs feel the squeeze as federal funds remain on hold

Federal education funding is put on hold, leaving administrators scrambling to evaluate what programs may be affected and what comes next – not just for young students, but Texans in adult education programs as well.
What could rural schools teach the rest of us about how to better get along? New research by the George W. Bush Institute offers insights.
And just in time for July 4th: the Brazilian BBQ smoker many Texas pitmasters are calling the bomb.

Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas.

You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org

Inside a teen’s five months in a Texas migrant detention facility

Texas has spent years challenging the federal government. So why not fight a recent order to end in-state tuition for undocumented students?
Using DNA testing to solve cold cases involving abandoned babies.
Why Texas doesn’t require most employers to use E-Verify, the federal system that checks a worker’s legal status.
The new book “Detained” shares the story of a 14-year-old’s life inside a U.S. detention camp in Texas for migrant children.
Also: Why customers are using buy now, pay later services – not just for big-ticket items, but basic necessities like food.

Potentially historic heatwave settling in over much of Texas

A record-breaking heat wave will blanket big sections of the state. Is this a preview of summer?
The U.S. has suspended imports of cattle from Mexico as a devastating pest, the New World Screwworm, makes its way north, threatening livestock.
The Houston City Council kicks off budget hearings this week, weighing steep cuts.
The new book “Freedom Season” by Texas author Peniel Joseph explores how the year 1963 transformed civil rights in America.
And: Planning a pit stop at Buc-ee’s? Some of you can now enjoy bathroom art galleries.

Valley bakery raid sparks immigration debate in region swept by Trump

The Texas House has approved its version of the state’s two-year budget. Blaise Gainey of The Texas Newsroom gets us up to speed on what Texas’ representatives want to spend taxpayer money for, and where they’ll have to work out the kinks with the Senate.
A test for President Trump in South Texas – and how a certain bakery there came to play an outsized part in the political drama.
They call it Y’all Street: What the emergence of Dallas as a financial center means for Texas and the big money business.
And: Five years after COVID, how have high school sports changed?

US military sending troops to southern border

The U.S. military is sending around 1,500 active-duty troops to the country’s southern border, under orders from President Donald Trump. But what will they be doing, exactly, and what are the limits on what they can do?

Half a trillion dollars have been pledged for a new AI venture called Stargate, and the first project is a data center in Abilene.

And: Sherman, Texas, is experiencing a silicon rush, with two massive microchip factories under construction – one by Texas Instruments and another by Global Wafers.

A closer look at the country music Grammy nods

As lawmakers prepare to take up a school voucher-like plan, many state public schools are struggling with more cutbacks.
Gov. Greg Abbott is seeking an extension of a tuition freeze for public colleges and universities.
What the tiny town of Rockdale, Texas, could teach us about the energy transition and rising demand.
Mando Rayo of the Tacos of Texas podcast breaks down the state’s new Michelin-recognized restaurants.
And: What the Grammy nominations tell us about the changing landscape of country music – and why it’s sounding a lot more like an increasingly diverse Texas.

KUT Morning Newscast for October 9, 2024

Central Texas top stories for October 8, 2024. Travis County seems to have as many people registered to vote as last presidential election. Austin ISD is asking voters to increase taxes to help pay down a budget deficit and provide some staff raises. Hays County voters will decide this fall whether to pass a major bond for road improvements. Travis County Commissioners want to join a City of Austin plan to reduce road deaths in the area.

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