Central Texas top stories for October 2, 2025. UT Austin is one of nine universities the Trump administration is asking to sign a ten-point contract in exchange of giving the schools priority in accessing federal funds. Travis County and local public health provider Central Health have announced a new program to offer virtual medical care to Travis County jail inmates. If you’re traveling this month, know that ABIA is expected to be very busy. Austin FC lost their chance to win their first major trophy.
Central Health
KUT Afternoon Newscast for September 26, 2025: The City of Austin and the Austin firefighters union are nearing a deal on a new labor contract ahead of a crucial deadline
Central Texas top stories for September 26, 2025. The Austin firefighters union is nearing a deal on a new labor contract with the city. Results are in from an election in Austin’s Cherrywood neighborhood on whether to build a concrete barrier between homes and I-35. The expansion and redevelopment of the Austin Convention Center is moving ahead. The City of Austin is offering free health screenings tomorrow in East Austin. Central Health is hosting a health expo just for Spanish speakers.
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 Afternoon Newscast for September 12, 2025: Austin Police identify Zilker Park shooting suspect, who allegedly left his girlfriend ‘brain dead’
Central Texas top stories for September 12, 2025. The Austin Police Department has identified the man accused of shooting a police officer and another person Wednesday morning near Zilker Park. UT Austin students are trying to get the word out about a new law they say limits free speech on campus. Central Health has given initial approval to a new budget and tax rate. The City of Austin is launching a program to remove graffiti from private properties. Gas prices went down overnight, but not by much.
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 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 Afternoon Newscast for September 11, 2025: Austin police canceled a shelter-in-place order while a shooter was on the loose
Central Texas top stories for September 11, 2025. People in parts of Austin were told Wednesday morning just after 6:30 that a man who shot a police officer and another person near Zilker Park was no longer a threat, but he still was. Central Health has given initial approval to a new budget and tax rate. Property owners running short-term rentals in Austin will have to follow new rules adopted by the Austin City Council today. The Longhorns volleyball team got their second win against a top ten team this week.
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 2, 2025: A new law intended to speed up residential solar panel installation is now in effect
Central Texas top stories for September 2, 2025. Travis County Commissioners are making final adjustments to a $2.2 billion budget, here’s what the county wants to pay for. The Central Health Board of Managers is hearing community feedback on the fiscal year 2026 budget and tax rate. A new law intended to speed up residential solar panel installation is now in effect. The FDA approved updated COVID-19 vaccines, but a lot of people in the U.S. might have a tough time accessing them.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for August 12, 2025: Suspect in shooting at North Austin Target had extensive criminal history
Central Texas top stories for August 12, 2025. Suspected gunman at North Austin Target had a history of mental health issues and frequent run-ins with law enforcement since at least 2012. The Austin Independent School District has released a list of schools that will be used to decide which campuses should be merged, and how school boundaries should be redrawn. The deadline is quickly approaching for folks affected by the July flooding to apply for FEMA assistance. Central Health will lays out its proposed budget for Travis County commissioners.
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 Morning Newscast for August 12, 2025: AISD released a list of schools to help the school consolidation process
Central Texas top stories for August 12, 2025. The motive is still not clear in the shooting Monday afternoon in the parking lot of a Target in North Austin. The Austin Independent School District has released a list of schools to help decide which ones should close and how school boundaries should be redrawn. Travis County’s public hospital district Central Health will lay out its proposed budget for county commissioners today. Texas House Democrats are into their second week out of state, protesting a Republican redistricting plan, but they say they are willing to come back and attend the special legislative session. Some Central Texas school districts start school today, watch out for more traffic.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for July 28, 2025: The Texas Education Agency is about to release school accountability ratings for the last two years
Central Texas top stories for July 28, 2025. A lawsuit filed by school districts had blocked the T-E-A from releasing the 2024 A-through-F grades, until now. Central Health has unveiled its proposed budget for the next fiscal year. You can learn more about what is in the proposed Austin budget at a variety of town hall meetings starting today. The Marble Falls Volunteer Fire Department is planning a memorial for Chief Michael Philips.
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 May 30, 2025: Austin youth choir finds its voice through community at inaugural performance
Central Texas top stories for May 30, 2025. More than 7,400 Austin Energy customers are still without power. CommUnity Care has a new CEO. A bill that originally proposed making it easier to evict renters in Texas has been pared back significantly and is nearing final approval. The Pano Youth Choir is open to anyone in sixth through 12th grade — regardless of experience.
KUT Morning Newscast for March 17, 2025: The Crabapple fire north of Fredericksburg has burned 9,500 acres.
Central Texas top stories for March 17, 2025. The Texas A&M Forest Service says the Crabapple fire north of Fredericksburg is 55% contained and has burned 9,500 acres. A new report from local public hospital district, Central Health, shows poverty is spreading to new areas of Travis County. A new report from a national housing organization finds Austin has few homes affordable to people earning very low incomes. Sixth Street reopens to vehicle traffic today. UT women’s basketball team earned a number one seed in the 2025 NCAA tournament.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for December 18, 2024
Central Texas top stories for December 18, 2024. Today is the deadline for enrolling in health insurance through the Affordable Care Act for coverage beginning January 1st. Austin ISD will vote on whether to renew a contract with the charter school network that operates Webb Middle School. Round Rock ISD is limiting who can challenge its library books and course materials. Central Health officials have been getting pressed by Travis County Commissioners about conflicts with CommUnityCare. A cold front this morning will keep temperatures down through the weekend.
After its buyout, has Whataburger lost its spice?
There’s a fight to lead the Texas House of Representatives, and two names top the list. Yesterday we heard about Justin Burrows; today we’re taking a closer look at his challenger, David Cook, who the support of the House GOP caucus.
How one Central Texas school district is trying to do something about chronic absenteeism.
And: Whataburger has long been celebrated as a Texas fast food icon, but after its sale to a Chicago-based company, many claim it just isn’t what it used to be. Omar Gallaga explains.
KUT Morning Newscast for December 18, 2024
Central Texas top stories for December 18, 2024. Travis County Commissioners pressed leaders of Central Health about conflicts with CommUnityCare. Texas death row inmate Robert Roberson has been subpoenaed to testify this Friday on his case. Round Rock is changing who can ban or restrict books in school. Lake Travis school superintendent was placed on paid leave after misconduct allegations.
KUT Morning Newscast for November 20, 2024
Central Texas top stories for November 20, 2024. The City of Austin has to rethink the project to build caps on I-35. A conflict between two local health organizations came to a head yesterday when Central Health’s CEO fired the CEO of CommUnityCare. The State of Texas is offering land for Donald Trump’s upcoming administration to build its first mass deportation camp. The San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District is considering switching to a four-day school week. The National Weather Service says high – almost critical– fire weather conditions are expected today in most of Central Texas.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for November 8, 2024
Central Texas top stories for November 8, 2024. A criminal justice nonprofit is dropping its challenge to Austin’s new labor contract with APD. Travis County voter turnout this year was down compared to 2020. Central Health broke ground today on the renovation of the old Sears building at the Hancock center. Austin ISD is celebrating the beginning of construction on the largest project funded by the 2022 school bond. Closures on Monday for Veterans Day.
KUT Morning Newscast for September 25, 2024
Central Texas top stories for September 25, 2024. Travis County approved a new budget and tax rate for Central Health. Advocates respond to the tentative deal between Austin’s police union and the city. Capital Metro’s board of directors has voted to spend 3-million dollars on hundreds of bus benches. Tonight is the next Austin City Council Candidate panel, it’s for district 2.
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.
KUT Morning Newscast for September 10, 2024
Central Texas top stories for September 10, 2024. Travis County Commissioners today will get a first look at an audit of Central Health. Austin-Travis County medics saw fewer opioid overdoses over the summer. The Austin city council will consider amending its noise ordinance. The City of Georgetown is encouraging residents to conserve water.