Central Texas top stories for October 9, 2025. If AISD goes ahead with the consolidation plan, it would reshape some of the most valuable public land across the city. Travis County prosecutors have dropped all remaining charges against a former UT lecturer who was arrested in last year’s pro-Palestinian demonstrations. A judge dismissed a lawsuit that tried to stop a controversial data center from being built on restricted land. The Austin City Council today is set to vote on buying a new property to serve as a city-owned housing navigation center.
city council
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 9, 2025: Austin’s James Talarico is running for U.S. Senate
Central Texas top stories for September 9, 2025. State Representative James Talarico announced his run for U.S. Senate this morning. An Austin commission wants answers from the city’s Office of Police Oversight. The Austin City Council is set to take up some key housing-related issues this week. Texans affected by July floods can still apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance.
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 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 Morning Newscast for August 18, 2025: Thousands rally at Texas Capitol against Republican-backed congressional redistricting plan
Central Texas top stories for August 18, 2025. More than five thousand people took to the Capitol in Austin this weekend to protest President Trump and the Texas Legislature’s plan to redraw the state’s congressional districts to give Republicans more seats in the U.S. House. Starting tomorrow Austin’s streets will get busier with AISD going back to class. The Austin City Council adopted a $6.3 million dollar budget and now voters have to decide if they want to pay more property taxes. The man suspected of killing three people outside a Target in North Austin last week has an extensive criminal history. The City of Georgetown’s asking residents to give feedback on the one-point-three billion dollar proposed budget for the 2026 fiscal year.
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 June 25, 2025: ACC sues the DOJ to challenge the end of the Texas Dream Act
Central Texas top stories for June 25, 2025. The Austin Community College District’s Board of Trustees joined a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton challenging the end of the Texas Dream Act. The Austin Independent School District is asking the public for feedback on the criteria it’s using to evaluate campuses for potential closure. Georgetown’s City Council approved new ordinances that restrict the use of public spaces, despite concerns about possible impacts to unhoused individuals. A Travis County Judge ruled that a $440 road bond package approved by Hays County voters in November is now void. The George Washington Carver Genealogy Center is teaching people how to track down their family history.
KUT Morning Newscast for June 17, 2025: Austin city leaders are looking to make cuts to the city budget
Central Texas top stories for June 17, 2025. Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed three tax break bills into law yesterday. Austin, Travis County and Austin ISD are looking at ways to be more efficient with taxpayer dollars. Eanes ISD will start looking for a new superintendent.
Austin gas rates are up and they’re set to go higher. Here’s why.
Texas Gas Service customers have noticed different fees and charges on their bills have jumped in cost since the beginning of the year. Some of them have asked “why?” KUT’s Mose Buchele went looking for answers, and he got them.
KUT Morning Newscast for April 22, 2025: Early Voting for the May 3 election starts today.
Central Texas top stories for April 22, 2025. Early Voting for the May third election starts today and runs through next Tuesday. The Austing-Bergstrom Interntional Airport is opening its outdoor observation patio to the public again. Williamson County’s newly appointed county judge has been sworn into office.
KUT Morning Newscast for April 8, 2025: Trucker arrested in I-35 crash that killed 5 was sober, lawyer says.
Central Texas top stories for April 8, 2025. A committee of the Texas House of Representatives heard testimony yesterday on a bill known as the Life of the Mother Act, it is aimed at clarifying the emergency medical exception to the state’s abortion law. The truck driver who crashed his vehicle into a line of cars on I-35 near Parmer Lane in north Austin last month, killing five, was sober, according to his lawyer. The Austin City Council is set to get an update today on how to pay for caps that would be built over I-35. Liberty Hill ISD school board members accepted the resignation of Superintendent Steven Snell last night and named Chief of Schools Travis Motal Interim Superintendent.
KUT Morning Newscast for February 13, 2025: Demonstrators gathered on UT campus to protest Trump’s immigration policies.
Central Texas top stories for February 13, 2025. Around a hundred demonstrators gathered on the UT Austin campus Wednesday afternoon to protest reported sightings of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on campus. Say so far, City of Austin programs have not been affected by federal and state orders related to freezing grants and loans, but some programs could be affected in the future. Austin City Council might change to mailing parking tickets. A new child care facility is looking to help lower costs in the Austin area.
KUT Morning Newscast for November 6, 2024
Central Texas top stories for November 6, 2024. Results for local elections in the Austin area. Austin Mayor Kirk Watson needs more than 50% of the vote to avoid a runoff, numbers are uncertain. Here’s what Autsinites decided on City Council. Travis County voters approved Proposition A to expand affordable childcare options in the county. Manor residents approved a new tax rate election to generate more revenue for the Manor Independent School District. Hays County voters have approved a 440-million-dollar bond for road improvements. Voters gave the Lockhart Independent School District a green light to join Austin Community College’s taxing district.
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 9, 2024
Central Texas top stories for September 9, 2024.The Austin City Council this week is considering a plan to phase out forever chemicals used in firefighting. A poll shows 78 percent of Texas public school teachers say they have seriously considered leaving their job in the last year. Testing data shows students in Texas are still struggling with math post-pandemic, a Central Texas district is trying to help. A UT poll shows an uptick of support for Democrats. The Longhorns are now #2 in the AP Top 25 College Football Poll.
KUT Morning Newscast for September 4, 2024
Central Texas top stories for September 4, 2024. Austinites will have a chance to meet the candidates running for the city council in November. Lake Travis ISD has rolled out new parental controls for its online library catalog. Austin Independent School District students who are caught with e-cigarettes on campus will have to take an anti-vaping course. Llano got 6 inches of rain on Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning.