Central Texas top stories for October 16, 2025. The City of Austin is launching a new initiative aimed at creating healthy and safe environments for kids. Hays County will no longer be using license plate readers from security company Flock Safety. During this fall’s election Texans will be deciding on 17 amendments to the state’s constitution. A wildfire continues burning in Burnet County between Inks Lake State Park and Burnet. AISD is holding its second virtual meeting tonight to hear feedback on the school consolidation plan.
City of Austin
KUT Morning Newscast for September 25, 2025: Austin firefighters are set to go back to the bargaining table with city officials today for a new contract
Central Texas top stories for September 25, 2025. The City of Austin could consider using artificial intelligence to help catch people committing crimes at local parks, but some residents have concerns. Austin firefighters and the city can’t come to an agreement on a labor contract; they are set to discuss it today. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board held a public hearing this week on the end of the Texas Dream Act, but no board member attended. The City of Austin wants people’s feedback on how 6th Street will look like in the future.
What’s going on with the Live Music Fund?
The Live Music Fund is about to launch applications for its third round of funding. Hear what’s changed with the fund over the years, and what will be new with this next iteration.
Erica Shamaly, Division Manager for Music and Entertainment within the Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment Division, is featured in this episode.
Find out more on the City of Austin’s Live Music Fund web page.
Find out more information about the Museum of Human Achievement’s Grant Writing Hangouts.
Pause/Play is made possible by listeners like you. You can support the work that Pause/Play does by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org.
KUT Morning Newscast for September 19, 2025: Texas A&M University President Mark Welsh will step down after turmoil over gender identity video
Central Texas top stories for September 19, 2025. Texas A&M University President Mark Welsh will step down today. Governor Greg Abbott has signed a bill into law that allows private citizens to sue out-of-state prescribers and distributors of abortion pills. Austin officials say they’re confident they’re complying with the law after the U.S. Department of Justice launched an investigation into the city’s hiring practices. Leander ISD is considering closing some schools to save money, but some officials are frustrated over the lack of discussion of plans. Texas Longhorn football fans are gearing up for tomorrow’s game against Sam Houston State. The City of Austin’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is hosting an Emergency Preparedness Fair today.
KUT Morning Newscast for September 17, 2025: A Texas State student is no longer enrolled after imitating Charlie Kirk’s death
Central Texas top stories for September 17, 2025. Governor Greg Abbott called for a Texas State student to be expelled after the student imitated Charlie Kirk’s death. A study shows the City of Austin could do more to help residents being displaced by redevelopment. Neighbors in Taylor are trying to stop a data center from being built next to their homes.
KUT Morning Newscast for April 25, 2025: The school voucher bill is heading to Governor Greg Abbott for approval.
Central Texas top stories for April 25, 2025. SB2, a bill creating Education Savings Accounts is heading to Governor Greg Abbott’s desk. The Texas Education Agency has released its A through F school ratings for 2023. The City of Austin is taking a closer look at how it can regulate and integrate the use of Artificial Intelligence technology. There’s a chance to volunteer to help keep Travis County parks and creeks clean.
KUT Morning Newscast for April 14, 2025: Explosion in Northwest Austin left six injured and damaged 24 homes
Central Texas top stories for April 14, 2025. A home explosion in Northwest Austin left six people injured and damaged two dozen homes. The City of Austin is working with artists to preserve art installations previously in the Convention Center. AISD is holding a community meeting today to hear the community’s input on the possible closure of Dobie Middle School. Williamson County leaders are considering building a tollway along Ronald Regan Boulevard. The City of Kyle will not host its annual Gathering of the Kyles this year.
KUT Morning Newscast for April 2, 2025: The City of Austin is working with a non-profit to help improve access to housing.
Central Texas top stories for April 2, 2025. A new nonprofit is using City of Austin money to help house people experiencing homelessness. The Texas Senate passed a bill that would require people to provide proof of citizenship to register to vote in state elections. The deadline to vote in May’s local elections is tomorrow. Researchers at NASA are working with an Austin-area company to better understand sever weather patterns on Earth.
KUT Morning Newscast for April 4, 2025: Texas advances to women’s Final Four for first time in over two decades.
Central Texas top stories for April 4, 2025. City leaders are working on shortening emergency response times. A new report by the City Auditor shows the City of Austin still faces challenges to prepare for extreme heat. Texas women’s basketball team made it to the Final Four of NCAA for the first time in over two decades after beating TCU last night. A panel of Texas Senators discussed yesterday a proposal to revitalize the state’s film incentive program.
KUT Morning Newscast for January 16, 2025
Central Texas top stories for January 16, 2025. DPS is trying to improve the process for Texans to get a driver’s license. The City of Austin is opening 6th Street to vehicle traffic, after decades of weekend closures. The Austin Transit Partnership is holding its first public meeting to answer questions about the plans for a new light-rail system.
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 Morning Newscast for November 1, 2024
Central Texas top stories for November 1, 2024. Today is the last day of early voting. Low-income residents can apply for help paying their rent from the City of Austin. A federal judge says pro-Palestinian student groups have a right to sue top officials at three public universities in Texas. School is out in many Central Texas school districts today.
KUT Morning Newscast for September 6, 2024
Central Texas top stories for September 6, 2024. Travis County officials are responding to a recent announcement from Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who says more than a million people have been taken off state’s voter rolls since 202. Travis County is trying to revive efforts to fund a passenger rail from Austin to San Antonio. The City of Leander and its firefighters are one step closer to establishing their first-ever collective bargaining agreement. The City of Austin will receive a $10.5 million dollar grant to reduce fatal and serious pedestrian injuries.
KUT Morning Newscast for August 12, 2024
Central Texas top stories for August 12, 2024. Another hot week ahead for Austin and Central Texas. Austin Community College receives $7.5 million grant to expand and develop new training programs for semiconductor manufacturing. Texas lawmakers kick off two days of hearings on educational issues. The city of Austin is looking to include $50 million in next budget to increase parkland in the city. Texas Longhorn athletes earn 16 medals at Paris Olympic games, including 6 gold.
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 July 12, 2024
Central Texas top stories for July 12, 2024. The City of Austin’s proposed budget is out today, priorities include a long-term contract with the local police union. A local theater company and ACC’s Drama Department are launching a new festival to highlight children’s work. President Jose Biden’s visit may cause traffic delays on Monday.
KUT Morning Newscast for February 1, 2024
Central Texas top stories for February 1, 2024. New Austin police officers to get more money amid record-breaking departures. The Texas Attorney General is suing Austin over marijuana policies. The City of Austin is set to approve a tree trimming contract. Lower Colorado River Authority proposes new outdoor watering restrictions.
KUT Morning Newscast for January 24, 2024
Central Texas top stories for January 24, 2024. Art Acevedo no longer joining city leadership. Project Lighthouse. The dangers of opioid overdoses.
KUT Morning Newscast for January 17, 2024
Central Texas top stories for January 17, 2024. Another cold front is set to follow this hard freeze. What it’s like to sleep outside in the cold. Cold weather shelters remain open. Space heater safety. Student loan forgiveness.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for January 11, 2024
Central Texas top stories for January 11, 2024. How the City of Austin is preparing for freezing temperatures. How to prepare your car for the cold. Plans for Austin’s MLK day march could change due to the freezing temperatures. Texas is having one of its warmest winters on record. Williamson county emergency responders partner with We Are Blood. Drought picture is improving with recent rains.