KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts

KUT and KUTX news and music podcasts for Austin, Texas and beyond

community

Travis County medics work to respond to emergencies amid budget challenges

Across the city of Austin, medics are working and responding to emergency calls despite the budget challenges facing the city and Travis County. Voters in Austin resoundingly rejected a property tax increase that officials hoped could be used to supplement area first responders.
Now, these departments are adjusting to a future with fewer resources.

Plus, the Supreme Court is allowing Texas to use newly drawn congressional districts in next year’s midterm elections. The map was drawn to give Republicans an advantage in upcoming races for U.S. House seats. We’ll have local and statewide reaction to the court’s decision.

The Blue Genie Art Bazaar is celebrating 25 years in Austin. We’ll talk about the bazaar’s origins and the best times to avoid the long lines.

HOPE Outdoor Gallery reopens at new location

The Sobering Center in Austin has provided an alternative to jail or hospitalization since 2018. Now, it’s looking to help folks build a new journey beyond a one-night respite.

After many delays, the HOPE Outdoor Gallery is finally back open. The new 6,000-foot space is working to maintain the try-anything vibe that made its original spot so very Austin.

Plus: Businesses in downtown Austin are looking to attract more shoppers and more dollars to their stores this holiday season – and one way they’re trying to do that is with half-priced Uber rides.

After Prop Q fallout, Austin cuts $95 million from budget

The City of Austin cut $95 million from its budget, shrinking funding to parks, homelessness services and more after voters rejected Prop Q. We’ll get into how these cuts may impact you.

With recent rain and an overnight flood watch in Travis, Williamson, and Hays counties, many residents are reminded of the July 4 floods and the ongoing efforts to rebuild.

Plus, art groups seeking affordable studio space find sanctuary in a downtown Austin church. We’ve got more on how they secured the space and what that means for the arts community.

Also, Jason Mellard shares a new story from the archive of Texas music history.

Bonus: Tacos of Texas Podcast live taping with Journalist Maria Hinojosa

In this episode, Mando Rayo, host of the Tacos of Texas Podcast talks with award-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa as they discuss the intersection of tacos, culture, and community resilience. Together, they’ll dig into how food tells our stories, how taquerias serve as cultural anchors, and the harsh realities immigrant communities face when ICE raids threaten not just businesses, but livelihoods and traditions. From the flavor of carne asada to the fight for dignity, this conversation will go beyond the plate—exploring how tacos connect us, sustain us, and reflect the struggles and triumphs of the people who make them.

KUT announces community festival in May

A long-running storytelling event in Austin’s Hyde Park neighborhood is pairing personal stories with curated musical selections. We’ll have more about the shows and how you can find them.

And KUT announced today that it is launching a festival of its own that’ll bring together the best of Austin’s music, arts, food and more. We’ll speak with KUT/KUTX General Manger Debbie Hiott to talk more about how the festival will build on the community that has powered the station for decades.

Plus, the Tacos of Texas podcast is nearing the completion of its fifth season – “El Cinco.” The team behind the podcast join us to talk about the work that’s gone into this season and their upcoming Taco Party.

How much would Prop Q cost homeowners in Austin?

Prop Q has brought out early voters in numbers that are higher than usual for an off-year election. The proposed tax rate increase, Austin officials say, would raise money to improve local parks, safety and homelessness. How much would that cost that homeowners? KUT government accountability reporter Andrew Weber breaks it down ahead of Election Day.

Meanwhile, the city is facing a deadline to remove painted crosswalks and street murals or risk losing state and federal money for future transportation projects. KUT’s Nathan Bernier has an update on which artwork could be affected.

Plus, ATXplained Live is tomorrow! Get into the spirit with a story about the man who used to recite poetry before Austin concerts.

China Smith

In the latest episode of Black Austin Matters, Lisa and Rich chat with Ballet Afrique founder and contemporary dancer China Smith.

China takes us on a joyful stroll down memory lane, sharing what she loved about growing up in Austin and why her community means so much to her. She talks about how her time in the Bay Area shaped her, the music that moves her, and why movement is so important for our physical, emotional, and spiritual health — no dance skills required!

She also emphasizes the importance of taking care of your body and shares her passion for a vegan lifestyle.

This Is My Thing: Community Singing!

During Covid lockdown, Sarah Bentley discovered the world of community singing. For the last few years, she’s found connection and a creative outlet through leading singing circles.

Dewi Smith

Lisa and Rich talk with community connector, voter motivator and conduit of curiosity Dewi Smith, highlighting the importance of being an educated voter. Dewi also shares her origin story, educational journey, devotion to the community, and commitment to rallying voters for this upcoming election.

Jessica Taylor (Ep. 49, 2023)

On this week’s In Black America, producer and host John L. Hanson, Jr. speaks with Ezra Coffee founder and CEO Jessica Taylor, a former educator and Diversion and Inclusion strategist, as well as reality TV show cast member, who incorporates her passion for storytelling, and the celebration of African American culture and history in the making and marketing of specialty coffees.

Texas Standard: May 26, 2022

After the 2018 Santa Fe High School shooting, new laws took affect aimed at making schools safer. Why did they fail in Uvalde? We’ll have the latest on the killing of 19 kids and 2 teachers at Robb Elementary and the growing sense of frustration over previous efforts at addressing school shootings in Texas, and what state leaders intend to do, or not do. As those state leaders point to the need for more mental health resources, what’s being done on that front–especially in rural Texas? Plus a Politifact claim about baby formula and politics getting in the way. And COVID-19 case numbers in Texas rising again with the start of summer, we’ll have the latest on todays Texas Standard:

Culture Wars

This Typewriter Rodeo poem came to us via listener request. Matthew Koontz suggested the topic “no governing, just culture wars.” This is the result.

Texas Standard: March 10, 2022

A murder in Lubbock turns a spotlight on violence faced by Trans Texans. We’ll have the latest. Also, a Trump administration directive ordering rapid deportations, still imposed by the Biden Administration. But court orders are chipping away at it. How much longer will Title 42 be sustained? Possible changes coming to border enforcement. And progressives in Texas making serious headway? A deeper dig into details from the recent Texas primaries. Also the push to open up Texas to online gambling, and the pushback from some in health care. And the in-person return of one of Texas biggest international events. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: January 24, 2022

Austin has ’em, so does San Antonio–now, almost five years after Hurricane Harvey, Harris County officials are looking into massive underground tunnels to help with flooding. Also, why Texas is one of only four states where employment numbers have bounced back to pre-pandemic levels. And, Austin-based author on her new book exploring the Mexican American experience in Texas. Those stories and more, today on the Texas Standard:

Trailer: Black Austin Matters

Black Austin Matters is a podcast that highlights the Black community and Black culture in Central Texas. Each month, hosts Richard J. Reddick and Lisa B. Thompson talk with other Black Austinites about their perspectives on what’s happening in their city. We’ll hear from the well-known and the not-so-well-known in Austin’s Black community to find out what matters to them. New episodes each first Wednesday of the month.

#TacosSaveTexas (Again.)

As our uncertain world turns, it seems like only one thing stays consistent — the generosity of Texas taqueros. Whether they’re feeding communities in need during natural disasters, or simply working to enforce their operation’s mask mandate during a global pandemic, it’s not often these brave culinary craftsmen and women get the recognition they deserve. In this episode, we’ll chat with some taco do-gooders about their work to lift up their communities and care for society’s most vulnerable. Because like most things, humanitarianism is best when it’s wrapped in a homemade tortilla hecho con amor. Guests include Jessica Villa-Gomez BoomBox Taco (Houston) and TK Tunchez, Founder of Frida Fridays (Austin).

We

Our personal choices often have impacts beyond our personal lives. How do we find balance and how has a pandemic heightened all of this? That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.

×