Dark Sky

KUT Afternoon Newscast for August 4, 2025: Texas House Democrats leave state to block proposed Republican congressional map

Central Texas top stories for August 4, 2025. Texas House members from the Austin-area are among the more than 50 Democrats who’ve left the state to prevent Republicans from passing a new gerrymandered congressional map. More than 100-million dollars have been raised to support recovery in the month since flooding devastated parts of the Hill Country. Austin City Council members are deliberating the budget this week. Liberty Hill is the latest community in Central Texas to receive an ‘International Dark Sky Community’ designation. Temperatures will be cooler than normal for most of this week.

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 4, 2025: More than 50 Texas House Democrats have fled the state to prevent Republicans from passing a heavily redrawn congressional map

Central Texas top stories for August 4, 2025. More than 50 Texas House Democrats have fled the state to prevent Republicans from passing a heavily redrawn congressional map, aimed at securing five extra seats for the GOP in the midterm elections. Flood survivors from Travis County’s Sandy Creek area attended a recent hearing with state lawmakers and local officials discussing the response to last month’s disaster. The Trump administration wants cities and counties to crack down on homeless encampments. Liberty Hill is the latest place in Central Texas to receive an ‘International Dark Sky Community’ designation.

KUT News Now is made at KUT Public Media Studios. You may have heard that Congress just took back the money it had allocated for public media. 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 November 25, 2024

Central Texas top stories for November 25, 2024. The City of Austin is simplifying and enhancing its cold weather shelter operations. Austin-American Statesman journalists agree on a labor contract after years of negotiations. A sentencing trial began today for Austin Police Sergeant Christopher Taylor. Liberty Hill is working to become the latest ‘dark sky’ community in Central Texas. DPS Highway Patrol will be stepping up enforcement of traffic laws this week.

KUT Morning Newscast for October 4, 2024

Central Texas top stories for October 4, 2024. Texas planning to vote in this fall’s election must be registered to vote by Monday. While some cities appear to attract to extra rainfall, Austin doesn’t seem to share the same luck. Travis County will launch mental health diversion program on Monday. Being recognized as a “dark sky” place isn’t cheap, but one Central Texas nonprofit is trying to ease that cost. Day one of the Austin City Limits music festival kicks off in Zilker Park and that means extra humans and traffic in Austin.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for January 25, 2024

Central Texas top stories for January 25, 2024. Drought conditions after heavy rains. Jacobs well started flowing again. Kate Cox will be a guest at President Biden’s State of the Union address. Austin City Council calls for more transparency in hiring. Jonestown becomes Central Texas’ latest dark sky community. McKalla station set to open in time for Austin FC’s season opener.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for November 15, 2023

Central Texas top stories for November 15, 2023. Taylor trial wraps up. Harper-Madison returns. TEA at State Board of Education. Uninsured children. Wimberley eclipse tourism. Native American Heritage Month. Longhorn sports teams in action tonight.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for November 10, 2023

Central Texas top stories for November 10, 2023. Christopher Taylor trial recap. Travis County road task force. Wimberley wins International Dark Sky Place of the Year. Travis County chief appraiser. Goats return to Butler Hike and Bike Trail. Austin Studio Tour.

Texas Standard: February 11, 2019

Four days and counting: with a new deadline looming in a shutdown showdown over the border wall, the president arrives in El Paso. We’ll take a look at what this means. Also, a week after Texas Catholic Diocese release lists of what the church calls credibly accused clergy, a new investigation by the Houston Chronicle and the San Antonio Express News reports on an abuse of faith in the southern Baptist denomination. We’ll talk with the reporters. Also, an attempt to protect a spot in Texas with one of the most pristine skies on the planet. All those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard: