It’s been a year since the state took over the Houston Independent School District. How has that affected student scores on the STAAR test?
How the state’s rules on diversity, equity and inclusion may put an end to some university scholarships.
Why more hedge fund managers are making their home in Texas, rather than New York.
A new book examines a family’s long-buried history and pivotal role in shaping the state.
And: How Texans can take in a rare strawberry moon as summer begins.
DEI
KUT Afternoon Newscast for May 14, 2024
Central Texas top stories for May 14, 2024. DEI law compliance hearing. Travis County leaders took a big step today toward having a tax-rate increase election this year. The city says 40 to 50 Austin police officers assisted in making arrests at last month’s protests on the UT campus. The Leander School District has named Lucretia Rogers as its executive director of safety and security. The number of days in the Austin area with air quality considered unhealthy for sensitive groups increased to 21 last year.
KUT Morning Newscast for May 14, 2024
Central Texas top stories for May 14, 2024. An attempt to freeze funding for the I-35 expansion was defeated in a heated vote yesterday. Disruptions to various systems and services at Ascension-owned hospitals continue. Texas state Senators are getting an update on the steps university leaders have taken to comply with the DEI state law that took effect in January. Austin’s State of Our Environment Report for 2023. Austin Public Health is using two-million dollars in federal funding to address opioid overdoses. UT Austin will open a new center in Taylor.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for April 16, 2024
Central Texas top stories for April 16, 2024. Austin is facing a budget shortfall. San Marcos water restrictions may be changing soon. UT Austin President Jay Hartzell on staff layoffs to comply with a new state law banning DEI initiatives at public universities. “Bike lane bounty” initiative hits a snag. All Things Wild takes in a duck with a missing bill. Changes to Zilker Park’s weekend parking fee.
KUT Morning Newscast for April 4, 2024
Central Texas top stories for April 4, 2024. Today is the last day to register to vote in May’s local elections. Professors are raising concerns about the University of Texas laying off dozens of staffers in an effort to comply with a new state law. Hutto ISD is trying to prevent construction of a wastewater treatment plant near two of its schools. The City of Austin is collecting eclipse glasses to recycle them after the event.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for April 3, 2024
Central Texas top stories for April 3, 2024. Professors are raising concerns about the dozens of positions UT Austin is eliminating to comply with a law banning DEI programs. Federal regulators say Austin’s water is free of what are referred to as “forever chemicals.” Abortion law survey. San Marcos officials want to change how the city manages water restrictions during drought. Unemployment in Austin is on the rise. Eclipse day weather forecast.
KUT Morning Newscast for April 3, 2024
Central Texas top stories for April 3, 2024. UT Austin eliminates positions to comply with a state law banning diversity, equity, and inclusion offices at public universities. Preparation for Monday’s eclipse. Georgetown ISD students can earn a license to operate drones through a school program.
The latest on the Smokehouse Creek Fire in the Panhandle
The Smokehouse Creek Fire in the Panhandle, already the second biggest wildfire in Texas history, is so far 0% contained. We’ll talk with an evacuee and officials with the Texas A&M Forest Service to get the latest.
With increasingly unpredictable rainfall and extended droughts, you may be thinking about what to plant to survive our new weather reality. The Standard’s Alexandra Hart has ways you can cut water use without letting your lawn die.
Plus: Director Richard Linklater and filmmaker Alex Stapleton on the new HBO three-part series based on Lawrence Wright’s recent book “God Save Texas.”
A report from Eagle Pass after a weekend of immigration protest
A bipartisan bill to address border security: one that mandates that President Biden shut down the border. David Martin Davies with more on the Senate bill on immigration and border security and an update on border protests over the weekend.
What appears to be the first human brain chip implant by Elon Musk’s Neuralink is raising concerns about safety, consent, and transparency. We’ll hear from a medical ethicist who’s been studying the implications.
In El Paso, a new exhibit that highlights a surprising relationship between humans and ducks.
And the thousandth PolitiFact check of Donald Trump – what the numbers say.
KUT Morning Newscast for March 8, 2023
Central Texas top stories for March 8, 2023. CapMetro federal funding. Austin ISD superintendent search feedback. Austin lifeguard hiring. DEI policies in public universities. Austin FC. UT Baseball.
Why many Texas cotton farmers are planting less this year
After a disastrous season for cotton production, could Texas lose its crown as top producer? Three Texans on the front lines talk about why some fear 2023 could be a tipping point.
The head of the University of Texas System Board of Regents puts a pause on new diversity, equity and inclusion policies.
With student debt forgiveness plans on hold, what are the implications for those struggling most to get out from under it?
Also tech expert Omar Gallaga on the rising price of social media verification and whether it pays to buy into the changes.
What Texas House committee assignments say about this session
Two prominent names in Texas politics get key assignments on Capitol Hill in a pushback against GOP investigations.
Democrats lose top slots on influential Texas House committees. What could that mean for some hot-button issues before the Texas legislature?
A directive from the governor’s office to state colleges and universities to consider employment on merit alone, calling diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives a rebranded form of employment discrimination.
And DQ’s are a Texas thing, right? We’ll get the full scoop.