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.
DOJ
A history of the Texas Civil Rights Project
Remember the Democratic walkout this summer over Texas redistricting? Attorney General Ken Paxton’s lawsuit accusing Beto O’Rourke of bribery and other charges for supporting the walkout continues – but O’Rourke appears to have the upper hand.
Recovery funds are finally on the way for many in Houston who suffered damage during Hurricane Beryl and last year’s derecho. But the need for assistance continues to outweigh available resources.
For decades, the Texas Civil Rights Project has been a force in battles for voter rights, disability access and racial and economic justice. We’ll hear from founder Jim Harrington, who’s released a new book tracing the organization’s history.
A new episode of the “Tacos of Texas” podcast delves into tequila’s deeper meaning, including personal connections and heritage.
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 5, 2025: Texas agrees to end in-state tuition for students without legal status.
Central Texas top stories for June 5, 2025. Texas college students without legal status are no longer eligible for in-state college tuition after the DOJ sued the state of Texas. International students at UT Austin are feeling uncertain about their future. Here are the grid-related bills that passed and didn’t pass during the 2025 Texas Legislature. Texas is a step closer to winning the Women’s College World Series. FM 1826 will be closed starting tomorrow until Saturday at 5 pm.
How Texas schools fared in long-awaited TEA accountability grades
After lawsuits and a long delay, the Texas Education Agency releases rankings for schools in the Lone Star State. The school rankings are more than just an indicator of how well students are doing, they can have ripple effects on the schools themselves, as well as on housing prices and more. KERA’s Bill Zeeble joins us with what the report cards tell us.
After record levels of deaths connected to police car chases, what, if anything, do Texas lawmakers plan to do?
A historic theatre, once a hub for Mexican American entertainment, is coming back to life in San Antonio.
Plus, Texas breweries rebrand themselves as public spaces.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for November 26, 2024
Central Texas top stories for November 26, 2024. APD warns of burglaries between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The Leander Police Department is getting a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. Jesús Aguirre is the new director of Austin Parks and Recreation. The Austin City Council has adopted a new plan to preserve Austin’s historical places. HEB’s Feast of Sharing is happening today.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for August 26, 2024
Central Texas top stories for August 26, 2024. Austin Community College kicked off its fall semester today. Police in Round Rock say additional warrants have been secured for one of the suspects arrested in connection with the deadly gunfire at this year’s Juneteenth celebration. The Texas Juvenile Justice Department is the focus of a scathing report from the U.S. Department of Justice. CapMetro swore in its first-ever police chief today. People in West Travis County can now resume watering their lawns and filling up swimming pools. The Texas Longhorns kick off their first season in the Southeastern Conference this weekend.
Amazon expands Prime shipping to rural areas, challenging USPS
More than 400 people ended up in emergency rooms with carbon monoxide poisoning after Hurricane Beryl, many from generators.
Five years later, victims of a mass shooting in El Paso wait for the state to prosecute the gunman.
Why Texas ranks last when it comes to healthcare access and affordability, especially for women.
Is there a link between the rising number of teachers without certification in the state and declines in student achievement? New research seeks to answer that question.
And: Amazon Prime’s two-day shipping is moving into rural areas to boost sales – a direct challenge to the U.S. Postal Service.
KUT Morning Newscast for August 2, 2024
Central Texas top stories for August 2, 2024. The U.S. Department of Justice is calling on Texas to reform the state’s Juvenile Justice Department. Cedar Park is looking to attract new, alternative forms of media production. Forecasters expect a hot, dry August in Central Texas. The inaugural Black Austin Film Festival starts tomorrow at the Coldtowne Theater on East 2nd Street.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for August 1, 2024
Central Texas top stories for August 1, 2024. An investigation has found extensive problems in Texas youth prisons. New Title IX rules are blocked in more than two dozen states, including Texas. The City of Georgetown reports more mosquito traps testing positive for West Nile Virus. A new clinic in East Austin is about to open its doors to patients. Outdoor warning sirens are once again operational in San Marcos. Gas prices have turned lower, but possibly not for long. Former Longhorn rower Kate Knifton helped lead Team USA to its best Olympic finish in the Women’s 4 racing event since 1992.
Massive disruption worldwide blamed on latest Microsoft update from Austin-based CrowdStrike
A massive disruption that knocked businesses and services offline worldwide – grounding planes, keeping bank customers from accessing their balances and more – was blamed on the latest Microsoft update from Austin-based cybersecurity company CrowdStrike.
The Justice Department has sued the Texas-based nonprofit Southwest Key Programs, alleging sexual abuse of migrant children in their care.
A new study sounds an alarm over the safety of tampons after finding found toxic metals, including arsenic and lead, in over a dozen popular brands. We’ll hear from the lead researcher.
Also: the week in politics with The Texas Tribune and poetry from the Typewriter Rodeo.
House Speaker Dade Phelan has drawn an opponent
The Justice Department has filed an antitrust lawsuit against Apple, alleging that the maker of the iPhone violated antitrust law by maintaining an illegal monopoly in the smartphone market. We’ll hear more from Jason Snell, one of the nation’s top Apple watchers.
House Speaker Dade Phelan faces another challenge: not just re-election in his home district, but now a rival for his leadership position from state Rep. Tom Oliverson.
An update on the Standard’s Music Madness bracket, and how you can make your picks for the Elite Eight.
Plus: The week in politics with The Texas Tribune.
KUT Morning Newscast for February 27, 2024
Central Texas top stories for February 27, 2024. Local activists are asking the Department of Justice to investigate APD. Austin’s budget troubles. Latest plans for the downtown Health South development site. Dairy plant development lawsuit. Texas anti-abortion activists consider pushing for changes to the state’s IVF laws.
Could Texas’ electric grid finally connect to other states?
A grand jury in Uvalde will consider possible charges over law enforcement’s failed response to the mass shooting at Robb Elementary.
An Air Force general who was stationed at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph faces a court-martial over charges of sexually assaulting a subordinate.
The Texas power grid is famously separate from the rest of the country – but a plan has been quietly moving forward to connect it to a grid operating in the southeastern U.S.
And: Shipping lanes are shifting routes amid attacks in the Red Sea. What are the ripple effects in Texas?
Standoff between Texas and the feds continues over Rio Grande access
Tensions between Texas and the federal government intensify over Border Patrol access.
On the day after the release of the findings of a federal investigation into the 2022 mass shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, what we’re learning and what it could mean for accountability.
With the intensification of winter weather this week, how advocates for people experiencing homelessness are trying to shelter and care for Texans left out in the cold.
A sneak peek at the Super Bowl prospects for the Houston Texans, facing a big playoff challenge this weekend.
And we’ll have the week in politics with Matthew Watkins of the Texas Tribune.
Justice Department report on Uvalde shooting finds ‘critical failures’ in police response
After a review of thousands of videos and other evidence, the Justice Department has released its report on the Uvalde school shooting, finding “critical failures” by law enforcement before, during and after the attack.
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals strikes down much of a new Texas law that sought to restrict which books are available in school libraries.
Texas may soon be a hub for hydrogen fueling. The Standard’s Shelly Brisbin has more.
CinéWilde, which bills itself as the state’s only monthly LGBTQ film series, turns 10.
And: Remembering award-winning science fiction author Howard Waldrop.
What’s ahead for space exploration in 2024
The federal government takes legal action to stop Texas from implementing a new state law aimed at arresting migrants who come into the state illegally. Julián Aguilar of The Texas Newsroom has more.
A new plan to use AI to help explore the effect of burn pits on veterans.
Why 2024 could be the launch pad for a new chapter in space exploration.
How the armadillo, a dormant dog-sized mammal considered a pest by many, won the affection of many a Texan.
Plus: The week in politics with The Texas Tribune.
KUT Morning Newscast for January 04, 2024
Central Texas top stories for January 04, 2024. Texans can now submit applications to vote by mail. Texas immigration bill lawsuit. New study on medication abortions. How sharks in Australia can help us understand Texas.
What has Van Horn residents so worried about a new pipeline
The Department of Justice has sued Colony Ridge, a Houston-area housing developer marketing primarily to undocumented migrants, over the company’s business practices.
Concerns are growing over a proposed pipeline in far West Texas, as nearby residents in Van Horn worry they simply don’t have the resources if there were an emergency.
Tech expert Omar Gallaga tells us why Apple’s taking many of its watches off store shelves, and why the president could get involved.
Also: Veteran public radio DJ Susan Castle of KUTX Austin serves up some holiday songs with a Texas twist.
What we know about Ken Paxton’s upcoming impeachment trial
The Department of Justice has sued the State of Texas over its floating border barrier near Eagle Pass, alleging Texas doesn’t have the authority to place barriers in the Rio Grande. Gov. Greg Abbott’s reply? “See you in court.”
Sergio Martínez-Beltrán of the Texas Newsroom brings us the latest developments in Ken Paxton’s upcoming impeachment trial.
Congressman Greg Casar is calling for federal regulations to protect workers against heat-related illness in light of state law that will undo local rules starting Sept. 1.
And why a goat that went missing from a livestock show has captured the imagination of lots of folks in the Rio Grande Valley.