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.
DPS
Cold snap grips West Texas and the borderlands
What possible cuts to Medicaid under the new Trump administration could mean in Texas, which already limits coverage.
A cold front is blowing through El Paso, bringing high winds and freezing temperatures.
Princeton’s growing pains have led to tension in its mayoral runoff election.
Most of those involved in high-speed chases by state troopers going after suspected smugglers are teens and young drivers. An interview with one of those behind the wheel.
And: We’ll take a look at the two Texas teams that made it into the college playoffs, the Texas Longhorns and the SMU Mustangs.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for November 27, 2024
Central Texas top stories for November 27, 2024. The Central Texas Food Bank has been gathering and distributing food for families in need for Thanksgiving. The City of Austin has opened a new affordable housing development. ACC is expanding in Round Rock. It’s the last day on the job for Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw.
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.
Boerne Little League reflects on historic World Series run
Mexico has halted diplomatic ties with the U.S. Embassy over criticism of the outgoing president’s plans to overhaul the country’s judicial system. What does it mean for relations with our biggest trading partner?
Two towns within the city of Arlington are trying to distance themselves from their reputations as “speed traps.”
CDC researchers are trying to get the word out about a disease that affects many who many not even realize they suffer from the condition: heart valve disease.
And: Despite heavy rain, thousands in Boerne turned out to celebrate the Little League team that could. We’ll hear from a player and the team’s manager following their historic World Series run.
KUT Morning Newscast for April 25, 2024
Central Texas top stories for April 25, 2024. Fallout from yesterday’s pro-Palestinian protest on UT Austin’s campus. Advocates say the city of Austin still has work to do to ensure sexual assault survivors are getting the help they need. Austin Water’s plans for future conservation have come under fire from members of a city task force.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for December 22, 2023
Central Texas top stories for December 22, 2023. The Texas Department of Public Safety and the City of Austin are ending their partnership this weekend. Texas led the country in employment growth over the last year. Texas education officials are sharing guidance on how to comply with House Bill 3. Georgetown ISD buys land near East View High School.
KUT Morning Newscast for December 7, 2023
Central Texas top stories for December 7, 2023. More questions around the lack of alerts in Tuesday’s shooting. Some shooting victims have been identified. Austin City Council to vote on new zoning rules today. ACC’s Fall Commencement is tonight. Austin Energy completes “winterizing” power plants.
The Texas discovery of a new, dog-sized dinosaur
After months of stalemate, are the Texas House and Senate finally making progress on school spending?
For millions of years, the bones of a tiny dinosaur lay undisturbed in what are now the shores of Lake Grapevine. We’ll learn about a new species.
El Paso residents are concerned about the growing number of high-speed chases in their city.
And: Are city parks set to decline? A new law could make it tougher for urban areas to procure parkland.
Which major city in Texas has the worst weather?
Ken Paxton’s impeachment and Senate trial was the biggest political story in Texas in decades. History will no doubt recall what transpired over the previous two weeks at the Capitol, but how much do most Texans know that anything happened at all?
A state-imposed superintendent for Houston schools rolls out what he calls the New Education System – and it’s getting a lot of pushback.
Remembering Latina scientist Elma Gonzalez.
And with frequent hurricanes in Southeast Texas, and twisters up north … which big city has the worst weather in Texas, and why?
In attempts to ban library books, Texas leads the nation
Texas prisons are under a statewide lockdown as officials search for contraband to stem a rise in prison homicides.
More than 700 new state laws took effect in Texas on Sept. 1 out of the almost 3,000 that were filed – meaning the vast majority didn’t become law. Texas Public Radio’s David Martin Davies tells us more.
Texas had the most book challenges of any state last year, according to the American Library Association.
Outlaw country, born in the 1970s, has long been dominated by men. But female artists have been making noteworthy contributions, especially recently.
Plus the week in Texas politics with the Texas Tribune.
Workers rally to fight state bill ending water breaks
As Texans brace for another week of extreme heat, there’s pushback against a new state law that nullifies local rules requiring mandatory water breaks for outdoor workers.
Austin has ended its policing partnership with the Department of Public Safety – but Gov. Greg Abbott is sending more troopers to the capital city.
Some legal experts say the Supreme Court’s student debt decision may have scrambled the issue of standing, or whether a plaintiff has enough interest in a particular matter to stand before the court to request legal intervention. UT Law professor Stephen Vladeck explains.
And a new documentary on Jesse Treviño honors the late San Antonio artist, long considered one of the city’s finest.
KUT Morning Newscast for July 13, 2023
Central Texas top stories for July 13, 2023. DPS and Austin partnership suspended. High power demand for ERCOT as temperatures soar. Affordable housing projects on pause.
KUT Morning Newscast for June 26, 2023
Central Texas top stories for June 26, 2023. Extreme heat continues. Outdoor workers fear losing breaks. How to define a hate crime. Neighborhood meetings on DPS presence. Why animals sploot. Austin FC leads Copa Tejas. John Goodenough.
KUT Morning Newscast for June 23, 2023
Central Texas top stories for June 23, 2023. City of Austin budget planning. Possible hate crime investigation of killing in Cedar Park. DPS returns to patrol Austin.
KUT Morning Newscast for June 6, 2023
Central Texas top stories for June 6, 2023. Austin hiring process for new city manager. Williamson County landfill upgrade. Austin DPS partnership update. Austin Animal Center new adoption program. Light rail plan final vote. Georgetown ISD teacher externships.
KUT Morning Newscast for May 8, 2023
Central Texas top stories for May 8, 2023. May election results. Tenure for higher education. Overdose preventions. Amber alert. Man killed by DPS in Round Rock.
Astronaut Christina Koch on NASA’s upcoming Artemis 2 mission
Tensions are growing in Austin over the use of DPS officers to augment local police.
Facing resistance to a plan similar to school vouchers, an alteration getting attention at the state Capitol is focused on students with disabilities. Talia Richman of the Dallas Morning News Education Lab has more.
NASA’s plans to return to the moon: We’ll talk with Christina Koch, one of the astronauts assigned to the upcoming Artemis 2 mission.
And on this 4/20, a closer look at the complicated relationship between country music and Willie Nelson’s favorite way to kick back.
KUT Morning Newscast for April 18, 2023
Central Texas top stories for April 18, 2023. Austin ISD request review of conservatorship decision. Austin on trial for trying to build a house. West fertilizer plant explosion 10 year anniversary. Austin City Council DPS partnership update. Leander ISD bond meeting.
KUT Morning Newscast for April 10, 2023
Central Texas top stories for April 10, 2023. Abbott seeking pardon of Daniel Perry. DPS partnership update. Austin ISD Special Education takeover appeal. Manor ISD Superintendent finalist. Austin emergency communications revamp. Monarch Butterflies on the decline. Austin FC. USWNT at Q2.