drought monitor

KUT Afternoon Newscast for October 30, 2025: UT Austin’s College of Liberal Arts is facing changes

Central Texas top stories for October 30, 2025. Voter turnout has been ramping up this week in Travis County. Some faculty at UT Austin’s College of Liberal Arts have serious concerns about changes that may be coming. The Butler Trail around Lady Bird Lake is getting some new wayfinding. This colder weather may have more people driving around with lower tire pressure. The heavy rain of last weekend wiped out a wide area of Extreme Drought in the Austin area.

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KUT Afternoon Newscast for October 23, 2025: City document reveals new details on $25 million boardwalk on Lady Bird Lake

Central Texas top stories for October 23, 2025. In-person voting has increased each day during the off-year election. School districts in Taylor and Liberty Hill have proposed tax increases on ballots in Williamson County. TxDOT will pay for a boardwalk between South First Street and Congress Avenue to make up for all the parkland it’s taking for the I-35 expansion. After weeks without rain, the dry streak in Central Texas is expected to come to an end this weekend.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for May 29, 2025: City of Austin crews are in full recovery mode after last night’s storm that killed one person

Central Texas top stories for May 29, 2025. The National Weather Service says it was a microburst during the storm yesterday evening that knocked down so many trees and power lines. Last night’s storm killed one person, flooded roads and businesses, and left tens of thousands of people without power. Room Service Vintage is one of many local businesses damaged by last night’s storm. There’s some improvement in drought conditions in Central Texas. Texas lawmakers are staring down a deadline to get bills passed before the session ends Monday.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for March 27, 2025: Remembering former Austin Mayor and Texas State Comptroller Carole Keeton.

Central Texas top stories for March 27, 2025. Friends, family, former colleagues and a lot of everyday folks are remembering Carole Keeton and her long life of service to Austin and the State of Texas. CapMetro says it doesn’t know how much money was lost from a malfunction in its fare collection system. Updated wildfire risk maps for Austin could impact affordability. The Austin area has been getting some much-needed rain. Austin ISD students and staff get a break from school on Monday.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for January 30, 2025

Central Texas top stories for January 30, 2025. The achievement gap is widening for Austin ISD students. Jacob’s Well is looking unlikely to open for swimming this summer. The Austin City Council voted today to approve conducting a study of wildfire fuel conditions in the Balcones Canyonland Preserve. The City of San Marcos is looking to partner with Texas State University on a new transit system. Extreme Drought conditions in Central Texas expanded in the past week.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for December 19, 2024

Central Texas top stories for December 19, 2024. Hundreds of Texas school districts collectively owe the federal government 16 million dollars. Daniel Perry, a former Army sergeant convicted of murder in 2020, faces a misdemeanor charge after getting pardoned by Texas Governor Greg Abbott. Over 100 people experiencing homelessness have been moved from their camps to city shelters. Over 600 Austin-area workers will be laid off in February. There was some welcome rain in the area in the past week, but it was not enough to change the drought situation in the area.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for November 13, 2024

Central Texas top stories for November 13, 2024. The family of Raj Moonsinghe filed a lawsuit against the City of Austin and APD. A wastewater system serving a number of area cities will soon undergo rehabilitation and an expansion. Immigrant rights groups are planning to fight back against President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed mass deportation. Cities along the I-35 corridor are experiencing rapid growth. Alex Jones’ Infowars property was auctioned off today. Gas prices are on a downward trend. No end in sight to drought conditions in Central Texas.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for October 24, 2024

Central Texas top stories for October 24, 2024. Strong turnout continues into the fourth day of Early Voting. The importance of races further down the ballot. Large swaths of Central Texas are now officially in Severe Drought. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is coming up this weekend. The Austin City Council is scheduled to vote on the new contract with the city’s police union during today’s meeting. Some Hays County residents are suing the County Judge and Commissioners for placing Prop A on the ballot in the current election. The Texas football team is on the road this weekend to face 25th ranked Vanderbilt.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for October 10, 2024

Central Texas top stories for October 10, 2024. The Austin Fire Department is telling people to avoid FM 969 east of highway 183 because of a brush fire in the area. The city of Austin is looking at a new approach to attracting recruits as it grapples with shortages in public safety staffing. No-refusal blood draws for people suspected of driving intoxicated will continue throughout the year. Travis County is holding its second job fair in an effort to fill more than 100 jobs. Another mosquito trap has tested positive for West Nile virus in Georgetown. The latest in the battle between Project Connect and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Frontier Airlines will start flying from Austin to Atlanta. Drought is spreading in the Austin area. A new park is coming to San Marcos.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for September 5, 2024

Central Texas top stories for September 5, 2024. Firefighters in Leander are looking to negotiate benefits, pay and other working conditions within the city’s fire department. Some state lawmakers, local leaders and activists are calling out what they’re calling voter intimidation after millions of people were removed from Texas voter rolls. A federal court has approved a settlement between Austin ISD and Disability Rights Texas. Texas lawmakers say they aim to expand on plans from the last legislative session to boost funding for mental health hospitals. A mosquito trap in Georgetown has tested positive for the West Nile Virus. Recent rain has helped the drought picture in the Hill Country. The top-ranked Texas Volleyball team has their home opener tonight at Gregory Gym.

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 January 18, 2024

Central Texas top stories for January 18, 2024. A federal appeals court struck down part of a state law restricting books available in school libraries. Austin is looking to expand the budget to help crime victims with immediate needs. The Austin Council voted today to give eligible child care providers a 100-percent property tax exemption. Winter respiratory viruses and COVID-19. Capital Metro security guards. Current state of drought in Central Texas.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for November 30, 2023

Central Texas top stories for November 30, 2023. Drought maps. Zoning incentives for emergency services. Leander election harassment case. Pecan Gardens. Free sexual health services. Leander ISD school chaplains meeting. Holiday lights for neglected children.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for November 1, 2023

Central Texas top stories for November 1, 2023. Trauma recovery center opens in Travis County. Pflugerville ISD tax rate election. Lawn equipment pollution. Buford tower restored. Del Valle ISD new high school. Texas Rangers’ ties to Central Texas. Drought conditions after rain spell.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for October 26, 2023

Central Texas top stories for October 26, 2023. Severe weather in Central Texas. Flood safety. Drought monitor. United Airlines flight attendants protest. National drug takeback day in Kyle. School voucher pushback. Georgetown drag show. CapMetro rules on alcohol consumption.