KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts

KUT and KUTX news and music podcasts for Austin, Texas and beyond

Early Voting

Early voting begins for the 2026 primaries

It’s the first day of early voting in the Texas primaries and there are many statewide races for consideration: comptroller, lieutenant governor, governor, as well as lots of eyes on the Democratic and Republican races for U.S. Senate.
We’ll have an overview, plus plenty more on the ballots in Travis, Hays and Williamson counties, as well.

Also, the Austin-raised college student who was deported while trying to visit family last Thanksgiving could soon be headed back to the U.S. We’ll have the latest from a judge’s order and from the attorney representing the student, Any López Belloza.

And we mark the start of the Lunar New Year by hearing what the occasion means to some Austinites.

Plus, we have a conversation with a legendary music maker turned mental health advocate at the SIMS Foundation.

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

W.F. Strong on Robert Duvall’s Texas legacy and ‘Lonesome Dove’

Early voting is underway in Texas for the primaries. We’ll go over what you need to know before casting a ballot on today’s show.
With Paxton out, a look at the candidates who want to be the next attorney general in Texas.
How Houston’s Johnson Space Center will play a critical role in the Artemis II mission to return astronauts to the moon.
Keeping bicyclists safe on Texas roads.
And W.F. Strong on why Robert Duvall’s legacy looms large in Texas.

Austin’s $25 million Long Center contract draws scrutiny

A $25 million contract between the City of Austin and the Long Center is under scrutiny over how the public money is being spent. The contracts and the fees inside it are tied to the city’ cultural arts grants program, raising questions about transparency and oversight. We’ll dig into the details of the contract and the future between the two sides.

Texas Republicans have revived anti-Muslim messaging in races across the state as early voting begins tomorrow. It’s a change in messaging from elections over the past decade or so. We’ll look at why that’s the case and what it could mean for elections in Texas.

Real love means working through the good, the bad, and the funny. It’s all explored in the mockumentary “Tying Knots” from an Austin filmmaker that’s premiering this week.

KUT Morning Newscast for November 3, 2025: Pause in SNAP funding to impact almost 45,000 Travis County households 

Central Texas top stories for November 3, 2025. More than 117,000 people in Travis County cast a ballot during Early Voting this year. Prop 16 clarifies that a person must be a U.S. citizen to vote in Texas. City of Austin officials say the pause in SNAP funding impacts almost 45,000 Travis County households, over 87,000 people. Open enrollment is underway for insurance on the Affordable Care Act marketplace, Texans are seeing higher prices. Texas is now number 13 in AP Top 25 College Football Poll. Austin FC’s 2025 season is over. 

KUT Morning Newscast for October 31, 2025: AISD is expected to release updates on its school consolidation plan today

Central Texas top stories for October 31, 2025. Today is the last day of early voting. The Austin Independent School District is expected to release updates on its school consolidation plan later today. Some faculty and students at UT’s College of Liberal Arts are fearful about a possible restructuring of departments. Austin’s air traffic controllers are under extra strain during the federal government shutdown. Open enrollment for Affordable Care Act marketplace insurance plans begins tomorrow.  

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.

This podcast is made at KUT Public Media Studios. 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 Afternoon Newscast for October 27, 2025: Austin Democrat Sarah Eckhardt announces she will run for Michael McCaul’s seat in Congress

Central Texas top stories for October 27, 2025. Travis County voters are turning out during early voting. State Senator Sarah Eckhardt, an Austin Democrat, announced today that she’s running for Congress. Austin ISD is inviting parents to give feedback on its plan to close 13 schools. Austin Energy has a new general manager.

This podcast is made at KUT Public Media Studios. 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 October 27, 2025: Tens of thousands of Travis County voters are in suspense

Central Texas top stories for October 27, 2025. It’s the second week of early voting in the November 4th election, and less than 5 percent of registered voters have cast a ballot. Tens of thousands of Travis County voters are in suspense. Data centers in the Austin area are placing considerable strain on the state’s electric grid. AISD is still hearing feedback from the community on its school consolidation plan; there’s a virtual meeting tonight. The Longhorns beat Mississippi State in overtime on Saturday.  

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.

This podcast is made at KUT Public Media Studios. 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 Afternoon Newscast for October 22, 2025: Tiny home community built to help the homeless celebrates 10 years in Austin, looks to expand

Central Texas top stories for October 22, 2025. Day two of Early Voting saw slightly higher turnout in Travis County. Austin’s community of tiny homes for people transitioning out of homelessness is marking a decade of operation. Travis County Commissioners are pushing for a passenger rail line along the I-35 corridor. A new record was set this week at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Rain is looking increasingly likely this weekend.

This podcast is made at KUT Public Media Studios. 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 October 22, 2025: CapMetro has a new poliece chief

Central Texas top stories for October 22, 2025. Austin wasn’t warned that state police would be clearing homeless camps on city land, mayor says. Capital Metro has a new police chief. Travis County is looking into building a commuter rail system from Austin to San Antonio. Early voting turnout has been low.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for October 21, 2025: Austin wasn’t warned that state police would be clearing homeless camps on city land, mayor says

Central Texas top stories for October 21, 2025. Voter turnout on the first day of Early Voting in Travis County was on the light side. Governor Greg Abbott says he’s using state police to clear homeless encampments across Austin. Capital Metro swore in its second-ever police chief this week. Hays County Commissioners voted today to make changes to polling locations to make them more accessible.

This podcast is made at KUT Public Media Studios. 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 Afternoon Newscast for October 20, 2025: Early voting has started for the Nov. 4 election

Central Texas top stories for October 20, 2025. Early voting started today and runs through October 31st. A lack of measurable rain in Austin is creating extremely dry conditions and a rising risk of wildfires. Austin Mayor Kirk Watson is looking for a way around an order from the state to remove ideological art on city streets. The Texas football team heads to Mississippi State this week.

This podcast is made at KUT Public Media Studios. 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.

Early voting kicks off on 17 proposed amendments

Yes, it’s that time again: Early voting gets underway across the Lone Star State on this Monday.
A statewide ballot that will decide no statewide offices? True, though the stakes in this election are huge for Texans – some 17 proposed changes to the Texas constitution hang in the balance.
We’ll hear about several of the most wide-ranging ideas on the line. Plus, The Texas Newsroom’s Blaise Gainey with more on the start of early voting.
And a potential final mission for the Space Shuttle Discovery, fraught with danger. A look at the difficulties of a smooth landing in Texas.

Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas.

You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org

Downtown Austin’s Hideout Theatre moves after 26 years

Early voting in this year’s elections starts Monday and here in Texas, you’ll have your choice on adding 17 proposed amendments to the state constitution. The Texas Newsroom’s Blaise Gainey joins us with more.

The San Antonio Spurs have made Austin their home for a couple of games in each of the past few seasons. Now, whispers about a permanent move have been buzzing, especially as San Antonio voters consider approving a new downtown stadium.

After 26 years in downtown Austin, the Hideout Theater is moving. We’ll have a look at where they’re going, what this means for the local comedy scene and how that space is changing.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for October 16, 2025: Abbott orders the Texas National Guard to Austin ahead of ‘No Kings’ protest

Central Texas top stories for October 16, 2025. Governor Greg Abbott is sending National Guard troops to Austin ahead of the No Kings Day protest on Saturday. Some voters may have trouble casting a ballot on Monday as the state’s new voter registration system experiences snags. The Hays County Commissioners Court has voted to end all of its contracts with Flock, a company that operates automatic license plate readers. Travis County residents have one more week to weigh in on the next 10 years of county parks and trails. The League of Women Voters of Texas is coming out in support of Proposition 4 on the upcoming ballot. Extreme Drought has returned to the Austin area.

This podcast is made at KUT Public Media Studios. 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.

What to look for on your ballot as early voting starts next week

Early voting starts Monday for the Nov. 4 election, and the discussion in Austin is centered around Proposition Q, a proposed tax rate increase. The city of Austin wants to use those dollars for more services in the city, but not everyone is convinced. KUT City Hall reporter Luz Moreno-Lozano explains.

Texans’ ballots will also include 17 proposed amendments to the state constitution. The Texas Newsroom’s Blaise Gainey talk us through a few of them.

Plus: How George Strait got his start in San Marcos.

KUT Morning Newscast for October 16, 2025: The City of Austin has a new initiative to create healthy and safe environments for kids

Central Texas top stories for October 16, 2025. The City of Austin is launching a new initiative aimed at creating healthy and safe environments for kids. Hays County will no longer be using license plate readers from security company Flock Safety. During this fall’s election Texans will be deciding on 17 amendments to the state’s constitution. A wildfire continues burning in Burnet County between Inks Lake State Park and Burnet. AISD is holding its second virtual meeting tonight to hear feedback on the school consolidation plan.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for April 29, 2025: UT Austin officials are being accused of using chat apps to hide internal communications.

Central Texas top stories for April 29, 2025. Today is the last day of Early Voting ahead of the May 3rd local elections. Officials at UT Austin are accused of using chat apps to hide internal communications in violation of state law. Local officials are urging the public to prepare for wildfires ahead of another hot and dry summer. The Texas baseball team has just 5 home games remaining this regular season. Willie Nelson is 92 years old today.

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