education

Want to avoid traffic in Austin? Try commuting on Mondays

Looking for a smooth commute? KUT transportation reporter Nathan Bernier shares the best days to get on the road in Austin.

The Austin Studio Tour continues this weekend at galleries, studios and homes around the city. With so much to look at, wouldn’t it be helpful to be chauffeured around to take in some of Austin’s best art? We hopped on a bus with 40 of our new best friends.

Comedian John Mulaney is in Austin for a run of four shows starting tonight. We’ll hear some of his conversation with Texas Standard.

Want to avoid traffic in Austin? Try commuting on Mondays

Looking for a smooth commute? KUT transportation reporter Nathan Bernier shares the best days to get on the road in Austin.

Comedian John Mulaney is in Austin for a run of four shows starting tonight. We’ll hear some of his conversation with Texas Standard.

After Prop Q fails, city leaders propose budget cuts

The Austin City Council will meet to start the process of making cuts to the city budget after voters struck down Proposition Q, a controversial property tax increase. These cuts could affect parks, public health programs, emergency medical services and more. KUT City Hall reporter Luz Moreno-Lozano shares more.

KUTX’s Maile Carballo has the details on the lease extension of iconic blues venue Antone’s.

Plus: We hear from singer-songwriter Judy Blank, KUTX’s artist of the month. Watch her KUTX performances here.

After Prop Q fails, city leaders propose budget cuts

KUTX’s Maile Carballo has the details on the lease extension of iconic blues venue Antone’s.

Plus: We hear from singer-songwriter Judy Blank, KUTX’s artist of the month. Watch her KUTX performances here.

Camp Mystic faces lawsuit from parents of flood victims

Four months after the deadly flooding that ran through Central Texas, lawsuits are being levied against the groups in charge of Camp Mystic in the Hill Country. Families of those killed in the flooding say the people responsible ignored warnings and years of past floods. We have the latest about the lawsuits.

Plus, we hear some music from students at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired here in Austin.

The podcast This Is My Thing has highlighted a range of Austinite’s interests. Today we talk with podcast host Mike Lee on Fountain Pens!

Camp Mystic faces lawsuit from parents of flood victims

Plus, we hear some music from students at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired here in Austin.

The podcast This Is My Thing has highlighted a range of Austinite’s interests. Today we talk with podcast host Mike Lee on Fountain Pens!

How the Digital Equity Act helped before funding was cut

Organizations are working to bridge the digital divide in Texas and across the country, but that work has been made more difficult since the Trump administration withheld funds to assist programs aimed at getting underserved people online. Texas Standard’s Shelly Brisbin has more on how these groups and local governments are planning for a future without the financial aid.

Austin FC is partnering with We Are Blood for a community blood drive this week. Learn how you can participate.

And: Antone’s lands a deal to stay in their current digs for the next five decades.

How the Digital Equity Act helped before funding was cut

Austin FC is partnering with We Are Blood for a community blood drive this week. Learn how you can participate.

And: Antone’s lands a deal to stay in their current digs for the next five decades.

Do You Have To Support Rap To Be Good At Politics?

On this episode we discuss the proposed Verzuz between 50 cent and T.I. (FYI it’s not happening). We also discuss hip-hop’s role in electing progressive candidates and if it’s necessary. Hip-hop facts include SISQO BEING EXTREMELY YOUNG, Eddie Murphy, 2pac, and more. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion is about LL Cool J being the one rapper to have a chance against Jay-Z.

Austin voters reject Prop Q property tax rate increase

Austin voters overwhelmingly rejected Prop Q, a proposed property tax rate increase. KUT’s Andrew Weber breaks down what happened – and where city officials will look next for reductions in spending.

In other election news, Texans approved 17 amendments to the state constitution, touching on taxes, education, infrastructure and more.

And: The sale of Cheer Up Charlies to a Florida investment firm has been called off, the latest twist in what’s been a chaotic year for the popular queer bar.

Our Favorite Moments In Hip-Hop

On this episode we discuss some of favorite, or most important, moments in hip-hop. We also discuss a proposed Houston hip-hop Verzuz between the Screwed Up Click and Swisha House. Hip-hop facts include facts about Warren G, The Alchemist, and Eddie Murphy. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion this week is that no artist truly wants to be “anti-industry” that they claim.

D’Angelo The Great

On this episode we discuss the legacy of the late musican D’Angelo who suddenly passed last week at age 51. We also discuss the upcoming Verzuz between hip-hop labels Cash Money (Lil Wayne, etc) and No Limit (Master P, Snoop, etc.) and how it would look. Hip-Hop facts this week include facts about D’Angelo, UGK, 2pac and Lil Wayne. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion is about how Lil Jon might not be the biggest fan of Three 6 Mafia in the overall legacy of crunk music.

Parents ask for more time as AISD plans November vote on school closures

Students, parents and staff from the Austin Independent School District had their first opportunity to address the school board about the district’s school consolidation proposal. The board plans to vote on the decision next month, and some folks are pleading for more time to voice their concerns.

ACL Fest has come and gone, but you can still experience the magic of the music thanks to our team over at KUTX. We’ll chat about the joys and difficulties of capturing these special performances with one of our staff photographers.

And: “The Slip,” the debut novel from Austin author Lucas Schaefer, has won the 2025 Kirkus Prize for fiction.

Austin’s rainbow crosswalks, street lettering could soon be gone

The city of Austin is facing a deadline to remove roadway art, like the rainbow crosswalk at Fourth and Colorado streets or the words “Black Artists Matter” painted atop 11th Street. Gov. Greg Abbott says failure to do so would cause the city to risk losing state and federal dollars for future road projects.

We’ll hear from KUT government accountability reporter Andrew Weber, who is following the story.

Ever wondered who makes the giant fake sandwiches that you see around town at Thundercloud Subs? ATXplained brings you the answer.

Texas taps vendor for school voucher rollout

A billion-dollar school voucher program is coming to Texas, but the company running it is based in New York. What that means for families.
A Texas father convicted of killing his daughter faces execution in less than two weeks, but new evidence is raising serious doubts in the case of Robert Roberson.
New World screwworms: The parasite that once devastated Texas ranches is back. We’ll hear from Ag Commissioner Sid Miller on what the state is doing to prepare.
And Austin veteran Greg Stoker is back home after being detained by Israeli forces while trying to deliver aid to Gaza. We’ll learn why he went and what happened.
Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas.
You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org

Austin ISD proposes 13 school closures to curb $20 million budget deficit

Howdy out there, Austin! This episode is the first live radio broadcast for Austin Signal.

We’re discussing the proposed campus closures announced by the Austin Independent School District. More than a dozen schools would be shut down ahead of next school year as AISD works against a budget shortfall. We’ll dive into those details with KUT’s Katy McAfee.

Speaking of budget: If buying meat is in yours, you’ve probably noticed the price is on the rise. Will it fall anytime soon? Texas Standard’s Michael Marks joins us to talk more.

And KUT’s Jimmy Maas talks college football with UT’s loss to Florida and more in today’s sports wrap.

Bastrop asks Elon Musk for tunnels to connect city trails

ACL Fest is just one day away, but if you’re looking to take in EVEN MORE live music this weekend, KUTX Program Director Matt Reilly will stop by to talk with us about the shows happening tonight and outside of the festival gates.

Also, we’re talking tunnels! Bastrop is looking to have Elon Musk’s Boring Company build a pedestrian tunnel connecting the area’s trail system. The Texas Newsroom’s Lauren McGaughy will dig into it and give us the lowdown about what’s happening in Bastrop.

Plus, we’ll have an update on an Austin veteran and activist who is believed to be in the custody of Israeli forces after attempting to deliver aid to Gaza by flotilla.

Court weighs Texas redistricting fight

A court battle is set to begin over the newly drawn congressional maps. At stake is whether they go into effect for the 2026 midterm elections.
The Texas Newsroom’s Blaise Gainey joins us to talk about the recent rise in political violence.
Have you heard of 7-OH? It’s the latest drug cropping up at convenience stores. Now there’s a fight to stop the sale of what’s known as “gas station heroin.”
A new book by former CDC Director Tom Frieden offers a formula for better health – potentially saving millions of lives.
And today’s Hispanic heritage moment spotlights the trio of brothers known as Los Lonely Boys.

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

You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org

Where was the acting FEMA head during the July 4 floods?

An investigative report claims as Texas flooded on the July 4 weekend, the head of FEMA couldn’t be reached. We’ll hear more about a reported slow response from acting administrator David Richardson and what it meant for Texas during the Hill Country floods.
Concerns are rising in higher ed over millions of federal dollars for Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) on hold, with no end in sight.
The latest on lawsuits challenging Texas’ new law for the Ten Commandments in the classroom.
Tech expert Omar Gallaga has the latest on a deal that would keep TikTok in the U.S. and growing concerns about who might be running that operation.
Plus, taco journalist Mando Rayo weighs in on Tex-Mex.

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

You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org

Could a new Texas law make some types of anime illegal?

The Texas Lottery gets a second chance under new management. So what will change?
A new state law now in effect targets AI-generated child pornography. But could it also ban some anime?
Americans have been on the move since the founding of our country. But now, more people staying put rather than relocating for new jobs and other opportunities.
And: Thinking about an energy efficient upgrade for your home? A tax credit to to help you get the job done is expiring at the end of this year.

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

You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org