KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts

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

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Chronic wasting disease threatens deer and Texas’ hunting economy

With an impeachment trial looming, suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton is facing new scrutiny from the feds in San Antonio, with a federal grand jury convened to hear from witnesses close to him.

Emergency steps are being taken due to a disease threatening the state’s $4 billion deer hunting industry. The Standard’s Michael Marks has more.

In the final month of the hottest season in Texas, DJ Susan Castle weighs in on the question: What’s the ultimate Texas summer song?

Also, the week in politics with the Texas Tribune.

Examining the skills gap in a post-pandemic workforce

Border Patrol agents say Texas efforts to address migration are disrupting their work. Troopers say complaints are overblown.

We’ll have an update on the state’s wildfire risk as the dangerous pattern of hot and dry conditions continues.

How one Texas school district spent the the summer addressing safety concerns.

Reports of a concerning trend in the workforce: new employees that just aren’t ready to do the job.

There’s bipartisan support for rolling back some environmental regulations to speed up the production of U.S.-made semiconductors.

And we’ll hear from Kiana Fitzgerald, author of the new book “Ode to Hip-Hop: 50 Albums That Define 50 Years of Trailblazing Music.”

Unraveling the ‘Iron Pipeline’ of gun smuggling from Texas to Mexico

Following the state’s takeover of Houston schools, a plan to eliminate libraries and use the space for kids who misbehave in class.

Watch that water bill: Not only is use up, some municipalities are raising rates to try to drive down demand.

A three-part series explores how the Texas Attorney General’s Office became an incubator for conservative legal strategies that are reshaping Texas and the nation. Eleanor Klibanoff of the Texas Tribune joins with more.

A new focus on trying to cut down the flow of arms from Texas into Mexico.

And we’ll talk to Sethward, the Texan who’s become a viral sensation for losing on “America’s Got Talent.”

KUT Morning Newscast for August 1, 2023

Central Texas top stories for August 1, 2023. Excessive heat warning and fire conditions for Central Texas. High school bands look to beat the heat. Fans and misters installed in Austin park.

Booksellers sue Texas over law that will restrict school library books

On Capitol Hill, a former military officer-turned-whistleblower shares out-of-this world claims about UFOs and what he says the government’s hiding.

Following sex discrimination lawsuits over Texas’ border security crackdown, the state has started placing migrant women in state prisons as well.

The Austin school district is considering nearly doubling the size of its police department to comply with a new state law that takes effect in September.

A lawsuit by booksellers and publishers targets new book restrictions for Texas school libraries.

New research on Alzheimer’s finds Texas a hot spot, with border counties hit harder than the rest of the state.

And a women’s soccer champion from Georgetown weighs in on the women’s World Cup.

KUT Morning Newscast for July 27, 2023

Central Texas top stories for July 27, 2023. Heat warnings for high school sports and band practices. Ascension Seton nurses start bargaining sessions. Push back on new mental care facility.

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.

KUT Morning Newscast for July 25, 2023

Central Texas top stories for July 25, 2023. Texas congressman urges better OSHA protections for heat. Austin Community College finds new Chancellor. Fire conditions spread.

The bipartisan appeal of psychedelic research into treating veteran PTSD

With a big election season looming, Texas withdraws from a national tool designed to prevent voter fraud.

Texas wants to regulate carbon storage on its own. Now two Texas congressmen are pushing to prevent that.

Inflation cooling, good news for many Texas workers but potentially a double edged sword.

With many teachers leaving the profession, a small Texas district sets up its own pipeline for getting new teachers into classrooms.

And a Texas Republican part of a bipartisan attempt to loosen drug restrictions?

KUT Morning Newscast for July 21, 2023

Central Texas top stories for July 21, 2023. Abortion hearings over Texas law ends. Austin ISD plans to hire more school police officers. Austin reduces lot sizes for houses in order to increase affordability.

KUT Morning Newscast for July 20, 2023

Central Texas top stories for July 20, 2023. Abortion hearing and testimony in Texas. Austin looks at SXSW pay for musicians. Hiring practices for Del Valle teachers.

KUT Morning Newscast for July 12, 2023

Central Texas top stories for July 12, 2023. Excessive heat warning issued for Central Texas. Austin FC extend unbeaten streak. UT professor awarded medal for Antarctic research.

Minority Mental Health: Women Knowledge Workers in Higher Education Show Themselves Out

In the series premiere of Mind of Texas, host Ike Evans explores Dr. M. Yvonne Taylor’s research into how the gendered and racialized organizational structure of large universities affected women in a way that made their Great Resignation a uniquely painful one.

In the second half of this rich conversation, Ike and Yvonne are joined by Black Austin Matters host Dr. Richard J. Reddick alongside one of Yvonne’s actual research subjects, who assumes the alias “Sunshine” for a hands-on recollection of the dual pandemics, the Great Resignation, and what the future of knowledge work in Texas may look like.

KUT Morning Newscast for July 7, 2023

Central Texas top stories for July 07, 2023. Texas Democrats unveil property tax plan. Austin puts the spotlight on homeless outreach organizations. Ramifications from the Nurses’ strike.

KUT Morning Newscast for July 6, 2023

Central Texas top stories for July 6, 2023. Major building developments halted downtown. Saharan dust on its way. New police officers for Lake Travis ISD

What the Supreme Court’s ruling on student loans means for Texans

We have the latest on two rulings today from the Supreme Court: one striking down President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan, and another in favor of a web designer who refused to do wedding work for same-sex couples.

In about 30 years the number of banks across the United States has dropped by 75%. One perspective on what that means for consumers.

It’s always mosquito season in Texas, but there’s some reason to be extra cautious right now about getting bit. How to protect yourself from mosquito-borne illnesses.

Harder math classes may be in store for many Texas middle schoolers – why supporters of a new law say this is really good news.

And a wrap of one Texas special legislative session and the start of another. What you need to know to end your week.

KUT Morning Newscast for June 30, 2023

Central Texas top stories for June 30, 2023. Texas reactions to the Supreme Court striking down affirmative action in colleges. New development proposal plans for Austin. Firework laws and safety.

New law will allow chaplains in Texas public schools

The Supreme Court just struck down two race-based university admissions programs. What does it mean for Texas?

Even though Texas lawmakers knew federal money was on the way for expanding high-speed Internet access across the state, they decided to also implement their own program. A look at why.

A new podcast takes a deep dive into the decisions that have made Austin such an expensive place to live – and one where people of color were systematically pushed out.

And a new Texas law set to go into effect will allow public schools to have volunteer chaplains or even to hire them as part of the staff. We’ll hear the argument against the law.

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