A new poll has James Talarico up five points over Ken Paxton in the race for U.S. Senate. We’ll have a look at how money and scandal could factor in.
Texas shifted a lot of foster care responsibilities to third party contractors about a decade ago — but now, many have closed their doors. We’ll find out what we can learn from a key example.
There’s a civil war of sorts going on at a Houston megachurch. We’ll share a look at what a recent ruling means for a congregation’s right to control church business.
No matter where you are, data centers are one of the hottest topics in Texas right now. But what exactly are they? We’ll dig in.
And we’ll take you to a Texas sanctuary for wolves and wolf dogs — and dispel some myths.
Election
What is the KCC Fest? w/ Sunhi & Cherri
On this episode we interview artists Cherri and Sunhi (Sue-Knee) about their viewpoint on R&B in Austin and also their upcoming performances at the Kinky Coily Curly festival. Hip-Hop Facts include facts about Nas, Frank Ocean, Danny Bonaduce and more. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion is that all AI flyers aren’t that bad.
Big Bend’s dark skies face a new threat
After a week of devastating floods in the Hill Country, it’s now about clean-up and recovery. We’ll have the latest from Kerrville and more.
There are two dead and hundreds rescued after floodwaters rose to record levels for a second time in as many years last week. Concerns are now about the effects downstream. In Uvalde, the flooding is testing the resilience of a community.
Also, with midterms just a few months away, Gov. Greg Abbott appoints Robert Howden to oversee elections across Texas as the new secretary of state.
Concerns are rising about how a border wall will affect the dark skies of far West Texas.
Also, a spotlight on the great Bob Wills.
Do Rappers Owe Their Communities?
On this episode we talk about Jay Z’s three night residency at Yankee Stadium and what it means for his overall legacy. We also discuss if rappers owe the communities they come out of or social issues in general. Hip-Hop Facts include facts about Aaliyah, Barry White, The Notorious B.I.G. and more. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion is that the city of Austin sometimes forces artists to conform to stay booked and busy.
Summer Jam 2026! w/ Soto the Activist
On this episode we discuss our upcoming Hot Summer Nights showcase, Summer Jam, and we interview Austin hip-hop artist Soto the Activist, who is also performing there. We also discuss if 2pac was as big a star, alive, as he was in death. Hip-Hop facts include facts about DJ Jazzy Jeff, Lil Kim, Bow Wow and more. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion is that artists should stop announcing their retirements if they don’t truly mean it.
Toyota brings Tacoma production back to San Antonio
Many eyes in higher education are focused on Texas and whether we’re starting to see the fruits of a landmark rethink of two-year colleges. More on the significance of enrollment numbers rising at Texas community colleges.
In a deep red North Texas suburb, something that might have been considered unheard of not that long ago: why Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico appears to be finding fans in Collin County.
Toyota announced this week that it would move production of its Tacoma pickup truck from its Baja California plant in Mexico back to San Antonio.
Plus: taco journalist Mando Rayo on the secrets of the perfect tortilla.
Fake It Till You Make It
On this episode we discuss the lawsuit against rapper Moneybagg Yo and his manager over funding of his career and him not already being rich before fame. We also give our thoughts on if the BET Awards are still an important part of the culture. Hip-Hop Facts this week include facts about Jill Scott, Barack Obama, 2pac and more. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion this week is his opinion that Queen Latifah is everything we believe Lauryn Hill is.
A Central Texas city eyes desalination to help with water woes
Water is never far from the top of concerns for Central Texans and folks across the state. Down in Corpus Christi, plans for a desalination plant are underway, and one Austin-area city is set to spend half a million dollars for a spot in line to get some of that water.
City of Austin leaders are divided on a bond election to improve local roads and parks. The election this November would come just one year after voters soundly rejected a property tax rate increase known as Proposition Q.
Plus, Austin’s food scene is chock full of fine dining experiences, but has that erased the presence of a bonafide Texas staple? Our ATXplained project chewed the question over.
Plus a Few Headlines mentions in the show today:
- And Mexico has their final Group Stage world cup match. Tonight at 8pm against Czechia and watch parties are happening across the city.
- Camp Mystic has filed for chapter 11 Bankruptcy that’s after months of investigations and multiple lawsuits files by the families of those who died in last years deadly July fourth floods.
- Also the Statesman is reporting a ‘Rat infestation’ at St. David’s hospital in South Austin.
Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org
Is Female Rap In Trouble?
On this episode we touch on a subject, we have discussed before with male rappers, but this time we talk about, the seemingly decline in popularity of female rappers. We also discuss if having a great discography is more important than having monster singles. Hip-Hop Facts this week include facts about Earth Wind and Fire, Lil Wayne, Eminem and more. Unpopular Opinion with Fresh this week is about Los Angeles being the most important city in hip-hop history.
A shunned GOP candidate could regulate Texas oil and gas
Texas Republican leaders previously shunned Bo French for his racist social media posts. Now they want him to regulate the state’s oil and gas industries.
The Austin City Council voted in May to annex a 2,600-acre site in the eastern part of the city. City leaders had planned the Dog’s Head development for months, but neighbors nearby only had a few days to make their voices heard about those plans.
What happens to the dead animals the city picks up on the roads here in Austin? In the latest from our ATXplained project, we meet some of the people handling that service with care.
Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org
Big Bend border wall plans upend vital park changes
Supreme Court cases on birthright citizenship, gun rights, transgender women and girls in sports… Where do we stand? Constitutional law professor Seth Chandler of the University of Houston Law Center joins us with what cases to watch for and where the high court appears to be leaning as the nine justices wrap up the current term.
More cases of New World screwworm in Texas discovered: How the Lone Star State is scaling up for all-out war on a parasite that could wreck the ranching industry.
And whither the pristine Big Bend amidst controversy over a border wall? A firsthand account.
Hovi Baby!
On this episode, we discuss Jay-Z’s recent performance at the Roots Picnic and the controversy that came with it. We also discuss what is more important, musical legacy or breaking records. Hip-Hop Facts this week include facts about Tom Holland, Toni Braxton, Janet Jackson and more. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion is about a reboot of a popular show from the 90’s he’s not excited about.
Rural Texas counties say data centers are arriving faster than regulations
What control do county officials have when a data center wants to move in? A look at an investigation from the Texas Tribune.
The ballots are set for the midterm election in November, but at least one big thing is changing: Texas’ top elections leader, Secretary of State Jane Nelson, is stepping down.
What do the results from the primaries and primary runoffs tell us about how Texas Republicans are aligning with President Trump?
We’ve been digging into how Texas is reshaping the way the justice system responds to mental illness. Today, we step back and ask and even broader question: How do we view mental illness?
Plus, a beloved small-town Texas bakery just off the highway is reopening.
After two months in ICE detention, father is reunited with his family
A father who was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement after a traffic stop in San Marcos has been reunited with his family. Gerardo Reyes, who spent more than two months in detention, might still face deportation.
Parents and staff from the Austin Independent School District are urging state legislators to increase funding for schools. We’ll hear from some of the folks who spoke out this week.
Lou Diamond Phillips has been acting for decades, but his breakout role as Ritchie Valens in “La Bamba” was so iconic, it’s one he’s still largely associated with. Phillips’ latest film, “Keep Quiet,” recently screened in Austin, where he was recognized with a city proclamation.
Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org
Probe says officers are tackling, pepper-spraying and tasering students in Texas schools
After Uvalde, Texas bet big on safety with police in every school, but a new report suggests an unintended and very troubling side effect.
The New York Times and the San Antonio Express-News reports thousands of incidents of officers tackling, pepper-spraying even tasering students for offenses that once would have meant a trip to the principal’s office, and no clear standards to protect against over-policing at school. We’ll talk to two of the authors of this report.
Also, Angela Kocherga with how the latest on the border wall may lead to an unusual conflict between church and state.
Plus a “Friday Night Lights” reunion conversation with actress Adrianne Palicki, the week in politics and more.
Where things stand with Big Bend border wall plans
He wants to ban Islam in Texas and now he’s the GOP pick for a seat on one of Texas’ most powerful commissions. Who is Bo French? A closer look at why, after this week, a race for a seat on the Texas railroad commission suddenly carries more weight than it might seem at first blush.
A longtime U.S. Senator from Texas forced to give up his seat — what the end of the John Cornyn era says about Texas politics today.
And where to things stand with plans for a border wall in the Big Bend region?
Also, first it was streaming that rewrote the rules for the music industry — now it’s AI. Tech expert Omar Gallaga on two very big music deals involving TikTok and Spotify and why they matter.
Ken Paxton’s Senate runoff win reshapes Texas GOP landscape
Ken Paxton handily beat longtime incumbent John Cornyn in the Republican runoff for Senate. So, what’s that mean come November?
We’re also unpacking big primary runoff races from across the state on both sides of the aisle. What do the results tell us about what Texas voters are prioritizing?
And did you vote in the primary runoffs? Congratulations, you may have added time to your life. The link between voting and living longer.
The Trump administration just changed the way people should apply for green cards. They’re now supposed to leave the U.S. to do so. We’ll unpack the impacts.
Plus, Mark Duplass and his wife Katie Aselton made a new movie about a married couple. We get a little personal in our conversation about “Magic Hour.”
Researchers find cities can change the way storms behave
When spring storms move through cities, they can intensify — creating dangerous flooding. New findings from Texas researchers may explain why.
It’s runoff Election Day in Texas. While all eyes are on the Republican Senate contest between John Cornyn and Ken Paxton, we’ll also spotlight some other key races to watch as ballots are counted.
Also, Memorial Day ushered in the summer travel season — and plenty of Texans are planning vacations and looking for trips to fit their budgets.
Plus, we’re heading into Game 5 of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs. Can the Spurs repeat their strong performance and pull off another win?
A preview of key races for primary runoff Election Day
Across the Lone Star State, Memorial Day observances and events are scheduled.
Meanwhile, voters in Texas are making their lists and checking them twice with primary runoff day set for tomorrow. We’ll get you up to speed on the statewide races to watch.
Plus, we’ll hear about a new app from the folks at Texas Parks and Wildlife. We’ll also learn about the women who’ve played an oversized, but often less-acknowledged, role in conservation.
Dallas hip-hop group Cure for Paranoia talks breakout Tiny Desk win
Texas-based oil-drillers are looking for a competitive advantage — and they’re turning to AI. What are the implications? Turns out regulators don’t really know. We’ll hear more.
As the nation turns to honor members of the military who gave their all while serving, what of those service members who died years later after exposure to chemicals while in uniform?
Plus, the week in politics and a rising star in Dallas — our conversation with the frontman of Cure for Paranoia.