Central Texas top stories for June 19, 2024. Impact of Tropical Storm Alberto. An effort by state grid operators to bolster the Texas power supply going into this summer has failed. Austin Energy wants to enroll more people in its Customer Assistance Program. Round Rock ISD has found a way to approve a balanced budget for the school year ahead despite many districts in the area facing budget deficits. Juneteenth celebrations continue in Austin today.
ERCOT
KUT Afternoon Newscast for June 18, 2024
Central Texas top stories for June 18, 2024. Texas Supreme Court rules state electric grid regulators acted legally when they hiked energy rates during a blackout in February 2021. What Hays CISD is doing to tackle a budget deficit. A reward is being offered for information about the shooter that killed two people at a Juneteenth celebration in Round Rock. The University of Texas at Austin is laying off more than a dozen employees responsible for communication and marketing. Lynn Boswel is running for reelection to the Austin ISD board of trustees. The City of Austin is getting rid of some public pool fees this summer. Juneteenth celebrations. Rain expected for tomorrow.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for June 12, 2024
Central Texas top stories for June 12, 2024. Ascension hospital system believes some patient data may have been affected by last month’s ransomware attack. State lawmakers met for a second time this week to talk about the future of the Texas power grid. Summer meal programs in Austin. A Travis County Judge has dismissed a lawsuit targeting Austin’s voter-approved ordinance decriminalizing low-level marijuana possession. The University of Texas at Austin will require nearly all staff members to return to work on-site full-time. A new study could make the long-promised high speed passenger rail a reality. The Zilker Eagle takes flight. Sony buys Alamo Drafthouse.
Celebrating Willie Nelson’s birthday and his concert tradition
Some of Texas’ biggest counties say their lockups are getting more overcrowded and many sheriffs say the state is to blame.
Destructive weather across the Midwest over much of the weekend turned to Texas late Sunday.
A school district that’s increasingly been in the spotlight over culture war issues heads toward what could be a turning point with local elections.
Payday loans? Yes, there’s an app for that, and experts are concerned.
Plus, on the birthday of a certain Red Headed Stranger, a look at how his picnic became an iconic event for many Texans.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for April 15, 2024
Central Texas top stories for April 15, 2024. Redevelopment of the former Austin-American Statesman offices site hits a roadblock. Hays CISD is making a plan to ensure all school buses are equipped with seat belts. ERCOT has told power plant operators to put off scheduled maintenance this week as temperatures rise. This week’s weather. The U.S. Department of Commerce has announced plans to invest 6.4 billion federal dollars into Samsung to expand its semiconductor manufacturing in Central Texas. Childcare availability will be a key issue in the Texas Legislature’s next regular session. The deadline to participate in Austin’s warrant amnesty program is Friday.
Tracking the unprecedented rise in ocean temperatures
Rising temperatures in the forecast this week. Will blackouts come with them? ERCOT, the state’s electric grid operator, says the power might go out this week.
Did a doctor in Houston keep patients from receiving organ transplants? His own hospital is investigating.
And becoming a psychologist is expensive, but Texas is trying to make it cheaper. Could it make mental health care more accessible too?
Is the industry ready for Beyoncé’s country music album?
As Texans prepare to cast their first ballots in 2024, a conversation with Colin Allred, one of the top Democratic challengers for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican Ted Cruz.
Lubbock throws the switch to join Texas’ open electricity marketplace – for better, and some fear, for worse.
A new ‘queen’ of country music? Houston-born Beyoncé generates buzz with a stylistic shift.
Also: Commentator WF Strong on a notorious Texas partnership in crime, and a love story at the heart of it.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for January 17, 2024
Central Texas top stories for January 17, 2024. No weather warnings for the Austin area. ERCOT energy use forecasts this week were inaccurate. How to deal with burst pipes. Hays County cold weather shelters. Integral Care has a new CEO. Longhorns basketball.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for January 16, 2024
Central Texas top stories for January 16, 2024. Hard freeze warning. State of the power grid. City of Austin’s response to this year’s freeze and past events. Austin Travis County EMS hypothermia calls. Longhorns Basketball.
KUT Morning Newscast for January 16, 2024
Central Texas top stories for January 16, 2024. Frigid forecast. Latest state of the power grid. Why we drip faucets in freezing temperatures. Austin-Bergstrom’s lights snow dusting explained. Mother’s Milk Bank at Austin is approaching its 25th anniversary.
As arctic front looms, how is the electric grid looking?
As Texas braces for a true blast of wintry weather, how much should we be worried about the power grid holding up? Mose Buchele of KUT in Austin is monitoring the power grid and joins us with the latest.
Federal funding cuts for special education could hit Texas hard.
Many Texans who are eligible for Medicaid aren’t signed up. Will Bostwick shares more on his reporting for Texas Monthly.
And: Remembering a musical British invasion of Texas more than a decade after the Beatles.
KUT Morning Newscast for November 28, 2023
Central Texas top stories for November 28, 2023. Austin Energy rate increase. Developer agreement for site in St. Johns. Texas Supreme Court abortion case. University of Texas teacher pinning ceremony. Hill Country Studios. Giving Tuesday.
KUT Morning Newscast for October 3, 2023
KUT Morning Newscast for October 3, 2023. Eanes ISD looks to buy Teslas for new law enforcement. Austin Justice Collation shows frustration with police oversight hire. ECROT expanding energy reserves
KUT Afternoon Newscast for October 3, 2023
Central Texas top stories for October 3, 2023. Rain, cooler-than-normal weather expected later this week. Austin issues after-action report on response to February ice storm. ERCOT wants more reserves for winter. Austin adding 911 operators, but still needs more. Eanes ISD defends proposal to buy Teslas for police officers. Hays CISD attendance improves after new policy. Round Rock ISD meetings on tax rate proposal for staff raises.
KUT Morning Newscast for September 8, 2023
Central Texas top stories for September 8, 2023. Excessive Heat Warning. ERCOT Weather Watch. Rent numbers. TEA proposal reactions. Paxton Trial Day 4. Narcan Distribution. Zilker Relays Closures.
KUT Morning Newscast for August 29, 2023
Central Texas top stories for August 29, 2023. Why does ERCOT pay businesses for lowering energy use? Are you part of a circular economy? EMS Union reaches agreement with Austin.
KUT Morning Newscast for July 17, 2023
Central Texas top stories for July 17, 2023. ERCOT weather warning. Does watering foundations help? Powerball winnings rise.
KUT Morning Newscast for June 29, 2023
Central Texas top stories for June 29, 2023. Texas Legislator split on property tax bills. ACC looks for new chancellor. ERCOT gains new board member. San Marcos eviction grace period ends.
KUT Morning Newscast for June 21, 2023
Central Texas top stories for June 21, 2023. ERCOT energy demands. Fusion energy grants. Education bills roundup.
How two Uvalde survivors are rebuilding their lives
Almost a year after the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, two injured fourth graders are still trying to recover. Edgar Sandoval of the New York Times talks with us about his profile of two children injured in the shooting – and the months since.
Yesterday’s half-hour grounding of Southwest Airlines departures was blamed on technical issues. Why the FAA and other investigators want a closer look.
Why some lawmakers are pushing to keep Texas crypto miners from cashing in on a tool to help the power grid survive during times of peak demand.