A looming budget deadline and threats of a government shutdown: what that could mean for Texans.
The Texas Democratic Party has launched an expansion plan that includes relocating its headquarters to Dallas. The decision has roiled quite a few within the party, even prompting an exodus of top staff.
In Texas, there are around 11,000 students who are blind or visually impaired, and many of them spend time in school learning how to get around safely. The Texas Standard’s Sean Saldana takes us inside the process of orientation and mobility training.
For years, birdwatching in Texas has been a tale of two jays: blue in the east, and green further south. Recently though, researchers have found a rare new species that lies somewhere in between – the Grue Jay.
Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can help make this podcast happen by donating at supportthispodcast.org.
Fantastic Fest
KUT Afternoon Newscast for September 25, 2025: Fantastic Fest – Austin’s weirdest, wildest film festival – goes medieval
Central Texas top stories for September 25, 2025. The Texas Attorney General’s office has responded to a lawsuit brought by UT students. The City of Austin is now holding off on the idea of installing cameras that use artificial intelligence around parks and other green spaces. The U.S. Department of Education’s decision not to distribute already-appropriated funds to Hispanic-Serving Institutions is costing Texas colleges and universities nearly 60 million dollars. Austin FC goalkeeper Brad Stuver signs a contract extension. Drought is spreading in the Austin area. Fantastic Fest is celebrating its twentieth anniversary 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.
Fantastic Fest celebrates 20 years of Horror and Sci-fi in Austin
They say AI is the future and for the city of Austin, artificial intelligence could be one way to catch people committing crimes in parks.The City council was considering a proposal and that had some Austinites pretty concerned. Plus, for fans of horror, sci-fi, fantasy and offbeat films, it doesn’t get much better than Fantastic Fest. The film festival’s celebrating its twentieth anniversary this week. And what do you love to do – not because you have to, but just because you love it? Hear about the Central Texan who’s totally into sumo wrestling and even became a coach for Team USA in international competitions! Jennifer Stayton in the host chair today.
Suburban school districts revolt against ‘recapture’ funding
What does Ron DeSantis really want from Texas? Jeremy Wallace of the Houston Chronicle weighs in on the GOP presidential candidate’s curious Texas tour.
Two North Texas school districts, Keller and Carroll, take steps to challenge one of the lynchpins of state education funding: revenue recapture.
What the auto strike means for the evolution to electric vehicles.
Fantastic Fest, a terrifying film festival that’s the biggest of its kind in the world, is back for its 18th year in Austin.
And we’ll meet the youngest reporter to cover Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial.