KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts

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

FEMA

Cindy Walker’s musical legacy gets renewed attention

He’s cultivated relations with top political figures, but how much is known about the ties between Elon Musk and Gov. Greg Abbott?
The Texas Newsroom’s investigative reporter Lauren McGaughy on what started out as a public records request that turned into an odyssey as she tried to learn more about the relationship between Musk and the Texas governor.
Also, she’s one of the most successful Texas songwriters in history – yet many Texans don’t even know her name. The Standard’s Leah Scarpelli reports on a push to turn the spotlight back on Cindy Walker.

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.

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

KUT Afternoon Newscast for September 16, 2025: Travis County signs off on Central Health’s new budget — with a tax rate increase

Central Texas top stories for September 16, 2025. Travis County commissioners approved a new budget today for the local public hospital district Central Health. Travis County property taxes are going up to help cover the costs of the July 5th flooding and prepare for future climate disasters. Austin ISD and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton have reached an agreement over a lawsuit. The City of Austin is ending its contract with nonprofit Urban Alchemy, which operates two of the city’s homeless shelters. Remembering Hollywood legend Robert Redford, who spent his childhood at Austin’s Barton Springs Pool. The deadline for people affected by the July flooding to apply for FEMA assistance is less than two weeks away.

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.

The Texas ties to an infamous Atari flop

Gov. Greg Abbott seems to be taking THC regulation into his own hands. What we know about what he wants to change.
About 20% of Medicaid recipients lose access during the yearly renewal process because of all the red tape. How Texas researchers are trying to fix that.
Texas is home to more than 100 Hispanic-Serving Institutions, but new federal cuts could eliminate funding that supports these colleges and universities.
What to know about Texas House Rep. James Talarico, the newcomer shaking up the race for U.S. Senate.
Solving the Atari game mystery that’s been lingering for decades – and its connections to El Paso.

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

You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org

KUT Morning Newscast for September 4, 2025: About one in five people across Central Texas are food insecure

Central Texas top stories for September 4, 2025. A report from the Central Texas Food Bank reveals food insecurity in the region has risen significantly over the past two years. Williamson County has adopted a higher property tax rate. Today is the last day to apply for help from FEMA after the July floods. The Immigration Services Network of Austin is holding an event to help raise awareness on how immigration law enforcement is impacting children and families in the Austin area. 

KUT Afternoon Newscast for September 3, 2025: Texas bill cracking down on abortion pills now one step away from governor’s desk

Central Texas top stories for September 3, 2025. The bill would let private citizens sue out-of-state providers of abortion pills. FEMA has announced updated flood insurance maps for Bastrop County. Hays County is expanding its public defender office. The City of Austin is updating its comprehensive plan for the first time in 13 years. Construction on the I-35 expansion is going to affect traffic on Riverside Drive. Texas Volleyball is back in action tonight after opening the season with a pair of victories.

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.

KUT Morning Newscast for August 13, 2025: APD points to failures in the mental health system after deadly shooting at North Austin Target

Central Texas top stories for August 13, 2025. APD Chief Lisa Davis points to the mental health system after a shooting at a Target in North Austin that left three dead. The Austin City Council could adopt its next budget today. With the deadline approaching, advocates say students without legal status are scrambling to find a way to pay for the first installment for the fall semester at UT Austin. September 4th is the official deadline to apply for FEMA assistance after the July floods. The Texas Senate passed a bill aimed at cracking down on abortion pill prescribers and manufacturers. More Central Texas school districts go back to school today, watch out for traffic.  

KUT Afternoon Newscast for August 12, 2025: Suspect in shooting at North Austin Target had extensive criminal history

Central Texas top stories for August 12, 2025. Suspected gunman at North Austin Target had a history of mental health issues and frequent run-ins with law enforcement since at least 2012. The Austin Independent School District has released a list of schools that will be used to decide which campuses should be merged, and how school boundaries should be redrawn. The deadline is quickly approaching for folks affected by the July flooding to apply for FEMA assistance. Central Health will lays out its proposed budget for Travis County commissioners.

This podcast is made at KUT and KUTX, which are public radio stations in Austin, Texas. 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.

KUT Morning Newscast for August 7, 2025: An Austin congressman is asking for transparency from federal immigration authorities

Central Texas top stories for August 7, 2025. Democrat Greg Casar says feds haven’t been forthcoming about recent arrests in East Austin. Tens of thousands of families in Texas may find themselves paying higher energy bills if the Trump Administration cancels the “Solar for All” initiative begun by the Biden Administration. A distribution center’s open through Saturday for people impacted by last month’s Austin-area flooding. Several dinosaur footprints have been found in the Big Sandy Creek area in northwestern Travis County.

KUT News Now is made at KUT Public Media Studios. You may have heard that Congress just took back the money it had allocated for public media. 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.

KUT Morning Newscast for July 28, 2025: Austin’s water reservoirs may be full, but water restrictions won’t disappear overnight

Central Texas top stories for July 28, 2025. Texas state lawmakers heard public testimony in Houston Saturday as part of mid-decade congressional redistricting. Storms brought deadly flooding, but also refilled Austin’s water reservoirs. People in Travis County impacted by flash flooding earlier this month can now get federal help at a different location. Kyle voters could vote to impose term limits on city council members this fall.

KUT News Now is made at KUT Public Media Studios. You may have heard that Congress just took back the money it had allocated for public media. 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.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for July 22, 2025: Austin Public Health reports traces of measles have been found in Travis County wastewater

Central Texas top stories for July 22, 2025. Travis County authorities may be close to accounting for everyone lost to the flooding on July 5th. Williamson County is looking to help people affected by the devastating flooding that swept through the area. What traces of measles found in wastewater means for the community’s safety.

This podcast is made at KUT and KUTX, which are public radio stations in Austin, Texas. 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.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for July 17, 2025: Flood recovery efforts in Travis County continue more than 12 days since devastating floods

Central Texas top stories for July 17, 2025. Recovery work is not letting up in the Big Sandy Creek community. Floodgate operations have ended for now along the Highland Lakes system. Williamson County is opening a disaster recovery center to provide in-person support for people affected by the flooding. The City of Austin is considering a budget proposal that includes cuts to overtime for Austin Firefighters.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for July 11, 2025: A bill to provide more money to counties for alert systems is getting another chance

Central Texas top stories for July 11, 2025. Texas state lawmakers are looking at whether they could have done more to make the state ready for floods. Texans are doing what they can to help people recover from the deadly and destructive flooding. The Presidential Disaster Declaration has been expanded to include counties in the Austin area. A member of Congress from Austin is calling for an independent investigation into the federal response to devastating flooding in Central Texas. As of today, there’s still one person missing in Burnet County. A burn ban is in effect for northwest Travis County, the part of the county most affected by flooding.

The state is facing a middle-class housing crunch

Housing availability is too low across Texas – and the cost to buy a home is just too high. We’ll have the details of a new report that shows the middle class feeling the brunt of the housing crunch.
Seniors were some of the hardest hit during the power outages caused by Hurricane Beryl. What’s being done to protect them before the next storm?
FEMA applications for damage caused by Beryl have far outpaced any other recent storm in Harris County, even Hurricane Harvey.
What we know about how CEOs are using artificial intelligence to make high-level executive decisions – and when humans should step in and override AI’s choices.
And: UT and Oklahoma are now in the SEC. If you don’t really get why that matters, we’ll have the cliff’s notes as college football season kicks off.

Who pays for Texas highways?

After spring storms drenched Southeast Texas, the state is offering to buy out flooded homes. Why some are saying no thank you.
Early voting is underway for primary runoffs, and Gov. Greg Abbott’s battle over school vouchers continues as he backs candidates against those who oppose his plan.
A look at how the military trains for tunnel warfare.
Domestic production of EV batteries is ramping up in the U.S. – but EV sales have been down in recent months as consumers opt for hybrids or gas-powered cars that often cost less and offer more choices.
And with summer travel season ahead, have you wondered who’s paying for Texas highways?

Texas Standard: January 5, 2022

As COVID-19 cases bring hospital ICU’s to capacity statewide, FEMA now saying help is on the way. But will it be enough? Today, our conversation with Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley on the challenges they face during this latest spike in cases. Also, Governor Abbott announces another lawsuit against the Biden Administration, this time over vaccination mandates for Texas National Guard troops. Plus a new years cold snap, a plunge in energy production, and a huge release of pollutants. What an incident last weekend tells us about Texas’ energy industry and readiness for the next freeze. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: April 22, 2021

Six weeks to go and the race is on. A big budget battle set at the Texas capitol today, as the clock ticks toward the end of the session. From changes to Texas abortion laws to voting laws, to what to do about power in the wake of February’s massive blackouts and more… Where do we stand on a huge range of issues lawmakers are considering under the pink dome?We’ll get up to speed. Plus Representative Joe moody on a bipartisan package for criminal justice reform. And our own Kristen Cabrera on federal efforts to help Texans who’ve already suffered from the loss of a loved one due to COVID-19 cover the costs of interment. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

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