Central Texas top stories for September 29, 2025. The Austin Police Department is expected to release more information today in the 1991 murder case known as the “Yogurt Shop Murders” after announcing they’ve identified a suspect. The Austin firefighters union agreed to a new labor contract with the city. Several school districts in the Austin area are considering closing campuses amid budget deficits. A legal battle over a data center project in Taylor is set to go to court today. The Texas Longhorns are now number nine in the AP Top 25 College Football Poll.
Firefighters
KUT Morning Newscast for September 25, 2025: Austin firefighters are set to go back to the bargaining table with city officials today for a new contract
Central Texas top stories for September 25, 2025. The City of Austin could consider using artificial intelligence to help catch people committing crimes at local parks, but some residents have concerns. Austin firefighters and the city can’t come to an agreement on a labor contract; they are set to discuss it today. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board held a public hearing this week on the end of the Texas Dream Act, but no board member attended. The City of Austin wants people’s feedback on how 6th Street will look like in the future.
Austin fire union, city at standstill over contract days before deadline
Contract negotiations between the city of Austin and its fire department are fast approaching the deadline for a new deal, with negotiations at a standstill. The firefighters union called the city’s offer insulting; the city says it’s willing to negotiate. KUT government accountability reporter Andrew Weber joins the show with more.
We’ll hear about the journey and future plans of 20-year-old professional soccer player Owen Wolff, who has been part of Austin FC since its inaugural season in 2021 and is a big part of the current run of success his side is experiencing.
Plus from our sister station KUTX, a bit Mama Duke the Austin musician who will be featured on the America’s Got Talent finale tonight.
KUT Morning Newscast for September 11, 2025: Austin’s proposed short-term rental rules aim to crack down on unlicensed operators
Central Texas top stories for September 11, 2025. People operating short-term rentals in Austin without a license could risk being removed from online rental sites. Austin Police say they’re looking into their text-based alert system after confusion yesterday during the search for a man who shot two people, including an APD officer. Georgetown is making big investments in increasing its water supply and improving local infrastructure. Local first responders are honoring those who died at the World Trade Center in New York 24 years ago today. The second-ranked Texas volleyball beat number four Louisville last night.
KUT Morning Newscast for May 6, 2025: Austin firefighters are struggling to meet their goal for response times.
Central Texas top stories for May 6, 2025. Travis County us suing Nate Paul, an Austin developer tied to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, for over millions of dollars. Austin firefighters are struggling to meet their goal for response times. May tends to be the rainiest month of the year in the Austin area, but we still need more rain to recover from the drought.
KUT Morning Newscast for December 04, 2024
Central Texas top stories for December 04, 2024. Christopher Taylor has been sentenced to two years in prison. Austin City Council is encouraging folks to relocate homes instead of demolishing them. This fall broke many weather records in Austin. Firefighters are conducting controlled burns near Lake Georgetown to avoid wildfires.
KUT Morning Newscast for November 15, 2024
Central Texas top stories for November 15, 2024. It’s official, Kirk Watson has been reelected as Austin Mayor. APD Chief, Lisa Davis, says she wants the department to retool how it looks at police data. Round Rock has a new fire station. If you’re in Downtown Austin and order takeout through Uber eats, don’t be surprised if your food is delivered by a robot.
KUT Morning Newscast for September 11, 2024
Central Texas top stories for September 11, 2024. State officials are considering whether to approve a new reading curriculum for elementary school students that includes Bible stories. Rent prices in Austin have continued to fall, even as rents in other large cities are going up. A mosquito infected with West Nile Virus was found in San Marcos last week, the mosquito season continues. Officials are honoring firefighters who were part of 9/11 rescue teams.
KUT Morning Newscast for September 6, 2024
Central Texas top stories for September 6, 2024. Travis County officials are responding to a recent announcement from Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who says more than a million people have been taken off state’s voter rolls since 202. Travis County is trying to revive efforts to fund a passenger rail from Austin to San Antonio. The City of Leander and its firefighters are one step closer to establishing their first-ever collective bargaining agreement. The City of Austin will receive a $10.5 million dollar grant to reduce fatal and serious pedestrian injuries.
Revisiting the exploits of a notorious Texas jewel thief
As Texas eclipse watchers bask in the afterglow, we’re checking in on one event that was forced to end festivities early due to inclement weather.
A quarterly report offers a look at the health of Texas’ oil and gas industry. Energy analyst Matt Smith breaks it down.
The new book “The King of Diamonds” by Rena Pederson follows the trail of an elusive jewel thief who made off with millions by slipping into the homes of Dallas’ wealthiest residents.
Sea turtle nesting season is underway on South Padre Island. How many hatchlings are expected this year?
Plus: We’ll delve into the benefits of couples sleeping separately.
KUT Morning Newscast for November 13, 2023
Central Texas top stories for November 13, 2023. Ceasefire march. Vigil for Austin SWAT officer. Christopher Taylor jury deliberations. Downtown Salvation Army shelter. Texas Workforce Commission federal grant. Kyle firefighter classes. Cool season crops. Texas college football update.
KUT Morning Newscast for September 11, 2023
Central Texas top stories for September 11, 2023. Ken Paxton trial begins week two. New contract for Austin Firefighters. Bastrop county opens first health department.
Sen. Roland Gutierrez on Uvalde, one year later
On the one-year anniversary of the mass shooting in Uvalde that left 19 fourth-graders and two teachers dead, state Sen. Roland Gutierrez says he’s still pushing for gun reform. Meanwhile, trust in police remains frail in Uvalde.
A report from Matamoros on migrants in limbo after the end of Title 42.
As Austin firefighters rack up millions in overtime, the department is working to address mental health needs.
And state officials team up with a Texas producer for a walk on the wild side: a musical celebration of Texas parks.
Texas Standard: November 14, 2018
Fighting fire with…Texans. Crews from the Lone Star State travel west to help Californians battling historic blazes on several fronts. Also, some believe it could be both a watershed moment in the so-called drug war and a cultural moment – as the drug kingpin known as El Chapo heads to trial. Plus, are citizen militias really headed to the border to meet a migrant caravan? Politifact checks it out. And spoiler alert: it won’t be the Amarillo Jerky after all. The Panhandle city picks a name for its minor league ball club… and not everyone’s a fan. All that and more, today on the Texas Standard.
Texas Standard: July 30, 2018
Retired Texas teachers say they feel let down by a vote that could mean lower pension checks. We’ll explore the impact and the next steps. Also a multi-million dollar settlement involving a Houston-area refinery accused of doing too much polluting. We’ll look at the legal moves that made it happen. Plus, the story of a small town principal jailed for murder and the questionable evidence that put him there. And when wildfires pop up across Texas it’s often volunteer firefighters that are there first to put out the flames. We’ll look at why many volunteer departments are struggling. And keep an eye on your cacti. The insects that could destroy your xeriscape, yuck up your yucca and obliterate your agave. All of that and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
What’s The History Behind That Bell Tower On Cesar Chavez?
At the end of Colorado Street on the north bank of Lady Bird Lake stands a six-story brick tower. So what’s it there for?
Texas Standard: August 17, 2016
11 people dead in Louisiana, the floodwaters now moving south and the national media somewhere else. A drought of concern? We’ll explore. Also two years after the so-called surge of central americans crossing the Texas border, what we’re learning about a sweetheart billion dollar deal to lock them them up. Plus its true, big oil didn’t have major stakes in the fracking boom, but now that oil prices have gone bust, guess who’s getting in the fracking business? All that and then some today on the Texas Standard: