Central Texas top stories for November 7, 2025. In less than two weeks the Austin Independent School District board will vote on a plan to close ten schools. ABIA is not on the FAA’s list of forty airports that will reduce flights, but the effects will spread to Austin. Record high temperatures are expected today and tomorrow, then a cold front is coming. The Central Texas Community Foundation started distributing funds to people impacted by the July floods in Travis and Williamson counties.
Floods
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 Morning Newscast for September 9, 2025: Austin’s James Talarico is running for U.S. Senate
Central Texas top stories for September 9, 2025. State Representative James Talarico announced his run for U.S. Senate this morning. An Austin commission wants answers from the city’s Office of Police Oversight. The Austin City Council is set to take up some key housing-related issues this week. Texans affected by July floods can still apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance.
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 Morning Newscast for August 29, 2025: Travis County continues to collect debris from July floods. But, where does it all go?
Central Texas top stories for August 29, 2025. Travis County crews have collected more than 160-thousand cubic yards of debris from the floods of July 5th. A new law takes effect in Texas on Monday that bans the sale of vapes and e-cigs containing THC or other cannabinoids derived from hemp. The Texas House of Representatives passed a bill last night aimed at cracking down on out-of-state doctors who prescribe abortion pills. Hopes and stakes are high in tomorrow’s season-opening football game between the Texas Longhorns and the Ohio State Buckeyes.
KUT Morning Newscast for August 28, 2025: A cold weather front is coming to the Austin area this weekend
Central Texas top stories for August 28, 2025. The City of Austin won’t use glue traps to catch mice and rats in city buildings anymore. The City Council may hold off on approving a contract for the Zilker Cafe, the concession stand outside Barton Springs Pool. Travis County’s Disaster Assistance Center for people affected by the July 5th floods is updating its hours. Get ready for cooler weather over this long weekend.
KUT Morning Newscast for July 23, 2025: Austin voters could decide this November whether to increase property taxes
Central Texas top stories for July 23, 2025. Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has backed 16 bills for the legislature’s special session. Williamson County partnered with the Central Texas Community Foundation to launch the ‘WilCo CARES’ fund to provide direct financial assistance to people affected by the flooding. Travis County’s Flood Resource Recovery Center is moving to Travis County Community Center in Jonestown. Austin voters could decide this November whether to increase property taxes. As Austin continues to iron out its budget for next year, funding homeless services is top of mind for many.
KUT Morning Newscast for July 18, 2025: Study finds Austin police response times continue to lag
Central Texas top stories for July 18, 2025. Austin police response times continue to lag, according to a new study out this week. The recovery process for the Sandy Creek neighborhood after the floods will take some time. The LCRA is asking people to be careful when visiting the Highland Lakes. Federal funding cuts are forcing Austin area school districts to make tough decisions ahead of the school year.
KUT Morning Newscast for July 17, 2025: The LCRA closed all floodgates to dams after releasing storm runoff from recent heavy rains
Central Texas top stories for July 17, 2025. The Lower Colorado River Authority finished closing all floodgates at all dams along the Highland Lakes last night. State lawmakers will begin a special legislative session next week; one of Gov. Greg Abbotts priorities is police personnel transparency. The City of Kyle’s Mayor announced he’ll be stepping down from his position. More people can now use SNAP to buy hot and ready to eat meals
KUT Morning Newscast for July 15, 2025: Austin City Manager proposed a $6.3 billion budget for the 2026 fiscal year
Central Texas top stories for July 15, 2025. The Austin area is still under a Flood Watch until 1 p.m. today. Austin City Manager T.C. Broadnax released a proposed budget of $6.3 billion for the 2026 fiscal year. AISD is working on a plan to close certain campuses to reduce its multimillion-dollar budget deficit. Travis County opened a Volunteer Reception Center for those who want to help people affected by the July 4th weekend floods in the Austin area. Lake Travi is now 83 percent full, four feet above its average for the month of July.
KUT Morning Newscast for July 14, 2025: Leander vigil honors flood victims as community grapples with grief
Central Texas top stories for July 14, 2025. A flood watch is still in effect for Central Texas until 9 tonight. A candlelight vigil in Leander this weekend helped people grapple with the grief caused by deadly floods in Central Texas over the Fourth of July weekend. Congregants from churches across Kerrville, in Central Texas, are preparing for a lengthy recovery. Austin firefighters say they have no confidence in Chief Joel Baker over flood response. The Austin Independent School District is hosting four workshops this week on its plan to consolidate campuses to save money; the first one is tonight.
In wake of Hill Country floods, how to talk to kids about tragedy
A week after the Hill Country floods, the president and first lady will visit Kerr County as the search for the missing continues and storms are in the forecast for the weekend.
Talking to kids about tragedy: A Dallas-based pediatric psychologist on how to deal with their questions and their anxieties.
Gov. Greg Abbott has added flood response to the call for the upcoming special session of the Legislature, along with another new item – mid-decade redistricting.
Plus: The week in Texas politics with The Texas Tribune.
Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas.
You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org
Texas Standard: November 23, 2022
Where are the Texans? With a change in House leadership, the expectation was that Texans, who send more GOP representatives to congress than any other state, would be well represented in leadership posts. Why hasn’t that happened? We’ll have some answers. And we’re digging in to some of Texas’ favorite dishes and poking our head into the kitchens of Mexico. Also Rick Martínez takes us on a road trip where he made some delicious discoveries in the kitchens of Mexico. Plus, the pandemic was tough on Texas eateries, but many of those that managed to survive or get off the ground are among the tastiest places in Texas. We’ll hear a list of best new restaurants. These stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: January 5, 2017
Debris is cleared then more homes are gutted and the streets are filled again. We’ll explore the reality of hurricane cleanup and one city’s message to Washington. Also in Virginia yesterday it was the luck of the draw. But how would a tied election be decided in Texas? Plus, the roadway wonder that saves drivers headaches and gas, is prolific in Texas. Why it hasn’t caught on in most other places. And those who’ve lost everything in a disaster often miss things like photo albums the most. An effort to re-create some of those washed away memories. Those stories plus the Typewriter Rodeo, politics and more, on today’s Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: August 29, 2017
Across sodden southeast Texas, as the rain keeps fall, rescues continue and shelters begin to overfill. We’ll have comprehensive coverage. Also, as evacuees flow into shelters in Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, second-guessing grows over Houston’s decision not to issue evacuation orders. And in northwest Houston, a reverend providing shelter for others finds himself in deep water. As reservoir banks rise, now what? Also, gas shortages begin to take hold further inland, some, from the area where Harvey first made landfall, are returning home. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
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:
Texas Standard: March 30, 2016
Top 10 and you’re in: its supposed to promote diversity in the state’s colleges and universities. How well is that working? We’ll find out. Also justice Scalia dies in west Texas and no hearings are in sight on a replacement. A top Texas constitutional scholar says it doesn’t have to be that way. An idea to break the nomination stalemate. Are you getting the best bang for you buck when it comes to electricity? The place many Texans turn for answers may be rigged. Russia and Iran get low marks for locking up citizens…does Texas score even worse? All that and more on todays Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 29, 2016
More than a thousand arrested, their names still secret, in a strike at international syndicates in Texas. We’ll explore. Also: the death of a marine and the explanation raising eyebrows…is there a war going on that official Washington’s not talking about? And many come to Texas to start a new life…not counting on the wether, and having to start all over again…more in our follow up to the Christmas twisters 3 months later. And 50 years ago the game that changed the face of college hoops forever. Kentucky versus Texas Western…All that and much more today on the Texas Standard:
El Niño
Communities across the state are still recovering from the Memorial Day floods brought on by El Niño. That was the inspiration for Typewriter Rodeo’s David Fruchter this week.
June 2, 2015
Search operations continue in the aftermath of the Texas floods. Clean up and recovery are no where near complete…so what do you do if you run a bed and breakfast? A look at the tourism industry in one of the Texas towns hit hardest by the floods. Also, Governor Greg Abbott says marijuana legalization in Texas stops with a bill he signed into law yesterday but activists see it as a step toward looser pot laws. Plus, how is the affordable care act working in Texas? Astronomers searching for dark energy, and a trip to the small town of Giddings: