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

George Floyd

How this man survived in the West Texas desert for 27 hours

What does Congress’ budget deal to avert a partial government shutdown mean for food and the farmers and ranchers who produce it? We’ll hear more on the Farm Bill extension, and the implications for Texas.

The push for police accountability: An investigative report from the Austin American-Statesman reveals that police indictments rarely lead to convictions.

Last weekend’s destructive rocket launch was a big fail for SpaceX – or was it? What explains radically mixed reviews of the Starship test launch.

Plus the harrowing account of a Texas hiker, lost in Big Bend Ranch State Park in triple-digit heat, and his near-miraculous survival.

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Has Texas cracked down on protest after 2020’s racial justice demonstrations?

Do Texans support raising the minimum age to purchase firearms? We’ll hear the results of a new study by the Texas Politics Project.

The struggle to find staffing for the state’s psychiatric hospital system as needs for mental health support post pandemic have grown.

In response to the murder of George Floyd and police brutality broadly, people across Texas headed out to protest. A few years after those demonstrations, there’s been a backlash, writes the Houston Chronicle’s Jeremy Wallace.

Fusion … or something more? Taco journalist Mando Rayo on the similarities between food from Mexico and the Philippines.

And the Standard’s Shelly Brisbin on what may be emerging as the front-runner to replace Twitter.

Phil Allen, Jr. (Ep. 6, 2023)

On this week’s In Black America, producer and host John L. Hanson, Jr. discusses the historical role of photography in the quest for racial justice with Phil Allen, Jr., filmmaker, justice advocate, and author of The Prophetic Lens: The Camera and Black Moral Agency from MLK to Darnella Frazier.

Texas Standard: February 18, 2022

Nineteen indictments of Austin police officers in what appears to be one of the biggest indictments of a single police department in connection with the racial justice demonstrations of 2020. Also, the week in politics with the Texas Tribune. These stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: February 11, 2022

The Texas attorney general files a legal challenge against the Biden administration’s plans for a minimum wage hike. Also, why are witnesses being instructed not to talk about race as they come before a Dallas grand jury to testify about police actions in the George Floyd protests? Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: February 10, 2022

A government investigation into the death of a migrant teenager in 2019 puts blame on the Border Patrol–what happens next? Also, some 18 Austin police officers could face charges involving the use of so-called less lethal munitions during protests in the summer of 2020. Plus, the future of the post office. These stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Chas Moore

In this episode of Black Austin Matters, hosts Lisa B. Thompson and Rich Reddick talk with Chas Moore, the executive director of the Austin Justice Coalition. His organization has been deeply involved with advocating for racial justice and police reform in Austin and organized some of the largest demonstrations against police violence in the wake of the murder of George Floyd in 2020.

Texas Standard: November 30, 2021

Where do we stand with Texas’ new abortion restrictions on the eve of oral arguments in one of the biggest challenges to Roe vs. Wade? Two Texas legal scholars specializing in abortion rights talk about the challenge to Texas abortion law now being considered by the high court, and the intersection with a major case set to be heard by the Supreme Court tomorrow. Also, the governor’s silence on issuing a pardon to George Floyd two months after an unanimous recommendation to do so by the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles. Plus Mexico’s unprecedented lawsuit against U.S. gun makers. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: April 26, 2021

Despite resistance from Republicans at the capitol, pressure mounts on Texas to expand medicaid. Bob Garret of the Dallas Morning News with an update on a push that could provide Medicaid coverage to more than 1.4 million additional Texans. Also, whatever happened to the George Floyd Act introduced in the Texas Legislature earlier this year? More on police reform efforts at the capitol. And the west Texas county leading the state in a major metric in the pandemic fight. Plus are the priorities shifting for a top Texas sports and tourism destination? Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: April 21, 2021

Guilty on all counts. As Texans react to the verdict in the killing of George Floyd. The message: a just verdict, but not justice. Not without meaningful reforms to policing. We’ll hear from George Floyd’s former hometown of Houston, and from other voices across Texas, reacting to yesterday’s murder conviction of a white former police officer. Also you’ve heard of the UK strain, a Brazilian strain, now researchers at Texas A&M report a Texas mutation of COVID-19. What this means for vaccination efforts and the ongoing pandemic fight. And a Politifact check about herd immunity claims. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Say Their Names (Rerun)

This week, The Breaks decided not to create a new show in light of the recent police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, WI. Instead, they are re-running their episode from June, 1 2020, where Fresh and Confucius talk about the police killings of George Floyd in Minneapolis and Mike Ramos in Austin and the resulting protests. They touch on their experiences as black men in America, their frustration with systemic racism and the need for sustained solidarity from society at large, not just during times of tragedy.

Listen to This Episode of The Breaks

Keep on Pushing

This week on The Breaks  Confucius and Fresh:

    • discuss how different the American public’s reaction to the murder of George Floyd feels compared to previous protest movements, and share their hope that this will lead to sustained long term public pressure to tackle systemic racism in America.
    • discuss Lil’ Wayne’s comments on George Floyd’s murder and explain why they often don’t want to hear their favorite artists opinions on current events.
    • explore what the recent closings of the music venues Scratchouse, Barracuda and Plush mean for the Austin Music Scene.
    • In his Unpopular Opinion  Fresh puts forth the idea that not everyone is cut out to be an entrepreneur.
    • In his Confucius Says segment, Confucius explains what people mean when they say “Defund the Police.”

Listen on The Apple Podcasts App, Spotify or Stitcher

The Breaks are on every Saturday 10pm-1am on KUTX 98.9.
You can hear the latest full broadcast of The Breaks Saturday night show.

Texas Standard: June 10, 2020

As George Floyd is laid to rest in Pearland, a remembrance and calls never to forget. We’ll have more on the funeral of a man whose Killing sparked a new chapter in a long running struggle. Also, another death of a black man, repeatedly tased by police after he failed to dim his headlights at an oncoming police car. And the first African American ever elected to serve in public office in the Texas capital city reflects on then and now. Plus debunking an ugly conspiracy theory making the rounds in Texas. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: June 9, 2020

The latest chapter in the civil rights struggle and the young people at the center of it demanding change. As mourners gather in Houston to honor George Floyd, we hear from some of the voices of a younger generation who grew up hearing stories of Reverend King and the freedom riders, and now find themselves at the heart of another inflection point in the push for racial equality and justice. Also, Facebook posts and Tweets showing solidarity? A call now for action: what it means to be a real ally amid demands for reform. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

No Justice, No Peace

This week on The Breaks, Fresh and Confucius:

Listen to this week’s episode of The Breaks

Listen on The Apple Podcasts App, Spotify or Stitcher

The Breaks are on every Saturday 10pm-1am on KUTX 98.9.
You can hear the latest full broadcast of The Breaks Saturday night show.

Texas Standard : June 8, 2020

What began as protests over George Floyd mark something larger: a shift in Texas and nationwide over the use of police power. A closer look today on the Texas Standard.

In cities in Texas, as elsewhere, demonstrations against the inequitable use of police force sparks calls for defunding and or dismantling police departments as we have known them. We’ll look at the use of police force in demonstrations across Texas and demands for change.

Also, the nexus of demonstrations and a global pandemic.

Plus a profile of the man whose killing sparked this historic moment.

Texas Standard: June 3, 2020

Though a more peaceful evening across Texas, voices continue to rise over police force against African Americans and people of color. Amid days of demonstrations over policing, a former Texas mayor and one-time presidential candidate decides it’s time for a full throated endorsement of Joe Biden. Our conversation with Julian Castro on what was, for him, a tipping point. Also, the return of the Brown Berets to El Paso. And an attempt to get back to normal at Texas A&M. We’ll talk with the system’s chancellor and more today on the Texas Standard:

Say Their Names

This week on The Breaks, Fresh and Confucius talk about the police killings of George Floyd in Minneapolis and Mike Ramos in Austin and the resulting protests. They touch on their experiences as black men in America, their frustration with systemic racism and the need for sustained solidarity from society at large, not just during times of tragedy.

Listen to this episode of The Breaks

 

Listen on The Apple Podcasts App, Spotify or Stitcher

 

The Breaks are on every Saturday 10pm-1am on KUTX 98.9.
You can hear the latest full broadcast of The Breaks Saturday night show.

Texas Standard: June 1, 2020

Texans across the state join nationwide protests in the wake of the death of George Floyd, as officials try to control nighttime looting and violence. In cities large and small, peaceful protests over police brutality devolve into violent clashes, vandalism and mayhem over the weekend. And the governor calls in state troopers and national guard troops. We’ll survey the state of the state, now officially declared a state of disaster. Also a look at why some social justice activists see police contracts as central to a solution. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: May 28, 2020

The Texas Supreme Court rules fear of contracting Coronavirus is not a disability under election law. We’ll have more on the decision in the vote-by mail controversy and why it may not prove to be the final word on the subject. Also as institutions of higher ed struggle over how to move forward, we talk to the presidents of two historically black colleges about how best to help the communities they serve, especially hard hit by COVID-19. Plus Dr. Fred Campbell takes more listener questions about the Coronavirus and much more today on the Texas Standard:

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