Government

Student deported after boarding a flight to Austin

A college student flying to Austin was detained and deported by immigration authorities. She was trying to surprise her family for the Thanksgiving holiday. Now she’s having to finish her semester of college in a different country. Her lawyer says her deportation went against a federal court order. We’ll have more about the reason for her deportation and what the next steps in her story are.

What do you imagine when you hear “dragon boat racing”? Fire spewing out across Lady Bird Lake? Boats speeding fast across and over the water? We’ll have a look at what it’s all about.

Plus, it’s that time of season for caroling and lighting up the big ol’ tree. Find out what’s happening this weekend in Downtown Austin.

After Prop Q fails, city leaders propose budget cuts

The Austin City Council will meet to start the process of making cuts to the city budget after voters struck down Proposition Q, a controversial property tax increase. These cuts could affect parks, public health programs, emergency medical services and more. KUT City Hall reporter Luz Moreno-Lozano shares more.

KUTX’s Maile Carballo has the details on the lease extension of iconic blues venue Antone’s.

Plus: We hear from singer-songwriter Judy Blank, KUTX’s artist of the month. Watch her KUTX performances here.

Camp Mystic faces lawsuits over deadly flood

A few Democrats join Republicans in an effort to end the federal shutdown. We’ll have details.
Families of girls killed in the July 4 Hill Country flood sue Camp Mystic.
Car-dominant Texas needs more public transit to meet future needs. So says a new report from TxDOT.
And on this Veteran’s Day, the Voces Oral History Center pays homage to a helicopter pilot who served in Vietnam.

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

You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org

Austin voters reject Prop Q property tax rate increase

Austin voters overwhelmingly rejected Prop Q, a proposed property tax rate increase. KUT’s Andrew Weber breaks down what happened – and where city officials will look next for reductions in spending.

In other election news, Texans approved 17 amendments to the state constitution, touching on taxes, education, infrastructure and more.

And: The sale of Cheer Up Charlies to a Florida investment firm has been called off, the latest twist in what’s been a chaotic year for the popular queer bar.

Central Texas Food Bank braces for increased demand

The Central Texas Food Bank is preparing to help more folks with food assistance amid the government shutdown and ahead of the upcoming holiday season. Beth Corbett, the food bank’s vice president of government affairs and advocacy, shares more about their plans to handle the increased demand. Find out how you can help or get help during the SNAP delay here.

It’s Election Day, and Austin voters will give the final say on Prop Q, a proposed property tax rate increase that would result in more than $100 million dollars for city services. Statewide, Texans are considering 17 proposed amendments to the state constitution. KUT’s Katy McAfee brings us the latest from the polls.

Texas schools turn to AI to flag banned books

A federal court orders the Trump administration to prevent the Supplemental Food Assistance Program (SNAP) from lapsing. What happens now?
A trial is set to begin this month against defendants for their alleged roles in the July 4 shooting at an ICE detention center in Alvarado. Why this may be a playbook for prosecutions now that Antifa has been designated a terrorist organization.
Public school districts trying to comply with new laws against DEI and sexual content in books are turning to AI with some surprising results.
Also, this week in Texas music history we remember the time post-punk legends Gang of Four made their way to the Lone Star State.

How much would Prop Q cost homeowners in Austin?

Prop Q has brought out early voters in numbers that are higher than usual for an off-year election. The proposed tax rate increase, Austin officials say, would raise money to improve local parks, safety and homelessness. How much would that cost that homeowners? KUT government accountability reporter Andrew Weber breaks it down ahead of Election Day.

Meanwhile, the city is facing a deadline to remove painted crosswalks and street murals or risk losing state and federal money for future transportation projects. KUT’s Nathan Bernier has an update on which artwork could be affected.

Plus, ATXplained Live is tomorrow! Get into the spirit with a story about the man who used to recite poetry before Austin concerts.

Anti-Prop Q website raises ethics questions

With early voting underway, Austin’s Prop Q is front and center for many folks – and was the subject of an ethics complaint against a resident who created a website aiming to take down the ballot item. KUT’s Andrew Weber breaks it down.

What Gov. Greg Abbott’s latest announcement of Austin cleanup efforts means for the city.

Plus: Barbara Morgan, executive director of the Austin Film Festival, previews what to expect from this year’s fest.

‘No Kings’ rally draws 20,000 protesters in Austin

A Travis County judge has signed off on a local disaster declaration to give the county access to resources and respond quickly to wildfires when and if they pop up this season. KUT’s Luz Moreno-Lozano joins us to talk preparedness.

An estimated 20,000 people attended Austin’s ‘No Kings’ rally on Saturday as part of planned demonstrations against the Trump administration nationwide. We’ll hear from a few who attended.

Plus: A wrapup of Formula 1 in Austin and looking ahead to Austin FC in the MLS playoffs.

Downtown Austin’s Hideout Theatre moves after 26 years

Early voting in this year’s elections starts Monday and here in Texas, you’ll have your choice on adding 17 proposed amendments to the state constitution. The Texas Newsroom’s Blaise Gainey joins us with more.

The San Antonio Spurs have made Austin their home for a couple of games in each of the past few seasons. Now, whispers about a permanent move have been buzzing, especially as San Antonio voters consider approving a new downtown stadium.

After 26 years in downtown Austin, the Hideout Theater is moving. We’ll have a look at where they’re going, what this means for the local comedy scene and how that space is changing.

How the government shutdown impacts Texas

The federal government is officially shut down. What does it mean for Texas, and what happens next in Washington?
Also, the Supreme Court opens a new term and major rulings are ahead. What can we expect from the nation’s highest court over the next few months?
And wildfire risk is climbing as the state swelters through record heat and one of the driest Septembers on record. We’ll get the seasonal forecast from Matt Lanza of Space City Weather.
Plus, is Buc-ee’s just a convenience store, or a full-blown cult? A look at Texas brand loyalty and the roadside beaver that built an empire.

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

You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org

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.

Texas Senate passes bill creating school voucher-like program

A bill to let families use taxpayer dollars to cover private school tuition was approved by the Texas Senate, but the debate over the bill’s not done. Next stop: the Texas House.
El Paso has still not recovered from government vacancies dating back to the height of COVID, with growing concerns about how that’s affecting basic services in one of Texas’ biggest cities.
The WNBA season may be months away, but teams are making big moves – signing free agents, making trades and shaking up coaching staffs ahead of 2025.
Spring gardening season is around the corner, but experts say now is not the time to trim your oak trees. February marks the start of oak wilt season, a deadly disease that can devastate trees across Texas.

Proposed school curriculum with Bible stories nears vote

A possible government shutdown looming with an Oct. 1 deadline. With the backdrop of elections, how might this story unfold? UT-Austin political science professor Sean Theriault talks about a perennial issue of government funding and where its headed.

Bible stories in the classroom? The Texas Education Agency is getting a lot of feedback and blowback over a new curriculum.

Mando Rayo of the Tacos of Texas podcast introduces us to a James Beard award winner in the Rio Grande Valley named the best chef in Texas.

This Hispanic Heritage Month, a look at some of the artists shaping the sounds of Texas.

Also, the week in politics, Typewriter Rodeo and more.

Civics 101: What does a County Judge do?

There are a lot of moving parts and players in our local government systems. Sometimes it can be hard to know exactly what an elected officials job actually is. Take County Judge. As part of KUT’s Civics 101 coverage, we dive into that position with All Things Considered host Jerry Quijano and reporter Andrew Weber.

Civics 101: Who pays for highways?

Texas has a sprawling highway network with more than 200-thousand miles of lanes — almost the distance from Earth to the Moon. And those roads don’t come cheap. The Texas Department of Transportation outspends every other state, devoting about 18-billion dollars a year to highways.

Ever wonder who foots the bill?

All this week the KUT newsroom is focusing on stories that explain how parts of our local government work. To kick things off KUT’s Nathan Bernier takes a look at who pays for highways in Texas.

You can find all of our Civics 101 stories at KUT.org

How big events like the pandemic lockdowns can warp our sense of time

Attorney General Ken Paxton’s effort to get business records from Annunciation House, a group that helps migrants, is blocked by an El Paso judge.
As firefighters move closer to containing the blazes that have consumed large parts of the Panhandle in recent weeks, many locals are looking more closely at the causes and asking hard questions about why more wasn’t done to prevent those fires.
As politicians bicker over federal funding, members of the military and their families struggle with worries and fears amid a near-constant threat of a government shutdown.
And: Anyone else feeling a post-COVID time warp? What the science says about perceptions of time.

Tracing the foodways of Black Seminoles

The Supreme Court finally has its own ethics code for justices following a series of scandals – including a Texas billionaire showering gifts on Justice Clarence Thomas. Will this new code of conduct make a difference?

Bison once ruled the Great Plains of North America before being hunted almost to extinction. We’ll hear about how Indigenous people in Texas are supporting their slow rebound.

For descendants of Black Seminoles – a group whose members included former slaves and the Seminole native people – finding foodways through Texas and Mexico takes care and intention.

And: Colleges can no longer use race as a determining factor in admissions, thanks to a Supreme Court decision earlier this year. What’s the upshot? It may surprise you.

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Why homeschooling is on the rise across the ideological spectrum

Sean Theriault of UT-Austin with a look at why government shutdowns have become so common, and what needs to happen to avoid another come Sunday.

The summer of 2023 was the second hottest on record in Texas. But for renters, air conditioning isn’t legally required — at least not everywhere in the state.

Over the past couple of years, there’s been a shift in the way that many Texans school their kids, with more folks opting for homeschooling – for reasons that span the political spectrum, or lie completely outside it.

Writer Andrew Leland on losing his vision and the struggle to understand the changes, as told in his new memoir, “The Country of the Blind.”

What Texans need to know about the impending government shutdown

In six days, the federal government runs out of money. Can a shutdown be averted? What’s at stake if lawmakers can’t come up with a plan for short-term spending by Oct. 1.

In Fort Worth and Tarrant County, families are falling into homelessness as pandemic relief funding is running out.

Five things to know before federally guaranteed student loan payments resume next month.

A plan to close nearly 20% of San Antonio ISD’s schools is being pushed in the name of equity. Camille Phillips of Texas Public Radio takes a closer look.

Plus, a crisis for Texas Gulf Coast shrimpers.