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

Greg Abbott

Dinosaur tracks uncovered near Austin after floods

Just one more full week is left in the Texas Legislature’s special session, and with House Democrats away, what happens next?
Some of those Democrats have decamped to California, which is now mulling a possible redistricting effort to offset potential Republican gains in the midterms.
The IRS says churches can now endorse candidates, a move that could give Texas pastors more power than ever.
And: The recent flooding in Travis County revealed fossilized dinosaur tracks. UT Austin paleontologist Matthew Brown describes what was found.

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

You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org

Charley Crockett talks new album and recent success

Texas’ redistricting fight is has spread past state lines. New federal legislation aims to ban mid-decade congressional redistricting, and the brawl looks likely to impact upcoming elections and the 2028 presidential race.
San Antonio is planning a massive sports and entertainment district, including a new arena for the Spurs, a convention center expansion and more – with local taxpayers footing part of the bill.
San Benito native Charley Crockett went from street performer to arena headliner. He joins the show to talk about his new album “Dollar a Day” and an upcoming nationwide tour with Leon Bridges.
And: New research from UT Arlington shows that nature-focused livestreams can help people feel more connected to each other.

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 August 6, 2025: Governor Greg Abbott has asked the Texas Supreme Court to remove from office the chairman of the House Democratic Caucus

Central Texas top stories for August 6, 2025. Governor Greg Abbott has asked the Texas Supreme Court to remove from office the chairman of the House Democratic Caucus in response to the party’s quorum break putting the Legislature on hold. Williamson County is trying to set aside enough funds to establish a new district court to keep up with a growing caseload. Hays County is losing its animal shelter in San Marcos next year. People who need cash to rebuild or repair their homes after last month’s flooding can apply for aid through the Central Texas Community Foundation.

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.

A century of redistricting fights in Texas

The high-stakes battle over redistricting continues. Why Democratic Rep. Barbara Gervin-Hawkins took the risk and left the state.
Gov. Greg Abbott has threatened to remove Democratic lawmakers from their seats for leaving during a special session, but can he legally do that?
The history of partisan gerrymandering in the Lone Star State.
Why Texas has become a professional services hub attracting top talent and creating new jobs.
And: Remembering a Texas treasure – conjunto legend Flaco Jiménez.

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

You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org

Texas Democrats flee state, break quorum over redistricting

More than 50 Democratic lawmakers have left the state so the Texas House would not have a quorum, trying to derail a redistricting plan that could add five more congressional seats for Republicans in the midterms.

Harvest season is arriving in South Texas, but many cotton farmers are still reeling from drought, inflation, and weakened demand. Some are cautiously optimistic as new federal funding becomes available. The Standard’s Felicity Guajardo reports.

And: One in four U.S. sports bettors say they’ve missed bills because of gambling losses, according to a new survey highlighting the risks of easy, app-based betting and its lack of oversight.

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

You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org

Black farmers in East Texas feel the sting of DEI cuts

A peek into the week ahead for the Texas Legislature’s special session: We’ll hear the latest on a much-talked-about possible walkout by Democrats.

A plan to relieve congestion in Austin was approved by voters years ago – but so far, there’s not much to show for it. Is Project Connect off the rails?

The rollback of USDA diversity programs is impacting East Texas, which is home to more Black farmers than anywhere else in the U.S.

Plus: A big deadline for tariffs with Mexico on the table. If a deal can’t be reached by Aug. 1, what could that mean for Texas?

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

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

SCOTUS rules against nationwide injunctions

In a 6-3 ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court rules against nationwide injunctions, likely to be read as a major victory for the Trump administration. UT constitutional law professor Tara Grove helps us parse out today’s big news from the high court.
Texas underwater? After boom times in real estate, many Texas homeowners are upside down on their mortgages. What cities have been hardest hit by the rapid drop in home values?
Singer-songwriter Joshua Ray Walker, after a cancer diagnosis, makes a studio comeback with a much sunnier vibe.
Plus, the week in politics with the Texas Tribune and poetry from the Typewriter Rodeo.

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 June 26, 2025: Lionel Messi will play in Austin for the first time

Central Texas top stories for June 26, 2025. State agencies can now develop their own telework plans, after Governor Greg Abbott signed a bill into law late last week. Austin area nonprofits are trying to re-home pets ahead of the 4th of July holiday. Lionel Messi will play in the Major League Soccer All-Star Game that is set to take place at Q2 Stadium in Austin. The City of Austin’s Watershed Protection Department wants people’s input on its Strategic Plan to Protect Austin’s Creeks and Communities.

Gov. Greg Abbott vetoes THC ban, breaking with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick

A closely watched bill to ban THC products gets vetoed by Gov. Greg Abbott – but that’s far from the end of the story, with the governor calling for a special legislative session aimed at regulating THC.
After U.S. airstrikes targeted against Iranian nuclear facilities, what comes next? One of Texas’ top foreign policy experts suggests this war could be ending more quickly than many fear. And Texas energy prices may be a leading indicator.
Also: a conversation with Laredo-born Adrian Quesada on his highly anticipated new album, a follow-up to “Boleros Psicodélicos.”

KUT Afternoon Newscast for June 19, 2025: Annual Juneteenth celebrations across Austin buzz with energy, joy and reverence

Central Texas top stories for June 19, 2025. Juneteenth celebrated across Austin area, marking 160 years since Union troops arrived in Galveston with the news of emancipation. Austin is losing even more water to leaky city pipes than previously thought. Austin conspiracy theorist Alex Jones accused of hiding money from Sandy Hook families. Texas bills on religion in public schools await Gov. Abbott’s signature as Sunday deadline looms

Houston startup eyes two-hour flights across the Pacific

The 89th Legislature is history. We’ll look at what lawmakers accomplished and what was left to do.
We continue our series on an adult literacy program in Texarkana that does much more than help people get an education – and why it could be a model for other parts of the state.
A Houston-based aerospace company successfully tests a hypersonic engine and hopes to one day fly passengers from the U.S. to Asia in just two hours.
And: Popular images of gunslingers are pretty on target, according to the new book “The Gunfighters: How Texas Made the West Wild.”

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 May 1, 2025: Whooping cough cases are rising in Texas.

Central Texas top stories for May 1, 2025. Whooping cough cases are on the rise in Texas. Texas Senators approved a bill that could shut down a church’s homeless navigation center in South Austin. Texas Governor Greg Abbott says he’ll pull state grant funding from San Marcos if the city passes a resolution related to the war in Gaza. 

After yearslong fight, school voucher bill clears Legislature

A measure long sought by Texas Republicans is now on its way to the governor’s desk: A voucher-like plan to use public dollars to pay for private education. We’ll get details from Blaise Gainey of The Texas Newsroom.

A massive plan was once proposed to keep Texas from running out of water in the late 1960’s… Voters said no. How the debate has resurfaced decades later.

And a big win for opponents of local marijuana decriminalization moves in Texas.

KUT Morning Newscast for April 24, 2025: Texas creates its own DOGE in attempt to make the state more business friendly.

Central Texas top stories for April 24, 2025. A Texas Senate Committee voted this week to advance a bill aimed at clarifying when doctors can perform emergency abortions. Texas lawmakers and Governor Greg Abbott created a Texas DOGE version hoping to make the state more business friendly. Today the Texas Education Agency is releasing academic accountability ratings that grade school districts for the first time in two years. AISD has more time to come up with a plan for Dobie Middle School. This weekend you can get rid of your expired prescription drugs, no questions asked. 

Texas House gives initial approval to school voucher bill

For the first time ever, the Texas House votes to approve the use of taxpayer money for private school education. Blaise Gainey of The Texas Newsroom shares what comes next.
Many farmers in South Texas say a water treaty with Mexico is costing them dearly. Now the Trump administration appears ready to get involved.
Thousands of acres of Hill Country land have been set aside to create a new state natural area, and Texas Public Radio’s Jack Morgan got a preview.
And: Politics and water take center stage in the new documentary “Thirst for Power,” based on a book by Michael Webber. He joins the show with more.

KUT Morning Newscast for March 13, 2025: Catholic Charities of Central Texas announced the suspension of its refugee resettlement program.

Central Texas top stories for March 13, 2025. It’s unclear if Catholic Charities of Central Texas will ever resume its refugee resettlement program. Elon Musk’s SpaceX will receive a $17.3 million grant from the state of Texas. Texas lawmakers are considering a bill that could significantly speed up the time it takes to evict a renter. The Austin area could hit record-breaking high temperatures today.

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