Greg Casar

KUT Afternoon Newscast for August 25, 2025: Many Austin-area schools will open free or low cost after school programs this year

Central Texas top stories for August 25, 2025. Congressman Greg Casar announced today that if the new congressional map holds, he’ll run for the new Austin District 37. More than two-dozen schools in the Austin area will open free or low cost after school programs this year. The man who was driving the Leander school bus that rolled over a few weeks ago will not face criminal charges. The owners of Cheer Up Charlies say they’ve raised enough money from donations to pay their back rent. The Texas Longhorns football team starts their season this Saturday against Ohio State. Delta Airlines is adding three destinations to its roster of nonstop flights out of Austin.

This podcast is made at KUT Public Media Studios. 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.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for August 22, 2025: What new maps mean for Austin’s congressional districts

Central Texas top stories for August 22, 2025. Congressman Lloyd Doggett has said he won’t run for re-election if the new redistricting map goes into effect. The UT System Board of Regents has signed off on a new contract for Athletic Director Chris Del Conte to keep him on the Forty Acres through 2036. There’s a dispute over how much property tax should be paid by the Tesla Gigafactory. The owners of Cheer Up Charlies say they will close at the end of the month unless they can pay overdue rent. Travis County is hosting a resource fair for people affected by July’s Sandy Creek flooding.

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.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for July 31, 2025: Newly-drawn congressional district maps released this week by Texas Republicans would set up a showdown for the remaining Democratic seat in the Austin area

Central Texas top stories for July 31, 2025. The newly-drawn congressional district maps released this week by Texas Republicans would have big implications for voters in Travis County. The organizers of Austin’s annual LGBTQ Pride festival say they’re facing a funding shortfall. The Austin City Council is signaling its willingness to ask voters for that approval in November. Renting an electric bike from Capital Metro will cost more starting tomorrow. We have entered the hottest part of the summer in Austin.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for March 25, 2025: Public Defenders protested at the Travis County Commissioner’s Court today.

Central Texas top stories for March 25, 2025. Public Defender’s Office staffers are asking for fair pay and better benefits. The spending deal approved in Washington left tens of millions of dollars for Central Texas on the cutting room floor. Unseasonable highs in the forecast today, with rain arriving tomorrow night. Frontier Airlines is adding non-stop flights between Austin and San Diego starting in June.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for February 25, 2025: The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization is developing a plan to make roads in Central Texas safer.

Central Texas top stories for February 25, 2025. Travis County leaders are pitching in $1 million to Austin Community Foundation’s Housing Accelerator Loan Fund. Congressman Greg Casar launched the Tax the Greedy Billionaires Coalition today. Round Rock ISD officials are working to balance the district’s budget. Two Austin-area high schools are in the UIL Girls Basketball State Semifinals tonight.

KUT Morning Newscast for February 24, 2025: Hays County officials are warning about a possible measles exposure in Central Texas.

Central Texas top stories for February 24, 2025. Public health officials say declining vaccination rates are driving an outbreak of measles in West Texas. Now, Central Texas officials are warning about a possible measles exposure in San Marcos and San Antonio. Congressman Greg Casar held his first Austin town hall since President Donald Trump returned to office last month. The median sales price of a home in Austin is up slightly compared to this time last year

KUT Afternoon Newscast for October 1, 2024

Central Texas top stories for October 1, 2024. The City of Austin has unveiled its most detailed vision yet for the I-35 caps. The federal government is giving borrowers who have defaulted on their student loans extra time to apply for a program that will return them to good standing. A longstanding legal battle over the environmental impact of development in Dripping Springs arrived at the Texas State Supreme Court today. Hays County is a step closer to establishing its own animal center. On the ballot in this fall’s election are half of Austin’s 10 city council seats and the mayor’s office. TxDOT is warning about the increased risk to pedestrians from drivers less able to see them as the days get shorter.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for September 26, 2024

Central Texas top stories for September 26, 2024. The details of Austin’s $218 million contract with the city’s police department. Use of the Marshalling Yard shelter in Southeast Austin will now continue indefinitely. The number of defendants waiting for years in the Hays County jail for their trial has gone down. The Caucus on Global Migration introduced its first resolution today.The race to represent Texas in the senate is close. The Texas Football team makes its Southeastern Conference debut on Saturday with an afternoon matchup against Mississippi State. The federal government is once again offering free at-home COVID test kits.

KUT Morning Newscast for August 13, 2024

Central Texas top stories for August 13, 2024. As the summer heat keeps rolling, worker’s rights advocates and a local congressman are calling for action on proposed rules to limit heat exhaustion. Austin City Council members are considering hiring 16 new full time park employees. A Travis County judge has temporarily blocked the Texas Education Agency from releasing A-through-F accountability ratings. Many districts in central Texas are going back to school today. Texas State University will offer classes in Central Mexico. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is warning people not to dump aquarium pets into local waters.

KUT Morning Newscast for June 21, 2024

Central Texas top stories for June 21, 2024. Round Rock Police made an initial arrest after deadly gunfire at the city’s Juneteenth celebration. AISD adopted a budget proposal that includes a multimillion-dollar deficit. Texas workers are expecting federal heat protections. Microchip your pet this weekend in Hays County.

KUT Morning Newscast for February 14, 2024

Central Texas top stories for February 14, 2024. Car crashed into St. David’s North Austin Medical Center last night. Congressman Greg Casar is filing a bill to further connect Texas to neighboring power grids. Hays county election integrity group. The Austin Convention Center facelift.

What we know about Ken Paxton’s upcoming impeachment trial

The Department of Justice has sued the State of Texas over its floating border barrier near Eagle Pass, alleging Texas doesn’t have the authority to place barriers in the Rio Grande. Gov. Greg Abbott’s reply? “See you in court.”

Sergio Martínez-Beltrán of the Texas Newsroom brings us the latest developments in Ken Paxton’s upcoming impeachment trial.

Congressman Greg Casar is calling for federal regulations to protect workers against heat-related illness in light of state law that will undo local rules starting Sept. 1.

And why a goat that went missing from a livestock show has captured the imagination of lots of folks in the Rio Grande Valley.

KUT Morning Newscast for July 25, 2023

Central Texas top stories for July 25, 2023. Texas congressman urges better OSHA protections for heat. Austin Community College finds new Chancellor. Fire conditions spread.

Texas Standard: May 8, 2019

Austin’s the largest city in the U.S. without a public defenders office, but that may be about to change. We’ll look at why the push and what it means. Also, we’ll meet the Texas doctor developing replacement internal organs using 3d printers. And delays for trucks trying to cross the border, the U.S. and Texas in particular stand to pay a high price. And is Austin the first city in the south with a paid sick leave policy? A politifact check that could get contentious and so much more today on the Texas Standard: