Central Texas top stories for July 3, 2025. It’s been three months since the arrests of more than 40 people authorities said were connected to a Venezuelan gang. It’s a busy day at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. The Travis County Fire Marshal wants people to go to a professional fireworks show instead of lighting their own. Leander Police have unveiled a new “microchip scanning station” for lost pets. Starting tomorrow, parking at Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park will be limited through the holiday weekend.
Hays County
KUT Morning Newscast for June 25, 2025: ACC sues the DOJ to challenge the end of the Texas Dream Act
Central Texas top stories for June 25, 2025. The Austin Community College District’s Board of Trustees joined a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton challenging the end of the Texas Dream Act. The Austin Independent School District is asking the public for feedback on the criteria it’s using to evaluate campuses for potential closure. Georgetown’s City Council approved new ordinances that restrict the use of public spaces, despite concerns about possible impacts to unhoused individuals. A Travis County Judge ruled that a $440 road bond package approved by Hays County voters in November is now void. The George Washington Carver Genealogy Center is teaching people how to track down their family history.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for June 24, 2025: Travis County is eyeing several buildings downtown for a planned mental health diversion center
Central Texas top stories for June 24, 2025. A bill that failed this legislative session has thrown a wrench in Travis County’s plan to build a mental health diversion center for people accused of non-violent crimes. Governor Greg Abbott has called a special session of the Texas Legislature to address a number of the more than two-dozen bills he vetoed outright. The concrete truck driver arrested in the deadly Hays CISD school bus crash last year has pleaded guilty. A Travis County District Judge has ruled that a Hays County $440 million road bond approved by voters in November is now void.
KUT Morning Newscast for June 13, 2025: New flights are coming to ABIA
Central Texas top stories for June 13, 2025. Frontier Airlines launched nonstop service to San Diego this week, just one of several changes to the flight schedule at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Two tornadoes touched down briefly in Hays County. Officials from the University Interscholastic League say they will continue to study a proposal to make girls’ flag football an official varsity sport in Texas. The City of Austin wants people’s feedback for a 2026 General Obligation Bond. Juneteenth celebrations ramp up at the Carver Museum this weekend.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for June 12, 2025: Austin city leaders are prepared to allow people to peacefully demonstrate on Saturday
Central Texas top stories for June 12, 2025. A Flood Watch is in effect until seven o’clock for Hays, Travis, Williamson and more counties to the northeast. Another round of protests is expected Saturday night in downtown Austin. A tornado touched down in Hays County just south of Wimberly early this morning.
KUT Morning Newscast for June 11, 2025: Austin and Travis County leaders celebrate improvements in the response to the opioid crisis
Central Texas top stories for June 11, 2025. Austin and Travis County leaders are celebrating improvements in the local response to the opioid crisis. Texas high school students this year did better in math and science on state standardized tests than they did in 2024. Hays County Commissioners voted unanimously to pass a resolution for the humane treatment of immigrants. The University Interscholastic League will hear a proposal to recognize girls flag football as an official sport.
Data centers may start creating their own power plants
Gina Ortiz Jones made history over the weekend, becoming San Antonio’s first openly lesbian mayor and only the third woman to hold the office.
An assault case is exposing deeper failures in Texas group homes.
With the rise of data centers across Texas, a push for private power plants run by natural gas.
The new documentary “Sally” explores the private life of public space hero Sally Ride. We’ll talk to writer and director Cristina Costantini.
And: Diving into the history of Adolph Hofner, the Texas-born bandleader who popularized Czech music and made it swing.
Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas.
You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org
Hays County residents aren’t happy about a new neighbor moving in: a data center
CloudBurst Data Centers is planning to build a facility south of San Marcos that could be leased to an AI firm or other tech company. KUT’s Maya Fawaz reports residents are concerned about the potential environmental impacts.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for May 21, 2025: Participation in the first year of ACC’s free tuition program has exceeded expectations
Central Texas top stories for May 21, 2025. Fully autonomous Tesla taxis are coming to Austin streets. Texas lawmakers are considering a bill that would let developers build housing in places historically reserved for office or retail space. Participation in ACC’s free tuition program has far exceeded expectations.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for May 20, 2025: Hays County confirms its first case of measles
Central Texas top stories for May 20, 2025. Someone who lives in Kyle has tested positive for measles. Leander is preparing for possible water shortages in anticipation of this summer’s drought outlook. The National Weather Service is forecasting hotter than average temperatures June through August in Central Texas.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for April 24, 2025: Texas court blocks Austin law that decriminalized small amounts of marijuana
Central Texas top stories for April 24, 2025. People in Austin could soon get cited or arrested for marijuana possession. A Hays County Grand Jury is declining to charge a man who was arrested in connection with the 2018 Iconic Village apartment fire in San Marcos. The Texas Education Agency has released its A through F ratings for 2023. The City of Austin is buying nearly 5 acres of land in South Austin for a new hike and bike trail.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for April 22, 2025: A bacteria which can be toxic to animals and humans was found near Red Bud Isle
Central Texas top stories for April 22, 2025. Voters across Travis, Williamson and Hays counties can cast their ballots ahead of the May 3rd election.Scientists have spotted clumps of blue green organisms near Red Bud Island on Lady Bird Lake. Travis County leaders are hoping to revamp the former Austin State Hospital site. The Austin Animal Center will offer only limited services tomorrow as its staff transitions its data to a new management system. We have a chance of thunderstorms today and tonight in the Austin area.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for April 9, 2025: UT Austin students protest Trump administration for revoking student visas.
Central Texas top stories for April 9, 2025. A few dozen UT Austin students held a demonstration on campus today. Crude oil prices climbed today after the announcement of a pause on most tariffs. Hays County has created a new Animal Welfare Services Division. Rent prices in the Austin area continue to fall. Rori Harmon is coming back next season to play a fifth year for the Longhorns.
KUT Morning Newscast for April 9, 2025: The City of Austin is facing a $33 million shortfall for next fiscal year.
Central Texas top stories for April 9, 2025. Texas Attorney General Republican Ken Paxton has announced he’s running for U.S. Senate. The City of Austin’s facing a $33 million budget deficit for the next fiscal year; it might ask voters for help. Austin’s City Council has only a few weeks to decide where to build parks over I-35. Rent prices in Austin have continued to fall for almost two years. A new program in Hays County will connect people caught driving while intoxicated with treatment instead of sending them to jail.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for April 4, 2025: Austin ISD could close Dobie Middle School to avoid a state takeover of the entire district.
Central Texas top stories for April 4, 2025. Authorities say dozens of people arrested in Hays County this week are connected to a Venezuelan gang. Austin ISD is considering closing Dobie Middle School because it has received too many failing grades from the state. The Texas women’s basketball team will play defending national champion South Carolina tonight for a spot in the NCAA Women’s Basketball National Championship game. Texas DPS says there may be delays in getting an emissions inspection right now. Several roads will be closed Sunday for the annual Statesman Cap10k.
KUT Morning Newscast for April 3, 2025: Today is the last day to register to vote in the May local election.
Central Texas top stories for April 3, 2025. Local elections are happening on May 3, here’s what you need to know. More than 40 people, including minors, were arrested in Hays County earlier this week; officials believe they were part of Tren de Aragua. Local animal shelters and rescue organizations are getting ready for an influx of animals in the coming months.
KUT Morning Newscast for March 6, 2025: Low humidity today will result in near critical fire weather conditions in the Austin area.
Central Texas top stories for March 6, 2025. The National Weather Service says wind gusts as high as 30 miles per hour and low humidity will create near critical fire weather conditions today. The Lower Colorado River Authority is entering tougher drought restrictions. As the city of Austin works to redevelop some of its buildings, works of art housed inside them could be destroyed.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for March 5, 2025: Wildfire alerts and evacuation orders caused confusion in Hays County.
Central Texas top stories for March 5, 2025. Hays county authorities are hoping to make improvements to its communication efforts. State employees in Texas could soon be required to head back into the office full-time. Austin ISD is partnering with the Dallas Cowboys to launch a flag football league for high school girls. Austin Police arrested 12 people in connection with car break-ins at city parks.
KUT Morning Newscast for March 5, 2025: A fire in Hays County yesterday burned around 80 acres.
Central Texas top stories for March 5, 2025. By 4 a.m. this morning, the fire in Hays County had burned around 80 acres and was 45 percent contained. Strong winds left thousands of Austinites without power. Sixth street is restricting vehicle access during SXSW. Austin City manager, T.C. Broadnax is holding town hall meetings to hear input on the 2025-2026 budget.
KUT Morning Newscast for February 25, 2025: Public health leaders say it’s a good time to check your measles vaccination status.
Central Texas top stories for February 25, 2025. After a possible measles exposure in Hays County, health leaders say it’s a good time to check your vaccination status. Round Rock ISD is working to balance its budget. UT women’s basketball team is number one on the Associated Press Top 25 poll. Legislation in the statehouse would increase salaries for teachers for the first time in years, but some educators aren’t convinced.