KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts

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

homelessness

Evictions at Community First Village, KUTX artist of the month, Future Front Fest

Over the last five years, the Community First Village — which has drawn national attention as a new model to get people off the streets — has drastically increased the number of evictions filed against residents.

Paige Plaisance, KUTX’s Artist of the Month for August, melds a killer voice with the sounds of swampytonkin’.

The Future Front Festival is marking a decade of creating the the kind of diverse programming it wanted to see in the world.

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

Austin-San Antonio passenger rail, No Wrong Door program, Weekend arts events

A passenger rail link between Austin and San Antonio is now being presented with two very different paths forward. Union Pacific says its freight railroad still doesn’t have capacity to do it — and the other option comes with a price tag exceeding $13 billion.

A new city initiative, No Wrong Door, is looking to help people trapped in cycles of homelessness, incarceration and hospitalization.

Plus: Looking for weekend plans? We have a look at arts events around town.

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

Mike D’Antoni talks NBA coaching career ahead of Hall of Fame induction

Tens of thousands of Texas families who received state money to send students to private schools are giving it back. We’ll explore why.
Texas cities are watching the back and forth between the Trump administration and the courts over a federal program critics say could put thousands of Texans at risk for re-entering homelessness.
John Cornyn and James Talarico have come out against imminent construction of Big Bend border barriers. We’ll have a look at where Ken Paxton stands.
Plus, our conversation with soon-to-be Hall of Fame former NBA Coach Mike D’Antoni.
And no animals were injured when monkey’s brains washed up on Texas beaches.

Flooding risks trigger disaster declarations for parts of state

More wet weather for portions of Texas’ flash flood alley: A look at the forecast and warning systems put in place since last year’s deadly storms.


Cities across Texas have responded to the issue of homelessness in a variety of ways. Is it worth considering a broader approach?


People in Texas have been working to send relief to earthquake-devastated Venezuela, but some have questions about how they can be sure the help is getting where it needs to be.


Ocelot kittens are hands-down adorable, but zoo officials in Texas are celebrating the birth of two for reasons beyond showing them off.


And journalist Pamela Colloff tells us about unraveling a Texas Gulf Coast man’s life of deceit for her new book, ‘Catch the Devil.’

Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can help make this podcast happen by donating at supportthispodcast.org

A permit loophole for AI power plants

A legal battle over the deep discounts on water bills Corpus Christi gave major companies amid a looming water crisis.

Why some of the new power plants for data centers are using the same permits as dry cleaners and auto body shops that don’t require an environmental review.

A new effort to help more students in foster care get college degrees.

What rising beef prices mean for Texas restaurants, taco trucks and customers.

And: As the semifinals kick off, analysis on the big matches as the World Cup winds down.

‘Riverbend’ returns to audiences after decades of obscurity

After winning a spot in a runoff, Congressman Tony Gonzales drops his bid for reelection amid growing pressure over an affair scandal. We’ll dig into the latest today.
Also, confusion at some polling places on primary day: What really happened and what’s the fallout?
And a film of Black resistance shot in Texas — but largely lost to history — has now been resurrected. We’ll share more about the rediscovery of “Riverbend.”
Plus, three big takeaways from a busy week in Texas politics.

Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org

Tamales in Texas: A holiday debate with deep roots

Millions of student loan borrowers are bracing themselves for big changes. We’ll have details on the end of the so-called SAVE program and why experts worry millions of student loan borrowers may be forced into default.

As some Texas cities cut funding for homeless services, a look at one approach from nonprofits: giving cash directly to people who need it.

With Netflix in the news this week, tech expert Omar Gallaga notes some users are already spotting a change in how they stream the service at home as mobile casting is discontinued.

Plus, the great tamale debate: Corn husk or banana leaf? Sweet or savory?

LifeWorks program helps youth avoid homelessness

Austin nonprofit LifeWorks has helped nearly three dozen young Austinites stay housed through a cash-assistance pilot program. We hear the story of one person who said the money helped her at a critical time.

In Williamson County, folks are looking into where its cities get their water and how they could better work together.

Plus: A look into holiday tunes and unwrapping our favorite present: tamales. Chef Rick Martinez brings us to the table at a holiday tamalada.

If you host or or plan to attend a tamalada – let us know! Email austinsignal@kut.org.

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.

How Austin leaders hope to fund nonprofits’ efforts to ease homelessness with Prop Q

The discussion around Austin’s upcoming tax rate election is picking up as voters head to the polls in the coming weeks. That tax rate hike, on the ballot as Proposition Q, goes above what local officials are normally allowed by state law.

It’s all part of the City of Austin’s effort to generate revenue to offset a budget deficit and to continue funding a variety of things like public safety, local parks and homelessness services.

KUT’s Luz Moreno-Lozano has been reporting on how the city is planning to fund services like these, whether or not Austin voters approve the tax rate increase.

Greg Stoker, the Austin activist who was detained by Israel while attempting to deliver aid to Gaza, is heading back home.

And: We’re chatting with one of our multimedia mavens, Patricia Lim, about what it’s like to photograph the Austin City Limits Music Festival.

KUT Morning Newscast for October 1, 2025: A coalition of organizations is voicing support for a proposed property tax increase in Austin

Central Texas top stories for October 1, 2025. A coalition of Austin unions and groups is voicing its support for a proposed property tax increase. AISD is set to share the first draft of its school consolidation plans this Friday at 5:30 p.m. Anyone in Texas who sells items on eBay, Etsy, Poshmark or similar online marketplaces will now have to pay sales tax on the fees charged by those platforms. It’s expected to be a busy couple of weeks at Austin Bergstrom International Airport. The State Highway 29 bridge over I-35 in Georgetown will be closed starting tonight at nine until Friday morning at five.

KUT Morning Newscast for September 18, 2025: A new audit finds the City of Austin is falling behind on its “zero waste” goals

Central Texas top stories for September 18, 2025. News organizations fight to unseal Texas AG Ken Paxton’s divorce case records. A new audit finds the City of Austin is falling behind on its “zero waste” goals. Austin severs ties with a nonprofit that runs two downtown homeless shelters. ACC has a new partnership to help students find affordable housing. Leander ISD is considering closing some schools amid a budget deficit. Austin FC beat Minnesota last night, they move to advance to the U.S. Open Cup Final.

KUT Morning Newscast for July 23, 2025: Austin voters could decide this November whether to increase property taxes

Central Texas top stories for July 23, 2025. Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has backed 16 bills for the legislature’s special session. Williamson County partnered with the Central Texas Community Foundation to launch the ‘WilCo CARES’ fund to provide direct financial assistance to people affected by the flooding. Travis County’s Flood Resource Recovery Center is moving to Travis County Community Center in Jonestown. Austin voters could decide this November whether to increase property taxes. As Austin continues to iron out its budget for next year, funding homeless services is top of mind for many. 

KUT Morning Newscast for July 2, 2025: The Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center could be relocating soon

Central Texas top stories for July 2, 2025. Advocacy groups say efforts to support migrant children and students learning English could be in peril because of delay in federal funding. The Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center in Austin could be relocating soon. Austin didn’t see any 100-degree days during June; it’s the first time since 2019. A watercraft ban is in effect on Lake Austin starting tomorrow afternoon. 

KUT Morning Newscast for June 16, 2025: Thousands join ‘No Kings’ protest in Austin. An arrest was made after a threat against Texas lawmakers. 

Central Texas top stories for June 16, 2025. The “No Kings” protest in Austin on Saturday remained peaceful. The Texas Department of Public Safety made one arrest earlier in the day related to threats against state lawmakers who were expected to speak. AISD will receive millions of dollars in new funding as a result of state legislation passed this year, but officials worry it might not be enough. Starting today Austinites might see Cap Metro’s new Transit Police officers at stations and on board of transit services. Georgetown is considering changes to its rules on where people can sit and lie down in public. 

KUT Morning Newscast for May 2, 2025: Roughly 3,200 people experience homelessness in Austin on any given night.

Central Texas top stories for May 2, 2025. A tornado touched down in Burnet County yesterday, a house and a building were destroyed. Protesters marched down Congress Avenue in Austin yesterday to speak out against the Trump administration. The number of people experiencing homelessness in Austin and the surrounding counties has increased by about 36 percent, according to the latest point-in-time count. Voters will be going to the poles this weekend for the May 3 elections. The Austin Independent School District is working on plans to turn around three campuses that have received several failing grades in a row from the state. 

WNBA draft sends top pick Paige Bueckers to Texas

An area known as the Roosevelt Reservation is getting renewed attention thanks to an executive order allowing for military control. What it could mean for border communities.
Texas disability organizations are closely watching a legal fight involving the Social Security Administration.
SpaceX is becoming the go-to provider for military launches. How the Texas-based company secured contracts that used to go elsewhere.
The Dallas Wings landed star University of Connecticut point guard Paige Bueckers with their No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft.
Why an Austin drag queen is giving weekly lectures on state politics.
And: We celebrate the birthday of Tejano superstar Selena with a visit to her hometown museum.

KUT Morning Newscast for April 2, 2025: The City of Austin is working with a non-profit to help improve access to housing.

Central Texas top stories for April 2, 2025. A new nonprofit is using City of Austin money to help house people experiencing homelessness. The Texas Senate passed a bill that would require people to provide proof of citizenship to register to vote in state elections. The deadline to vote in May’s local elections is tomorrow. Researchers at NASA are working with an Austin-area company to better understand sever weather patterns on Earth.

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