Texas does more business with Mexico than any other nation, and with 25% tariff threats now on the table from President-elect Trump, what should we expect? We’ll take a closer look.
The Texas Public Utility Commission issues a report on CenterPoint Energy’s much-criticized response to Hurricane Beryl.
Squaring economic data points with how voters felt going into this year’s election.
An educational oasis for some students is out of reach for others. A warning about community college deserts.
Hurricane Beryl
The state is facing a middle-class housing crunch
Housing availability is too low across Texas – and the cost to buy a home is just too high. We’ll have the details of a new report that shows the middle class feeling the brunt of the housing crunch.
Seniors were some of the hardest hit during the power outages caused by Hurricane Beryl. What’s being done to protect them before the next storm?
FEMA applications for damage caused by Beryl have far outpaced any other recent storm in Harris County, even Hurricane Harvey.
What we know about how CEOs are using artificial intelligence to make high-level executive decisions – and when humans should step in and override AI’s choices.
And: UT and Oklahoma are now in the SEC. If you don’t really get why that matters, we’ll have the cliff’s notes as college football season kicks off.
Amazon expands Prime shipping to rural areas, challenging USPS
More than 400 people ended up in emergency rooms with carbon monoxide poisoning after Hurricane Beryl, many from generators.
Five years later, victims of a mass shooting in El Paso wait for the state to prosecute the gunman.
Why Texas ranks last when it comes to healthcare access and affordability, especially for women.
Is there a link between the rising number of teachers without certification in the state and declines in student achievement? New research seeks to answer that question.
And: Amazon Prime’s two-day shipping is moving into rural areas to boost sales – a direct challenge to the U.S. Postal Service.
Former Houston police chief speaks out about ouster
Today in Houston, one of the first speeches by the new presumptive Democratic nominee for president, though not formally a campaign speech. Vice President Kamala Harris delivering the keynote to the American Federation of Teachers meeting in Texas’ biggest city.
Also in Houston, a former police chief alleges he was pushed out to bury a department scandal.
With more frequent extreme weather, Texans are worried about keeping the lights on: Californians? Not so much. What we might learn from their experience.
And you’ve heard “Hooray for Hollywood,” but what about Waco? Lights, camera and all the action on today’s Texas Standard.
Southlake teen Sam Watson sets speed climbing records ahead of Paris Olympics
Kamala Harris consolidates Democratic support, shattering fundraising records. How does this change things for Texas Republicans?
After the death of veteran Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, who takes her place for the remainder of her term and on the ballot for her open seat?
Sam Watson, an 18-year-old from Southlake, holds the three fastest times ever in speed climbing and will be competing at the Paris Olympics.
The Rio Grande Valley faces an unprecedented water crisis as drought intensifies.
And: a new push to change how Texas imposes the death penalty.
After attempted Trump assassination, a look at politically motivated violence in the US
We’re taking a closer look at the implications of the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, and a Texas perspective on the future of politics and democracy:
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller was in the crowd at Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday and shares a firsthand account.
The assassination attempt comes during one of the most politically volatile moments in our American history, but this is far from the first time political violence has threatened democracy. Presidential historian and professor Jeffrey Engel of Southern Methodist University on whether this may further galvanize divisions or lead to a shift in political rhetoric and rancor.
Also: State lawmakers are calling for an investigation into the slow power restoration process in the Houston region, where 264,000 remain without electricity a week after Hurricane Beryl hit.
Remembering iconic Texas actress Shelley Duvall
Five days after Hurricane Beryl’s landfall, more than 800,000 Texans are still without power as frustrations and questions rise along with the heat – and officials say half a million people may not get power back until next week.
Thirty-five percent of Texas students scored zero on the writing portion of STAAR test, raising big questions about the jump in low scores as computers take over the grading process.
Remembering Fort Worth native Shelley Duvall, who made a big mark on Hollywood and left it all for the Hill Country.
Also: the week in politics with The Texas Tribune and poetry from the Typewriter Rodeo.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for July 11, 2024
Central Texas top stories for July 11, 2024. What is behind the recent cooler temperatures. Austin Public Health is warning about the potential spread of the mosquito-borne illness dengue fever in Travis County. Hurricane Beryl’s impact on wildlife. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice says it plans to re-open the Bartlett prison unit in Williamson County. Central Texas drought conditions. Longhorn’s competing in the Olympics.
The Texas State Aquarium balances marine conservation and hurricane challenges
The Texas State Aquarium has a spot right on the edge of the Corpus Christi Bay – and storms in recent years have provided lessons that staff put in place for Hurricane Beryl.
There’s tons of evidence that most extreme weather hits communities of color the hardest. As Texas recovers from Beryl, what’s being done to address that?
A new court system in Texas designed just for business matters opens in September with judges appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott.
And: Cameras in your earbuds and health data tracked in a ring? We’ll check in on the latest in wearable technology.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for July 10, 2024
Central Texas top stories for July 10, 2024. Austin ISD is one step closer to building housing on one of its properties. A lawsuit to remove Travis County’s district attorney is likely to be thrown out. Federal and state officials feud over Hurricane Beryl. Seven people graduated this week from the Hays County Pretrial Diversion Program. Austin Public Library eliminated the $120 dollar fee to get a library card for people who live just outside of the city limits. The City of Hutto will move into Stage 2 of its water conservation plan starting Friday.
Tips for insurance and tree care as Texas recovers from Beryl
More than 1 million Texans are still without power in the wake of Hurricane Beryl’s sweep across Southeast and East Texas. Brent Taylor of the Houston Office of Emergency Management joins with the latest on damage assessments, ongoing outages and the growing concerns about heat.
What do Texans need to keep in mind as they repair and rebuild? More on insurance considerations for those affected, plus guidance on caring for trees after a major storm.
Also: In recent years, Texas has lost more rural hospitals than any other state. Now mobile clinics are rolling out to provide vital medical services where they’re needed most.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for July 9, 2024
Central Texas top stories for July 9, 2024. Austin will spend more than $1 billion dollars to expand one of the city’s wastewater treatment plants. The fate of a historic building on UT’s campus will be decided later this month. Austin’s experience with Hurricane Beryl. Criminal justice advocates are continuing their call for Travis County to provide attorneys for low-income people accused of crimes.
Houston starts cleanup after Hurricane Beryl tears through the region
Hurricane Beryl makes its mark on the Texas coast. Now, the cleanup begins. We’ll hear what’s happening from folks on the Gulf Coast.
Tariff talk was all the rage about four years ago. Now, not so much. But is the Biden administration doing business any different from its predecessor?
And: The State of Texas is putting a lot of money and effort into a border wall. But at its current pace of half a mile per week, it will take approximately 30 years to complete. We’ll have the latest.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for July 8, 2024
Central Texas top stories for July 8, 2024. Austin Water could be expanding the Walnut Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant. 94 cats and dogs were transported from the Gulf Coast Humane Society in Corpus Christi to the Austin Humane Society shelter in preparation for Hurricane Beryl. President Joe Biden will be in Austin next week to deliver a speech from the LBJ Presidential Library commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act. Austin FC is back on the fringes of the Major League Soccer playoff picture.
The latest updates on Hurricane Beryl after storm makes landfall in Texas
Hurricane Beryl has become the first of the 2024 season to make landfall in Texas, with major power outages reported across the Houston region as heavy rain and damaging winds move up from Matagorda. With floodwaters filling some streets in Galveston and 121 counties under a disaster declaration, we’ll have the latest on the storm.
The San Antonio Water System is under fire after shutting off water to four apartment buildings – affecting 600 units – after their property owners didn’t pay their bills.
And: Business owners and officials in the Rio Grande Valley seek to counter negative stereotypes about their communities by highlighting the region’s assets – and their first step is rebranding the RGV and its neighbors in Mexico as the “RioPlex.” Will it stick?
KUT Morning Newscast for July 8, 2024
Central Texas top stories for July 8, 2024. Austin is now out of Hurricane Beryl’s path. Round Rock police made a third arrest related to the City’s Juneteenth celebration shooting that left two dead and 14 injured. The Austin City Council is set to kick off budget deliberations this week. President Joe Biden will visit Austin next week.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for July 5, 2024
Central Texas top stories for July 5, 2024. Austin plans to have a labor contract with Austin Police by the end of the summer. Austin Community College is dedicating nearly 13 million dollars to helping current students get across the finish line. Austin Energy projects could impact traffic on South Lamar. Hurricane Beryl’s impact on Austin’s weather. San Marcos’ ban is not working so far. Gas prices have been holding steady heading into the long holiday weekend.
50 years on the road with Texas Highways
Hurricane Beryl bears down on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, raising red flags for Texas. Meteorologist Matt Lanza brings us the latest on the storm and what parts of Texas may be most affected.
The U.S. Supreme Court says it will take up a case involving Texas’ new law requiring adult-oriented sites to obtain age verification from users.
A milestone for any magazine, Texas Highways turns 50.
Border enforcement and the role of a one-time Texas Ranger in shaping how we view the issue today.
Plus, the week in Texas politics with the Texas Tribune.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for July 3, 2024
Central Texas top stories for July 3, 2024. Austin needs more time and public input before the city calls for a bond package to address climate goals. The Biden Administration is pushing to roll out a national standard to prevent heat-related illness for outdoor workers. San Marcos’ ban is not working. The Texas State Board of Education is still considering making Native-American studies classes available to more students in Texas public schools. Dell Children’s Medical Center is working to give children access to stem cell transplants in the Austin area. Austin is seeking public input on e-scooters. We could get a break from the triple digit heat in a few days. About 400 students started swim lessons this week through the Austin Parks and Recreation Department.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for July 2, 2024
Central Texas top stories for July 2, 2024. Congressman Lloyd Doggett is calling on President Biden to step aside as the Democratic nominee for president. The Austin Community College Board of Trustees has signed off on a 4-point-5 percent across-the-board raise for employees. The Austin Animal Center is pausing animal intake to help ease overcrowding. The Austin Police Department may finish out 2024 with more cadets than departures in its ranks for the first time in years. The Lower Colorado River Authority is offering grants of up to 50 thousand dollars. Potential weather changes inbound.