I-35 expansion

Central Austin residents vote on 21-foot concrete wall to block I-35 noise

Residents in the Cherrywood neighborhood have until the end of the day to vote on whether they want a 21-foot-tall concrete wall built within arm’s reach of their backyards. The wall is a proposed noise barrier to block sound from I-35. KUT’s Nathan Bernier reports.

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KUT Afternoon Newscast for September 3, 2025: Texas bill cracking down on abortion pills now one step away from governor’s desk

Central Texas top stories for September 3, 2025. The bill would let private citizens sue out-of-state providers of abortion pills. FEMA has announced updated flood insurance maps for Bastrop County. Hays County is expanding its public defender office. The City of Austin is updating its comprehensive plan for the first time in 13 years. Construction on the I-35 expansion is going to affect traffic on Riverside Drive. Texas Volleyball is back in action tonight after opening the season with a pair of victories.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for April 25, 2025: Pedaling toward a cure for multiple sclerosis.

Central Texas top stories for April 25, 2025. The Austin area has stumbled in efforts to improve local air quality. Spring bird migration season is hitting its peak in Central Texas. The MLK bridge over I-35 will be closed to vehicles the next couple of nights. The Texas MS 150 bike race comes at a critical time for medical research funding.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for March 11, 2025: Austin will delay a vote that could determine what I-35 looks like for the next 50 years.

Central Texas top stories for March 11, 2025. The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for the Austin area tomorrow. Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell is resigning to take a position with the Trump administration. Texas will not be participating in the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer program. The Trump administration’s review of federal grants is forcing the Austin City Council to delay a vote on where to build structures that would support giant decks over the highway. The City of Austin is ramping up its emergency response system. Most people feel more unsafe than safe on Travis County roads.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for March 4, 2025: Opioid overdoses in Austin are declining.

Central Texas top stories for March 4, 2025. The Austin area is under a Red Flag Warning until 9:00 tonight. There’s been a drop in opioid overdoses in the Austin area. An exit on southbound I-35 will close permanently tonight as part of a major expansion of the interstate. Average rents in the Austin area fell again last month. Some CapMetro customers are struggling with a new app. Uber customers in Austin can now catch rides in a self-driving vehicle.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for February 27, 2025: Austin is postponing changes to it’s rules for short-term rentals.

Central Texas top stories for February 27, 2025. Construction on the I-35 expansion’s second phase will begin soon. The City of Austin is unifying offices that provide resources to artists and creatives. Austin ISD may lease space in its administrative office to help chip away at its budget deficit. This year’s bluebonnet season could be hindered by drought conditions. The Texas Women’s basketball team has their final conference road game of the regular season tonight.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for October 30, 2024

Central Texas top stories for October 30, 2024. Election officials advise voting early to avoid the Election Day rush. The largest-ever expansion of I-35 through Central Austin officially kicked off this afternoon. Local groups are working to secure federal support to help Austin residents prepare for climate emergencies. Six students held a pro-Palestinian demonstration and delivered a letter of demands to President Jay Hartzell’s staff. Open enrollment for marketplace health insurance opens on Friday. Rain is inbound for Austin.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for July 22, 2024

Central Texas top stories for July 22, 2024. Austin is close to getting a new police chief. Williamson County will continue to provide emergency financial support to its veterans and their families thanks to a grant from the Texas Veterans Commission. The federal government is sending $48 million to the Austin area to get people out of their cars. Austin FC will begin competing in the Leagues Cup this week. Rain has been falling in the Hill Country.

KUT Morning Newscast for May 14, 2024

Central Texas top stories for May 14, 2024. An attempt to freeze funding for the I-35 expansion was defeated in a heated vote yesterday. Disruptions to various systems and services at Ascension-owned hospitals continue. Texas state Senators are getting an update on the steps university leaders have taken to comply with the DEI state law that took effect in January. Austin’s State of Our Environment Report for 2023. Austin Public Health is using two-million dollars in federal funding to address opioid overdoses. UT Austin will open a new center in Taylor.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for May 1, 2024

Central Texas top stories for May 1, 2024. A demonstration planned for today on the UT campus was postponed. Travis County has approved a new agreement to help manage overdose prevention after a string of drug overdoses in the Austin area this week. Early voting for the May 4th local elections has wrapped up. A flood watch is in effect in the Austin area. The City of Austin is going to start asking the public what should go on top of I-35 after the main lanes are lowered. The City of Round Rock has created a new ‘Tool Depot’ program. Splash pads operated by the City of Austin opened today.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for February 21, 2024

Central Texas top stories for February 21, 2024. Numbers from the first day of early voting. The Del Valle ISD school board president resigned in protest of a former trustee being re-appointed to the board. Construction on I-35 is neverending. I-35 expansion explained. Leander lagoon plans. Hays County’s workforce is growing fast. Longhorns sports.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for February 5, 2024

Central Texas top stories for February 5, 2024. How to register to vote on this last day ahead of the upcoming primary elections. How to re-register if your address or name has changed. One name on many parties’ primary ballots for State Board of Education. Finding parkland to replace land TxDOT is seizing for I-35 expansion. Public still weighing in on San Marcos long-term planning.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for January 29, 2024

Central Texas top stories for January 29, 2024. A lawsuit was filed attempting to block the I-35 expansion in Austin. Sunday was a record breaking solar power day. The City of Austin plans to set up a fund to help people who are experiencing homelessness. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is facing questions about undisclosed properties worth millions. The Texas State Board of Education delayed a vote on a Native American Studies course. Flu rates are climbing as COVID rates fall. Longhorns Basketball.

KUT Morning Newscast for December 5, 2023

Central Texas top stories for December 5, 2023. I-35 expansion to displace several local businesses. Bumps on the road to an electric Capital Metro. Ice storm warnings. Free emergency supplies for Austin residents. Christmas tree recycling.

KUT Morning Newscast for November 6, 2023

Central Texas top stories for November 6, 2023. I-35 Anti-expansion rally. Christopher Taylor trial continues. Low turnout for early voting. Immigration enforcement bill. Sims elementary repurposing. Longhorns stay put in rankings.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for October 19, 2023

Central Texas top stories for October 19, 2023. Land rule changes to improve childcare access. Austin City Council weighs in on I-35 expansion. Potential airport name change. Austin city manager search firm confirmed. Gas prices.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for August 30, 2023

Central Texas top stories for August 30, 2023. ERCOT again calls on Texans to conserve electricity, citing generation outages. Judge rules unconstitutional new Texas law that would throw out local rules. Austin zoning case postponed. I-35 expansion project opponents keeping up their fight. Travis Co seeing deaths involving Xylazine. Austin airport breaks ground on gate expansion. Austin FC at Q2 Stadium tonight.