Texas’ Supreme Court hands down a major ruling that looks like a win for SpaceX on the surface but leaves open serious questions about a clause in the Texas Constitution.
Texas Tech and Texas A&M try to narrow a health care gap in rural Texas.
In North Texas, another World Cup match for Argentina today, this time against Austria, and another chance at history being made. All eyes are on the pitch in Dallas as soccer legend Lionel Messi takes the field as part of the tournament many see as his “last dance.”
After the excitement from the Spurs’ NBA Finals run has faded, many are remembering a basketball championship that might have been and the impact that may last longer-term.
And remembering a pioneer in Tejano and Mexican folk music.
Juneteenth
Juneteenth in Austin: Black History Bike Ride Documentary, Book Festival Preview and Reflections on Freedom
It’s Juneteenth, and it’s time for another trek through town for the Black History Bike Ride. The organization has been hosting the event for a few years now and a new documentary has been made highlighting the mental and physical journey of the ride. We’ll sit down to chat with the filmmaker about the project.
The Austin African American book festival is fast approaching. We’ll hear some book recommendations from the leader of the fest.
Plus; KUT’s Miles Bloxson speaks to Black Austinites about the history of Juneteenth, how they celebrate the holiday and explores the question, “Are We Really Free?”
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Exploring Juneteenth and the history and culture of Black Texans
It’s been a celebration for more than 160 years — but only a federal holiday for a few. We’re recognizing Juneteenth on today’s Texas Standard.
North Texan Opal Lee is known as the grandmother of Juneteenth for her efforts to get the holiday recognized on a national level. We’ll delve more into the history, as well as other stories about Juneteenth celebrations.
And we’ll revisit conversations that explore Black Texan history and modern-day experience: a National Park Service site in Texas that served as a refuge for enslaved people seeking freedom in Mexico, the joy of a Black Rodeo in the 1970, and the ongoing role of the Black-owned bookstore.
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 19, 2025: Annual Juneteenth celebrations across Austin buzz with energy, joy and reverence
Central Texas top stories for June 19, 2025. Juneteenth celebrated across Austin area, marking 160 years since Union troops arrived in Galveston with the news of emancipation. Austin is losing even more water to leaky city pipes than previously thought. Austin conspiracy theorist Alex Jones accused of hiding money from Sandy Hook families. Texas bills on religion in public schools await Gov. Abbott’s signature as Sunday deadline looms
Marking Juneteenth where it began: Galveston celebrates freedom
President Trump considers a move that has brought together resistance from the left and the right. The stakes for U.S. involvement in a new Mideast war.
Juneteenth is a holiday marking freedom for people enslaved in Texas, a proclamation announced in Texas on this date 160 years ago, now celebrated across the U.S.. The Texas Standard’s Sean Saldana takes us to the city where that event took place.
A new audit reveals widespread failures in how complaints about local jails are overseen by the state agency in charge.
Plus: We’ll mark National Great Outdoors Month by revisiting some of our favorite stories about the outdoors, part of our 10th birthday celebration here at the Standard.
KUT Morning Newscast for June 19, 2025: Austin’s Alex Jones is facing another lawsuit related to the families of the Sandy Hook school shooting
Central Texas top stories for June 19, 2025. Every year Austin’s water utility loses around 7 billion gallons of treated water because of leaks in the system. Alex Jones is facing another lawsuit related to his defamation of victims of the Sandy Hook school shooting. Expect some closures around the city because of Juneteenth celebrations.
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 Morning Newscast for June 10, 2025: Hundreds march in downtown Austin to protest Trump immigration crackdown
Central Texas top stories for June 10, 2025. Law enforcement officers used an eye irritant to disperse people protesting the Trump’s administration’s mass deportation efforts. Some students expect their tuition and fees to be more than double after the Texas Dream Act was struck down last week. A bill lawmakers hope will make it harder to stop or stall new housing has been sent to the governor’s desk. Juneteenth celebrations start in Austin today. FACE grant applications are open until July 17th.
Reflecting on the Aggie bonfire tragedy, 25 years later
The Texas State Board of Education could soon approve a curriculum that includes Bible stories and doesn’t spend as much time on slavery.
It’s been 25 years since one of the darkest moments in Texas A&M history. Reflecting on the impact of the Aggie bonfire collapse.
Families in America today can look a lot different than what’s long been considered “normal.” The podcast “Refamulating“ explores why it’s important to re-think family.
A Black-owned bookstore in North Texas is closing one chapter, but its owner says even after very challenging times, the story isn’t over.
Plus: Why Faith Family Academy, a dominant team in girls basketball, won’t be allowed in the state playoffs.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for September 12, 2024
Central Texas top stories for September 12, 2024. Austin Water is out with updated goals for how much water the utility hopes to conserve into the future. Two suspects arrested in connection with the deadly gunfire at this year’s Round Rock Juneteenth celebration have been formally indicted by a Williamson County grand jury. The Austin City Council has approved a plan that will phase out firefighting equipment and materials that contain forever chemicals. The Austin City Council voted today to change noise rules, which could lead to better soundproofing for homes and hotels near music venues. Austin’s citizen-led police watchdog organization meets tonight.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for August 26, 2024
Central Texas top stories for August 26, 2024. Austin Community College kicked off its fall semester today. Police in Round Rock say additional warrants have been secured for one of the suspects arrested in connection with the deadly gunfire at this year’s Juneteenth celebration. The Texas Juvenile Justice Department is the focus of a scathing report from the U.S. Department of Justice. CapMetro swore in its first-ever police chief today. People in West Travis County can now resume watering their lawns and filling up swimming pools. The Texas Longhorns kick off their first season in the Southeastern Conference this weekend.
Interview with Dr. Rosalind Oliphant and Terry P. Mitchell
Confucius and Fresh sit down with Founder Dr. Rosalind Oliphant and Author Terry P. Mitchell to discuss the Austin African American Book Festival and The City We Built: Black Leaders of Austin, happening June 29th, plus Hip-Hop Facts, reactions to the latest headlines, and an Unpopular Opinion on Tyler the Creator’s role as a West Coast representative.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for June 19, 2024
Central Texas top stories for June 19, 2024. Impact of Tropical Storm Alberto. An effort by state grid operators to bolster the Texas power supply going into this summer has failed. Austin Energy wants to enroll more people in its Customer Assistance Program. Round Rock ISD has found a way to approve a balanced budget for the school year ahead despite many districts in the area facing budget deficits. Juneteenth celebrations continue in Austin today.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for June 18, 2024
Central Texas top stories for June 18, 2024. Texas Supreme Court rules state electric grid regulators acted legally when they hiked energy rates during a blackout in February 2021. What Hays CISD is doing to tackle a budget deficit. A reward is being offered for information about the shooter that killed two people at a Juneteenth celebration in Round Rock. The University of Texas at Austin is laying off more than a dozen employees responsible for communication and marketing. Lynn Boswel is running for reelection to the Austin ISD board of trustees. The City of Austin is getting rid of some public pool fees this summer. Juneteenth celebrations. Rain expected for tomorrow.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for June 17, 2024
Central Texas top stories for June 17, 2024. Police in Round Rock have released the names of two people killed by gunfire during the city’s Juneteenth celebration over the weekend. A trial to determine the fate of Austin’s planned light rail system. Thunderstorm chances this week. Another bat species in Texas has tested positive for White-Nose Syndrome. Gas Prices in the local area are now averaging less than three dollars a gallon.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for June 14, 2024
Central Texas top stories for June 14, 2024. Texas elementary & middle school students are still struggling with math proficiency. Ascension malware attack is still impacting marketplace health insurance plans offered by the hospital system. Few people are getting tickets for blocking “the box.” Tomorrow is Election Day in Leander. Austin-born artist Suzy González is looking to showcase the city’s diversity in a future mural at the Austin History Center. Junteenth celebrations in the Austin area.
Black Mexicans, Part 2: Tracing the foodways of Black Seminoles and Mexicans in Texas and Mexico
There is so much untold and uncovered history of the African diaspora, especially that within the lineages of slavery. Food can signal a variety of possibilities within history, and in this episode, we examine the melding and the migration of Black Seminoles across Texas and into Mexico. We join Windy Goodloe and Corina Torralba Harrington, both descendants of Black Seminoles and of Mexican heritage for a Juneteenth celebration in Brackettville before making a pilgrimage to Nacimiento de los Negros in Coahuila, Mexico. We uncover their connecting points, foodways, and how they are preserving and continuing their culture and history.
What’s next after Abbott vetoes more than 70 bills?
The power of the pen: Gov. Greg Abbott has used his veto more this summer than he ever has before. What’s at stake?
Advocates for people with disabilities demanded some changes at the state Capitol this legislative session. We’ll hear more about how the issues fared from the Standard’s Shelly Brisbin.
Systems are pretty much back up and running in Dallas after a ransomware attack. A look at why these keep happening and how to prevent them.
Fentanyl in Mexico and the newer risks tainted drugs pose to those who travel there.
And it’s Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day or Freedom Day. We’ll visit a celebration in East Austin and talk to an author about enriching our understanding of the experiences of enslaved people.
KUT Morning Newscast for June 19 2023
Central Texas top stories for June 19, 2023. Excessive Heat Warning. Special Cooling Centers. Juneteenth 2023 Closures. Abbott 2023 Vetoes. Student Overdose Prevention.