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.
Juneteenth
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.
KUT Morning Newscast for June 16, 2023
Central Texas top stories for June 16, 2023. Heat advisory extended for central Texas. Vehicle inspection changes across the state. Cooling centers in Austin are open.
Nicole A. Taylor (Ep. 13, 2023)
This week on In Black America, producer and host John L. Hanson, Jr. speaks with Nicole A. +Taylor, food writer, master home chef, and author of Watermelon and Red Birds: A Cookbook for Juneteenth and Black Celebrations, and The Up South Cookbook: Chasing Dixie in a Brooklyn Kitchen.
Texas Standard: June 20, 2022
A green light for COVID-19 vaccines for kids under 5. A Texas doctor on the importance at this stage of the pandemic fight, we’ll have the latest. Other stories we’re tracking: hispanics and COVID-19 vaccinations. What a new study tells us about vaccine hesitancy and health information. In other news, Texas republicans at their convention in Houston approve a platform including the false claim that President Biden’s election was illegitimate. We’ll have more from that event. Also reflections on Juneteenth and the progress and perils in the pursuit of racial justice. The comments of UT scholar Peniel Joseph and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Stand Up Comedy and Juneteenth
In the first segment of this episode, Confucius and Fresh interview comedians Rochelle Genivive Clinton, Dasharae, Daniel West, and Jordan McDonald.
For Hip Hop Facts Fresh talks about Nick Cannon’s pre-Wildin’ Out backing by Will Smith, the myth that Naughty By Nature’s Treach left a reptilian surprise for Tommy Boy Records CEO Tom Silverman, and DJ Premier’s unexpected discovery of Travis Scott through his church community. Confucius discusses why Ice Cube passed on what later became Tupac’s role in the John Singleton film Poetic Justice, how Tupac invented the Humpty Dance, and what Master P said to Snoop Dogg after Snoop recorded an “F Death Row” album for Mack10’s label Hoo-Bangin’ Records.
Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion covers how he doesn’t care how people choose to celebrate Juneteenth, nor the notions of corporations pandering to black consumers, especially if you’re not from Texas!
Confucius wraps things up with the announcement of Beyonce’s album Renaissance: Act 1, Anthony Fauci testing positive for COVID-19, and the granting of additional humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
Juneteenth: Are We Really Free?
Juneteenth is celebrated annually in commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States, marking the day enslaved people in Texas were finally freed — more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. The national holiday is known by many names, Freedom Day, Liberation Day, Emancipation Day, and Jubilee Day.
In this hour-long audio documentary, KUT’s Miles Bloxson an Austin native, speaks to Black Austinites about the history of Juneteenth, how they celebrate the holiday, what Juneteenth means to them and explores the question, “Are We Really Free?”
Texas Standard: June 17, 2022
Is there a big push for Governor Abbott at the Texas GOP Convention? Not exactly… Sergio Martínez-Beltrán of the Texas Newsroom with the latest. Other stories we’re tracking, more warnings of record demand for electricity in coming days as Texas tries to beat the heat. While wind and solar getting credit for helping us avoid major blackouts, why these ongoing warnings? And is Texas moving quickly enough to meet constantly growing demand? Also, a new massive SpaceX rocket test cleared for liftoff in South Texas? The FAA imposes new restrictions. And reflections on Juneteenth: do Black Texans consider themselves really free? Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Stephanie Lang
In this episode of Black Austin Matters, hosts Lisa B. Thompson and Rich Reddick talk with writer, community curator and social justice activist Stephanie Lang about her deep roots in Austin, what newcomers misunderstand about Black Austin and preserving history.
Texas Standard: June 30, 2021
To declare a disaster or to not declare a disaster? That is the question before counties along the border. The disaster declarations are part of a bigger plan from Governor Abbott that includes his wall. We’ll talk about that in light of his visit to the border with former president Trump. We’ll also look at how Abbott ending federal unemployment benefits also ends state benefits for some Texans. And Bastrop is growing. We’ll look at the plans for a new state of the art film studio. And speaking of growth, Lubbock has a plan for its growth over the next 20 years. Will communities often forgotten be included this time? Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 21, 2021
The Texas Governor has followed through on a threat to veto funding for the state legislature. We’ll look at what’s next and what else fell to the pen. Also, when Governor Greg Abbott signed the so-called “constitutional carry” law at the Alamo he also signed another. Some say it is meant to change the role of states when it comes to gun laws. And we’ll also reexamine Governor Abbott’s border wall proposal and delve deep into the story of one migrant teen. Plus, redrawing political maps is an important process. But how can you really get involved? Turns out there are some tools for that. And Austin FC had its first home game over the weekend. But what’s it mean for another soccer-hungry city nearby? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard: