KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts

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

Ken Paxton

KUT Morning Newscast for July 29, 2025: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton files a legal petition in an ongoing battle over conflicting state abortion laws

Central Texas top stories for July 29, 2025. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a legal petition against a New York county clerk in an ongoing battle over conflicting state abortion laws. The Texas Senate’s Special Committee on Congressional Redistricting on Monday held the third of four scheduled meetings. The Austin area is returning to hot, dry weather this week after an unusually wet start to the month.

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KUT Afternoon Newscast for June 18, 2025: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is demanding the city of Austin stop contracting with anti-gun companies

Central Texas top stories for June 18, 2025. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sent a letter to the city of Austin demanding they cease contracting with anti-gun companies. CapMetro’s police chief is leaving the transit agency. Governor Greg Abbott says he’s still on the fence about whether he’ll sign or veto a bill that would ban consumable products containing THC. Austin paramedic Selena Xie announced today that she’s running for a seat on the Austin City Council. Travis County residents are invited to hear updates tonight on the county’s progress building a mental health diversion center.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for May 28, 2025: Barton Springs remains open for night swim

Central Texas top stories for May 28, 2025. The City of Austin had planned to close Barton Springs Pool an hour earlier than normal starting later this week. The Williamson County DA is joining other counties in the state in suing the Texas attorney general over new oversight rules. After some welcome rounds of rain, our chances for more are starting to drop off. Early voting is underway in the runoff election for Bastrop mayor.

KUT Morning Newscast for May 15, 2025: The city of Austin is dedicating hundreds of thousands of dollars to support families experiencing homelessness

Central Texas top stories for May 15, 2025. Austin’s Homeless strategy office has $300,000 to give to groups helping families exit or avoid homelessness. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has settled a lawsuit he filed against the Travis County Commissioners Court last September. The ongoing heat wave in the Austin area can be dangerous for pets. Look out for more cyclists on your morning and afternoon commutes tomorrow as the city of Austin celebrates “Bike to Work Day.”

Ranchers plead for help to fight a devastating pest on its way back to Texas

Several current and former Frio County officials have been indicted for alleged vote harvesting, part of a years-long investigation led by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. One critic calls it voter suppression 101. What’s behind the charges?
In the conversation over cash bail reform, what’s missing? An new investigation points to a lack of focus on the bail bond industry.
The new world screwworm, a livestock pest, may be making a comeback in the U.S., and experts say Mexico hasn’t been cooperating to stop it. The Standard’s Michael Marks dives into why it’s considered so dangerous to Texas.
And: It’s prom and quinceañera season – milestone celebrations that often come with big dresses, big parties and of course, big meals. Mando Rayo, host of the Tacos of Texas podcast, digs in.

How shrimp fraud is affecting coastal fishers

According to a new poll, Texans have predictable opinions along party lines about Donald Trump’s immigration policies – but it’s more complicated on the economy.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is taking legal action against Austin ISD, accusing it of teaching critical race theory. It’s not the first time a Texas district has faced such charges.
Shrimp fraud is driving that sector of Gulf Coast agriculture to the brink. What you need to know about it.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation has released its annual list of the 11 most endangered historic places, including the San Juan Hotel in the Rio Grande Valley.
And: A land acquisition in the Big Bend preserves access to river recreation.

Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can support our work by becoming a sustaining member at supportthispodcast.org.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for May 6, 2025: Arts organizations in and around Austin are facing an uncertain future

Central Texas top stories for May 6, 2025. Austin Public Health is warning about possible exposure to measles. Arts organizations in Austin could lose funding with the National Endowment for the Arts terminating grants nationwide. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has accused Austin ISD of violating a state law that bans instruction on critical race theory in public schools. Starting tomorrow, your driver’s license needs REAL ID for domestic flights.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for May 5, 2025: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is investigating Austin ISD for allegedly teaching ‘critical race theory’

Central Texas top stories for May 5, 2025. Stormy weather today in the Austin area. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton says his office is investigating the Austin Independent School District. What an “omega block” is and why it’s bringing rain to the area. The Trump administration is resuming collections today on defaulted federal student loans. The University of Texas softball team will be part of the SEC Softball Tournament for the first time.

KUT Morning Newscast for April 15, 2025: Ten international students in the Texas State University System had their visas revoked.

Central Texas top stories for April 15, 2025. Families, students and staff came together to weigh in on the future of Dobie Middle School. Ten international students in the Texas State University System had their visas revoked, that includes two at Texas State University. House Bill 4283 would allow the Texas Attorney General to investigate and fine cities and counties if the AG thinks their policies violate state law. El Buen Samaritano is offering free vaccines today.  

KUT Morning Newscast for April 9, 2025: The City of Austin is facing a $33 million shortfall for next fiscal year.

Central Texas top stories for April 9, 2025. Texas Attorney General Republican Ken Paxton has announced he’s running for U.S. Senate. The City of Austin’s facing a $33 million budget deficit for the next fiscal year; it might ask voters for help. Austin’s City Council has only a few weeks to decide where to build parks over I-35. Rent prices in Austin have continued to fall for almost two years. A new program in Hays County will connect people caught driving while intoxicated with treatment instead of sending them to jail.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for April 3, 2025: Austin-area businesses are bracing for the effects of tariffs.

Central Texas top stories for April 3, 2025. Businesses big and small here in the Austin area are bracing for the effects of the tariffs. Today is the last day to register to vote in the May 3rd local elections. A formerly indicted Austin police officer will serve on the state police oversight board. The federal investigation of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton concerning allegations of corruption has been dropped. Chances of rain and thunderstorms enter the forecast starting tonight.

Trump’s new tariffs could hit Texas businesses hard

One of Texas’ top economists weighs in on the impact of Trump’s tariffs, what looks like the end of a U.S.-led free trade era, and what it could add up to for Texas.
It looks like John Cornyn may have a serious challenger for his seat in the Senate: Attorney General Ken Paxton.
The latest AI trend has users generating images in the style of animator Hayao Miyazaki and his Studio Ghibli works, sparking debates over copyright and artistic integrity.
Our March Madness bracket for the best song about Texas comes right down to the wire. Your vote could decide it all.
And: We’ll hear from Zell Miller III, Austin’s inaugural poet laureate.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for April 2, 2025: Austin-area teens are teaching their peers how to get involved in the political process.

Central Texas top stories for April 2, 2025. Homelessness is on the rise among people under the age of 25. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is close to deciding whether to challenge Senator John Cornyn in next year’s primary election. Save Our Springs is suing in state court over the plan to expand MoPac through South Austin. Firefly Aerospace is working with NASA on a mission to increase understanding of severe weather patterns on Earth. An opportunity is coming up this week to get your pet spayed or neutered free of charge.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for March 14, 2025: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is ordering the reversal of changes to the sex listed on documents for Transgender Texans.

Central Texas top stories for March 14, 2025. I-35 southbound in North Austin is back open this afternoon following a horrific crash overnight. The Austin area is under a Red Flag Warning until 9 o’clock tonight. The latest on a lawsuit against Austin-based conspiracy theorist Alex Jones from the family of Sandy Hook victims. Williamson County Commissioners voted today to promote Precinct 3 Commissioner Valerie Covey to help oversee the court until a new county judge is appointed. Williamson County is partnering with neighboring Burnet County to grow the region’s space industry.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for February 14, 2025: The legal battle between a New York Doctor and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton continues.

Central Texas top stories for February 14, 2025. A Texas judge is ordering a New York doctor to stop prescribing abortion pills to people in Texas. Austin ISD is instituting a hiring freeze on March 1st to try to reduce its growing budget shortfall. A new report from the ERCOT suggests there’s more work ahead to bolster the state’s energy system. The Austin City Council is updating its on-street parking rules for the first time in 15 years. The Austin marathon will cause street closures this weekend.

Inside the Conjunto Music Hall of Fame & Museum

At least five bills have been filed in the Texas Legislature so far to require Texas voters to show proof of citizenship. A look at the implications.

How education could take center stage in the upcoming 89th Texas legislative session.

Attorney General Ken Paxton files a motion to prevent testimony at the Capitol from death row inmate Robert Roberson.

And: Kristen Cabrera visits the Conjunto Music Hall of Fame & Museum for the Texas Museum Map project.

KUT Morning Newscast for December 20, 2024

Central Texas top stories for December 20, 2024. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a motion to prevent Texas death row inmate Robert Roberson from testifying. More homes are selling in the Austin area than this time last year. Cold Weather Shelters will open tonight in Austin. Hear all the details of tomorrow’s football game, it’s the Longhorns against the Clemson Tigers.

YouTube cleaning sensation AuriKatariina heads to Texas

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit claiming a New York doctor illegally prescribed abortion pills to a Texas resident.

A state plan to provide incentives for affordable housing: A Houston Chronicle investigation finds little affordable housing being built – and taxpayers holding the bag.

Two Texas families take legal action against an AI chatbot, alleging it served up sexual and self-harming content to kids.

Finnish cleaning star AuriKatariina, with 3.4 million YouTube subscribers and billions of views, is on the hunt for Texas’ dirtiest house to clean.

And: The New York Times sparks a controversy over the use of “y’all.”  Texas Monthly would like a word.

Trade schools thrive as electric vehicle demand grows

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued two giants of the chemical business, 3M and DuPont, over so-called forever chemicals contained in household objects.
A new kind of car needs a new kind of mechanic. The Standard’s Kristen Cabrera goes inside a school for hybrid and electric vehicle repairs.
The old art form of tintype photography is being revived in Waco.
And: EA recently made 23 of its accessibility patents freely available to help developers create more inclusive games.

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