KUTX

Texas voting restrictions challenged in court

The trial of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton continues, but not for long. We’ll have details on the latest testimony from the Senate floor.

State senators could start deliberations in Paxton’s impeachment trial as soon as Thursday.

Texas voting laws go on trial in San Antonio. We’ll have details about a case challenging state bans on 24-hour polls and drive-thru voting.

All that, and how to keep your trees fungus-free, the best bean and cheese taco in Texas, and the latest headlines from across the state. It’s coming up today on the Texas Standard.

Historic heat makes Texas’ ailing water infrastructure even harder to fix

A plan for state officials to take over special education in the Austin Independent School District is being reconsidered. Becky Fogel of KUT in Austin shares more.

Record heat this summer statewide has led to widespread water leaks amid an already pressing need for repairs – but will a fund earmarked for fixes be enough?

With five deaths from fentanyl on average in Texas each day, a growing number of those deaths is among young people. The Dallas Morning news turns a monthlong spotlight on a growing crisis.

Advice for Austin Artists

This week Fresh and Confucius get real about what they think artists in the city should do career-wise. They talk about the importance of music videos, and when artists should try to start performing outside of Austin.

Plus, they celebrate Love Austin Music Month by playing an interview with J Soulja from ACLfest.

Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that paying for features by bigger artists isn’t always the best way to get your music out there.

Confucius talks about the recent involuntary manslaughter charges against Alec Baldwin, the debate over the debt ceiling, and Dr. Dre’s $200 million catalog sale in Confucius Reads the News

Remembering John Aielli

If you knew John personally, you knew he was an avid thrifter. Both his home and his desk at work were covered with secondhand art and knickknacks, as eclectic as his taste in music. John spent more than 50 years sharing stories and his thoughts through the music he played on his radio show Eklektikos. Inspired by that eclecticism, we present to you a collage of songs, sounds and remembrances of an Austin legend, from longtime colleagues, friends, Austin musicians, and listeners all over the world.

This is “Remembering John Aielli.”

John Aielli Answers the Unanswerable ATXPlained Questions (Part 1)

KUT’s Andrew Weber poses “unanswerable” ATXPlained questions for KUTX’s John Aielli to answer. Like, “Why does Austin have such beef with California?”

John Aielli Answers the Unanswerable ATXPlained Questions (Part 2)

KUT’s Andrew Weber poses “unanswerable” ATXPlained questions for KUTX’s John Aielli to answer. Like, “What’s up with the ladybug invasions that occur in some homes?”

Ode to an Austin Icon

John Aielli is one of those people who truly made Austin weird. He was known for his genre-defying show and meandering conversations. Aielli wasn’t just an icon of the music scene but a companion in kitchens and on commutes for decades. He died on Sunday at age 76 and was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.

Eklektikos host John Aielli, who flew by the seat of his pants, dies at 76

Aielli’s stream-of-consciousness style of presenting could feel improvised, chaotic. But that chaos was integral to the magic he created. KUT’s Mose Buchele has this remembrance.

Texas Standard: June 28, 2022

An horrific discovery outside of San Antonio where investigators describe one of the deadliest human smuggling incidents in years. The bodies of at least 50 people, all suspected migrants, found in and around an unair-conditioned abandoned tractor trailer truck. We’ll have the latest. Also the continued repercussions of the Dobbs decision. How the fall of Roe factors into Texas politics: specifically the race for governor. Plus post Roe privacy concerns and the intersection with technology, including the smartphone. And the push for truancy reforms after the shooting in Uvalde and much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: March 15, 2022

The Texas National Guard has a new leader. Will that mean a new direction for its operation on the border? Operation Lone Star continues under new leadership. We dig into what’s next for the border security mission backed by Governor Abbott. Also make sure to shake out your piggy bank, your nickels may be worth more than five cents, thanks to a shortage. Plus a decline in heritage tourism in Mexico. We’ll tell you why spring break hasn’t brought back the expats like it once did. All that and more today on the Texas Standard:

Jane Ellen Bryant & Terra Lightfoot – Somebody Was Gonna Find Out

This week’s episode deals with intense topics that may be difficult for some of you to hear. A very resilient young woman shares how she discovered her fathers affair only to be blamed by him for the fallout.

Austin’s Jane Ellen Bryant and the award winning Ontario songwriter Terra Lightfoot collaborate, writing a beautiful and appropriately haunting ballad that peers into our confessor’s bravery.

Listen to Song Confessional every Thursday at KUTX.org and anywhere else you listen to podcasts.

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Alesia Lani – Fool For You

This week we hear a woman’s nationally newsworthy proposal gone just a bit awry.

Austin based R&B powerhouse Alesia Lani turns this romantic mishap into a soulful pop anthem reminding us what it feels like to fall in love.

You’ll hear Walker and Alesia talk about their love lives and how she mixed in her own experiences to create this bop!

Don’t miss Song Confessional every Thursday at KUTX.org and anywhere else you listen to podcasts.

5 Years of The Breaks

This week on The Breaks:

- The Breaks celebrate the 5th Anniversary of their radio show on KUTX 98.9
- Confucius and Fresh discuss the greatest beef of all time — the one between Elmo and Zoe’s pet rock, Rocco
- Both hosts look back on the last five years of The Breaks radio show.
- In this week’s installment of Hip-Hop Facts, you’ll learn about the deal that almost happened between Def Jam and BMF, how Cam’ron almost signed Rick Ross, how J Cole hipped Dr. Dre to Kendrick Lamar, how T.I.’s wife Tiny helped him early in his career and more.
- Fresh states his Unpopular Opinion that JID will make the best album of 2022.
- In his Confucius Reads the News segment, Confucius talks about the anniversary of the insurrection of January 6th, the rise of the Omicron variant, and why Antonio Brown walked off the field.

You can hear the latest full broadcast of The Breaks Saturday night show.

Song Confessional Season 2 Announcement

Season 2 starts January 13! New song premieres from !!!, Alesia Lani, Sea Moya, Jane Ellen Bryant & Terra Lightfoot, David Ramirez & Kalu James, Madisen Ward & The Momma Bear, Night Moves.

New original score for every episode!

Even more exciting news, we now have a permanent interactive confession booth in partnership with Hotel Magdalena! Visit Hotel Magdalena in Austin, TX anytime to share your stories. New Episodes every Thursday.

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Is Lil Baby the new Lil Wayne?

This week on The Breaks:

Fresh is still out, so Confucius explores the idea that Lil Baby reminds people of Lil Wayne.
Confucius discusses the foolishness of “T.I” trying to deny the multiple sexual assault allegations that have been brought against him in his new song “What It’s Come To.”
Confucius talks about the recent news that Aaliyah secretly dated Static Major, and that their relationship inspired “Are You That Somebody.”
In this week’s installment of “Hip-Hop Facts” you’ll learn interesting things about the making of Tha Carter III, Lupe Fiasco, The Cool Kids & Kanye West.
In his Confucius Says Segment, Confucius encourages listeners not to put unrealistic expectations on the people around them, especially when they are dealing with their own children.

Go Off Mariah!

This week on The Breaks:

Fresh is still out, so Confucius talks about the recent rumors that Mariah Carey exploded at a meeting at Roc Nation that included Jay-Z.
Confucius talks about Kat Williams’ take on cancel culture.
In this week’s installment of Random Hip-Hop Facts you’ll learn interesting tibits about Usher, Ludacris, Drake, Jay-Z, and Mariah Carey.
In his Confucius Says segment, Confucius encourages listeners to put themselves in other people’s shoes and lean into empathy.

Listen to the latest full broadcast of The Breaks Saturday night show.

Catching up with the Breaks

The Breaks are back after a two week hiatus. In this episode:

Confucius and Fresh honor Shock G who passed away on April 22.
both hosts discuss Irv Gotti’s comments about the passing of DMX
the hosts debate whether Busta Rhymes was right to crown Bobby Shmurda “The King of New York.”
you’ll learn little known facts about Irv Gotti, Fat Joe, Mase, Diddy, Lord Infamous, Cappadonna & Drake’s classic record “Views.”
In his Unpopular Opinion Fresh states that, “Sorry Not Sorry” the DJ Khaled song featuring Jay-Z and Nas is lackluster.
In his Confucius Says segment Confucius encourages people to enjoy where they are not a not try to bring other people down.

The Breaks are on every Saturday 10pm-1am on KUTX 98.9.

You can hear the latest full broadcast of The Breaks Saturday night show.

Song Confessional x Pause/Play

Today we’re presenting another KUT/KUTX podcast Pause/Play – a podcast about live music, a global pandemic and what comes next. Live Music has returned to Austin, even as COVID cases continue to surge in Texas. Hear about three live music experiences from the perspective of a fan, three musicians and a promoter.

In this episode you’ll hear from: host Elizabeth McQueen stepping into the role of a fan, Greg Gonzalez bass player for Money Chicha & Grupo Fantasma, Tomar Williams from Tomar and the FC’s, Geoff Earle from Stiletto Feels, and Song Confessional co-host Walker Lukens.

72 Hours In Newport – Houndmouth “Some Paradise”

Our final episode of “72 Hours in Newport” features alternative blues band, Houndmouth! This week our confessor shares a story of his death-defying sailing trip from Hawaii to California, ultimately pushing him to propose to his then-girlfriend. Later, Walker sits down with Matt Myers of Houndmouth to discuss how the music industry can adapt post-Covid, Houndmouth’s secret band member, and how Matt is unintentionally romantic.

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72 Hours In Newport – Wild Child “Going In”

Episode 4 of “72 Hours in Newport” features Austin-based indie pop band, Wild Child! In this episode our confessor tells us about meeting her long lost half-brother at a party in high school. (Oh, she had no idea he even existed beforehand.) Later, Zac and Kelsey Wilson of Wild Child discuss how boring the ‘end of the world’ is, finding her voice in multiple musical projects, and building community around her.

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