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KUT and KUTX news and music podcasts for Austin, Texas and beyond
Austin is getting a new boardwalk on Lady Bird Lake – though when is still up in the air. KUT transportation reporter Nathan Bernier has the latest on the $25 million upgrade.
A new exhibit at Texas State University, “The Selena Effect,” spotlights the Queen of Tejano’s fashion through the eyes of her friend and longtime designer, Martin Gomez.
Central Texas top stories for July 31, 2025. Texas Republicans have released a proposed map to redraw the state’s congressional districts. The City of Austin plans to pass its budget within the next few weeks. The organizers of Austin’s annual LGBTQ Pride festival say they’re facing a funding shortfall this year. One of Austin’s best-kept parking secrets will disappear in the coming weeks.
KUT News Now is made at KUT Public Media Studios. You may have heard that Congress just took back the money it had allocated for public media. Our organization stands to lose 1.2 million dollars. We’re asking our listeners now to help us make up this shortfall. If you want to help us out, you can make a donation at supportthispodcast.org.
Central Texas top stories for July 7, 2025. The Austin area and the Hill Country are still under a Flood Watch until 7PM. Central Texans are grappling with the effects of deadly, flash flooding that hit the area over the weekend. Among one of the worst-hit communities is Sandy Creek – just outside the Leander city limits. Flooding in Burnet County hit the southern part of that area the hardest. Austin-area school districts are offering support to families following the deadly floods in Kerr and Williamson counties. The City of Austin is extending its waterways ban until noon tomorrow.
Central Texas top stories for June 20, 2025. The city of Austin lost enough water to fill Lady Bird Lake four times over. Governor Greg Abbott has until Sunday to take action on a bill that would ban consumable hemp products containing THC. Tesla’s fleet of driverless robotaxis is set to hit Austin streets this Sunday. Governor Greg Abbott is expected to sign a bill by Sunday that would limit land sales to non-citizens from several countries. Austin ISD will cut more than 20 percent of positions at its Central Office. The Moody Center is hosting gamers from across the world this weekend at the BLAST.tv Austin Major.
Central Texas top stories for June 9, 2025. Immigration rights activists say undocumented college students pay tens of millions of dollars in tuition and fees. Capital Metro has new police officers; they’ll patrol the transit system starting next week. The City of Austin continues with cyanobacteria remediation efforts in Lady Bird Lake.
Central Texas top stories for June 6, 2025. Taylor Pride is set to hold its fifth annual music and arts festival later this month. A Texas law allowing undocumented students to pay in-state tuition rates was repealed this week. With the weather heating up, the city is about to resume cyanobacteria remediation efforts in Lady Bird Lake. Starting today, dust that has travelled all the way from North Africa is obscuring the skies over Central Texas.
Central Texas top stories for May 16, 2025. Austin and counties to the south are under a Heat Advisory until tonight. Austin-area public education advocates say the current proposal being debated by lawmakers does not do enough to help schools. A case involving the City of Austin and a proposed redevelopment along Lady Bird Lake was heard in court this week. Travis County is shifting to a new way to let people know about burn bans and wildfire danger.
Central Texas top stories for April 22, 2025. Voters across Travis, Williamson and Hays counties can cast their ballots ahead of the May 3rd election.Scientists have spotted clumps of blue green organisms near Red Bud Island on Lady Bird Lake. Travis County leaders are hoping to revamp the former Austin State Hospital site. The Austin Animal Center will offer only limited services tomorrow as its staff transitions its data to a new management system. We have a chance of thunderstorms today and tonight in the Austin area.
Central Texas top stories for March 31, 2025. Austin ISD officials are considering closing schools in an effort to reduce the district’s budget deficit. A $25 million pedestrian bridge is almost half-way built at the east end of Lady Bird Lake. The Texas Women’s basketball team faces TCU tonight for a spot in this weekend’s Final Four.
Central Texas top stories for March 31, 2025. Wishbone Bridge will be the first of its kind in Austin. Six years after it closed, HOPE Outdoor Gallery is reopening this fall. The Texas women’s Basketball team takes on TCU this evening for the chance to move on to this weekend’s Final Four. Austin FC is on a three-game win streak.
Central Texas top stories for January 29, 2025. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has arrested undocumented migrants in Austin and across the country in recent days, that includes people without criminal backgrounds. A federal judge temporarily paused a funding freeze put in place by Trump’s administration, the freeze could affect local non-profits. A temporary fix was made to Longhorn Dam after a gate got stuck, dropping Lady Bird Lake water level by two feet.
Central Texas top stories for October 8, 2024. Property owners in Travis County will have to wait a little longer this year before getting their tax bill. Austin has been losing more water from its water system despite efforts to fix leaks. The Austin City Council is in the homestretch of approving a five-year labor agreement with the city’s police. Lady Bird Lake levels are down by a couple feet. Samsung supplier is establishing a presence in Williamson County. It’s been more than a month without rain at Austin’s official sites and that’s creating a lot of dry fuel for fires.
The Austin Airport worker’s union has avoided a strike by securing a wage hike. Texas OBGYNs say best practices are hindered by restrictive state abortion law, many have considered leaving Texas. Fewer Monarch butterflies have been spotted in Texas so far this fall, a bad sign for their annual migration. A malfunction at Austin’s Longhorn Dam caused Lady Bird Lake to start draining on Monday. City says the problem has been fixed.
Central Texas top stories for June 3, 2024. Plaintiffs in a case challenging Texas abortion laws say exceptions remain unclear. The City of Austin is looking to improve its rapid rehousing programs for people transitioning out of homelessness. Leander city council runoff election. The U.S. had a record number of deaths from heat-related illness last year. The Austin Community College Board is looking at how much to increase staff pay in the next fiscal year. The City of Austin is applying a special treatment to parts of Lady Bird Lake to fight the spread of dangerous Cyanobacteria. The Texas Longhorns have been crowned national champions in NCAA Division I women’s rowing. Texas softball has two chances tonight to advance to the Women’s College World Series finals.
Central Texas top stories for February 20, 2024. Early voting in the March 5th primaries begins today. Lawyers for the City of Austin were in court today over the question of how tax dollars collected from property owners just south of Lady Bird Lake can be used. The City of San Marcos is considering a “can ban” ordinance. Austin Justice Coalition calls out the city over a lack of progress on over 50 recommendations from 2008 meant to improve the quality of life of Black residents. Del Valle ISD to swear in former trustee to vacant school board seat.
Central Texas top stories for July 24, 2023. This month tied with last year for Austin’s hottest July on record. LCRA calls for water conservation. Heat encourages plant growth in Lady Bird Lake. Burn ban for Austin parks and wildland preserves. More Austin Fire and EMS stations getting back-up generators. Non-profit organization provides heat relief in Williamson Co.
A lawsuit challenging Texas’ new prohibition on hormone blockers and other treatments for transgender youth.
Lawmakers failed to pass new rules on locating concrete batch plants – what do those pushing for change plan to do next?
A report shows modest economic growth in Texas, we’ll hear more. Plus – Texas slips in the rankings of business-friendly states. Why and what are the implications?
A hit, or a swing and a miss? A certain sport using bats and balls arrives in Texas for summer, but are Texans ready for professional cricket?
Plus the week in Texas politics with the Texas Tribune.
Central Texas top stories for October 14, 2022. Austin Energy rate hikes. 911 operator shortage. Austin ISD staff retention. Lady Bird Lake. New Cedar Park Library. Austin FC playoffs.
Central Texas top stories for September 14, 2022. Ozone action day. Housing development. Lady Bird Lake trail. Governor race poll. COVID boosters. Austin FC.
You can canoe, kayak, paddleboard — but don’t get in the water. Why not?