KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts

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

LGBTQ

‘Bathroom bill’ in effect, but enforcement is unclear

A new “bathroom bill” approved by Texas legislators has been in effect across the state for just over a week, requiring people to use public restrooms aligned with the sex they were assigned at birth. But there are still questions about how the law will be enforced, and here in Austin, a lot of it depends on which building you happen to be in.

Dr. Maggie Rivas-Rodriguez, the guiding hand behind the Voces Oral History Project, is stepping down after a quarter-century of documenting the stories of Latinos in Texas and the United States. She reflects on her work.

The 37th Street Lights will be lit tonight. But who started the Austin holiday tradition? ATXplained investigates.

Austin’s light-rail poised to clear major hurdle

The light-rail transit line long promised to Austinites could soon clear a major hurdle – and that could give new momentum to a project that’s been dragged down through legal and political resistance. The latest on where the project is headed.

Months after a Texas A&M professor was fired for discussing gender identity in a literature class, transgender college students in Texas are working out how to make their voices heard. Some are finding solace through expression in their community.

Plus, on the music side: Some Austin music history and more from KUTX’s favorite local songs of 2025.

‘Bathroom bill’ targeting trans Texans goes into effect this week

The so-called “bathroom bill” aimed at restricting transgender Texans’ access to some restrooms goes into effect this week. Republicans in the Legislature have been trying to enact such a measure for more than a decade; opponents are worried its unclear guidance on enforcement could cause cause public harassment.

There’s an upcoming benefit concert for Austin musician Rich Brotherton. We’ll hear from a few folks who know him well.

Plus: It’s Giving Tuesday! Learn how you can get involved with KUT, which is 100% community supported.

Austin voters reject Prop Q property tax rate increase

Austin voters overwhelmingly rejected Prop Q, a proposed property tax rate increase. KUT’s Andrew Weber breaks down what happened – and where city officials will look next for reductions in spending.

In other election news, Texans approved 17 amendments to the state constitution, touching on taxes, education, infrastructure and more.

And: The sale of Cheer Up Charlies to a Florida investment firm has been called off, the latest twist in what’s been a chaotic year for the popular queer bar.

Austin’s rainbow crosswalks, street lettering could soon be gone

The city of Austin is facing a deadline to remove roadway art, like the rainbow crosswalk at Fourth and Colorado streets or the words “Black Artists Matter” painted atop 11th Street. Gov. Greg Abbott says failure to do so would cause the city to risk losing state and federal dollars for future road projects.

We’ll hear from KUT government accountability reporter Andrew Weber, who is following the story.

Ever wondered who makes the giant fake sandwiches that you see around town at Thundercloud Subs? ATXplained brings you the answer.

How might proposed tariffs on Mexico impact Texas?

Texas does more business with Mexico than any other nation, and with 25% tariff threats now on the table from President-elect Trump, what should we expect? We’ll take a closer look.
The Texas Public Utility Commission issues a report on CenterPoint Energy’s much-criticized response to Hurricane Beryl.
Squaring economic data points with how voters felt going into this year’s election.
An educational oasis for some students is out of reach for others. A warning about community college deserts.

Talking with a real-life Texas Willy Wonka

Reporters have now identified a Texas woman experts say died because of the state’s restrictive abortion ban.
As early voting continues across Texas, we’ll check in with some LGBTQ+ voters about what’s on their minds as they head to the polls.
Also, some of the people removed in Gov. Greg Abbott’s voter roll purges were eligible voters.
Apple’s latest product announcement wasn’t one big event, but a whole series of smaller launches. How consumers and markets are reacting.
And it’s Halloween! We’ve got both tricks and treats in store, plus a story from our insect expert that isn’t for the queasy – but also a sweet one out of East Texas.

Former Houston police chief speaks out about ouster

Today in Houston, one of the first speeches by the new presumptive Democratic nominee for president, though not formally a campaign speech. Vice President Kamala Harris delivering the keynote to the American Federation of Teachers meeting in Texas’ biggest city.
Also in Houston, a former police chief alleges he was pushed out to bury a department scandal.
With more frequent extreme weather, Texans are worried about keeping the lights on: Californians? Not so much. What we might learn from their experience.
And you’ve heard “Hooray for Hollywood,” but what about Waco? Lights, camera and all the action on today’s Texas Standard.

After devastating tornadoes, Sanderson residents begin to rebuild and recover

The Texas Medical Board has offered guidance to doctors on the emergency medical exception to the state’s abortion ban.
How the small town of Sanderson in West Texas is recovering after a pair of tornadoes.
Shipments of avocados and mangoes from the Mexican state of Michoacán to the U.S. are suspended after two U.S. Department of Agriculture workers in the region were detained by local protesters and later removed from the area, leaving inspections of produce on hold. What will it mean for prices?
Reading, writing and roasting: Texas A&M is hoping to school the next generation of coffee experts by offering a Coffee Processing and Quality Certificate.
And: what Texas architecture of the mid century tells us about the Lone Star State and its complicated aspirations – we’re talking to the author and photographer behind “Home, Heat, Money, God: Texas and Modern Architecture.”

The latest on the bird flu outbreak among dairy cows

Storms continue to wreak havoc with flooding in some places north of Houston, the worst they’ve seen since Hurricane Harvey.

A preview of a big election tomorrow to fill a seat that hasn’t been vacant since the early 80’s.

Efforts to curb property taxes. How well’s that actually going?

The United Methodist Church does a 180 on LGBTQ clergy. We’ll talk with the Bishop of the Rio Texas Conference.

A big night for Dallas sports fans on more than one front. We’ll hear why and what’s at stake.

Do’s and don’ts for Cinco de Mayo.

Plus the week in politics with the Texas Tribune.

Effort to preserve Indigenous cemetery in Presidio is finally complete

A court says the foster care system in Texas is failing many vulnerable children. Why that’s especially true for trans kids.
A practically forgotten burial ground for Indigenous people in West Texas now has a proper memorial.
How a shortage of shipyard workers is contributing to delays for the Navy.
We’ll talk to author Jonny Garza Villa, whose new book “Canto Contigo” features a love story set to mariachi music.
Also: Why do so many bluebonnets pop up next to Texas highways?

Children at Risk’s annual ranking of Texas schools is out

Texas officials say they’re reassigning workers to deal with an ongoing problem of providing care for foster kids without placement.

The 2022-2023 school ratings report from Houston-based nonprofit Children at Risk sheds light on progress and problems that districts are facing statewide.

Former Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo, who also had a short stint in Houston, will soon take on a new position overseeing Austin’s police department.

And a giraffe in a park in Juárez, who made headlines last year, is getting a new home.

Examining Texas’ legacy of anti-LGBT laws

After seven months pushing a school voucher-like plan, Gov. Greg Abbott gets a firm pushback from fellow Republicans. Scott Braddock of the Quorum Report shares the latest.

Mexico plans to offer “know your rights” educational sessions in Texas as lawmakers send a wide-ranging border security bill to the governor.

Amid slowing sales of EV’s, one city in Texas seems to be leading the switch away from gas pumps to charging stations.

The past legislative session saw the filing of a historic number of bills impacting LGBT Texans – but that’s just the latest effort in what’s been a half-century of criminalizing these communities, according to a new investigation from KXAN TV.

Last Time, at the Gay Bar

It’s Pride Month. But there have also been sustained efforts this year across the country to stifle the voices of and limit the rights of LGBTQ+ people. This Typewriter Rodeo poem reflects what it looks like to celebrate yourself in a time when violence against LGBTQ+ people is commonplace.

Senate adopts rules for Ken Paxton impeachment trial

The rules are in: How Texas senators will manage the history-making impeachment trial of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Texas parks officials want to keep nearly 2,000 acres of parkland open to the public using eminent domain. Leaders in the county where Fairfield Lake State Park is located say not so fast.

First Twitter, now Reddit? The details are different, but another information-sharing site is seeing major owner/user conflict.

She has one of the most recognizable names in Texas history, but how much do you really know about Lady Bird Johnson? A new podcast explores.

Plus, the latest on severe weather across the state.

East Texas county lacks power during summer heat wave

Weekend storms knocked out power to tens of thousands in East Texas, amid dangerously hot temperatures and few options for cooling down. We’ll have the latest.

LGBTQ+ teens in Katy, outside Houston, are creating community in the midst of a culture war.

In San Antonio we’ll meet people who are building new lives after escaping the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Some North Texas neighbors found a solution to their fireworks problem – in church.

Plus, ever seen a ‘robot ump’? More changes ahead to Major League Baseball are already underway at AAA stadiums, including one in Central Texas.

Cloud seeding has never been proven, but drought-stricken Mexico is ready to try

At first, media coverage of the Cleveland, Texas, shooting focused on the manhunt for the gunman. But what about the victims lost?

As the clock ticks away for the 88th legislative session, there are some bills with bipartisan support that advocates say could have a positive effect on the state’s LGBTQ residents.

Housing affordability in Texas: is the state losing a certain edge? The Texas Standard’s Sean Saldana explains.

The cost of living is hitting Texans hard – how a group in San Antonio is fighting back with coupons.

Mexico is trying its hand at a controversial technique – cloud seeding – to break its drought.

Plus the week in politics with the Texas Tribune.

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