Emergency officials warn of extreme wildfire dangers across much of the Lone Star State as residents of the Panhandle mark one year since the largest wildfire in state history. The Texas Newsroom’s Rachel Osier Lindley reports on the long road back to normal.
From basketball to soccer and more, women’s sports is having a major moment. Now the state’s first women’s sports bar is about to open in Austin. The Standard’s Sarah Asch tells us more.
And: Bernard Harris Jr. made history as the first Black astronaut to walk in space. He shares his journey and discusses his new book, “Embracing Infinite Possibilities.”
Measles
Galveston becomes a major hub for the luxury cruise industry
The fight against the measles outbreak in West Texas is being hampered in part by poor infrastructure.
Two days before a death row inmate was set for execution, it’s been delayed for the second time. The back-and-forth over evidence – and how victims families are feeling.
Another day of high wildfire danger across Texas. How one county is looking to help some people who may struggle to better prepare.
Going a cruise? Many Texans don’t have to leave the state to start that journey. How Galveston has become a key player in the industry.
Why Texas is so vulnerable to tariff impacts
Texas is in the crosshairs as tariffs against Mexico and Canada take hold. Why, what it means, and could short-term pain add up to long-term gain?
At the state capitol, a bill aimed at raising wages for workers who care for people with disabilities. Why some fear it won’t be enough to stem a critical shortage of such workers in Texas.
“Office Space” may have been a funny movie filmed in Texas, but there’s nothing funny about what a glut of unused office space is doing to the state’s metros. How one city’s trying to deal with the repercussions.
Speaking of movies, oh the horror! Why so few of the scary variety get critical acclaim, despite a growing public appetite.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for February 28, 2025: Austin has its first known measles case since 2019.
Central Texas top stories for February 28, 2025. The measles case in Austin appears to be unrelated to the outbreak in West Texas. The Austin ISD School Board voted last night to approve leasing office space to The Greater Austin YMCA. Firefly Aerospace is preparing for its lunar lander to land on the moon this weekend. Volunteers are needed for tomorrow’s annual Great Texas River Cleanup in San Marcos.
KUT Morning Newscast for February 28, 2025: AISD’s vaccination rate for incoming kindergarteners is below target.
Central Texas top stories for February 28, 2025. As the measles outbreak in West Texas continues to raise concerns throughout the state, AISD’s vaccination rate for incoming kindergarteners is below target. The Greater Austin YMCA will lease office space from AISD to help decrease the school district’s $10 million budget deficit. Texas Women’s basketball team beat Mississippi State 68-64.
What’s affecting El Paso’s air quality?
One person has now died in the Texas measles outbreak that’s up to more than 120 official cases.
Hit the road in many parts of Texas these days and you’re likely to see some Teslas. So how are those drivers feeling about the very public and controversial latest moves by CEO Elon Musk?
Teacher pay increases may come this Texas legislative session. But what form they might take is unclear.
The U.S. military isn’t completely avoiding the same cuts ripping through other parts of government right now.
Plus: There’s something in the air in El Paso – and it isn’t pleasant. A look at a change in air quality and when its expected to lift.
KUT Morning Newscast for February 25, 2025: Public health leaders say it’s a good time to check your measles vaccination status.
Central Texas top stories for February 25, 2025. After a possible measles exposure in Hays County, health leaders say it’s a good time to check your vaccination status. Round Rock ISD is working to balance its budget. UT women’s basketball team is number one on the Associated Press Top 25 poll. Legislation in the statehouse would increase salaries for teachers for the first time in years, but some educators aren’t convinced.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for February 24, 2025: Many Austin-based IRS employees were fired in the thick of tax season.
Central Texas top stories for February 24, 2025. Matt Mackowiak is stepping down as head of the Travis County Republican Party. Measles continues to spread in Texas. Big Medium is shutting down. The City of Austin is planning for the city’s next budget. Austin FC opened the 2025 season with a victory against Sporting Kansas City.
Major airlines target rule setting standard for disability accommodations
What would be the implications for a Texas constitutional amendment “protecting the right of parents to raise their children”? Blaise Gainey of The Texas newsroom tells us who’s pushing it and the questions surrounding it.
Texas-based Southwest and American Airlines are joining with Delta, JetBlue and United to ask a court to overturn a rule requiring them to meet higher standards for accommodating passengers with disabilities.
The measles outbreak spreads beyond West Texas, with possible exposures at the San Antonio Riverwalk and at San Marcos’ Texas State University.
Plus: The Texas Ballet Theater will soon debut new commissions from women choreographers for the first time in about 20 years.
KUT Morning Newscast for February 24, 2025: Hays County officials are warning about a possible measles exposure in Central Texas.
Central Texas top stories for February 24, 2025. Public health officials say declining vaccination rates are driving an outbreak of measles in West Texas. Now, Central Texas officials are warning about a possible measles exposure in San Marcos and San Antonio. Congressman Greg Casar held his first Austin town hall since President Donald Trump returned to office last month. The median sales price of a home in Austin is up slightly compared to this time last year
KUT Afternoon Newscast for February 21, 2025: Austin doctors are encouraging vaccination against measles as cases in Texas continue to rise.
Central Texas top stories for February 21, 2025. Freezing rain is possible tonight. A wave of measles cases is spreading in West Texas. Austin Community College is expanding a partnership with Texas A&M University. The San Antonio Spurs will play the second game of the “I-35 series” in Austin tonight.
Measles outbreak spreads in rural West Texas
A measles outbreak in rural West Texas is rapidly spreading, with 49 cases confirmed. We’ll check in to see how the hospital in that region is responding.
The Texas Metropolitan Blueprint is an ambitious five-year plan to help policymakers confront the state’s explosive population growth.
Gov. Greg Abbott is warning Texans to prepare for what could be the coldest winter event in state history.
Plus: What do federal job cuts mean for national parks – and will they affect Texas?
A year after the Smokehouse Creek Fire, recovery is still underway
Concerns are growing about a measles outbreak in West Texas as some legislators push to rollback vaccination requirements.
It appears the threat of cutbacks from the federal government may already be having an effect on health services for veterans.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducted targeted enforcement actions in Austin last month, and Hispanic business owners say the impact has been immediate.
And: Nearly one year ago, downed power lines sparked wildfires that ultimately burned more than 1 million acres in the Texas Panhandle. The recovery effort is ongoing today.
Texas Standard: May 23, 2019
A border detention facility in McAllen shutdown, this in the wake of the death of a detained 16 year old migrant. We’ll have the latest. Also, the U.S. is blacklisting Huawei, the China-based phone maker. And the effects of that decision is hitting home harder than you might think. Plus a new investigation shows police in Texas accused of serious crimes and possible jail time using their badges as bargaining chips. Plus one of Texas’ biggest counties trying to make it easier for voters to do their thing…but will it work? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard: