Minnesota

Austin nurses hold vigil for Alex Pretti

Local nurses led a peaceful vigil last night in Austin for Alex Pretti, the Minnesota ICU nurse shot and killed over the weekend by U.S. immigration officers. We’ll hear about the latest instance of local folks protesting ongoing customs and border patrol activities in Minneapolis.

Three Austin ISD middle schools could get a fifth failing accountability rating, which means the state might step in to run them. We’ll learn about an alternative to that, and whether or not it worked at another AISD middle school.

Plus, we’ll introduce you to folks who took in some canine companions during the recent winter storm.

And, an Austin comedy show where the comedians get heckled on purpose.

City of Austin paid out $143 million in overtime in 2025

Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in Minnesota have caught the attention of the nation and the world in recent weeks. Meanwhile, such operations in Texas have been taking place at the same time. We’ll check in with folks from Elgin, just outside of Austin, to hear how it’s impacting them.

The City of Austin paid out more than $143 million dollars to its employees in 2025. Five city departments regularly account for the bulk of overtime spending. We’ll go over which departments they are.

Plus, a spot in East Austin is building community beyond its menu by bringing folks together with Chess and Doodle Nights. We hear more about the community garden that’s growing.

Austin police cooperation with ICE faces renewed scrutiny

An update on this weekend’s winter storm – the lingering aftereffects, and when to expect things to get back to “normal.”Though the worst may be over, many extreme cold advisories have been issued statewide today, and frozen precipitation is making many secondary roads treacherous. We’ll have an update, plus a look at the storm’s impact on the power grid.Despite hazardous driving conditions, an important political debate went on as scheduled Saturday: A showdown between the top two Democrats running for a U.S. senate seat from Texas. We’ll have a recap of the Georgetown debate between U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett and State Rep. James Talarico. Also, questions about local law enforcement cooperation with ICE in Austin.

Demonstrations against ICE continue in Austin

Demonstrations against ICE continued in Austin this weekend after an officer fatally shot Renee Nicole Good last week in Minnesota. We’ll hear about the activity around town and its aftermath.

We’ll also hear about an Austin mother and her five-year-old daughter who were taken into ICE custody last week after police responded to a disturbance call at their home.

Plus, smokable hemp could be outlawed in Texas by the end of this month. The state’s health agency has proposed new rules that could upend the hemp market in Texas. We’ll delve into the new proposals and how Texans are feeling about the future.

We also take a look at news from our collaborators at Austin Current.

Tim Duncan’s story comes home to Texas screens

As the federal government shutdown drags on, the impact grows worse. From food benefits to trade, what it means for the Lone Star State.

Texas does not have regulations for police pursuits, and some end in deadly crashes. What can we learn from Minnesota, where accountability rules offer a potential model for reform.

Immigrants with college degrees often still struggle to find work that matches their training, but adult education programs across Texas are helping these professionals reconnect with their fields. The Standard’s Sarah Asch reports.

A new documentary premiering at the Austin Film Festival spotlights the life of Spurs great Tim Duncan.

Chris Montana (Ep. 18, 2018)

This week, In Black America producer and host John L. Hanson, Jr. speaks with Chris Montana, owner and head distiller of Nu Nord Craft Spirits in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the only African American- owned distillery (out of more than 1300), in the United States.