music

Camp Mystic ordered to preserve damaged cabins

Water use for Tesla’s Giga Texas out far beyond East Austin jumped more than 200 million gallons in two years. That’s raising concerns about whether Austin can fulfill its long-term water conservation strategy as plans for a new semiconductor plant could push demand even higher. Sam Stark, Austin Current’s government reporter joins us to talk about this.

A state district judge has ordered Camp Mystic not to alter, demolish, repair or remove structures affected by floodwaters that killed 27 people at the girls’ camp last summer.

This week in Texas music history: Mattie’s Ballroom opens amid East Texas Oil Boom.

Fusebox Festival continues through the weekend, and the Austin Symphony is doing something new: teaming up with an indie rock band.

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

Bigger buildings on the way for industrial projects

Vacancies for industrial buildings in the greater Austin region are near the highest levels of any place in the country. It could be that companies thinking of moving to Austin aren’t finding buildings big enough to accommodate them.

Spring fever, oak and mold pollen, and now another strain of coronavirus — all about the latest variant and the complications it brings.

Half a century ago incarcerated Texans formed bands and recorded their music inside of state prisons. That music was shared recently with a wider audience.

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

Texas ban on smokable cannabis products looms

Texas lawmakers did not get through a ban on THC sales this past legislative session, but new rules restricting them are about to go into effect.
There’s been some confusing back and forth from the Trump administration on what exactly a border wall might look like in Big Bend.
Another Texas university is making changes to race and gender studies programs.
New so-called “man camps” are popping up in rural Texas. We’ll delve into what they’re for.
Plus, Austin’s biggest festival, South by Southwest, is coming back to town. We’ll have a preview of films with Texas ties and a music event that doesn’t require a badge.

What’s driving Central Texas early voters to the polls

Early voting in the March 3 primary wraps up Friday. Turnout is trending upward across Central Texas, with more voters casting ballots in Travis, Hays and Williamson counties compared to previous primaries. We’ll taking a closer look at who’s showing up and what patterns are beginning to emerge at polling locations locally and across the state.

Questions about how ballots should be counted continue to spark debate. We’ll tell you about Republicans in one Texas county who are planning to hand count election day ballots.

We’ll also hear the story of the Texas musician known as the “Jimi Hendrix of the accordion.”

Plus, KUTX’s Ryan Wen stops by with the Austin music you need to know about.

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

Trump invokes Texas in State of the Union speech

Texas came up more than once during President Trump’s State of the Union speech. We’ll have an analysis of what he mentioned and what he left out.
Camp Mystic is facing troubles in court after the way it handled deadly flooding in July. But a comment from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick could spell even further challenges.
After the deaths of two men in detention at a tent facility in Fort Bliss, we’re learning more about the kinds of medical emergencies happening at the camp in El Paso.
Evidence one Texas police department is doing more to crack down on dangerous driving.
And a resurgence of protest music amid immigration crackdowns — we’ll hear from Texas musicians.

Four accused in yogurt shop murders now exonerated

The four men wrongly accused in Austin’s yogurt shop murders were exonerated today in a Travis County courthouse. More than three decades on their records have been cleared. We’ll hear from family members who attended today’s hearing.

The University of Texas Board of Regents has approved a policy limiting from classrooms “controversial topics.” What the new policy says and the plan for putting it into effect.

And, music news with KUTX’s Maile Carballo.

Plus, Spurs basketball is back at the Moody Center tonight and it’s a much different version of the team that’s visited Austin the past few years. The reason for the change and the possibility of a championship this season coming up.

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

San Marcos residents sound off on proposed data center

The Austin Independent School District has regained control of its special education program. The Texas Education Agency assigned a pair of monitors to the program for the last three years as AISD worked to address a backlog of evaluations. We’ll have the latest from Austin’s school district .

A San Marcos City Council meeting went into the early morning hours today as council members decided on rezoning property to be sold for a data center. Hundreds of folks showed up to make their opinions known. Most were against the idea, others say these data centers are inevitable. We’ll have more from that meeting.

Plus, The VORTEX theater hosted Butch Prom over the weekend.

And, we’re going to hear The Hole Story from our friends over at KUTX.

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

Exploring Texas’ deepest underwater cave system

Wildfire risk is so high in the Texas Panhandle that an energy company preemptively cut off power to avoid lines blowing down and starting to spark. We’ll take a closer look at the situation.
Early voting is underway across Texas. We sent reporters to polls across the state to hear from voters who made it out on the first day.
We’ll profile the candidates in a hotly-contested race near Houston where the GOP is hoping to gain a seat.
Beef prices are contributing to shock over grocery store bills, but ranchers are upset about one way President Trump is trying to bring the price of ground beef down.
And we’ll explore the deepest underwater cave in North America.

Some students and teachers see benefits from cell phone ban

Teachers and students in the Round Rock school district say they’re seeing benefits from a statewide ban on cell phones in public school classrooms. The ban went into effect at the beginning of this school year, and some students say they feel more engaged inside the classroom and outside of it, too. We’ll have more from Williamson County.

Elon Musk’s Tesla stands to lose millions in tax rebates unless they meet Travis County requirements. Another Musk-owned business is looking for the same deal, except with state funds. Why critics are questioning whether the potential tax incentives are an efficient use of state tax dollars.

Texas prisons without air conditioning routinely reach 90 degrees in the summer heat, with some even topping the triple-digit mark. Such temperatures would routinely violate state standards for other types of lockups, like county jails. We’ve got more data and more about that story on today’s show.

Plus, this week in Texas music history, Willie Nelson finishes up a pair of classic albums. Can you guess which ones? Listen in to find out.

Austinites join nationwide protests after ICE shooting in Minneapolis

People in the Austin area joined with many thousands of others across the country in protesting after an ICE officer fatally shot a woman this week in Minneapolis. Demonstrators gathered outside a Department of Homeland Security building in Pflugerville. We’ll bring you some of those voices.

After a U.S. military operation in Caracas last weekend, Venezuelans in Austin are hoping for bigger changes before they feel ready to go back home. We’ll hear from them, along with a Venezuelan-Texan author based here in Austin.

Plus, how did Austin come to be known as “The Live Music Capital of the World”? Come and dig into the ATXplained vault with us.

Austin doctor spins vinyl to bring music therapy to patients

An Austin doctor is using vinyl records to help patients cope with serious illnesses and difficult treatments. KUT’s Olivia Aldridge has a look at how music is helping in the healing process.

Texans have access to some of the best bird-watching opportunities in the country. We’ll go behind the scenes of an annual census of the area’s bird population.

You may have spotted him stopping for photos with fans outside the Paramount Theatre or the Continental Club: Austin’s Santa on horseback, Samuel Grey Horse, is back in the saddle after a difficult year. KUT’s Greta Díaz González Vázquez brings us his story.

Encore presentation: From State Fair to stock exchange, a special broadcast from Dallas

From the oldest radio station in Texas, in Dallas’ historic Fair Park, site of the State Fair of Texas, it’s Texas Standard Time.
As we continue to celebrate our 10th birthday this year, the Texas Standard tour bus in October pulled into the historic home of WRR, temporary home to our partners KERA North Texas.
We’ll explore the economic boom across North Texas, hear voices from the fair, learn about a new sports classic set to kick off at the Cotton Bowl and much more.
It’s a special edition of the Texas Standard, live from Fair Park in Dallas.

After Prop Q fallout, Austin cuts $95 million from budget

The City of Austin cut $95 million from its budget, shrinking funding to parks, homelessness services and more after voters rejected Prop Q. We’ll get into how these cuts may impact you.

With recent rain and an overnight flood watch in Travis, Williamson, and Hays counties, many residents are reminded of the July 4 floods and the ongoing efforts to rebuild.

Plus, art groups seeking affordable studio space find sanctuary in a downtown Austin church. We’ve got more on how they secured the space and what that means for the arts community.

Also, Jason Mellard shares a new story from the archive of Texas music history.

Data reveals intensity of ICE crackdown in Texas under Trump

1 in 4 immigration arrests are happening in Texas under the Trump administration. We’ll take a look at the statewide crackdown.
It’s Election Day. One constitutional amendment that funds a new Dementia Prevention and Research Institute for the state’s aging population is on the ballot.
A look back at our top 10 author interviews as the Standard continues celebrating a decade on the air.
Plus, a new cookbook from Chef Adán Medrano focuses on the plant-based recipes that have deep roots in Mexican cooking on both sides of the border.

What is Latin music? Carrie Rodriguez explores with ‘Laboratorio’ series

Texans are voting on 17 proposed amendments to the state constitution – and one of them involves voting itself. Joshua Blank from the Texas Politics Project joins us for a chat on Proposition 16, which clarifies citizenship as a requirement to cast a ballot.

KUTX’s Maile Carballo talks the Beach Boys coming to Longhorn City Limits after this weekend’s UT-Vanderbilt game.

Texas Standard has been exploring horror movies with Texas ties – today it’s “Grindhouse,” filmed in Austin.

What is Latin music? Austin musician Carrie Rodriguez is still exploring that question through her “Laboratorio” concert series and shares more about the old-timey radio show she’s planning.

What Texas voters should know before Election Day

With 17 constitutional amendments on the ballot next week, state officials are reminding Texans what to expect at the polls. We’ll talk with the Texas Secretary of State’s Office about dos and don’ts while voting.

Both Austin and Houston are facing financial strain, but their solutions couldn’t be more different: One wants to raise taxes, while the other wants to hold the line.

Austin DJ Laurie Gallardo, host of the podcast “SPF 1000: Vampire Sunscreen,” discusses Latinx goth culture, its roots in border life and the darker side of music and identity.

Williamson County voters to weigh in on proposed tax rate increases

Austinites aren’t the only Texans weighing proposed tax rate increases at the ballot box this year. In Williamson County, the Taylor and Liberty Hills school districts are asking voters for more dollars. KUT’s Kailey Hunt has a breakdown.

We’re one week out from KUT’s ATXplained Live show at the Bass Concert Hall. We’ll talk with Project Manager Matt Largey on this community-powered live storytelling event.

And Texas Standard teams up with magazine “Fangoria” to highlight a horror film shot in Central Texas’ waterways: 1978’s “Piranha.”

From State Fair to stock exchange, a special broadcast from Dallas

From the oldest radio station in Texas, in Dallas’ historic Fair Park, site of the State Fair of Texas, it’s Texas Standard Time.
As we continue to celebrate our 10th birthday this year, the Texas Standard tour bus has pulled into the historic home of WRR, temporary home to our partners KERA North Texas.
We’ll explore the economic boom across North Texas, hear voices from the fair, learn about a new sports classic set to kick off at the Cotton Bowl and much more.
It’s a special edition of the Texas Standard, live from Fair Park in Dallas.

What to look for on your ballot as early voting starts next week

Early voting starts Monday for the Nov. 4 election, and the discussion in Austin is centered around Proposition Q, a proposed tax rate increase. The city of Austin wants to use those dollars for more services in the city, but not everyone is convinced. KUT City Hall reporter Luz Moreno-Lozano explains.

Texans’ ballots will also include 17 proposed amendments to the state constitution. The Texas Newsroom’s Blaise Gainey talk us through a few of them.

Plus: How George Strait got his start in San Marcos.

ICE lets certain jurisdictions know about their raids, but Austin isn’t one of them

Austin and Travis County law enforcement are left in the dark when ICE conducts raids in the area – and though Austin officials say that’s not unusual, other places like Harris County are given a heads up. Why the different practices? KUT’s Mose Buchele looks into this.

As a once-disruptor of the music industry looks to be winding down, KUTX’s Maile Carballo talks about where the future could be headed.

What does the darkness mean to you? KUTX’s maven of darkness herself, Laurie Gallardo, on that very question and the live taping of (SP1000) Vampire Sunscreen happening Thursday Oct. 16.