Central Texas top stories for June 12, 2025. A Flood Watch is in effect for much of Central Texas until 7 p.m. Austin’s Mayor Kirk Watson says he was notified that the Texas National Guard will be ready to respond to protests this weekend. A report says the TCEQ permitted three new natural gas power plant projects in violation of the Clean Air Act. A judge has ruled a redevelopment of the former Statesman offices can go forward after a challenge from Save Our Springs Alliance.
Natural Gas
The Bull of the Brazos
As the Texas Railroad Commission falls from global oil dominance, the energy crisis of the 1970s strikes and one gas company cuts power to millions. What comes next brings plenty of political intrigue, and sets up a divided system of energy regulation in Texas unlike anywhere else in the country. We talk about what that means for everyday people and energy reliability right up to today.
Written, reported, produced and co-hosted by Mose Buchele
Co-hosted and produced by Audrey McGlinchy
Produced and edited by Matt Largey
Production help from Rene Chavez and Jake Perlman
The Disconnect: Power, Politics and the Texas Blackout is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can support our work by becoming a sustaining member at supportthispodcast.org.
The Bar Fight That Changed the World
We tell the story of how the National Guard descended on the East Texas oilfield, the chaos that followed, and how a bar fight in Austin helped establish a new system of energy regulation. Then we talk about World War II, and how the deal struck between Texas regulators and oil companies positioned the US to run the world of energy in the post-war era.
Written, reported, produced and co-hosted by Mose Buchele
Co-hosted and produced by Audrey McGlinchy
Produced and edited by Matt Largey
Production help from Rene Chavez and Jake Perlman
The Disconnect: Power, Politics and the Texas Blackout is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can support our work by becoming a sustaining member at supportthispodcast.org.
Introducing Season 3 of The Disconnect: Power, Politics and the Texas Blackout
The Disconnect: Power, Politics and the Texas Blackout is back for a third season, and Growth Machine host Audrey McGlinchy will be co-hosting some of the episodes with Mose Buschele.
In this season of The Disconnect: Power, Politics and the Texas Blackout, the podcast explores the history of oil and gas regulation, how the industry became essentially self-regulating — with the help of compliant state regulators — and how some Texas officials continue to see natural gas as the future of electricity production, despite the rapid rise of renewable sources like solar and wind.
In the first episode, you’ll hear the story of a con man and a group of hardscrabble East Texas farmers who uncovered the biggest oilfield in U.S. history — and how that discovery forced an obscure state agency to confront the destructive forces of unrestrained oil drilling.
Listen and Subscribe to The Disconnect: Power, Politics and the Texas Blackout
KUT’s Mose Buchele on Season 3 of The Disconnect: Power, Politics and the Texas Blackout.
It’s been four years since a massive winter storm killed hundreds of people and left millions of Texans without power. KUT’s Mose Buchele talks to KUT’s Morning Edition host Jennifer Stayton about season 3 and the role natural gas played in the blackout.
The Long Con
Hear the story of a con man and a group of hardscrabble East Texas farmers who uncovered the biggest oilfield in U.S. history — and how that discovery forced an obscure state agency to confront the destructive forces of unrestrained oil drilling.
Written, reported, produced and co-hosted by Mose Buchele
Co-hosted and produced by Audrey McGlinchy
Produced and edited by Matt Largey
Production help from Rene Chavez and Jake Perlman
The Disconnect: Power, Politics and the Texas Blackout is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can support our work by becoming a sustaining member at supportthispodcast.org.
The Disconnect Season 3: Coming Feb 12
One of the main causes of the 2021 blackout in Texas was the failure of natural gas infrastructure. Still, that industry has avoided increased oversight to protect against future failures.
In fact, natural gas remains one of the least regulated parts of our energy system. In this season of The Disconnect: Power, Politics and the Texas Blackout, we explore the history of Texas oil and gas regulation, how the industry — with the help of state officials— became largely self-regulating and what that means for energy reliability in Texas.
Researchers relocate coral to Texas coast in conservation project
The Matterhorn Express pipeline, a 580-mile project set to go online soon, will transport natural gas from a terminal in West Texas to Katy, near Houston. We’ll hear what it could add up to for Texas and for energy prices more broadly.
A proposed liquified natural gas terminal in the Rio Grande Valley is stirring debate among local Indigenous tribes.
In Corpus Christi, researchers are pitching in for “Operation Coral Rescue,” an attempt to save endangered reefs from the ravages of warmer oceans.
Voting in Texas means having the right ID. Need to update that driver’s license? Many Texans might be surprised it’s not quite as easy as it sounds.
East Texas has a long history of labor disputes you may not know about
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has suspended his bid for the White House and appeared with former President Donald Trump to offer his endorsement. What does it mean for the race moving forward?
Where does the economy really stand, and what do the presidential candidates’ promises add up to in substance? A top Texas economist does the math.
The University of Texas at San Antonio and UT Health San Antonio are set to merge by 2025, with the potential to become a national and international powerhouse.
And: An East Texas reporter has spent the weeks leading up to Labor Day looking back at the biggest historical labor disputes in the region. Michael Garcia of KETK in Tyler shares what he’s learned.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for April 12, 2024
Central Texas top stories for April 12, 2024. Education advocates concerned about computer-grading of written responses on standardized tests. Natural gas prices go negative. ACLU sues Travis Co over arrestees lacking counsel. Activists say Austin rapid rehousing program needs improvement. Longhorn Run this weekend. Kite Fest to take over skies over Zilker Park.
What new data says about the future of Texas agriculture
It’s the first day of early voting in the Texas primary. What you need to know before casting a ballot and why turning out matters.
What exactly does “residency” mean when running for office? The answer might surprise you.
Every five years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture conducts a census – tallying things like livestock, tractors, combines and crops – for a dense report packed with clues on where American farming is heading.
And: Remembering Sandy Wood, who helped stargazers navigate the universe for nearly 24 years as the voice of the radio program Stardate.
What we know about the hotel explosion in Fort Worth
Investigators are still on the scene of a hotel explosion in Fort Worth as some ask if this is part of a larger trend spotted nationwide.
A special election to fill an open Texas House seat – and a race seen as a proxy for an intraparty fight within the Texas GOP.
A community like few others: Why an experiment outside Austin to provide housing for people experiencing homelessness is being seen as a potential model for other cities.
Plus: Could 3D-printed homes help with a housing shortage?
How Texas voted on 14 statewide propositions
The votes are in, and Texans have given the green light to 13 of 14 amendments to the Texas constitution. The Texas Tribune’s Karen Brooks Harper shares a rundown of how the state propositions fared.
Public media reporters statewide join us with updates on key local races across the Lone Star State.
Nuclear power plants, once the target of major protests, are now winning over many Texans looking for lower carbon energy alternatives.
And what some have considered a guilty pleasure: Why more readers are taking the plunge into romance novels. One of the genres’ top authors, Ali Hazelwood, joins us.
KUT Morning Newscast for October 25, 2023
Central Texas top stories for October 25, 2023. Austin ISD superintendent search. Natural gas power plant amendment. Georgetown pride. Victor Wembanyama debuts tonight.
After environmentally destructive launch, will regulators let SpaceX blast off again?
A new law barring transition care for transgender youth has been temporarily blocked by a Texas judge, but it may take effect anyway Sept. 1. We’ll have the latest – plus how doctors are trying to prepare.
Officials were left in disbelief over the scale and scope of environmental damage after the failed test of a SpaceX starship in South Texas earlier this year, according to a new report.
A new book sheds light on the seldom-told tale of conscientious objectors who nonetheless went to the front lines in Vietnam.
Why Will Hurd didn’t make the cut for the first Republican presidential debate
The Feds push back in court over Gov. Greg Abbott’s deployment of buoys in the Rio Grande near Eagle Pass.
The City of Dallas has received $1.5 million in federal dollars for a major cleanup of contaminated sites. But will it be enough?
Researchers in El Paso are trying to tap another source of potential alternate energy, inspired by the prickly pear cactus.
There are growing concerns about challenges faced by deaf kids in the Texas foster care system.
Plus, San Antonio native Karen Tumulty of the Washington Post shares the latest on tonight’s GOP primary debate – and why former U.S. Rep. Will Hurd of Texas won’t be there.
New movie reminds us we’ve all been living in a Barbie world
Emotional scenes unfolded in what’s believed to be the first open court testimony by women challenging Texas’ abortion ban.
Reporters statewide offer an update on how Texans are coping with this record heat.
Details on a massive release of greenhouse gases in West Texas brought on by the heat.
How does the new movie ‘Oppenheimer’ stack up against history?
And as the ‘Barbie’ movie premieres, a look back at how the world’s most famous doll has been a source of both inspiration and debate for over 60 years.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for May 23, 2023
Central Texas top stories for May 23, 2023. Texas legislators push for more natural gas plants. Austin light rail plan would have 10 miles of ground-level track. Austin Parks Board approves plan for more Zilker parking. UT and AISD working together to get more STEM teachers. Williamson working with Mobile Loaves and Fishes on housing homeless.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for May 18, 2023
Central Texas top stories for May 18, 2023. Austin-area cities among fastest growing, Austin now in top 10. A unanimous re-vote on money for more natural gas power. Effort to keep standardized testing off religious holidays. Round Rock ISD looks at pay increase. Busy summer expected at Austin airport. Austin FC win.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for May 17, 2023
Central Texas top stories for May 17, 2023. Air quality could be unhealthy for sensitive groups. Bill to help natural gas plants gets criticism. Ride of Silence tonight in Austin. Plan to change community college funding method moves forward. Animal safety bill. Kyle Community Garden. Austin FC.