news

UT curriculum changes, Cesar Chavez Street input, Restaurant inspection scores

UT Austin wants to change the assigned classes required of future undergraduates. It’s the first such change in more than two decades.

The city of Austin is gathering feedback about the possibility of renaming Cesar Chavez Street after the labor leader was accused of sexual assault. How you can make your voice heard.

Have you ever wondered how clean your favorite Austin restaurant really is? KUT has a new map where you can search for food inspection scores.

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

Two Austin schools receive fifth failing ratings, opening door to state takeover

Two struggling Austin middle schools have received a fifth consecutive failing accountability rating from the Texas Education Agency, opening the door to a state takeover of all the schools in the district. Houston ISD, the biggest school district in Texas, has been under state mandate for a few years. How it’s going so far.

The Austin City Council has adopted a budget of more than $6.5 billion. There were plenty of cuts, but a few late additions, too.

Plus, a preview of the new season of the Tacos of Texas podcast.

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

Could Austin land an NHL franchise?

The city of Austin is nearing decision time on its upcoming fiscal budget. The first draft called for cuts to public health programs, parks and other services. The City Council has spent weeks shaping the version that’ll soon be approved.

Proponents of data centers say they can be a boon to the areas they’re built in. But in Abilene, their presence has spurred a housing crisis. More from our series The Data Center Next Door.

There’s rumors of a second National Hockey League franchise coming to Texas. Austin’s been mentioned as a landing spot, but how real is that talk?

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

Summer rains replenished Jacob’s Well — for a few weeks

UT Austin is implementing some new rules for getting around on campus ahead of the new school year, but the changes aren’t impacting every set of wheels.

An update on the ongoing negotiations affecting CapMetro bus drivers and transit workers.

The Austin school district is facing the looming threat of a state takeover because of unsatisfactory accountability ratings at a few campuses. How might that play out, and when will we know?

Jacob’s Well in Wimberley was flowing rapidly for a short time after July’s heavy rainfall. But it would take a lot of change for the iconic watering hole to reopen to swimming.

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

How to get the best view of the Perseid meteor shower in Austin this week

Austin ISD classes start next week, and after announcing a change in how students will be shuffled to and from campuses, the district has backtracked on bus hubs for middle schoolers.

The proposed development of Dog’s Head in Southeast Austin continues to move forward, despite what some feel is a lack of public input. That’s not stopping neighbors from speaking out.

You’ve got a decent chance to catch some meteors in the Austin sky this week. Where to get the best view of the Perseid meteor shower.

Plus: Waterloo Records has been hosting in-store performances for almost half a century.

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

How Austin became obsessed with being weird

Gov. Greg Abbott is pitching the idea of eliminating what he calls “city monopolies” on providing electricity, a plan focused in part on Austin Energy. He claims a move like this could lower customer rates, but how has deregulation played out in other parts of the state?

“Austinhenge” this weekend is a darn good chance to catch a stellar sunset photo here in town. We’ve got some tips to help you make that perfect shot.

Plus, the question has been asked before and will likely be asked forever more: Is Austin still weird? Plenty of folks say not really, or that is hasn’t been for some time now — but there’s always a bit of weird for those who go searching.

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

UT Austin officials say new mobility plan is coming as cyclists worry about potential bike ban

Changes are coming to where people can and cannot ride electric bikes and scooters on the UT Austin campus.

An invasive aquatic plant is expressing itself in some local waterways after it was essentially eradicated close to a decade ago.

An annual movie festival all about the intersection of film and music is, for the first time, being produced entirely here in Austin. Their story and what to see at Sound Unseen.

Plus: Summer break is almost over, but the heat isn’t going away, so we’ve got some frosty recommendations to help you cool off.

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

Competing interests for the Dog’s Head development

We’ve been learning a lot about the Dog’s Head development over the past months, including the future plans a developer would like to see there; how little neighbors knew about the idea as it picked up steam; and the competing interests curious about the project. How those sides sought support from the city.

What are the necessary supplies to power data centers? A lot of water and plenty of electricity. We’ll tell you how much and how that impacts all of us.

Plus, a look ahead at a few art happenings this week in our area.

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

Austin’s Bikeshare program set to return

CapMetro’s system of electric-assisted bicycles will soon be back on Austin’s roadways — but it will be returning in phases, starting small. We’ll have the latest on Austin’s Bikeshare and the fire that hindered service.

We’re a couple weeks removed from the World Cup, but FIFA, the organization behind the tournament, has remained in the headlines. The reason? A proposal to sell shares of the quadrennial event. We’ve got more context and the latest on Austin’s soccer team.

And deaf children and families will have more options for accessible TV programming after one platform announced plans for more American Sign Language interpretations. We’ll catch up with a local performer participating in the project.

The origin story behind Austin’s ‘Master Pancake’

For years now, Austinites have been able to hail a driverless Waymo — but they’ve only been available to call for it through one specific rideshare company. That’ll soon be changing. We’ll have the details.

Recent polling is shedding more light on just how tight the margins will be in this fall’s race for the Texas seat in the U.S. Senate. Democratic nominee James Talarico is working to shore up support from Black Texans. So how does he compare with past nominees?

Austin’s “Master Pancake” has roasted and mocked the cinema for nearly two decades. How did they get their start? We tell you about their odyssey.

And more summer reading recommendations as we enter August.

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

An update from Kerrville after floods again rattle region

There are two confirmed fatalities in Texas’ Hill Country as rescues continue and precipitation finally begins to taper off. We’ll have an update on the flooding across Texas from Lucio Vasquez of the Texas Newsroom standing by in Kerrville.

Rising food prices aren’t just making it tougher for more Texas families, but also for pantries and food banks trying to bridge the gap. We’ll hear what they’re up against.

There’s a new competitor in the hemp beverage business — but as demand grows here in Texas, so does pressure for greater regulation.

Plus, the week in Texas politics.

Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can help make this podcast happen by donating at supportthispodcast.org

Emergencies, shelter-in-place orders go out in flood-wary Kerr County region

Life-threatening floods hit parts of the Texas Hill Country as the Guadalupe River swells and flood emergencies and warnings go out.

In the aftermath of shootings in Maine and Texas, a pause in ICE policy ends only hours after the change went into effect. We’ll have more from Houston’s historic East End on how the shooting has galvanized residents there.

Also, the death of a Dallas Cowboy was ruled a suicide by officials, sparking a deeper conversation into the role of CTE: Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy.

Religion and Texas culture: The new book ‘One State Under God’ by Joseph L. Locke untangles an unexpectedly deep, and often misunderstood connection.

Plus, the end of an era: After more than three decades, Sony pulls the plug on a format once popular with gamers.

And the state’s only legislatively authorized needle exchange program: Why efforts to expand it have stalled.

Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can help make this podcast happen by donating at supportthispodcast.org

Flooding risks trigger disaster declarations for parts of state

More wet weather for portions of Texas’ flash flood alley: A look at the forecast and warning systems put in place since last year’s deadly storms.

Cities across Texas have responded to the issue of homelessness in a variety of ways. Is it worth considering a broader approach?

People in Texas have been working to send relief to earthquake-devastated Venezuela, but some have questions about how they can be sure the help is getting where it needs to be.

Ocelot kittens are hands-down adorable, but zoo officials in Texas are celebrating the birth of two for reasons beyond showing them off.

And journalist Pamela Colloff tells us about unraveling a Texas Gulf Coast man’s life of deceit for her new book, ‘Catch the Devil.’

Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can help make this podcast happen by donating at supportthispodcast.org

A permit loophole for AI power plants

A legal battle over the deep discounts on water bills Corpus Christi gave major companies amid a looming water crisis.

Why some of the new power plants for data centers are using the same permits as dry cleaners and auto body shops that don’t require an environmental review.

A new effort to help more students in foster care get college degrees.

What rising beef prices mean for Texas restaurants, taco trucks and customers.

And: As the semifinals kick off, analysis on the big matches as the World Cup winds down.

Questions remain after fatal ICE shooting in Houston

The latest on this week’s fatal shooting by ICE in Houston, described by Mexico’s president as part of a broader pattern of mistreatment of Mexican migrants. We’ll talk with reporters in Houston and in Mexico City.

Frisco has become one of the nation’s fastest-growing hubs for Indian American families, businesses and culture. But the North Texas city has also seen a rise in anti-Indian rhetoric online and in public life.

Lights, camera, Texas? As more big-ticket films focus on the Lone Star State, whether it’s looking like a long term shift in the industry.

Toyota brings Tacoma production back to San Antonio

Many eyes in higher education are focused on Texas and whether we’re starting to see the fruits of a landmark rethink of two-year colleges. More on the significance of enrollment numbers rising at Texas community colleges.

In a deep red North Texas suburb, something that might have been considered unheard of not that long ago: why Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico appears to be finding fans in Collin County.

Toyota announced this week that it would move production of its Tacoma pickup truck from its Baja California plant in Mexico back to San Antonio.

Plus: taco journalist Mando Rayo on the secrets of the perfect tortilla.

What a Catholic Church schism could mean for Texas parishioners

A new report by ProPublica and the Texas Tribune alleges Ken Paxton, the Republican now in a dead heat against Democrat James Talarico in Texas’ U.S. Senate race, may have broken the law by casting ballots outside the district where he resides. We’ll hear details.

A priestly group with churches in Texas has been excommunicated by the Vatican. We’ll discuss what this means for the group — the Society of Saint Pius X, or SSPX — and its followers.

And an investigation into World Cup ghost tickets — a scary situation for some soccer fans.

What’s next after World Cup knockouts for host countries US, Mexico and Canada

The U.S. Supreme Court declines to block Texas from verifying the age of app-users. We’ll dig into what it means for parents, kids and others.

We continue to remember lives lost in the Hill Country flood a year ago, including beloved Houston artist Tim Walker, whose work lives on in the Bayou City.

Plus, a memorial in the Sandy Creek neighborhood honors victims of the July 4, 2025 flood in Travis County.

Also, her goal was to swim in 50 bodies of water as she approached the age of 50. “Midstream” author Kate Washington on finding new meaning in middle age.
And after the U.S. team’s crushing loss, what’s next for FIFA World Cup fans?

Austin’s Lawn Chair Brigade brings unique spin to Fourth festivities

The podcast “After The Flood” is marking one year since deadly flooding ravaged parts of Central Texas and the Hill Country. This area is often called Flash Flood Alley because of how frequently it’s affected by fast, accumulating waters. Today we’ll hear about another deadly flood that happened almost 50 summers ago.

Also, evidence-tampering charges against a former Williamson County sheriff and former assistant county attorney have been dropped. The move follows a years-long legal battle spurred by the death of Javier Ambler following a traffic stop.

Plus, one neighborhood in Austin has a unique way of celebrating Fourth of July. We’ll share the story of the Lawn Chair Brigade.

Austin ISD postpones districtwide boundary changes

The Austin school district is postponing most of its school boundary realignment changes for an additional year. It’s not the first time the district has tried realigning attendance zones, and it’s not the first time the plan has been pushed back.

As we approach one year since deadly floods ravaged the Texas Hill Country, the podcast “After the Flood” is telling the stories of the people impacted most. Episode 2 explores why the Hill Country is so vulnerable to flooding.

Canada and Mexico have won their first knockout games of this year’s World Cup. Now the United States has the chance to do the same. We hear from former U.S Men’s National Team player Gyasi Zardes.

And: another tale from the Accent Unmuted storytelling event.

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