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KUT and KUTX news and music podcasts for Austin, Texas and beyond

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Austin’s rainbow crosswalks, street lettering could soon be gone

The city of Austin is facing a deadline to remove roadway art, like the rainbow crosswalk at Fourth and Colorado streets or the words “Black Artists Matter” painted atop 11th Street. Gov. Greg Abbott says failure to do so would cause the city to risk losing state and federal dollars for future road projects.

We’ll hear from KUT government accountability reporter Andrew Weber, who is following the story.

Ever wondered who makes the giant fake sandwiches that you see around town at Thundercloud Subs? ATXplained brings you the answer.

A massive data center in Taylor is moving forward

A judge has dismissed a lawsuit in a case centered around the construction of a data center in Taylor on land that had been set aside for a park. We’ll hear from KUT Williamson County reporter Kailey Hunt, who has been following the story and speaking with the folks looking to put a halt to that development.

A group of volunteer musicians, the Viva Palestina Orchestra, is raising money for aid in Gaza by playing Palestinian music.

Need to yell out your feelings? How to join the next meeting of Scream Club Austin.

34 years later, Austin reflects on the impact of the yogurt shop murders

It’s been 34 years since Austin was rocked by the violent yogurt shop murders. Now, after a recent breakthrough in the case, the impact of the crime and the push to find justice is reverberating throughout the city.

KUT’s Andrew Weber has an exploration of the many feelings running through the minds of folks trying to make sense of such a senseless act.

Plus: We hear from a Lockhart pitmaster and look ahead to weekend two of the ACL Music Festival.

How Austin leaders hope to fund nonprofits’ efforts to ease homelessness with Prop Q

The discussion around Austin’s upcoming tax rate election is picking up as voters head to the polls in the coming weeks. That tax rate hike, on the ballot as Proposition Q, goes above what local officials are normally allowed by state law.

It’s all part of the City of Austin’s effort to generate revenue to offset a budget deficit and to continue funding a variety of things like public safety, local parks and homelessness services.

KUT’s Luz Moreno-Lozano has been reporting on how the city is planning to fund services like these, whether or not Austin voters approve the tax rate increase.

Greg Stoker, the Austin activist who was detained by Israel while attempting to deliver aid to Gaza, is heading back home.

And: We’re chatting with one of our multimedia mavens, Patricia Lim, about what it’s like to photograph the Austin City Limits Music Festival.

Austin ISD proposes 13 school closures to curb $20 million budget deficit

Howdy out there, Austin! This episode is the first live radio broadcast for Austin Signal.

We’re discussing the proposed campus closures announced by the Austin Independent School District. More than a dozen schools would be shut down ahead of next school year as AISD works against a budget shortfall. We’ll dive into those details with KUT’s Katy McAfee.

Speaking of budget: If buying meat is in yours, you’ve probably noticed the price is on the rise. Will it fall anytime soon? Texas Standard’s Michael Marks joins us to talk more.

And KUT’s Jimmy Maas talks college football with UT’s loss to Florida and more in today’s sports wrap.

Houston megachurch faces legal revolt

A University of Texas professor says Congress has gotten so good at frequent government shutdowns, finding the political will to get back on track could be an obstacle in itself. We’ll take a closer look.

Nearly two weeks after the deadly shooting at a Dallas ICE facility, investigators say the motive may be more about notoriety than ideology.

Second Baptist Church in Houston is locked in a legal battle with its own members over leadership and finances, and the dispute is being heard in the city’s new business court.

Texas leads the nation in energy consumption, driven by population growth and the rise of AI data centers. What does it bode for the state’s grid and energy mix?

How the Safe Haven law allows the safe and legal surrender of babies in Texas

Advocates are raising awareness for Texas’ Safe Haven Laws. Also known as the “Baby Moses” Act, the law allows babies who are 60 days or younger to be safely surrendered to staff at places like hospitals and fire departments. We’ll hear more from KUT’s Olivia Aldridge.

We’ll also hear how students at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired learn how to get around the city safely. It’s a process called orientation and mobility training. Texas Standard’s Sean Saldana breaks it all down for us.

Plus, we’ll hear from an Austin native, Dr. Cheryl Clark-Brown, who shares her journey into medicine and her dedication to giving back to the community that helped raised her. That conversation comes from the Black Austin Matters podcast.

Miles Bloxson is in the hosts chair today on Austin Signal.

Texas starts taxing seller fees on sites like eBay, Etsy

Buying new? In this economy? Shopping secondhand is the go-to for many these days. But things are about to change for sellers using online retail platforms in Texas.
KUT’s Nathan Bernier joins the show to tell us why the next thrifted gem you purchase may cost you more than it used to. Plus, we prepare for the October festival season in Austin with tips from Nathan and KUTX’s Maile Carballo ahead of the first weekend of the Austin City Limits music festival.

And longtime Austinites have legends about folks who once lived in the hills west of Austin, known as “cedar choppers.” Many of those stories aren’t exactly positive ones. KUT’s Maya Fawaz looked into their history for our ATXplained podcast series. Syeda Carrillo guest hosts on today’s Austin Signal.

What is Proposition Q on Austin’s ballot this November?

Election season is upon us once again. It’s not midterm time and we don’t have a president to pick, but voters in Central Texas will have a reason to cast their ballots. Here in Austin, folks will be deciding whether to approve a tax-rate hike above the normal threshold allowed by the state.

Why is the city asking for so much? And how are folks feeling a week out from early voting? KUT’s City Hall reporter Luz Moreno-Lozano joins the show to answer those questions.

And a new bird just dropped! Texas Standard’s Raul Alonzo talks Austin birding and the new “Grue Jay.” Plus catching us up on Austin FC’s run for the U.S. Open Cup championship with the co-host of the Vamos Verde podcast, Juan Diego Garcia.

Levitation Fest hits Austin this weekend

Texas Republican lawmakers redrew the state’s congressional districts in a special session this summer, doing so at the desire of President Trump and leaving no questions about their reasoning: They were changing the maps to benefit their party. But the idea of gerrymandering hasn’t been limited to just Texas this year. KUT’s Mose Buchele will dive deeper.

While some are counting down to the Austin City Limits Music Festival, others are hitting up Levitation Fest this weekend. It’s the perfect weekend to hit the town before thousands of visitors take over the city.

Plus: more live music and movie recommendations that are worth leaving your couch for.

Fantastic Fest celebrates 20 years of Horror and Sci-fi in Austin

They say AI is the future and for the city of Austin, artificial intelligence could be one way to catch people committing crimes in parks.The City council was considering a proposal and that had some Austinites pretty concerned. Plus, for fans of horror, sci-fi, fantasy and offbeat films, it doesn’t get much better than Fantastic Fest. The film festival’s celebrating its twentieth anniversary this week. And what do you love to do – not because you have to, but just because you love it? Hear about the Central Texan who’s totally into sumo wrestling and even became a coach for Team USA in international competitions! Jennifer Stayton in the host chair today.

Austin fire union, city at standstill over contract days before deadline

Contract negotiations between the city of Austin and its fire department are fast approaching the deadline for a new deal, with negotiations at a standstill. The firefighters union called the city’s offer insulting; the city says it’s willing to negotiate. KUT government accountability reporter Andrew Weber joins the show with more.

We’ll hear about the journey and future plans of 20-year-old professional soccer player Owen Wolff, who has been part of Austin FC since its inaugural season in 2021 and is a big part of the current run of success his side is experiencing.

Plus from our sister station KUTX, a bit Mama Duke the Austin musician who will be featured on the America’s Got Talent finale tonight. 

HAAM Day takes over Austin and Central Texas

Most Austin area drivers have a love-hate relationship with Interstate 35 – or they avoid it completely, and have no relationship at all. The latest round of I-35 construction is hitting its stride.

Live music at the grocery store, hospital, your favorite sandwich shop or taco joint? It’s HAAM Day, benefitting health care coverage for Austin musicians.

Jennifer Stayton is in the host chair today on Austin Signal from KUT News.

Williamson County deals with the ramifications of a proposed data center in Taylor

Up in Williamson County, a proposed data center is set to break ground in the city of Taylor. These kinds of centers have drawn all kinds of feedback for the resources and electricity demand required to power them. But the progress of this latest data center could be stopped in its tracks. Williamson County Reporter for KUT News  Kailey Hunt joins Austin Signal for more on this. Plus, there’s a lot of news and emotions to take in daily as a human being. So, we make the time to take a moment for ourselves with the help of Marnie Castor. Learn a little and relax a little here on Austin Signal from KUT News.

Texas A&M president resigns amid viral video controversy

Texas A&M President Mark Welsh is resigning after a week of turmoil over a viral video and a clash over gender identity content in the classroom.

What’s behind Texas’ redistricting push? KUT’s Mose Buchele reports on a political strategy started decades ago.

The flesh-eating new world screwworm, a parasite once eradicated from Texas, has been detected within striking distance of the border. What species may be most vulnerable.

The new documentary “When We Were Live” reflects on public access TV in Austin through rare archival footage and interviews with local producers.

Kerr County emergency officials were sleeping when flood hit July 4

Why weren’t Hill Country communities alerted as a deadly wall of water roared down the Guadalupe on the weekend of July 4th? In their first public testimony on the floods, top emergency officials in Kerr County said they were away or asleep.

Voting the old-fashioned way? A return to hand-marked ballots in Collin County is part of a change sweeping Texas and other parts of the country.

Red-crowned Amazons squawk through summer nights in Brownsville – and they’ve been the city’s official bird since 1992.

Plus: An update on a major scramble to defend Texas from a devastating invader, the New World Screwworm.

Food banks struggle to meet rising demand

What we’re now learning about what happened – and what didn’t – before the Hill Country floods. Investigative reporter Lauren McGaughy has the details.

Plus: Flood survivors are asking lawmakers meeting in special session right now to tap the state’s $24 billion rainy day fund to help them meet their immediate needs.

Even without a pandemic, Texas food banks are facing shortages and surging need. The CEO of Feeding Texas joins us to talk about what’s driving the crisis.

Funds for adult education were first put on hold, then released – but there’s a big asterisk. The Standard’s Sarah Asch on a policy change that could affect adult ed.

Plus: Texas Monthly barbecue editor Daniel Vaughn dishes on his latest list of the top BBQ 50 spots in the state.

Why ‘Don’t California My Texas’ isn’t the whole story

Are Democratic lawmakers on the verge of a walkout to stop Republicans from redistricting during the special session? We’ll have the latest.

We’re also tracking possible federal funding cuts to legal aid organizations that could leave thousands of Texans who can’t afford a lawyer without the help they need.

Going beyond armed security guards, some Texas schools are turning to drones to increase security.

The changing role of social media influencers was on display in the aftermath of the July 4 floods.

And: Are Texas lawmakers quietly taking cues on governing from California?

Houston archaeologists uncover tomb of ancient Maya ruler

The Trump administration releases billions of dollars in education grants it previously withheld. What it means as students head back to school.

How the U.S. military is responding to a new kind of warfare that uses small, inexpensive drones.

The story of a Cuban man who raised a family in Texas and spent years working for a school district near Abilene – and now is locked up in an ICE detention center.

A high school student’s plan to help schools coping with a shortage of mental health counselors.

And: A Houston husband-and-wife team of archaeologists have discovered the tomb of the ruler of the ancient Mayan city of Caracol, now in present-day Belize.

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