Central Texas top stories for October 22, 2025. Austin wasn’t warned that state police would be clearing homeless camps on city land, mayor says. Capital Metro has a new police chief. Travis County is looking into building a commuter rail system from Austin to San Antonio. Early voting turnout has been low.
Police Chief
Texas Lottery scandal deepens as ex-director disappears
The Texas Lottery Commission faces a reckoning after a string of scandals. We look at what’s next for one of the largest lotteries in the country.
The U.S. Supreme Court has cleared the way for a controversial private facility in Andrews, Texas, to temporarily store high-level nuclear waste.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to open a facility in South Texas to help defend against the new world screwworm, a destructive pest that is working its way north through Mexico toward the southern border.
And: Waco Police Chief Sheryl Victorian is challenging policing stereotypes – not just in uniform, but now as the author of a children’s book about public service.
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KUT News Now 080624
Central Texas top stories for August 6, 2024. Austin could have a new police chief today. A lawsuit against supporters of then-President Trump’s 2020 reelection campaign is heading to trial in Austin. Changes are coming to Trinity Street and San Jacinto Boulevard: a project will add bus-only lanes. AISD has placed its outgoing chief financial officer on leave. Austin Firefighters Association are calling for solutions to what they call a mental health crisis among firefighters. Lockhart ISD voters will be deciding whether to join Austin Community College’s taxing district in November.
KUT Morning Newscast for July 24, 2024
Central Texas top stories for July 24, 2024. Austin has two finalists for the city’s next police chief, hear what they say about how they would tackle the job. President Joe Biden has rescheduled his trip to Austin next Monday. The bowling alley Highland Lanes will stay open for another 17 months. Capital Metro is donating single-day bus passes to AISD. Georgetown water customers may soon see an increase in their monthly bills.
KUT Morning Newscast for July 23, 2024
Central Texas top stories for July 23, 2024. Today Austinites will get to meet the two finalists in the running to be Austin’s next police chief. Travis County Commissioners are about to put two new members on a board that manages affordable housing in the area. Capital Metro will continue to do business with the company that provides on-demand transit services MetroAccess and Pickup. The Austin Independent School District is heading into the new school year with a 78-million-dollar budget deficit, but that could change.
KUT Morning Newscast for June 19, 2024
Central Texas top stories for June 19, 2024. Heavy rain is possible today and tomorrow. Activists are asking Travis County to provide lawyers for low-income people accused of crimes. Austin is one step closer to finding a permanent police chief. Learn about Juneteenth celebrations in Austin as well as City closures for the holiday.
Texas Standard: April 8, 2020
If you’re a nonessential worker and you’re out for a drive, what happens if you get pulled over? The realities of police work during a pandemic. Today, our conversation with the chief of police of the Texas Capitol City on enforcement of stay at home orders, and how police are dialing back some of what they do to keep officers safe.. Also state parks and historic sites now shuttered. We’ll hear from the head of Texas Parks and Wildlife. Plus the boom in urban bear hunts: teddy bears that is. Some practical tips for first time hunters and more today on the Texas Standard: