politics

Texas’ new blue courts, midterm-inspired tattoos, weekend arts events

The top courts in Texas will soon include Democrats for the first time in decades. We’ll hear from the future chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court about the shifting makeup of the judges, and how that could alter priorities.

Elected positions weren’t the only thing on the ballots in the midterm. A number of school districts in Williamson County held tax rate elections. We’ll look at the results and what that could mean for schools in one of the country’s fastest-growing areas.

Last week’s election was the first time many Texans had ever experienced any Democrat winning statewide office. Some of them are marking the occasion with a uniquely Texas symbol.

This weekend’s calendar is chock full of cool things happening around town. We’ll have a roundup of what to check out.

The political downfall of Ken Paxton

How did one of the most resilient Republicans in Texas politics lose a longstanding base? We’ll look at the anatomy of Ken Paxton’s political implosion.
As we continue to track the fallout of one of the biggest turnarounds in American politics, a closer look at some of the numbers emerging — including a participation gap between men and women.
Also, is there a shifting relationship between local and state leaders in Texas?
Putting a price tag on history: Rare Items bearing the signatures of Davy Crockett, Sam Houston, William Travis and more are going up for auction.
Plus: Beachcombing in the West Texas desert.

How Texas Democrats want to regulate data centers, Easy Compadre at the Austin Studio Tour

The future of data center development in Texas has been driving conversation and grassroots activism all year long. How will a change in state leadership affect the future of these projects?

There’s plenty to see throughout the city during this first weekend of the Austin Studio Tour. Austin band Easy Compadre is using the opportunity to bring to life some of the concepts from their debut album, and teaming up with other artists to bring their vision to life.

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

Tim Heidecker talks InfoWars parody, ‘On Cinema’ Texas tour

Elon Musk bet big on Texas Republicans — and lost big. Now with Democrats taking power, what comes next?
Same goes for the border wall. After the midterms in Texas, what, if anything, changes with an initiative pushed by the Trump administration that just got the green light to move ahead in the Big Bend region?
And comedian Tim Heidecker’s “On Cinema” and his role in the Onion’s relaunch of InfoWars.
Also, author David Griscom joins us to talk about what he calls the “myth of red Texas.”

Maternal health in blue Texas, AISD ceases cooperation with probe, Austin Book Festival preview

Lots of things in Texas could be changing with Democrats soon controlling the House and Governor’s Office. That could include legislation focused on the state’s strict abortion ban. We’ll go over the resistance it might meet in the Capitol.

The Austin Independent School District is ceasing cooperation with a state investigation focused on its spending. We’ll have an overview of what that could mean for AISD.

It’s going to be a busy weekend with plenty of cool things to do in Austin. The Texas Book Festival will take over downtown with author discussions, kid’s activities and a whole lot more. We’ll tell you about some of the big names coming to town.

It’s the first weekend of the Austin Studio Tour. 800 artists are showing work at 300 different locations around town. We’ll tell you where the art is.

ICE and local police, Austin’s relationship with state of Texas, Shane James sentenced

Austin is changing the way police officers interact with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials. It’s not the only city preparing to change cooperation tactics.

Shane James has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole after a 2023 shooting spree that left six people dead in Austin and San Antonio.

Republican state leaders have limited the city of Austin’s ability to regulate on issues ranging from property taxes to light-rail. Now, with power shifting to Democrats, city leaders are optimistic — and some changes are already underway.

Everyone’s got a favorite breakfast taco. Perhaps migas is your preferred go-to. So, who’s cooking up the best one in Austin?
The Tacos of Texas podcast is trying to find out.

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

Lawmakers file bills on Medicaid, data centers, THC and more

Nearly 1,300 bills were filed in the Texas House and Senate as lawmakers began preparing for the 2027 legislative session, with Democrats reviving a push to expand Medicaid.

Investment group BlackRock went from being blacklisted to partnering with Gov. Greg Abbott’s administration. What does that mean now that Democrats are returning to statewide office?

Part of the blue tsunami included a wave of young voters. We’ll hear from a few about their priorities.

Plus: What’s the use in providing veterinary care to a bunch of stray animals? A North Texas woman’s story just might inspire a few copycats.

Bill filing begins for 2027 Legislature, Firefighter mental health, Donn’s Depot’s iconic restroom

It’s the first day for bills to be filed in anticipation of the 90th Texas legislative session. Democrats will soon control the Texas House and the governor’s office, but it doesn’t mean an easy path toward sweeping legislative changes. What one expert is keeping his eyes on.

Firefighters are one group of first responders that show up in the face of emergency, regardless of what action is required. But that group is also more likely than the average person to take their own life. How that’s impacting firefighters in Austin.

How did the women’s restroom at Donn’s Depot become so ‘iconic’? ATXplained dives in.

Why Texas Republican voters broke with their party

After a historic Election Day last week, more history is set to be made in the Texas House of Representatives: Senfronia Thompson says she has the votes to become the first woman and first Black Texas House speaker.

Texas Republicans’ loss of statewide power has prompted questions about fractures within a party that had dominated state politics for decades.

The Trump administration’s tariff-free beef imports haven’t lowered prices much.

And: UT international affairs expert Michael Mosser with where all this political change leaves U.S. foreign policy.

Meet Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa, Higher education under Hinojosa, How to get your song on the radio

Austin state Rep. Gina Hinojosa is set to become the first Latina governor of Texas at the start of next year. She’s cut her political teeth in the state’s capital city, but her upbringing in the Rio Grande Valley has shaped the approach she employed during her campaign for the governorship.

One facet of Hinojosa’s new job will be selecting leadership for the state’s public universities. Higher education in Texas has been undergoing major changes over the last decade. How might that change under the governor-elect’s tutelage?

Our sister station, KUTX, works tirelessly to highlight the Austin music experience, but how do Austinites actually get their music on the radio? More about that, plus the weekend’s art happenings.

Nathan Johnson lays out his plans as Texas attorney general

Promising bipartisanship, Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa talks transitions and first steps for her administration.

As she promised when she spoke with us before election day, Hinojosa is already taking steps to bring about change in Texas education. What does she plan to do, and what might limit the reach of her plans? We’ll take a closer look.

Also, a conversation with the new attorney general-elect of Texas: Nathan Johnson on how the powerful office long led by Ken Paxton will change under his leadership.

Plus, the week in Texas politics with the Texas Tribune, a ruling in a closely watched case over access to a popular fishing spot and more.

Texas Democrats’ power, City budget cuts affecting seniors, The Uncle Jay Show

Texas Democrats made historic wins for statewide office, including governor and lieutenant governor, and will soon have a majority in the Texas House of Representatives. But Republicans will still control the state Senate when the Legislature convenes in January. So what’s actually going to be possible in the next session?

Groups providing social services to seniors say recent cuts to the Austin city budget are forcing them to scale back their assistance. The latest look at aging in Austin from our newest project, the Long View.

How much do you remember from your childhood? One listener was sure she celebrated a birthday on a local TV show, but did she?

How Texas’ Democratic sweep could change the state’s political identity

A bolt from the blue: Many Texans are still trying to absorb the implications of the midterms, but now a clearer picture is forming of what happened. It appears turnout made a big difference — not in terms of raw numbers, but where those Democratic gains happened.

The Democrat who’s promising to take the politics out of the Attorney General’s office: We’ll hear more about what to expect from incoming AG Nathan Johnson.

Also, remember the Republican midterm redistricting? It was a push that seems to have backfired.

And New York Times Houston-based bureau chief J. David Goodman joins us to talk about what this political earthquake means for the way Texans and others view Texas.

Democrats break Texas losing streak, city council results, Austin ISD board outcomes

Democrats broke a decades-long losing streak in Texas during this year’s midterm elections.Austin-area State Reps. Gina Hinojosa and James Talarico were victorious in their bids to become Texas governor and U.S. senator, respectively. And they weren’t the only Austin-area legislators to emerge victorious in major statewide races. Final votes are still being tallied across the state, but it’s clear it was an historic night for Democrats in Texas. So how exactly did it all come together? We’ll look at what led to this moment.We also have the latest on who secured their seat on the Austin City Council and who’s heading to a runoff. Plus, the latest on the Austin ISD board of trustees and how Gov.-elect Hinojosa could shake up a potential state takeover of the district.

How Texas Democrats scored historic wins across the state

For more than three decades, Republicans ruled Texas politics. This morning, that era is over.
Historic gains for Texas Democrats — a political earthquake has shaken the Lone Star State, sending shockwaves across the country: a new governor, a new U.S. senator, and a dramatic shift in the balance of political power.

How did it happen? What does it mean for Texas — and for the nation? And is this the beginning of a whole new political era? A short-term reaction to an unpopular presidency? Or something else altogether?

On the day after an historic election, we’re taking stock of a Texas transformed.

Results start to roll in during Election Night in Austin

Austin Signal is covering the November midterm elections as results roll in. We’ll hear from reporters at election watch parties for U.S. Senate hopefuls James Talarico and Ken Paxton, as well as watch parties for the governor race as state Rep. Gina Hinojosa looks to keep Gov. Greg Abbott from a fourth term.

Plus, the latest on local races and the latest numbers in a special two-part hourlong Election Day show!

Election Day in Central Texas, Abbott campaign ad, Austin plane crash victims

It’s finally Election Day across the country, and we’ve got you covered on what’s happening at polling places across Central Texas.

U.S. Rep. John Carter, the Republican incumbent in the race for House District 31, is seeking his 13th term in office — but his Democratic opponent, Justin Early, has had difficulties finding him during election season. We’ll hear from them both.

An attack ad from Gov. Greg Abbott’s re-election campaign highlights a 1991 murder in Austin. Only part of the story made the final cut for the ad. We’ll tell you about the rest of it.

Plus: The latest on the local victims who died in a plane crash in Florida after departing from Austin’s airport.

Midterm Election Day arrives as Texans head to the polls

It’s Election Day and all eyes are on Texas with several races polls are showing could come down to the wire. We’ll check in with our reporters across the state.

We’ll also get some insight from one of our go-to political analysts about what to keep an eye on as results come in this evening.

Promoters claim peptides can build strength, delay aging and more. Some lawmakers want the government to endorse their use by troops and veterans.

Plus, NASA’s growing dependence on SpaceX.

And building a family library at home, thanks to Dolly Parton. How one Texas city is expanding access to the Imagination Library.

Ballot counting lawsuit, Wheatsville dino relocates, Your Austin recommendations

Election Day is tomorrow, and lots of attention will be focused on statewide and national races tied to Texas. We’ll tell you why a small GOP delegation wants every ballot in Texas to be counted by hand.

The Dog’s Head development has become a contentious issue in Austin this year. How we got here and what comes next for the project.

What we know about the plane that crashed after departing from Austin on Sunday.

Wheatsville Co-Op’s location on Guadalupe recently shuttered its doors, and a longtime staple of the store and the neighborhood is heading for greener pastures.

Plus: An Austin newcomer wants to hear your recommendations about the spaces, performances and good bites that set the city apart.

Texas hemp shops turn frustration into political action

The race for a U.S. Senate seat from Texas is the most talked-about ballot contest, but how much real-world impact can the winner actually have?

Other stories on this day before the midterms: A much less talked-about contest for the keeper of the state’s accounts is also soon to be decided. Why have schools have become a major issue in the race for state comptroller?

Anyone else getting political text messages? David Martin Davies reports on the massive pre-Election Day message push.

Political upset in Texas’ hemp industry: Why much of their anger is directed at one politician in particular.

Plus, the annual kickoff of the Austin Film Festival.