politics

How many Austin city council votes happen in secret?

The Austin city council approved a plan last month to build new natural gas power generators. One thing that’s still unknown: The price of this new project. It’s estimated to cost more than $1 billion, but the vote approving the plan took place in executive session — behind closed doors. The KUT Newsroom wanted to know how many more of such votes have happened away from public view.

For kids, summer should be a magical time: catching fireflies, belly-flopping into the pool and maybe a little too much TV. But life can be tough for some kids. Luckily, there’s a place in the Hill Country that wants to help those kids experience some summertime magic, too.

This week in Texas music history, Lonnie Guerrero is born.

A few of today’s headlines:

A new medical facility focused on women’s healthcare is set to open Monday in Central Austin.
A Giraffe on the Lam in the Hill Country has been found safe this morning after a dayslong search effort.
The National Weather Service is forecasting a high today of 97 degrees, but with that heat and high humidity it could feel as hot as 105.

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

What to make of new Supreme Court decisions on immigration and status

As the nation awaits some politically charged decisions from the Supreme Court, some new opinions were handed down yesterday with profound implications for immigration. We’ll discuss the decisions concerning asylum and Temporary Protected Status.
Venezuelans in Texas hope to help people back home affected by this week’s devastating back-to-back earthquakes.
This week in Texas politics looks at new polling data in the closely watched U.S. Senate race between State Rep. James Talarico and Attorney General Ken Paxton in Texas.
Plus, a World Cup update.

What you need to know about fire ants

Some hospitals are still denying miscarriage care despite a state law that’s supposed to prevent that. What an Austin-area woman having a miscarriage went through when she tried to get care.

Austin voters will decide this fall if they want an outside auditor to check the city’s books. But some city officials say that could be problematic.

What you need to know about those pesky fire ants in Central Texas.

We’re in the final stages of group competition as the knockout phase of this year’s World Cup starts this weekend. More from one of the hosts of KUT’s “Vamos Verde” podcast.

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

A Central Texas city eyes desalination to help with water woes

Water is never far from the top of concerns for Central Texans and folks across the state. Down in Corpus Christi, plans for a desalination plant are underway, and one Austin-area city is set to spend half a million dollars for a spot in line to get some of that water.

City of Austin leaders are divided on a bond election to improve local roads and parks. The election this November would come just one year after voters soundly rejected a property tax rate increase known as Proposition Q.

Plus, Austin’s food scene is chock full of fine dining experiences, but has that erased the presence of a bonafide Texas staple? Our ATXplained project chewed the question over.

Plus a Few Headlines mentions in the show today:

And Mexico has their final Group Stage world cup match. Tonight at 8pm against Czechia and watch parties are happening across the city.

Camp Mystic has filed for chapter 11 Bankruptcy that’s after months of investigations and multiple lawsuits files by the families of those who died in last years deadly July fourth floods.

Also the Statesman is reporting a ‘Rat infestation’ at St. David’s hospital in South Austin.

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

New podcast explores aftermath of deadly 2025 flooding

The city of Austin is being sued by a group of Travis County property owners after reversing course on an agreement that would have released nearly 170 properties from the city’s jurisdiction. Sean Hemmersmeier from the Austin Business Journal tells us more.

We’re approaching one year since the devastating Fourth of July floods that claimed the lives of more than 100 Central Texans. A new podcast, “After the Flood,” takes a deeper look at the disaster’s lasting impact.

Looking for your next great read? The Field Guide to Austin Summer Reading Bingo Challenge is happening now, and we’ve got a couple of book recommendations to help fill your card.

Plus: Tattoo shops across Austin are finding it increasingly difficult to keep their doors open.

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

Retire at 45? Here’s What The Market Won’t Tell You

Carl Stuart takes caller and text questions on the growing financial independence, retire early movement, the real risk of over-concentration in stocks, and investor anxiety.

Water samples from Austin’s Colony exceed limits for heavy metals

A new study from UT Austin found several water samples collected from the Austin’s Colony neighborhood in far East Austin exceeded regulatory guidelines for lead and other heavy metals. For decades, residents in the area have been at odds with its water provider, a for-profit company.

The Austin Independent School District board voted in favor of more than $200 million in cuts to next year’s school budget — but, in a last-minute change, all campuses will keep a full-time librarian.

The Austin Asian American Film Festival is gearing up for its 18th iteration. What they’ve learned and how they’re honoring the work that’s been done before them.

Plus: An Austin nonprofit celebrates community and connection through stories about pizza.

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

Orange & Blue Skies

On this episode we discuss the New York Knicks winning their first NBA championship in 53 years. We also discuss our favorite New York rap anthems to help Knicks celebrate. Hip-Hop Facts this week include facts about Backstreet Boys, Ludacris, Earth Wind & Fire and more. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion is that Jay-Z teaming up with Target isn’t that big of a deal.

Juneteenth in Austin: Black History Bike Ride Documentary, Book Festival Preview and Reflections on Freedom

It’s Juneteenth, and it’s time for another trek through town for the Black History Bike Ride. The organization has been hosting the event for a few years now and a new documentary has been made highlighting the mental and physical journey of the ride. We’ll sit down to chat with the filmmaker about the project.

The Austin African American book festival is fast approaching. We’ll hear some book recommendations from the leader of the fest.

Plus; KUT’s Miles Bloxson speaks to Black Austinites about the history of Juneteenth, how they celebrate the holiday and explores the question, “Are We Really Free?”

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

Capital Factory founder Joshua Baer dies in plane crash

Joshua Baer — founder of the tech investment company Capital Factory and described as the “godfather” of the Austin startup scene — died in a plane crash this week on his way back to Austin. We’re learning more about the crash, the investigation and about Baer’s larger impacts here.

Summer break is well underway for the Austin school district, but teachers and staff from 10 closing schools are thinking about life at a different campus next school year. How one math teacher made the decision to retire.

Plus: A preview of the Black Auteur Film Festival that’s happening this Saturday.

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

Austin ISD improves STAAR scores as Spanish speakers fall behind

Students in the Austin school district outperformed state averages in most courses during the recent round of STAAR testing, with some scores surpassing pre-pandemic levels — but there are still groups of students falling behind the state standard. How the district is planning to address that.

It’s been a rough few years for the craft brewing industry in Austin and across the state. After a spat of brewery closures, businesses are looking for new ways to get folks to frequent their neighborhood pub.

Juneteenth is Friday, and the Black History Bike Ride is gearing up for another trek through Austin. More on their story and the film documenting their work that’s premiering tonight.

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

What the World Cup has revealed so far

With a U.S. Senate contest stealing the political spotlight, where do we stand in the races for the two top spots in Texas politics? A check-in on the governor’s and lieutenant governor’s races.
An unannounced feature in smart glasses could reveal the identities of people without their knowledge. Is this the future of personal networking, surveillance, or something else? Omar Gallaga tells us about it.
Also, we’ll get up to speed on the World Cup in Texas.
And what does it take to create social change in a Texas city with a conservative reputation? The new book “The Dallas Way” looks at the tactics and compromises behind a decades-long fight for LGBTQ rights.

Floodgates opened amid heavy rain in Austin area

Flooding this morning in the Austin area caused road closures and a water rescue and even necessitated the lifting of floodgates on the Colorado River.

As the city of Austin tightens the strings on its upcoming budget, nonprofits are bracing for even more cuts. Austin Current’s Sam Stark chats with us more about the groups that could be impacted and how organizations are preparing.

It’s last call at the Paramount Theatre as the doors shut temporarily for an all-out renovation — but they’re still bringing plenty of entertainment to town.

Summer reading has started. Join KUT for our bingo challenge!

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

State regulators weigh new uses for fracking wastewater

Texas regulators are moving closer to allowing treated wastewater from oil and gas drilling operations to be reused on farmland and other sites outside the energy industry. Some fear the proposal is getting ahead of the science.

Texas Republicans signaled their priorities at their convention in Houston, with Gov. Greg Abbott outlining his vision for another term.

The Spurs’ hopes for a championship came to an end with a Game 5 loss to the New York Knicks — but it’s still a big win for San Antonio.

One Texas school district near is eliminating librarian positions and replacing them with hourly paraprofessional staff as part of a cost-saving effort.

Is Female Rap In Trouble?

On this episode we touch on a subject, we have discussed before with male rappers, but this time we talk about, the seemingly decline in popularity of female rappers. We also discuss if having a great discography is more important than having monster singles. Hip-Hop Facts this week include facts about Earth Wind and Fire, Lil Wayne, Eminem and more. Unpopular Opinion with Fresh this week is about Los Angeles being the most important city in hip-hop history.

A Texas Tech gambling case could test NCAA rules

They say it’s only a game, but Texas sports fans know better. This time, however, some see an existential threat to college sports.

A scandal involving Texas Tech football quarterback Brendan Sorsby is now in the national spotlight. We’ll hear why and what’s at stake.

Meanwhile in Houston, evidence that there’s nothing like a challenging race to focus political will. After years of infighting, Texas Republicans putting up a united front at their party convention.

In El Paso, an effort to open up frontiers to an underrepresented community of filmmakers, marking a major milestone. We’ll have more on the Femme Frontera Film Festival.

Local food influencer gives peek at new docuseries ‘David Eats Everywhere’

More than 60,000 Austinites work in the city’s food industry. A local nonprofit wants to help these food workers get health insurance. We’ll tell you about their work.

Peaches from Fredericksburg may be harder to find because of yet another warm winter. We’ll have more from the Texas Hill Country.

An Austin food influencer is moving from the small screen to the bigger screen with his new show, highlighting immigrant-owned eateries across town. We’ll hear about what he’s learned by going inside the kitchen.

And FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off tomorrow. Our soccer/fútbol expert will have some teams to watch and a local connection on the Canadian national team.

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

Judge to decide whether Camp Mystic lawsuits can be settled out of court

A judge in Travis County is expected to decide soon whether Camp Mystic and its owners can settle wrongful death lawsuits out of court stemming from last year’s deadly summer flooding. The families want jury trials, but the owners want arbitration.

Visitors to Big Bend National Park are hoping to catch a glimpse before the protected region changes. The Trump Administration has been pushing on-again-off-again plans for a border wall through the park.

An event this week identifying and highlighting Asian artists in Austin is taking on an added function: Raising funds for some of their own involved in an accident while trying to pursue their art. Austin Creates Together and the recovery for Peelander-Z.

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

Texas officials race to contain screwworm outbreak

Can Mike Miles, the man appointed to lead Houston ISD and help that struggling district, provide a roadmap for others in the state? We’ll have the details.
Also, a look at the federal government’s plan to stop the New World screwworm from spreading as more cases appear in South Texas.
Plus, fire safety concerns about the batteries powering e-bikes.
And Texas is likely to become the world’s largest hub for data centers — that’s led to growing concerns across the state, including in suburban areas.
Plus, Go Spurs go! The team recovered from two losses to claim victory over the Knicks in New York in Game 3 of the NBA Finals.

Hovi Baby!

On this episode, we discuss Jay-Z’s recent performance at the Roots Picnic and the controversy that came with it. We also discuss what is more important, musical legacy or breaking records. Hip-Hop Facts this week include facts about Tom Holland, Toni Braxton, Janet Jackson and more. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion is about a reboot of a popular show from the 90’s he’s not excited about.