KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts

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

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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

Migrant children held for months at Texas detention center

Children are being held in Texas detention centers far longer than legal limits allow. We’ll have a check-in on the immigration crackdown.
People and politicians have rallied around their dislike of data centers. What does this PR problem mean for tech companies?
We’ll check in on why an El Paso project might not be affected by Gov. Greg Abbott’s new data center regulations.
It’s been nearly a month since this year’s record-breaking flooding in South Central Texas. We’ll have a look at how it’s impacted small towns with few resources.
The story of how an Austin nonprofit is trying to support musicians in an expensive city.
And young Texas track athlete Cooper Lutkenhaus is breaking records abroad.

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

Corpus Christi voters to decide Fair Water Amendment

In Corpus Christi, residents succeed in getting the Fair Water Amendment on the November ballot. We’ll delve into the details of what’s in the amendment and what comes next.
A look at how Flock Safety cameras are tracking vehicles and why there’s a backlash statewide.
Plus, Texans love their pickup trucks — and there’s more to love as the vehicles get bigger. But larger sizes potentially mean more risks. We’ll look at why pickups are involved in fatal accidents more often.
San Antonio built a land bridge to help wildlife safely cross through the city. Is it working?
And writer Sarah Bird on the unwritten rules that govern life in Texas.

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

Border wall could cut access to Porvenir Massacre site

The Trump administration wants to revamp Head Start. How the changes could cost the state and impact teachers.

President Trump has ordered changes to federal childhood vaccine recommendations, but the executive order does not automatically change requirements for Texas schools.

Law enforcement says Flock cameras that read license plates help solve crimes. But in Houston there are growing questions about misuse and mass surveillance.

What the governor’s temporary pause on data centers means.

How a new border wall going up in West Texas will impact a historic landmark at the site of the 1918 Porvenir Massacre.

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

The Texas goth scene builds a culture beyond the music

President Trump says the governor’s pause on data centers is a mistake. What it means as the industry pushes to expand.

Supporters of the state takeover of Houston public schools tout it as success for overall student achievement. But critics say it’s come at the expense some high-achieving students.

Does a strategy for managing rapid economic growth in North Texas offer lessons for other regions when it comes to development?

A bar celebrating goth music and culture turns 25 in Austin. How goth culture has taken root across the state.

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

How Texas farmers are looking to revive cotton demand

New details are emerging about the first year of Texas’ school voucher program. We’ll explain who received the vouchers and why critics still have questions.
Texas cotton-growers are facing rising costs and falling demand. Our own Michael Marks looks at a new effort to revive one of the state’s signature crops.
Austin Sketch Fest returns for its 17th year, featuring headlining acts like Saturday Night Live’s Andrew Dismukes. We’ll hear why organizers say sketch comedy is having a moment in Texas.
Even after July’s heavy rains, Jacob’s Well still isn’t flowing like it used to. Texas Standard’s Laura Rice explains why the beloved Texas swimming hole remains closed.
And it’s Friday, so we’ll wrap up the week with our Texas politics roundup.

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

Big Bend border wall construction poised to begin

New reporting is raising questions about State Rep. James Talarico’s voting address. We’ll explain what it found and why it matters.
Construction crews have arrived inside Big Bend National Park as plans for a new border wall move forward. We’ll hear the latest from reporters on the ground.
Could stores be charging you a different price than someone else? We’ll explain how the practice works and why lawmakers across the country are paying attention.
Also, the Tacos of Texas podcast is back for a sixth season. We’ll get a preview of the stories celebrating the people, places and traditions behind one of Texas’ favorite foods.

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

Texas A&M professors sue over race and gender teaching rules

Texas A&M professors are suing the university system over restrictions on teaching about race and gender identity. We’ll discuss the legal challenge.

Some Latino voters in Texas who supported Donald Trump in 2024 say they’re reconsidering that decision ahead of this year’s midterm elections. We’ll hear what’s driving the shift.

The American Red Cross has declared a national blood supply crisis. Why donations have dropped to a four-year summer low, and how Texans can help.

And, the story of Roy Velásquez, the Austin businessman who built a taxi company that served communities shut out by segregation, is now inspiring a new children’s book.

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.

Gov. Abbott pauses new Texas data centers for state audit

A look at why Sen. John Cornyn decided to back President Trump’s choice for Attorney General, Todd Blanche, after all — and what’s next.
Also, why Gov. Greg Abbott has hit the brakes on any new data center projects for now.
Plus, the late U.S. Rep. Kay Granger’s enduring legacy.
And plans are underway in Austin for a new housing development for victims of human trafficking and children fleeing domestic abuse and sexual assault.
Plus, how Texans are coping a year after cuts to the SNAP food program.
And why San Antonio is pushing for more dog parks.

Texas backtracks after wrongly flagging voters as noncitizens

A voter purge is being rolled back in Texas after some eligible voters were wrongly flagged as potential noncitizens. We’ll discuss what happened and what it means ahead of the midterms.

Also, for recent college graduates across Texas, the job market can be a difficult reality check. We’ll look at why landing that first job is proving tougher than many expected.

Plus, back-to-school shopping comes with sticker shock. A look at what’s driving up the cost of notebooks, backpacks and other classroom essentials — and how families are coping.

Also, as immigration arrests increase, South Texas communities are turning to neighborhood warning networks to track ICE activity. We’ll hear how those systems work and the legal questions they raise.

Activists call for better mental health resources in wake of teen’s shooting by police

Plans for high-voltage transmission lines have hit a snag after Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and his allies this morning called for a halt to the proposal. The power lines are meant to help meet growing energy demand in West Texas, but the plan faced fierce opposition this week at a public hearing at the state capitol.

Fallout continues after Austin Police fatally shot unarmed teenager Anthoneil Williams II. Activists gathered at city hall this week demanding better mental health resources.

Music and film collide next week at the 6th Sound Unseen Austin Film Festival. We’ll talk with the festival’s director about what’s in store.

Plus, some of the best art to experience this weekend.

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

What to know as Delta-8 ban goes into effect Friday

A ban on Delta-8 products takes effect tomorrow and Austin police say possessing certain products could now be a felony. We’ll explain why the law is changing, what it means for consumers and how local businesses are preparing.

One new affordable housing development in East Austin is moving forward with just one parking space. It’s possible because of the city’s Affordability Unlocked program, which allows developers to bypass certain building requirements.

Plus, KUTX Artist of the Month, Quentin, joins us to talk about her musical journey, the inspiration behind her new album “TOMGIRL,” her favorite songs and what’s next for her career.

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

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