politics

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.

UT Austin begins removal of Cesar Chavez statue

The Austin ISD community came together Thursday night to discuss budget changes that include cutting more than 550 positions, including teachers, as the district is working on reducing a $181 million deficit.

Christopher Taylor, a former Austin police officer, is suing the city and the Austin Police Department to try and get his job back after being acquitted in a fatal shooting.

The University of Texas at Austin has begun the process of removing a statute honoring Cesar Chavez, following accusations of sexual abuse against the late labor leader.

Plus: Ahead of Game 2 of the NBA Finals, where to catch the action and how Spurs fans in Austin are feeling.

And join KUT for our summer reading bingo challenge!

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

A Texas adventurer aims for all 50 state high points

130 Texas towns and cities put on notice that they won’t be able to raise property tax rates. One city official calls it a catch-22.
The national Democratic Party sets its sights on flipping 12 seats in the Texas House — one sign that their candidate for senate, James Talarico may have serious coattails. We’ll hear more in the week in Texas politics with the Texas Tribune.
A Texas opera company gives Bizet’s greatest hit gets the World Cup treatment, hoping to score points with a new audience.
A Southwestern University outdoor adventure leader is attempting to summit the highest point in all 50 states in just over two weeks.
The discovery of a new T-Rex species, without having to get your hands dirty?
Plus, the return of the Texas Beachcomber.

Austin ISD planning to cut hundreds of jobs

The Austin Independent School District is planning to cut hundreds of jobs in its upcoming budget, including teachers, librarians and campus law enforcement.

CapMetro’s Bikeshare system has been shut down since a fire Memorial Day weekend, with no timeline for resuming service. A forensic investigator is examining whether lithium-ion batteries caused the blaze at a CapMetro facility.

We’re coming up on the final weekend of the Kerrville Folk Festival. Let’s take a trip out to the Texas Hill Country This year’s iteration of the folk music mecca has special meaning after last summer’s deadly flooding in the Texas Hill Country.

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

Margaret Gómez, longest-serving Travis County commissioner, retires

New research finds 10% of Texans under 6 were recently uninsured, the highest of any state in the country. We’ll have the latest data.

We continue our Series of Lasts: stories from the final days of some Austin ISD campuses. Bring your appetite and some Kleenex as we sit for one last school lunch at Ridgetop Elementary.

Margaret Gómez, the longest-serving Travis County commissioner in history, is retiring after 53 years working for the county.

And: The Austin African American Book Festival kicks off later this month, but they’ve got a special guest helping to start the festivities this weekend.

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

Rural Texas counties say data centers are arriving faster than regulations

What control do county officials have when a data center wants to move in? A look at an investigation from the Texas Tribune.
The ballots are set for the midterm election in November, but at least one big thing is changing: Texas’ top elections leader, Secretary of State Jane Nelson, is stepping down.
What do the results from the primaries and primary runoffs tell us about how Texas Republicans are aligning with President Trump?
We’ve been digging into how Texas is reshaping the way the justice system responds to mental illness. Today, we step back and ask and even broader question: How do we view mental illness?
Plus, a beloved small-town Texas bakery just off the highway is reopening.

After two months in ICE detention, father is reunited with his family

A father who was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement after a traffic stop in San Marcos has been reunited with his family. Gerardo Reyes, who spent more than two months in detention, might still face deportation.

Parents and staff from the Austin Independent School District are urging state legislators to increase funding for schools. We’ll hear from some of the folks who spoke out this week.

Lou Diamond Phillips has been acting for decades, but his breakout role as Ritchie Valens in “La Bamba” was so iconic, it’s one he’s still largely associated with. Phillips’ latest film, “Keep Quiet,” recently screened in Austin, where he was recognized with a city proclamation.

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

Austin City Council moves to regulate e-motorcycles

Have you encountered an e-moto on the streets of Austin? The high-speed electric bikes are capable of reaching motorcycle-like speeds, and the City Council is looking at stricter regulations. Austin Current’s Sam Stark tells us more.

The school year is over, but there’s no break for the many things the Austin Independent School District has to consider — including a budget deficit. How the money problems got so bad, and how they’re hoping to address it.

The dog days of summer are creeping up on us, but Austin dogs have one less place to beat the heat after Yard Bar closed down over the weekend.

This is My Thing Podcast host Mike Lee talking with Yael Ouzillou on Doodling.

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

Our Minds Were Always Free w/ Lisa Davis

On this episode we interview entertainment lawyer, author, Lisa Davis about her book Our Minds Were Always Free. We also discuss Complex’s list of the top 50 New York rappers of all time. Hip-Hop Facts this week include facts about Rebbie Jackson, Andre 3000, Big L and more. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion touches on how the best verse on a song isn’t the most lyrical sometimes.

State officials reject Austin ISD plan for failing middle schools

The Texas Education Agency has rejected Austin ISD’s proposal for three middle schools that have received consecutive failing grades — putting the entire district at further risk of a state takeover.

The Austin City Council has approved guidelines for the construction and operation of a new natural gas plant after the project was OK’d in a secret vote.

Thousands of Austinites received a call or text this month urging them to seek shelter or evacuate immediately, but many weren’t even sure the message was legit. Now police say they will improve the alerts.

Plus: Exploded Drawing kicks off their 16th year of electronic music showcases.

Texas Standard

Adrianne Palicki reflects on ‘Friday Night Lights’ at 20 ahead of ATX TV Festival reunion.

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