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President Trump

Meta’s billion-dollar bet on El Paso

First responders in Kerr County struggled to communicate during this summer’s deadly Independence Day floods because parts of their radio network failed to reach key areas, according to an investigation by The New York Times.
Tech giant Meta is building a $1.5 billion data center in Northeast El Paso – a project that’s raising tough questions about water use, electricity demand and local incentives.
The ongoing federal shutdown and Trump administration tariffs are creating headaches for businesses that rely on the Port of Houston.
It’s pumpkin season – and the race is on to grow the biggest gourd.

Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can help make this podcast happen by donating at supportthispodcast.org.

KUT Morning Newscast for October 20, 2025: Today is the first day of early voting in the November 4th election

Central Texas top stories for October 20, 2025. Today is the first day of early voting in the November 4th election. This year, ballots in Texas will also have 17 proposed amendments to the Texas constitution. Organizers of Austin’s local “No Kings Day” event estimated that some 20 thousand people came out to protest this weekend. Gov. Greg Abbott confirmed that a UT professor was dismissed from his administrative duties due to “ideological differences.” The U-S Grand Prix will continue in Austin through at least 2034. Today could be one of the busiest days at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. The Longhorns beat Kentucky 16 to 13 on Saturday.  

KUT Morning Newscast for August 21, 2025: The Texas House passed a new congressional map designed to give Republicans an edge in Congress

Central Texas top stories for August 21, 2025. The Texas House passed a new congressional map designed to help Republicans flip five Democratic districts in the next midterms. A federal judge has temporarily blocked Texas from requiring public schools to display the Ten Commandments in some school districts, including Austin. Last time a bill to ban THC products passed at the Legislature Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed it, could it be different on a second time around? Travis County will soon stop free curbside flood debris pickup service in areas affected by the July 5th floods. 

KUT Morning Newscast for August 18, 2025: Thousands rally at Texas Capitol against Republican-backed congressional redistricting plan

Central Texas top stories for August 18, 2025. More than five thousand people took to the Capitol in Austin this weekend to protest President Trump and the Texas Legislature’s plan to redraw the state’s congressional districts to give Republicans more seats in the U.S. House. Starting tomorrow Austin’s streets will get busier with AISD going back to class. The Austin City Council adopted a $6.3 million dollar budget and now voters have to decide if they want to pay more property taxes. The man suspected of killing three people outside a Target in North Austin last week has an extensive criminal history. The City of Georgetown’s asking residents to give feedback on the one-point-three billion dollar proposed budget for the 2026 fiscal year. 

Fire danger and the weather ahead

Wildfires are burning in different parts of the state. The latest on containment efforts and on the continued risk.
President Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress received an intensely divided reception. What he said that could impact Texas.
In our ongoing exploration of how Texas came to get the energy system it has today, we go back into history and the 1970s energy crisis.
We could be nearing the end of an era: that of the paperback book. Why some publishers are shying away from paperback releases.
And: It’s nearly time for one of Texas’ biggest festivals. We’ll take a look at a little of what’s to come at this year’s South by Southwest.

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