Areas around Austin, San Antonio and North Texas set records for the first day of early voting this week. But the story was different in El Paso.
A Democrat won a state House seat in Collin County last election cycle – but Republicans think they can flip it back.
What it means that decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana possession is on the ballot in more Texas cities.
A look at the impact of the ongoing IV fluid shortage on Texas hospitals.
And: We’ll ask whether it matters than an elected official in Harris County hasn’t clocked into work in about four years.
Rent
KUT Morning Newscast for September 13, 2024
Central Texas top stories for September 13, 2024. A larger percentage of Austin renters are living in housing they can’t afford, according to new Census data. Travis County staff are making sure ballots are accurate and voting equipment is working properly for the November election, they are encouraging residents to come see the process for themselves. Hays County voters will decide on a major bond for road improvements this November. Starting in March, British Airways will fly from Austin to London Heathrow twice a day. The Austin based theater group Proyecto Teatro got selected to be part of the Encuentro 2024 festival in Los Angeles.
KUT Morning Newscast for September 5, 2024
Central Texas top stories for September 5, 2024. Rents in the Austin area have been falling for almost a year and a half. Round Rock ISD is asking voters to pass bonds to help fund construction and renovation projects. ABIA will have jet bridges with air conditioning. Austin FC is looking to divert tons of trash from landfills.
Record number of employees leave Houston ISD after state takeover
New ratings suggest big improvements for Houston schools, but not everyone is excited about the changes: In the wake of the state’s takeover, a huge number of teachers and staffers have been leaving.
An Abilene family’s experience with a fentanyl overdose has sparked a citywide call to action. KACU’s Alexis Jones reports.
As rent falls in some places, many people are finding an ever greater portion of their paychecks going to cover housing.
Amid concerns about shark attacks this summer, a new report shows a rapidly growing population of baby bull sharks along the Texas Gulf coast.
The controversy surrounding GOP Rep. Troy Nehls’ military badge
Hundreds of homes and businesses have been destroyed by fires in New Mexico, and Texans are lending a helping hand.
Houston Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee revealed earlier this month that she has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. A look at the implications amid the heat of a re-election battle.
The algorithm that investigators say is having the effect of creating a cartel for rental properties, driving up prices and removing apartments from the market.
And: A case of stolen valor or something else? The battle over a combat badge worn publicly by a Texas Rep. Troy Nehls – a badge the Army says should not have been awarded in this case.
KUT Morning Newscast for June 24, 2024
Central Texas top stories for June 24, 2024. In Austin metro renters and homeowners are segregated; here’s why. Round Rock Police arrested a second suspect related to the shooting at the City’s the Juneteenth celebration. It’s officially summer, and here’s how the high temperatures affect those who work directly in the heat. The Zilker Eagle derailed, but don’t worry, it’s back on track!
Public school teachers in Texas are protesting vouchers. They’ve enlisted plumbers to help.
A federal judge strikes down a redistricting map in Galveston County, saying it violated the rights of Black and Latino voters, and gives the county until Oct. 20 to fix its maps.
Public school teachers plan to travel to Austin to fight a plan to use taxpayer money to pay for private tuition. Who’ll teach the students when the teachers are gone? You might be surprised.
As Texas’ population swells, so does empty office space. We’ll dig into what that signals.
And: We continue our month of Tracking Texas Cryptids with the spooky story of La Lechuza.
Why homeschooling is on the rise across the ideological spectrum
Sean Theriault of UT-Austin with a look at why government shutdowns have become so common, and what needs to happen to avoid another come Sunday.
The summer of 2023 was the second hottest on record in Texas. But for renters, air conditioning isn’t legally required — at least not everywhere in the state.
Over the past couple of years, there’s been a shift in the way that many Texans school their kids, with more folks opting for homeschooling – for reasons that span the political spectrum, or lie completely outside it.
Writer Andrew Leland on losing his vision and the struggle to understand the changes, as told in his new memoir, “The Country of the Blind.”
KUT Morning Newscast for May 9, 2023
Central Texas top stories for May 09, 2023. Rents fall in Austin. Tenure bill up for debate. Pet safety heads to the legislature.
What would property tax relief from the Legislature mean for Texas renters?
Winter storm and travel advisories across much of Texas with some forecast models indicating things could get worse. Victor Murphy of the National Weather Service with more on the icy situation that’s already led to many school closures and stranded motorists overnight.
Our closeup on property taxes continues as the Legislature sets its sights on cuts. The Texas Standard’s Sean Saldana has more on what this means for renters.
The Standard’s Shelly Brisbin on how advocates for Texans with disabilities are turning up the heat on lawmakers at the Capitol.
And 30 years after the Branch Davidian siege, we’re talking to Kevin Cook, author of the new book “Waco Rising.”
KUT Morning Newscast for December 21, 2022
Central Texas top stories for December 21, 2022. Keeping pets warm. Roosters rescued. Rent prices in Austin. Georgetown meal balances. Holiday things to do.
Looming freeze has Texans eyeing power grid
Oh the weather outside is gonna get frightful, how low could temperatures go? And what should Texans do now to be prepared? All of the state expected to be affected by plummeting temperatures. We’ll check in with the Dallas Fort Worth office of the national weather service for the latest. Also a standoff between the U.S. and Mexico over corn. Most of Mexico’s corn comes from the U.S., but Mexico’s president is considering a ban, one that could have major ripple effects for both countries. Also, the latest on a newspaper strike in Fort Worth. And Michael Marks with the story of one very expensive Longhorn. All that and then some today on the Texas Standard:
WNBA star and Houston native Brittney Griner freed from Russian prison
Houston native and WNBA star Britney Griner freed in a prisoner swap with Russia. We’ll have the latest. Also the dismissal of charges against an Ecuadoran migrant at the center of a controversy over federal and state authority. Laura Rice talks with Katie Hall of the Austin American Statesman. Plus a focus on a photography app that’s gone viral and why tech expert Omar Gallaga has some serious concerns about it. Also the joint effort by the U.S. and Mexico to bring back the Gray Wolf. And tis the season, and not just for tamales. Taco journalist Mando Rayo with more holiday tastes and some food for thought as well. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
KUT Morning Newscast for September 6, 2022
Central Texas top stories for September 6, 2022. Uvalde CISD first day of school. Austin rent slightly dropping. Austin Energy rate increase. Lockhart ISD Drive.Pair.Share initiative. Austin Public Health mini grants and vaccine reminder. Austin City Council District 1 candidate forum. Texas v. Alabama this Saturday.
Texas Standard: September 1, 2022
Employees of Child Protective Services quitting over the state’s policy to investigate families providing gender affirming care to transgender teens. Reports say the agency charged with protecting children in Texas is on the brink of collapse, we’ll hear more. Also, a small voyage for a boat, a giant leap for the long leaky Battleship Texas. We’ll have more on plans to save an historic ship. And two of the most prominent pop stars in the world, both hailing from Texas, both deciding to remove an offensive word from their lyrics. One critic says it elevates the conversation about ableism. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
KUT Morning Newscast for August 10, 2022
Central Texas top stories for August 10, 2022. Monkeypox declared a health emergency in Travis County. Rent in Austin keeps climbing at historic rates. Austin ISD school board votes Thursday on a potential 2022 bond package. School bus driver and crossing guard shortages. Capital Metro updates guidelines for free rides to cooling centers. Williamson County budget update.
Texas Standard: July 22, 2022
After the recent Supreme Court ruling proponents of abortion rights and same sex marriage protections are turning to Congress. But is there enough support? We’ll take a look. Also Texas teens across the board are dealing with increased mental health challenges since the start of the pandemic. But for trans teens finding the right mental health care support can be an extra hurdle. And first responders face high risk on the job. But when some Texas firefighters, officers and EMS workers have filed workers compensation claims they’ve found roadblock upon roadblock. Plus it’s not just home sale prices that are through the roof in Texas, it’s also rent. So can you negotiate with your landlord? And the study of Harry Styles. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Housing Prices
Home prices across Texas, and especially in some of its major cities, have risen steeply. The costs are also being passed along to those who rent. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Texas Standard: January 25, 2022
As the U.S. places troops on high alert, Texans continue to track developments in Ukraine and whether there are yet ways to stop a war. Texas-based geopolitical scholar Jeremi Suri joins us to talk about whether there’s still a diplomatic option as tensions rise over Ukraine. Meanwhile, The standard’s Jill Ament reports how Ukrainian Americans here in Texas are congregating in solidarity. Also, Texas among the top states for eviction filings, even as unspent dollars or pandemic rent relief go back to Washington unspent. Plus when you turn off location tracking, is Google still following you? Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: January 21, 2022
What, exactly, does Governor Abbott’s newly unveiled “Parental Bill of Rights” really mean for Texas public schools? Also, many renters in Hays county brace themselves as federal dollars for a covid rent relief program disappear. Those stories, the week in politics, and more today on the Texas Standard: