Mayor Kirk Watson is asking some Austin ISD parents to request that their school be shut down in order to avoid a state takeover of the entire school district. Watson says the move is about empowerment. What do parents think about the proposal?
And the GOP brought a first-of-its-kind midterm convention to Texas this week as we inch closer to Election Day.
Every election is dominated by a few issues, and there’s no doubt data centers are on the minds of quite a few Texans heading to the polls. We’ll hear from some of those Texans.
Plus, Levitation is back in Austin with shows at some of the biggest venues in town. We’ve got a breakdown of the lineup and some tips on staying strong over the next four days.
Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org
school
Back To School: Teachers
It’s that time of year again when fresh-faced little ones with new backpacks and clean shoes head back to school. On this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy wanted to provide some tips to help teachers set the stage for a successful and happy year.
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.
Emergencies, shelter-in-place orders go out in flood-wary Kerr County region
Life-threatening floods hit parts of the Texas Hill Country as the Guadalupe River swells and flood emergencies and warnings go out.
In the aftermath of shootings in Maine and Texas, a pause in ICE policy ends only hours after the change went into effect. We’ll have more from Houston’s historic East End on how the shooting has galvanized residents there.
Also, the death of a Dallas Cowboy was ruled a suicide by officials, sparking a deeper conversation into the role of CTE: Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy.
Religion and Texas culture: The new book ‘One State Under God’ by Joseph L. Locke untangles an unexpectedly deep, and often misunderstood connection.
Plus, the end of an era: After more than three decades, Sony pulls the plug on a format once popular with gamers.
And the state’s only legislatively authorized needle exchange program: Why efforts to expand it have stalled.
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
Austin ISD postpones districtwide boundary changes
The Austin school district is postponing most of its school boundary realignment changes for an additional year. It’s not the first time the district has tried realigning attendance zones, and it’s not the first time the plan has been pushed back.
As we approach one year since deadly floods ravaged the Texas Hill Country, the podcast “After the Flood” is telling the stories of the people impacted most. Episode 2 explores why the Hill Country is so vulnerable to flooding.
Canada and Mexico have won their first knockout games of this year’s World Cup. Now the United States has the chance to do the same. We hear from former U.S Men’s National Team player Gyasi Zardes.
And: another tale from the Accent Unmuted storytelling event.
Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org
US Supreme Court issues ruling on birthright citizenship
It’s the last official day of the U.S. Supreme Court’s term. Among the decisions — whether to end birthright citizenship.
Dust from the Saharan Desert traveled thousands of miles to Texas, creating hazy skies and air quality concerns.
Smaller herds mean higher beef prices. Our Michael Marks has the all the details.
The largest virtual school in Texas is closing. What happened to the Lone Star Online Academy?
And the author of “The Chismosas Only Book Club” on friends bonding over books.
All that and more just ahead on the Texas Standard.
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
Probe says officers are tackling, pepper-spraying and tasering students in Texas schools
After Uvalde, Texas bet big on safety with police in every school, but a new report suggests an unintended and very troubling side effect.
The New York Times and the San Antonio Express-News reports thousands of incidents of officers tackling, pepper-spraying even tasering students for offenses that once would have meant a trip to the principal’s office, and no clear standards to protect against over-policing at school. We’ll talk to two of the authors of this report.
Also, Angela Kocherga with how the latest on the border wall may lead to an unusual conflict between church and state.
Plus a “Friday Night Lights” reunion conversation with actress Adrianne Palicki, the week in politics and more.
Paxton faces fundraising squeeze in tight Senate race
Some of Ken Paxton’s usual big backers have not pitched in yet for his U.S. Senate race. What does that tell us about the runoff election?
Houston ISD is trying something new next school year, launching so-called AI-focused schools. What’s that mean exactly?
The business of craft brewing was growing for years, but now they’re shutting down faster than they’re opening. A look at the shift.
We’ll also look at how Texas is working towards getting mental health patients out of the criminal justice cycle.
And though gas prices are high, it’s still often cheaper than flying. We’ll take a look at some Texas road trip recommendations.
‘Western Star’ explores Larry McMurtry’s legacy and Texas storytelling
A proposed overhaul of Texas classrooms could change what millions of students read. We’ll look at how this could impact classrooms across the state.
An investigation into Congressman Tony Gonzales uncovers a pattern of pursuing staff members. What we know and how the congressman is responding.
Billions of dollars in clean energy investment across Texas is now in question, as federal policy shifts put projects at risk. We’ll delve into what this could mean for the state’s energy future.
Plus, three iconic Texas films share a common thread: The writing of Larry McMurtry. We’ll explore the new book “Western Star,” covering his life and the Texas he captured so vividly.
Exploring the global future of Texas-made kimchi
Federal immigration agents have arrived at both of Houston’s airports. What are they doing and has it reduced long TSA lines?
Two North Texas Democrats who were once allies — Rep. Julie Johnson and Rep. Colin Allred — are battling for the nomination for a congressional seat.
Many military dogs are living in sub-standard conditions. We’ll dig into reported problems at kennels at bases, including in San Antonio.
The son of Texas baseball legend Don Baylor tells us why it’s especially meaningful to have an Austin park renamed in his dad’s honor.
Plus, how Texas could fill an international demand for kimchi.
School voucher applications open across Texas
The application window opens for Texas education savings accounts, often called school vouchers. But demand may outstrip available funds. We’ll talk with two reporters for the Houston Chronicle closely following the application process, hear about the application experience of one Texas mom, and learn more about what’s included, what isn’t, and what happens if there’s not enough taxpayer money to go around.
SpaceX and xAI could be poised for the largest IPO in history. We’ll dig into what this merger means for Texas, and perhaps the future of space exploration.
And Mando Rayo, host of Tacos of Texas, on a new trend: less is more?
Starlink poised to expand broadband footprint in Texas
The partial government shutdown is over. Did you know we were in one? Well, now another could be on the way as negotiations over ICE’s budget persists on Capitol Hill.
Texas school boards are considering a new state law that allows time to be set aside during the day for prayer and reading the Bible.
Texas has split from the American Bar Association. We’ll tell you why and the impacts the move might have.
Our Shelly Brisbin explains how Elon Musk’s Starlink stands to benefit from a multibillion-dollar program.
And an introduction to the new NCAA sport of acrobatics and tumbling.
Tiny Texas town’s library could be adult education template
Houston, Fort Worth… Now three more Texas school districts are expected to be taken over by state education officials. Where, why and what comes next?
The son of Texas A&M’s campus rabbi is among those critically injured in the mass shooting at Bondi Beach near Sydney, Australia.
Mexican citizens who routinely cross into the U.S. at Texas’ southern border to donate plasma may be taking advantage of an immigration loophole.
And our own Sarah Asch tells us why a library in a tiny Texas town may be a template for preserving adult education programs nationwide.
Texas taps vendor for school voucher rollout
A billion-dollar school voucher program is coming to Texas, but the company running it is based in New York. What that means for families.
A Texas father convicted of killing his daughter faces execution in less than two weeks, but new evidence is raising serious doubts in the case of Robert Roberson.
New World screwworms: The parasite that once devastated Texas ranches is back. We’ll hear from Ag Commissioner Sid Miller on what the state is doing to prepare.
And Austin veteran Greg Stoker is back home after being detained by Israeli forces while trying to deliver aid to Gaza. We’ll learn why he went and what happened.
Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas.
You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org
11 Texas school districts temporarily blocked from displaying Ten Commandments
A poll on Texas’ 2026 Senate race finds a tightening GOP battle between Ken Paxton and John Cornyn, and a Democratic preference for Beto O’Rourke – who isn’t yet in the race.
This morning, a federal judge temporarily blocked 11 Texas school districts from displaying the Ten Commandments in classrooms. We’ll bring you the latest.
Texans are bracing for changes to SNAP requirements and cuts in funding to the program that were signed into law by President Trump last month.
And: Some Black men say they’re especially impacted by new facial hair requirements going into effect for military members.
Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas.
You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org
Tesla’s robotaxi plans shift into gear
Blaise Gainey of The Texas Newsroom joins the show with a live update from the Capitol as the Legislature’s first special session ends amid a Democratic walkout.
After flooding and a historically wet July, new concerns about water levels dropping.
As students return to the classroom, more and more schools are being shuttered. The Standard’s Zachary Suri examines the long-term impact in Austin.
Tesla now has a permit to offer ride-hailing in Texas through next August. The company’s been testing robotaxis in Austin since June, and Elon Musk says “open access” is coming soon.
Virtual public school enrollment surges
Gov. Greg Abbott threatens a concurrent second special session with a Democratic walkout still underway. Is there any end in sight?
Details from a new release of materials withheld by Uvalde County and the Uvalde school district in the wake of the 2022 Robb Elementary school shooting.
What’s behind a massive growth in virtual schooling in Texas?
W.F. Strong meditates on what welcomes Texans back home after a long time away.
And: The scene at Voz de la Paloma, a women’s mariachi competition in honor of a San Antonio ranchera icon.
Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas.
You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org
KUT Morning Newscast for August 13, 2025: APD points to failures in the mental health system after deadly shooting at North Austin Target
Central Texas top stories for August 13, 2025. APD Chief Lisa Davis points to the mental health system after a shooting at a Target in North Austin that left three dead. The Austin City Council could adopt its next budget today. With the deadline approaching, advocates say students without legal status are scrambling to find a way to pay for the first installment for the fall semester at UT Austin. September 4th is the official deadline to apply for FEMA assistance after the July floods. The Texas Senate passed a bill aimed at cracking down on abortion pill prescribers and manufacturers. More Central Texas school districts go back to school today, watch out for traffic.
KUT Morning Newscast for August 12, 2025: AISD released a list of schools to help the school consolidation process
Central Texas top stories for August 12, 2025. The motive is still not clear in the shooting Monday afternoon in the parking lot of a Target in North Austin. The Austin Independent School District has released a list of schools to help decide which ones should close and how school boundaries should be redrawn. Travis County’s public hospital district Central Health will lay out its proposed budget for county commissioners today. Texas House Democrats are into their second week out of state, protesting a Republican redistricting plan, but they say they are willing to come back and attend the special legislative session. Some Central Texas school districts start school today, watch out for more traffic.