Central Texas top stories for October 31, 2025. Today is the last day of early voting. The Austin Independent School District is expected to release updates on its school consolidation plan later today. Some faculty and students at UT’s College of Liberal Arts are fearful about a possible restructuring of departments. Austin’s air traffic controllers are under extra strain during the federal government shutdown. Open enrollment for Affordable Care Act marketplace insurance plans begins tomorrow.
School Closure
KUT Morning Newscast for October 15, 2025: State Rep. Gina Hinojosa is joining the Democratic primary race for governor
Central Texas top stories for October 15, 2025. State Representative Gina Hinojosa announced this morning she’s joining the Democratic primary race for Texas governor. AISD kicked off a series of community meetings last night to hear people’s feedback on the district’s school consolidation plan. The New Braunfels Independent School District board of trustees temporarily closed the district’s middle and high school libraries this week to review books. The City of Austin is testing a new way to respond to mental health emergencies. ICE is notifying some Texas cities ahead of immigration sweeps, but Austin is not one of them.
Texas school closures raise tough questions
Public schools across Texas are being put to the test. From Fort Worth to Grapevine, Austin to San Antonio, we’ll look at how communities are reacting – and in some cases, pushing back – on plans to shutter schools and shuffle the map for many students.
Also, a big fight over redistricting with huge consequences – no longer on the political stage, but instead, a rather small federal courtroom. We’ll hear from Nacar Devine, an El Pasoan keeping tabs on what’s going on amid the hearing over Texas’ new congressional map.
Those stories, the latest on H-1B visas, and so much more.
KUT Morning Newscast for October 7, 2025: Some AISD parents wonder what would happen to their campus after it closes
Central Texas top stories for October 7, 2025. After AISD released a plan to close 13 schools, some parents are wondering what would happen to the buildings after schools close. A new state law that regulates who can speak on college campuses is shaking up the way one UT Austin group has been operating for decades. CapMetro is preparing to start construction in November for the new North Burnet/ Uptown Station near the Domain. Barton Springs Pool will be closed for most of the day today.
KUT Morning Newscast for September 18, 2025: A new audit finds the City of Austin is falling behind on its “zero waste” goals
Central Texas top stories for September 18, 2025. News organizations fight to unseal Texas AG Ken Paxton’s divorce case records. A new audit finds the City of Austin is falling behind on its “zero waste” goals. Austin severs ties with a nonprofit that runs two downtown homeless shelters. ACC has a new partnership to help students find affordable housing. Leander ISD is considering closing some schools amid a budget deficit. Austin FC beat Minnesota last night, they move to advance to the U.S. Open Cup Final.
Fort Worth considers shuttering 14 schools to cut costs
With just over a week to go at the Texas Legislature: what’s passed, what’s stalled, and where we stand.
Retailers track your every move to build shopper profiles and offer “personalized discounts.” But these loyalty perks may be more misleading than helpful.
Declining enrollment and tight budgets have school districts reevaluating their campuses. In Fort Worth, officials are proposing a five-year plan to close more than a dozen schools.
And: the week in politics with Jasper Scherer of The Texas Tribune.