SEC

HOPE Outdoor Gallery reopens at new location

The Sobering Center in Austin has provided an alternative to jail or hospitalization since 2018. Now, it’s looking to help folks build a new journey beyond a one-night respite.

After many delays, the HOPE Outdoor Gallery is finally back open. The new 6,000-foot space is working to maintain the try-anything vibe that made its original spot so very Austin.

Plus: Businesses in downtown Austin are looking to attract more shoppers and more dollars to their stores this holiday season – and one way they’re trying to do that is with half-priced Uber rides.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for October 20, 2025: Early voting has started for the Nov. 4 election

Central Texas top stories for October 20, 2025. Early voting started today and runs through October 31st. A lack of measurable rain in Austin is creating extremely dry conditions and a rising risk of wildfires. Austin Mayor Kirk Watson is looking for a way around an order from the state to remove ideological art on city streets. The Texas football team heads to Mississippi State this week.

This podcast is made at KUT Public Media Studios. You may have heard that Congress just took back the money it had allocated for public radio. Our organization stands to lose 1.2 million dollars. We’re asking our listeners now to help us make up this shortfall. If you want to help us out, you can make a donation at supportthispodcast.org.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for August 25, 2025: Many Austin-area schools will open free or low cost after school programs this year

Central Texas top stories for August 25, 2025. Congressman Greg Casar announced today that if the new congressional map holds, he’ll run for the new Austin District 37. More than two-dozen schools in the Austin area will open free or low cost after school programs this year. The man who was driving the Leander school bus that rolled over a few weeks ago will not face criminal charges. The owners of Cheer Up Charlies say they’ve raised enough money from donations to pay their back rent. The Texas Longhorns football team starts their season this Saturday against Ohio State. Delta Airlines is adding three destinations to its roster of nonstop flights out of Austin.

This podcast is made at KUT Public Media Studios. You may have heard that Congress just took back the money it had allocated for public radio. Our organization stands to lose 1.2 million dollars. We’re asking our listeners now to help us make up this shortfall. If you want to help us out, you can make a donation at supportthispodcast.org.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for May 8, 2025: Texas could soon have a formal remote work policy for state agencies

Central Texas top stories for May 8, 2025. A bill that would set up guardrails for state agencies allowing staff to work from home is heading to the Texas Senate. Tomorrow’s the last day for people to give feedback on what Austin should prioritize in its upcoming budget. Mosquitoes may be getting ready for their spring debut. The Austin city council is looking to designate Palm Park as city parkland. The City of Georgetown has launched a new on-demand transportation service for its residents. The Texas softball team begins their first SEC championship tournament today.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for May 5, 2025: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is investigating Austin ISD for allegedly teaching ‘critical race theory’

Central Texas top stories for May 5, 2025. Stormy weather today in the Austin area. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton says his office is investigating the Austin Independent School District. What an “omega block” is and why it’s bringing rain to the area. The Trump administration is resuming collections today on defaulted federal student loans. The University of Texas softball team will be part of the SEC Softball Tournament for the first time.

KUT Morning Newscast for April 7, 2025: A second child in Texas died from measles.  

Central Texas top stories for April 7, 2025. A bill that could shut down Austin’s Equity Office is one step closer to the Texas governor’s desk. The Trump administration’s cuts to funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture are affecting food banks across the country, including here in Austin. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. traveled to Texas Sunday after a second child there died from measles. Austin Public Health is holding multiple free screenings and events this week. The NCAA women’s basketball championship game was played yesterday afternoon, without the Texas Longhorns who fell to South Carolina Friday Night. 

KUT Morning Newscast for April 4, 2025: Austin Public Health lost funding due to federal budget cuts.

Central Texas top stories for April 4, 2025. Austin Public Health leadership says the agency has lost funding due to recent budget cuts at federal health agencies. Construction of an extension of the 183A toll road in Leander is nearing completion. Drivers trying to get an emissions inspection right now may experience delays. Texas women’s basketball team will play in the Final Four tonight for the first time in 22 years.

KUT Morning Newscast for March 10, 2025: Austin has a new sister city.

Central Texas top stories for March 10, 2025. Busy day at ABIA today. Austin and Manchester announced a sister-cities partnership at South by Southwest. A bill that would create a school voucher program is getting a hearing in the Texas House this week. Williamson County is suing a housing finance corporation looking to remove two of its affordable housing developments from Williamson County’s tax rolls. The City of Kyle is set to launch a new 3-1-1 line tomorrow. The Texas Women’s basketball team came up short in yesterday’s SEC Tournament championship game.

KUT Morning Newscast for December 9, 2024

Central Texas top stories for December 09, 2024. Tomorrow is the last day of early voting for the December 14th runoff election. AISD is asking the public for feedback on its plan to eliminate its 92-million-dollar budget deficit over the next three years. The City of Austin is considering a new rule that would require certain businesses to display information about mental health and firearm safety. Austin City Council will vote on a plan to generate electricity in Austin into the future. The Longhorns came up short in the SEC game on Saturday, but they’re fifth seed in this year’s expanded College Football Playoff. An asteroid has been named after a UT professor. 

KUT Afternoon Newscast for November 18, 2024

Central Texas top stories for November 18, 2024. School leaders in Round Rock are working to make their campuses more safe and secure. The City of Austin is naming the citizens to oversee complaints against police officers. The Texas State Board of Education is considering whether to approve state-developed instructional materials for use in public schools. The Leapfrog Group gave most Austin-area hospitals high marks. There’s a chance this week to hear from a couple of candidates still in the running for an Austin City Council seat. The Texas Longhorns will host their final home football game of their inaugural SEC campaign on Saturday. Two cold fronts are bringing some more typical fall weather to the Austin area this week.

KUT Morning Newscast for November 18, 2024

Central Texas top stories for November 18, 2024. Two cold fronts will bring temperatures down this week. Some cities in Williamson County are re-thinking how they approach flood insurance. The Texas State Board of Education is kicking off its last series of meetings of the year today. The Texas Longhorns are ranked 3rd in the AP’s latest Top 25 football rankings.

Presidential campaigns make high-profile stops in Texas

With less than two weeks until Election Day, presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are both making high-profile stops in Texas today.
A nonprofit is helping Black farmers in Texas build a home-grown community.
Filmmakers share the story behind “Subtopia,” a new Texas-based mockumentary about HOA drama.
And: Remembering Sister Angela Murdaugh, a Franciscan Sister of Mary and certified nurse midwife who was named to the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for October 24, 2024

Central Texas top stories for October 24, 2024. Strong turnout continues into the fourth day of Early Voting. The importance of races further down the ballot. Large swaths of Central Texas are now officially in Severe Drought. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is coming up this weekend. The Austin City Council is scheduled to vote on the new contract with the city’s police union during today’s meeting. Some Hays County residents are suing the County Judge and Commissioners for placing Prop A on the ballot in the current election. The Texas football team is on the road this weekend to face 25th ranked Vanderbilt.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for October 21, 2024

Central Texas top stories for October 21, 2024. It’s the first day of Early Voting in Texas. What to do if you suspect voter suppression, or if something goes wrong at your polling location. The SEC is fining UT Austin after fans threw trash on the field to protest a call by the referee. Longhorns drop in the AP top 25 college football rankings after losing to Georgia over the weekend.

KUT Morning Newscast for October 21, 2024

Central Texas top stories for October 21, 2024. It’s the first day of early voting for the November election and Travis County voters can cast a ballot at any of the county’s 42 polling locations. The Austin City Council this week could consider making local rules for where registered sex offenders can live. H-E-B plans to open a third store in San Marcos after reaching an agreement with the city. The Southeastern Conference is imposing a $250,000 fine on the University of Texas. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is encouraging travelers to show up early as officials anticipate about 40,000 departing passengers today.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for October 7, 2024

Central Texas top stories for October 7, 2024. Today is the last day to register to vote in the November election. The U.S. Department of Energy is helping fund a plan to connect the Texas power grid with grids outside of Texas. How Georgetown ISD is navigating its budget deficit. Five new parks could be on the way for Austin. HEB will soon roll out tap-to-pay in stores. Parts of the City of Taylor were put on a boil-water notice this afternoon after a water main break caused a decrease in pressure. Longhorn football is ranked number one in the nation.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for September 26, 2024

Central Texas top stories for September 26, 2024. The details of Austin’s $218 million contract with the city’s police department. Use of the Marshalling Yard shelter in Southeast Austin will now continue indefinitely. The number of defendants waiting for years in the Hays County jail for their trial has gone down. The Caucus on Global Migration introduced its first resolution today.The race to represent Texas in the senate is close. The Texas Football team makes its Southeastern Conference debut on Saturday with an afternoon matchup against Mississippi State. The federal government is once again offering free at-home COVID test kits.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for August 30, 2024

Central Texas top stories for August 30, 2024. More than a dozen proposed amendments to the Austin City Charter will not be on the ballot this fall. Barton Springs Pool is closed for repairs. The City of Austin is moving forward with its plan to implement its Reproductive Justice Fund. Katz’s Deli will be reopening in its original location. The season opener tomorrow for the Texas Longhorns is tomorrow. Most government offices and facilities will be closed for Labor Day.