Central Texas top stories for August 5, 2024. AISD’s Board of Trustees is considering calling a tax rate election to generate more revenue for the district. City officials and the Austin Police Department are working on finalizing a labor contract by the end of the summer. Election officials in Williamson County say they plan to purchase pre-numbered paper ballots ahead of the November election. Travis County has a new website that’s intended to provide easy access to resources for sexual assault survivors ATXBelieves.org. Barton Springs is temporarily closed after Sunday’s storms. Longhorns had a busy weekend at the Paris Olympics.
Sexual Assault
KUT Afternoon Newscast for January 22, 2024
Central Texas top stories for January 22, 2024. Flood advisories possible with this week’s rain. How the rain will impact drought conditions. The City of Austin will issue an apology to sexual assault victims. Reactions to the City of Austin hiring former APD chief Art Acevedo. The City of Kyle is now “storm ready.” Leander water restrictions during pipeline repairs. Austin ISD might vote on their next permanent superintendent this week.
Texas Standard: July 20, 2022
Beto O’Rourke setting fundraising records and narrowing the gap in the polls. Does this portend a political turnaround in Texas? A pulse check on the Texas Governor’s race, as the democratic challenger appears to build momentum in his race against republican incumbent Governor Greg Abbott. Also as monkeypox spreads in Texas, how a shortage of vaccine and confusion over who’s at risk are complicating efforts to control the spread. And the heat, the drought and lots and lots of cattle going to market. We’ll hear how Texas ranchers are trying to get through was could be an historic moment for the industry. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 28, 2021
What’s the latest on Texans views on immigration and border security? The poll by the University of Texas and the Texas Tribune shows some surprising and some not too surprising ideas, divided of course by political party. Plus one bill vetoed by the governor this latest legislative session is raising eyebrows, and it’s all about hypnosis. And why is the attorney general’s office recording promotional videos on border security? It even prompted a staffer’s resignation. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: June 25, 2021
Texas lawmakers are coming back to the capitol for a special session. But what’s going to be on the agenda? We’ll have a few predictions. Plus: accountability. That’s at least one thing critics say has been lacking in the way the Army handles sexual assault and harassment cases. Efforts to change that. And for a small college a big financial gift opens up huge opportunities. The story from Odessa. And in Austin: understanding an incredible spike in housing prices. Plus even DJ Screw’s biggest fans admit there’s a lot they don’t know about the late, great Hip Hop icon. A new attempt to delve deeper. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 7, 2021
Changes to the states election laws approved by the house in the wee small hours of this morning. So what happens next? Richard Pineda of the University of Texas El Paso on the battle in the Texas legislature over more restrictions for what some voting rights groups claim are already some of the toughest voting rights rules in the nation. Also in a state with one of the biggest muslim populations in the U.S., not a single state lawmakers is a Muslim. How some in the Texas Muslim community are trying to offset a lack of direct representation. Plus a Grammy winner’s tribute to coastal Texas and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 28, 2021
A Texas Capitol shaken to its core following allegations of a lobbyist using a date rate drug on a staffer. Representative Donna Howard of Austin on what’s being described as a culture of silence and cover-up at the Texas Capitol. Also, tho so much still unknown about covid 19, this much is certain: the impact of the pandemic has been severe for mothers and moms to be. Our own Alexandra Hart reports. And Dr. Fred Campbell takes on more of your COVID-19 questions. Plus new research showing major racial disparities for younger Texans fighting cancer. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 25, 2021
Once again, Texas in the spotlight as the nations attention turns to immigration and the thousands of undocumented minors coming across the southern border. Where to house them for how long and under what conditions? We’ll hear the latest from Dallas where a convention center has been converted into makeshift housing. Also, voter fraud prosecutions in Texas and a pattern of targeting people of color at disproportionate rates. And a major gulf coast energy project being shelved after much fanfare. All of those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 2, 2021
President Biden faces an early policy test for his administration, and at the heart of it is what’s happening right now at the border. The homeland security director calls for patience as the Biden administration tries to undo the Trump administration’s legacy on immigration. We’ll hear how Mr. Biden is trying to move forward on issues concern asylum seekers and what to do about unaccompanied minors. Also new research offers more detail on a little discussed chapter of history: an underground railroad running south through Texas to Mexico. And why the NBA’s betting big on a new generation of trading cards. All of that and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: October 2, 2019
Guilty. A jury has convicted a former Dallas Police officer of murdering her neighbor in his own apartment. We’ll have reaction and a look ahead to sentencing. Also, Texas State University under scrutiny for under-reporting sexual assaults on campus. We’ll take a look at what happened and why. Meanwhile, the state’s first black city is at risk of being overtaken by developers. A look at the history we’re about to lose. And California is going to let college athletes profit off their images despite NCAA rules. Why Texas should care. All of that and then some today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: August 26, 2019
From guns to lemonade stands, new laws about to take effect. Experts from the Dallas Morning News and the Texas Tribune tell us all about em. Other stories we’re watching, amid record heat, there’s one place in southeast Texas keeping cool without fear of rolling blackouts or skyrocketing electricity prices. We’ll take a look at how they’re doing it. Plus gun control in the aftermath of El Paso: the president first said he’d support tightening gun purchase background checks, then seemed to step back after a call with the head of the NRA. What’s the real story? All of that and then some today on the Texas Standard:
The Provability Gap, Part 4: The Public
Should all the responsibility for the poor track record of getting justice for rape survivors fall on police and prosecutors? Or should city leaders … and the community at large, also carry some of the blame?
The Provability Gap, Part 2: The Police
Hundreds of adult sexual assaults are reported to the Austin Police Department each year, but only a tiny fraction of these cases will make it before a jury.
The question is: why?
It’s something we’re exploring in our series, The Provability Gap.
In the second part of the series, KUT’s Nadia Hamdan looks at some of the ways police may be failing sexual assault victims.
The Provability Gap, Part 1: The Victim
Hundreds of rape victims report to Austin police each year. But most of them never make it past the interrogation room – let alone to a courtroom. In the age of #MeToo, a growing number of people in the community are questioning why so many of these crimes go unpunished, and they’re pressuring local leaders for an answer. In a new series, KUT’s Nadia Hamdan will try to help us understand what it is about sexual assault that makes it so difficult to prosecute.
Series Trailer
This new series explores how sexual assaults are investigated and prosecuted in Central Texas and why many of these crimes go unpunished. KUT’s Nadia Hamdan has frank conversations with victims, survivors, detectives, prosecutors, lawyers and others as she explores the reasons for the provability gap in sexual assault cases.
Texas Standard: May 8, 2019
Austin’s the largest city in the U.S. without a public defenders office, but that may be about to change. We’ll look at why the push and what it means. Also, we’ll meet the Texas doctor developing replacement internal organs using 3d printers. And delays for trucks trying to cross the border, the U.S. and Texas in particular stand to pay a high price. And is Austin the first city in the south with a paid sick leave policy? A politifact check that could get contentious and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 25, 2019
A 3 year old found alone at the border, his name and a phone number written on his shoes. An anomaly? Hardly. This instance turning a spotlight on a tragedy more common than many might imagine. So reports Manny Fernandez of the New York Times, and we’ll talk with him. Also, the Texas based Boy Scouts of America facing growing allegations of sexual abuse, we’ll have the latest. Plus, Texas leads the nation in traffic deaths, so what do lawmakers plan to do about it? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 1, 2019
Surprise! You thought you were insured but got an unexpected medical bill. Now a plan to help Texas patients left holding the bag, we’ll have the latest. Plus a new attempt to clear a backlog of untested rape kits statewide, we’ll have details. And for seniors, independent living facilities can be costly. That’s why one Texan’s alternative retirement plan is making national headlines, we’ll talk to him. Also, mariachi is nothing new, but here’s what is: a statewide festival of students embracing the tradition. We’ll look at why it marks a turning point of sorts. All of those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: January 2, 2019
More migrants sprayed with tear gas as money for a border wall remains at the center of the government shutdown. We’ll have the latest. Also, the measure to allow Texans to donate to address the huge backlog of untested rape kits passed with bipartisan support. But now it’s reached a real-world roadblock, we’ll tell you why. Many who live in the Big Bend area have spent their whole lives there, except for their last days. The challenge of access to hospice care. Plus debunking myths about mental health, the country band bringing two Texas towns together and what an onion says about this year’s forecast. All that and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: September 27, 2018
A new phase in the fight over the Kavanaugh nomination gets underway, raising questions of what due process means in the Me Too era. The latest on the confirmation of President Trump’s high court nominee and placing the proceedings in a different sort of historical context. Also, the 5G revolution: experts tell us it will change our lives. But as local officials look at regulation, the Feds now say hands off. Tech guru Omar Gallaga with what’s at stake. All of those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard: