Corpus Christi has been careening towards a water emergency, but it’s not the only city along the Gulf with water woes.
Another court battle over hemp, this time what stores can sell during a longer legal tie-up is at stake.
The United Arab Emirates is leaving the world’s most powerful oil cartel. We’ll look at what that may mean for OPEC and the prices we pay.
New rules for autonomous vehicles are now in effect in Texas, but some experts want to see more.
And commentator W.F. Strong has a story about a man who wanted to build a business in Texas and ended up with a global brand.
Space
Camp Mystic ruling could shape flood accountability case
The biggest city in Texas faces intense pressure from Gov. Greg Abbott over cooperation with immigration enforcement. David Goodman of the New York Times joins us with more on a threat to cut funding for Houston police unless it changes a new policy on collaboration with ICE agents.
What happens next to Camp Mystic? A hearing over what to do with damaged structures as questions remain over last July’s deadly floods.
What’s the price for memory? More than you might imagine, especially if you haven’t bought any recently. Tech expert Omar Gallaga tells us why and what it means.
And whither Artemis? What’s next for the moon.
Discovery in Central Texas cave reshapes understanding of Ice Age wildlife
After talks with Iran fall apart, energy prices are back on the rise — as are military tensions. UT global affairs expert Jeremi Suri on what happened in talks and what it means for the foreseeable future.
The end of the Artemis II mission, the start of a new chapter in space exploration. We’ll have more on that front, as well as the discovery of the remains of what looks like an armadillo the size of a lion. What a Central Texas cave is telling us about what Texas really looked like in the Ice Age — upending some long-held assumptions.
‘They Called Us Outlaws’ revisits rise of outlaw country music
The threat of hail, possible tornadoes and flooding conditions spells what could be a severe start to a stormy weather season in Texas. Meteorologist Eric Berger joins us with what to expect and how it fits into the bigger weather picture.
How are you weathering rising gasoline prices? We’ll hear how some Houstonians are coping.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s election-year forecast: Not a rosy one for the Texas GOP. We’ll talk about that with Jasper Scherer of the Texas Tribune.
We’ll reveal our winner in our contest for the best Texas film of all time, as well as talk with the filmmaker behind “They Called Us Outlaws,” all about the rise of outlaw country music.
South Texas water crisis raises concerns about aquifer use
A deepening water crisis in Corpus Christi is raising questions about how South Texans get their water — and who gets it.
For students pursuing job training instead of a traditional college degree, there are some long-awaited changes to financial aid. Now, new support could open doors for workforce programs.
A reckoning over the legacy of Cesar Chavez: We’ll discuss the fallout and the future of the farmworker’s movement.
And a historic journey deep into space: Astronauts traveling farther than ever before. What NASA hopes to learn and what comes next for Artemis.
Hitting the trails at the new Karst Canyon Preserve
Williamson County is making changes to avoid the chaotic scene that unfolded last month on primary Election Day. The new change is going back to the ways things were before the most recent election. We’ll dig into why it happened and how the county is trying to avoid a repeat.
The Karst Canyon Preserve is offering new public access to trails and open space in Hays County. The property near Jacob’s Well was previously slated for residential development.
Plus, the region needed this weekend’s rain showers — both to help with drought and to clear cars of springtime green tint from oak pollen. Why does the pollen get everywhere? We’ll get to the answer today.
Jason Mellard from The Center for Texas Music History at Texas State University goes over Ronald Shannon Jackson records ‘Texas’ LP in Dallas from the the late 80s.
Onboard the Artemis II spacecraft right now are three Americans and one Canadian, including someone set to be the first woman in history to journey beyond low Earth orbit and travel around the Moon. Texas Standard Host, David Brown, asked Mission specialist Christina Koch what it felt like to be selected for the Artemis mission.
Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org
New book on Selena explores the enduring impact of the Queen of Tejano
The Senate race may be capturing all the attention, but don’t forget there’s another election coming up: A look at a couple of the big races on the May primary runoff ballots.
Water woes for more Texans: We’ll hear what’s happening in part of East Austin and why.
Abandoned wells are all over the Texas oil patch. The same was happening in Oklahoma, until they figured out these polluting old wells could be repurposed to produce geothermal energy.
NASA is going back towards the moon. We’ll dig into what you need to know about the Artemis II mission and Texas’ role in a previous launch.
Plus, 31 years since her death, remembering Selena Quintanilla-Pérez — now with a book of essays on the Queen of Tejano’s legacy.
Texas Extra: Talking with NASA ‘Spacewoman’ Eileen Collins
It’s not everyday you meet someone who has been to space — let alone someone who led a mission and broke barriers for women who might want to do the same. Still, not everyone knows about Eileen Collins and her accomplishments. A new documentary aims to change that. Here’s an extended conversation with Collins and film director Hannah Berryman.
Meteor over Texas leaves debris, questions
A secretive project to build a long water barrier in the Rio Grande is revealed as letters go out to landowners to build a Big Bend border wall. We’ll hear what locals are thinking.
Look up to the sky: It’s a boom, it’s a flash… and a crash through a roof north of Houston. A UT geosciences professor helps us understand the meteor fragment impact that occurred this past weekend.
We’ll also dig into the somewhat surprising findings of a new report from the Brookings Institution on the costs of higher education.
And with March Madness in the air, the Sweet 16’s set in another bracket competition — the best Texas movie.
Waymo expansion sparks safety concerns in Texas cities
A recent change to Texas law now requires local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.
Driverless cabs are making headlines in Austin for all the wrong reasons. What this might mean for Waymo’s plans to expand statewide.
Politics v.s. pragmatism in West Texas, long known for its oil, now making a sometimes-begrudging shift to solar to meet growing electricity demand. Their question? What’s in it for them?
Also, why NASA’s hanging out the “help wanted” sign.
Encore presentation: A special broadcast from the McDonald Observatory
Texas Standard had the best seat in the state for the recent Geminid meteor shower. We’re revisiting our special broadcast from the McDonald Observatory earlier this month.
We’re focused on space science, including the history of this West Texas research gem – and how it’s continuing to contribute to what we know about the universe and beyond.
Dark skies are essential for observation, but there are challenges with light pollution. What they’re doing out in Fort Davis and what you can do at home.
Plus: A conversation with StarDate star Billy Henry.
With Crockett in, Texas Democrats mull Senate race strategy
High-profile Democratic Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett launches her campaign for the U.S. Senate. We’ll look at how she’ll compete in a crowded field against primary opponent State Rep. James Talarico and prospective general election foes incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Last month Texas voters approved funding for a dementia prevention and research institute. Now a lawsuit means that plan is on hold.
Plus, why more and more Texans are selling their blood plasma for cash. The state leads the nation in donations.
And a Christmas festival in Galveston pays homage to author Charles Dickens.
Remembering Robert Redford’s Texas ties
Programs aimed at helping millions of low-income students earn college degrees is potentially on the chopping block. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s Silas Allen joins us with a look.
A series of bills aimed at preventing a repeat of the July 4th flooding tragedy in Texas’ Hill Country has passed, but some are asking if they go far enough. Blaise Gainey of The Texas Newsroom has been looking into that question.
He was known as the Sundance Kid and an icon of cinema. We’ll hear more about the late Robert Redford and his Texas connections.
And a UT researcher tells us about a new discovery involving black holes – and how it could help settle questions about the structure of the universe.
A Texas firm tackles space junk
After national headlines and a pledge from California to offset Texas’ redistricting plans, the walkout by Texas House Democrats is over. Blaise Gainey of The Texas Newsroom has the latest on the Dems’ return to Austin and what comes next.
Old satellites, tools, even food wrappers: Space debris is piling up. Now, a Texas company’s recycling initiative has NASA’s attention.
A new fight is emerging over the sale in Texas of kratom, an herbal supplement with opioid-like effects often found for sale at convenience stores.
And: A UT Austin-led team has discovered the oldest, most distant black hole yet – 13.3 billion years old.
Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas.
You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org
Ag commissioner outlines rural flood aid
Over the weekend, the number of missing in the Texas Hill Country dropped drastically. What happened?
Checking in with those whose livelihood is at stake after the flood, including farmers and ranchers in the region.
Why so many Texans don’t have flood insurance.
The governor ordered an end to remote work for state employees, but now he’s backtracking. What happened? We’ll break down the research on remote work.
Could your medicine one day be made in space?
And we’ve all heard two heads are better than one… How about two leaders? A Houston museum says yes.
Sugar Land acquires historic district tied to city’s roots in the sugar industry
A new Texas law requires posting the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms. We’ll look at the looming legal battle.
Where do Texans stand on how well state legislators are doing their jobs? What about how well the president is doing his job? A new poll by the Texas Politics Project offers a look.
The Mexican flag, long flown at restaurants and at cultural events, is more recently making a prominent appearance in protests. We’ll talk about perspectives on symbolism and cultural expression.
And: Once a company town built around sugar production, Sugar Land is now seeking to preserve its complex history with the city’s acquisition of the Imperial Historic District.
KUT Morning Newscast for April 2, 2025: The City of Austin is working with a non-profit to help improve access to housing.
Central Texas top stories for April 2, 2025. A new nonprofit is using City of Austin money to help house people experiencing homelessness. The Texas Senate passed a bill that would require people to provide proof of citizenship to register to vote in state elections. The deadline to vote in May’s local elections is tomorrow. Researchers at NASA are working with an Austin-area company to better understand sever weather patterns on Earth.
Troops may return to Big Bend National Park
With a hot, dry summer looming, how some state lawmakers want to reduce the risk of wildfires.
It’s been decades since active-duty troops patrolled Big Bend. Now they may be headed back to the national park.
Nearly two years after one of the deadliest human smuggling incidents in Texas, a look at how victims’ families and survivors are coping.
And: We’ll check in with the Texas Newsroom’s Blaise Gainey about the week ahead at the Legislature and what’s coming up for school funding.
KUT Morning Newscast for February 12, 2025: KUT’s third season of “The Disconnect” is now available.
Central Texas top stories for February 12, 2025. SIMS foundation, an Austin nonprofit that provides low to no-cost mental health care to musicians, say they’re restarting services, but musicians still have questions. A lunar lander manufactured by Firefly in the Austin area is making its way to the moon, now the company is expanding operations in town. Certain brands of cans of tuna have been recalled by Tri-Union Seafoods, in Texas that includes the H-E-B label and Genova.
Health and Human Services Commission employees accused in data breach
Parts of Texas that seldom see snow may well see frozen precipitation blanketing beaches tomorrow. We’re keeping watch.
Seven employees of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission have been fired for improperly accessing, and in some cases, stealing, from the accounts of thousands of Texans receiving public assistance.
And: TikTok went dark for U.S. users on Saturday night, hours before a ban on the service was due to take effect. But on Sunday, the service returned, with a message crediting President-elect Trump, who said he would delay the ban. We’ll have the latest.