As Hurricane Milton takes aim at Florida, a new report raises questions about Texas’ efforts to curb gases linked to climate change.
As we continue to track the category 4 hurricane bearing down on Tampa, emergency resources are already spread thin, partly due to ongoing efforts to recover from Hurricane Helene. We’ll take you into the air with troops taking part in recovery efforts in North Carolina.
Also, several cities are fighting back against a new law few Texans have heard of that allows property owners to get out from under development regulations.
And meet the “Godmother of Mariachi Education,” who brought the music to schools across Texas.
Special Education
Supreme Court kicks off new term with high-profile cases
A new term begins for the U.S. Supreme Court, with growing political pressure on the court. We’ll have a preview of what’s ahead and what it could mean for Texans.
As the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah escalates, the U.S. State Department is urging American citizens in Lebanon to stay informed about available assistance.
The one-year anniversary of the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks in Israel falls between two of Judaism’s holiest days. As fighting intensifies between Israelis, Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran with growing numbers of civilians killed, a rabbi in Austin is trying to manage concerns and divides he’s encountered.
Blue Chip Program provides mental health resources for law enforcement officers in Texas
The Supreme Court, in the waning hours of this term, issues orders on social media and federal corruption laws. Some of the most contentious cases on the court’s docket remain undecided, though we’re expecting several rulings in the next 48 hours or so.
Sen. Ted Cruz is leading an effort to end tax on tips. Critics call it an election-year move to win over younger voters.
40 acres and a lie: what a new investigative report reveals about a well-known but often misunderstood Civil War-era reparation order.
Also: an effort to help law enforcement personnel in need of mental health support.
As arctic front looms, how is the electric grid looking?
As Texas braces for a true blast of wintry weather, how much should we be worried about the power grid holding up? Mose Buchele of KUT in Austin is monitoring the power grid and joins us with the latest.
Federal funding cuts for special education could hit Texas hard.
Many Texans who are eligible for Medicaid aren’t signed up. Will Bostwick shares more on his reporting for Texas Monthly.
And: Remembering a musical British invasion of Texas more than a decade after the Beatles.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for November 2, 2023
The science on why it’s fun to be scared
Recriminations over donations and demands for a high-level resignation: What’s behind the latest political fight between Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dade Phelan?
The Senate green-lights a voucher-like plan to provide public money for private school tuition. Matthew Watkins of the Texas Tribune joins us with more on the week in politics.
How to safely view Saturday’s annular eclipse over Texas.
Ken Burns returns with a new PBS series on the American Buffalo.
And: On Friday the 13th in this spookiest month, why so many folks love to get scared.
KUT Morning Newscast for October 13, 2023
Central Texas top stories for October 13, 2023. School voucher bill passes Texas Senate. APD on alert in response to threats to Jewish community. Austin ISD Special Education meeting. Protest in San Marcos against local airline. Clear skies for Saturday’s eclipse.
KUT Morning Newscast for October 12, 2023
Central Texas top stories for October 12, 2023. Changes coming to parking requirements in Austin. Austin ISD special education meeting. Aqua Texas over-pumping in Hays county. University of Texas robotics parade.
‘Good Night, Irene’ follows a courageous woman’s story in the WWII Red Cross
It was the second hottest summer on record for Texas, but is it safe to ask if it’s over? What to expect as a cold front pushes into Texas. Matt Lanza of Space City Weather with a look at whether today marks a turning point.
Gun violence numbers are changing how many feel about safety in a North Texas suburb. KERA’s Caroline Love with more from Allen.
Google launches an effort to combat spam, but will it work? Tech expert Omar Gallaga with more.
A border bottleneck raises red flags as Texas ramps up truck inspections.
And a Texas Book Festival preview with the author of ‘Good Night, Irene’.
How a UT professor is helping the CDC plan for the next pandemic
The Texas Education Agency is moving forward with plans to monitor problems with Austin ISD’s special education services.
What did we learn from COVID-19? We’ll talk to UT’s Lauren Ancel Meyers, who has been tapped to help the U.S. develop a plan to better tackle the next pandemic.
Texas tops the nation in oil industry deaths – but there’s more to the story once you get into the numbers.
Also: Remembering a pioneer of Tejano music, Lydia Mendoza, who earned the title of “Meadowlark of the Border.”
KUT Afternoon Newscast for September 27, 2023
Central Texas top stories for September 27, 2023. City of Austin closing cooling centers after brutal summer. Poll finds less support for school vouchers. AISD adopting alternative special education plan. Ascension Seton nurses concerned about staff levels. Taylor Library dealing with book challenges. More musicians get to keep more of merch sales money.
KUT Morning Newscast for September 18, 2023
Central Texas top stories for September 18, 2023. Ken Paxton’s trial ends and is acquitted. Austin ISD to take vote on special education plan. Georgetown school board discusses if Chaplins can be school councilors.
Unraveling the ‘Iron Pipeline’ of gun smuggling from Texas to Mexico
Following the state’s takeover of Houston schools, a plan to eliminate libraries and use the space for kids who misbehave in class.
Watch that water bill: Not only is use up, some municipalities are raising rates to try to drive down demand.
A three-part series explores how the Texas Attorney General’s Office became an incubator for conservative legal strategies that are reshaping Texas and the nation. Eleanor Klibanoff of the Texas Tribune joins with more.
A new focus on trying to cut down the flow of arms from Texas into Mexico.
And we’ll talk to Sethward, the Texan who’s become a viral sensation for losing on “America’s Got Talent.”
Groups suing over SpaceX’s explosions, environmental impact
Published reports say the Biden administration is set to send 1,500 troops to the border with Mexico ahead of Title 42’s repeal.
As the Texas Legislature enters the home stretch of the 88th session, we’ll hear about the latest on efforts to pre-empt local government regulations.
The South Texas liftoff and explosion of the SpaceX Starship on April 20 has sparked legal action from environmental groups against the Federal Aviation
Administration. We’ll hear from one of the attorneys suing the government.
And a prominent member of Congress asks a judge in northern Texas to change the way the courts there do business.
Astronaut Christina Koch on NASA’s upcoming Artemis 2 mission
Tensions are growing in Austin over the use of DPS officers to augment local police.
Facing resistance to a plan similar to school vouchers, an alteration getting attention at the state Capitol is focused on students with disabilities. Talia Richman of the Dallas Morning News Education Lab has more.
NASA’s plans to return to the moon: We’ll talk with Christina Koch, one of the astronauts assigned to the upcoming Artemis 2 mission.
And on this 4/20, a closer look at the complicated relationship between country music and Willie Nelson’s favorite way to kick back.
KUT Morning Newscast for April 17, 2023
Central Texas top stories for April 17, 2023. Home Appraisals. Austin ISD Special Ed takeover appeal deadline is today. Travis County bond planning. School bonds in the upcoming election. Austin airport parking rates.
What’s next after Texas judge rules abortion medication illegal
A ruling in Amarillo that could be the most consequential abortion decision since last year’s case overturning Roe v Wade. The ruling late Friday effectively bans Mifepristone, an abortion drug. But minutes after that ruling, another in Washington state orders the FDA to do nothing to restrict the pill’s availability. What happens next?
Two Democratic state legislators expelled last week in Tennessee. Could something similar happen in Texas?
And fentanyl: why experts are calling it the “social media drug”, and why interdiction efforts may be misplaced.
There’s no easy fix to Austin ISD’s special education evaluation backlog. Students are left waiting.
Austin ISD has struggled to address a backlog of special education evaluations, leaving many students without critical services. And, just as the district began rolling out a plan to make things better, the Texas Education Agency announced plans for state oversight.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for April 03, 2023
Central Texas top stories for April 03, 2023. Voter registration deadline this week. Texas lawmakers consider bill that would limit civil oversight of police. AISD considers appeal of state management of special education. Central Texas counties rank among healthiest in Texas. Kyle library forgives fines in exchange for food donations.
KUT Morning Newscast for February 10, 2023
Central Texas top stories for February 10, 2023. City Manager employment meeting. Austin ISD special education backlog. Austin ISD superintendent search continues. University of Texas leaving Big 12 early. Lockhart ISD mental health resources.