Central Texas top stories for August 16, 2024. Violent crime in Austin is down compared to last year. A new rule lowering the amount of land required to build a home in Austin goes into effect today. Travis County Constables want to hire more deputies to patrol what they call traffic “hot spots,” but the budget is tight. AISD says its chief financial officer, Ed Ramos, was reinstated Thursday. Travis County has seen a steady rise in new HIV diagnoses since 2020, they are launching a campaign to end the epidemic. There’s a new cooling center in Austin, it’s located in the Trinity Center on East 7th street.
summer
KUT Morning Newscast for August 7, 2024
Central Texas top stories for August 7, 2024. There’s a heat advisory in place for the Austin area from 11 am today until tomorrow at 8 pm. The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority is looking at adding lanes to the 183-A toll road, but first they must address environmental concerns. Travis County Commissioners are considering giving out raises based on market rates, that means some employees wouldn’t get raises at all. The exhibit “Soy Austin, soy Travis County, highlights Latine artists at the Austin History Center.
KUT Morning Newscast for July 29, 2024
Central Texas top stories for July 29, 2024. Expect traffic delays as President Jose Biden visits Austin today. The City of Austin is rolling out new rules for electric scooters. San Marcos residents will soon hear outdoor sirens when there’s a local emergency. Hot weather is back in Central Texas.
What’s next after Biden exits presidential race?
President Biden’s decision yesterday to drop his campaign for re-election and to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee follows weeks of mounting pressure from members of his own party. But it was a Texan who was the first Democrat on Capitol Hill to call for Biden to step aside. We’ll talk with U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett.
What can we expect between now and Election Day? A UT Austin professor takes a look at the logistics of Biden stepping down and what it means for next month’s Democratic National Convention.
Some historical perspective: The last time an incumbent president announced he wouldn’t run for reelection was Texas’ Lyndon Baines Johnson in 1968.
Plus: Remembering the legacy of longtime Houston Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, who has died at 74.
Celebrating summer with Willie Nelson, new book releases, aguas frescas & more
With lots of food and fireworks, Texans turn out to mark the Fourth of July – and we’re celebrating with a special program dedicated to summer in the Lone Star State:
Julia Green, the manager at Front Street Books in Alpine, shares her recommendations on new book releases to add to your summer reading list.
Top tips from the barbecue editor at Texas Monthly on how to smoke short ribs in your own backyard.
The backstory of Willie Nelson’s famous Fourth of July picnic.
Mando Rayo, taco journalist and host of the Tacos of Texas podcast, has some suggestions for beating the heat with aguas frescas.
Plus: top songs of the season with a Texas connection.
Slap fights could be coming to Texas
Texas leads the nation in deaths of kids left in hot cars. Research explains why it happens and how to prevent it.
A heat dome hovers over parts of Texas, baking the state. What can we expect as summer starts?
Regulators will decide if the sport of slap fighting – in which two people stand across a table and slap each other in the face as hard as they can – should come to the Lone Star State.
Are plans for an oil export terminal 30 miles off the Texas Gulf Coast too ecologically dangerous?
And: A tour of a cavern first discovered in Central Texas the 1960s, known as Hidden Wonders, is unlike any other the state.
Simone Biles sets new records at Olympic qualifier
Mayors from South Texas are in DC today to join President Joe Biden as he announces a plan that would limit the number of people who could request asylum at the southern border. Is it more political, or practical?
It’s getting hot out there – and if you haven’t noticed, your pets certainly have. We’ll hear from an expert about how to keep them cool this summer.
And: Simone Biles’ sweep at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships brings her career U.S. medal count to 41, including 32 golds.
What’s ahead for space exploration in 2024
The federal government takes legal action to stop Texas from implementing a new state law aimed at arresting migrants who come into the state illegally. Julián Aguilar of The Texas Newsroom has more.
A new plan to use AI to help explore the effect of burn pits on veterans.
Why 2024 could be the launch pad for a new chapter in space exploration.
How the armadillo, a dormant dog-sized mammal considered a pest by many, won the affection of many a Texan.
Plus: The week in politics with The Texas Tribune.
Migrants’ arrival at Eagle Pass underscores Biden’s challenge on immigration
An emergency is declared in Eagle Pass as more than 6,000 migrants entered the small town in less than two days, and the Biden administration sends active duty troops to the southern border. Gaige Davila of Texas Public Radio with the latest.
With open acrimony between the Texas House and Senate, what’s likely to get done in the next special legislative session?
There’s less competition for homebuyers, but that doesn’t mean it’s getting easier to buy a home. We’ll hear the latest.
A new exhibit celebrates the “Big Bang of Texas music” 50 years after the seminal album “¡Viva Terlingua!”
Also: The week in politics with the Texas Tribune.
Summer’s Over
The last official day for summer in 2023 is Sept. 23. Though the temperatures haven’t really changed that much yet, many are embracing the early signs of fall. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
KUT Morning Newscast for September 1, 2023
Central Texas top stories for September 1, 2023. Updates on North Austin Arboretum shooting. Integral Care prepares for layoffs. New water restrictions for Central Texas.
Summer Training
While school is beginning again, the calendar still reads summer — and so does the temperature gauge. This Typewriter Rodeo poem embraces the challenge of exercising in the heat. Still, be careful out there!
KUT Morning Newscast for August 25, 2023
Central Texas top stories for August 25, 2023. McCallem ISD gives counseling to students after anti-abortion protesters come to school. How to conserve energy during weather watches.
KUT Morning Newscast for August 24, 2023
Central Texas top stories for August 24, 2023. Excessive heat warning returns for Travis County. Austin Community College and Round Rock ISD eye property tax proposals. Hays County debates a new police force.
KUT Morning Newscast for August 23, 2023
Central Texas top stories for August 23, 2023. ERCOT weather warning. Blue Hole closed for swimming. EMS funding in Austin budget.
KUT Morning Newscast for August 17, 2023
Central Texas top stories for August 17, 2023. Austin’s hottest ever summer. Landfill fire in North Austin. Budget concerns for Travis County.
KUT Morning Newscast for August 16, 2023
Central Texas top stories for August 16, 2023. Budget process begins for Austin. Amaze wildfire spreads near Smithville. New film studio to open in San Marcos
Chronic wasting disease threatens deer and Texas’ hunting economy
With an impeachment trial looming, suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton is facing new scrutiny from the feds in San Antonio, with a federal grand jury convened to hear from witnesses close to him.
Emergency steps are being taken due to a disease threatening the state’s $4 billion deer hunting industry. The Standard’s Michael Marks has more.
In the final month of the hottest season in Texas, DJ Susan Castle weighs in on the question: What’s the ultimate Texas summer song?
Also, the week in politics with the Texas Tribune.
KUT Morning Newscast for August 9, 2023
Central Texas top stories for August 9, 2023. Parmer wildfire burns in Cedar Park. Travis County EMS union negotiations. Wildfires across Central Texas.
KUT Morning Newscast for August 7, 2023
Central Texas top stories for August 7, 2023. Oak Grove fire near San Marcos burns 400 acres. Excessive heat and red flag warnings issued for central Texas. Austin looks to its budget.