KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts
KUT and KUTX news and music podcasts for Austin, Texas and beyond
Austin voters overwhelmingly rejected Prop Q, a proposed property tax rate increase. KUT’s Andrew Weber breaks down what happened – and where city officials will look next for reductions in spending.
In other election news, Texans approved 17 amendments to the state constitution, touching on taxes, education, infrastructure and more.
And: The sale of Cheer Up Charlies to a Florida investment firm has been called off, the latest twist in what’s been a chaotic year for the popular queer bar.
Central Texas top stories for November 5, 2025. Austin voters rejected prop Q, a property tax increase. Texas voters approved all 17 proposed amendments to the state constitution. Voters have approved a property tax increase for Liberty Hill Independent School District. AISD pulled three schools off the list of proposed closures.
There’s lots to consider on your ballot, from state constitutional amendments to tax rate increases for cities and school districts. Travis County Clerk Dyana Limon-Mercado shares some dos and don’ts for heading to the polls.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement is removing people from Austin jails more frequently as the Trump administration ramps up enforcement across the country. The Texas Newsroom’s Mose Buchele joins us with more.
Austin FC enters the playoffs today at LAFC. We’ll have more on what to watch out for with KUT’s Jimmy Maas.
Central Texas top stories for October 27, 2025. It’s the second week of early voting in the November 4th election, and less than 5 percent of registered voters have cast a ballot. Tens of thousands of Travis County voters are in suspense. Data centers in the Austin area are placing considerable strain on the state’s electric grid. AISD is still hearing feedback from the community on its school consolidation plan; there’s a virtual meeting tonight. The Longhorns beat Mississippi State in overtime on Saturday.
Central Texas top stories for October 3, 2025. A long-awaited list of which Austin Independent School District campuses are set to close is being released later today. Monday is the deadline for Texans to register to vote for this fall’s election. The Longhorns will be back on the field tomorrow. It’s Day one of the Austin City Limits Music Festival, expect traffic around the city. A city near Austin is asking Musk and The Boring Company to help them make their streets more pedestrian friendly.
Central Texas top stories for October 1, 2025. A coalition of Austin unions and groups is voicing its support for a proposed property tax increase. AISD is set to share the first draft of its school consolidation plans this Friday at 5:30 p.m. Anyone in Texas who sells items on eBay, Etsy, Poshmark or similar online marketplaces will now have to pay sales tax on the fees charged by those platforms. It’s expected to be a busy couple of weeks at Austin Bergstrom International Airport. The State Highway 29 bridge over I-35 in Georgetown will be closed starting tonight at nine until Friday morning at five.
Central Texas top stories for September 16, 2025. The Texas Supreme Court has dismissed a lawsuit challenging the city of Austin’s ballot language for its upcoming tax rate election. A new app aims to tell people how much the MoPac Express Lanes will cost them. Deadlines to apply for FEMA assistance after July floods are quickly approaching.
Central Texas top stories for September 12, 2025. Austin Police have identified 30-year-old Brandon Thompson as the suspect in the shooting of two people near Zilker Park this week. The 183 North Project is running months behind schedule. The Austin City Council has approved new rules for short-term rentals like Airbnb. Central Health has given initial approval to a new budget and tax rate.
Central Texas top stories for September 10, 2025. APD is asking people to avoid the area around Zilker Park after an officer was injured during shooting. The Austin Independent School District is less than a month away from announcing a plan to save money and improve low-performing schools. The Save Austin Now political action committee is launching a campaign opposing the City of Austin’s proposed property tax increase. Austin is preparing to offer another round of funding to support live musicians and venues. Today is an Ozone Action Day.
Central Texas top stories for September 4, 2025. A report from the Central Texas Food Bank reveals food insecurity in the region has risen significantly over the past two years. Williamson County has adopted a higher property tax rate. Today is the last day to apply for help from FEMA after the July floods. The Immigration Services Network of Austin is holding an event to help raise awareness on how immigration law enforcement is impacting children and families in the Austin area.
Central Texas top stories for September 3, 2025. he Austin City Council is moving forward with updating its comprehensive plan, known as “Imagine Austin.” The clock is ticking on efforts to ban or regulate THC products in Texas. A trial where a former Williamson County sheriff and a current county employee accused of evidence tampering is being picked up. People in Williamson County have a chance today to comment on the county’s proposed new budget and tax rate.
Central Texas top stories for September 2, 2025. Travis County Commissioners are making final adjustments to a $2.2 billion budget, here’s what the county wants to pay for. The Central Health Board of Managers is hearing community feedback on the fiscal year 2026 budget and tax rate. A new law intended to speed up residential solar panel installation is now in effect. The FDA approved updated COVID-19 vaccines, but a lot of people in the U.S. might have a tough time accessing them.
Central Texas top stories for August 20, 2025. Eviction filings in the Austin area are the highest they’ve been in five years. Hays CISD is putting a tax rate election on the ballot this fall. The Texas Capitol will go back to regular activates today after it was evacuated yesterday evening. The Texas Senate passed a bill that would require government buildings to only allow people to use bathrooms that align with the gender that was assigned to them at birth. There’s an emergency preparedness pop-up event happening today.
Central Texas top stories for August 18, 2025. More than five thousand people took to the Capitol in Austin this weekend to protest President Trump and the Texas Legislature’s plan to redraw the state’s congressional districts to give Republicans more seats in the U.S. House. Starting tomorrow Austin’s streets will get busier with AISD going back to class. The Austin City Council adopted a $6.3 million dollar budget and now voters have to decide if they want to pay more property taxes. The man suspected of killing three people outside a Target in North Austin last week has an extensive criminal history. The City of Georgetown’s asking residents to give feedback on the one-point-three billion dollar proposed budget for the 2026 fiscal year.