Over three years later, the first criminal trial over the police response to the Uvalde school shooting is underway. We’ll have a live report with the latest in the trial of one of the first police officers to arrive at the scene of the deadly school shooting at Robb Elementary.
With a big meeting set at the White House on Friday, we’ll review the stakes for Texas’ oil industry after the capture and arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
We’ll hear why a Texas teachers union is suing the Texas Education Agency over social media posts related to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Plus, social media’s struggles to keep a lid on AI deepfakes.
tea
Tiny Texas town’s library could be adult education template
Houston, Fort Worth… Now three more Texas school districts are expected to be taken over by state education officials. Where, why and what comes next?
The son of Texas A&M’s campus rabbi is among those critically injured in the mass shooting at Bondi Beach near Sydney, Australia.
Mexican citizens who routinely cross into the U.S. at Texas’ southern border to donate plasma may be taking advantage of an immigration loophole.
And our own Sarah Asch tells us why a library in a tiny Texas town may be a template for preserving adult education programs nationwide.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for August 15, 2025: The man suspected of killing three people this week outside a Target store in North Austin had an extensive criminal history
Central Texas top stories for August 15, 2025. The man suspected of killing three people this week outside a Target store in North Austin had repeated run-ins with law enforcement for alleged assault several times in the last decade. The Austin City Council has passed a $6.3 billion budget for the coming fiscal year. New A-F accountability ratings for public school districts are out today from the Texas Education Agency. Part of a national memorial honoring the victims of AIDS-related illness is coming to downtown Austin.
This podcast is made at KUT and KUTX, which are public radio stations in Austin, Texas. You may have heard that Congress just took back the money it had allocated for public radio. Our organization stands to lose 1.2 million dollars. We’re asking our listeners now to help us make up this shortfall. If you want to help us out, you can make a donation at supportthispodcast.org.
KUT Morning Newscast for August 15, 2025: Some Austin Independent School District schools have again received failing grades from the state.
Central Texas top stories for August 15, 2025. The Texas Education Agency this morning released A-through-F grades for every school in the state, here’s how AISD is doing. The Austin City Council yesterday adopted a $6.3 billion dollar budget and called for a property tax rate increase that will require voter approval. An exhibit honoring decades of people who died from AIDS-related illness is coming to Austin. Officials say everyone with injuries is in stable condition after a Leander ISD school bus rolled over this week.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for July 28, 2025: The Texas Education Agency is about to release school accountability ratings for the last two years
Central Texas top stories for July 28, 2025. A lawsuit filed by school districts had blocked the T-E-A from releasing the 2024 A-through-F grades, until now. Central Health has unveiled its proposed budget for the next fiscal year. You can learn more about what is in the proposed Austin budget at a variety of town hall meetings starting today. The Marble Falls Volunteer Fire Department is planning a memorial for Chief Michael Philips.
This podcast is made at KUT and KUTX, which are public radio stations in Austin, Texas. You may have heard that Congress just took back the money it had allocated for public radio. Our organization stands to lose 1.2 million dollars. We’re asking our listeners now to help us make up this shortfall. If you want to help us out, you can make a donation at supportthispodcast.org.
KUT Morning Newscast for April 25, 2025: The school voucher bill is heading to Governor Greg Abbott for approval.
Central Texas top stories for April 25, 2025. SB2, a bill creating Education Savings Accounts is heading to Governor Greg Abbott’s desk. The Texas Education Agency has released its A through F school ratings for 2023. The City of Austin is taking a closer look at how it can regulate and integrate the use of Artificial Intelligence technology. There’s a chance to volunteer to help keep Travis County parks and creeks clean.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for April 24, 2025: Texas court blocks Austin law that decriminalized small amounts of marijuana
Central Texas top stories for April 24, 2025. People in Austin could soon get cited or arrested for marijuana possession. A Hays County Grand Jury is declining to charge a man who was arrested in connection with the 2018 Iconic Village apartment fire in San Marcos. The Texas Education Agency has released its A through F ratings for 2023. The City of Austin is buying nearly 5 acres of land in South Austin for a new hike and bike trail.
How Texas schools fared in long-awaited TEA accountability grades
After lawsuits and a long delay, the Texas Education Agency releases rankings for schools in the Lone Star State. The school rankings are more than just an indicator of how well students are doing, they can have ripple effects on the schools themselves, as well as on housing prices and more. KERA’s Bill Zeeble joins us with what the report cards tell us.
After record levels of deaths connected to police car chases, what, if anything, do Texas lawmakers plan to do?
A historic theatre, once a hub for Mexican American entertainment, is coming back to life in San Antonio.
Plus, Texas breweries rebrand themselves as public spaces.
KUT Morning Newscast for April 24, 2025: Texas creates its own DOGE in attempt to make the state more business friendly.
Central Texas top stories for April 24, 2025. A Texas Senate Committee voted this week to advance a bill aimed at clarifying when doctors can perform emergency abortions. Texas lawmakers and Governor Greg Abbott created a Texas DOGE version hoping to make the state more business friendly. Today the Texas Education Agency is releasing academic accountability ratings that grade school districts for the first time in two years. AISD has more time to come up with a plan for Dobie Middle School. This weekend you can get rid of your expired prescription drugs, no questions asked.
KUT Morning Newscast for April 15, 2025: Ten international students in the Texas State University System had their visas revoked.
Central Texas top stories for April 15, 2025. Families, students and staff came together to weigh in on the future of Dobie Middle School. Ten international students in the Texas State University System had their visas revoked, that includes two at Texas State University. House Bill 4283 would allow the Texas Attorney General to investigate and fine cities and counties if the AG thinks their policies violate state law. El Buen Samaritano is offering free vaccines today.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for April 11, 2025: Austin ISD has until the end of this month to submit a turnaround plan for Dobie Middle School.
Central Texas top stories for April 11, 2025. AISD is weighing what to do about a campus that has received low accountability ratings from the TEA. APD is heading to court over the 2021 shooting of a man in South Austin. Two filmmakers with Austin connections are among the contenders for this year’s top prize at the Cannes Film Festival. The 15th annual Longhorn run is tomorrow.
KUT Morning Newscast for April 11, 2025: Austin requires all homes to have working air conditioning
Central Texas top stories for April 11, 2025. All homes in Austin will require air conditioning starting in July. AISD must tell the Texas Education Agency how it plans to improve Dobie Middle School to avoid it from shutting down. Sunrise Church could be forced to relocate its center that helps homeless Austinites. Green Mesquite was set to shut down, but a man helped save it.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for April 4, 2025: Austin ISD could close Dobie Middle School to avoid a state takeover of the entire district.
Central Texas top stories for April 4, 2025. Authorities say dozens of people arrested in Hays County this week are connected to a Venezuelan gang. Austin ISD is considering closing Dobie Middle School because it has received too many failing grades from the state. The Texas women’s basketball team will play defending national champion South Carolina tonight for a spot in the NCAA Women’s Basketball National Championship game. Texas DPS says there may be delays in getting an emissions inspection right now. Several roads will be closed Sunday for the annual Statesman Cap10k.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for February 12, 2025: A ranking of student success rates finds mixed results for schools in Central Texas.
Central Texas top stories for February 12, 2025. The SIMS Foundation is making a comeback. A lunar lander manufactured in the Austin area is making its way to the moon. Bird flu was found in Black Vultures in New Braunfels.
Reflecting on the Aggie bonfire tragedy, 25 years later
The Texas State Board of Education could soon approve a curriculum that includes Bible stories and doesn’t spend as much time on slavery.
It’s been 25 years since one of the darkest moments in Texas A&M history. Reflecting on the impact of the Aggie bonfire collapse.
Families in America today can look a lot different than what’s long been considered “normal.” The podcast “Refamulating“ explores why it’s important to re-think family.
A Black-owned bookstore in North Texas is closing one chapter, but its owner says even after very challenging times, the story isn’t over.
Plus: Why Faith Family Academy, a dominant team in girls basketball, won’t be allowed in the state playoffs.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for October 17, 2024
Central Texas top stories for October 17, 2024. Austin and Travis County are issuing disaster declarations in response to the growing risk of wildfire. Three candidates running for a seat on the Railroad Commission of Texas met at a forum last night. The Texas Education Agency has released updated instructional materials the State Board of Education is scheduled to review and vote on next month. This Monday is set to be the busiest day ever at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for August 13, 2024
Central Texas top stories for August 13, 2024. More school districts have students returning this week. The trial of a former Williamson County Sheriff and attorney charged with evidence tampering is underway in Travis County. A Travis County judge has blocked the Texas Education Agency from releasing its school ratings for the second year in a row. More triple-digit days ahead. We’re a little more than two weeks away from the start of the Longhorn football season.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for June 13, 2024
Central Texas top stories for June 13, 2024. The Texas power grid is getting new reliability standards. There’s new information about the evidence tampering case against former Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody. The Texas Education Agency has released standardized testing results that show high schoolers’ proficiency in math has not rebounded to pre-pandemic levels. A Cedar Park church’s Pride flag keeps getting stolen. A look into the decision to dismiss Texas Attorney General’s lawsuit against Austin over its voter-approved ordinance decriminalizing low-level marijuana possession. Dripping Springs is bringing in a sixth elementary school in fall 2025. New maps from the U.S. Drought Monitor shows a mixed bag.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for March 14, 2024
Central Texas top stories for March 14, 2024. TEA places IDEA Public Schools under conservatorship. Activists protest at Austin City Hall calling for better investments in homeless and tenant stabilization programs. Georgetown I-S-D’s aerospace engineering program is one of twelve nationwide to be selected for an aviation workforce development grant. Guidance for abortion providers.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for December 22, 2023
Central Texas top stories for December 22, 2023. The Texas Department of Public Safety and the City of Austin are ending their partnership this weekend. Texas led the country in employment growth over the last year. Texas education officials are sharing guidance on how to comply with House Bill 3. Georgetown ISD buys land near East View High School.