texas

Austin’s light-rail poised to clear major hurdle

The light-rail transit line long promised to Austinites could soon clear a major hurdle – and that could give new momentum to a project that’s been dragged down through legal and political resistance. The latest on where the project is headed.

Months after a Texas A&M professor was fired for discussing gender identity in a literature class, transgender college students in Texas are working out how to make their voices heard. Some are finding solace through expression in their community.

Plus, on the music side: Some Austin music history and more from KUTX’s favorite local songs of 2025.

Austin Energy employee paid nearly $1 million to fake vendors before resigning, audit says

A former Austin Energy employee has been accused of defrauding the city utility of nearly $1 million over the course of six years by falsifying credit card payments to contractors and paying fake vendors that had addresses tied to him or his relatives.

The YMCA in downtown Austin wants to expand and renovate, adding housing, restaurants and office space – but some nearby residents are concerned about how the project could affect the neighborhood. We’ll hear about the proposal and next steps.

The Christmas season has arrived, but for a bar in North Austin, every day is Christmas. What’s the reason behind it?

Voces Oral History Center founder talks legacy ahead of retirement

Texas’ top two political officials are lockstep on a new effort to make sure conservative youth organization Turning Point USA can launch at every high school in the state. We’ll take a closer look.
Human plasma is vital for medical needs, but it’s also a multibillion-dollar industry on its own. We’ll explore.
A Texas school district is sounding an alarm about some robotaxis, saying they’re passing school buses and may be putting kids at risk.
Black bears are living in West Texas again. A look at what the humans there need to know about their very large neighbors.
Plus, a history of the Christmas flower in a new children’s book and trailblazing journalist Maggie Rivas-Rodriguez, founder of the nation’s largest Latino oral history archive, prepares to call it a career.

LifeWorks program helps youth avoid homelessness

Austin nonprofit LifeWorks has helped nearly three dozen young Austinites stay housed through a cash-assistance pilot program. We hear the story of one person who said the money helped her at a critical time.

In Williamson County, folks are looking into where its cities get their water and how they could better work together.

Plus: A look into holiday tunes and unwrapping our favorite present: tamales. Chef Rick Martinez brings us to the table at a holiday tamalada.

If you host or or plan to attend a tamalada – let us know! Email austinsignal@kut.org.

Trans students push back as university policies shift

Political musical chairs is underway in Texas on deadline day for candidates to file for the midterm elections. We’ll explore where we stand and what it means today.
Mandatory course reviews and changes to policies at universities have faculty warning of dire threats to academic freedom, especially when it comes to teaching hot-button topics – like transgender identity. Kaye Knoll with that story.
Pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds… What about snacking on cottonseeds? The A&M researcher betting on making them edible.
Also, this week in Texas music history looks at Austin’s jaded teens who get turned on to the new sounds of the ’60s as The 13th Floor Elevators take the stage.

New Media In Hip-Hop

On this episode we discuss the new Diddy documentary “The Reckoning” that is executive produced by 50 Cent. We also discuss Megan Thee Stallion’s newest legal battle except this time it’s against a media personality and it’s role in new hip-hop media. Hip-Hop facts about 2pac, Young Dolph Will Smith and more. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion this week is that hip-hop needs new gatekeepers to filter those who might not have the best interest of the culture in mind.

Travis County medics work to respond to emergencies amid budget challenges

Across the city of Austin, medics are working and responding to emergency calls despite the budget challenges facing the city and Travis County. Voters in Austin resoundingly rejected a property tax increase that officials hoped could be used to supplement area first responders.
Now, these departments are adjusting to a future with fewer resources.

Plus, the Supreme Court is allowing Texas to use newly drawn congressional districts in next year’s midterm elections. The map was drawn to give Republicans an advantage in upcoming races for U.S. House seats. We’ll have local and statewide reaction to the court’s decision.

The Blue Genie Art Bazaar is celebrating 25 years in Austin. We’ll talk about the bazaar’s origins and the best times to avoid the long lines.

A special broadcast from San Antonio

It is a city as well known for its history as its growth in the here and now. Today we’re broadcasting from San Antonio for a special edition of the Texas Standard.
As we celebrate 10 years of the Texas Standard, our yearlong tour of Texas takes us to the studios of our partners at Texas Public Radio, based in one of the most beautiful big cities in all of Texas. Though its many landmarks bring in the tourists, new residents are rushing in, too – putting pressure on resources like energy and water.
We’ll explore those growing pains, but we’ll also be sampling the tastes and sounds that make San Antonio special.

Medical experts have said this flu season will be an active one

We’re getting deeper into the holiday season and that brings flu season along with your yuletide festivities. Medical experts have said this flu season will be an active one. They’re reminding folks to get their flu shot before sickness ruins your holiday plans.

Plus, the performance “Black Divas” is coming back to Austin this weekend. The piece focuses on Black maternal health issues. The show’s creator, Qi Dada, says she didn’t feel like there was any art to describe the struggle she was going through. We talk with her about the show’s evolution and their upcoming performance.

The FIFA World Cup is coming to Texas next year. We get a better sense of which teams and stars will be visiting the Lone Star State.

Student deported after boarding a flight to Austin

A college student flying to Austin was detained and deported by immigration authorities. She was trying to surprise her family for the Thanksgiving holiday. Now she’s having to finish her semester of college in a different country. Her lawyer says her deportation went against a federal court order. We’ll have more about the reason for her deportation and what the next steps in her story are.

What do you imagine when you hear “dragon boat racing”? Fire spewing out across Lady Bird Lake? Boats speeding fast across and over the water? We’ll have a look at what it’s all about.

Plus, it’s that time of season for caroling and lighting up the big ol’ tree. Find out what’s happening this weekend in Downtown Austin.

Voters flagged as noncitizens may have been eligible all along

Some new Texas laws are going into effect this week, including a modified bathroom bill. Other new laws include yet another one affecting abortion access, and one changing the tests kids take in Texas schools.
Texas flagged hundreds of voters as potential noncitizens earlier this year, but county officials have already determined many were mis-flagged.
The latest AP Top 25 college football rankings are out, but the handwringing continues over which teams will make the playoffs.
And we’ll talk with Terese Svoboda, author of the book “Hitler & My Mother-in-Law.”

‘Bathroom bill’ targeting trans Texans goes into effect this week

The so-called “bathroom bill” aimed at restricting transgender Texans’ access to some restrooms goes into effect this week. Republicans in the Legislature have been trying to enact such a measure for more than a decade; opponents are worried its unclear guidance on enforcement could cause cause public harassment.

There’s an upcoming benefit concert for Austin musician Rich Brotherton. We’ll hear from a few folks who know him well.

Plus: It’s Giving Tuesday! Learn how you can get involved with KUT, which is 100% community supported.

HOPE Outdoor Gallery reopens at new location

The Sobering Center in Austin has provided an alternative to jail or hospitalization since 2018. Now, it’s looking to help folks build a new journey beyond a one-night respite.

After many delays, the HOPE Outdoor Gallery is finally back open. The new 6,000-foot space is working to maintain the try-anything vibe that made its original spot so very Austin.

Plus: Businesses in downtown Austin are looking to attract more shoppers and more dollars to their stores this holiday season – and one way they’re trying to do that is with half-priced Uber rides.

Longhorns vs. Aggies football returns to Austin

The pits are lit, the speakers have been turned up to 11, and there’s a buzz across the Forty Acres. The Longhorn-Aggie Lone Star Showdown returns to Royal-Memorial Stadium today, and this season hasn’t gone as some Texas fans might’ve expected. Could a win over undefeated Texas A&M be enough to chalk the year up as a W?

It’s been 15 years since the Longhorns and Aggies played in Austin. Is the rivalry between the state’s biggest schools still all it’s cracked up to be? A look at the tension that’s been dividing houses for generations.

As holidays arrive, Sandy Creek flood survivors still rebuilding

Nearly five months after deadly July flooding, families in the Sandy Creek area of Travis County are still dealing with the cleanup and recovery of their properties and their lives. We’ll hear the story of one family that’s approaching a Thanksgiving that looks very different from years past.

Plus: A roundup of UT sports ahead of Friday’s football showdown against the Aggies, and some Thanksgiving recommendations from the ATX TV Festival team.

New site under consideration for UT Austin medical campus

A future UT Austin academic medical campus – which is set to include an MD Anderson Cancer Center location – was set to be built on the site of the now-demolished Frank Erwin Center. But now the Board of Regents is considering a new location near the Domain.

Cindy Walker might be the most successful Texas songwriter that most Texans have never heard of, with songs recorded by Roy Orbison, Bing Crosby and many others. A new tribute album celebrates Walker’s legacy and aims to help save her Mexia home.

Plus: We’re getting ready for Thanksgiving with things that Texas kiddos are thankful for.

And click this link to sign up in time for KUT’s Thanksgiving Newsletter!

Austin ISD approves plan to close 10 schools

The Austin Independent School District has passed a plan that will close 10 schools as it works to reduce a multimillion-dollar budget deficit and empty seats at many campuses. We talk more about the plan, the vote — which came after weeks of community meetings and protests — and what happens next.

State officials recently released a heavily redacted stash of communications between Gov. Greg Abbott and Elon Musk. How public information is becoming a little less public.

Lots of folks are heading for roadways and airports this holiday season. What’s it like to spend 24 hours in Austin’s airport?

Nicki Minaj Speaks at the UN

On this episode we discuss Nicki Minaj going to the UN to speak up on behalf of Nigeria and the United States. We also discuss we seems to be a resurgence of R&B into the mainstream. Hip-Hops Facts include facts about Lil Wayne, Will Smith, Ice Cube and more. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion is that rapper The Game’s success in California paved the way for newer west coast rappers to emerge like Kendrick or Tyler the Creator.

After Prop Q fallout, Austin cuts $95 million from budget- KUT News Now

The City of Austin cut $95 million from its budget, shrinking funding to parks, homelessness services and more after voters rejected Prop Q. We’ll get into how these cuts may impact you.

With recent rain and an overnight flood watch in Travis, Williamson, and Hays counties, many residents are reminded of the July 4 floods and the ongoing efforts to rebuild.

Plus, art groups seeking affordable studio space find sanctuary in a downtown Austin church. We’ve got more on how they secured the space and what that means for the arts community.

Also, Jason Mellard shares a new story from the archive of Texas music history.

After Prop Q fallout, Austin cuts $95 million from budget

The City of Austin cut $95 million from its budget, shrinking funding to parks, homelessness services and more after voters rejected Prop Q. We’ll get into how these cuts may impact you.

With recent rain and an overnight flood watch in Travis, Williamson, and Hays counties, many residents are reminded of the July 4 floods and the ongoing efforts to rebuild.

Plus, art groups seeking affordable studio space find sanctuary in a downtown Austin church. We’ve got more on how they secured the space and what that means for the arts community.

Also, Jason Mellard shares a new story from the archive of Texas music history.