We’re just over a week away from the start of early voting, and Texas registrars are still working to process thousands of voter applications. The latest from Travis County’s effort to address the backlog.A new city initiative has a goal of connecting folks experiencing chronic homelessness with long-term supports, but some advocates are concerned about the involvement of law enforcement with such sensitive cases. More about this week’s discussion of the project.We’ll hear from Austin artist Jess Williamson. She performed at the first weekend of ACL Fest and told us about her new project. Did Taco Bell really steal the taco? Mando Rayo, host of the Tacos of Texas podcast, dives into the controversy, plus a taco talk happening this weekend.
texas
Could Bo French racism controversy hurt other Republicans on ballot?
Texas school districts appear increasingly suspicious of STAAR test results graded by a computer system. We’ll dig into what’s going on.
Republican candidate for railroad commission Bo French recently drew criticism from many in his own party for comments widely labeled racist. We’ll look at the potential impact on the rest of the ballot.
Texas leads the way in the number of recent ICE arrests — far more than California or Florida. We’ll have a closer look at why and who is being targeted.
For years, public schools taught kids coding at the encouragement of big tech companies. Now there’s evidence of unfulfilled promises.
And we’ll explore a recruitment tour of West Texas — in search of young people who might want to join the priesthood.
Mama Duke
Rapper, lyricist, songwriter, and America’s Got Talent finalist Mama Duke joins Lisa and Rich on Black Austin Matters to talk about her journey from growing up in Palacios, Texas, to performing on the national stage. She shares the story behind her name, how she got her start in rap, her musical influences, and the creative process behind her songwriting. Plus, she reflects on her experience competing on America’s Got Talent and what it meant for her career.
Black Austin Matters is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas.
You can support our work by donating at supportthispodcast.org.
AISD under comptroller review, NPR Senior Podcast Challenge, Almost Heaven at ACL
The Austin school district is one of four in the state that’s under review by the Texas comptroller for how it spent taxpayer money last year. It’s happening as many districts in the state, including Austin, are working to balance their budgets. We’ll dig into what we know so far.
NPR has mined grade-school and college students for the stories impacting their lives through podcast challenges. Now they’re adding another group to that list: Seniors.
The second weekend of the ACL music fest is bringing lots of big names to town and highlighting the local ones making their names known. Today, we’ll hear from the rock duo Almost Heaven ahead of their first ACL appearance on Friday.
A we’ve also got more from weekend 1 festivalgoers about the big topics shaping their worlds.
PossAble Dream looks to inspire high school dropouts in the RGV
The midterms are just around the corner and we’re watching several competitive races in the Texas House. We’ll have details on some of those races.
A botched execution in Tennessee is having immediate impacts in Texas. A look at why the 2009 Fort Hood shooter will be executed by firing squad.
Meanwhile, there’s a push to spiritualize the military. We’ll share a report about the creation of a Pentagon Office of Religious Affairs.
We’ll take you to the Rio Grande Valley where there are a handful of high schools for adults looking to spur both personal and broader economic change.
And we’ll introduce you to a San Antonio woman who is changing lives with a little music and a little water.
Rise in Austin ICE arrests, AISD response to nearby gunman in 2025, 1 year of Austin Signal
Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in Austin received renewed scrutiny and media attention following last month’s shooting of Wilber Garces Perez, but ICE’s presence in the Austin area increased months prior, following a statewide and national trend. What the numbers show.
When a gunman shot two people and was on the run near multiple elementary schools and high schools last year, the response among Austin ISD officials became a chaotic one. What we’ve learned about the back-and-forth.
It’s looking like the weather will cooperate for the second weekend of the ACL Music Fest. Despite the rain and mud during Weekend 1, we got a chance to chat with some festivalgoers about some of the year’s hottest issues — including data centers and AI.
Plus: We’re celebrating one year of Austin Signal!
Are Texas Democrats really poised for statewide wins?
With less than two weeks to go before the first in-person early votes are cast in the midterms in Texas, great expectations are rising among Democrats here and nationwide with polls and pundits alike predicting big gains. We’ll break down the what, where and why.
So stressed or frustrated you just want to scream? Welcome to the club: The Dallas Yell Club. We’ll hear what that’s all about.
Also, the massive pecan grove soon to transform into Texas’ newest state park.
And a new encyclopedia that may, or may not, help settle that next argument over barbecue. Jess Pryles joins the Standard to talk “Prime Cuts.”
Did Taco Bell steal the Taco?
In this episode of Tacos of Texas, we dig into a slightly controversial question, “Did Taco Bell steal the taco? We break it down and talk about the origins of the taco in the U.S., how it crossed borders and into drive-thrus, and what gets lost and gained when culture is overtaken by corporate America. From tacos dorados to crunchy shells and late-night cravings, we unpack the history and who really gets to tell the story of one of the most iconic foods in America.
Attendees with disabilities navigate muddy ACL, Latest on governor’s race, Ride to End Alzheimer’s
Weekend 1 of the Austin City Limits Music Festival is in the books, and now the park grounds have a few days to recover before Weekend 2. The rain and mud made for a messy first weekend, but it was an even tougher outing for people with mobility issues.
It’s the last day to get registered in time to vote in the upcoming midterm election. What you need to do today to cast your ballot in a few weeks.
Much of the focus this election cycle in Texas has been on the open U.S. Senate seat. Today, we’ll focus on the race for governor between the incumbent three times over and an Austin state representative.
The Texas edition of the Ride to End Alzheimer’s is happening soon down in Dripping Springs. We’ve got more about the bike rides and the ways you can help ’em out.
What to expect as the Supreme Court reconvenes
The first Monday in October means the U.S. Supreme Court is back to work. We’ll have an early look at the docket, what Texans should watch for and more.
A red-hot congressional race in a huge district — a contest between YouTube gun rights supporter Brandon Herrerra and child rights advocate Katy Padilla Stout — is drawing a lot of attention. We’ll explore why the race for the 23rd is so contentious.
Also, a look at what’s been called the Life of the Mother Act — a measure intended to clarify when doctors can legally perform abortions in Texas.
Plus, a call to clamp down on oil theft and why it’s become such a problem in West Texas.
Hip-Hop & The Future of Austin Radio
On this episode of we discuss Austin radio’s approach to hip-hop and what it means for the future. We also discuss selective outrage with artists depending on if you are fans of them or not. Hip-Hop Facts this week include facts about Usher, Ciara, Eddie Murphy and more. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion states that a good number of media personalities are industry plants.
Man shot by ICE has surgery, DA Garza singled out at House hearing, Abortion rights in emergencies
Wilber Garces Perez, the man shot by an ICE agent in North Austin who spent more than 10 days with a bullet lodged in his body, has now undergone surgery.
Travis County District Attorney José Garza was at the center of a Texas House committee hearing where lawmakers targeted so-called rogue prosecutors for not trying or investigating cases — but he did not attend.
We’ll hear from some Texas doctors who want to make sure people know their abortion rights during a medical emergency.
A new film focuses on the transformation of a public college in Florida, but the issues facing it aren’t limited to that one institution. We’ll chat with a producer of “First They Came For My College” ahead of some local screenings and discussions.
Texas governor’s race appears to be competitive
Remember redistricting in Texas? The plan was to try to secure more surefire wins for Republicans. Now we’re seeing some surprises. We’ll have the details today.
And another political surprise possibly in the making: The governor’s race, initially not expected to be much of a battle for Gov. Abbott, is forcing many to reconsider. We’ll hear more.
Also, do public libraries have a return on investment? The numbers may surprise you.
Plus, a visit from the Texas Beachcomber and more.
Arrest in Capitol attack plot, Man shot by ICE stays in custody, Lammes Candies is back
A man has been arrested after the Texas Department of Public Safety found a “credible” threat to attack the state Capitolthis week.
The man shot by an ICE agent in Austin last month will remain in custody, but not return to a detention center, after appearing in federal court this week. The latest updates and what comes next.
Monday is the deadline to get registered to vote in the midterm elections. Texas is working to address a backlog of registration applications. More from one reporter who was affected.
KUT News is a launching a new initiative focused on aging in Austin. Jennifer Stayton stops by to talk about the Long View project.
And some sweet news: Lammes Candies is back — with new ownership out of Fort Worth.
Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org
Houston voters weigh marijuana enforcement priorities
In Texas’ biggest metro, Houston, a vote looms to tell police whether to deprioritize marijuana cases. But even if it gets the green light, will it make a difference?
Also, the latest on an alleged threat on the Texas capitol and a possible change of heart over a border wall in the Big Bend region.
Where things stand on the push to get police connected to AI.
Tech expert Omar Gallaga tells us why he’s not quite a happy camper after sampling the next generation of high-tech pop-up trailers
Plus, Tacos of Texas host Mando Rayo takes on a spicy question: Did Taco Bell steal the taco?
And Texas Standard’s Sean Saldaña on the mysteries of Texas birthday memories.
Toadies get personal on first new album in nearly a decade
If you’ve consumed any media with commercials lately you know why the race for U.S. Senate between Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico has become so expensive. We’ll dig into the details.
With the election now just weeks away, it’s worth making sure your voter registration is in order. A backlog is affecting a lot of Texans. We’ll walk you through how to fix things.
A school district along the Texas Gulf Coast found a way to keep some of the tax money set to go back to the state — but state lawmakers are now questioning that tactic.
Texas produces a lot of sorghum — and we could all soon be eating more of it.
Plus, Fort Worth rockers the Toadies have a new full-length album — their first in nearly a decade. We sat down with them at an iconic Austin venue.
The ‘feral’ roots of Texas freedom
There are a lot people who make up Texas — people from all sorts of backgrounds. Some people so new that they still haven’t had a chance to change their license plates… others whose families have been here since before Texas was Texas!
Texas Standard commentator dug deep into the roots of some of the ancestors who’ve called Texas home — and found some commonalities among at least some Texans today.
Flood watch for Austin area, Smart glasses for blind users, Best wings in Austin
A flood watch has been issued for the Austin area for Wednesday night to Friday night, overlapping with the first day of the Austin City Limits Music Festival.
A drop in Austin ISD’s enrollment could soon be impacting its budget. The district also planned to save money by cutting down on bus routes, but that may be undercut by the rising cost of diesel.
Smart glasses are one of the most visible pieces of hardware incorporating artificial intelligence — but like most things related to AI, their use remains polarizing. We’ll hear from some blind users.
And: We’re gonna talk about the best wings in the city with American-Statesman restaurant critic Matthew Odam.
Federal changes narrow Endangered Species Act protections
The remnants of Hurricane Polo are expected to bring heavy rainfall and possible flooding across much of the state. We’ll have the details.
It’s been a year since a gunman opened fire at an ICE office in Dallas. We’ll hear from the wife of one of the victims — a man who was in ICE custody.
Plus, the Endangered Species Act protects animals from extinction. Now, the Trump administration’s interpretation of the law could change things.
Also, Amazon promised convenience, but there were complaints in a Texas city that was a testing ground for the use of drones to deliver packages.
And the high price of diesel is affecting much more than truckers.
Misael Ramos arrest, COTALAND opens, voter registration delays
There’s one week left to get registered in time to vote in the midterm elections. The deadline is approaching as county election staff across the Austin area work to process thousands of applications that Texas DPS failed to send.
One week after an ICE agent shot Wilber Garces Perez, demonstrators returned to the scene to continue protesting. Misael Ramos, a candidate for Austin City Council District 1, was arrested this weekend and charged with participating in a riot that immediately followed the shooting.
We’ll chat with the director of a film chronicling how Austin restaurants struggled and adapted through the pandemic.
Austin has a new theme park and KUT got a special sneak preview before they officially opened up. We’ll take you out to COTALAND.