The man who’s admitted killing 23 in a racist mass shooting in El Paso in 2019 will be given a plea deal that does not include the death penalty. What’s behind that decision.
A federal judge temporarily prevents Texas A&M from enforcing a ban on campus drag performances, setting the stage for this week’s Draggieland.
A long-lost book detailing DeWitt County’s history before 1900 has resurfaced, more than a century after it was written in German.
And: A potentially deadly bird flu spotted early in Texas jumps species in the UK, prompting a warning from health officials.
Texas A&M
KUT Morning Newscast for March 18, 2025: A crash on I-35 that killed five people last week is now under federal investigation.
Central Texas top stories for March 18, 2025. The Texas A&M Forest Service says the Crabapple fire in Gillespie County is now 85% contained and has burned just over 9,700 acres. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the deadly crash on I-35 that killed five people in North Austin last week. After years of pushback from doctors, patients and advocacy groups, SB31 aims to clarify the medical exception to Texas’ abortion law. The median sales price of a home in Austin hit 564-thousand dollars last month, that’s up compared to the same time last year.
KUT Morning Newscast for March 14, 2025: Five people killed in 17-vehicle crash on I-35.
Central Texas top stories for March 14, 2025. Five people, including a child and an infant, were killed in a collision involving 17 vehicles on North I-35 near Parmer late last night. AISD might sell the former Rosedale Elementary School in Central Austin to cut costs and increase revenue in the face of a $110 million budget deficit. The Austin Police Department is working to fill hundreds of officer positions. A Red Flag warning will be in effect for parts of Central Texas today from noon to 9 p.m. UT men’s basketball team beat Texas A&M last in a double overtime game.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for February 21, 2025: Austin doctors are encouraging vaccination against measles as cases in Texas continue to rise.
Central Texas top stories for February 21, 2025. Freezing rain is possible tonight. A wave of measles cases is spreading in West Texas. Austin Community College is expanding a partnership with Texas A&M University. The San Antonio Spurs will play the second game of the “I-35 series” in Austin tonight.
KUT Morning Newscast for December 2, 2024
Central Texas top stories for December 2, 2024. Early voting for runoff elections in Travis County starts today. President-elect Donald Trump’s plans on how to address homelessness might affect Austin’s long-term plans to get people to housing. The only clinic in Texas that exclusively serves uninsured children needs to find a new place. Here’s how to watch out for seasonal scams. The Longhorns will play to win the SEC championship. UT- Austin will host first and second rounds of the 2024 NCAA Volleyball Championship.
KUT Morning Newscast for November 29, 2024
Central Texas top stories for November 29, 2024. The City of Austin this year awarded $3,000 grants to dozens of local groups that are working to address food insecurity and climate challenges, hear from one of the organizations that is helping people by bicycle. Did you know you could get your vegetables for free at a garden close to I-35? Folks at Texas Parks and Wildlife want to make fishing more accessible in Austin. The University of Texas and Texas A&M will face each other in a very expected football match.
ArnieTex brings the flavors of South Texas to millions on YouTube
We’re taking a look at the Texans who have been picked for President-elect Trump’s new Cabinet.
How some Democratic candidates in parts of Texas won their races amid a big red wave.
There’s a demand for raw milk, despite its health risks, and more public officials are saying that folks should be able to have it if they want it.
After 13 years, UT and Texas A&M are back on the football field this holiday weekend. What to expect as the rivals meet again.
Plus: The Standard’s Kristen Cabrera goes behind the scenes with ArnieTex, a Rio Grande Valley grilling sensation with nearly a million YouTube subscribers.
KUT Morning Newscast for November 25, 2024
Central Texas top stories for November 25, 2024. A local utility agency is being sued over plans to build a pipeline on environmentally protected lands. Alex Jones is headed back to court today. The Glen Powell lookalike contest took place this Weekend in Auditorium Shores, here’s all you need to know about it. The Texas Longhorns and the Texas A&M Aggies will play football against one another this weekend after a thirteen-year hiatus.
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 November 11, 2024
Central Texas top stories for November 11, 2024. Austin’s former interim City Manager is accused of violating ethics rules in 2023. Impacts from a failed property tax rate increase in Liberty Hill ISD. The City of Austin has received more than 6000 applications for rent assistance. Texas lawmakers are considering ways to add further restrictions of DEI initiatives at public colleges and universities. HEB will open its new store at Oltorf and Congress in South Austin on December 4.
KUT Morning Newscast for October 31, 2024
Central Texas top stories for October 31, 2024. Tomorrow is the last day of early voting; some polling places will be open until 10 p.m. The City of Austin could expand homeownership support to more people. A small group of students held a pro-Palestinian protest on the UT campus. A team of veterinarians with Texas A&M returned home after helping with Hurricane Helene recovery efforts. Manor ISD superintendent announced new security measures after a student was fatally stabbed. It looks like we’ll have some rain today.
Meet Sugar Gay Isber, the ‘Hit Man’ jewelry designer
A new report says that a year before Hurricane Beryl, the federal government denied a request from CenterPoint Energy for $100 million to reinforce power lines in the Houston area. Could that have prevented the widespread outages of recent days?
Attorney General Ken Paxton is appealing a court decision denying his attempt to shut down an El Paso nonprofit providing temporary shelter to migrants.
Making a movie involves a lot more than actors and directors. We’re talking to Central Texas artist and jewelry maker Sugar Gay Isber, who added her shine to the latest Richard Linklater film, “Hit Man.”
And: pushback over a proposed name change for one of the oldest colleges in the state, Texas A&M Commerce.
John Sharp on why he’s retiring as Texas A&M chancellor
A conversation with John Sharp, who – as the longest-serving chancellor in Texas A&M System history – has announced he’s retiring next year.
What you need to know about a brand-new consumer privacy law now in effect in Texas.
If you’ve made a big purchase anytime lately, you’ve been paying attention to interest rates. They remain pretty high – but why? We’ll dig in.
We’ll talk to Kareem El-Ghayesh, a Texas pitmaster vying to win the newest season of Netflix’s “Barbecue Showdown.”
One of the most photographed spots in the Texas Panhandle is turning 50. How the Cadillac Ranch became such a phenomenon.
And a new analysis of the out-of-state money funding Texas politics – and to what end.
After devastating tornadoes, Sanderson residents begin to rebuild and recover
The Texas Medical Board has offered guidance to doctors on the emergency medical exception to the state’s abortion ban.
How the small town of Sanderson in West Texas is recovering after a pair of tornadoes.
Shipments of avocados and mangoes from the Mexican state of Michoacán to the U.S. are suspended after two U.S. Department of Agriculture workers in the region were detained by local protesters and later removed from the area, leaving inspections of produce on hold. What will it mean for prices?
Reading, writing and roasting: Texas A&M is hoping to school the next generation of coffee experts by offering a Coffee Processing and Quality Certificate.
And: what Texas architecture of the mid century tells us about the Lone Star State and its complicated aspirations – we’re talking to the author and photographer behind “Home, Heat, Money, God: Texas and Modern Architecture.”
KUT Afternoon Newscast for May 24, 2024
Central Texas top stories for May 24, 2024. Heat advisory. City workers feeling the heat. Capital Metro will close two downtown MetroRail stations next year until 2026. A lawsuit accuses Central Health of improperly using taxpayer money. Austin FC to play three matches in a week. The Texas Softball team opens their Super Regional Series tonight at McCombs Field against Texas A&M.
KUT Morning Newscast for May 24, 2024
Central Texas top stories for May 24, 2024. Heat wave arrives in time for the holiday weekend. A new lawsuit alleges the City of Austin violated state law when approving the redevelopment of the former Austin American-Statesman office site. Programs that help support people who are experiencing homelessness are still facing challenges in Austin. The Summer Meals Program is ramping up as the school year comes to an end. Texas and Texas A&M will compete for a spot in the Women’s College World Series. Austin airport officials are reminding travelers to plan ahead when flying out of Austin Bergstrom International Airport this Memorial Day weekend.
KUT Morning Newscast for November 13, 2023
Central Texas top stories for November 13, 2023. Ceasefire march. Vigil for Austin SWAT officer. Christopher Taylor jury deliberations. Downtown Salvation Army shelter. Texas Workforce Commission federal grant. Kyle firefighter classes. Cool season crops. Texas college football update.
How to catch a wave in Waco
The president of Texas A&M has resigned amid turmoil over the botched hiring of a journalism professor. We’ll have the latest.
Amid record heat, Texas prisoners struggle to cool down in facilities that lack air conditioning.
Harris County has sued the state over a new law that will eliminate its elections department – and, officials say, cause problems for voters.
Texas-raised filmmaker Taylor Sheridan is getting kudos for boosting the number of Native Americans on screen.
The Austin Outlaws, a women’s tackle football team, celebrate a historic season.
Some of the state’s best-known towns for surfing include Galveston, Corpus Christi, Port Aransas, South Padre Island and … Waco. Yes, Waco.
And taco expert Mando Rayo with top summer sipping tips.
Texas Standard: October 17, 2022
Is South Texas ground zero for a political shift in 2022? Republicans, Democrats and the Latino vote are in the spotlight. Politics watchers say three republican Texas women, Latinas themselves, stand to lead an historic shift in voting patterns. We’ll take a closer look at what’s behind that. Also, has Mark Zuckerberg’s company gone too Meta? As valuations of the company formerly known as Facebook continue to slide, a reality check on whether its Metaverse strategy is grounded in reality. And from far west Texas, a sweet sound 50 years in the making. And for a family, a dream come true.
Those stories and much more when today on the Texas Standard:
The Most Generous Texan Of Yore?
Most Texans probably know the Brackenridge name. But, depending on where you’re from, you might have a different landmark (and namesake) in mind. In Austin, there was the area’s first public hospital. In Edna, there’s a more than one thousand acre Brackenridge Recreation Complex. But as Commentator WF Strong notes, the Brackenridge who lent his name to a park in San Antonio, George Washington Brackenridge, may have given more to Texas — in financial terms — than anyone else.