Texas Dream Act

Immigrant families struggle to pay tuition at UT Austin after Texas Dream Act is repealed

The Texas Dream Act has helped about 25 thousand students afford college, something that can change the lives of an immigrant family. But a recent federal lawsuit blocked the law, dramatically raising the cost of school.

This podcast is made at KUT Public Media Studios. 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 Afternoon Newscast for August 19, 2025: A Texas Democrat is sleeping at the Texas Capitol to protest GOP redistricting and state trooper escorts

Central Texas top stories for August 19, 2025. House Democrats are back in Texas and the House Speaker wants to keep it that way to push through new Congressional maps. ACC and immigrant rights advocates are trying to intervene in a case that ended access to in-state tuition for students without legal status in Texas. A bridge over Cow Creek in Northwest Travis County is open again. Voters in the Hays school district will decide whether to give themselves a roughly 15% tax rate increase. A ban on outdoor burning was lifted today for parts of Northwest Travis County.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for August 13, 2025: Hundreds of people signed up to speak at city hall today as the Austin City Council works to adopt its budget

Central Texas top stories for August 13, 2025. Folks continue speaking at city hall this afternoon as the Austin City Council works to adopt its budget and a tax rate increase. Tomorrow is the deadline for UT Austin students to make their first tuition payment for the fall semester. Williamson County is one step closer to bringing a spaceport to the area.

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 13, 2025: APD points to failures in the mental health system after deadly shooting at North Austin Target

Central Texas top stories for August 13, 2025. APD Chief Lisa Davis points to the mental health system after a shooting at a Target in North Austin that left three dead. The Austin City Council could adopt its next budget today. With the deadline approaching, advocates say students without legal status are scrambling to find a way to pay for the first installment for the fall semester at UT Austin. September 4^th is the official deadline to apply for FEMA assistance after the July floods. The Texas Senate passed a bill aimed at cracking down on abortion pill prescribers and manufacturers. More Central Texas school districts go back to school today, watch out for traffic.

No phones, devices in classrooms as Texas students return to school

Undocumented college students in Texas are no longer eligible for in-state tuition. As the new semester starts, many are in limbo.
As we keep an eye on the special session where Texas Democrats broke quorum, a look at another state – Oregon – where Republican lawmakers staged a walkout.
A new state law that bans cell phones, wearables and other electronic devices in Texas classrooms is raising questions from educators, parents and students about its implementation and impact.
The University of Texas at Austin has set up guidelines for using AI responsibly to promote learning.
And: El Paso pecan farmers innovate to cope with persistent drought.

Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas.

You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org

KUT Morning Newscast for July 24, 2025: UT Austin is asking some students for proof of “lawful presence.” Advocates worry this could have ripple effects.

Central Texas top stories for July 24, 2025. The Texas House and Senate’s new special committees on flood relief and preparedness met for the first time yesterday. Austin’s city council could vote today on a measure aimed at addressing a critical shortage of air traffic controllers at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. UT Austin is asking certain students to show proof of quote “lawful presence” by today. Tomorrow is the last day to volunteer with flood recovery through Travis County’s Volunteer Reception Center.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for June 23, 2025: Governor Greg Abbott has vetoed Senate Bill 3, which would have banned consumable THC products in Texas

Central Texas top stories for June 23, 2025. Governor Greg Abbott vetoed 26 bills and signed more than 11 hundred into law, including the Life of the Mother Act. ACC’s District Board of Trustees plans is joining a lawsuit challenging the end of the Texas Dream Act. Homes in Austin sold for an average of just under $600,000 last month. Austin ISD has two virtual community meetings this week on the school consolidation process to save money.

KUT Morning Newscast for June 10, 2025: Hundreds march in downtown Austin to protest Trump immigration crackdown

Central Texas top stories for June 10, 2025. Law enforcement officers used an eye irritant to disperse people protesting the Trump’s administration’s mass deportation efforts. Some students expect their tuition and fees to be more than double after the Texas Dream Act was struck down last week. A bill lawmakers hope will make it harder to stop or stall new housing has been sent to the governor’s desk. Juneteenth celebrations start in Austin today. FACE grant applications are open until July 17^th.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for June 9, 2025: Undocumented students are preparing to pay higher tuition rates at public colleges and universities

Central Texas top stories for June 9, 2025. Undocumented students are preparing to pay higher tuition rates at public colleges and universities after a judge last week struck down the Texas Dream Act. Rain in the forecast this week could be helpful in bringing life back to Jacobs Well. Williamson County’s Regional Animal Shelter is now offering “reunion stations” to help lost pets get home faster.