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KUT and KUTX news and music podcasts for Austin, Texas and beyond

Texas Lege

Health and Human Services Commission employees accused in data breach

Parts of Texas that seldom see snow may well see frozen precipitation blanketing beaches tomorrow. We’re keeping watch.

Seven employees of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission have been fired for improperly accessing, and in some cases, stealing, from the accounts of thousands of Texans receiving public assistance.

And: TikTok went dark for U.S. users on Saturday night, hours before a ban on the service was due to take effect. But on Sunday, the service returned, with a message crediting President-elect Trump, who said he would delay the ban. We’ll have the latest.

Dustin Burrows wins race for Texas House speaker

In a session-opening battle for speaker of the House – one of the most powerful positions in state government – Rep. Dustin Burrows won the role in a blow to a rising faction in the Texas GOP, and a victory for what many call establishment Republicans.

Elon Musk, Texas’ richest resident, is turning his eyes to a vastly different venture: education. Lauren McGaughy of The Texas Newsroom has the story, plus a look at her plans to dig into how Musk’s massive wealth and business ambitions are affecting his new home.

And: As the Standard celebrates our 10th birthday in 2025, we’re kicking off a year of Top 10 lists with a beloved story from commentator W.F. Strong.

What’s a wolf moon?

It’s go-time at the Texas Capitol as the 89th legislative session opens tomorrow, running through June 2. Blaise Gainey of The Texas Newsroom has a preview of what to expect.

War on drugs? Or drug users? How a mass overdose event underscores what critics say is wrong with Texas’ anti-drug strategy.

You’ve heard of a super moon, blood moon, harvest moon. But what exactly is a wolf moon?

Also: an artistic linkup between San Antonio and Havana, Cuba.

The polar vortex is complicating Northeast Texas farming

Rain, freezing rain, sleet and snow are sweeping across Texas, with the Panhandle and DFW areas bracing for the worst. We’ll have the latest on this week’s forecast – and how it’s complicating life for farmers and ranchers between Dallas and Texarkana.

With the Texas Legislature set to reconvene in a few days, some lawmakers preparing to fight again for Medicaid expansion in Texas.

As the president of UT Austin announces plans to lead Southern Methodist University, a years-long fight between SMU and the United Methodist Church over a potential split is set to reach the Texas Supreme Court in just days.

Also: President-elect Trump is getting pushback from car manufacturers on his plan to roll back EV incentives and mandates.

Inside the Conjunto Music Hall of Fame & Museum

At least five bills have been filed in the Texas Legislature so far to require Texas voters to show proof of citizenship. A look at the implications.

How education could take center stage in the upcoming 89th Texas legislative session.

Attorney General Ken Paxton files a motion to prevent testimony at the Capitol from death row inmate Robert Roberson.

And: Kristen Cabrera visits the Conjunto Music Hall of Fame & Museum for the Texas Museum Map project.

Remembering Melinda Wickman Swearingen, ‘the Annie Leibovitz of outlaw country’

It’s Republicans vs. Republicans to decide the speaker’s race in the Texas House of Representatives.

Photographer Melinda Wickman Swearingen, who died earlier this year, captured evocative images of outlaw country musicians. Her work will soon be on display at the Wittliff Collections at Texas State University.

And: What’s the deal with these mysterious drones? Should we be worried? Omar Gallaga has answers.

A&M’s next giant leap is the Texas Space Institute

It’s still election season in the Texas Legislature, where there’s a race for speaker of the House of Representatives. We’re taking a close look at the top two contenders this week, starting today with Rep. Dustin Burrows.


Billy Bob Thornton, who’s long been an honorary Texan, has earned his eighth Golden Globe nomination for his role as Tommy Norris in Taylor Sheridan’s new series, “Landman.” He joins the show today.


Plus: Last month, the Texas A&M Space Institute broke ground near NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Director Nancy Currie-Gregg shares the details.

KUT Morning Newscast for August 12, 2024

Central Texas top stories for August 12, 2024. Another hot week ahead for Austin and Central Texas. Austin Community College receives $7.5 million grant to expand and develop new training programs for semiconductor manufacturing. Texas lawmakers kick off two days of hearings on educational issues. The city of Austin is looking to include $50 million in next budget to increase parkland in the city. Texas Longhorn athletes earn 16 medals at Paris Olympic games, including 6 gold.

SpaceX satellite debris could fall from the sky and kill people, FAA report says

Where do we stand with education in the special legislative session? With Gov. Greg Abbott and the Texas House at a deadlock over school vouchers.


The Federal Aviation Administration estimates that by 2035, one person could be injured or killed by falling SpaceX Starlink debris every two years.


As the World Series gets underway tonight in Arlington; North Texans share what their hometown Texas Rangers mean to them — and why they’ve never lost faith.


Also: the week in politics with the Texas Tribune.

What does Nate Paul’s arrest mean for Ken Paxton?

Impeached attorney general Ken Paxton won’t face trial in the Senate until late summer, but the indictment of prominent donor Nate Paul may have big implications for Paxton’s fate nonetheless.

Hurricane season is upon us, and the energy industry is making preparations for potential storms.

A colonia in El Paso is pulling water out of thin air using solar distillation.

A new podcast, “Under Cover of Knight, ” examines a death in small-town Texas – and why the CIA and local law enforcement wanted folks to stop asking questions.

And a longtime Texas radio journalist remembers NPR’s Wade Goodwyn.

What happened to the bill closing the ‘dead suspect loophole?’

Property tax cuts and border security are on the agenda as the Legislature’s special session moves into week 2.

A bill to promote police transparency received support in the House and the Senate, but now it’s apparently gone missing. KXAN investigative reporter Josh Hinkle explains.

There’s a shortage of mental health treatment for people arrested in Texas who are deemed in need of treatment before trial.

And Texas-based American Airlines has grounded planes amid an ongoing pilot shortage. What does this mean for summer travel?

KUT Afternoon Newscast for June 2, 2023

Central Texas top stories for June 2, 2023. Nurses at Ascension Seton Medical Center vote to strike. Travis County considers plan to fund and support communities displaced by gentrification. Austin Transportation Department considers reducing lanes to eliminate crashes along Barton Springs Road. Governor Abbott signs law to increase the number of Texas students taking challenging math courses. Public Utility Commission chairman resigns.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for June 1, 2023

Central Texas top stories for June 1, 2023. Austin will pay $88 million to end lawsuits blocking terminal expansion at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. City of Austin employees protest new work from home policy. 90-day eviction grace period ending in San Marcos. Inflation affecting Central Texas school districts as lawmakers fail to increase per student funding. Austin FC gets a win ahead of another game this weekend.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for May 31, 2023

Central Texas top stories for May 31, 2023. Union representing Austin ISD employees upset with lack of legislative action. More folks experiencing homelessness in Williamson County. Central Texas Food Bank brings back pandemic food assistance program for summer. Austin Public Library offering new ID cards. Round Rock ISD pop-up library. Austin FC takes on Minnesota to close out May.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for May 30, 2023

Central Texas top stories for May 30, 2023. Bill targeting so-called progressive district attorneys goes to Governor’s desk, while another bill to kill Project Connect dies at the Texas Capitol. Jacob’s Well could remain closed through the summer. Writers’ strike affecting this week’s ATX Television Festival. Free meals for all children at IDEA schools. Closures this week at Zilker Park.

What’s at stake in the Texas school voucher debate

School choice and school vouchers are terms that have been thrown around quite a bit during this year’s session of the Texas Legislature, despite the fact that vouchers and other types of school choice legislation are not top of mind for Texas voters.

Do plans for a Texas business court work?

This week at the Texas Legislature: Laws aimed at making it easier to have a baby in Texas.

Under the big dome in Austin, a hearing on a proposal to ban Chinese non-citizens from buying land in Texas.

The state Republican Party censures one of its own, U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, after a vote supporting a new gun law.

Is a two-tier court system coming to Texas? We’ll have more on a push for businesses to have their own legal system.

And: A gift to a major Texas museum is aimed at diversity for public art and and greater visibility for Latino artists.

What Texans think lawmakers should prioritize this legislative session

Texans say the border should be the top priority for the state Legislature this session, according to a new poll. We’ll dig into the results.

Questions about how the Center for Law and Human Behavior at the University of Texas at El Paso selected two Border Patrol agents for fellowships.

Taco expert Mando Rayo talks about his favorite traditional mom-and-pop eateries across the Lone Star State.

Piano music fills the air as El Paso hosts the Borderland Chopin festival spotlighting the beloved composer.

Texas Standard: November 21, 2022

‘Tis the season for bill filing; a quick look at what filing season in the Texas legislature tells us about lawmaker priorities for the coming session. Other stories we’re watching: an earthquake recorded in west Texas last week, the third biggest ever recorded in the state, what it could mean for the oil and gas industry. And a nuclear reactor taking shape on the campus of Abilene Christian University, we’ll hear why. Also how military families are trying to deal with the search for suitable housing. These stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

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