Texas Legislature

After its buyout, has Whataburger lost its spice?

There’s a fight to lead the Texas House of Representatives, and two names top the list. Yesterday we heard about Justin Burrows; today we’re taking a closer look at his challenger, David Cook, who the support of the House GOP caucus.

How one Central Texas school district is trying to do something about chronic absenteeism.

And: Whataburger has long been celebrated as a Texas fast food icon, but after its sale to a Chicago-based company, many claim it just isn’t what it used to be. Omar Gallaga explains.

KUT Morning Newscast for November 13, 2024

Central Texas top stories for November 13, 2024. The City of Austin has a new park on what used to be a vacant field on the northeast side of town. Over 1,500 bills were filed yesterday as lawmakers get ready for the next state legislative session. Governor Greg Abbott said after Trump’s victory, the state might repurpose the money otherwise spent on his border mission Operation Lone Star. The City of Georgetown will offer some of its employees paid parental leave. A dry cold front is expected to make its way into the Austin-area later today.

KUT Morning Newscast for October 17, 2024

Central Texas top stories for October 17, 2024. The deadline to vote by mail for this fall’s election is approaching. The number of young people experiencing homelessness in the Austin area has more than tripled since 2020. Texas lawmakers are working on legislation that may restrict whether people can wear masks or other face coverings during protests. Join us for a night dip at Barton Springs during tonight’s supermoon!

KUT Afternoon Newscast for April 17, 2024

Central Texas top stories for April 17, 2024. What the next regular session of the Texas Legislature could mean for the state’s power grid. More lawsuits have been filed in the deadly Hays CISD bus crash. Texas State University needs more housing for students. The City of Austin wants to give more resources to re-envisioning how sexual assault cases are investigated. We are seeing another spike in prices at the gas pumps. The 47th annual O. Henry Museum Pun Off World Championships are coming up next month.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for April 15, 2024

Central Texas top stories for April 15, 2024. Redevelopment of the former Austin-American Statesman offices site hits a roadblock. Hays CISD is making a plan to ensure all school buses are equipped with seat belts. ERCOT has told power plant operators to put off scheduled maintenance this week as temperatures rise. This week’s weather. The U.S. Department of Commerce has announced plans to invest 6.4 billion federal dollars into Samsung to expand its semiconductor manufacturing in Central Texas. Childcare availability will be a key issue in the Texas Legislature’s next regular session. The deadline to participate in Austin’s warrant amnesty program is Friday.

KUT Morning Newscast for December 22, 2023

Central Texas top stories for December 22, 2023. Travis County Commissioners approve an expansion for The Sobering Center. Texas voters are skeptical of the state Legislature’s efforts this year to improve the safety of public schools. Gas prices climbing again. Holiday pet safety tips.

KUT Morning Newscast for December 6, 2023

Central Texas top stories for December 6, 2023. Austin ISD shooting suspect in custody. Ascension Seton nurses are on strike today. Austin City Council set to vote on HOME initiative. A fourth special legislative session has ended.

60 years after JFK assassination, revisiting the stories of two witnesses in Dallas

It’s been a political season in Texas like few others in recent memory. After a legislative session and four special sessions, where do we stand?

November 22, 1963: It was on this date 60 years ago that a sunny Friday in Dallas turned into one of the darkest days in the history of the United States. We’ll hear firsthand accounts from two who were there in John F. Kennedy’s presidential motorcade when shots rang out in Dealey Plaza, and the world held its breath.

KUT Morning Newscast for November 6, 2023

Central Texas top stories for November 6, 2023. I-35 Anti-expansion rally. Christopher Taylor trial continues. Low turnout for early voting. Immigration enforcement bill. Sims elementary repurposing. Longhorns stay put in rankings.

What new polling says about Texans’ presidential preferences

With the Texas House and Senate in special session, border security is taking center stage – including one measure that sparked a verbal brawl in the state Capitol on Wednesday night.

Tech expert Omar Gallaga tells us why social media companies are de-emphasizing news, and what that means.

Also, a new poll from the Texas Public Policy Project shares clues on where Texans stand on the eve of the 2024 election cycle.

KUT Morning Newscast for October 26, 2023

Central Texas top stories for October 26, 2023. Potential flooding in Central Texas today. Early voting numbers in Travis County. Land code public hearings begin today. Central Health leadership vote postponed. Vaccine mandate ban bill. Poll on school vouchers.

A bill in the Texas Legislature could lead to fines for some Texans who report pollution concerns.

Texas is home to millions of bats. But according to a new report out this week, more than half of North America’s bats are in peril if action isn’t taken to protect them.