Texas Senate

How women’s pro basketball traces its roots to Houston

Tonight, Republican Sen. Ted Cruz and Democratic challenger Colin Allred face off in their one and only debate. We’ll have a preview of what to expect.
A new tool gives Texas high school students a look at universities that will accept them before they fill out an application.
In the next part of our series on the history of the Texas Farm Workers Union, a look at the group’s 1,600-mile march to Washington, D.C.
How volunteer amateur radio operators have helped during recent hurricanes.
And: Remembering the pioneering professional women’s basketball team the Houston Angels.

KUT Morning Newscast for October 10, 2024

Central Texas top stories for October 10, 2024. Austinites will vote for a mayor this fall, here’s the latest campaign finance data for that race. Groups in Texas are urging state lawmakers to prioritize affordable childcare in the next legislative session. Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath says attendance rates for public schools dropped during the COVID-19 pandemic and still haven’t bounced back. Hays County voters will decide this fall whether to pass a major bond for road improvements. 

After attempted Trump assassination, a look at politically motivated violence in the US

We’re taking a closer look at the implications of the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, and a Texas perspective on the future of politics and democracy:
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller was in the crowd at Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday and shares a firsthand account.
The assassination attempt comes during one of the most politically volatile moments in our American history, but this is far from the first time political violence has threatened democracy. Presidential historian and professor Jeffrey Engel of Southern Methodist University on whether this may further galvanize divisions or lead to a shift in political rhetoric and rancor.
Also: State lawmakers are calling for an investigation into the slow power restoration process in the Houston region, where 264,000 remain without electricity a week after Hurricane Beryl hit.

KUT Morning Newscast for October 13, 2023

Central Texas top stories for October 13, 2023. School voucher bill passes Texas Senate. APD on alert in response to threats to Jewish community. Austin ISD Special Education meeting. Protest in San Marcos against local airline. Clear skies for Saturday’s eclipse.

Part 4: Coverage of closing arguments of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton impeachment trial

(Part 4 of 4)

The Texas Senate impeachment trial of suspended state Attorney General Ken Paxton gaveled in for closing arguments on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. This is an archive of live Texas Newsroom coverage.

Part 4 is the dismissal from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and final analysis.

This coverage features Texas Standard host David Brown, Texas Standard managing producer Laura Rice, Texas Newsroom political reporter Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, KUT Austin managing editor Ben Philpott, Texas Monthly senior editor Alexandra Samuels, Texas Standard social media editor Wells Dunbar, Texas Standard reporter Michael Marks, and UT-Arlington political science professor Mark Hand.

Part 3: Coverage of closing arguments of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton impeachment trial

(Part 3 of 4)

The Texas Senate impeachment trial of suspended state Attorney General Ken Paxton gaveled in for closing arguments on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. This is an archive of live Texas Newsroom coverage.

Part 3 begins with analysis and then turns to the closing arguments from House impeachment managers Rep. Andrew Murr (R-Kerrville) and Rep. Jeff Leach (R-Plano.)

This coverage features Texas Standard host David Brown, Texas Standard managing producer Laura Rice, Texas Newsroom political reporter Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, KUT Austin managing editor Ben Philpott, Texas Monthly senior editor Alexandra Samuels, and Texas Standard social media editor Wells Dunbar.

Part 2: Coverage of closing arguments of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton impeachment trial

(Part 2 of 4)

The Texas Senate impeachment trial of suspended state Attorney General Ken Paxton gaveled in for closing arguments on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. This is an archive of live Texas Newsroom coverage.

Part 2 is the closing arguments from Paxton’s defense lawyers Tony Buzbee and Dan Cogdell.

This coverage features Texas Standard host David Brown, Texas Standard managing producer Laura Rice, Texas Newsroom political reporter Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, KUT Austin managing editor Ben Philpott, Texas Monthly senior editor Alexandra Samuels, University of Texas School of Law lecturer Mike Golden, and Texas Standard social media editor Wells Dunbar.

Part 1: Coverage of closing arguments of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton impeachment trial

(Part 1 of 4)

The Texas Senate impeachment trial of suspended state Attorney General Ken Paxton gaveled in for closing arguments on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. This is an archive of live Texas Newsroom coverage.

Part 1 includes opening analysis, an explanation of procedure, the reading of the articles of impeachment, and the first part of closing arguments by House impeachment manager Rep. Andrew Murr (R-Kerrville).

This coverage features Texas Standard host David Brown, Texas Standard managing producer Laura Rice, Texas Newsroom political reporter Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, KUT Austin managing editor Ben Philpott, Texas Monthly senior editor Alexandra Samuels, University of Texas School of Law lecturer Mike Golden, and Texas Standard social media editor Wells Dunbar.

Part 5: Coverage of first day of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton impeachment trial

(Part 5 of 5)

Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023 marked the beginning of the Texas Senate impeachment trial of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton. Paxton was impeached by the Texas House of Representatives in May and suspended shortly after from his duties as AG.

There are, in total, 20 articles of impeachment against Paxton. They include seven counts of disregarding his official duties, three counts of making false statements in official records, two counts each of constitutional bribery and obstruction of justice. He’s also accused of misapplying and misappropriating public resources, conspiracy or attempted conspiracy, dereliction of duty, unfitness for office, and abusing the public trust.

Most of the charges center on Ken Paxton’s relationship with an Austin businessman and political donor, Nate Paul.

This podcast is an archive of live coverage of the first day of the trial featuring Texas Standard host David Brown, Texas Standard managing producer Laura Rice, Texas Newsroom political reporter Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, KUT Austin managing editor Ben Philpott and Texas Monthly senior editor Alexandra Samuels.

Part 4: Coverage of first day of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton impeachment trial

(Part 4 of 5)

Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023 marked the beginning of the Texas Senate impeachment trial of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton. Paxton was impeached by the Texas House of Representatives in May and suspended shortly after from his duties as AG.

There are, in total, 20 articles of impeachment against Paxton. They include seven counts of disregarding his official duties, three counts of making false statements in official records, two counts each of constitutional bribery and obstruction of justice. He’s also accused of misapplying and misappropriating public resources, conspiracy or attempted conspiracy, dereliction of duty, unfitness for office, and abusing the public trust.

Most of the charges center on Ken Paxton’s relationship with an Austin businessman and political donor, Nate Paul.

This podcast is an archive of live coverage of the first day of the trial featuring Texas Standard host David Brown, Texas Standard managing producer Laura Rice, Texas Newsroom political reporter Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, KUT Austin managing editor Ben Philpott and Texas Monthly senior editor Alexandra Samuels.

Part 3: Coverage of first day of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton impeachment trial

(Part 3 of 5)

Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023 marked the beginning of the Texas Senate impeachment trial of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton. Paxton was impeached by the Texas House of Representatives in May and suspended shortly after from his duties as AG.

There are, in total, 20 articles of impeachment against Paxton. They include seven counts of disregarding his official duties, three counts of making false statements in official records, two counts each of constitutional bribery and obstruction of justice. He’s also accused of misapplying and misappropriating public resources, conspiracy or attempted conspiracy, dereliction of duty, unfitness for office, and abusing the public trust.

Most of the charges center on Ken Paxton’s relationship with an Austin businessman and political donor, Nate Paul.

This podcast is an archive of live coverage of the first day of the trial featuring Texas Standard host David Brown, Texas Standard managing producer Laura Rice, Texas Newsroom political reporter Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, KUT Austin managing editor Ben Philpott and Texas Monthly senior editor Alexandra Samuels.

Part 2: Coverage of first day of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton impeachment trial

(Part 2 of 5)

Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023 marked the beginning of the Texas Senate impeachment trial of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton. Paxton was impeached by the Texas House of Representatives in May and suspended shortly after from his duties as AG.

There are, in total, 20 articles of impeachment against Paxton. They include seven counts of disregarding his official duties, three counts of making false statements in official records, two counts each of constitutional bribery and obstruction of justice. He’s also accused of misapplying and misappropriating public resources, conspiracy or attempted conspiracy, dereliction of duty, unfitness for office, and abusing the public trust.

Most of the charges center on Ken Paxton’s relationship with an Austin businessman and political donor, Nate Paul.

This podcast is an archive of live coverage of the first day of the trial featuring Texas Standard host David Brown, Texas Standard managing producer Laura Rice, Texas Newsroom political reporter Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, KUT Austin managing editor Ben Philpott and Texas Monthly senior editor Alexandra Samuels.

Part 1: Coverage of first day of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton impeachment trial

(Part 1 of 5)

Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023 marked the beginning of the Texas Senate impeachment trial of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton. Paxton was impeached by the Texas House of Representatives in May and suspended shortly after from his duties as AG.

There are, in total, 20 articles of impeachment against Paxton. They include seven counts of disregarding his official duties, three counts of making false statements in official records, two counts each of constitutional bribery and obstruction of justice. He’s also accused of misapplying and misappropriating public resources, conspiracy or attempted conspiracy,  dereliction of duty, unfitness for office, and abusing the public trust.

Most of the charges center on Ken Paxton’s relationship with an Austin businessman and political donor, Nate Paul.

This podcast is an archive of live coverage of the first day of the trial featuring Texas Standard host David Brown, Texas Standard managing producer Laura Rice, Texas Newsroom political reporter Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, KUT Austin managing editor Ben Philpott and Texas Monthly senior editor Alexandra Samuels.

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 Morning Newscast for May 23, 2023

Central Texas top stories for May 22, 2023. AISD and UT team up to train STEM teachers. Old education buildings in Austin rebuilt and reused. Housing bills in the state Senate.

How two Uvalde survivors are rebuilding their lives

Almost a year after the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, two injured fourth graders are still trying to recover. Edgar Sandoval of the New York Times talks with us about his profile of two children injured in the shooting – and the months since.

Yesterday’s half-hour grounding of Southwest Airlines departures was blamed on technical issues. Why the FAA and other investigators want a closer look.

Why some lawmakers are pushing to keep Texas crypto miners from cashing in on a tool to help the power grid survive during times of peak demand.

Expanded telehealth is coming to an end

A Texas couple chose midwife care over a hospital, and now their baby is in foster care. Why this story is sounding alarm bells for many across the state.

Changes are coming to telehealth with the end of a federal pandemic order – and some patients will have to return to in-person medical care.

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.

Texas Standard: April 1, 2022

The release of oil from the nation’s strategic reserves; an effort to lower gas prices but also turn up the heat on Texas oil and gas producers? Also, what’s believed to be a first of its kind conference for Texas’ nine historically Black colleges and universities set for Austin. And, the week in politics with the Texas Tribune. All this and more today on the Texas Standard:

The Green New Deal in Texas: Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez

Explore the future of the Green New Deal and what it means for Texas with Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez. Tzintzún is challenging John Cornyn for the 2020 US Senate seat for the State of Texas. She is the Co-founder of the Workers Defense Project and Jolt, and she talked with The Secret Ingredient team–Raj Patel, Tom Philpott, and Rebecca McInroy, about what a GND could mean for oil and agricultural workers in Texas, what running for Senate means to her as a woman of color, and much more.