If there’s one thing the Texans of the early republic never lacked, it was imagination – especially when it came to dodging tariffs and taxes. Texas Standard commentator W.F. Strong explains.
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Austin’s first LGBTQ+ couples to marry celebrate their 10th anniversaries
A decade after the landmark Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage, Austin lovebirds returned to the spot where they became husbands and wives. KUT’s Katy McAfee was there and talked to couples who got married ten years ago.
Wealthy families are buying homes to get in-state tuition at Texas universities
Texas lets out-of-state students buy homes to get in-state tuition. KUT’s Audrey McGlinchy says the law has fed a growing industry of families buying condos in cash, holding onto them for a couple years and then selling to the next out-of-state family.
A live broadcast from Waco
As we continue our yearlong 10th birthday celebration, today we’re broadcasting before a live studio audience at a place that’s been called the “Athens of Texas” – Waco, itself celebrating 25 years of public radio from our partners at KWBU.
We’ll be sampling some of the sights, sounds and tastes of this historic Central Texas city.
After all, when you’re the birthplace of Dr Pepper, home to a national monument marking an epic concentration of mammoths, and with a growing population and national profile, there’s a whole lotta Waco to explore.
Summer Jam 2025!
On this episode we discuss the line up for this years Summer Jam showcase happening at Stubbs BBQ. We also discuss if Houston has moved past its former DJ Screw influenced sound. Hip-hop facts includes The Fugees, Ghostface Killah and Redman. Unpopular Opinion this week is about how genres are always changing and growing.
Texans help build Giant Magellan Telescope
The U.S. Supreme Court recently upheld the Texas law that requires age verification for porn sites. We’ll take a close look at the law.
As the U.S. and China negotiate a new trade agreement, farmers cope with the uncertainty.
Plus, how some of the best and brightest in Texas collaborated to build the Giant Magellan Telescope.
Also, fresh off his listening tour of Texas, we’ll hear from one of the state’s best-known Democrats: Beto O’Rourke.
And a record number of travelers are expected to hit the road for the Fourth of July holiday. Are international events affecting prices at the pump?
Weighing how much of an inheritance to put in a home, explaining minimum distributions from IRAs, and more on Social Security disbursements
Carl helps several callers and texters, like one trying to figure out what percentage of an inheritance to invest in markets and in her Austin home, what happens when the federal government requires minimum distributions from Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), and weighing how long to wait to take Social Security benefits — and more.
KUT Morning Newscast for June 17, 2025: Austin city leaders are looking to make cuts to the city budget
Central Texas top stories for June 17, 2025. Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed three tax break bills into law yesterday. Austin, Travis County and Austin ISD are looking at ways to be more efficient with taxpayer dollars. Eanes ISD will start looking for a new superintendent.
Good Hair and Music In The ATX
On this episode we interview Geto Gala, fresh off their trip from London for SXSW London. We also interview artist Chakeeta B about her upcoming new album and her hair festival the Kinky Curly Coily Festival. Hip-hop facts include Lil Kim, K-Camp, Rapper’s Delight and more. Fresh, and Chakeeta B’s, Unpopular opinion includes Lil Wayne’s current standing in the culture of hip-hop.
Some immigrants thankful for those who protest in Austin, but worry arrests overshadow purpose
Many residents without legal status are staying away from anti-ICE protests because they don’t feel safe. KUT’s Greta Díaz González Vázquez tells us how they are feeling about other people protesting. More demonstrations are planned for the weekend.
A special Texas Standard for kids, live from Abilene
Texans under the age of 18 make up almost a quarter of the state’s population, so we’ve put together a show with them in mind. We’re joining you today from Abilene and the Children’s Art and Literacy Festival.
We begin with a conversation about politics: We’ll hear from some Texas teens who make their voices heard, even though they can’t yet vote.
Checking in with our go-to tech expert about kids and technology – some tips for engaging them while avoiding some of the pitfalls.
Other familiar voices on the show will be insect expert Wizzie Brown, who is answering kids’ questions about bugs, and commentator W.F. Strong, who shares a conversation about growing up in Texas with his 10-year-old daughter.
Talib Abdullahi
In the latest episode of Black Austin Matters, Lisa and Rich sit down with Talib Abdullahi, founder of the Black History Bike Ride. Talib shares his journey from growing up in Houston, including what it was like to have professional jazz musicians as parents, to making his way to Austin to attend the University of Texas. He talks about how his passion for history and cycling came together to spark the creation of the Black History Bike Ride.
Talib also opens up about his plans to expand the tour to new cities, his love for documentary filmmaking, and how adding an MBA to his toolkit is helping him scale his vision and deepen the impact of his work.
Asleep at the Wheel celebrates 50 years with Texas tribute
A very busy Thursday for first responders and meteorologists with flood conditions and heavy dust for many Texans – and it’s expected to get worse before it gets better. We’ll have an update.
Houston, we have a problem, and it may be related to a spat between the president and the world’s wealthiest Texan.
The Dallas Fed offers an assessment of the Texas economy and the Standard’s Sean Saldana has the details.
Also, Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel talks about a new album focused on his favorite subject: Texas.
Here’s what happened with abortion at the Texas Legislature this year
Three related bills prompted substantial discussions in the Texas House and Senate this year. Two of them passed. KUT’s Olivia Aldridge tells us about the main abortion bills that were part of the conversation at the Texas Legislature this year.
Damn Knicks
On this episode we discuss the New York Knicks losing in the Eastern Conference finals much to Fresh’s pain. We also discuss if rap beef is still relevant in these days and times. Hip-hop facts include Dr. Dre, Denzel Washington and Whitney Houston. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion this week is that the west coast is emerging as the new south.
Trade tensions with Mexico could drive up tomato prices
For the first time since Texas’ measles outbreak at the start of the year, there are no new reported cases. We’ll get an update on efforts to contain the disease.
A new report in The Guardian reveals pressure from Immigration and Customs Enforcement leadership to ramp up arrests, even of people not originally targeted.
Flag football is helping to tackle a gender gap in youth sports, getting a boost in Texas from none other than the NFL.
A simmering trade dispute could make tomatoes more expensive at the grocery store.
And: The week in politics with the Texas Tribune.
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 June 5, 2025: Texas agrees to end in-state tuition for students without legal status.
Central Texas top stories for June 5, 2025. Texas college students without legal status are no longer eligible for in-state college tuition after the DOJ sued the state of Texas. International students at UT Austin are feeling uncertain about their future. Here are the grid-related bills that passed and didn’t pass during the 2025 Texas Legislature. Texas is a step closer to winning the Women’s College World Series. FM 1826 will be closed starting tomorrow until Saturday at 5 pm.
Fear at immigration court as ICE arrests migrants there for a hearing
The race to be San Antonio’s next mayor was narrowed from a field of 27 to two. What to know before the runoff election on Saturday.
Arrests outside of immigration court have happened in El Paso, Dallas and San Antonio. Why activists say this tactic encourages migrants to break the law.
Texas is set to become the next in a handful of states to ban lab-grown meat for human consumption.
It’s Texas vs. Texas Tech in the Women’s College World Series championship, with Game 1 tonight.
And: We’ll explore Lucas Schaefer’s “The Slip,” a new novel set in late ’90s Austin and propelled by a mysterious disappearance.
Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas.
You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org
Recycling rare earth elements could power the future
Severe storms brought flash floods, hail and widespread power outages to Central Texas, killing one and hospitalizing two. More than 10,000 are still without power.
Rare earth minerals are being wasted when you toss out an old phone or TV. Research in Texas could change the disposal process.
Texas Tech just won its first-ever game in the Women’s College World Series. We’ll introduce you to star pitcher NiJaree Canady, the first softball player making $1 million a season in NIL deals.
Plus: How about a little music? We’ll start with the Huston-Tillotson Jazz Orchestra, a relatively new group with big plans. And a lot of Americans used to have a piano in their homes – how and why that’s changed.
Oil companies face new deadlines to plug orphaned wells
Elon Musk is leaving the Trump administration. Why now, and what’s next for the Texas-based billionaire.
A bill that aims to plug the state’s abandoned oil and gas wells – sometimes called “orphaned wells” – is headed to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk.
Insurers in Texas are partnering with aerial imaging and AI companies to assess homes from the sky.
The Trump administration continues to threaten mass deportations. But dairy farms don’t seem to be losing any workers.
And: “Tacos of Texas” podcast host Mando Rayo shares his taco hot takes.