As we embark on the new year, many are expecting higher costs for the health care they need to live their best lives. That’s after Congress failed to extend subsidies to the Affordable Care Act during last year’s government shutdown and ahead of the new year deadline. We’ll talk about how Austinites and Texans will be affected in 2026.
The City of Austin and a former APD officer are being sued for excessive force. Austin has struggled for years to change the culture at APD’s training academy. We’ll have more about both those stories on today’s show.
Plus, we’ve got some advice on how to best achieve those financials goals you set for 2026.
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What entered the public domain in 2026?
The latest from inside Venezuela as the Trump administration takes over and an interim president is sworn in.
A look at the on again, off again immigration status of Venezuelans seeking asylum in this country – and Texas, in particular.
Dallas County prosecuted its first fentanyl dealer, so how did the case fall apart?
Birders have been busy with the annual Christmas Bird Count. A look at what they saw along the coast of Galveston Island.
And with a new year comes a new Public Domain Day. From Betty Boop to “The Maltese Falcoln,” the Standard’s Shelly Brisbin breaks down the latest entries.
Crime statistics for Austin trended downward in 2025
Crime statistics for Austin trended downward in 2025, with the city experiencing the lowest number of murders this decade. We’ll talk about the trends, both locally and nationally, and discuss why the sentiment that crime is rising still persists.
Also, the city has released an updated design plan for a revamped Sixth Street. What will it look like and when will that work begin?
Plus, the first full week of January means it’s Free Week in Austin. Some of the city’s finest musicians will be putting on shows in venues across the city. We’ll have a lay of the land and let you know what our sister station KUTX is cooking up.
New year, new Texas laws on the books
The start of 2026 brings a bevy of new laws across the state, with a focus on taxes. Other new legislation focuses on artificial intelligence and how sheriff’s offices will work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
New toll lanes have opened on 183 North, and the additional access could mean increased traffic on your drive home.
Looking to cut back on distractions in the new year? We’ve got some techniques that you can use to keep your focus strong in 2026.
Reflecting on the year in Austin as 2025 winds down
It’s the final day of 2025, and we’ve been taking some time to listen back and reflect on the year that was here in Austin.
Austinites love supporting local shops and restaurants, but the hard truth is that running any kind of business is the city is a difficult and expensive pursuit. A look back at some local businesses that shuttered their doors for good this year.
Plus: New Year’s festivities bring on annual traditions — have you got yours ready? Come and share some good home cookin’ with us.
What Austin called 311 about in 2025
This year, Austinites reached out to 311 with 285,000 requests, covering everything from garbage and loud music to animal bites and scooters. We’ve got more about those requests — and some coyotes.
KUT News launched a new desk in 2025: the Art Beat. We’re talking about the year in arts in Austin, including the return of a beloved outdoor gallery and the venues that are planning for the future.
The Texas Longhorns wrap up their football season tomorrow against Michigan. It’s not the ending fans and pundits predicted at the start of the year, but perhaps things aren’t as dark as they seem.
Reflecting on the year of news in Austin
It’s the last week of 2025, and we’re reflecting on the year of news here in Austin, including:
Resolution in a decades-long cold case known as the Yogurt Shop Murders.
The summer’s deadly flooding in Austin and Central Texas.
School campuses set to shutter across the city.
We’re also taking a look at the status of Austin’s housing market heading into the new year.
Plus: Another favorite track from 2025, and a look at some of the artists we lost this year.
What it’s like to work as a Paramount usher
It’s been a busy year, and KUT’s multimedia team has been capturing the moments that defined Austin in 2025. So which ones stood out most? Visuals Editor Deborah Cannon takes us through the year in photos.
The Paramount Theatre is known for hosting unforgettable events — but have you ever wondered how audiences find their seats in the rush before showtime? What it’s like to work as an usher.
The year is winding down, but we still have songs for ya! Technical director Rayna Sevilla shares her top song of the year.
Plus: More local news coverage is headed to Austin with the launch of the Austin Current.
Caldwell library expands adult education classes
A library in Caldwell has become a beacon of hope for adults looking to get their GED or further their education — and volunteers are helping make that possible. The Texas Standard’s Sarah Asch has the story.
A look back at major developments in the business world this year and how they’re shaping the Austin area.
A Minnesota-based program that creates music inspired by stories of children in need worked with a 9-year-old Austin boy with a fatal genetic disorder on a piece that was performed by the Austin Children’s Choir.
Records in Ken Paxton divorce case are unsealed
Records in the divorce case for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton have been unsealed after a judge’s order. We’re talking with the Texas Newsroom’s Lauren McGaughy to find out what that means for the case.
Travelers at the Austin airport will soon have more options. KUT transportation reporter Nathan Bernier has the details on the newest flights coming to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
Plus: a look inside the Press Room in Hyde Park, which is home to a vintage letterpress and a vast collection of original cinema advertising prints.
A Year In Review 2025
On this episode we review our favorite moments from the show as well as our favorite moments from the culture at large. Hip-hop facts include facts about Jim Carrey, Denzel Washington, Will Smith and more. Fresh’s last Unpopular Opinion of the year is that dancing is more apart of hip-hop than people want to admit.
Austin reaches labor contract deal with city’s firefighters
Austin has reached a four-year, $63 million contract deal with the city’s firefighters, ending months of negotiations with the Austin Firefighters Association.
Calling all bird enthusiasts: Texas Standard’s Raul Alonzo explains what a bird count is, why it matters, and how you can take part.
KUTX’s Confucius Jones, one half of hip-hop podcast The Breaks, shares his favorite song of the year.
Plus: If you’re looking for TV shows to watch over the holidays, Jennifer Morgan, the ATX TV Festival’s head of programming, joins us with some picks.
Austin faces a high-stakes choice on funding parks over I-35
Austin faces a high-stakes choice on funding parks over I-35, with city leaders split over how to move forward. It all centers on the question of which highway decks the should city commit to paying for.
Catching up with longtime musician Robert Earl Keen, who’s gearing up for his Christmas shows here in Austin.
Plus, from KUTX: Maile Carballo checks in with the latest music news, and Ryan Wen rounds up his favorite songs of 2025.
How Three Gifts To UT Gave All Texans A Fourth: The Gift Of The Stars (re-run)
In December, members of the Texas Standard team had the joy of trekking out to far West Texas for a special live broadcast from the McDonald Observatory.
As we drove up into the mountains beyond Fort Davis, we recalled this story commentator WF Strong told us years ago about how the McDonald Observatory came to be.
Stories From Texas is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas.
You can support our work by donating at supportthispodcast.org.
State making list of trans Texans using driver’s license data
The state of Texas is collecting information on transgender Texans using data from driver’s licenses — and it’s not clear what exactly that information is being used for. The Texas Newsroom’s investigative reporter and editor, Lauren McGaughy, has the story.
The Trump administration is looking to make changes to federal policy that could affect how homeless service providers do their work here in the Austin area. We sit down with Kate Moore from the Ending Community Homelessness Coalition to learn more.
Under the twinkling lights of the 37th Street Lights is a surprising group of fluffy friends ready to be adopted. The price for a stuffed animal? One simple task.
Protecting monarch butterflies on Texas highways
He’s been an elected Democrat for over 50 years, but now local party officials in Houston are refusing to endorse Mayor John Whitmire. Unwinding the political drama, today on the Texas Standard.
Texas’ new bathroom law effects schools and government-owned buildings, but one reporter found enforcement depends on exactly where you go.
Texans Michael and Susan Dell are giving away billions to American kids. Who’s eligible and how the donation will work alongside so-called Trump Accounts.
Texas drivers know monarch butterflies all too often end up on our windshields or car grills. Efforts are underway to protect their road crossings.
Plus, some environmental concerns for the popular Dinosaur Valley State Park.
How Austin is preparing to keep outages minimal this winter
The National Weather Service is forecasting warmer and drier-than-normal conditions for the Austin area this winter — but high-impact storms are still possible. What city officials and Austin Energy are doing to keep potential winter storm outages to minimum.
Austin music legend Joe Ely has died at 78. Jeff McCord, KUT and KUTX’s former music director, reflects on the life of Texas-born singer-songwriter.
We’ll also hear from another KUTX-er Marnie Castor gives us her favortie song coming out of Austin for 2025.
If you’ve lived in Austin long enough, you’ve seen the words “violet crown” around town — but what does it mean, and why are there so many? ATXplained digs in.
Texas collects data on trans residents through state IDs
Texas does not allow people change their gender on driver’s licenses. Those who still try are now being tracked.
How the Trump administration is reorganizing the Army to reflect a new focus on Latin America.
Professors caution students about relying on AI, but some universities are doing just that to review course content.
And a new memoir by the man who helped invent the carefree Cosmic Cowboy movement. Our talk with musician Bob Livingston, plus a reflection on the legacy of Joe Ely, who died Monday.
A look at the public health landscape in Austin
Austin Public Health has experienced some federal and city budget cuts this year, and the failure of Proposition Q means some of those holes won’t be filled. We look at the public health landscape in Austin.
The old Faulk Central Library in downtown Austin became the Austin History Center, and has been redone after a renovation that was eight years in the making. What’s new in a place that showcases what’s old.
Plus: We hear from the Black Austin Matters podcast and their guest, Pastor Gaylon Clark of Greater Mt. Zion Baptist Church.
Hip-Hop America: The Mixtape Exhibit Interview
On this episode we interview Kevin Solka (Marketing & Digital Strategy Manager for the LBJ Library) about the Hip-Hop America: The Mixtape Exhibit. We also discuss hip-hop needing to go back underground to reclaim its roots. Hip-hop facts this week include facts about Mike Jones, Wu-Tang, Drake and more. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion is that blog era rappers should’ve worked together more before they became super successful.