Carl Stuart takes caller and text questions on how to be financially literate, and the independence of confidence in your personal finances, retirement savings, and future planning.
texas
Texas Extra: Filmmaker David Lowery on Dallas, Anne Hathaway and the best Texas film
Writer/director/editor/producer David Lowery talks more about the creative relationship that inspired “Mother Mary” and his need to be so hands on with his work in this extended interview. He also opened up more about making movies in Dallas again and on what he thinks is the best Texas film.
Kyle water bills skyrocket after rate hikes
Accessing reliable sources of water is becoming more difficult for some Central Texans — and more expensive. In Kyle, residents facing high water bills are carefully considering any way that they can limit their costs.
Plus: We’ll chat about the work being done to bring together Central Texans of all religious backgrounds.
Highland Park archery club aiming for another national championship
Texas can force schools to post the Ten Commandments in classrooms following a ruling this week from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals — but for now, the Austin school district does not have to comply because of ongoing litigation.
Highland Park Elementary School has become a powerhouse in the sport of archery, and they’re going after another national title.
Plus: Are there wild elk lurking in South Austin? ATXplained investigates.
Flooding leads to evacuations in Williamson County
Steady rain in the region over the last few days led to flooding in Williamson County, with some evacuations occurring. We’ll hear from residents impacted by the floods and how it differed from last summer’s flooding.
A Central Austin building that was home to a Sears store for decades has new life as a one-stop shop — but instead of lawnmowers and washing machines, folks can now have many of their health needs met. We’ll have more about the transformation.
Plus, Austin author Rebecca Bendheim’s new book “When You’re Brave Enough” is all about a mid-life reinvention… Or perhaps more of a middle-school reinvention.
ERCOT forecast raises new questions about Texas power demand
A judge has ordered the release of a family held in a South Texas detention center for 10 months. We’ll have a look at the case and what’s next.
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is leading a Religious Liberty Commission for President Trump. Patrick’s recent comments denying a separation between church and state could tell us more about the group’s forthcoming policy recommendations.
With gas prices still high, there are calls on both sides of the aisle to suspend the gas tax. What would that save you, and what would we lose?
Plus, it’s Earth Day. We’ll explore some of the challenges of extreme weather and the ways people across Texas are trying to make an impact.
Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas.
You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org
Texas to launch its own clinical trials of psychedelic drug
The state of Texas is poised to spend millions on psychedelic drug research. We’ll have the details about the clinical trials set for ibogaine.
Profits for Texas restaurants are plummeting as ICE conducts more immigration raids. We’ll hear what restaurant owners want the Trump administration to do.
A deadline to ensure digital materials are accessible for people with disabilities has been extended. We’ll have a look at why and what the delay means.
A new cancer center for patients who need care opens in rural Texas.
And Austin’s ‘Into Light’ portrait exhibit puts a face on the opioid crisis.
Belongings lost in homeless camp sweeps, despite city resolution
Austin’s unhoused folks say they lose everything when the city sweeps though their camps, despite a City Council resolution aiming to improve the sweeps and provide more notice ahead of time.
The City of Austin overpaid hundreds of employees to the tune of more than $1 million. Most employees expected having to pay the money back —but didn’t expect to face potential legal action for the city’s error. Andrea Ball of Austin Current joins us now to talk about this.
Gran Moreno, the KUTX Artist of the Month, has only one rule: There are no rules.
Plus: The latest on Athena, the resident owl at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, and her 2026 owlets.
War with Iran hits Texas energy from two directions
The war in Iran and the big energy bottleneck presents implications for the Lone Star State. As we parse out the latest, we’ll have a closer look at the impact on oil and why one top analyst says despite record oil exports from Texas, we’re still not out of the woods.
There has been a lot of talk about cheap drones that are giving an edge to adversaries on the battlefield. Why is the U.S. lagging on using them?
A new study examines an educational experiment in Dallas, rewarding teachers for student performance. How effective is that approach, and should it be replicated statewide?
We’ll hear the results and the takeaway, plus the week in Texas music and much more.
Play The Record w/ Bak
On this episode we sit down with Record Play organizer and stand up comedian, Bak, as he talks about what’s next for him. We also discuss hip-hop’s relationship to the fun leaf over the decades in celebration of 4/20. Hip-Hop facts are mostly 4/20 related and there are a few surprises as well. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion this week causes a great back and forth with Confucius.
Navigating Retirement Planning, Tax Strategies, and Generational Wealth Transfer
Carl Stuart takes text questions on whether to pay off a mortgage early or invest the money, discussing the pros and cons of using life insurance as an investment vehicle, and clarifying that life insurance is primarily for estate planning, business continuation, and income protection, not wealth building.
Texas Extra: Writer David Streitfeld on ‘Lonesome Dove’ and why Larry McMurtry loved and hated Texas
David Streitfeld wrote the new biography “Western Star” about his friend Larry McMurty. In this extended interview, you’ll hear more about “Lonesome Dove,” McMurtry’s reaction to the television miniseries and whether McMurtry himself was more of an Augustus McCrae or a Woodrow Call. Streitfeld also talked about what he hopes readers will get out of his new book.
Gov. Abbott threatens Austin funding over ICE policy
Gov. Greg Abbott is threatening to cut off more than $2 million in state grants for the City of Austin because of police policies on cooperating with federal immigration authorities. This follows Attorney General Ken Paxton launching an investigation into the same policies.
City of Austin leaders got their first peek at the budget forecast for the next fiscal year. Now, city leaders must decide which programs could lose their funding as the city attempts to make up a deficit of millions.
Austinites have plenty of entertainment to choose from this weekend with the Fusebox Festival and Austin Reggae Fest. We’ll tell you about the performances you don’t want to miss.
Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org
Why the Spurs owe San Antonio millions after failed MLS bid
Texas Republican Tony Gonzales has begun the process of resigning amid accusations tied to sexual misconduct. What’s next for Texas’ 23rd congressional district?
There’s an annual ritual going on right now on parts of the Texas Gulf Coast. Why conservationists are celebrating the unusual display of the Attwater’s prairie-chicken.
The San Antonio Spurs are headed into the NBA playoffs, but its parent company is facing a challenge. Why Bexar County says it’s owed millions.
The Trump administration had a plan to help farmers hire foreign workers, but many say the idea to lower wages under the visa program is not the way.
Plus, we’ll introduce you to new novelist Rebecca Bendheim, and we’ll explore a bit of lesser-known Texas history.
How is Texas preparing for more data centers?
Though construction of data centers in Texas has garnered plenty of opposition from residents, plans are still moving forward to bring more of these facilities to Central Texas. But just how many? And how soon? Those questions and more were part of a recent hearing held by state leaders.
Austin’s parks are a favorite amenity of many an Austinite — and the city has hundreds more acres of parkland currently unused. The costs of developing a neighborhood park. Andrea Ball, growth and development reporter for Austin Current joins us to talk about this.
Plus: Fusebox Festival returns to Austin this week in many spaces around town that aren’t normally venues for arts performances. What to keep your eyes and ears open for this week.
Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org
Tracking state takeovers of Texas schools
The state is taking control of more struggling school districts, but how effective are the takeovers? We’ll discuss with two Houston Chronicle reporters tracking takeovers in Texas.
Should the state attorney general make national politics one of his primary duties as outgoing AG Ken Paxton has done? It’s become an issue as voters elect the state’s new top legal representative.
Texans can no longer use SNAP benefits to buy candy or sugary drinks, but what qualifies at the checkout counter?
We’ll delve more into the fallout over President Trump’s war of words with Pope Leo.
And a new gym in Waco is redefining what fitness can look like for people with disabilities.
Discovery in Central Texas cave reshapes understanding of Ice Age wildlife
After talks with Iran fall apart, energy prices are back on the rise — as are military tensions. UT global affairs expert Jeremi Suri on what happened in talks and what it means for the foreseeable future.
The end of the Artemis II mission, the start of a new chapter in space exploration. We’ll have more on that front, as well as the discovery of the remains of what looks like an armadillo the size of a lion. What a Central Texas cave is telling us about what Texas really looked like in the Ice Age — upending some long-held assumptions.
November Scorpio w/ Tiana Major9
On this episode we interview R&B artist (from the UK) Tiana Major9 about her newest album “November Scorpio” and working with Babyface. We also discuss the news about rappers Gucci Mane and Pooh Shiesty in regards to them having a showdown in the recording studio. Hip-Hop Facts this week include facts about Michael B. Jordan, LL Cool J, Babyface and more. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion this week causes a slight disagreement with Confucius so tune in to check it out!
Realistic Retirement Planning: Navigating the Challenges and Opportunities
Carl Stuart discusses the importance of realistic expectations, proper asset allocation, and managing debt when it comes to retirement planning. He also covers government retirement programs like Social Security and defined benefit plans, and strategies for supplementing those with personal savings and investments.
Texas Extra: Bob Odenkirk on ‘Normal,’ what he brings to action films and paying taxes
Texas Standard talked with Bob Odenkirk during SXSW about his new film “Normal.” Now, it’s hitting theatres. This extended conversation goes beyond why he loves the new film to include how he feels he adds to the action genre and why he votes “Rushmore” for the best Texas film. He also gets real about how he feels about Texas barbecue and film incentives from state to state.