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KUT and KUTX news and music podcasts for Austin, Texas and beyond

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Austin ISD planning to cut hundreds of jobs

The Austin Independent School District is planning to cut hundreds of jobs in its upcoming budget, including teachers, librarians and campus law enforcement.

CapMetro’s Bikeshare system has been shut down since a fire Memorial Day weekend, with no timeline for resuming service. A forensic investigator is examining whether lithium-ion batteries caused the blaze at a CapMetro facility.

We’re coming up on the final weekend of the Kerrville Folk Festival. Let’s take a trip out to the Texas Hill Country This year’s iteration of the folk music mecca has special meaning after last summer’s deadly flooding in the Texas Hill Country.

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

Margaret Gómez, longest-serving Travis County commissioner, retires

New research finds 10% of Texans under 6 were recently uninsured, the highest of any state in the country. We’ll have the latest data.

We continue our Series of Lasts: stories from the final days of some Austin ISD campuses. Bring your appetite and some Kleenex as we sit for one last school lunch at Ridgetop Elementary.

Margaret Gómez, the longest-serving Travis County commissioner in history, is retiring after 53 years working for the county.

And: The Austin African American Book Festival kicks off later this month, but they’ve got a special guest helping to start the festivities this weekend.

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

Rural Texas counties say data centers are arriving faster than regulations

What control do county officials have when a data center wants to move in? A look at an investigation from the Texas Tribune.
The ballots are set for the midterm election in November, but at least one big thing is changing: Texas’ top elections leader, Secretary of State Jane Nelson, is stepping down.
What do the results from the primaries and primary runoffs tell us about how Texas Republicans are aligning with President Trump?
We’ve been digging into how Texas is reshaping the way the justice system responds to mental illness. Today, we step back and ask and even broader question: How do we view mental illness?
Plus, a beloved small-town Texas bakery just off the highway is reopening.

After two months in ICE detention, father is reunited with his family

A father who was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement after a traffic stop in San Marcos has been reunited with his family. Gerardo Reyes, who spent more than two months in detention, might still face deportation.

Parents and staff from the Austin Independent School District are urging state legislators to increase funding for schools. We’ll hear from some of the folks who spoke out this week.

Lou Diamond Phillips has been acting for decades, but his breakout role as Ritchie Valens in “La Bamba” was so iconic, it’s one he’s still largely associated with. Phillips’ latest film, “Keep Quiet,” recently screened in Austin, where he was recognized with a city proclamation.

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

Austin City Council moves to regulate e-motorcycles

Have you encountered an e-moto on the streets of Austin? The high-speed electric bikes are capable of reaching motorcycle-like speeds, and the City Council is looking at stricter regulations. Austin Current’s Sam Stark tells us more.

The school year is over, but there’s no break for the many things the Austin Independent School District has to consider — including a budget deficit. How the money problems got so bad, and how they’re hoping to address it.

The dog days of summer are creeping up on us, but Austin dogs have one less place to beat the heat after Yard Bar closed down over the weekend.

This is My Thing Podcast host Mike Lee talking with Yael Ouzillou on Doodling.

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

Our Minds Were Always Free w/ Lisa Davis

On this episode we interview entertainment lawyer, author, Lisa Davis about her book Our Minds Were Always Free. We also discuss Complex’s list of the top 50 New York rappers of all time. Hip-Hop Facts this week include facts about Rebbie Jackson, Andre 3000, Big L and more. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion touches on how the best verse on a song isn’t the most lyrical sometimes.

State officials reject Austin ISD plan for failing middle schools

The Texas Education Agency has rejected Austin ISD’s proposal for three middle schools that have received consecutive failing grades — putting the entire district at further risk of a state takeover.

The Austin City Council has approved guidelines for the construction and operation of a new natural gas plant after the project was OK’d in a secret vote.

Thousands of Austinites received a call or text this month urging them to seek shelter or evacuate immediately, but many weren’t even sure the message was legit. Now police say they will improve the alerts.

Plus: Exploded Drawing kicks off their 16th year of electronic music showcases.

Texas Standard

Adrianne Palicki reflects on ‘Friday Night Lights’ at 20 ahead of ATX TV Festival reunion.

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

Probe says officers are tackling, pepper-spraying and tasering students in Texas schools

After Uvalde, Texas bet big on safety with police in every school, but a new report suggests an unintended and very troubling side effect.

The New York Times and the San Antonio Express-News reports thousands of incidents of officers tackling, pepper-spraying even tasering students for offenses that once would have meant a trip to the principal’s office, and no clear standards to protect against over-policing at school. We’ll talk to two of the authors of this report.

Also, Angela Kocherga with how the latest on the border wall may lead to an unusual conflict between church and state.

Plus a “Friday Night Lights” reunion conversation with actress Adrianne Palicki, the week in politics and more.

Court protection for Delta-8 sales is set to expire

Delta-8, a hemp product you might’ve seen for sale in gas stations and strip malls across Texas, could soon be treated as an illegal drug, putting it in the same category as heroin and LSD. What this would mean for the businesses that sell them and the people who use them.

It’s the last day of school for students in Austin ISD, meaning it’s the last day many seniors will ever set foot on campus. Before that, a group of them went back to trace their steps at Dawson Elementary before the school closes.

EddieAngel, the KUTX Artist of the Month for May, has the vocal chops to match the spirit of his on-stage persona.

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

Runoff election results show big changes for the Austin area

Primary runoff election night ended with some big changes for the Austin area and across the state. We’ll bring you the latest on last night’s results and the races we’ll be watching this November.

After a shooting spree this month by three teenagers ended in Manor, Austin Police say they could have caught the suspects sooner if they had license plate readers. Now, Mayor Kirk Watson is considering proposals to bring this kind of technology back to the city.

This week in Texas music history: an experimental composer and pioneer of the practice of “Deep listening” was born.

The Kathy Dunn Hamrick Dance Company is moving forward after the loss of its namesake leader. Their new performance this weekend is an embodiment of that spirit.

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

Ken Paxton’s Senate runoff win reshapes Texas GOP landscape

Ken Paxton handily beat longtime incumbent John Cornyn in the Republican runoff for Senate. So, what’s that mean come November?


We’re also unpacking big primary runoff races from across the state on both sides of the aisle. What do the results tell us about what Texas voters are prioritizing?


And did you vote in the primary runoffs? Congratulations, you may have added time to your life. The link between voting and living longer.


The Trump administration just changed the way people should apply for green cards. They’re now supposed to leave the U.S. to do so. We’ll unpack the impacts.


Plus, Mark Duplass and his wife Katie Aselton made a new movie about a married couple. We get a little personal in our conversation about “Magic Hour.”

Texas Extra: When the World Comes to Texas Episode 2

When the World Comes Comes to Texas is a podcast from our partners at KERA in North Texas exploring what it means to bring the World cup to the Lone Star State. We’re sharing these episodes with very Tuesday night through June 16th.

Episode 2: Raising Pro Players

Did you know that one of the world’s most premier soccer clubs happens to be in North Texas? The FC Dallas Youth Academy was founded in 2005 by the Hunt Family, and it has gone on to produce some of the world’s most elite soccer players. Chris Hayden is the vice president and director for the FC Dallas Youth Academy, and he sat down with Ron and Miranda to talk about the history of the academy and how North Texas’s unique sports culture makes it the perfect environment for training elite athletes.

Once-supporters now suing to stop Project Connect

It’s been nearly six years since a majority of Austinites voted in favor of creating 20 miles of state-of-the-art light rail transit across the city. But since that vote, the total length of the future rail system has been chopped in half. Despite that, the price tag for the project has continued climbing. Some folks who voted in favor are now suing to stop it from happening. An update on Project Connect.

Data from a Travis County mental health diversion pilot is showing some promising early results. The program offers people accused of low-level offenses an alternative. We’ll tell you more.

Which friendship in Austin has lasted the longest? A listener wanted to know. Our ATXplained project found the answer.

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

Researchers find cities can change the way storms behave

When spring storms move through cities, they can intensify — creating dangerous flooding. New findings from Texas researchers may explain why.

It’s runoff Election Day in Texas. While all eyes are on the Republican Senate contest between John Cornyn and Ken Paxton, we’ll also spotlight some other key races to watch as ballots are counted.

Also, Memorial Day ushered in the summer travel season — and plenty of Texans are planning vacations and looking for trips to fit their budgets.

Plus, we’re heading into Game 5 of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs. Can the Spurs repeat their strong performance and pull off another win?

Is The Iceman (Drake) Melting?

On this episode we discuss our thoughts on Drake’s newest album(s) and whether or not he is still the king of hip-hop. We also discuss the history of black exploitation in music and it’s impact into today. Hip-Hop Facts include facts about Rihanna, Busta Rhymes, The Dream and more. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion actually has some push back from Confucius this week.

Introducing: After the Flood

In the early morning hours of July 4th, 2025, floodwaters tore through the Texas Hill Country, catching most people by surprise. More than 130 people died, many of them children. For people who lived through the disaster — and those who lost friends and family — the devastation was unimaginable. And that was just the beginning. 

Reporters from The Texas Newsroom have been talking to survivors of the flood about what happened that night and what it’s been like in the aftermath. This podcast is about their stories and the questions they have. Why did this happen? How could this happen with almost no warning? And could it happen again?

After the Flood is a production of The Texas Newsroom and PBS’ FRONTLINE. Find it wherever you get your podcasts on June 24.

Program at state prison in Austin helps shelter dogs get adopted

The Austin Independent School District expects a $181 million deficit in next school year’s budget — but it still hasn’t released a proposal for what cuts will be made.

Austin revised its rules on how city police can interact with federal immigration agents — and city leaders are divided on what the change actually means.

The Austin Animal Center is often overcrowded. But a new program at the Travis Unit state prison is getting dogs there training and socialization to help them get adopted.

And a look back at an iconic performance 41years ago at the Armadillo World Headquarters.

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

Dallas hip-hop group Cure for Paranoia talks breakout Tiny Desk win

Texas-based oil-drillers are looking for a competitive advantage — and they’re turning to AI. What are the implications? Turns out regulators don’t really know. We’ll hear more.
As the nation turns to honor members of the military who gave their all while serving, what of those service members who died years later after exposure to chemicals while in uniform?
Plus, the week in politics and a rising star in Dallas — our conversation with the frontman of Cure for Paranoia.

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