texas

Texas appeals as its redistricting map is temporarily blocked – KUT NEWS NOW

A federal court has ruled that the redistricting passed by Texas Republicans – a map that was set to eliminate one of Travis County’s two Democratic-held seats – cannot be used in next year’s midterm elections. The ruling was quickly appealed by Gov. Greg Abbott. We’ll get the latest from The Texas Newsroom.

We’ll also hear from Congressman Lloyd Doggett, who plans to run for reelection following the ruling from the federal court.

And: Travis County commissioners are facing a lawsuit over a 9.12% property tax increase they approved in September amid a disaster declaration.

Texas appeals as its redistricting map is temporarily blocked

A federal court has ruled that the redistricting passed by Texas Republicans – a map that was set to eliminate one of Travis County’s two Democratic-held seats – cannot be used in next year’s midterm elections. The ruling was quickly appealed by Gov. Greg Abbott. We’ll get the latest from The Texas Newsroom.

We’ll also hear from Congressman Lloyd Doggett, who plans to run for reelection following the ruling from the federal court.

And: Travis County commissioners are facing a lawsuit over a 9.12% property tax increase they approved in September amid a disaster declaration.

Federal court blocks redrawn Texas congressional map

A ruling out of West Texas has upended Republican redistricting efforts to get more seats in Congress. Where things stand now that a federal judge in El Paso has struck down Texas’ new congressional map.
We’ve reported before on how Texas school district leadership seems to have become increasingly partisan. We’ll take a closer look at the fallout in one part of the state.
El Paso’s highway system has a history and impact everyday commuters might not know. Miguel Juarez, author of “Frontera Freeways: Highway Building and Displacement in El Paso, Texas,” hopes we all can learn.
W.F. Strong shares a look back on the life of the late George Foreman and how he fought his way to the top.
And a new documentary from producer Jordan Peele hopes to bring more attention to the Black cowboy. “High Horse” director Jason Perez joins us ahead of the three-part series’ debut on Peacock.

Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas.

You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org

Austin City Council works to finalize budget after Prop Q failure, KUT NEWS NOW

Austin City Council members are working to finalize a city budget – and they’ll have to find ways to trim after voters resoundingly rejected a proposed tax rate increase that would’ve generated more than $100 million.

The Austin Independent School District will vote this week on shuttering campuses and reassigning some students to different schools after releasing its final version of the plan last week. We have more about what’s changed and what’s the same.

Plus: Bats eat tons and tons of pests each night, and farmers are hoping they can play a bigger role on their properties.

Austin City Council works to finalize budget after Prop Q failure

Austin City Council members are working to finalize a city budget – and they’ll have to find ways to trim after voters resoundingly rejected a proposed tax rate increase that would’ve generated more than $100 million.

The Austin Independent School District will vote this week on shuttering campuses and reassigning some students to different schools after releasing its final version of the plan last week. We have more about what’s changed and what’s the same.

Plus: Bats eat tons and tons of pests each night, and farmers are hoping they can play a bigger role on their properties.

Whooping cough cases rise in Austin

Whooping cough – particularly dangerous to infants and young children – is a growing concern, with Austin continuing to confirm cases amid a statewide surge.

Texas teens faced more barriers to getting an abortion than other age groups after the state’s six-week abortion ban went into effect in 2021. A new study looks at the impact on Texas and surrounding states.

Plus: We chat with a couple of the folks behind the new book “Austin’s Music Scene.”

Whooping cough cases rise in Austin

Whooping cough – particularly dangerous to infants and young children – is a growing concern, with Austin continuing to confirm cases amid a statewide surge.

Texas teens faced more barriers to getting an abortion than other age groups after the state’s six-week abortion ban went into effect in 2021. A new study looks at the impact on Texas and surrounding states.

Plus: We chat with a couple of the folks behind the new book “Austin’s Music Scene.”

How a ‘nurdle’ nightmare is costing Texas

For the first time in more than a decade, there is no incumbent in the race for one of the most powerful – and often contentious – posts in Texas. Incumbent Attorney General Ken Paxton is not running for reelection, and now seven people are vying for his office. Eleanor Klibanoff of the Texas Tribune joins us with a preview of the upcoming battle.
Also, a new study says more than half of Texas parents haven’t heard of education savings accounts, sometimes called school vouchers. We’ll see what that adds up to.
Plus, along the Texas Gulf Coast, the latest in a long-running battle against plastic pellets known nurdles.

Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas.

You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org

Will The Grammy’s Get It Right Next Year?

On this episode we talk about our thoughts on Outkast and Salt N Pepa entering the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. We also discuss the 2026 Grammy nominations and predict who might take some awards. Hip-Hop facts include facts about Mary J. Blige, Mark Wahlberg, and many more. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion is that Austin doesn’t have a huge amount of culture.

Shutdown is over, but airport delays are still expected

The government shutdown may be over, but its impacts are still being felt across the country – including at Austin’s airport, which was already dealing with an air traffic controller shortage prior to the 43-day shutdown.

Foreign exchange students in Texas schools could be prohibited from participating in varsity athletics in the near future after a UIL rule change that still requires approval from the state’s education commissioner. Why, and what it would mean for students.

Plus: A popular Asian market in North Austin is shutting its doors at the end of the year. We chat with the owner of Hana World Market.

Shutdown is over, but airport delays are still expected

The government shutdown may be over, but its impacts are still being felt across the country – including at Austin’s airport, which was already dealing with an air traffic controller shortage prior to the 43-day shutdown.

Foreign exchange students in Texas schools could be prohibited from participating in varsity athletics in the near future after a UIL rule change that still requires approval from the state’s education commissioner. Why, and what it would mean for students.

Plus: A popular Asian market in North Austin is shutting its doors at the end of the year. We chat with the owner of Hana World Market.

Want to avoid traffic in Austin? Try commuting on Mondays

Looking for a smooth commute? KUT transportation reporter Nathan Bernier shares the best days to get on the road in Austin.

The Austin Studio Tour continues this weekend at galleries, studios and homes around the city. With so much to look at, wouldn’t it be helpful to be chauffeured around to take in some of Austin’s best art? We hopped on a bus with 40 of our new best friends.

Comedian John Mulaney is in Austin for a run of four shows starting tonight. We’ll hear some of his conversation with Texas Standard.

Want to avoid traffic in Austin? Try commuting on Mondays

Looking for a smooth commute? KUT transportation reporter Nathan Bernier shares the best days to get on the road in Austin.

The Austin Studio Tour continues this weekend at galleries, studios and homes around the city. With so much to look at, wouldn’t it be helpful to be chauffeured around to take in some of Austin’s best art? We hopped on a bus with 40 of our new best friends.

Comedian John Mulaney is in Austin for a run of four shows starting tonight. We’ll hear some of his conversation with Texas Standard.

Deal to end shutdown could impose THC ban

The deal to reopen the federal government included a ban on intoxicating hemp – potentially undoing measures taken by the Texas Legislature last session.
Houston’s 9th congressional district is among those most affected by redrawn political maps. We’ll take a trip there to explore the impact.
Corpus Christi is trying to shore up water supplies. What city leaders are considering.
Apple wants to keep you connected, even on a hike in a remote place. How they might accomplish that.
Plus, both Ken Paxton and Gov. Greg Abbott made their campaign bids official this week.

After Prop Q fails, city leaders propose budget cuts

The Austin City Council will meet to start the process of making cuts to the city budget after voters struck down Proposition Q, a controversial property tax increase. These cuts could affect parks, public health programs, emergency medical services and more. KUT City Hall reporter Luz Moreno-Lozano shares more.

KUTX’s Maile Carballo has the details on the lease extension of iconic blues venue Antone’s.

Plus: We hear from singer-songwriter Judy Blank, KUTX’s artist of the month. Watch her KUTX performances here.

After Prop Q fails, city leaders propose budget cuts

The Austin City Council will meet to start the process of making cuts to the city budget after voters struck down Proposition Q, a controversial property tax increase. These cuts could affect parks, public health programs, emergency medical services and more. KUT City Hall reporter Luz Moreno-Lozano shares more.

KUTX’s Maile Carballo has the details on the lease extension of iconic blues venue Antone’s.

Plus: We hear from singer-songwriter Judy Blank, KUTX’s artist of the month. Watch her KUTX performances here.

Camp Mystic faces lawsuit from parents of flood victims

Four months after the deadly flooding that ran through Central Texas, lawsuits are being levied against the groups in charge of Camp Mystic in the Hill Country. Families of those killed in the flooding say the people responsible ignored warnings and years of past floods. We have the latest about the lawsuits.

Plus, we hear some music from students at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired here in Austin.

The podcast This Is My Thing has highlighted a range of Austinite’s interests. Today we talk with podcast host Mike Lee on Fountain Pens!

Camp Mystic faces lawsuit from parents of flood victims

Four months after the deadly flooding that ran through Central Texas, lawsuits are being levied against the groups in charge of Camp Mystic in the Hill Country. Families of those killed in the flooding say the people responsible ignored warnings and years of past floods. We have the latest about the lawsuits.

Plus, we hear some music from students at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired here in Austin.

The podcast This Is My Thing has highlighted a range of Austinite’s interests. Today we talk with podcast host Mike Lee on Fountain Pens!

How the Digital Equity Act helped before funding was cut

Organizations are working to bridge the digital divide in Texas and across the country, but that work has been made more difficult since the Trump administration withheld funds to assist programs aimed at getting underserved people online. Texas Standard’s Shelly Brisbin has more on how these groups and local governments are planning for a future without the financial aid.

Austin FC is partnering with We Are Blood for a community blood drive this week. Learn how you can participate.

And: Antone’s lands a deal to stay in their current digs for the next five decades.