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

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Church gives out free burgers weekly near UT to combat food insecurity

Three people are in custody following a weekend crime spree and manhunt in Austin that made national headlines. Police say the suspects, all juveniles, are tied to multiple shootings and stolen vehicles across the city.

As grocery costs rise, a church near the University of Texas campus gives out hundreds of free burgers weekly to combat food insecurity.

Texas Democrat James Talarico’s taco order is going viral after a stop at Taco Joint. More on the order heard around the country.

Austin FC has fired its sporting director and head coach. The co-host of the Vamos Verde podcast shares what this means for the team.

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

Texas Children’s settles gender care fight with unprecedented clinic deal

A Texas hospital agrees to what appears to be a first of its kind settlement over allegations of providing illegal gender transitioning to minors.

Houston based Texas children’s hospital agrees to form a first of its kind detransitioning clinic to settle charges of violating state law. A US China Summit, a stalemate with Iran and what it all adds up to for energy-rich Texas. A fresh look at disability inclusion in all things tech.

And what looks like currency, feels like currency, is issued by the government, but isn’t money? It’s called the Texas Redback and a lawsuit claims it may have crossed a redline.

Lou Diamond Phillips talks Texas roots, ‘La Bamba’ and legacy

Big and getting bigger — that’s been the story of Texas’ population growth, but recent census numbers suggest a new chapter being written. State Demographer Lloyd Potter helps us do the math.
Cancelled elections in some parts of Texas, though not for nefarious reasons. We’ll hear the why and how.
Full speed ahead on data centers? Not so fast. We’ll hear about a Texas county hitting the pause button on development.
Also, in the 40 years since “La Bamba” made him a household name, Lou Diamond Phillips reconnects with his Texas roots.

A look at the Texas attorney general race, with runoffs around the corner

A hearing this week that would’ve allowed for the review of evidence and testimony in lawsuits against Camp Mystic never came to be, and lawyers for the Hill Country girls camp where children and counselors died in last summer’s flooding were absent from the courtroom.

Texas will soon have a new attorney general, with a pair of Democrats and Republicans vying to represent their party in November, but the issues they’re talking up in the runoffs might not be the ones that matter most at the ballot box.

And the Black Austin Matters podcast is back with a new season. We’ll chat with the show’s hosts about what they’ve learned and how they’re continuing to amplify the voices on their show.

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

Who will replace Paxton as Texas attorney general?

It’s the final stretch before the primary runoffs in Texas, but the real test may not be the race most folks are focused on.
Next week, early voting begins in the primary runoff contest between incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and challenger Ken Paxton — but win or lose, who’ll take over Paxton’s current seat as attorney general? We’ll take a closer look.
Also, a top Texas-based expert in geopolitics weighs in on the summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping and what it might mean for the future of the U.S. conflict with Iran.
Harvest time in Texas? How warmer winters have triggered a seasonal shift for the Texas crawfish industry.

Austin birders compete in the Great Texas Birding Classic

A housing program for chronically homeless Austinites could be facing cuts because of budget deficits and clean-ups of local encampments. The potential loss of funding is raising questions about where unhoused Austinites will go if the program is gone for good. Sam Stark from the Austin Current joins us to talk more about this.

With the cost of living on the rise, adult education programs are offering another path to earning more money. We’ll make a visit out to Austin Community College’s Eastview Campus.

Birding is growing in popularity for folks looking to add some color and sound to their recreation. The Great Texas Birding Classic is a fantastic way to dive into all the fun.

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

Pulitzer-winning writer reflects on loss and survival in the Central Texas floods

Former President Barack Obama made a surprise stop in Texas. We’ll dig more into what his appearance might mean for Democrats heading into the midterms.
The number of students in Texas public schools dropped by tens of thousands at the beginning of this school year. We’ll look into why.
Plus, another Texas-based company is also now making Texas its legal home. What we can make of this growing trend.
Texas Monthly Senior Editor Aaron Parsley’s young nephew was killed in the devastating July 4th flooding. His essay about his family’s experiences just won a Pulitzer Prize. We’ll speak with him.
And getting ready for the World Cup in Houston means taking really good care of some grass.

Happy Mother’s Day!

This episode is more special than most because we get to interview our own mothers! We discuss their musical upbringing and learn more about ourselves as well. Hip-Hop Facts include facts about The Jacksons, 2pac, Pokemon and more. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion will definitely spark a conversation with music lovers.

Austin high school senior detained by ICE draws community support

An Austin ISD high school senior’s detention has shaken his classmates, church members and family awaiting his graduation. He’s being held in a South Texas immigration processing center. We’ll hear more about his story and the people awaiting his return.

You’ve probably interacted with the Austin’s Art in Public Places program without even realizing it. The city of Austin and the public arts community are clashing over millions in funding for the program. Austin Current’s Andrea Ball will tell us why.

Bobby Pudrido is a local drag performer whose musical namesake has become a candidate for Congress. We’ll talk about increased recognition in an already hyper-analyzed performance space.

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

How ‘churgers’ are providing relief to college students in Austin

A bipartisan bill aims to fix the country’s broken immigration system. Does it stand a chance in Congress?
We’ll look at how adult education can help increase income for families coping with rising costs.
Plus, free burgers for college students at UT Austin — how “churgers” are providing relief amid rising grocery prices.
And the NBA playoffs now shift to San Antonio. Spurs star Victor Wembanyama returns to the floor after his controversial Game 4 ejection.

Shorter waits for affordable childcare in Austin area

The cost of childcare across the country is on the rise, outpacing the price of in-state college tuition in many states. While many local governments are working to figure out a solution, Travis County is ahead of the game.

The pool at Barton Springs was first built around a century ago. But the springs that feed it have been around since long before humans ever arrived in Austin. More from our ATXplained series.

Many Austin Energy customers were left without power after strong winds and heavy rains dropped hail and tree limbs across Central Texas. We’ll have an update and a look ahead at the forecast.

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

South Texas LNG boom promises jobs — but at what cost?

The state’s biggest school district, already under state control, now faces a civil rights investigation by the federal government. The probe into Houston Independent School District focuses on plans to change how special education services are delivered — what some believe may amount to illegal segregation.
A massive liquefied natural gas export terminal is rising near the Laguna Madre, bringing promises of economic growth to the Rio Grande Valley — but not everyone is on board.
Democrat James Talarico is making big gains in the U.S. Senate race, railing against billionaires. But a new investigation finds some billionaires backing his campaign. We’ll have a closer look.
Also, remembering the leader of a distinctly hot dance orchestra back in the 1950’s. These days, he’s often called the father of Tejano music.

Facing deficit, Austin ISD to cut educator salaries

The Austin Independent School District is set to cut more than 200 educator salaries as they work to address a multimillion-dollar budget deficit. District officials have also identified other ways to reduce the deficit, including cuts to the central office and projected revenue from real estate sales.

The City of Austin has given the green light to almost a million dollars in taxpayer money toward a lawsuit alleging city and state police raided the wrong home in South Austin. We’ll hear more about the lawyers they’re using in this case and others.

Three young brothers in TX who play mariachi music were detained by ICE back in February as a part of President Trump’s immigration crack down. The brothers got out 2 weeks later, and country music super star Kasey Musgraves heard their story and invited the boys on the Texas leg of her new tour. We’ll hear more about their story.

Austin Psych Fest kicks off today and there are plenty of local acts to catch over the weekend. We’ve got the names you’ll want to keep your eyes and ears on.

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

Austin considers new contract with Texas Gas Service

The Austin City Council is considering a vote to renew its contract with a for-profit utility that provides natural gas to the city, despite long-standing dissatisfaction locally with gas rates.

The IHOP near downtown Austin has finally been sold at auction. The pancake purveyor has remained steady despite rampant development all around it. Why it finally happened.

We’re nearing the end of the school year, and some students in Austin ISD won’t be back on their campus next year amid school closures. We’ll hear about Bedichek Middle School’s final track and field competition.

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

Austin Police response times ticking upward, even as calls go down

Austin’s SAFE Alliance will no longer provide exams for sexual assault survivors because of a funding shortfall. Other programs could also be on the chopping block. We’ll talk about how others are planning to assist.

A swift local police response to the March shooting at Buford’s on Sixth Street was commended in the days after the tragedy. But overall, reaction times from Austin Police are trending upward — even though fewer calls are coming in.

Ruben Ramos, better known to his fans as El Gato Negro, has a new album coming out this week. The project is produced by Carrie Rodriguez and revisits music from the early years of Ramos’ career.

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

Infowars site shuts down amid tussle with The Onion

A group of civil rights organizations filed a new lawsuit this week seeking to stop parts of the law that would let state police arrest people suspected of illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. We’ll have more about the law and why it’s been paused.

Infowars, long home to Austin-based conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, shut down quietly over the weekend. It’s the latest in what’s been a years-long back-and-forth with the satirical publication The Onion over the property.

An Austin Shakespeare company is starting a new era after losing their home theatre.

Also, the sounds and impacts from Austin’s music scene go far beyond the city limits.

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

Supreme Court order keeps abortion pill access in flux

The Supreme Court intervenes in the battle over the medication mifepristone that is used for abortions mailed across the country.
An ICE agent shot and killed Ruben Ray Martinez, a U.S. citizen, on South Padre Island in 2025 — but his family in San Antonio didn’t find out how he died for nearly a year. What happened?
Plus, Houston ISD proposes major changes for special education.
Also, a look at the history of the Voting Rights Act and how it reshaped Texas.
And a large, unusual animal was spotted in south Austin. What is it and why is it roaming the area?

Texas businesses can keep selling smokable hemp for now

Texas hemp businesses can keep selling their cannabis flower and concentrate products for now, after a Travis County judge blocked key parts of the state’s new hemp regulations while a lawsuit against those rules and increased fees plays out.

There was just one bidder for the contract to take operational control of three struggling Austin ISD middle schools. The move is being made in an effort to avoid a state takeover. Acacia Coronado, Austin Current’s education reporter, joins us to talk about this.

A new memoir from Austin-based writer Jo-Anne Berelowitz, “Somewhere I Belong,” is a reflection on home, family and her Jewish faith.

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

Latin Heat w/ DJ Manny Mo

On this episode, we speak with, friend of the show, DJ Manny Mo about the rise of latin music in the last few years. We also talk about the latest fall out from Ticketmaster. Hip-hop facts include facts about Tina Turner, Janet Jackson, Jamiroquai and more. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion is about how Drake isn’t too big to fail as an artist.

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