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.
texas
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.
Federal court weighs decision over air conditioning in Texas prisons
Ahead of the coming summer heat, a federal court is considering whether air conditioning should be provided in all Texas prisons. We’ve been following the case that’s been happening in Austin over the past couple of weeks.
There are new changes to SNAP, the benefits that help low-income Texans purchase food. That assistance can’t be used for candy or most sweetened drinks. We’ll take a look at what impact this is having.
The San Marcos Studio Tour continues this weekend. We’ll hear about one artist who is showcasing work.
And a bit of good news to start the weekend: Austin’s favorite owl is giving us a couple of reasons to celebrate.
Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org
‘They Called Us Outlaws’ revisits rise of outlaw country music
The threat of hail, possible tornadoes and flooding conditions spells what could be a severe start to a stormy weather season in Texas. Meteorologist Eric Berger joins us with what to expect and how it fits into the bigger weather picture.
How are you weathering rising gasoline prices? We’ll hear how some Houstonians are coping.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s election-year forecast: Not a rosy one for the Texas GOP. We’ll talk about that with Jasper Scherer of the Texas Tribune.
We’ll reveal our winner in our contest for the best Texas film of all time, as well as talk with the filmmaker behind “They Called Us Outlaws,” all about the rise of outlaw country music.
SAFE Alliance cuts could shutter shelter, programs for abuse victims
The SAFE Alliance is preparing to make millions of dollars in cuts starting this summer. This could include closing a downtown shelter and the end of services that provide additional housing assistance for people leaving abusive situations.
After public outcry over the unexpected demolition of former East Austin cafe, Cenote, the developer of the property has committed to maintaining what’s left of the historic building it originally promised to preserve. The problem?There’s just one wall left standing. Austin Current’s Sam Stark stops by to talk about it.
Model Railroading has been a popular hobby pretty much as long as trains have been around. Steven Jacobs has been a fan for about half a century. He spoke with Mike Lee about it for the This is My Thing Podcast.
Plus, what is the best Texas rap anthem? We’ve got plenty of tracks to choose from across the state, and the fellas over at The Breaks are searching for a winner. We’ll talk about the choices.
Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org
Lawsuit challenges Texas crackdown on hemp-derived products
High stakes in Texas as cannabis businesses file suit over a new statewide ban on smokable hemp.
This year’s midterm elections signal the biggest turnover in recent memory and Texas is part of that trend. The Texas Newsroom’s Blaise Gainey on what’s behind this changing of the guard.
Despite a tenuous ceasefire with Iran, tech expert Omar Gallaga tells us high-tech battles are still being waged.
The prescription for a nursing shortage in Texas? A new training opportunity launches in Abilene.
And a new series exploring Texas’ endangered landscapes debuts on PBS stations statewide tonight. We’ll have a preview of “Daytripping with the Nature Conservancy.”
From headliners to homegrown acts, Moontower Comedy Fest brings the laughs
Over the last year, Texas Republicans enacted regulatory and legal changes, completely altering life for noncitizens in the state. Many of these changes were put forward in the state Legislature, where they failed. Now, these changes are being made a reality outside of the normal legislative processes. We talk with Eleanor Klibanoff, the law and politics reporter at The Texas Tribune.
Austin ISD is facing a giant budget deficit heading into the next school year. A draft of that budget was presented this week to school board members. We’ll look at where the deficit stands and the plans the district is considering to address it.
Plus, the Moontower Comedy Festival is bringing hundreds more comics to town over the next week and a half. We’ll hear from one of the performers.
Also: A seance with Houdini? Intrigued?
Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org
Bigger buildings on the way for industrial projects
Vacancies for industrial buildings in the greater Austin region are near the highest levels of any place in the country. It could be that companies thinking of moving to Austin aren’t finding buildings big enough to accommodate them.
Spring fever, oak and mold pollen, and now another strain of coronavirus — all about the latest variant and the complications it brings.
Half a century ago incarcerated Texans formed bands and recorded their music inside of state prisons. That music was shared recently with a wider audience.
Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org
Hitting the trails at the new Karst Canyon Preserve
Williamson County is making changes to avoid the chaotic scene that unfolded last month on primary Election Day. The new change is going back to the ways things were before the most recent election. We’ll dig into why it happened and how the county is trying to avoid a repeat.
The Karst Canyon Preserve is offering new public access to trails and open space in Hays County. The property near Jacob’s Well was previously slated for residential development.
Plus, the region needed this weekend’s rain showers — both to help with drought and to clear cars of springtime green tint from oak pollen. Why does the pollen get everywhere? We’ll get to the answer today.
Jason Mellard from The Center for Texas Music History at Texas State University goes over Ronald Shannon Jackson records ‘Texas’ LP in Dallas from the the late 80s.
Onboard the Artemis II spacecraft right now are three Americans and one Canadian, including someone set to be the first woman in history to journey beyond low Earth orbit and travel around the Moon. Texas Standard Host, David Brown, asked Mission specialist Christina Koch what it felt like to be selected for the Artemis mission.
Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org
Cole World
On this episode, we discuss all the recent interviews J. Cole has done and why we aren’t big fans of them. We also discuss much simpler times when you could download, and burn, all the music you loved as a kid. Hip-Hop Facts this week include facts about Vanessa Williams, Brandy, Kid Rock and more. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion will definitely be a conversation starter.
Navigating Retirement Planning, Charitable Trusts, and Avoiding Probate
Carl Stuart takes caller and text questions on managing retirement accounts, maximizing emergency savings, navigating estate planning and trusts, and evaluating investment options.
Texas Extra: City manager remains optimistic in the face of Corpus Christi’s water crisis
The water crisis in Corpus Christi has been on the minds of many Texans for the past few weeks. But in the city itself, officials have been dealing with drought and increased demands for water for years. On April 3, David Brown spoke with Corpus Christi city manager Peter Zanoni about how the city plans to beef up its water supplies, the state’s role and why no water emergency has been declared. This is an extended version of the interview that appeared on the radio show.
Audit of Austin’s $25 million contract with the Long Center reveals gaps in billing, transparency, oversight
A review of the city of Austin’s $25 million contract with the Long Center to disburse arts grants has exposed gaps in billing, transparency and oversight. City auditors said they raised concerns for years about weaknesses in the monitoring of city contracts. Andrea Ball from the Austin Current has the story.
A new program aims to bring Austin’s home-based side hustles out of the shadows of that crowded garage and into the light of day. It’s the latest effort from the city to create ways for micro business owners to thrive, not just survive.
Families across Texas that choose to celebrate Easter have varying traditions. For many, especially Mexican-American families, cascarones are a staple in children’s easter baskets. Austin Signal Managing Producer Kristen Cabrera takes us through what makes these eggs special.
Plus; The Texas women’s basketball team is back in the Final Four for the second year in a row. A pair of wins this weekend would give the Longhorns their second national championship — exactly 40 years after their first.
Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org