Matthew Childress and his wife, Wendie, learn that their daughter, Chloe, an 18-year-old counselor at Camp Mystic, is missing. And residents in Kerr County recount how they survived the grueling initial hours of the flood.
After the Flood is a collaboration of The Texas Newsroom and PBS’s Frontline.
texas
New podcast explores aftermath of deadly 2025 flooding
The city of Austin is being sued by a group of Travis County property owners after reversing course on an agreement that would have released nearly 170 properties from the city’s jurisdiction. Sean Hemmersmeier from the Austin Business Journal tells us more.
We’re approaching one year since the devastating Fourth of July floods that claimed the lives of more than 100 Central Texans. A new podcast, “After the Flood,” takes a deeper look at the disaster’s lasting impact.
Looking for your next great read? The Field Guide to Austin Summer Reading Bingo Challenge is happening now, and we’ve got a couple of book recommendations to help fill your card.
Plus: Tattoo shops across Austin are finding it increasingly difficult to keep their doors open.
Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org
Retire at 45? Here’s What The Market Won’t Tell You
Carl Stuart takes caller and text questions on the growing financial independence, retire early movement, the real risk of over-concentration in stocks, and investor anxiety.
Water samples from Austin’s Colony exceed limits for heavy metals
A new study from UT Austin found several water samples collected from the Austin’s Colony neighborhood in far East Austin exceeded regulatory guidelines for lead and other heavy metals. For decades, residents in the area have been at odds with its water provider, a for-profit company.
The Austin Independent School District board voted in favor of more than $200 million in cuts to next year’s school budget — but, in a last-minute change, all campuses will keep a full-time librarian.
The Austin Asian American Film Festival is gearing up for its 18th iteration. What they’ve learned and how they’re honoring the work that’s been done before them.
Plus: An Austin nonprofit celebrates community and connection through stories about pizza.
Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org
Court ruling leaves Boca Chica beach fight unresolved
Texas’ Supreme Court hands down a major ruling that looks like a win for SpaceX on the surface but leaves open serious questions about a clause in the Texas Constitution.
Texas Tech and Texas A&M try to narrow a health care gap in rural Texas.
In North Texas, another World Cup match for Argentina today, this time against Austria, and another chance at history being made. All eyes are on the pitch in Dallas as soccer legend Lionel Messi takes the field as part of the tournament many see as his “last dance.”
After the excitement from the Spurs’ NBA Finals run has faded, many are remembering a basketball championship that might have been and the impact that may last longer-term.
And remembering a pioneer in Tejano and Mexican folk music.
Orange & Blue Skies
On this episode we discuss the New York Knicks winning their first NBA championship in 53 years. We also discuss our favorite New York rap anthems to help Knicks celebrate. Hip-Hop Facts this week include facts about Backstreet Boys, Ludacris, Earth Wind & Fire and more. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion is that Jay-Z teaming up with Target isn’t that big of a deal.
Juneteenth in Austin: Black History Bike Ride Documentary, Book Festival Preview and Reflections on Freedom
It’s Juneteenth, and it’s time for another trek through town for the Black History Bike Ride. The organization has been hosting the event for a few years now and a new documentary has been made highlighting the mental and physical journey of the ride. We’ll sit down to chat with the filmmaker about the project.
The Austin African American book festival is fast approaching. We’ll hear some book recommendations from the leader of the fest.
Plus; KUT’s Miles Bloxson speaks to Black Austinites about the history of Juneteenth, how they celebrate the holiday and explores the question, “Are We Really Free?”
Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org
Capital Factory founder Joshua Baer dies in plane crash
Joshua Baer — founder of the tech investment company Capital Factory and described as the “godfather” of the Austin startup scene — died in a plane crash this week on his way back to Austin. We’re learning more about the crash, the investigation and about Baer’s larger impacts here.
Summer break is well underway for the Austin school district, but teachers and staff from 10 closing schools are thinking about life at a different campus next school year. How one math teacher made the decision to retire.
Plus: A preview of the Black Auteur Film Festival that’s happening this Saturday.
Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org
Austin ISD improves STAAR scores as Spanish speakers fall behind
Students in the Austin school district outperformed state averages in most courses during the recent round of STAAR testing, with some scores surpassing pre-pandemic levels — but there are still groups of students falling behind the state standard. How the district is planning to address that.
It’s been a rough few years for the craft brewing industry in Austin and across the state. After a spat of brewery closures, businesses are looking for new ways to get folks to frequent their neighborhood pub.
Juneteenth is Friday, and the Black History Bike Ride is gearing up for another trek through Austin. More on their story and the film documenting their work that’s premiering tonight.
Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org
What the World Cup has revealed so far
With a U.S. Senate contest stealing the political spotlight, where do we stand in the races for the two top spots in Texas politics? A check-in on the governor’s and lieutenant governor’s races.
An unannounced feature in smart glasses could reveal the identities of people without their knowledge. Is this the future of personal networking, surveillance, or something else? Omar Gallaga tells us about it.
Also, we’ll get up to speed on the World Cup in Texas.
And what does it take to create social change in a Texas city with a conservative reputation? The new book “The Dallas Way” looks at the tactics and compromises behind a decades-long fight for LGBTQ rights.
Texas Extra: When the World Comes to Texas Episode 5
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 5: How to Enjoy Every Kick This World Cup
While football might mean something different here in the U.S. (and Texas specifically), it means something much different around the world. And it has so much merch attached to it as well: everything from jerseys, hats and giant banners called tifos. In this episode, Ron and Miranda sit down with Tom Boyce, owner of London Calling and Crossbar Soccer and Beer to talk about bringing soccer culture from across the pond. They also speak with Jason Rosales Sanchez, Christian Lazalde and Braulio Morales, founders of Tifo Market to talk about their soccer kit swap business.
What next after UT Austin fires KUT head Debbie Hiott
KUT Public Media General Manager Debbie Hiott was fired Monday by leadership at UT Austin. The dismissal followed a dispute ahead of KUT’s inaugural festival in May and comes at a time when public radio stations across the country are dealing with mounting financial and political pressures.
Today, the university named an interim general manager to lead the station going forward. We’ll tell you what we know about the firing and the new leader on today’s show.
The firing has raised questions from listeners and readers about how KUT and the university are connected — as well as how monetary donations to KUT/X impact UT Austin. We’ll share answers to those questions.
Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org
Floodgates opened amid heavy rain in Austin area
Flooding this morning in the Austin area caused road closures and a water rescue and even necessitated the lifting of floodgates on the Colorado River.
As the city of Austin tightens the strings on its upcoming budget, nonprofits are bracing for even more cuts. Austin Current’s Sam Stark chats with us more about the groups that could be impacted and how organizations are preparing.
It’s last call at the Paramount Theatre as the doors shut temporarily for an all-out renovation — but they’re still bringing plenty of entertainment to town.
Summer reading has started. Join KUT for our bingo challenge!
Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org
Is Female Rap In Trouble?
On this episode we touch on a subject, we have discussed before with male rappers, but this time we talk about, the seemingly decline in popularity of female rappers. We also discuss if having a great discography is more important than having monster singles. Hip-Hop Facts this week include facts about Earth Wind and Fire, Lil Wayne, Eminem and more. Unpopular Opinion with Fresh this week is about Los Angeles being the most important city in hip-hop history.
Round Rock girls flag football team plays for state title
Plans to put a border wall in the Big Bend region have been taking shape, and a co-founder of the outdoor brand YETI is connected with a ranch involved in those plans.
Some Taylor residents are proposing an ordinance aimed at creating stricter regulations for data centers in the city. What they’re asking for.
The Austin airport is adding summer flights as expansion work continues.
The first-ever girls flag football state championship is happening this weekend, and the Round Rock High School team is preparing to compete.
Plus: The KUTX staff shares their favorite songs of 2026 so far, from Austin and beyond.
Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org
A Texas Tech gambling case could test NCAA rules
They say it’s only a game, but Texas sports fans know better. This time, however, some see an existential threat to college sports.
A scandal involving Texas Tech football quarterback Brendan Sorsby is now in the national spotlight. We’ll hear why and what’s at stake.
Meanwhile in Houston, evidence that there’s nothing like a challenging race to focus political will. After years of infighting, Texas Republicans putting up a united front at their party convention.
In El Paso, an effort to open up frontiers to an underrepresented community of filmmakers, marking a major milestone. We’ll have more on the Femme Frontera Film Festival.
How to protect your pets from New World screwworm
With confirmation of cases of the New World screwworm in Texas, plenty of focus is on the potential impact on the state’s cattle industry. But they’re not the only animals vulnerable to the parasite. We’ll have some prevention tips.
Texas Republicans dominated the primaries by going all-in on the MAGA movement. Now they have to sell that plan to Texans come November
A comedy game show at Austin’s Fallout Theater has segments that consistently go sideways, and that’s just how they want it.
And another excerpt from the Accent Unmuted storytelling series, elevating the voices of immigrants.
Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org
Texas officials race to contain screwworm outbreak
Can Mike Miles, the man appointed to lead Houston ISD and help that struggling district, provide a roadmap for others in the state? We’ll have the details.
Also, a look at the federal government’s plan to stop the New World screwworm from spreading as more cases appear in South Texas.
Plus, fire safety concerns about the batteries powering e-bikes.
And Texas is likely to become the world’s largest hub for data centers — that’s led to growing concerns across the state, including in suburban areas.
Plus, Go Spurs go! The team recovered from two losses to claim victory over the Knicks in New York in Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
Hovi Baby!
On this episode, we discuss Jay-Z’s recent performance at the Roots Picnic and the controversy that came with it. We also discuss what is more important, musical legacy or breaking records. Hip-Hop Facts this week include facts about Tom Holland, Toni Braxton, Janet Jackson and more. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion is about a reboot of a popular show from the 90’s he’s not excited about.
UT Austin begins removal of Cesar Chavez statue
The Austin ISD community came together Thursday night to discuss budget changes that include cutting more than 550 positions, including teachers, as the district is working on reducing a $181 million deficit.
Christopher Taylor, a former Austin police officer, is suing the city and the Austin Police Department to try and get his job back after being acquitted in a fatal shooting.
The University of Texas at Austin has begun the process of removing a statute honoring Cesar Chavez, following accusations of sexual abuse against the late labor leader.
Plus: Ahead of Game 2 of the NBA Finals, where to catch the action and how Spurs fans in Austin are feeling.
And join KUT for our summer reading bingo challenge!
Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org