A secretive project to build a long water barrier in the Rio Grande is revealed as letters go out to landowners to build a Big Bend border wall. We’ll hear what locals are thinking.
Look up to the sky: It’s a boom, it’s a flash… and a crash through a roof north of Houston. A UT geosciences professor helps us understand the meteor fragment impact that occurred this past weekend.
We’ll also dig into the somewhat surprising findings of a new report from the Brookings Institution on the costs of higher education.
And with March Madness in the air, the Sweet 16’s set in another bracket competition — the best Texas movie.
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SXSW 2026 Hangover
On this episode we recap our annual SXSW showcase SXBreaks and our overall experience with the revamped SXSW festival. We also discuss our thoughts on the Oscars winners from this past weekend. Hip-Hop Facts this week include facts about Teyana Taylor, the Ewoks from Star Wars, the origins of Quiet Storm radio and more. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion is that Houston may have a problem on its hands in regards to spring break.
Guidance on Investing Inherited Assets, Managing Retirement Savings, and Navigating the Current Economic Environment
Carl Stuart takes caller and text questions on guidance on consolidating and managing multiple parent plus student loans, pros and cons of renting vs. buying a home and investing the down payment, and insights on inheriting assets and the tax implications.
Waterline breaks prompt Pflugerville officials to call for conservation measures
Lake Pflugerville’s water levels remain low after a series of waterline breaks, the most recent of which was fixed on Wednesday. Local officials have issued water conservation calls while the man-made lake gets back to normal levels. We’ll have more about those water issues.
Libraries are havens for many Texans, especially those living in rural areas, further away from resources like healthcare. That’s part of the reason one nonprofit is now providing mental health resources in some Central Texas libraries. We’ll dig into the work they’re doing.
And it’ll be a busy weekend for Austin sports fans. The Texas men’s and women’s basketball teams will be in action as Austin FC prepares for a home clash with a familiar foe.
Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org
A special broadcast from Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi cuts its timeline to a water disaster and the state issues emergency orders to deal with what may be an unprecedented crisis. Today we’re coming to you from the place they call the Sparkling City by the Sea — yet despite its proximity to the water, the region faces the imminent threat of running out of it.
We’re at the studios of KEDT, our partners in Corpus Christi. We’ll have the latest on the water crisis here, but also some of the extraordinary charms of the 8th most populous city in Texas — a hub for shipping, wildlife preservation, and great music.
Cesar Chavez Street, local march reassessed amid abuse allegations against labor leader
In the wake of public sexual assault and abuse allegations against union organizer Cesar Chavez, organizers of the annual parade in Austin honoring him canceled their upcoming event. Now, local activists and politicians are calling for the City of Austin to change the name of Cesar Chavez Street, the East-to-West thoroughfare running through the heart of Austin. We’ve got the latest from the fallout.
Austin-area state Rep. James Talarico will need to broaden his base of support in order to win the state’s U.S. Senate seat this fall. One group of voters he’ll have to convince will be those who voted for his Democratic primary opponent: Jasmine Crockett.
And March Madness is upon us! Don’t forget to fill your brackets and join us for today’s Austin Signal.
Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org
It’s been more than two weeks since the deadly shooting at Buford’s in downtown Austin that killed three, wounded more than a dozen, and affected countless others.
It’s been more than two weeks since the deadly shooting at Buford’s in downtown Austin that killed three, wounded more than a dozen, and affected countless others. For mass shooting survivors, recovery can be a slow process. We’ll have the story of a mother and daughter going through that very thing following a shooting last year at an Austin Target store.
An autonomous vehicle in Austin blocked emergency vehicles trying to reach the shooting scene at Buford’s. We’ll look at why a lack of regulatory guidelines could mean more of these kinds of incidents.
Organizers of the annual Cesar Chavez parade and celebration in Austin have canceled the event after allegations against the labor union organizer have been made public. We’ll take a look at how this story is developing.
Plus, it’s the last day of South By Southwest 2026. We’ve got the story of one Austin artist working over the past few days for his big break.
Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org
How liberal cities are navigating mandated ICE partnerships
Many Republican-led states like Texas require police officers to cooperate with federal immigration agents. That’s left liberal cities like Austin debating how to respond when they don’t want spend resources on immigration enforcement.
ICE operations are deterring immigrants from participating in routine parts of their lives. Here in Austin, one clinic has seen its demand drop dramatically over recent weeks.
Plus, South By Southwest wraps up tomorrow, but there’s still time to get in on the activities. Today, we’ll tell you about a documentary that follows the search for an almost mythical Texas musician.
Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org
Bob Odenkirk talks new action role in SXSW film ‘Normal’
A new report says the Trump administration created military zones on the border and charged people with trespassing. We’ll dive into why the cases are often flawed.
Today is the deadline to apply for school vouchers. We’ll look at why students with disabilities are running into hurdles.
Bob Odenkirk talks about his new film “Normal,” where he’s the sheriff of a small town hiding a deadly secret.
And Texas will be well represented in the March Madness NCAA Tournament. We’ll break it all down.
SXSW, partial government shutdown impacting Austin-Bergstrom travel
South By Southwest has brought many travelers into Austin to enjoy the city’s music, food and culture, but getting out of town via the Austin airport has turned a bit chaotic as TSA agents go without pay amid a partial government shutdown. We’ll have the latest from the airport and from local officials.
Carmen Mejia was exonerated from a Travis County prison after serving 20 years for a crime she didn’t commit. Once she was exonerated, however, she still faced threat from Immigration and Customs Enforcement. We’ll have the latest on her story.
Plus, the Texas men’s and women’s team basketball team are gearing up for the start of this week’s championship tournaments. We’ll break down who they’re playing and what their championship odds are looking like.
Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org
Would could the Prairieland decision mean for future federal prosecutions?
Fire warnings, scary high winds, dust storms out west, temps plummeting 30 and 40 degrees in some places… We’ll get the latest on a wild weather weekend.
Guilty verdicts in a trial involving the shooting of a police officer outside a North Texas immigration detention center. Could the Prairieland decision be a possible template for future federal prosecutions against antifa protestors?
Texas’ laws on abortion access: New housing data suggests the economic ripple effects of such laws.
And March Madness bracket season with a Texas twist. What’s the best Texas movie? Let the games begin.
When to start taking Social Security benefits, the pros and cons of investing in money market funds versus CDs, and the importance of carefully evaluating annuity products
Carl Stuart takes caller and text questions on when to start taking Social Security benefits, the pros and cons of investing in money market funds versus CDs, and the importance of carefully evaluating annuity products. Carl discusses the importance of long-term investing and cautions against making hasty decisions during market downturns, while also providing guidance on managing debt, budgeting, and tax-efficient retirement planning.
New film ‘STAGES’ brings iconic Austin venues to the big screen
The University of Texas at Austin is consolidating seven ethnic and gender studies departments in the College of Liberal Arts. That consolidation was announced in February. We’ll look more into these changes.
South By Southwest 2026 is in full swing. On this episode, we’ll bring you the director and stars of the film “STAGES.” It’s the story of an Austin musician navigating his life and career, and it features many of our city’s best hangs — from Hole in the Wall to Joe’s Bakery.
The movie premiered this week as part of the fest. We’ll delve into how the project came together.
An Austin nonprofit dedicated to investing in Black, Indigenous and other communities of color is presenting a free, four-day event during SXSW.
And we’ll get a check-in from our official SXSW correspondent.
Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org
A special SXSW 2026 show from Scholz Garten
We kicked off South by Southwest 2026 with a special, live one-hour show at Scholz Garten.
We’ll speak with Austin artists Shakey Graves and Kydd Jones about the things they’re working on this year.
We’ll also be joined by the director and producer of the upcoming Netflix documentary “The Truth and Tragedy of Moriah Wilson,” about a top-class cyclist murdered on a trip to Austin.
Plus, a roundtable of chefs from Michelin Guide-recognized restaurants Dai Due, La Santa Barbacha and Ramen del Barrio about the cost of a meal in Austin and the ways they’re working to keep them accessible to more Austinites.
Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org
Paxton targets Austin ISD over alleged ‘bathroom bill’ violation
Board members for the Austin Independent School District are considering an outside nonprofit to handle three of its middle schools with chronic failing grades. Another failing grade for these campuses would give the Texas Education Agency the authority to take over the district as a whole. We’ll have more about community meetings happening this week. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has notified AISD of a complaint alleging the district violated the state’s bathroom bill. We’ll dig into the story.
Since the start of the second trump administration. Immigration crack downs have been in the news and affecting communities and families across the nation, as well as here in Texas. Austin-based documentarian Louise Van Assche has taken a closer look at this by talking with the folks being directly affected.
South by Southwest officially kicks off tomorrow, but the unofficial showcases and house shows have plenty to offer up as well. We’ll share details about one benefitting a women’s correctional facility here in the Austin area.
Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org
New changes to smokeable hemp rules could be coming
George Davis Jr. is one of the victims who had to be hospitalized after the deadly shooting at Buford’s on West Sixth Street. He reached out to 911 for assistance, but had to turn to help of strangers to get him to the hospital. Davis is recovering now and trying to find the people who he says helped save his life. We’ll hear more about his experience that early morning and his recovery journey since.
Possible changes for smokable hemp in Texas could be happening sooner rather than later. We’ll go over what could be changing and the reaction from those in the industry.
And the City of Austin is looking for ways to save every nickel and dime after cuts to the budget. We’ll go over the latest way they’ve saved some money.
Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org
How Corpus Christi could be on the brink of a water disaster
Corpus Christi, a major Texas port city, could run out of water as early as next year. What’s behind the looming crisis?
We’ll track how the war in Iran is affecting prices at the pump and what to expect next.
Will the national Democratic Party spend more money in Texas after James Talarico and other candidate’s strong showing in the primary election?
Plus, pan dulce: A new masterclass teaches home cooks how to bake the beloved sweet bread.
Buford’s reopens a week after deadly shooting
Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden was open for business over the weekend, just days after a shooting left three people dead and more than a dozen injured. Some Austin residents felt the opening was rushed after such a tragedy. We’ll hear from others who felt showing up was the right thing to do.
The Austin Police Department has new rules for how its officers contact Immigration and Customs Enforcement. We’ll hear more about the change.
After the suspected shooter in the attack was identified, a woman from Buda is alleging she was assaulted by the suspect in a separate incident last year at the Tesla Gigafactory. We’ll dig into what we know about the incident and lawsuit.
Plus, South By Southwest starts its takeover of Austin this Thursday. Our sister station KUTX is gearing up to bring you plenty of live music — from right here in Austin and from around the world.
Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org
This Or That?
On this episode we discuss who had the bigger impact on hip-hop, James Brown or Michael Jackson. We also talk about the difference, musically, in both Dallas and Houston and the emerging artists from both cities. Hip-Hop facts this week are about Bubba Sparxxx, Zach Brauf, Nelly and more. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion this week is that media will eventually give hip-hop a seat at the table.
Rebalancing a Retirement Portfolio for Longevity and Legacy
Carl Stuart takes caller and text questions, recommendations on how one can rebalance their portfolio, including investing in a balanced mix of equities and bonds, as well as advice on researching international funds and defined outcome ETFs.