KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts

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

TxDOT

‘Death Star bill’ could destroy local protections for renters

As police departments across the nation back off dangerous high-speed car chases, the trend in Houston is running the opposite direction.

Texas is about to pull out of a multi-state partnership designed to curb voter fraud. Why, and who’s behind the shift?

There’s a hearing tomorrow in a challenge brought by several cities to a new Texas law barring local governments from passing ordinances on labor, agriculture, finance – and even the rights of renters.

Also, Texas author LaToya Watkins on her new book, “Holler, Child,” cited by many critics as one of the most highly anticipated of 2023.

Railroad Commission approves South Texas coal mine expansion

In the first Republican debate of the new presidential election season, an issue top of mind for Texans – border policy – takes center stage.

The Texas Department of Transportation is giving a final green light to a highway expansion in downtown Austin that would add at least four lanes and get rid of the road’s existing upper decks.

There’s pushback on solar development in rural northeast Texas.

Energy regulators greenlit a 12,000-acre expansion of a South Texas coal mine on Tuesday, despite locals’ environmental concerns.

And with strays being turned away by many animal shelters, a first-time cat owner – the Standard’s Sean Saldaña – reflects on his first month with his new pet.

Roads to Everywhere

(Episode 2) I-35 is more than a road. It’s been sculpting Austin’s housing scene for more than 60 years, encouraging endless sprawl and making gridlock a lifestyle. Take a drive with us through the highway’s history.

Breaking down the saga at the Dallas Zoo

School vouchers, now styled as school choice, are back before state lawmakers. They have been rejected in the past, but will this year be different? Senate Bill 8 would provide Texas parents with an education account, taxpayer money that could be used to send students to private school. And the bill has special features designed to win over traditionally reluctant rural Republicans.

The Houston Independent School district braces for the implications of a state takeover.

Jamie Landers of the Dallas Morning News has put together a fuller picture of what happened with a string of crimes at the Dallas Zoo.

And seven Texas teams are spicing up March Madness on the men’s side.

KUT Morning Newscast for March 7, 2023

Central Texas top stories for March 7, 2023. I-35 expansion public comment deadline. Austin ISD superintendent town halls. Williamson County ice storm recovery efforts. Austin FC.

KUT Morning Newscast for January 24, 2023

Central Texas top stories for January 24, 2023. Fire related deaths in 2022. TxDOT I-35 feedback meeting. Hays county homeless count. Williamson county homeless count. Travis county summer youth employment program.

KUT Morning Newscast for January 23, 2023

Central Texas top stories for January 23, 2023. Austin homeless count. Pearce Lane project. Leander water conservation. The Texas Lottery goes digital. Longhorn Basketball.

KUT Morning Newscast for January 4, 2023

Central Texas top stories for January 4, 2023. TxDOT I-35 plan. Travis County rent relief. Crockett Gardens Falls collapse. Gunfire on New Years Eve. O’Henry museum reopens.

Texas Standard: September 2, 2022

A vote about a change to the social studies curriculum in Texas public schools. Only it’s not the sort of vote some advocates wanted. Proposals to add teaching about Junetheenth, the murder of George Floyd and LGBTQ rights are on long term pause. We’ll hear the backstory. Also how what’s happening in San Antonio could give larger clues about how climate change is affecting Texas. And a perfect storm for animal shelters as more pets are abandoned, costs rising with inflation, and a shortage of vets and staffers have shelters scrambling. Plus the end of the bitcoin mining gold rush in Texas? The week in politics with the Texas tribune and more today on the Texas Standard:

KUT Afternoon Newscast for July 28, 2022

Central Texas top stories for July 28, 2022. Wildfires in Central Texas. Jacob’s Well flow stops. Point in time counts resuming. San Marcos marijuana decriminalization. MoveOutATX begins. PanAm Park renaming postponed. Gas prices. 183 flyover closure.

Texas Standard: July 13, 2022

At the hearings on the January 6th insurrection, the spotlight turns to the some potentially key figures from Texas. We’ll have the latest. Other stories we’re tracking: an 85 billion dollar ten year transportation plan for Texas. What it includes and what it leaves out as the state tries to deal with a growing population. And with that growing population, a boom in new home construction. But why so many delays in finishing projects? Plus water levels low on many Texas rivers and questions about whether businesses catering to river recreation will sink or swim. And the Mexican activists fielding calls from Texans seeking abortions. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: February 7, 2022

A Texas official takes on listener questions about new vote-by-mail rules. Also, the energy implications of last week’s winter storm and the lingering psychological impacts of the winter storm of 2021. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: February 25, 2020

The Supreme Court says it won’t intervene in a high profile Texas death row appeal. But that might not be their last word on the case of Rodney Reed, we’ll have details. Also after El Paso, Midland Odessa, Sutherland Springs and Santa Fe high, are attitudes about gun control shaping up to be a factor in the Texas vote this year? We’ll take a closer look. Plus a death by feral hog: why a Texas community is second-guessing the official account. All of those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: November 4, 2019

Julian stays in, but Beto says bye bye: a shakeup among democrats in the race for the White House. We’ll look at why and what it adds up to. Also, Patrick Svitek of the Texas Tribune with more on a Texas departure from the presidential race. And two Texas republicans weigh in on the GOP’s Texas sized problem heading into 2020. Plus oil prices falling, can Texas retain its crown as energy king? A new energy mix may help it do just that. All of that and then some today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: May 4, 2018

Smuggling across the border with Mexico. You might be surprised what’s in that duffel bag, border agents certainly were. We’ll have the latest. Also, do you remember Jade Helm? A U.S. military operation that was seen by many on the right as a kind of blueprint for a Federal takeover? Now hear this: an allegation that Jade Helm was really a beta test for Russia messing with the 2016 elections. We’ll hear more. Also, in what is arguably the gun-friendliest state in the union, a weekend long celebration of gun rights as the NRA holds its annual convention in Dallas. We’ll have a view from the ground zero. Plus the week in Texas politics and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:

×