Uber

HOPE Outdoor Gallery reopens at new location

The Sobering Center in Austin has provided an alternative to jail or hospitalization since 2018. Now, it’s looking to help folks build a new journey beyond a one-night respite.

After many delays, the HOPE Outdoor Gallery is finally back open. The new 6,000-foot space is working to maintain the try-anything vibe that made its original spot so very Austin.

Plus: Businesses in downtown Austin are looking to attract more shoppers and more dollars to their stores this holiday season – and one way they’re trying to do that is with half-priced Uber rides.

A history of the Texas Civil Rights Project

Remember the Democratic walkout this summer over Texas redistricting? Attorney General Ken Paxton’s lawsuit accusing Beto O’Rourke of bribery and other charges for supporting the walkout continues – but O’Rourke appears to have the upper hand.

Recovery funds are finally on the way for many in Houston who suffered damage during Hurricane Beryl and last year’s derecho. But the need for assistance continues to outweigh available resources.

For decades, the Texas Civil Rights Project has been a force in battles for voter rights, disability access and racial and economic justice. We’ll hear from founder Jim Harrington, who’s released a new book tracing the organization’s history.

A new episode of the “Tacos of Texas” podcast delves into tequila’s deeper meaning, including personal connections and heritage.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for May 8, 2025: Texas could soon have a formal remote work policy for state agencies

Central Texas top stories for May 8, 2025. A bill that would set up guardrails for state agencies allowing staff to work from home is heading to the Texas Senate. Tomorrow’s the last day for people to give feedback on what Austin should prioritize in its upcoming budget. Mosquitoes may be getting ready for their spring debut. The Austin city council is looking to designate Palm Park as city parkland. The City of Georgetown has launched a new on-demand transportation service for its residents. The Texas softball team begins their first SEC championship tournament today.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for March 4, 2025: Opioid overdoses in Austin are declining.

Central Texas top stories for March 4, 2025. The Austin area is under a Red Flag Warning until 9:00 tonight. There’s been a drop in opioid overdoses in the Austin area. An exit on southbound I-35 will close permanently tonight as part of a major expansion of the interstate. Average rents in the Austin area fell again last month. Some CapMetro customers are struggling with a new app. Uber customers in Austin can now catch rides in a self-driving vehicle.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for February 5, 2025: Hundreds gathered at the Texas Capitol to protest the Trump Administration.

Central Texas top stories for February 5, 2025. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered on the Texas Capitol grounds today to protest the Trump administration. The Texas Senate is debating on a bill to spend public money on private schools. Uber customers can sign up to get a ride in a self-driving vehicle starting today. Gas prices have continued their climb in the Austin area. Drizzle and cloud cover around the Austin area kept temperatures in the 70’s today.

KUT Morning Newscast for February 5, 2025: Self-driving cars available for ride services in Austin soon.

Central Texas top stories for February 5, 2025. Self-driving cars will offer ride-hailing services to the public later this year in Austin. The city of Austin plans on renovating regulations on short-term rentals. It will be another warm day in the Austin area.

KUT Morning Newscast for September 16, 2024

Central Texas top stories for September 16, 2024. Homes in Austin are selling for a bit more than they did last year. Uber says it will start using self-driving cars in Austin and Atlanta early next year. A nonprofit focused on supporting children and families has given tens of thousands of dollars to the AISD. This year has not been great for bat viewing in Austin, but that doesn’t mean it has been a bad year for the bats. The Texas Longhorns are now number one in the Associated Press Top 25 college football poll.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for February 14, 2024

Central Texas top stories for February 14, 2024. St. David’s North Austin Medical Center has resumed full operations after a car crashed through its front entrance. The University of Texas is punishing four students who participated in a pro-Palestinian protest last December. Migrant encounters along the southern border were significantly lower in January. Three big road projects in the Austin area are getting the go-ahead. December jobs report. Austin City Council is taking up a resolution addressing climate change. Uber and Lyft drivers rallied at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Longhorns basketball.

Groups suing over SpaceX’s explosions, environmental impact

Published reports say the Biden administration is set to send 1,500 troops to the border with Mexico ahead of Title 42’s repeal.

As the Texas Legislature enters the home stretch of the 88th session, we’ll hear about the latest on efforts to pre-empt local government regulations.

The South Texas liftoff and explosion of the SpaceX Starship on April 20 has sparked legal action from environmental groups against the Federal Aviation
Administration. We’ll hear from one of the attorneys suing the government.

And a prominent member of Congress asks a judge in northern Texas to change the way the courts there do business.

Texas Standard: March 24, 2022

Urgent meetings between President Biden and NATO officials. What’s next in the pushback against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine? Other stories we’re tracking: a new Omicron variant sparks new concerns for Texans, as health officials alter their approach in the fight against COVID-19. We’ll have the latest. Also how the pandemic is changing the nursing profession. And Texas’ missing ocelots. Only a hundred or so are believed to be living free in south Texas, but experts are hoping to turn things around. How they plan to do that plus Omar Gallaga on tech dramas taking over video streaming menus and much more today on the Texas Standard:

Have Ride-Hailing Services Like Uber And Lyft Reduced Drunk Driving In Austin?

Uber and Lyft said their services would give other transportation options for people who’ve been drinking in Austin.

So — did they?

Texas Standard: October 20, 2017

Until now, president Trump’s wall has been more of a symbol than anything else: now something far more concrete emerges at the border, we’ll have details. Also, cities across Texas racing to annex land before December 1st. What’s pushing the land rush, and the pushback from homeowners: it’s starting to get ugly. And sleepless over Seattle, anyone? The bids for Amazon’s second headquarters are in and some in Seattle say the losers in this contest could turn out to be the real winners, we’ll explore. And do you really need a car anymore? A Texas team does the math and shows why more Texans may want to reconsider. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: April 28, 2017

Berkeley, Auburn—what about Texas colleges and universities? Should unpopular even offensive speech be protected on campus? The proposal today on the Texas Standard

How do you fix a broken political map? Here’s a hint, it’ll take more than tape. What’s at stake as a court takes up minority voting power in Texas.

Are the democrats on Capitol Hill really looking for a government shutdown? a rejoinder to the other side of the aisle from a prominent Texas congressman.

Where’s our flying cars? In two years, Uber promises they’ll be all over Dallas.

And buckle up for what basketball fans are calling the I-10 series.

All that plus the week in politics with the Texas Tribune and a whole lot more.

Texas Standard: March 23, 2017

Is the Texas Senate cooking the books? Harsh words from the House speaker promise a budget battle royal. What’s at stake? We’ll explore. Plus a global refugee crisis, with local impact? A summit of sorts in North Texas on what to do about the displaced. And the next battlefront for religious liberty could be the state’s foster care system. We’ll hear why. Also potholes for a ride hailing juggernaut: how an industry leader became a high tech poster child for what not to do. And a Texas trilogy: pickles, onions and white bread. How’d that happen anyway? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: May 6, 2016

A fire in Houston takes on statewide significance, raising questions over chemicals stored close to schools. We’ll explore. Also a pipeline that cuts thru one of the most pristine areas of Texas gets the green light…we’ll discuss the implications. A Texas vote tomorrow on services like Uber and Lyft. At stake, not just the rules in Austin, but perhaps in cities across the nation. We’ll hear why. Also the week in Texas politics, with the Texas Tribune and a new manual on how to be a Texan. Those stories and lots more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: March 23, 2016

Did a Texas DA instruct a prosecutor to strike jurors on the basis of race? How do you define “instruct”? We’ll explore. Also if you want to be big in business you could get an MBA or you could watch what the drug cartels are doing south of the border. We’ll hear about Narco-nomics. Plus, its not exactly a cure for concussions but its not snake oil either…more like fish oil. We’ll explain…And, Spotify, Uber, you’ve heard of the disruptors…now they’re saddling up at the rodeo too. Those stories and lots more on todays Texas Standard:

Disrupting My Ride

There’s an ongoing trend of peer-to-peer goods sharing sweeping the nation. Now, many Texas cities are creating policies for the companies, especially ride sharers like Uber and Lyft. That was the inspiration for Typewriter Rodeo’s David Fruchter as he wrote this week’s poem.

Texas Standard: January 21, 2015

Crashing oil prices drain hundreds of millions of dollars from the State Highway Fund. So I can gas up my car for cheap but who’s gonna pay to fix the roads? Also the Texas tax man says the sky is NOT falling, but in many cases cities are left holding the tab for road repair. And why is Texas billionaire Michael Dell placing big bets on tiny TV stations Plus: how Uber and Lyft are forcing cities to bend the rules on background checks. Those stories and lots more on todays Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: December 22, 2015

A grand jury decision in the Sandra Bland case: will the trooper involved face charges? It’s one of many stories we’re following today on the Texas Standard. Thanks for joining us…coming up, what are the top stories of 2015? The editor of the Mcallen Monitor nominates a story from the front pages of today’s paper…we’ll talk with him, in the meantime, we’re taking your suggestions on Twitter at Texas Standard. Also: in God We trust–so say license plates; but if license plates are state speech, as the supreme court now says, do those plates violate the first amendment? Also Bill Moyers on addiction and much more…coming up today on the Standard:

Texas Standard: August 3, 2015

The top lawman in Texas indicted on three felony counts. What this means for a Tea Party favorite and for the state as a whole–today on the Texas Standard. Sweeping new curbs on carbon, and how Texas plans to respond. Also seeking sanctuary: a Guatemalan living in a Texas church, fearful of deportation because she’s gay. We’ll have her story. Driving while female: the dangers of taking the wheel for services like Uber and Lyft. Does Texas need another dollar store? Would it make a difference if we’re talking about a 100 yen store instead? We’ll hear about the Daiso invasion of Texas: