Vote

What to watch on Election Day 2024

lection Day 2024 has arrived, and we’re checking in with reporters across the state as Texans cast their ballots. Plus, what to keep a close eye on tonight after the polls close.

A new survey predicts Dallas-Fort Worth is poised to become the hottest real estate market in the country in 2025. What it means for the people living there.

A new book, “A Natural History of Empty Lots” explores forgotten spaces. Author Christopher Brown discusses what he’s learned.

And: An update on plans for a new Juneteenth Museum in Fort Worth.

Dewi Smith

Lisa and Rich talk with community connector, voter motivator and conduit of curiosity Dewi Smith, highlighting the importance of being an educated voter. Dewi also shares her origin story, educational journey, devotion to the community, and commitment to rallying voters for this upcoming election.

KUT Morning Newscast for October 2, 2024

Central Texas top stories for October 2, 2024. The deadline to register to vote is this coming Monday, October 7^th. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Austin’s only clinic for women struggling with drug addiction shut down, a non-profit hopes to fill the gap. Last year, Williamson County officials funded an effort to help detect breast cancer early, hear the latest updates.

Can you trust polls saying Texas could turn blue?

As immigration returns to center stage in American politics, a curious reversal in messaging in one of the state’s most closely watched races.
It’s happened before: polls show a statewide race tightening up, hopes rising among Texas Democrats, only to be dashed on Election Day. Do you trust polls that suggest Texas turning blue? A guide for optimists and pessimists.
The latest on a lawsuit brought by inmates and their supporters over intense heat in Texas prisons.
And the dedication of a new national historic site to help explain an era when Texas created separate schools for Hispanic children.

What can Austin learn from Dallas about covering I-35 with a park?

Former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner has won the Democratic nomination to replace the late Sheila Jackson Lee on the November ballot for Texas’ 18th Congressional District.
More and more Texas jurisdictions are sending people awaiting trial to other states and counties. What effect is this having on criminal justice?
As Frito pie season returns, Texas Standard commentator W.F. Strong dives into the rich history and lore of the iconic dish.
TxDOT is starting work this summer to expand and lower Interstate 35 through downtown Austin, and the city and University of Texas want to install large decks over the highway that could have parks on them. It’s a concept that already exists in Dallas, and KUT’s Nathan Bernier went to check it out.

Could Texas connect to other electric grids?

A Texas redistricting challenge is being described as an important test of the Voting Rights Act.

Federal regulators are considering a rule that would force Texas to connect to other electric grids.

With Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial set to begin in the state Senate soon, attorneys for the suspended attorney general have asked for the case to be dismissed, citing the “prior-term doctrine.”

Understanding the new “right to farm” protections going into effect next month – and why they should matter to city dwellers, too.

Also, remembering Texas saxophonist Arnett Cobb.

The questions on local ballots across Texas this May election

Early voting is underway statewide for the May 6 elections. What’s at stake? A roundtable of reporters survey the landscape.

New emissions rules from the EPA could mean some big changes coming to Texas coal plants.

Changes to a bill restricting purchases of property by citizens of China, North Korea, Russia and Iran aren’t good enough, says Texas State Rep. Gene Wu. He says it’s discrimination.

And an axe murder in a North Texas suburb in the 1980s is now the focus of a new HBO Max series. We’ll talk to the director of “Love & Death”.

How the Farm Bill is about a lot more than farming

Another election day looming, another deadline to register to vote. We’ll look at what Texans need to know.

A court decision that could change rules involving gun laws and domestic violence.

They call it a farm bill, but it affects issues ranging from SNAP benefits to environmental regulations. A closer look at one of the most consequential items on Congress’ agenda.

That little blue badge on Twitter: what does it mean nowadays? Omar Gallaga with a reality check.

And as Texas lawmakers move to help with water issues for colonias, communities struggle with other mounting issues.

Texas Standard: November 2, 2022

What exactly happened during law enforcement’s response to the school shooting in Uvalde? We’ll look at what newly obtained recordings reveal. More than 5 months after the Uvalde school shooting, the Texas Tribune and Propublica obtain 911 calls and communications between police and dispatchers showing the scale of miscommunication in law enforcement’s response. Also with just 6 days til midterms, how Harris county has become ground zero over concerns about election monitors. And in a state that is mostly wet when it comes to alcohol, booze back on the ballot in some parts. The how, the why and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: October 31, 2022

The countdown is on: 8 days till election day. How are Texas voters leaning? In the past, political prognosticators turned to the science of polling and opinion surveys to determine things like voter outreach and messaging. But with confidence shaken in the polling process, could that have an impact on election day? We’ll explore. Plus comparing Texas voting laws with those of other states. And spooky stories from the energy sector, only these are true. Also how the Texas capitol city could be a test case for the health of the housing market. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: October 24, 2022

Amid growing concerns over the busing of migrants from the border to other cities, El Paso pulls the plug on its program. We’ll have the latest. Other stories we’re working on: Early voting in Texas starts today and all this week the Texas Newsroom hones in on disinformation, and what Texans can do about it. We’ll have more. Also as new threats arise in Russia’s war against Ukraine, the U.S. Air Force revamps pilot training for rapid response to unexpected situations. And how Black musical artists and fans are embracing country music as the industry reckons with change. Those stories, a project to understand what Latino voters in Texas want and much more today on the Texas Standard:

Superfónicos – Tu Voz

This week launches the first episode in our new season!

For the first time, we’re pulling an unreleased track from the vault inspired by the 2018 midterms.

Austin-based, Columbian fusion outfit, Superfónicos, wrote and live recorded a groovy track encouraging us all to get out and vote.

Texas Standard: April 5, 2022

Could what critics call Florida’s “don’t say gay” law be coming to Texas? The Texas Lt. Governor says it’s a top priority. Also, the end on an historic union lockout dubbed the “Battle of Beaumont”; what it says about organized labor in Texas. And, a collection of artifacts sheds new light on one of Texas’ most celebrated musicians. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: March 8, 2022

A Houston native and American basketball icon arrested and detained in Russia. What can the U.S. do to secure her release? We’ll have more on WNBA star Brittney Griner and concerns she’s being held as a political prisoner in Russia as western pressure over Ukraine swells. Also, decades after NASA’s big move to Texas, economist Ray Perryman sizes up the space industry’s multi-billion dollar trajectory. And the Rolling Pines Fire reconsidered: a report on what caused the most recent big fire near Bastrop, and what it could mean long term. And the case for the face of the new right in Texas. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: March 7, 2022

The first big test of new changes to voting rules and restrictions in Texas. What did the primaries tell us about SB1? We’ll take a closer look. Other stories we’re tracking: a Texas challenge to a federal law designed to keep indigenous kids removed from parental custody with their families and tribes. We’ll hear the story behind the story. And the war in Ukraine already hitting the home front with Texans paying more for gasoline, and pump prices could reach record levels within days. We’ll have the latest. Also the search for the anonymous person paying tribute to Sam Houston with an annual offering at his gravesite. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: March 02, 2022

Abbott vs. O’Rourke, that much was expected, but some key races hang in the balance. The race for attorney general and a big test for Progressives in South Texas appear headed for runoffs. Also what, if anything, the first in the nation’s primaries may tell us about the midterms this November. Those stories and much more on a special post-primary day edition of the Texas Standard:

Texas Standard: February 24, 2022

We’re keeping a watch on the situation in Ukraine and the ripple effects for Texas. Plus, with early voting ending tomorrow, what to watch for in Texas’ first-in-the-nation primaries. Also, Governor Abbott’s role in keeping energy prices high during last year’s deadly statewide freeze. Those stories and much 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: October 6, 2021

Bills to raise criminal penalties for illegal voting and allow for audits of the 2020 election. Who and what’s behind them? Other stories we’re tracking: after mass deportations of mostly Haitian migrants in Del Rio, reports emerge of 11,000 to 12,000 more Haitian migrants hoping to pass thru to the U.S. border, but stuck in southern Mexico. We’ll hear the latest. Also ripple effects of a pandemic: the resurgence of an opioid epidemic. How Texas A&M researchers plan to help doctors and mental health providers deal with the problem. And is Texas really the future of America? Those stories and much more when the TS gets underway, right after this:

Texas Standard: September 27, 2021

A full forensic audit of the November vote in Harris, Dallas, Tarrant and Collin counties… but why? And why these four counties? The election audit was announced hours after a letter to the Governor from former President Trump. We’ll have the latest. Also, allegations of graft against Houston’s mayor results in the sacking of the person overseeing affordable housing. And call them signs of leadership: the former aide to Ann Richards finds a novel way to remind Texans of the former Governor’s legacy. The backstory on the Ann Banners. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard: