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Delta-8 probable cause arrests, voter suspension list, Grocery Bag

A state rule that was reinstated July 31 bans Delta-8 in Texas. Austin police say the packaging on some products could now establish probable cause for a felony arrest. But the department says cracking down on Delta-8 isn’t a “primary objective.” We’ve got more about that.

More than a million Texans are on something called a voter “suspense” list, including about 100,000 in Central Texas. It doesn’t mean you won’t be able to vote in the midterms, but there are things to know if you find yourself on it.

And the KUTX artist of the month for September is Grocery Bag. They’ve had a busy year so far and now they’re gearing up for ACL Fest and a new project.

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

Austin firefighters remember 9/11, second local measles case, weekend art events

It’s the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks on the United States. In Austin, many are taking time to remember an event that is unforgettable to those who were alive to see it. We’ll hear how the Austin Fire Department marked the occasion today.

Austin Public Health officials confirmed the year’s second local case of measles. We’ll share how you can protect yourself and your family.

There’s a pretty big football game in town this weekend. But if that’s not your speed, no problem: We’ve got the art happenings to know about this weekend.

Which is your favorite Austin burger? There’s plenty to choose from, but would you be willing to pay $40 for a fancy one?

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

Watson AISD ask, data centers and midterms, Levitation guide

Mayor Kirk Watson is asking some Austin ISD parents to request that their school be shut down in order to avoid a state takeover of the entire school district. Watson says the move is about empowerment. What do parents think about the proposal?

And the GOP brought a first-of-its-kind midterm convention to Texas this week as we inch closer to Election Day.

Every election is dominated by a few issues, and there’s no doubt data centers are on the minds of quite a few Texans heading to the polls. We’ll hear from some of those Texans.

Plus, Levitation is back in Austin with shows at some of the biggest venues in town. We’ve got a breakdown of the lineup and some tips on staying strong over the next four days.

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

Red River Cultural District sounds alarm amid venue closures

The potential state takeover of the Austin Independent School District is still looming. If it happens, the reverberations are likely to go well beyond the classroom. How does a school district impact the city it’s in?
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson is asking parents to request their schools be shut down. Why?

The Red River Cultural District has issued an urgent call for assistance as venues and businesses lose their space. But when the music leaves, it’s not always as simple as building another stage.

And we’ll take you on a visit to a local “strip” club — film strip club, that is, where you can scratch, you can paint and you can draw.

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

Flock cameras in the Austin area, Texas Republican donors, Halal tacos

Flock cameras are under scrutiny for a variety of reasons, and that has police departments in the Austin area considering their use of the technology. Even so, you should still expect to see the cameras here in Central Texas. We’ll tell you why and where.

With less than two months left until Election Day, the Republican National Committee is bringing a first-of-its-kind midterm convention to the state this week. Why now? And why Texas?

In Austin, there are plenty of taco choices to explore: bougie or basic, flour or corn, with cheese or not. But when’s the last time you had a halal taco? It wasn’t even on the menu at an East Austin taco truck — until a customer asked.

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

Texas political legend Ben Barnes looks back on career

While all eyes are on the upcoming midterm election, there are signs one particular Texan is looking at running for president again. Is Ted Cruz gearing up for 2028?

Also, why Democrats see James Talarico’s Senate run as an opportunity to gain votes in parts of West Texas that have been reliably red for decades.

And Texas political luminary Ben Barnes joins us to talk about his new memoir “Get It Done: Seven Decades of Lessons from a Political Legend.”

Plus, how Texas Republican leaders are cracking down on so-called “birth tourism.”
And celebrating the life of aviation pioneer Wally Funk.

Marfa’s Palace Theater could soon see new life

Tropical Storm Edouard heads toward the Texas coast. What to expect as it makes landfall.

An update on recovery efforts in Nepal, where Texans are among the missing.

How Texas is helping mount a defense against hackers who broke into systems that control water infrastructure across the U.S.

New laws take effect as September begins. We’ll highlight some of the big ones, including one that is supposed to prevent solar panel sale fraud.

Plus: Bringing Marfa’s historic Palace Theater back to life.

Austin considers data center regulations, Dolly Parton’s guitar, New UIL heat rules

The Austin City Council is considering some regulations around data centers. That includes defining where they might be built, and how they’re categorized by size and demand on resources.

There are new rules for students participating in outdoor UIL competitions designed to protect kids from the brutal Texas heat. We’ll tell you what’s changing.

Some big names are on the way out of Austin FC. Who’s on the move and who’s available for tonight’s Leagues Cup match.

Dolly Parton gifted a rhinestoned guitar to Austin drag queen Brigitte Bandit. She can’t play it, but she can pretend — and she’s got a story for a lifetime.

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

UT curriculum changes, Cesar Chavez Street input, Restaurant inspection scores

UT Austin wants to change the assigned classes required of future undergraduates. It’s the first such change in more than two decades.

The city of Austin is gathering feedback about the possibility of renaming Cesar Chavez Street after the labor leader was accused of sexual assault. How you can make your voice heard.

Have you ever wondered how clean your favorite Austin restaurant really is? KUT has a new map where you can search for food inspection scores.

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

Could Austin land an NHL franchise?

The city of Austin is nearing decision time on its upcoming fiscal budget. The first draft called for cuts to public health programs, parks and other services. The City Council has spent weeks shaping the version that’ll soon be approved.

Proponents of data centers say they can be a boon to the areas they’re built in. But in Abilene, their presence has spurred a housing crisis. More from our series The Data Center Next Door.

There’s rumors of a second National Hockey League franchise coming to Texas. Austin’s been mentioned as a landing spot, but how real is that talk?

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

Summer rains replenished Jacob’s Well — for a few weeks

UT Austin is implementing some new rules for getting around on campus ahead of the new school year, but the changes aren’t impacting every set of wheels.

An update on the ongoing negotiations affecting CapMetro bus drivers and transit workers.

The Austin school district is facing the looming threat of a state takeover because of unsatisfactory accountability ratings at a few campuses. How might that play out, and when will we know?

Jacob’s Well in Wimberley was flowing rapidly for a short time after July’s heavy rainfall. But it would take a lot of change for the iconic watering hole to reopen to swimming.

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

How to get the best view of the Perseid meteor shower in Austin this week

Austin ISD classes start next week, and after announcing a change in how students will be shuffled to and from campuses, the district has backtracked on bus hubs for middle schoolers.

The proposed development of Dog’s Head in Southeast Austin continues to move forward, despite what some feel is a lack of public input. That’s not stopping neighbors from speaking out.

You’ve got a decent chance to catch some meteors in the Austin sky this week. Where to get the best view of the Perseid meteor shower.

Plus: Waterloo Records has been hosting in-store performances for almost half a century.

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

How Austin became obsessed with being weird

Gov. Greg Abbott is pitching the idea of eliminating what he calls “city monopolies” on providing electricity, a plan focused in part on Austin Energy. He claims a move like this could lower customer rates, but how has deregulation played out in other parts of the state?

“Austinhenge” this weekend is a darn good chance to catch a stellar sunset photo here in town. We’ve got some tips to help you make that perfect shot.

Plus, the question has been asked before and will likely be asked forever more: Is Austin still weird? Plenty of folks say not really, or that is hasn’t been for some time now — but there’s always a bit of weird for those who go searching.

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

UT Austin officials say new mobility plan is coming as cyclists worry about potential bike ban

Changes are coming to where people can and cannot ride electric bikes and scooters on the UT Austin campus.

An invasive aquatic plant is expressing itself in some local waterways after it was essentially eradicated close to a decade ago.

An annual movie festival all about the intersection of film and music is, for the first time, being produced entirely here in Austin. Their story and what to see at Sound Unseen.

Plus: Summer break is almost over, but the heat isn’t going away, so we’ve got some frosty recommendations to help you cool off.

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

Competing interests for the Dog’s Head development

We’ve been learning a lot about the Dog’s Head development over the past months, including the future plans a developer would like to see there; how little neighbors knew about the idea as it picked up steam; and the competing interests curious about the project. How those sides sought support from the city.

What are the necessary supplies to power data centers? A lot of water and plenty of electricity. We’ll tell you how much and how that impacts all of us.

Plus, a look ahead at a few art happenings this week in our area.

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

Austin’s Bikeshare program set to return

CapMetro’s system of electric-assisted bicycles will soon be back on Austin’s roadways — but it will be returning in phases, starting small. We’ll have the latest on Austin’s Bikeshare and the fire that hindered service.

We’re a couple weeks removed from the World Cup, but FIFA, the organization behind the tournament, has remained in the headlines. The reason? A proposal to sell shares of the quadrennial event. We’ve got more context and the latest on Austin’s soccer team.

And deaf children and families will have more options for accessible TV programming after one platform announced plans for more American Sign Language interpretations. We’ll catch up with a local performer participating in the project.

The origin story behind Austin’s ‘Master Pancake’

For years now, Austinites have been able to hail a driverless Waymo — but they’ve only been available to call for it through one specific rideshare company. That’ll soon be changing. We’ll have the details.

Recent polling is shedding more light on just how tight the margins will be in this fall’s race for the Texas seat in the U.S. Senate. Democratic nominee James Talarico is working to shore up support from Black Texans. So how does he compare with past nominees?

Austin’s “Master Pancake” has roasted and mocked the cinema for nearly two decades. How did they get their start? We tell you about their odyssey.

And more summer reading recommendations as we enter August.

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

San Antonio seeks psychedelic therapy trials for veterans

As cleanup continues after massive rains in the Hill Country, a storm from the east threatens the Texas Gulf Coast.
An update on Tropical Storm Bertha: After making landfall in Louisiana, the storm headed back into the gulf. Forecasters fear it could loop back into South Texas.
Texas’ World Cup summer has come and gone — almost. In Houston, an early accounting of the impact.
San Antonio — a center for research on soldiers and PTSD, and how it could become central to research on some unconventional therapies.
Plus, brisket prices gotcha down? Tri-tips and other tips from Texas Monthly barbecue editor Daniel Vaughn.

An update from Kerrville after floods again rattle region

There are two confirmed fatalities in Texas’ Hill Country as rescues continue and precipitation finally begins to taper off. We’ll have an update on the flooding across Texas from Lucio Vasquez of the Texas Newsroom standing by in Kerrville.

Rising food prices aren’t just making it tougher for more Texas families, but also for pantries and food banks trying to bridge the gap. We’ll hear what they’re up against.

There’s a new competitor in the hemp beverage business — but as demand grows here in Texas, so does pressure for greater regulation.

Plus, the week in Texas politics.

Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can help make this podcast happen by donating at supportthispodcast.org

Emergencies, shelter-in-place orders go out in flood-wary Kerr County region

Life-threatening floods hit parts of the Texas Hill Country as the Guadalupe River swells and flood emergencies and warnings go out.

In the aftermath of shootings in Maine and Texas, a pause in ICE policy ends only hours after the change went into effect. We’ll have more from Houston’s historic East End on how the shooting has galvanized residents there.

Also, the death of a Dallas Cowboy was ruled a suicide by officials, sparking a deeper conversation into the role of CTE: Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy.

Religion and Texas culture: The new book ‘One State Under God’ by Joseph L. Locke untangles an unexpectedly deep, and often misunderstood connection.

Plus, the end of an era: After more than three decades, Sony pulls the plug on a format once popular with gamers.

And the state’s only legislatively authorized needle exchange program: Why efforts to expand it have stalled.

Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can help make this podcast happen by donating at supportthispodcast.org