Weather off the Texas Gulf Coast has the potential to bring a lot of rain. We’ll dig into what it might mean for water-hungry cities around the state.
We’ve talked a lot about the number of data centers coming to Texas, especially outside of the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Now, a closer look at the legal bind some rural counties are getting into as they try to slow the growth.
A lawsuit led by Texas could have huge implications for people with disabilities. A look at what everyone needs to know about the case.
A conversation with Joey Santore of the YouTube channel Crime Pays But Botany Doesn’t about his new book, “Concrete Botany: The Ecology of Plants in the Age of Human Disturbance.”
Tim Kerr is an icon of Texas punk and the skater scene. Even now, the co-founder of legendary Austin punk band the Big Boys never stops pushing his art. He joins us for a conversation.
And the World Cup is in Texas — along with the so-called Orange Army. We’ll tag along.
Weather
State regulators weigh new uses for fracking wastewater
Texas regulators are moving closer to allowing treated wastewater from oil and gas drilling operations to be reused on farmland and other sites outside the energy industry. Some fear the proposal is getting ahead of the science.
Texas Republicans signaled their priorities at their convention in Houston, with Gov. Greg Abbott outlining his vision for another term.
The Spurs’ hopes for a championship came to an end with a Game 5 loss to the New York Knicks — but it’s still a big win for San Antonio.
One Texas school district near is eliminating librarian positions and replacing them with hourly paraprofessional staff as part of a cost-saving effort.
A Texas Tech gambling case could test NCAA rules
They say it’s only a game, but Texas sports fans know better. This time, however, some see an existential threat to college sports.
A scandal involving Texas Tech football quarterback Brendan Sorsby is now in the national spotlight. We’ll hear why and what’s at stake.
Meanwhile in Houston, evidence that there’s nothing like a challenging race to focus political will. After years of infighting, Texas Republicans putting up a united front at their party convention.
In El Paso, an effort to open up frontiers to an underrepresented community of filmmakers, marking a major milestone. We’ll have more on the Femme Frontera Film Festival.
Local food influencer gives peek at new docuseries ‘David Eats Everywhere’
More than 60,000 Austinites work in the city’s food industry. A local nonprofit wants to help these food workers get health insurance. We’ll tell you about their work.
Peaches from Fredericksburg may be harder to find because of yet another warm winter. We’ll have more from the Texas Hill Country.
An Austin food influencer is moving from the small screen to the bigger screen with his new show, highlighting immigrant-owned eateries across town. We’ll hear about what he’s learned by going inside the kitchen.
And FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off tomorrow. Our soccer/fútbol expert will have some teams to watch and a local connection on the Canadian national team.
Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org
Judge to decide whether Camp Mystic lawsuits can be settled out of court
A judge in Travis County is expected to decide soon whether Camp Mystic and its owners can settle wrongful death lawsuits out of court stemming from last year’s deadly summer flooding. The families want jury trials, but the owners want arbitration.
Visitors to Big Bend National Park are hoping to catch a glimpse before the protected region changes. The Trump Administration has been pushing on-again-off-again plans for a border wall through the park.
An event this week identifying and highlighting Asian artists in Austin is taking on an added function: Raising funds for some of their own involved in an accident while trying to pursue their art. Austin Creates Together and the recovery for Peelander-Z.
Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation atsupportthispodcast.org
Probe says officers are tackling, pepper-spraying and tasering students in Texas schools
After Uvalde, Texas bet big on safety with police in every school, but a new report suggests an unintended and very troubling side effect.
The New York Times and the San Antonio Express-News reports thousands of incidents of officers tackling, pepper-spraying even tasering students for offenses that once would have meant a trip to the principal’s office, and no clear standards to protect against over-policing at school. We’ll talk to two of the authors of this report.
Also, Angela Kocherga with how the latest on the border wall may lead to an unusual conflict between church and state.
Plus a “Friday Night Lights” reunion conversation with actress Adrianne Palicki, the week in politics and more.
Where things stand with Big Bend border wall plans
He wants to ban Islam in Texas and now he’s the GOP pick for a seat on one of Texas’ most powerful commissions. Who is Bo French? A closer look at why, after this week, a race for a seat on the Texas railroad commission suddenly carries more weight than it might seem at first blush.
A longtime U.S. Senator from Texas forced to give up his seat — what the end of the John Cornyn era says about Texas politics today.
And where to things stand with plans for a border wall in the Big Bend region?
Also, first it was streaming that rewrote the rules for the music industry — now it’s AI. Tech expert Omar Gallaga on two very big music deals involving TikTok and Spotify and why they matter.
Ken Paxton’s Senate runoff win reshapes Texas GOP landscape
Ken Paxton handily beat longtime incumbent John Cornyn in the Republican runoff for Senate. So, what’s that mean come November?
We’re also unpacking big primary runoff races from across the state on both sides of the aisle. What do the results tell us about what Texas voters are prioritizing?
And did you vote in the primary runoffs? Congratulations, you may have added time to your life. The link between voting and living longer.
The Trump administration just changed the way people should apply for green cards. They’re now supposed to leave the U.S. to do so. We’ll unpack the impacts.
Plus, Mark Duplass and his wife Katie Aselton made a new movie about a married couple. We get a little personal in our conversation about “Magic Hour.”
Researchers find cities can change the way storms behave
When spring storms move through cities, they can intensify — creating dangerous flooding. New findings from Texas researchers may explain why.
It’s runoff Election Day in Texas. While all eyes are on the Republican Senate contest between John Cornyn and Ken Paxton, we’ll also spotlight some other key races to watch as ballots are counted.
Also, Memorial Day ushered in the summer travel season — and plenty of Texans are planning vacations and looking for trips to fit their budgets.
Plus, we’re heading into Game 5 of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs. Can the Spurs repeat their strong performance and pull off another win?
A preview of key races for primary runoff Election Day
Across the Lone Star State, Memorial Day observances and events are scheduled.
Meanwhile, voters in Texas are making their lists and checking them twice with primary runoff day set for tomorrow. We’ll get you up to speed on the statewide races to watch.
Plus, we’ll hear about a new app from the folks at Texas Parks and Wildlife. We’ll also learn about the women who’ve played an oversized, but often less-acknowledged, role in conservation.
What now after Trump backs Paxton in Senate race?
The big endorsement is in. So, what does it mean for Texas’s U.S. Senate race that President Trump chose to back Attorney General Ken Paxton?
You may have heard El Niño is coming — and not just a regular, but a super version. What does that mean for Texas weather and hurricane risks?
Texas has updated its program for drivers with communication differences, like those with autism or who are hard of hearing. We’ll cover what you need to know about the changes.
Plus, we’ll profile an animal shelter program with an outsized impact on the trainers working to help dogs ease their way into forever homes.
Shorter waits for affordable childcare in Austin area
The cost of childcare across the country is on the rise, outpacing the price of in-state college tuition in many states. While many local governments are working to figure out a solution, Travis County is ahead of the game.
The pool at Barton Springs was first built around a century ago. But the springs that feed it have been around since long before humans ever arrived in Austin. More from our ATXplained series.
Many Austin Energy customers were left without power after strong winds and heavy rains dropped hail and tree limbs across Central Texas. We’ll have an update and a look ahead at the forecast.
Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org
Flooding leads to evacuations in Williamson County
Steady rain in the region over the last few days led to flooding in Williamson County, with some evacuations occurring. We’ll hear from residents impacted by the floods and how it differed from last summer’s flooding.
A Central Austin building that was home to a Sears store for decades has new life as a one-stop shop — but instead of lawnmowers and washing machines, folks can now have many of their health needs met. We’ll have more about the transformation.
Plus, Austin author Rebecca Bendheim’s new book “When You’re Brave Enough” is all about a mid-life reinvention… Or perhaps more of a middle-school reinvention.
ERCOT forecast raises new questions about Texas power demand
A judge has ordered the release of a family held in a South Texas detention center for 10 months. We’ll have a look at the case and what’s next.
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is leading a Religious Liberty Commission for President Trump. Patrick’s recent comments denying a separation between church and state could tell us more about the group’s forthcoming policy recommendations.
With gas prices still high, there are calls on both sides of the aisle to suspend the gas tax. What would that save you, and what would we lose?
Plus, it’s Earth Day. We’ll explore some of the challenges of extreme weather and the ways people across Texas are trying to make an impact.
Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas.
You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org
UT Austin announces $750 million gift for new Dell Medical Center
It’s been almost two months since a deadly shooting on West Sixth Street left three people dead, including one UT Austin student. Now a new scholarship to help underprivileged students advance their education has been created in honor of Savitha Shanmugasundaram’s life.
UT Austin has announced a new Dell Medical Center and research campus following a $750 million gift from the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation — one that makes the Dells UT’s first-ever billion-dollar donors.
And, the satirical media outlet The Onion says they’ve acquired Infowars, the Austin-based source for decades of conspiracy theories.
Plus: The Indie Meme Film Festival is back for its 11th year. We’ll hear more about what’s coming to town.
Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org
Smokable hemp products legal again in Texas — for now
It’s legal again for Texas businesses to sell smokable forms of hemp. New state rules that went into effect in March had effectively outlawed these sales, while raising fees on the businesses who carry them. We’ll delve into the state of the Texas hemp market.
The state board of education gave preliminary approval to a mandatory list of books that all Texas public schools will teach starting in 2030. Critics of the list say it lacks diversity and emphasizes Christianity.
Plus, what’s the story behind the freaky sculpture hanging in the Barton Creek Greenbelt? That’s the exact question someone asked us for our ATXplained project.
Federal court weighs decision over air conditioning in Texas prisons
Ahead of the coming summer heat, a federal court is considering whether air conditioning should be provided in all Texas prisons. We’ve been following the case that’s been happening in Austin over the past couple of weeks.
There are new changes to SNAP, the benefits that help low-income Texans purchase food. That assistance can’t be used for candy or most sweetened drinks. We’ll take a look at what impact this is having.
The San Marcos Studio Tour continues this weekend. We’ll hear about one artist who is showcasing work.
And a bit of good news to start the weekend: Austin’s favorite owl is giving us a couple of reasons to celebrate.
Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org
‘They Called Us Outlaws’ revisits rise of outlaw country music
The threat of hail, possible tornadoes and flooding conditions spells what could be a severe start to a stormy weather season in Texas. Meteorologist Eric Berger joins us with what to expect and how it fits into the bigger weather picture.
How are you weathering rising gasoline prices? We’ll hear how some Houstonians are coping.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s election-year forecast: Not a rosy one for the Texas GOP. We’ll talk about that with Jasper Scherer of the Texas Tribune.
We’ll reveal our winner in our contest for the best Texas film of all time, as well as talk with the filmmaker behind “They Called Us Outlaws,” all about the rise of outlaw country music.
Meteor over Texas leaves debris, questions
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.
Debate grows over César Chávez Day and public memorials in Texas
Revelations over César Chávez’s reported history of sexual abuse has led to an immediate response across Texas. We’ll break it down.
Texas is home to two of America’s four strategic oil reserves. We’ll dive into why the Gulf Coast was the right place for this storage — beyond its oil and gas infrastructure.
We’ll take a trip to Brownsville for the Final Four — in college chess that is.
And we’ll bring you a story about a Texas-led discovery in South Korea: A new dinosaur species, the Doolysaurus — and it’s really cute.
We’ll also check in on the BBQ World Cup competition drawing interest across Texas for its huge, promised payout.