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

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US military sending troops to southern border

The U.S. military is sending around 1,500 active-duty troops to the country’s southern border, under orders from President Donald Trump. But what will they be doing, exactly, and what are the limits on what they can do?

Half a trillion dollars have been pledged for a new AI venture called Stargate, and the first project is a data center in Abilene.

And: Sherman, Texas, is experiencing a silicon rush, with two massive microchip factories under construction – one by Texas Instruments and another by Global Wafers.

What Trump’s declaration of an energy emergency could mean for Texas

As Texans try to keep warm, volunteers are bundling up to help a particularly vulnerable population: sea turtles facing “cold stun,” a life-threatening condition.

We’re three days into the new Trump administration and trying to keep up with a slew of executive orders. Digging into the impacts on the energy industry, as well as what it means to issue a presidential pardon.

Peer support specialists can help fill the gaps in mental health care in Texas. But there are some challenges to keeping people on the job.

And: The Sundance Film Festival gives fans a sneak peek at movies before they hit theaters. We’re keeping an eye on a few with Texas ties.

Trump’s first executive orders focus on immigration

Much of Texas is dealing with dangerously cold temperatures and conditions that make travel hazardous. How the state is coping – plus a look at the power grid.

President Trump declared an emergency on the U.S.-Mexico border and issued several executive orders on immigration. We’ll delve into the details.

A look at the life and legacy of Cecile Richards: The former president of Planned Parenthood, and a major force in Texas and national politics, has died of brain cancer at 67.

Plus: Texas Standard intern Yoali Rodríguez reports on the designers working to make El Paso a new fashion hub.

Health and Human Services Commission employees accused in data breach

Parts of Texas that seldom see snow may well see frozen precipitation blanketing beaches tomorrow. We’re keeping watch.

Seven employees of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission have been fired for improperly accessing, and in some cases, stealing, from the accounts of thousands of Texans receiving public assistance.

And: TikTok went dark for U.S. users on Saturday night, hours before a ban on the service was due to take effect. But on Sunday, the service returned, with a message crediting President-elect Trump, who said he would delay the ban. We’ll have the latest.

The polar vortex is complicating Northeast Texas farming

Rain, freezing rain, sleet and snow are sweeping across Texas, with the Panhandle and DFW areas bracing for the worst. We’ll have the latest on this week’s forecast – and how it’s complicating life for farmers and ranchers between Dallas and Texarkana.

With the Texas Legislature set to reconvene in a few days, some lawmakers preparing to fight again for Medicaid expansion in Texas.

As the president of UT Austin announces plans to lead Southern Methodist University, a years-long fight between SMU and the United Methodist Church over a potential split is set to reach the Texas Supreme Court in just days.

Also: President-elect Trump is getting pushback from car manufacturers on his plan to roll back EV incentives and mandates.

What we know about Texas ties to deadly attack in New Orleans

The FBI has identified the suspect in a deadly terrorist attack in New Orleans as Texas resident Shamsud-Din Jabbar. We’ll have the latest on the rampage that left 15 people dead.

Ahead of next week’s national day of mourning for former President Jimmy Carter, a look at his impact on the Lone Star State.

What steps should lawmakers prioritize in the upcoming legislative session to address the state’s water crisis?

And: Scientists have identified a new bee species found only in Texas and Oklahoma.

Our top music stories for the year

Queue up some jams for your New Year’s Eve party with this roundup of some of our favorite music segments from 2024, featuring Beyoncé, the Jesus Lizard, Bayonne and more.

A year of travel across Texas

Every corner of Texas holds a certain kind of unique magic. We’re hitting the road, exploring hidden history and checking out plans for some new trails.

Diving into Texas history

Through the years, countless Texans have made history, though some are far less remembered or memorialized. We’re bringing some of those stories to light today, from the far reaches of space exploration to the farmworkers who fought for change with the Texas Farm Workers Union.

Some of our favorite stories of the year

We asked our team of journalists at the Standard to reflect on some of their favorite stories of the past 12 months. Today we remember efforts to save animals during the big Panhandle fire, a Texas runner heading to his final marathon, prospects for a WNBA franchise in a city that’s long gone without a pro team, and much more.

Tour the Texas Museum Map

This year we kicked off the Texas Museum Map, exploring and highlighting museums big and small, traditional and weird.

Today we’ll take a tour of the state, with stops at the Museum of South Texas History in Edinburg, the Rangerette Showcase & Museum in East Texas, and Cadillac Ranch near Amarillo, among others.

The best of The Texas Newsroom

We’re taking a look back at some of our favorite stories of the year from our public radio reporting partners across the state, including:

A Dallas ISD program that’s getting more Black and Latino men into classrooms.

Mobile health clinics rolling out to provide vital medical services as the state loses rural hospitals.

And: A visit to the traditional Mexican rodeo in San Antonio.

Inside the Conjunto Music Hall of Fame & Museum

At least five bills have been filed in the Texas Legislature so far to require Texas voters to show proof of citizenship. A look at the implications.

How education could take center stage in the upcoming 89th Texas legislative session.

Attorney General Ken Paxton files a motion to prevent testimony at the Capitol from death row inmate Robert Roberson.

And: Kristen Cabrera visits the Conjunto Music Hall of Fame & Museum for the Texas Museum Map project.

Remembering Melinda Wickman Swearingen, ‘the Annie Leibovitz of outlaw country’

It’s Republicans vs. Republicans to decide the speaker’s race in the Texas House of Representatives.

Photographer Melinda Wickman Swearingen, who died earlier this year, captured evocative images of outlaw country musicians. Her work will soon be on display at the Wittliff Collections at Texas State University.

And: What’s the deal with these mysterious drones? Should we be worried? Omar Gallaga has answers.

After its buyout, has Whataburger lost its spice?

There’s a fight to lead the Texas House of Representatives, and two names top the list. Yesterday we heard about Justin Burrows; today we’re taking a closer look at his challenger, David Cook, who the support of the House GOP caucus.

How one Central Texas school district is trying to do something about chronic absenteeism.

And: Whataburger has long been celebrated as a Texas fast food icon, but after its sale to a Chicago-based company, many claim it just isn’t what it used to be. Omar Gallaga explains.

A&M’s next giant leap is the Texas Space Institute

It’s still election season in the Texas Legislature, where there’s a race for speaker of the House of Representatives. We’re taking a close look at the top two contenders this week, starting today with Rep. Dustin Burrows.


Billy Bob Thornton, who’s long been an honorary Texan, has earned his eighth Golden Globe nomination for his role as Tommy Norris in Taylor Sheridan’s new series, “Landman.” He joins the show today.


Plus: Last month, the Texas A&M Space Institute broke ground near NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Director Nancy Currie-Gregg shares the details.

YouTube cleaning sensation AuriKatariina heads to Texas

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit claiming a New York doctor illegally prescribed abortion pills to a Texas resident.

A state plan to provide incentives for affordable housing: A Houston Chronicle investigation finds little affordable housing being built – and taxpayers holding the bag.

Two Texas families take legal action against an AI chatbot, alleging it served up sexual and self-harming content to kids.

Finnish cleaning star AuriKatariina, with 3.4 million YouTube subscribers and billions of views, is on the hunt for Texas’ dirtiest house to clean.

And: The New York Times sparks a controversy over the use of “y’all.”  Texas Monthly would like a word.

A special broadcast from Abilene

Today we come to you from one of Texas’ once great railroad towns – and though the trains aren’t so much a central part of life here anymore, something else has happened that’s been bringing people, prosperity and a sense of renewal back to Abilene.

An AI-focused facility could transform the Big Country region.

Ahead of the 2025, legislative session, Stamford Mayor James Decker shares insights on what’s needed for small-town Texas.

And: Wylie ISD is enacting a strict no-phone policy to reduce distractions.

Big Bend seeks artists to capture park’s rugged beauty

Last night’s chill has many Texans asking how the state’s power grid is looking for the winter. How much has changed since the freeze and blackouts of February 2021? Mose Buchele of KUT News has been keeping tabs.
The Texas legislative session hasn’t even started, yet more than one representative claims to be the de facto speaker-elect of the House. The Texas Newsroom’s Blaise Gainey joins us with the latest.
Calling all creatives: Big Bend National Park is accepting applications for its artist-in-residence program.
And: What’s in your mug? Mando Rayo, host of the Tacos of Texas podcast, has winter tips for cozy sips.

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