High-profile Democratic Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett launches her campaign for the U.S. Senate. We’ll look at how she’ll compete in a crowded field against primary opponent State Rep. James Talarico and prospective general election foes incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Last month Texas voters approved funding for a dementia prevention and research institute. Now a lawsuit means that plan is on hold.
Plus, why more and more Texans are selling their blood plasma for cash. The state leads the nation in donations.
And a Christmas festival in Galveston pays homage to author Charles Dickens.
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A special broadcast from San Antonio
It is a city as well known for its history as its growth in the here and now. Today we’re broadcasting from San Antonio for a special edition of the Texas Standard.
As we celebrate 10 years of the Texas Standard, our yearlong tour of Texas takes us to the studios of our partners at Texas Public Radio, based in one of the most beautiful big cities in all of Texas. Though its many landmarks bring in the tourists, new residents are rushing in, too – putting pressure on resources like energy and water.
We’ll explore those growing pains, but we’ll also be sampling the tastes and sounds that make San Antonio special.
Why a Texas Democrat was pardoned by Trump
Democratic congressman Henry Cuellar from Texas faced charges of conspiracy, bribery and money laundering. Why did the president just pardon him? We’ll dive in today.
Texas becomes the first state to buy bitcoin. Why, and what it adds up to in a larger context.
Imagine distilling your entire year into a snapshot – like a top 10 list. Spotify may have popularized the year-end personal recap craze, but they’re not the only game in town. Holiday wrapping and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard.
Texas appeals as its redistricting map is temporarily blocked
A federal court has ruled that the redistricting passed by Texas Republicans – a map that was set to eliminate one of Travis County’s two Democratic-held seats – cannot be used in next year’s midterm elections. The ruling was quickly appealed by Gov. Greg Abbott. We’ll get the latest from The Texas Newsroom.
KUT Morning Newscast for November 7, 2025: ABIA is not on the FAA’s list of airports that will reduce flights, but the effects will spread to Austin
Central Texas top stories for November 7, 2025. In less than two weeks the Austin Independent School District board will vote on a plan to close ten schools. ABIA is not on the FAA’s list of forty airports that will reduce flights, but the effects will spread to Austin. Record high temperatures are expected today and tomorrow, then a cold front is coming. The Central Texas Community Foundation started distributing funds to people impacted by the July floods in Travis and Williamson counties.
3.5 million Texans could lose their SNAP benefits
The federal government has been shut down for 27 days, and if it continues, more than3.5 million people in Texas – including 1.7 million children – will lose access to their SNAP benefits to help pay for groceries. KUT’s Olivia Aldridge shares more on what that will mean for Texans facing food insecurity.
Ahead of Halloween this week, we’ll take a look at one ’90s teen horror movie filmed right here in town: “The Faculty.”
Matthew Odam, longtime restaurant critic at theAustin American-Statesman, stops by to chat about the latest edition of his dining guide to the best restaurants in town.
Houston megachurch faces legal revolt
A University of Texas professor says Congress has gotten so good at frequent government shutdowns, finding the political will to get back on track could be an obstacle in itself. We’ll take a closer look.
Nearly two weeks after the deadly shooting at a Dallas ICE facility, investigators say the motive may be more about notoriety than ideology.
Second Baptist Church in Houston is locked in a legal battle with its own members over leadership and finances, and the dispute is being heard in the city’s new business court.
Texas leads the nation in energy consumption, driven by population growth and the rise of AI data centers. What does it bode for the state’s grid and energy mix?
Williamson County deals with the ramifications of a proposed data center in Taylor
Up in Williamson County, a proposed data center is set to break ground in the city of Taylor. These kinds of centers have drawn all kinds of feedback for the resources and electricity demand required to power them. But the progress of this latest data center could be stopped in its tracks. Williamson County Reporter for KUT News Kailey Hunt joins Austin Signal for more on this. Plus, there’s a lot of news and emotions to take in daily as a human being. So, we make the time to take a moment for ourselves with the help of Marnie Castor. Learn a little and relax a little here on Austin Signal from KUT News.
Texas A&M president resigns amid viral video controversy
Texas A&M President Mark Welsh is resigning after a week of turmoil over a viral video and a clash over gender identity content in the classroom.
What’s behind Texas’ redistricting push? KUT’s Mose Buchele reports on a political strategy started decades ago.
The flesh-eating new world screwworm, a parasite once eradicated from Texas, has been detected within striking distance of the border. What species may be most vulnerable.
The new documentary “When We Were Live” reflects on public access TV in Austin through rare archival footage and interviews with local producers.
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.
Austin’s summer doesn’t seem so hot this year, what’s goin on?
The past three summers have been rough, but this one hasn’t been that bad… or has it? KUT’s Jennifer Stayton talks to KUT’s Energy and Environment reporter Mose Buchele. He tells us this summer was still unusually hot; it just wasn’t apocalyptically so.
Kerr County emergency officials were sleeping when flood hit July 4
Why weren’t Hill Country communities alerted as a deadly wall of water roared down the Guadalupe on the weekend of July 4th? In their first public testimony on the floods, top emergency officials in Kerr County said they were away or asleep.
Voting the old-fashioned way? A return to hand-marked ballots in Collin County is part of a change sweeping Texas and other parts of the country.
Red-crowned Amazons squawk through summer nights in Brownsville – and they’ve been the city’s official bird since 1992.
Plus: An update on a major scramble to defend Texas from a devastating invader, the New World Screwworm.
Food banks struggle to meet rising demand
What we’re now learning about what happened – and what didn’t – before the Hill Country floods. Investigative reporter Lauren McGaughy has the details.
Plus: Flood survivors are asking lawmakers meeting in special session right now to tap the state’s $24 billion rainy day fund to help them meet their immediate needs.
Even without a pandemic, Texas food banks are facing shortages and surging need. The CEO of Feeding Texas joins us to talk about what’s driving the crisis.
Funds for adult education were first put on hold, then released – but there’s a big asterisk. The Standard’s Sarah Asch on a policy change that could affect adult ed.
Plus: Texas Monthly barbecue editor Daniel Vaughn dishes on his latest list of the top BBQ 50 spots in the state.
Why ‘Don’t California My Texas’ isn’t the whole story
Are Democratic lawmakers on the verge of a walkout to stop Republicans from redistricting during the special session? We’ll have the latest.
We’re also tracking possible federal funding cuts to legal aid organizations that could leave thousands of Texans who can’t afford a lawyer without the help they need.
Going beyond armed security guards, some Texas schools are turning to drones to increase security.
The changing role of social media influencers was on display in the aftermath of the July 4 floods.
And: Are Texas lawmakers quietly taking cues on governing from California?
Houston archaeologists uncover tomb of ancient Maya ruler
The Trump administration releases billions of dollars in education grants it previously withheld. What it means as students head back to school.
How the U.S. military is responding to a new kind of warfare that uses small, inexpensive drones.
The story of a Cuban man who raised a family in Texas and spent years working for a school district near Abilene – and now is locked up in an ICE detention center.
A high school student’s plan to help schools coping with a shortage of mental health counselors.
And: A Houston husband-and-wife team of archaeologists have discovered the tomb of the ruler of the ancient Mayan city of Caracol, now in present-day Belize.
Black farmers in East Texas feel the sting of DEI cuts
A peek into the week ahead for the Texas Legislature’s special session: We’ll hear the latest on a much-talked-about possible walkout by Democrats.
A plan to relieve congestion in Austin was approved by voters years ago – but so far, there’s not much to show for it. Is Project Connect off the rails?
The rollback of USDA diversity programs is impacting East Texas, which is home to more Black farmers than anywhere else in the U.S.
Plus: A big deadline for tariffs with Mexico on the table. If a deal can’t be reached by Aug. 1, what could that mean for Texas?
Ben Kweller on grief, music and ‘Cover the Mirrors’
As Texas lawmakers move to consider regulations on THC products, what’s legal, and what’s not? KUT News reporter Nathan Bernier joins us to break it down.
As many see the future of energy as cleaner renewables, why many in the city of Port Arthur are pinning their hopes for a comeback – on oil.
At the Austin YMCA, adults are conquering their fear of water and gaining life-saving skills through swim lessons designed just for them. Texas Standard producer Sarah Asch has the story.
Plus: Two years after the death of his teenage son, a father’s musical journey to find healing: Our conversation with Dripping Springs-based musician Ben Kweller.
Recycling rare earth elements could power the future
Severe storms brought flash floods, hail and widespread power outages to Central Texas, killing one and hospitalizing two. More than 10,000 are still without power.
Rare earth minerals are being wasted when you toss out an old phone or TV. Research in Texas could change the disposal process.
Texas Tech just won its first-ever game in the Women’s College World Series. We’ll introduce you to star pitcher NiJaree Canady, the first softball player making $1 million a season in NIL deals.
Plus: How about a little music? We’ll start with the Huston-Tillotson Jazz Orchestra, a relatively new group with big plans. And a lot of Americans used to have a piano in their homes – how and why that’s changed.
Fort Worth considers shuttering 14 schools to cut costs
With just over a week to go at the Texas Legislature: what’s passed, what’s stalled, and where we stand.
Retailers track your every move to build shopper profiles and offer “personalized discounts.” But these loyalty perks may be more misleading than helpful.
Declining enrollment and tight budgets have school districts reevaluating their campuses. In Fort Worth, officials are proposing a five-year plan to close more than a dozen schools.
And: the week in politics with Jasper Scherer of The Texas Tribune.
How one West Texas town built its own broadband lifeline
Texas lawmakers are considering a plan that could help prevent fentanyl overdoses in the state. Why it may not become law.
A decade after the deadly biker shootout in Waco that led to nine deaths and more than 100 arrests, some civil cases against the city are still moving forward.
Some Texas law enforcement agencies are getting rid of a gun they consider too risky for their officers – by selling them to civilians.
State and federal money has been set aside to connect rural Texans to the Internet. When the remote West Texas town of Monahans couldn’t get that help, they did it themselves.
And: Texas cities once again top a list of the fastest-growing in the U.S., led by Princeton, a suburb east of Frisco.