Central Texas top stories for March 26, 2025. A new commissioned study says burying Austin’s power lines would be next to impossible. Williamson County is looking for a new County Judge, commissioners have identified four candidates. Wildflowers are finally here, but there are fewer than usual.
Williamson County
KUT Morning Newscast for March 25, 2025: Austin is missing out on millions of dollars in federal funding.
Central Texas top stories for March 25, 2025. Recent budget negotiations in Washington left Central Texas without tens of millions of dollars for local projects. Williamson County officials are searching for a new County Judge. The Round Rock Police Department says an investigation continues after a crash on I-35 yesterday killed one person. UT women’s basketball team advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for March 14, 2025: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is ordering the reversal of changes to the sex listed on documents for Transgender Texans.
Central Texas top stories for March 14, 2025. I-35 southbound in North Austin is back open this afternoon following a horrific crash overnight. The Austin area is under a Red Flag Warning until 9 o’clock tonight. The latest on a lawsuit against Austin-based conspiracy theorist Alex Jones from the family of Sandy Hook victims. Williamson County Commissioners voted today to promote Precinct 3 Commissioner Valerie Covey to help oversee the court until a new county judge is appointed. Williamson County is partnering with neighboring Burnet County to grow the region’s space industry.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for March 11, 2025: Austin will delay a vote that could determine what I-35 looks like for the next 50 years.
Central Texas top stories for March 11, 2025. The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for the Austin area tomorrow. Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell is resigning to take a position with the Trump administration. Texas will not be participating in the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer program. The Trump administration’s review of federal grants is forcing the Austin City Council to delay a vote on where to build structures that would support giant decks over the highway. The City of Austin is ramping up its emergency response system. Most people feel more unsafe than safe on Travis County roads.
How border businesses are reacting to Trump tariffs
The Texas comptroller’s race is underway in what’s expected to be a very crowded field. Who’s running and what’s at stake?
President Trump delayed tariffs on products from Mexico for a month. As a new deadline looms, we look at how Texas companies are coping.
Also, is testimony from inmates against other inmates reliable? We’ll examine a death row case.
Plus, a county in South Texas got financing to build low-income homes in Central Texas. Now there’s a lawsuit to stop the project.
And a new play about an enslaved man who found an unusual path to freedom in the 1800s.
KUT Morning Newscast for March 10, 2025: Austin has a new sister city.
Central Texas top stories for March 10, 2025. Busy day at ABIA today. Austin and Manchester announced a sister-cities partnership at South by Southwest. A bill that would create a school voucher program is getting a hearing in the Texas House this week. Williamson County is suing a housing finance corporation looking to remove two of its affordable housing developments from Williamson County’s tax rolls. The City of Kyle is set to launch a new 3-1-1 line tomorrow. The Texas Women’s basketball team came up short in yesterday’s SEC Tournament championship game.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for January 8, 2025
Central Texas top stories for January 8, 2025. Temperatures are expected to stay above freezing tonight and tomorrow. The Taylor Center for Assistance and Navigation is helping people experiencing homelessness find food and shelter during this week’s cold snap. Leander is asking residents to conserve water as they prepare to shut down its main water treatment plant for a major repair.
KUT Morning Newscast for January 8, 2025
Temperatures are forecast to be near freezing some nights of this week, here’s how one local nonprofit is trying to help the area’s homeless population on these cold days. Travis County Community Centers will serve as warming centers. UT Austin released an investigative report into why a patio ceiling collapsed on campus collapsed recently. If you live in Austin or Travis County, you can get your pet or cat spayed or neutered for free.
KUT Morning Newscast for January 7, 2025
Central Texas top stories for January 7, 2025. Austin is still struggling to staff its police department. Rents continue to fall in the Austin area. Georgetown is finding new sources of water to meet the demand that comes with its rapid growth.
KUT Morning Newscast for December 30, 2024
Central Texas top stories for December 30, 2024. A new lung cancer screening initiative shows strong results. A Williamson County jury has awarded a family more than a million dollars after finding the company that managed their apartment complex neglected to make critical repairs. The city of San Marcos is considering a merger of its bus routes with those of Texas State University. The country is mourning the death of former President Jimmy Carter. Austin Pets Alive! is hoping to find new homes for 50 dogs by New Year’s Eve. 2024 will end on a warm note.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for December 17, 2024
Central Texas top stories for December 17, 2024. More Austin area renters are cost-burdened by their housing situation. Williamson County is looking to expand its jail and justice center. A section of road in Northwest Austin has been renamed in honor of a San Marcos Police Officer who died in the line of duty in 2020. Lots of weather changes inbound.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for December 10, 2024
Central Texas top stories for December 10, 2024. Today is the last day of Early Voting in runoff elections. The first freeze of the season is on the way tomorrow morning. Austin activated its cold weather shelters for tonight. A Freeze Warning is in effect from midnight until eight tomorrow morning across Central Texas. Williamson County has hired its first county manager. A federal judge has blocked a rule from the Biden administration that would have given DACA recipients access to the Affordable Care Act. Travis County’s ban on outdoor burning is being allowed to expire as scheduled at midnight.
SpaceX backs out of Boca Chica Beach land swap
A Houston-area nonprofit that helped thousands find a new life in the U.S. disappears. A new investigation reveals surprising answers about what happened to the Alliance.
More international students than ever before are studying in the U.S., and among the top destinations are the University of North Texas and UT Dallas.
How a much-talked-about Department of Government Efficiency could affect the hundreds of thousands of federal workers in Texas.
In a surprise move, SpaceX has pulled out of a land swap deal with Texas Parks and Wildlife.
And: A few months ago, 17-year-old Tobi Haastrup didn’t know what a first down was. Now, the Houston player is one of the hottest prospects in college football.
KUT Morning Newscast for November 22, 2024
Central Texas top stories for November 22, 2024. The City of Austin has denied a request for a recount from mayoral candidate Carmen Llanes Pulido. After the November election, the Travis County Tax Office has been calculating property owners’ 2024 tax bills. The City of Austin has adopted the new Equity-Based Preservation Plan. The City of Austin got two federal grants to bolster the Downtown Austin Community Court Mobile Court program. Williamson County is working on facilitating inmates’ access to mental health treatment. Here’s where to volunteer this Thanksgiving.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for November 21, 2024
Central Texas top stories for November 21, 2024. Austin Mayor candidate Carmen Llanes Pulido filed for a recount. Travis County District Attorney José Garza is defending his use of county-funded security. Missing fall foliage in Austin. HEB may be coming to Buda.
KUT Morning Newscast for November 18, 2024
Central Texas top stories for November 18, 2024. Two cold fronts will bring temperatures down this week. Some cities in Williamson County are re-thinking how they approach flood insurance. The Texas State Board of Education is kicking off its last series of meetings of the year today. The Texas Longhorns are ranked 3rd in the AP’s latest Top 25 football rankings.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for November 14, 2024
Central Texas top stories for November 14, 2024. Texas Governor Greg Abbott is telling public colleges and universities not to increase tuition for another two school years. The race for Austin Mayor is coming down to a small number of uncounted votes in Williamson County. The Onion buys Infowars. Wynn Roser is Texas’ new commissioner of higher education.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for November 6, 2024
Central Texas top stories for November 6, 2024. Reactions to the Presidential Election result in Travis County. Austin Mayor Kirk Watson may be headed for a runoff. One of the three races for a place in the Austin City Council is heading to a runoff. One Austin ISD race is heading to a runoff. And a couple of races in Hays County are undecided. Republican victories in several races in Williamson County. Voters in Manor have approved a higher tax rate to generate more revenue for the school district. San Marcos CISD voters approved a tax rate increase to generate more money for that district. Two more Austin-area cities have voted to decriminalize possessing small amounts of marijuana. Austin area homeowners are being asked to confirm their homestead exemption.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for November 4, 2024
Central Texas top stories for November 4, 2024. Early Voting turnout. What to do if you encounter hiccups at the ballot box. High turnout in Williamson County during Early Voting. Austin ISD voters are deciding whether to approve a tax rate increase that would generate millions of dollars in new revenue for the district. Crews have been making progress containing a wildfire in Bastrop County.
KUT Afternoon Newscast for October 29, 2024
Central Texas top stories for October 29, 2024. Early Voting turnout in Travis County picked up again yesterday after a slower weekend. As the population grows in Central Texas counties, so does the number of registered voters. What an Austin Mayoral campaign cost the candidates. Voters in Lockhart are deciding whether to bring Austin Community College into the bounds of their school district. A student died today after being stabbed by another student at Manor Senior High School. Williamson County commissioners voted today to allocate some of their remaining federal COVID relief funding toward projects to improve the county’s justice system. Republican vice-presidential nominee J.D. Vance is expected in Austin tomorrow to make his own appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast.