Zilker Park

What layoffs at special education office could mean for Texas schools

The Trump administration has reportedly slashed jobs at a federal office responsible for overseeing special education. What might that mean here in Texas?
A new school in Uvalde offers a place for learning apart from the building desecrated by a mass shooting – but remembrance is built into the design.
The craft brewing bubble has burst. A look at the continued challenges facing those still open.
There’s a rare jellyfish being spotted in the Texas Gulf. What you need to know about the pink meanie.
Plus, a collection of essays from Stephen Harrigan. Our conversation with the author on his new book, “An Anchor in the Sea of Time.”

Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas.

You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org

Live from ACL Fest a special Austin Signal broadcast

It’s Weekend 2 of the Austin City Limits Music Festival, and Austin Signal is capping off our first week on the air by broadcasting a special hour from Zilker Park.

We’re talking with local trio Next of Kin, who are playing the festival this year. And KUTX’s Deidre Gott joins with a retrospective on how ACL has changed over the years – and she would know, because she’s never missed a festival.

Plus: What happens to Zilker’s grass after two weekends of packed crowds? KUT’s Luz Moreno-Lozano has the details.

What it takes to maintain Zilker Park’s great lawn after Austin City Limits

The two-weekend event means a lot more foot traffic and equipment putting stress on the park’s lawn and ecosystem. KUT’s Luz Moreno-Lozano tells us how the city keeps the grass healthy.

This podcast is made at KUT Public Media Studios. You may have heard that Congress just took back the money it had allocated for public radio. Our organization stands to lose 1.2 million dollars. We’re asking our listeners now to help us make up this shortfall. If you want to help us out, you can make a donation at supportthispodcast.org.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for October 10, 2025: It’s weekend two of the Austin City Limits Music Festival

Central Texas top stories for October 10, 2025. How to navigate road closures around Zilker Park on the way to ACL. The City of Austin is set to open a new homeless services center next year. Parents, staff and community members expressed their concerns last night about the Austin ISD school consolidation plan. A lot of area schools districts did not have classes today.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for October 3, 2025: It’s weekend one of the Austin City Limits Music Festival

Central Texas top stories for October 3, 2025. How to get around during Austin City Limits. More than a dozen Austin ISD campuses are slated to close next school year. A state district judge is expected to rule soon on an injunction against a controversial data center project in Williamson County. Lane closures this weekend on I-35 northbound in San Marcos are going to cause some slowdowns.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for September 12, 2025: Austin Police identify Zilker Park shooting suspect, who allegedly left his girlfriend ‘brain dead’

Central Texas top stories for September 12, 2025. The Austin Police Department has identified the man accused of shooting a police officer and another person Wednesday morning near Zilker Park. UT Austin students are trying to get the word out about a new law they say limits free speech on campus. Central Health has given initial approval to a new budget and tax rate. The City of Austin is launching a program to remove graffiti from private properties. Gas prices went down overnight, but not by much.

KUT Morning Newscast for September 12, 2025: Austin Police identified the suspect in the shooting near Zilker Park

Central Texas top stories for September 12, 2025. Austin Police have identified 30-year-old Brandon Thompson as the suspect in the shooting of two people near Zilker Park this week. The 183 North Project is running months behind schedule. The Austin City Council has approved new rules for short-term rentals like Airbnb. Central Health has given initial approval to a new budget and tax rate.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for September 11, 2025: Austin police canceled a shelter-in-place order while a shooter was on the loose

Central Texas top stories for September 11, 2025. People in parts of Austin were told Wednesday morning just after 6:30 that a man who shot a police officer and another person near Zilker Park was no longer a threat, but he still was. Central Health has given initial approval to a new budget and tax rate. Property owners running short-term rentals in Austin will have to follow new rules adopted by the Austin City Council today. The Longhorns volleyball team got their second win against a top ten team this week.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for September 10, 2025: Suspect in police shooting ran into house, was shot by homeowner before arrest, APD chief says

Central Texas top stories for September 10, 2025. Three people were shot this morning, including an Austin police officer near Zilker Park. Today at 5 pm is the deadline to apply for financial assistance if you were affected by July’s flooding in Travis or Williamson County. Austin ISD is hosting a virtual meeting tonight on its plan to close schools and redraw school district boundaries. Austin’s Live Music Fund is opening back up. Tomorrow is an Ozone Action Day.

KUT Morning Newscast for September 10, 2025: An Austin police officer was shot near Zilker Park. APD is searching for the suspect.

Central Texas top stories for September 10, 2025. APD is asking people to avoid the area around Zilker Park after an officer was injured during shooting. The Austin Independent School District is less than a month away from announcing a plan to save money and improve low-performing schools. The Save Austin Now political action committee is launching a campaign opposing the City of Austin’s proposed property tax increase. Austin is preparing to offer another round of funding to support live musicians and venues. Today is an Ozone Action Day.

KUT Morning Newscast for January 3, 2025

Central Texas top stories for January 3, 2025. Work begins this year on some of Austin’s busiest streets. Austin is moving forward with its plans to reopen parts of East 6th Street to cars. The number of people experiencing homelessness in Texas increased slightly over the past year. Austin music institution Waterloo Records will be relocating and changing ownership. Some local Austin businesses that closed in 2024. Residents looking to discard their holiday trees can drop them off at Zilker Park this weekend.

Central Texas top stories for August 28, 2024.

Central Texas top stories for August 28, 2024. Travis County Commissioners Court is calling for help to keep the air clean. Williamson County adopted a budget to establish an office of death investigators. Kyle’s police force is working to recruit more employees. This is the last weekend to use the Zilker Shuttle for the season.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for April 16, 2024

Central Texas top stories for April 16, 2024. Austin is facing a budget shortfall. San Marcos water restrictions may be changing soon. UT Austin President Jay Hartzell on staff layoffs to comply with a new state law banning DEI initiatives at public universities. “Bike lane bounty” initiative hits a snag. All Things Wild takes in a duck with a missing bill. Changes to Zilker Park’s weekend parking fee.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for September 25, 2023

Central Texas top stories for September 25, 2023. Severe weather possible again tonight in Central Texas. One man’s account of getting caught in the storm. How last night’s hail stones got that big. Filing an insurance claim for hail or wind damage. Austin Energy itself got hit. Austin council member takes 60-day medical leave. Aqua Texas protest. Zilker area closures ahead of ACL Fest. Texas football to face tougher opponent.

KUT Morning Newscast for August 8, 2023

Central Texas top stories for August 8, 2023. Oak Grove wildfire is 90 percent contained. Red flag and excessive heat warnings for central Texas. Wildfire safety tips.

KUT Afternoon Newscast for May 30, 2023

Central Texas top stories for May 30, 2023. Bill targeting so-called progressive district attorneys goes to Governor’s desk, while another bill to kill Project Connect dies at the Texas Capitol. Jacob’s Well could remain closed through the summer. Writers’ strike affecting this week’s ATX Television Festival. Free meals for all children at IDEA schools. Closures this week at Zilker Park.

KUT Morning Newscast for May 22, 2023

Central Texas top stories for May 22, 2023. Zilker park plans. School funding increases. UT softball advances.

KUT Morning Newscast for April 27, 2023

Central Texas top stories for April 27, 2023. Stormy weather update. Williamson County supports violent crime victims. Sexual assault survivor support organization on SB8. Dell Children’s new hospital campus in North Austin. Bat season. Zilker bat found with rabies. School finance bill.

KUT Morning Newscast for March 27, 2023

Central Texas top stories for March 27, 2023. Austin ISD superintendent search. Zilker Park parking fees. Texas Observer shutting down. Free mammograms. NASCAR at COTA. UT Men’s Basketball eliminated. Austin FC.