1 00:00:11,020 --> 00:00:12,458 Austin City Council members are 2 00:00:12,459 --> 00:00:13,979 meeting today as they work to 3 00:00:13,980 --> 00:00:15,979 finalize a budget for the city. 4 00:00:15,980 --> 00:00:17,659 They'll have ways, they'll have to 5 00:00:17,660 --> 00:00:19,258 find ways to trim the budget after 6 00:00:19,259 --> 00:00:21,099 voters resoundingly rejected a 7 00:00:21,100 --> 00:00:22,938 proposed tax rate increase that 8 00:00:22,939 --> 00:00:24,779 would have generated more than $100 9 00:00:24,780 --> 00:00:25,739 million. 10 00:00:25,740 --> 00:00:27,739 We're gonna have an update from City 11 00:00:27,740 --> 00:00:29,579 Hall. Plus, the Austin Independent 12 00:00:29,580 --> 00:00:31,019 School District will vote this week 13 00:00:31,020 --> 00:00:32,699 on their plan to shutter campuses 14 00:00:32,700 --> 00:00:34,539 across the city and reassign some 15 00:00:34,540 --> 00:00:36,219 students to different schools. 16 00:00:36,220 --> 00:00:38,139 AISD released their final version 17 00:00:38,140 --> 00:00:39,899 of the plan last week, ahead of 18 00:00:39,900 --> 00:00:41,018 Thursday's vote. 19 00:00:41,019 --> 00:00:42,779 We'll have more about what's changed 20 00:00:42,780 --> 00:00:44,159 and what's the same. 21 00:00:44,160 --> 00:00:46,079 The Austin Signal is a production of 22 00:00:46,080 --> 00:00:48,318 K UT News, hosted by Jerry 23 00:00:48,319 --> 00:00:49,089 Kihano. 24 00:00:49,090 --> 00:00:50,929 And bats eat tons and tons 25 00:00:50,930 --> 00:00:52,369 of pests each night. 26 00:00:52,370 --> 00:00:53,889 Farmers are hoping they can play a 27 00:00:53,890 --> 00:00:56,049 bigger role on their properties. 28 00:00:56,050 --> 00:00:58,289 That is coming up next on Austin 29 00:00:58,290 --> 00:00:59,290 Signal. 30 00:01:08,520 --> 00:01:10,038 Howdy out there, you are listening 31 00:01:10,039 --> 00:01:11,479 to Austin Signal. 32 00:01:11,480 --> 00:01:13,159 This is listener-powered public 33 00:01:13,160 --> 00:01:15,879 radio, K U T News 90.5 34 00:01:15,880 --> 00:01:18,038 on the KUT app and online 35 00:01:18,039 --> 00:01:19,959 at KUT.org. 36 00:01:19,960 --> 00:01:21,959 It's Tuesday, November 18th. 37 00:01:21,960 --> 00:01:23,959 Thank you for making Austin Signal 38 00:01:23,960 --> 00:01:24,999 part of your day. 39 00:01:25,000 --> 00:01:26,919 Breaking news into the KUT newsroom 40 00:01:26,920 --> 00:01:27,959 in the last hour. 41 00:01:27,960 --> 00:01:29,639 A federal court has blocked Texas 42 00:01:29,640 --> 00:01:31,239 from using the new congressional map 43 00:01:31,240 --> 00:01:32,758 passed by the legislature at 44 00:01:32,759 --> 00:01:34,199 President Trump's urging this 45 00:01:34,200 --> 00:01:35,079 summer. U.S. 46 00:01:35,080 --> 00:01:36,839 Judge Jeffrey Brown, a Trump 47 00:01:36,840 --> 00:01:38,599 appointee, wrote in the ruling, 48 00:01:38,600 --> 00:01:40,359 quote, the public perception of this 49 00:01:40,360 --> 00:01:42,519 case is that it's about politics. 50 00:01:42,520 --> 00:01:44,198 To be sure, politics played a role 51 00:01:44,199 --> 00:01:46,279 in drawing the 2025 map, 52 00:01:46,280 --> 00:01:47,959 but it was much more than just 53 00:01:47,960 --> 00:01:48,839 politics. 54 00:01:48,840 --> 00:01:50,679 Substantial evidence shows that 55 00:01:50,680 --> 00:01:52,999 Texas racially gerrymandered 56 00:01:53,000 --> 00:01:54,839 the 2025 map. 57 00:01:54,840 --> 00:01:55,719 End quote. 58 00:01:55,720 --> 00:01:57,639 You can read more about the ruling 59 00:01:57,640 --> 00:01:59,399 from the Texas Newsroom's Capitol 60 00:01:59,400 --> 00:02:00,919 reporter, Blaise Gainey. 61 00:02:00,920 --> 00:02:04,198 That is over at KUT.org. 62 00:02:04,199 --> 00:02:05,319 Let's get into the show. 63 00:02:05,320 --> 00:02:06,919 Austin City Council members are 64 00:02:06,920 --> 00:02:08,359 holding a work session today to 65 00:02:08,360 --> 00:02:10,679 finalize a budget for the city 66 00:02:10,680 --> 00:02:12,679 by the end of this week. 67 00:02:12,680 --> 00:02:14,518 Voters rejected earlier this month 68 00:02:14,519 --> 00:02:16,279 the proposed tax rate increase, 69 00:02:16,280 --> 00:02:18,439 proposition Q, and now City Council 70 00:02:18,440 --> 00:02:19,799 is deciding on which parts of the 71 00:02:19,800 --> 00:02:21,239 budget must be trimmed. 72 00:02:21,240 --> 00:02:23,479 KUT City Hall reporter Luz Moreno 73 00:02:23,480 --> 00:02:25,319 Lozano is downtown at 74 00:02:25,320 --> 00:02:26,999 the work session, and she is joining 75 00:02:27,000 --> 00:02:28,518 us now here on Austin Signal. 76 00:02:28,519 --> 00:02:29,749 Howdy Luz. 77 00:02:29,750 --> 00:02:30,549 Hi Jerry. 78 00:02:30,550 --> 00:02:31,289 Thanks for having me. 79 00:02:31,290 --> 00:02:32,889 I'm glad you are here with us. 80 00:02:32,890 --> 00:02:34,089 Can you get us up to speed? 81 00:02:34,090 --> 00:02:35,849 Austin City Council tried to get 82 00:02:35,850 --> 00:02:37,529 this process started last week, but 83 00:02:37,530 --> 00:02:38,809 they hit a bit of a speed bump. 84 00:02:38,810 --> 00:02:40,249 What happened there? 85 00:02:40,250 --> 00:02:41,769 Yeah, so you know, the the city 86 00:02:41,770 --> 00:02:43,609 council had posted its agenda for 87 00:02:43,610 --> 00:02:45,209 I think last Thursday and it 88 00:02:45,210 --> 00:02:46,969 included, you know, a date, time, 89 00:02:46,970 --> 00:02:48,969 location, the agenda item. 90 00:02:48,970 --> 00:02:50,969 But as part of a new state law, 91 00:02:50,970 --> 00:02:52,649 that new that agenda item should 92 00:02:52,650 --> 00:02:54,489 have included backups to like the 93 00:02:54,490 --> 00:02:56,809 proposed amendment budget, 94 00:02:56,810 --> 00:02:58,649 what the annual tax 95 00:02:58,650 --> 00:03:00,569 rate would be for 96 00:03:00,570 --> 00:03:01,849 the average homeowner. 97 00:03:01,850 --> 00:03:03,849 And because those documents were not 98 00:03:03,850 --> 00:03:05,769 part of the 99 00:03:05,770 --> 00:03:07,609 agenda that was posted, it 100 00:03:07,610 --> 00:03:09,289 was technically a violation of the 101 00:03:09,290 --> 00:03:10,729 Texas Open Meetings Act. 102 00:03:10,730 --> 00:03:12,729 And so two attorneys, Bill 103 00:03:12,730 --> 00:03:14,889 Alshire and Rick Fi 104 00:03:14,890 --> 00:03:16,809 and his colleague Rick, 105 00:03:16,810 --> 00:03:19,049 filed a complaint against the city. 106 00:03:19,050 --> 00:03:20,809 The city did say that they believed 107 00:03:20,810 --> 00:03:22,809 that they followed and complied with 108 00:03:22,810 --> 00:03:25,369 what was supposed to be posted, 109 00:03:25,370 --> 00:03:26,569 but they ended up canceling the 110 00:03:26,570 --> 00:03:29,129 meeting anyway out of transparency. 111 00:03:29,130 --> 00:03:30,889 And the city manager had talked 112 00:03:30,890 --> 00:03:32,489 about wanting to like address and 113 00:03:32,490 --> 00:03:33,609 make sure that the community is 114 00:03:33,610 --> 00:03:34,889 aware of what's happening with this 115 00:03:34,890 --> 00:03:35,659 budget. 116 00:03:35,660 --> 00:03:37,339 Okay, and so that meeting got pushed 117 00:03:37,340 --> 00:03:38,539 back to today. 118 00:03:38,540 --> 00:03:39,499 You've been out there since this 119 00:03:39,500 --> 00:03:40,699 morning. What's been going on so 120 00:03:40,700 --> 00:03:41,539 far? 121 00:03:41,540 --> 00:03:43,459 Yeah. So we you know, we 122 00:03:43,460 --> 00:03:45,459 heard the city council get kind of 123 00:03:45,460 --> 00:03:47,539 their first overlook 124 00:03:47,540 --> 00:03:49,459 at what this budget would include. 125 00:03:49,460 --> 00:03:51,699 You know, they are having to find 126 00:03:51,700 --> 00:03:53,298 or reduce their budget by the 127 00:03:53,299 --> 00:03:54,819 hundred and ten million dollars that 128 00:03:54,820 --> 00:03:56,339 was supposed to be added through the 129 00:03:56,340 --> 00:03:58,099 tax rate election. 130 00:03:58,100 --> 00:03:59,939 We've seen kind of cuts or 131 00:03:59,940 --> 00:04:01,539 suggestions for cuts across the 132 00:04:01,540 --> 00:04:02,339 board. 133 00:04:02,340 --> 00:04:04,659 You know, they wanted to make cuts 134 00:04:04,660 --> 00:04:06,659 to homelessness. 135 00:04:06,660 --> 00:04:08,499 And so they've reduced 136 00:04:08,500 --> 00:04:10,739 that particular area. 137 00:04:10,740 --> 00:04:12,099 Same thing with park, same thing 138 00:04:12,100 --> 00:04:13,059 with the library. 139 00:04:13,060 --> 00:04:15,059 And so we've seen just how they 140 00:04:15,060 --> 00:04:16,419 can do that. I think, you know, 141 00:04:16,420 --> 00:04:17,539 there's still a lot of moving parts 142 00:04:17,540 --> 00:04:18,739 of this. So I hate to say, you know, 143 00:04:18,740 --> 00:04:19,939 we might see four million dollars 144 00:04:19,940 --> 00:04:21,299 here and six million dollars there 145 00:04:21,300 --> 00:04:23,379 without the city council first 146 00:04:23,380 --> 00:04:24,899 you know, deciding what that looks 147 00:04:24,900 --> 00:04:26,099 like. But yeah, it looks like 148 00:04:26,100 --> 00:04:27,219 they're gonna have to really make 149 00:04:27,220 --> 00:04:28,579 some tough decisions about what they 150 00:04:28,580 --> 00:04:29,859 wanna see funded and what they're 151 00:04:29,860 --> 00:04:30,809 gonna prioritize. 152 00:04:30,810 --> 00:04:31,929 And you've been doing some reporting 153 00:04:31,930 --> 00:04:33,129 on this, a lot of reporting 154 00:04:33,130 --> 00:04:34,569 actually, but your most recent story 155 00:04:34,570 --> 00:04:36,649 over at KUT dot org, 156 00:04:36,650 --> 00:04:38,089 mentioned a lot of those services 157 00:04:38,090 --> 00:04:40,249 that had come up in the proposed 158 00:04:40,250 --> 00:04:41,849 cuts to the city budget. 159 00:04:41,850 --> 00:04:43,529 One of those was first responders 160 00:04:43,530 --> 00:04:44,409 EMS. 161 00:04:44,410 --> 00:04:45,769 You spoke with the president of the 162 00:04:45,770 --> 00:04:47,289 Austin EMS Association. 163 00:04:47,290 --> 00:04:49,069 What did he have to say? 164 00:04:49,070 --> 00:04:50,909 Yeah. You know, EMS has been 165 00:04:50,910 --> 00:04:53,149 struggling with staffing shortages. 166 00:04:53,150 --> 00:04:54,429 And, you know, the city is just 167 00:04:54,430 --> 00:04:55,709 getting bigger and so it's making it 168 00:04:55,710 --> 00:04:57,549 harder to respond in an 169 00:04:57,550 --> 00:04:59,149 an effective manner. 170 00:04:59,150 --> 00:05:00,269 And so one of the things that this 171 00:05:00,270 --> 00:05:01,869 budget was supposed to do was kind 172 00:05:01,870 --> 00:05:04,029 of help hire more people 173 00:05:04,030 --> 00:05:05,789 and help kind of fill those gaps 174 00:05:05,790 --> 00:05:07,469 that they were filling. 175 00:05:07,470 --> 00:05:09,629 You know, we have seen the city 176 00:05:09,630 --> 00:05:11,229 council kind of throw their support 177 00:05:11,230 --> 00:05:13,469 behind potentially supporting 178 00:05:13,470 --> 00:05:15,389 some of those asks that they were 179 00:05:15,390 --> 00:05:16,749 that they were hoping to get as part 180 00:05:16,750 --> 00:05:18,989 of the tax rate election increase. 181 00:05:18,990 --> 00:05:20,269 But yeah, we'll kind of see what 182 00:05:20,270 --> 00:05:22,349 happens. I I think people are 183 00:05:22,350 --> 00:05:23,949 we we've heard a lot today from the 184 00:05:23,950 --> 00:05:25,629 community and from city council 185 00:05:25,630 --> 00:05:27,229 members about wanting to make sure 186 00:05:27,230 --> 00:05:28,669 that people have access to 187 00:05:30,110 --> 00:05:31,468 Emergency medical services, you 188 00:05:31,469 --> 00:05:32,749 know, when you call nine one one, 189 00:05:32,750 --> 00:05:34,189 you want someone to respond as soon 190 00:05:34,190 --> 00:05:34,989 as possible. 191 00:05:34,990 --> 00:05:36,749 And I think that's gonna be a top 192 00:05:36,750 --> 00:05:37,949 priority for the city council. 193 00:05:37,950 --> 00:05:40,109 And J James Monks, 194 00:05:40,110 --> 00:05:41,549 who's the president of the union, 195 00:05:41,550 --> 00:05:42,908 told me that that was something he 196 00:05:42,909 --> 00:05:44,749 heard and he was hoping to to 197 00:05:44,750 --> 00:05:46,429 kind of hope to play out this week. 198 00:05:46,430 --> 00:05:47,629 But yeah, we'll see how that plays 199 00:05:47,630 --> 00:05:48,579 out for sure. 200 00:05:48,580 --> 00:05:50,499 Well like you said, in your article 201 00:05:50,500 --> 00:05:52,418 at K U T dot org, Austin City 202 00:05:52,419 --> 00:05:54,098 Council still plans to adopt a 203 00:05:54,099 --> 00:05:55,939 revised budget by the end of 204 00:05:55,940 --> 00:05:57,459 this week. So they're having the 205 00:05:57,460 --> 00:05:59,218 work session meeting today. 206 00:05:59,219 --> 00:06:00,819 What is the rest of the week 207 00:06:00,820 --> 00:06:02,579 expected to play out like? 208 00:06:02,580 --> 00:06:04,499 Yeah, this is a fast track 209 00:06:04,500 --> 00:06:06,339 kind of budget, especially since 210 00:06:06,340 --> 00:06:07,859 next week is Thanksgiving and so 211 00:06:07,860 --> 00:06:09,299 there are gonna be a lot of people 212 00:06:09,300 --> 00:06:10,339 out of town. 213 00:06:10,340 --> 00:06:11,859 So yeah, so today they got their 214 00:06:11,860 --> 00:06:13,219 first look at it. They're going back 215 00:06:13,220 --> 00:06:14,739 and forth and discussing as we 216 00:06:14,740 --> 00:06:15,699 speak. 217 00:06:15,700 --> 00:06:17,619 They will discuss more tomorrow, 218 00:06:17,620 --> 00:06:18,979 and that's where I think we'll see 219 00:06:18,980 --> 00:06:20,819 some of the city council kind 220 00:06:20,820 --> 00:06:22,339 of lay out some of their budget 221 00:06:22,340 --> 00:06:23,779 amendments and priorities, things 222 00:06:23,780 --> 00:06:26,259 like EMS funding, homelessness. 223 00:06:26,260 --> 00:06:28,019 I saw something about wanting to 224 00:06:28,020 --> 00:06:30,019 fund food 225 00:06:30,020 --> 00:06:31,859 pantries at Title I schools and 226 00:06:31,860 --> 00:06:33,459 meal delivery programs for senior 227 00:06:33,460 --> 00:06:35,059 citizens. So we'll see more of that 228 00:06:35,060 --> 00:06:36,979 tomorrow and fig and see 229 00:06:36,980 --> 00:06:38,979 how city staff can move 230 00:06:38,980 --> 00:06:40,339 money around to support some of 231 00:06:40,340 --> 00:06:41,939 those initiatives. 232 00:06:41,940 --> 00:06:43,859 They're hoping that they are going 233 00:06:43,860 --> 00:06:46,499 to adopt a budget by Thursday. 234 00:06:46,500 --> 00:06:48,419 It could be Friday, as we saw in 235 00:06:48,420 --> 00:06:49,939 the original round of budget 236 00:06:49,940 --> 00:06:51,379 discussions. They did take the full 237 00:06:51,380 --> 00:06:52,819 two days to adopt the budget. 238 00:06:52,820 --> 00:06:55,299 So that could absolutely 239 00:06:55,300 --> 00:06:57,379 play out that way this week as well. 240 00:06:57,380 --> 00:06:58,899 They also have an extra meeting 241 00:06:58,900 --> 00:07:00,419 scheduled for Monday, just in case 242 00:07:00,420 --> 00:07:01,619 they don't actually get something 243 00:07:01,620 --> 00:07:03,539 this week. But I foresee 244 00:07:03,540 --> 00:07:05,199 at least something by Friday. 245 00:07:05,200 --> 00:07:06,959 Okay, well she will definitely keep 246 00:07:06,960 --> 00:07:08,799 us updated. That is K U T City 247 00:07:08,800 --> 00:07:11,439 Hall reporter Luz Moreno Lozano. 248 00:07:11,440 --> 00:07:12,639 Luz, thank you for your time. 249 00:07:12,640 --> 00:07:14,389 We are thankful for you. 250 00:07:14,390 --> 00:07:15,390 Thanks, Jerry. 251 00:07:20,540 --> 00:07:22,219 Alright, another deadline this week 252 00:07:22,220 --> 00:07:23,819 in the city, the Austin Independent 253 00:07:23,820 --> 00:07:25,419 School District is gonna vote on a 254 00:07:25,420 --> 00:07:27,419 school condu consolidation plan 255 00:07:27,420 --> 00:07:29,579 that will close schools and reassign 256 00:07:29,580 --> 00:07:31,419 students. Now Austin ISD 257 00:07:31,420 --> 00:07:33,419 released their final version of the 258 00:07:33,420 --> 00:07:35,259 plan late last Friday, 259 00:07:35,260 --> 00:07:36,779 and here to tell us more about that 260 00:07:36,780 --> 00:07:38,619 plan and the vote is KUT's Katy 261 00:07:38,620 --> 00:07:39,809 McAfee. Howdy, Katy. 262 00:07:39,810 --> 00:07:40,739 Hey Jerry. 263 00:07:40,740 --> 00:07:42,419 So you know, there's been a lot of 264 00:07:42,420 --> 00:07:43,699 changes to this plan. 265 00:07:43,700 --> 00:07:45,779 How does this latest final plan 266 00:07:45,780 --> 00:07:46,899 differ from the initial 267 00:07:46,900 --> 00:07:47,939 announcement? 268 00:07:47,940 --> 00:07:49,459 Yeah, so the plan is mostly the 269 00:07:49,460 --> 00:07:51,139 same, at least from the last time I 270 00:07:51,140 --> 00:07:52,499 was here talking with you at the 271 00:07:52,500 --> 00:07:54,419 Austin Signal. 272 00:07:54,420 --> 00:07:56,259 From the last update, three schools 273 00:07:56,260 --> 00:07:57,299 were taken off the list. 274 00:07:57,300 --> 00:07:59,219 That's Maplewood, Breaker Woods, 275 00:07:59,220 --> 00:08:00,899 and Palm Elementary. 276 00:08:00,900 --> 00:08:02,739 The district is still deciding 277 00:08:02,740 --> 00:08:04,419 to wait to redraw attendance 278 00:08:04,420 --> 00:08:06,339 boundaries for most schools. 279 00:08:06,340 --> 00:08:08,419 But there were a few refinements 280 00:08:08,420 --> 00:08:10,019 that the district made in response 281 00:08:10,020 --> 00:08:11,459 to community feedback and some 282 00:08:11,460 --> 00:08:13,779 concerns from board trusted 283 00:08:13,780 --> 00:08:15,939 members, some small-ish 284 00:08:15,940 --> 00:08:16,819 things. 285 00:08:16,820 --> 00:08:19,219 One thing they changed is AISD 286 00:08:19,220 --> 00:08:20,739 is planning on moving its dual 287 00:08:20,740 --> 00:08:22,739 language programs to Sanchez, 288 00:08:22,740 --> 00:08:25,219 Pickle, Wooten, and Odom. 289 00:08:25,220 --> 00:08:26,899 Originally that meant that those 290 00:08:26,900 --> 00:08:28,739 schools were all going to turn into 291 00:08:28,740 --> 00:08:30,339 non-zoned schools. 292 00:08:30,340 --> 00:08:31,859 But after hearing some community 293 00:08:31,860 --> 00:08:33,939 feedback, they decided to make 294 00:08:33,940 --> 00:08:35,939 Pickle Woo-Ton and 295 00:08:35,940 --> 00:08:37,859 Sanchez neighborhood schools 296 00:08:37,860 --> 00:08:39,619 that kids who are already going to 297 00:08:39,620 --> 00:08:41,059 those schools can still be enrolled 298 00:08:41,060 --> 00:08:42,819 there and make Odom the only 299 00:08:42,820 --> 00:08:44,819 non-zoned wall-to-wall dual language 300 00:08:44,820 --> 00:08:45,859 campus. 301 00:08:45,860 --> 00:08:47,539 And then another sort of refinement 302 00:08:47,540 --> 00:08:49,379 that they made was 303 00:08:49,380 --> 00:08:51,219 one campus was going to be 304 00:08:51,220 --> 00:08:53,299 relocated to a school 305 00:08:53,300 --> 00:08:54,899 that had a failing accountability 306 00:08:54,900 --> 00:08:56,259 rating, and they wanted to change 307 00:08:56,260 --> 00:08:57,379 that in response to some board 308 00:08:57,380 --> 00:08:59,139 feedback. So mostly the same from 309 00:08:59,140 --> 00:09:00,179 last week, but just a few 310 00:09:00,180 --> 00:09:00,929 refinements. 311 00:09:00,930 --> 00:09:02,929 Okay, that the one big change 312 00:09:02,930 --> 00:09:04,848 was that number going from thirteen 313 00:09:04,849 --> 00:09:06,769 to ten on the school closures list. 314 00:09:06,770 --> 00:09:08,289 With the vote expected to happen 315 00:09:08,290 --> 00:09:09,649 this Thursday. 316 00:09:09,650 --> 00:09:11,568 Is that gonna be it for the campuses 317 00:09:11,569 --> 00:09:13,099 on that closure list? 318 00:09:13,100 --> 00:09:14,859 As far as we know, yes. 319 00:09:14,860 --> 00:09:16,459 The district was pretty firm that 320 00:09:16,460 --> 00:09:18,139 the plan released Friday is the 321 00:09:18,140 --> 00:09:20,059 final version to give board members 322 00:09:20,060 --> 00:09:21,259 time to think about how they're 323 00:09:21,260 --> 00:09:23,019 gonna vote on Thursday night. 324 00:09:23,020 --> 00:09:24,459 But there that doesn't mean that 325 00:09:24,460 --> 00:09:26,619 changes could happen in the coming 326 00:09:26,620 --> 00:09:27,739 years. 327 00:09:27,740 --> 00:09:29,339 Those three schools, Maplewood, 328 00:09:29,340 --> 00:09:31,259 Breaker Woods, and Palm, the 329 00:09:31,260 --> 00:09:32,939 board could still vote on closing 330 00:09:32,940 --> 00:09:34,939 those schools maybe next year 331 00:09:34,940 --> 00:09:36,779 or vote next year to close 332 00:09:36,780 --> 00:09:37,819 in the coming years. 333 00:09:37,820 --> 00:09:39,259 Another change that they were sort 334 00:09:39,260 --> 00:09:40,779 of floating around but didn't 335 00:09:40,780 --> 00:09:42,779 actually decide on was what to do 336 00:09:42,780 --> 00:09:44,859 with Oak Springs and Blackshear. 337 00:09:44,860 --> 00:09:46,379 So right now, students at Oak 338 00:09:46,380 --> 00:09:47,979 Springs, which is on the closing 339 00:09:47,980 --> 00:09:49,819 list on the closure list, 340 00:09:49,820 --> 00:09:51,339 are moving to Blackshear. 341 00:09:51,340 --> 00:09:53,259 But Oak Springs was due for a 342 00:09:53,260 --> 00:09:55,339 big multi-million dollar renovation 343 00:09:55,340 --> 00:09:57,579 from the 22 bond the 2022 344 00:09:57,580 --> 00:09:58,459 bond. 345 00:09:58,460 --> 00:10:00,379 So the district is considering 346 00:10:00,380 --> 00:10:01,819 continuing construction on that 347 00:10:01,820 --> 00:10:03,179 campus and then eventually 348 00:10:03,180 --> 00:10:05,179 relocating students at Blackshear 349 00:10:05,180 --> 00:10:06,180 to Oak Springs. 350 00:10:07,140 --> 00:10:08,578 Okay, so a lot a little, you know, 351 00:10:08,579 --> 00:10:10,338 it's in the fine details now as they 352 00:10:10,339 --> 00:10:12,179 get to this final version of their 353 00:10:12,180 --> 00:10:13,779 plan. Again you can read more from 354 00:10:13,780 --> 00:10:15,618 Katy at K U T 355 00:10:15,619 --> 00:10:16,499 dot org. 356 00:10:16,500 --> 00:10:18,259 Obviously the the big item on 357 00:10:18,260 --> 00:10:19,938 Thursday is going to be the vote on 358 00:10:19,939 --> 00:10:22,019 this school consolidation plan, but 359 00:10:22,020 --> 00:10:23,379 is there anything el else that we 360 00:10:23,380 --> 00:10:25,218 should be paying attention attention 361 00:10:25,219 --> 00:10:26,699 to at the school board meeting? 362 00:10:26,700 --> 00:10:28,139 Yeah, Jerry, there is another big 363 00:10:28,140 --> 00:10:29,899 vote happening on Thursday. 364 00:10:29,900 --> 00:10:31,259 The board is also voting on 365 00:10:31,260 --> 00:10:33,179 turnaround plans for two dozen 366 00:10:33,180 --> 00:10:35,019 schools. Turnaround plans 367 00:10:35,020 --> 00:10:36,939 are mandated by the state after 368 00:10:36,940 --> 00:10:39,019 schools receive consecutive failing 369 00:10:39,020 --> 00:10:40,459 grades. 370 00:10:40,460 --> 00:10:42,459 The what the district is voting on 371 00:10:42,460 --> 00:10:44,459 is plans that would mean more 372 00:10:44,460 --> 00:10:46,059 funding for these schools, maybe new 373 00:10:46,060 --> 00:10:47,659 requirements for teachers at these 374 00:10:47,660 --> 00:10:48,539 schools. 375 00:10:48,540 --> 00:10:50,619 Those plans are available at AISD's 376 00:10:50,620 --> 00:10:51,979 website and the board will take an 377 00:10:51,980 --> 00:10:53,189 official vote on Thursday. 378 00:10:53,190 --> 00:10:55,109 Okay, and we had s me even more 379 00:10:55,110 --> 00:10:57,109 breaking news happen this morning. 380 00:10:57,110 --> 00:10:58,709 That was the news was that Attorney 381 00:10:58,710 --> 00:11:00,229 General Ken Paxton has filed a 382 00:11:00,230 --> 00:11:01,909 lawsuit against the Leander and 383 00:11:01,910 --> 00:11:03,269 Round Rock independent school 384 00:11:03,270 --> 00:11:04,149 districts. 385 00:11:04,150 --> 00:11:05,509 Why was that the case, Katy? 386 00:11:05,510 --> 00:11:06,209 Why did he do so? 387 00:11:06,210 --> 00:11:08,209 Yeah, so this is a very 388 00:11:08,210 --> 00:11:09,249 fluid situation. 389 00:11:09,250 --> 00:11:10,609 I just jumped on this story this 390 00:11:10,610 --> 00:11:11,649 afternoon. 391 00:11:11,650 --> 00:11:13,169 The attorney general is filing a 392 00:11:13,170 --> 00:11:14,369 lawsuit against those two school 393 00:11:14,370 --> 00:11:16,769 districts for not displaying 394 00:11:16,770 --> 00:11:18,369 donated copies of the Ten 395 00:11:18,370 --> 00:11:20,209 Commandments in all classrooms. 396 00:11:20,210 --> 00:11:21,889 That is a law that went into effect 397 00:11:21,890 --> 00:11:23,099 on September first. 398 00:11:23,100 --> 00:11:25,179 And I was wondering why 399 00:11:25,180 --> 00:11:27,099 these two is Austin ISD 400 00:11:27,100 --> 00:11:28,619 are is are they already involved in 401 00:11:28,620 --> 00:11:30,379 litigation with this Ten 402 00:11:30,380 --> 00:11:31,429 Commandments law? 403 00:11:31,430 --> 00:11:33,269 Yeah, so there 404 00:11:33,270 --> 00:11:35,188 are eleven school districts in the 405 00:11:35,189 --> 00:11:37,108 state that actually cannot display 406 00:11:37,109 --> 00:11:38,629 these Ten Commandments. 407 00:11:38,630 --> 00:11:41,188 That's after a federal judge ruled 408 00:11:41,189 --> 00:11:42,869 after sixteen families filed a 409 00:11:42,870 --> 00:11:44,149 lawsuit against those districts and 410 00:11:44,150 --> 00:11:45,828 a federal judge ruled in the favor 411 00:11:45,829 --> 00:11:47,509 of those sixteen families. 412 00:11:47,510 --> 00:11:49,348 So here in central Texas that 413 00:11:49,349 --> 00:11:51,029 includes Austin, Dripping Springs, 414 00:11:51,030 --> 00:11:53,108 and Lake Travis, but Leander 415 00:11:53,109 --> 00:11:55,029 and Round Rock ISDs were not part 416 00:11:55,030 --> 00:11:55,899 of that ruling. 417 00:11:55,900 --> 00:11:57,339 Okay, well like Katy says, a very 418 00:11:57,340 --> 00:11:58,458 fluid situation. 419 00:11:58,459 --> 00:12:00,139 Just a story that you worked on just 420 00:12:00,140 --> 00:12:01,659 about an hour ago before coming on 421 00:12:01,660 --> 00:12:03,659 to talk AISD with us here on 422 00:12:03,660 --> 00:12:04,938 Austin Signal. 423 00:12:04,939 --> 00:12:06,458 So we appreciate your flexibility 424 00:12:06,459 --> 00:12:07,659 and we appreciate your reporting. 425 00:12:07,660 --> 00:12:09,659 That's K U T's Travis County 426 00:12:09,660 --> 00:12:11,259 reporter Katy McAfee. 427 00:12:11,260 --> 00:12:12,099 Katy, thank you. 428 00:12:12,100 --> 00:12:13,219 Thanks so much, Jerry. 429 00:12:13,220 --> 00:12:14,339 And thank you out there for tuning 430 00:12:14,340 --> 00:12:16,419 in to Austin Signal on this Tuesday 431 00:12:16,420 --> 00:12:18,419 coming up. We're gonna talk bats 432 00:12:18,420 --> 00:12:20,579 and we're gonna talk Austin FC 433 00:12:20,580 --> 00:12:21,539 soccer schedule. 434 00:12:21,540 --> 00:12:23,699 Lots more coming up after the break. 435 00:12:23,700 --> 00:12:25,859 This is listener-powered 436 00:12:25,860 --> 00:12:26,860 public radio. 437 00:12:47,690 --> 00:12:49,769 And we appreciate you tuning 438 00:12:49,770 --> 00:12:51,609 in. This is Austin 439 00:12:51,610 --> 00:12:53,529 Signal on KUT News 440 00:12:53,530 --> 00:12:55,769 ninety point five on the KUT 441 00:12:55,770 --> 00:12:58,649 app and online at KUT.org. 442 00:13:00,030 --> 00:13:01,549 This is Austin Signal. 443 00:13:01,550 --> 00:13:03,389 Thank you for being with us today. 444 00:13:03,390 --> 00:13:05,229 Bats, sometimes they get a 445 00:13:05,230 --> 00:13:06,109 bad rap. 446 00:13:06,110 --> 00:13:08,029 Luckily, Austinites have a lot 447 00:13:08,030 --> 00:13:10,029 of love for the only mammal 448 00:13:10,030 --> 00:13:11,948 capable of sustained flight. 449 00:13:11,949 --> 00:13:13,629 Not to mention the fact that they 450 00:13:13,630 --> 00:13:15,948 eat untold tons of pests 451 00:13:15,949 --> 00:13:17,789 every single night, which 452 00:13:17,790 --> 00:13:19,629 helps keep crops healthy and 453 00:13:19,630 --> 00:13:21,229 saves farmers some money. 454 00:13:21,230 --> 00:13:23,068 And on some farms, bats might be 455 00:13:23,069 --> 00:13:24,989 able to play an even bigger 456 00:13:24,990 --> 00:13:26,828 role. For Harvest Public 457 00:13:26,829 --> 00:13:29,068 Media, Texas Standards Michael Marks 458 00:13:29,069 --> 00:13:30,069 has this story. 459 00:13:31,480 --> 00:13:32,999 It's a clear September night on a 460 00:13:33,000 --> 00:13:34,839 bank above the San Marcos River in 461 00:13:34,840 --> 00:13:36,679 central Texas, and a group of folks 462 00:13:36,680 --> 00:13:38,599 in headlamps are inspecting a 463 00:13:38,600 --> 00:13:40,259 small noisy creature. 464 00:13:40,260 --> 00:13:41,859 And this is very, very typical of 465 00:13:41,860 --> 00:13:42,899 this species. 466 00:13:42,900 --> 00:13:44,809 They got a lot to say all the time. 467 00:13:44,810 --> 00:13:46,568 Researcher Melissa Donnelly is 468 00:13:46,569 --> 00:13:48,728 holding an evening bat in a cloth 469 00:13:48,729 --> 00:13:50,568 bag. It's tiny, no bigger 470 00:13:50,569 --> 00:13:51,769 than a Clementine. 471 00:13:51,770 --> 00:13:53,208 She just caught it over the river in 472 00:13:53,209 --> 00:13:55,208 a supersized tennis net and now 473 00:13:55,209 --> 00:13:56,359 she's measuring it. 474 00:13:56,360 --> 00:13:58,279 Yeah, and so I'm just holding on to 475 00:13:58,280 --> 00:14:00,279 the humerus so that 476 00:14:00,280 --> 00:14:02,119 I can get to the 477 00:14:02,120 --> 00:14:03,059 form and 478 00:14:03,060 --> 00:14:04,578 Donnelly is a science specialist 479 00:14:04,579 --> 00:14:06,499 with the nonprofit Merlin Tuttles 480 00:14:06,500 --> 00:14:07,779 Bat Conservation. 481 00:14:07,780 --> 00:14:09,539 One of the reasons she's collecting 482 00:14:09,540 --> 00:14:11,618 data on this bat is actually 483 00:14:11,619 --> 00:14:14,259 to help farmers grow better pecans, 484 00:14:14,260 --> 00:14:16,179 farmers like Troy Swift. 485 00:14:16,180 --> 00:14:18,019 So our job is to work with 486 00:14:18,020 --> 00:14:20,019 Mother Nature instead of against her 487 00:14:20,020 --> 00:14:21,539 to grow the best pecans money can 488 00:14:21,540 --> 00:14:22,578 buy. That's what that's the way we 489 00:14:22,579 --> 00:14:23,289 say it. 490 00:14:23,290 --> 00:14:24,968 Swift's pecan orchard covers more 491 00:14:24,969 --> 00:14:26,968 than 250 acres. 492 00:14:26,969 --> 00:14:29,208 Lots of insects affect pecans 493 00:14:29,209 --> 00:14:31,049 like moths and stink bugs, 494 00:14:31,050 --> 00:14:33,049 which bats love to munch. 495 00:14:33,050 --> 00:14:34,809 But when Swift first bought his 496 00:14:34,810 --> 00:14:36,729 orchard in 1998, he 497 00:14:36,730 --> 00:14:38,889 protected his trees the way everyone 498 00:14:38,890 --> 00:14:41,149 did, with plenty of chemicals. 499 00:14:41,150 --> 00:14:43,709 Spungicide, insecticide, herbicide. 500 00:14:43,710 --> 00:14:45,069 That started to change, though, 501 00:14:45,070 --> 00:14:46,909 after Swift met Merlin Tuttle 502 00:14:46,910 --> 00:14:48,429 in the mid-2000s. 503 00:14:48,430 --> 00:14:50,269 Swift first knew Tuttle as 504 00:14:50,270 --> 00:14:51,950 the guy he let fish on his property. 505 00:14:53,199 --> 00:14:53,999 But then I found out he was a famous 506 00:14:54,000 --> 00:14:54,879 bat scientist. 507 00:14:54,880 --> 00:14:56,879 Tuttle spent sixty-five years 508 00:14:56,880 --> 00:14:58,879 studying bats around the globe, 509 00:14:58,880 --> 00:15:00,958 including at Swift's Orchard. 510 00:15:00,959 --> 00:15:02,879 Tuttle says you'd be hard pressed to 511 00:15:02,880 --> 00:15:04,669 find better bat habitat. 512 00:15:04,670 --> 00:15:06,509 If your orchard 513 00:15:06,510 --> 00:15:08,509 is near a river, you 514 00:15:08,510 --> 00:15:10,588 have a very good opportunity 515 00:15:10,589 --> 00:15:12,509 for attracting bats to bat 516 00:15:12,510 --> 00:15:13,239 houses. 517 00:15:13,240 --> 00:15:15,159 Tuttle's been using the orchard to 518 00:15:15,160 --> 00:15:17,079 experiment with bat boxes, 519 00:15:17,080 --> 00:15:19,239 tweaking the color and position, 520 00:15:19,240 --> 00:15:21,239 even the kind of wood they're made 521 00:15:21,240 --> 00:15:23,079 with. Swift also runs 522 00:15:23,080 --> 00:15:24,999 a sawmill at his orchard where he 523 00:15:25,000 --> 00:15:27,319 makes lumber out of cypress trees. 524 00:15:27,320 --> 00:15:29,479 Turns out it's perfect for bat 525 00:15:29,480 --> 00:15:30,099 houses. 526 00:15:30,100 --> 00:15:32,099 It's extra lightweight, 527 00:15:32,100 --> 00:15:34,099 extra insulative, 528 00:15:34,100 --> 00:15:35,699 and yet it's one of the longest 529 00:15:35,700 --> 00:15:37,519 lasting woods in America. 530 00:15:37,520 --> 00:15:39,599 This punky cypress, as it's called, 531 00:15:39,600 --> 00:15:41,519 is porous on the inside, which gives 532 00:15:41,520 --> 00:15:43,279 the bats something to hold on to in 533 00:15:43,280 --> 00:15:44,159 the house. 534 00:15:44,160 --> 00:15:46,078 It also regulates temperature well, 535 00:15:46,079 --> 00:15:47,919 which is crucial for bats in 536 00:15:47,920 --> 00:15:48,989 hot places. 537 00:15:48,990 --> 00:15:50,669 What we're doing is actually 538 00:15:50,670 --> 00:15:52,589 helping. We're not just 539 00:15:52,590 --> 00:15:54,669 giving the bats are already 540 00:15:54,670 --> 00:15:56,989 there a place to live. 541 00:15:56,990 --> 00:15:58,909 We're building populations 542 00:15:58,910 --> 00:15:59,910 with more bats 543 00:16:01,949 --> 00:16:03,789 There are dozens of bat boxes now 544 00:16:03,790 --> 00:16:06,029 on Swift's property housing hundreds 545 00:16:06,030 --> 00:16:07,229 of bats. 546 00:16:07,230 --> 00:16:09,068 So many, in fact, Swift 547 00:16:09,069 --> 00:16:11,068 decided to just let them handle the 548 00:16:11,069 --> 00:16:12,828 bugs on part of his property this 549 00:16:12,829 --> 00:16:13,839 year. 550 00:16:13,840 --> 00:16:15,759 This year is the first 551 00:16:15,760 --> 00:16:17,759 year I did not spray any 552 00:16:17,760 --> 00:16:19,519 insecticide at all. 553 00:16:19,520 --> 00:16:20,479 And guess what? 554 00:16:20,480 --> 00:16:21,919 We got a really good crop over 555 00:16:21,920 --> 00:16:22,439 there. 556 00:16:22,440 --> 00:16:24,359 Reducing reliance on insecticides 557 00:16:24,360 --> 00:16:26,359 is one of Swift's big goals 558 00:16:26,360 --> 00:16:27,559 because of how they can harm 559 00:16:27,560 --> 00:16:29,399 ecosystems, human health, and a 560 00:16:29,400 --> 00:16:31,079 farmer's bottom line. 561 00:16:31,080 --> 00:16:33,159 Not every farm can do this though. 562 00:16:33,160 --> 00:16:34,999 Russ Benedict is a biology 563 00:16:35,000 --> 00:16:36,999 professor at Central College in Iowa 564 00:16:37,000 --> 00:16:39,039 who studies bats and agriculture. 565 00:16:39,040 --> 00:16:40,799 Primarily I hear those in, you know, 566 00:16:40,800 --> 00:16:42,319 smaller operations folks who are 567 00:16:42,320 --> 00:16:44,079 doing organic farming, that kind of 568 00:16:44,080 --> 00:16:44,879 stuff. 569 00:16:44,880 --> 00:16:47,199 The among the the corn and soybean 570 00:16:47,200 --> 00:16:48,959 folks I I haven't really heard that 571 00:16:48,960 --> 00:16:49,609 much. 572 00:16:49,610 --> 00:16:51,369 Bats need diversity in their diet 573 00:16:51,370 --> 00:16:52,649 and they can't get it from a 574 00:16:52,650 --> 00:16:54,409 landscape that's just acres and 575 00:16:54,410 --> 00:16:56,249 acres of the same crop, according 576 00:16:56,250 --> 00:16:57,289 to Benedict. 577 00:16:57,290 --> 00:16:59,529 They don't thrive in wide open areas 578 00:16:59,530 --> 00:17:01,609 either, but for those farms where 579 00:17:01,610 --> 00:17:03,689 bats could make a difference, 580 00:17:03,690 --> 00:17:05,609 Troy Swift is ready to share 581 00:17:05,610 --> 00:17:07,799 what he's learned on his pecan farm. 582 00:17:07,800 --> 00:17:09,638 I really want to have an impact on 583 00:17:09,639 --> 00:17:10,838 agriculture. 584 00:17:10,839 --> 00:17:12,439 This is not just pecans. 585 00:17:12,440 --> 00:17:14,199 Bats eat stink bugs and corn 586 00:17:14,200 --> 00:17:14,999 earworms. 587 00:17:15,000 --> 00:17:17,158 So that's good for all agriculture. 588 00:17:17,159 --> 00:17:18,759 And when you talk about mosquitoes 589 00:17:18,760 --> 00:17:20,199 and flies, it's also good for 590 00:17:20,200 --> 00:17:21,200 people. 591 00:17:21,859 --> 00:17:23,218 Have you been bit by a mosquito 592 00:17:23,219 --> 00:17:24,479 since you've been here? 593 00:17:24,480 --> 00:17:26,559 I had not, neither had 594 00:17:26,560 --> 00:17:28,639 he. And for that, we could thank 595 00:17:28,640 --> 00:17:29,599 the bats. 596 00:17:29,600 --> 00:17:31,359 I'm Michael Marks, Harvest Public 597 00:17:31,360 --> 00:17:32,360 Media. 598 00:17:38,020 --> 00:17:40,179 All right, the Austin FC season 599 00:17:40,180 --> 00:17:42,339 is over, but Major League Soccer 600 00:17:42,340 --> 00:17:44,499 made some news this month 601 00:17:44,500 --> 00:17:46,099 announcing that it's changing its 602 00:17:46,100 --> 00:17:47,859 calendar to align with more 603 00:17:47,860 --> 00:17:49,139 international leagues. 604 00:17:49,140 --> 00:17:50,579 This change is gonna mean the season 605 00:17:50,580 --> 00:17:52,579 will shift from the current February 606 00:17:52,580 --> 00:17:54,579 to November model to the 607 00:17:54,580 --> 00:17:56,819 more common August to May schedule, 608 00:17:56,820 --> 00:17:58,579 more common for soccer leagues. 609 00:17:58,580 --> 00:18:00,179 This though is not gonna change 610 00:18:00,180 --> 00:18:02,259 until twenty twenty-seven. 611 00:18:02,260 --> 00:18:03,699 Here to talk more about those 612 00:18:03,700 --> 00:18:04,979 changes and how this might affect 613 00:18:04,980 --> 00:18:06,979 Austin FC fans is Juan 614 00:18:06,980 --> 00:18:08,099 Diego Garcia. 615 00:18:08,100 --> 00:18:09,859 He is one of the hosts of our Austin 616 00:18:09,860 --> 00:18:12,259 FC podcast, Vamos Verde. 617 00:18:12,260 --> 00:18:13,459 Juan, how's it going, buddy? 618 00:18:13,460 --> 00:18:14,419 It's going all right. How about 619 00:18:14,420 --> 00:18:16,019 yourself, Jerry? I'm doing great. 620 00:18:16,020 --> 00:18:17,299 I am a little confused and I was 621 00:18:17,300 --> 00:18:18,499 just asking you questions before we 622 00:18:18,500 --> 00:18:19,379 came on the air. 623 00:18:19,380 --> 00:18:21,219 So can you just clarify why the 624 00:18:21,220 --> 00:18:22,579 league is making this schedule 625 00:18:22,580 --> 00:18:24,499 change and you know, w 626 00:18:24,500 --> 00:18:26,229 what benefit does it provide? 627 00:18:26,230 --> 00:18:28,069 Yeah, so for a long time a 628 00:18:28,070 --> 00:18:29,509 lot of soccer fans have been asking 629 00:18:29,510 --> 00:18:31,428 or wondering why Major League Soccer 630 00:18:31,429 --> 00:18:33,349 plays its games from February 631 00:18:33,350 --> 00:18:35,269 to November, when if we look 632 00:18:35,270 --> 00:18:36,549 at the current Premier League 633 00:18:36,550 --> 00:18:38,388 season, it kind of just started 634 00:18:38,389 --> 00:18:39,589 back in August. 635 00:18:39,590 --> 00:18:41,509 So Major League Soccer is trying to 636 00:18:41,510 --> 00:18:43,509 line itself line itself up 637 00:18:43,510 --> 00:18:45,188 with some of the biggest leagues in 638 00:18:45,189 --> 00:18:46,949 the world, those usually being the 639 00:18:46,950 --> 00:18:48,229 European leagues. 640 00:18:48,230 --> 00:18:49,589 And there's lots of little moving 641 00:18:49,590 --> 00:18:51,349 parts, lots of little areas within 642 00:18:51,350 --> 00:18:53,109 the sport that get impacted with a 643 00:18:53,110 --> 00:18:53,879 change like this. 644 00:18:53,880 --> 00:18:54,759 And I would guess like you're 645 00:18:54,760 --> 00:18:55,559 saying, you're mentioning the 646 00:18:55,560 --> 00:18:57,239 Premier League, it probably also 647 00:18:57,240 --> 00:18:58,999 stands to benefit when some of these 648 00:18:59,000 --> 00:19:00,679 players play for their club for 649 00:19:00,680 --> 00:19:01,879 their international teams, right? 650 00:19:01,880 --> 00:19:03,239 For their countries as well. 651 00:19:03,240 --> 00:19:04,199 Yes, that's actually one of the 652 00:19:04,200 --> 00:19:05,559 biggest changes that's happening 653 00:19:05,560 --> 00:19:06,599 with this new schedule. 654 00:19:06,600 --> 00:19:08,119 This is going to allow Major League 655 00:19:08,120 --> 00:19:10,359 Soccer to observe the FIFA 656 00:19:10,360 --> 00:19:12,359 international break schedule. 657 00:19:12,360 --> 00:19:14,199 So traditionally in Major League 658 00:19:14,200 --> 00:19:16,119 Soccer, you had just to take 659 00:19:16,120 --> 00:19:18,039 as n as an example, Austin FC 660 00:19:18,040 --> 00:19:19,479 playing some pretty significant 661 00:19:19,480 --> 00:19:21,559 games late in the year without 662 00:19:21,560 --> 00:19:23,719 their sort of most expensive 663 00:19:23,720 --> 00:19:25,879 and and high name, high 664 00:19:25,880 --> 00:19:27,719 billing players because they 665 00:19:27,720 --> 00:19:29,799 were away representing their 666 00:19:29,800 --> 00:19:31,559 nationalities in World Cup 667 00:19:31,560 --> 00:19:33,319 qualifiers, that kind of thing. 668 00:19:33,320 --> 00:19:34,919 Now Major League Soccer is going to 669 00:19:34,920 --> 00:19:36,679 be taking breaks when everyone else 670 00:19:36,680 --> 00:19:38,199 takes a break, allowing those 671 00:19:38,200 --> 00:19:40,119 players to freely represent 672 00:19:40,120 --> 00:19:42,359 their international teams without 673 00:19:42,360 --> 00:19:44,199 putting their clubs in an awkward 674 00:19:44,200 --> 00:19:44,739 spot. 675 00:19:44,740 --> 00:19:46,499 Okay, sounds like lots of good 676 00:19:46,500 --> 00:19:47,539 things are gonna come from this 677 00:19:47,540 --> 00:19:49,459 change. That made me wonder why are 678 00:19:49,460 --> 00:19:50,819 they waiting until twenty twenty 679 00:19:50,820 --> 00:19:52,628 seven to implement it? 680 00:19:52,629 --> 00:19:54,388 It takes a while to adjust these 681 00:19:54,389 --> 00:19:55,829 things. For example, just taking 682 00:19:55,830 --> 00:19:57,349 twenty twenty seven as an example, 683 00:19:57,350 --> 00:19:59,109 Major League Soccer plans to play 684 00:19:59,110 --> 00:20:01,509 what they call a full season 685 00:20:01,510 --> 00:20:03,668 from about January until May 686 00:20:03,669 --> 00:20:05,589 with a complete playoffs format, 687 00:20:05,590 --> 00:20:07,509 as well as crowning an MLS Cup 688 00:20:07,510 --> 00:20:09,109 champion and a supporter shield 689 00:20:09,110 --> 00:20:11,509 champion, before the official 690 00:20:11,510 --> 00:20:13,349 change happens later in twenty 691 00:20:13,350 --> 00:20:15,269 twenty seven, into the twenty 692 00:20:15,270 --> 00:20:16,789 seven twenty eight season where they 693 00:20:16,790 --> 00:20:19,109 play the first full year or 694 00:20:19,110 --> 00:20:20,709 first full season under the new 695 00:20:20,710 --> 00:20:21,710 format. 696 00:20:22,090 --> 00:20:24,329 Okay, so as I gather, Austin 697 00:20:24,330 --> 00:20:26,168 F C is gonna start two seasons in 698 00:20:26,169 --> 00:20:27,928 the year twenty twenty seven because 699 00:20:27,929 --> 00:20:29,849 of this change with a break 700 00:20:29,850 --> 00:20:31,448 during the summer months. 701 00:20:31,449 --> 00:20:32,968 What that what might that mean for 702 00:20:32,969 --> 00:20:34,329 Austin F C fans? 703 00:20:34,330 --> 00:20:36,329 It sounds like a literally a 704 00:20:36,330 --> 00:20:38,119 cooler experience. 705 00:20:38,120 --> 00:20:39,479 In a way, yes. 706 00:20:39,480 --> 00:20:41,239 It's you know, you're still gonna 707 00:20:41,240 --> 00:20:43,159 get the same number of home games, 708 00:20:43,160 --> 00:20:44,839 for example, within one calendar 709 00:20:44,840 --> 00:20:46,599 year between January and December 710 00:20:46,600 --> 00:20:48,919 for that twenty twenty-seven year. 711 00:20:48,920 --> 00:20:51,799 But there are a lot of interesting 712 00:20:51,800 --> 00:20:53,639 balancing questions 713 00:20:53,640 --> 00:20:55,479 around what constitutes a 714 00:20:55,480 --> 00:20:56,839 year when it comes to like 715 00:20:56,840 --> 00:20:58,519 commercial rights holders, when it 716 00:20:58,520 --> 00:21:00,039 comes to player contracts, as well 717 00:21:00,040 --> 00:21:01,559 as season ticket holders. 718 00:21:01,560 --> 00:21:03,719 There's a lot of details that maybe 719 00:21:03,720 --> 00:21:05,719 haven't quite been fully hammered 720 00:21:05,720 --> 00:21:06,759 out yet. 721 00:21:06,760 --> 00:21:08,519 That being said, you're not gonna 722 00:21:08,520 --> 00:21:10,519 get as many hundred degree 723 00:21:10,520 --> 00:21:12,359 at kickoff games in the 724 00:21:12,360 --> 00:21:14,039 middle of the summer, which could be 725 00:21:14,040 --> 00:21:15,399 a bit of a home field advantage for 726 00:21:15,400 --> 00:21:17,079 Austin, but can also make it very 727 00:21:17,080 --> 00:21:18,839 uncomfortable for folks to go to 728 00:21:18,840 --> 00:21:20,279 actually see the games. 729 00:21:20,280 --> 00:21:22,119 To balance that out, there might 730 00:21:22,120 --> 00:21:24,279 be times when it's frozen 731 00:21:24,280 --> 00:21:26,119 in Minnesota, so the loons have to 732 00:21:26,120 --> 00:21:28,199 come to Austin first before Austin 733 00:21:28,200 --> 00:21:29,219 makes a trip up north. 734 00:21:29,220 --> 00:21:30,979 Okay, well that does make sense. 735 00:21:30,980 --> 00:21:32,898 Okay, so that change gonna happen. 736 00:21:32,899 --> 00:21:34,339 It's gonna happen in twenty twenty 737 00:21:34,340 --> 00:21:35,138 seven. 738 00:21:35,139 --> 00:21:37,138 But it did get Austin FC fans 739 00:21:37,139 --> 00:21:39,299 excited and enough to spark 740 00:21:39,300 --> 00:21:41,059 a little bit of a bonus episode of 741 00:21:41,060 --> 00:21:42,199 Vamos Verde. 742 00:21:42,200 --> 00:21:42,999 What's happening there? 743 00:21:43,000 --> 00:21:44,519 We're gonna be breaking down what 744 00:21:44,520 --> 00:21:46,039 this means for a lot of different 745 00:21:46,040 --> 00:21:48,519 things, roster construction, 746 00:21:48,520 --> 00:21:51,398 you know, transfer windows, 747 00:21:51,399 --> 00:21:53,559 how this could shape 748 00:21:53,560 --> 00:21:55,559 playoff formats going forward, 749 00:21:55,560 --> 00:21:56,919 little things like that, all of 750 00:21:56,920 --> 00:21:58,839 those little details that, you know, 751 00:21:58,840 --> 00:22:00,359 some folks might not be thinking 752 00:22:00,360 --> 00:22:02,119 about or, you know, trying to answer 753 00:22:02,120 --> 00:22:03,319 all of the questions that come up 754 00:22:03,320 --> 00:22:05,079 when a big change like this happens, 755 00:22:05,080 --> 00:22:06,519 all of that will be in the bonus 756 00:22:06,520 --> 00:22:08,039 episode that Jimmy and I plan on 757 00:22:08,040 --> 00:22:08,929 making soon. 758 00:22:08,930 --> 00:22:10,769 That's Jimmy Moss, and we've 759 00:22:10,770 --> 00:22:11,969 been speaking with Juan Diego 760 00:22:11,970 --> 00:22:13,809 Garcia. They are the host of the 761 00:22:13,810 --> 00:22:16,289 Austin FC podcast, Vamos 762 00:22:16,290 --> 00:22:18,128 Verde, from the K U T 763 00:22:18,129 --> 00:22:19,729 and K U T X Studios. 764 00:22:19,730 --> 00:22:20,929 Juan, thank you for your time. 765 00:22:20,930 --> 00:22:22,289 Always a pleasure, Jerry. 766 00:22:22,290 --> 00:22:24,289 And thank you to you out 767 00:22:24,290 --> 00:22:25,888 there for tuning in to Austin 768 00:22:25,889 --> 00:22:27,729 Signal. We are here every weekday 769 00:22:27,730 --> 00:22:29,888 afternoon from 1 until 1 30. 770 00:22:29,889 --> 00:22:32,209 And you can find more from our show 771 00:22:32,210 --> 00:22:35,569 over at KUT.org. 772 00:22:35,570 --> 00:22:37,489 Kristen Cabrera is our managing 773 00:22:37,490 --> 00:22:39,489 producer, and Rayna Sevilla 774 00:22:39,490 --> 00:22:41,169 is our technical director. 775 00:22:41,170 --> 00:22:43,249 I'm your host, Jerry Quijano. 776 00:22:43,250 --> 00:22:45,329 We will be with you tomorrow. 777 00:22:45,330 --> 00:22:46,449 We will talk to you then. 778 00:22:46,450 --> 00:22:47,450 Be well.