1 00:00:09,720 --> 00:00:11,719 Austinites and many other across 2 00:00:11,720 --> 00:00:13,719 Texas, insured through Blue Cross 3 00:00:13,720 --> 00:00:15,719 Blue Shield, could soon lose 4 00:00:15,720 --> 00:00:17,639 in-network access to Ascension 5 00:00:17,640 --> 00:00:18,759 Seat and facilities. 6 00:00:18,760 --> 00:00:20,919 That's set to take effect on January 7 00:00:20,920 --> 00:00:22,759 1st, unless the two sides 8 00:00:22,760 --> 00:00:24,359 can agree on a new contract. 9 00:00:24,360 --> 00:00:25,559 We're gonna talk about how that 10 00:00:25,560 --> 00:00:26,999 could affect folks here in our 11 00:00:27,000 --> 00:00:28,919 community. Plus, Austin has been 12 00:00:28,920 --> 00:00:30,679 a testing ground for autonomous 13 00:00:30,680 --> 00:00:32,758 vehicles, Zooks Robo 14 00:00:32,759 --> 00:00:34,759 Taxis, Waymo's, oh my, 15 00:00:34,760 --> 00:00:36,599 but Waymo has now issued 16 00:00:36,600 --> 00:00:38,519 a software recall after videos 17 00:00:38,520 --> 00:00:40,519 showed some vehicles passing stop 18 00:00:40,520 --> 00:00:42,359 Austin ISD busses. 19 00:00:42,360 --> 00:00:43,799 We're gonna have more about that 20 00:00:43,800 --> 00:00:45,679 coming up on today's show. 21 00:00:45,680 --> 00:00:46,680 Awesome. 22 00:00:50,500 --> 00:00:52,019 And we're gonna take a listen back 23 00:00:52,020 --> 00:00:54,099 to some of this year's KUTX 24 00:00:54,100 --> 00:00:55,619 Artists of the Month. 25 00:00:55,620 --> 00:00:57,859 That's up next here on Austin 26 00:00:57,860 --> 00:00:58,860 Signal. 27 00:01:08,670 --> 00:01:10,109 Howdy out there, thank you for 28 00:01:10,110 --> 00:01:12,189 tuning in. This is Austin Signal, 29 00:01:12,190 --> 00:01:13,869 and you're listening here on 30 00:01:13,870 --> 00:01:15,709 community powered public radio. 31 00:01:15,710 --> 00:01:18,749 This is KUT News 90.5 32 00:01:18,750 --> 00:01:20,989 on the KUT app and online 33 00:01:20,990 --> 00:01:22,909 at KUT.org. 34 00:01:22,910 --> 00:01:24,829 Thank you for making us part of your 35 00:01:24,830 --> 00:01:26,829 day. Got a lot to get into 36 00:01:26,830 --> 00:01:28,749 today, so let's start the 37 00:01:28,750 --> 00:01:30,029 show. 38 00:01:30,030 --> 00:01:32,029 Folks with a Blue Cross and Blue 39 00:01:32,030 --> 00:01:33,869 Shield insurance could be losing 40 00:01:33,870 --> 00:01:35,789 in network access to some Austin 41 00:01:35,790 --> 00:01:38,749 area facilities starting in 2026. 42 00:01:38,750 --> 00:01:40,589 That is, unless a new contract 43 00:01:40,590 --> 00:01:42,269 can be agreed upon before the new 44 00:01:42,270 --> 00:01:44,349 year. KUT's healthcare reporter 45 00:01:44,350 --> 00:01:46,189 Olivia Aldrich has the story over 46 00:01:46,190 --> 00:01:48,109 at KUT.org, and she's 47 00:01:48,110 --> 00:01:50,029 joining us now on Austin Signal 48 00:01:50,030 --> 00:01:50,829 to tell us more about it. 49 00:01:50,830 --> 00:01:52,079 Howdy, Olivia. 50 00:01:52,080 --> 00:01:52,979 Hi Jerry. 51 00:01:52,980 --> 00:01:54,739 So let's start simple enough. 52 00:01:54,740 --> 00:01:56,749 Where is the dispute here? 53 00:01:56,750 --> 00:01:58,909 Well, so obviously insurers 54 00:01:58,910 --> 00:02:00,909 and hospital systems like this 55 00:02:00,910 --> 00:02:02,749 negotiate all the time to, you know, 56 00:02:02,750 --> 00:02:04,749 to strike a contract so that, 57 00:02:04,750 --> 00:02:06,749 you know, care at that hospital 58 00:02:06,750 --> 00:02:08,749 system or those clinics or by, 59 00:02:08,750 --> 00:02:10,269 you know, a certain physician group 60 00:02:10,270 --> 00:02:11,709 can be considered in network. 61 00:02:11,710 --> 00:02:13,549 And for most people, that's what 62 00:02:13,550 --> 00:02:14,909 will make it affordable if their 63 00:02:14,910 --> 00:02:16,989 insurance says this, you know, this 64 00:02:16,990 --> 00:02:18,509 this place is in network. 65 00:02:18,510 --> 00:02:20,109 Right now they're negotiating their 66 00:02:20,110 --> 00:02:22,749 hospital and facility agreements and 67 00:02:22,750 --> 00:02:24,749 kind of what this means is that this 68 00:02:24,750 --> 00:02:26,269 involves the reimbursement rates 69 00:02:26,270 --> 00:02:28,269 that Ascension gets from Blue Cross 70 00:02:28,270 --> 00:02:30,429 for the healthcare services that 71 00:02:30,430 --> 00:02:32,269 Ascension doctors and staff are 72 00:02:32,270 --> 00:02:34,269 providing at their facilities. 73 00:02:34,270 --> 00:02:36,029 So from what we know, Ascension 74 00:02:36,030 --> 00:02:37,469 basically feels that what Blue Cross 75 00:02:37,470 --> 00:02:38,829 is bringing to the table isn't 76 00:02:38,830 --> 00:02:40,749 enough to account for rising costs 77 00:02:40,750 --> 00:02:43,149 of things like equipment, medication 78 00:02:43,150 --> 00:02:44,589 costs, and you know, general 79 00:02:44,590 --> 00:02:45,739 inflation. 80 00:02:45,740 --> 00:02:47,739 And how many people do we know are 81 00:02:47,740 --> 00:02:49,499 insured by Blue Cross Blue Shield 82 00:02:49,500 --> 00:02:51,019 here in Texas? It's a big name, you 83 00:02:51,020 --> 00:02:52,059 know, it's a lot of name 84 00:02:52,060 --> 00:02:53,099 recognition. How many people are 85 00:02:53,100 --> 00:02:53,879 insured through them? 86 00:02:53,880 --> 00:02:55,239 Yeah, Blue Cross says it's something 87 00:02:55,240 --> 00:02:57,159 like eight million people in Texas. 88 00:02:57,160 --> 00:02:59,239 It's the state's largest insurer, 89 00:02:59,240 --> 00:03:00,599 by a lot. So they have about a 90 00:03:00,600 --> 00:03:02,039 quarter of the market share. 91 00:03:02,040 --> 00:03:04,039 And that includes us here at KUT. 92 00:03:04,040 --> 00:03:05,159 We get our benefits through Blue 93 00:03:05,160 --> 00:03:06,629 Cross. It affects a lot of people. 94 00:03:06,630 --> 00:03:07,749 Maybe that's why I have the name 95 00:03:07,750 --> 00:03:08,709 recognition. 96 00:03:08,710 --> 00:03:09,989 So let's talk about Ascension 97 00:03:09,990 --> 00:03:11,989 Seaton. How many facilities do they 98 00:03:11,990 --> 00:03:12,990 operate locally? 99 00:03:13,790 --> 00:03:15,389 They have about twelve hospitals 100 00:03:15,390 --> 00:03:16,828 that they operate and then dozens of 101 00:03:16,829 --> 00:03:18,108 other, you know, primary care 102 00:03:18,109 --> 00:03:19,799 clinics and specialty care clinics. 103 00:03:19,800 --> 00:03:21,719 And so anybody who has a blue cross 104 00:03:21,720 --> 00:03:23,719 blue shield would lose in network 105 00:03:23,720 --> 00:03:26,189 access to those facilities, correct? 106 00:03:26,190 --> 00:03:27,309 Yeah, and that doesn't include 107 00:03:27,310 --> 00:03:28,249 emergency care. 108 00:03:28,250 --> 00:03:29,689 Yeah, and that that brings me to my 109 00:03:29,690 --> 00:03:32,009 next question. I is there any leeway 110 00:03:32,010 --> 00:03:33,369 for folks who are going through 111 00:03:33,370 --> 00:03:34,969 something big like a pregnancy or 112 00:03:34,970 --> 00:03:36,249 some kind of life threatening 113 00:03:36,250 --> 00:03:37,759 illness right now? 114 00:03:37,760 --> 00:03:39,359 Yes, so if you're pregnant, if 115 00:03:39,360 --> 00:03:40,719 you're getting again life 116 00:03:40,720 --> 00:03:42,479 threatening illness or you're being 117 00:03:42,480 --> 00:03:44,319 treated for an acute condition right 118 00:03:44,320 --> 00:03:46,239 now, you may qualify for 119 00:03:46,240 --> 00:03:48,159 what they're calling continuity of 120 00:03:48,160 --> 00:03:50,079 care, which essentially just means 121 00:03:50,080 --> 00:03:52,079 that you can kind of get a special 122 00:03:52,080 --> 00:03:54,159 allowance to remain in network, 123 00:03:54,160 --> 00:03:55,919 but you you shouldn't just assume 124 00:03:55,920 --> 00:03:57,759 that that's going to happen. 125 00:03:57,760 --> 00:03:59,679 Blue Cross is urging members to kind 126 00:03:59,680 --> 00:04:01,119 of call the number on their 127 00:04:01,120 --> 00:04:02,959 insurance card and speak 128 00:04:02,960 --> 00:04:04,319 to someone about it if they think 129 00:04:04,320 --> 00:04:05,629 they might qualify. 130 00:04:05,630 --> 00:04:06,749 Okay, we talked a little bit about 131 00:04:06,750 --> 00:04:08,268 Blue Cross Blue Shield. 132 00:04:08,269 --> 00:04:09,548 What have we heard from Ascension on 133 00:04:09,549 --> 00:04:10,549 this matter? 134 00:04:11,310 --> 00:04:13,069 Yeah, I mean they again they say 135 00:04:13,070 --> 00:04:14,429 what Blue Cross is offering just 136 00:04:14,430 --> 00:04:15,709 doesn't account for their financial 137 00:04:15,710 --> 00:04:17,549 realities and they're asking at 138 00:04:17,550 --> 00:04:19,148 at this point Blue Cross to come to 139 00:04:19,149 --> 00:04:20,669 the table with a new proposal that 140 00:04:20,670 --> 00:04:22,669 does that. Of course Blue Cross says 141 00:04:22,670 --> 00:04:24,109 it's it's looking out for its own 142 00:04:24,110 --> 00:04:25,549 policy holders by trying to keep 143 00:04:25,550 --> 00:04:27,549 costs lower on their end and they 144 00:04:27,550 --> 00:04:29,069 both say they're negotiating in good 145 00:04:29,070 --> 00:04:30,059 faith. 146 00:04:30,060 --> 00:04:31,819 It seems like these sorts of 147 00:04:31,820 --> 00:04:34,139 contract disputes happen a lot. 148 00:04:34,140 --> 00:04:36,139 Not not just with insurers 149 00:04:36,140 --> 00:04:37,019 and hospitals. 150 00:04:37,020 --> 00:04:38,298 I was thinking recently of like 151 00:04:38,299 --> 00:04:40,059 YouTube T V and Disney. 152 00:04:40,060 --> 00:04:41,978 There's always this back and forth, 153 00:04:41,979 --> 00:04:43,978 this c you know, finagling 154 00:04:43,979 --> 00:04:45,339 of trying to figure out the deal. 155 00:04:46,620 --> 00:04:48,139 Am I right? Are these sorts of last 156 00:04:48,140 --> 00:04:49,418 minute contract negotiations 157 00:04:49,419 --> 00:04:50,859 becoming more normal around here? 158 00:04:52,050 --> 00:04:53,409 I mean, yes, we've we've seen this 159 00:04:53,410 --> 00:04:54,849 happen a good bit in the last few 160 00:04:54,850 --> 00:04:57,569 years, specifically with Blue Cross. 161 00:04:57,570 --> 00:04:58,929 There have been a number of kind of 162 00:04:58,930 --> 00:05:00,849 eleventh hour contract deals 163 00:05:00,850 --> 00:05:02,929 that have been resolved. 164 00:05:02,930 --> 00:05:05,329 That includes Ascension in 2023, 165 00:05:05,330 --> 00:05:07,249 early 2023, they kind 166 00:05:07,250 --> 00:05:09,089 of resolved you 167 00:05:09,090 --> 00:05:10,769 know, a dispute like this at the end 168 00:05:10,770 --> 00:05:12,689 of an extended deadline. 169 00:05:12,690 --> 00:05:13,889 There was a similar situation with 170 00:05:13,890 --> 00:05:15,969 Baylor Scott and White last year. 171 00:05:15,970 --> 00:05:17,889 And generally, you know, we do 172 00:05:17,890 --> 00:05:19,329 see these things get resolved 173 00:05:19,330 --> 00:05:21,489 because it is a really big deal and 174 00:05:21,490 --> 00:05:23,649 you know, it's it's 175 00:05:23,650 --> 00:05:25,329 significant for both the hospital 176 00:05:25,330 --> 00:05:26,769 and the insurer. 177 00:05:26,770 --> 00:05:28,689 But obviously it's a nerve wracking 178 00:05:28,690 --> 00:05:30,369 if you're, you know, a patient in 179 00:05:30,370 --> 00:05:32,209 the situation waiting to see what 180 00:05:32,210 --> 00:05:32,979 happens. 181 00:05:32,980 --> 00:05:34,819 Yes, yes, yeah. I compared it to the 182 00:05:34,820 --> 00:05:36,658 YouTube TV and Disney thing, but 183 00:05:36,659 --> 00:05:38,179 obviously this is of much more 184 00:05:38,180 --> 00:05:39,299 importance when you're dealing with 185 00:05:39,300 --> 00:05:40,499 something like a life threatening 186 00:05:40,500 --> 00:05:42,339 illness, a pregnancy, or y as 187 00:05:42,340 --> 00:05:44,019 you said, just the uncertainty of 188 00:05:44,020 --> 00:05:45,859 going into this time of the 189 00:05:45,860 --> 00:05:47,299 year or going into whatever you're 190 00:05:47,300 --> 00:05:49,218 going into with that uncertainty is 191 00:05:49,219 --> 00:05:50,019 never a good thing. 192 00:05:50,020 --> 00:05:51,538 Again, you can read more about this 193 00:05:51,539 --> 00:05:53,619 story over at KUT 194 00:05:53,620 --> 00:05:55,859 dot org. It is from Olivia Aldridge, 195 00:05:55,860 --> 00:05:58,099 she is KUT's health care reporter. 196 00:05:58,100 --> 00:05:59,379 Thank you for being on the signal. 197 00:05:59,380 --> 00:06:00,380 Thanks for having me. 198 00:06:10,700 --> 00:06:12,699 Austin has been a top testing 199 00:06:12,700 --> 00:06:14,779 ground for autonomous vehicles. 200 00:06:14,780 --> 00:06:16,379 On the streets, you might see the 201 00:06:16,380 --> 00:06:18,219 Tesla Robo Taxi, 202 00:06:18,220 --> 00:06:19,979 Amazon's Zooks. 203 00:06:19,980 --> 00:06:20,859 I love saying that word. 204 00:06:20,860 --> 00:06:22,619 And perhaps if you're on the road 205 00:06:22,620 --> 00:06:24,699 right now, you're watching a Waymo 206 00:06:24,700 --> 00:06:26,539 roll by those white cars 207 00:06:26,540 --> 00:06:28,539 with the spinny thing on top. 208 00:06:28,540 --> 00:06:30,379 Or maybe you might have seen videos 209 00:06:30,380 --> 00:06:32,539 recently of Waymo's illegally 210 00:06:32,540 --> 00:06:34,459 passing Austin ISD school 211 00:06:34,460 --> 00:06:35,979 busses when they're stopped. 212 00:06:35,980 --> 00:06:37,259 Now this has caused the company to 213 00:06:37,260 --> 00:06:39,179 issue software recalls for its 214 00:06:39,180 --> 00:06:40,459 fleet of vehicles. 215 00:06:40,460 --> 00:06:41,899 For more about that, we're speaking 216 00:06:41,900 --> 00:06:43,979 with Texas Standards Shelly Brisbin. 217 00:06:43,980 --> 00:06:44,939 Shelley, welcome back to Austin 218 00:06:44,940 --> 00:06:45,519 Signal. 219 00:06:45,520 --> 00:06:46,869 Hey Jerry, thanks for having me. 220 00:06:46,870 --> 00:06:48,949 So tell us w what does this software 221 00:06:48,950 --> 00:06:49,989 recall mean? 222 00:06:49,990 --> 00:06:51,749 I I I believe this is a voluntary 223 00:06:51,750 --> 00:06:52,929 recall, yes? 224 00:06:52,930 --> 00:06:54,929 Yeah, it's a voluntarily voluntary 225 00:06:54,930 --> 00:06:56,929 recall, which means two things. 226 00:06:56,930 --> 00:06:58,289 It means first of all that the 227 00:06:58,290 --> 00:07:00,129 software for the Waymo vehicles that 228 00:07:00,130 --> 00:07:01,489 are out there in Austin streets 229 00:07:01,490 --> 00:07:03,569 right now is going to be updated, 230 00:07:03,570 --> 00:07:05,809 but the actual recall process 231 00:07:05,810 --> 00:07:07,649 is alerting the federal government 232 00:07:07,650 --> 00:07:09,649 that there is a recall happening. 233 00:07:09,650 --> 00:07:11,649 Hey, we're changing the software to 234 00:07:11,650 --> 00:07:13,729 account specifically for 235 00:07:13,730 --> 00:07:15,649 bad behavior, illegal behavior 236 00:07:15,650 --> 00:07:17,519 around busses. 237 00:07:17,520 --> 00:07:19,119 So are there any Waymo's coming off 238 00:07:19,120 --> 00:07:21,119 the road? Is is the number changing 239 00:07:21,120 --> 00:07:22,109 right now? 240 00:07:22,110 --> 00:07:23,949 No. So far Waymo has not 241 00:07:23,950 --> 00:07:25,389 taken any cars off the road. 242 00:07:25,390 --> 00:07:26,589 As you mentioned it's voluntary 243 00:07:26,590 --> 00:07:28,749 recall. The AISD actually 244 00:07:28,750 --> 00:07:30,908 had asked Waymo to stop 245 00:07:30,909 --> 00:07:32,749 running their vehicles during school 246 00:07:32,750 --> 00:07:35,069 drop off and pickup hours, but Waymo 247 00:07:35,070 --> 00:07:36,429 has so far not done that and they're 248 00:07:36,430 --> 00:07:37,949 certainly are running in near the 249 00:07:37,950 --> 00:07:39,589 elementary school in my neighborhood. 250 00:07:39,590 --> 00:07:41,428 Okay. Have has this sort of software 251 00:07:41,429 --> 00:07:43,108 recall happened in other cities 252 00:07:43,109 --> 00:07:44,459 across the country? 253 00:07:44,460 --> 00:07:46,139 Actually the school bus issue 254 00:07:46,140 --> 00:07:47,978 specifically was first noticed 255 00:07:47,979 --> 00:07:49,899 in Atlanta where Waymo also 256 00:07:49,900 --> 00:07:51,819 operates. And there's a voluntary 257 00:07:51,820 --> 00:07:53,339 recall there. There were also there 258 00:07:53,340 --> 00:07:55,339 were incidents and videos showing 259 00:07:55,340 --> 00:07:57,179 Waymo Waymo's either 260 00:07:57,180 --> 00:07:59,259 passing school busses or not 261 00:07:59,260 --> 00:08:01,178 s not going behind a school bus as 262 00:08:01,179 --> 00:08:02,059 the law requires. 263 00:08:02,060 --> 00:08:03,739 And so Atlanta and Austin are sort 264 00:08:03,740 --> 00:08:04,779 of ground zero. 265 00:08:04,780 --> 00:08:05,658 There's something like five 266 00:08:05,659 --> 00:08:06,939 incidents reported in Atlanta. 267 00:08:06,940 --> 00:08:08,139 There are actually more incidents in 268 00:08:08,140 --> 00:08:09,899 Austin, although I think some of the 269 00:08:09,900 --> 00:08:11,739 more serious ones seem 270 00:08:11,740 --> 00:08:13,098 to have been caught on video in 271 00:08:13,099 --> 00:08:14,279 Atlanta in any case. 272 00:08:14,280 --> 00:08:16,118 And the the incidents in Austin, do 273 00:08:16,119 --> 00:08:17,319 we know w when those occurred? 274 00:08:17,320 --> 00:08:18,918 Have those all occurred over twenty 275 00:08:18,919 --> 00:08:20,678 twenty five or has that just been in 276 00:08:20,679 --> 00:08:22,149 the recent school year? 277 00:08:22,150 --> 00:08:23,988 AISD says there have been at least 278 00:08:23,989 --> 00:08:25,908 nineteen incidents this school year, 279 00:08:25,909 --> 00:08:27,189 and a lot of what we know about 280 00:08:27,190 --> 00:08:29,108 these incidents does come from 281 00:08:29,109 --> 00:08:31,108 camera footage on the busses, and 282 00:08:31,109 --> 00:08:33,188 AISD has captured that footage 283 00:08:33,189 --> 00:08:34,489 itself. 284 00:08:34,490 --> 00:08:36,408 Okay, so AISD has 285 00:08:36,409 --> 00:08:38,328 raised an a a complaint in 286 00:08:38,329 --> 00:08:39,208 this matter. 287 00:08:39,209 --> 00:08:40,649 Can you tell us more w what does 288 00:08:40,650 --> 00:08:42,019 that actually mean? 289 00:08:42,020 --> 00:08:43,539 So they sent a letter to the 290 00:08:43,540 --> 00:08:45,379 National Highway Traffic Safety 291 00:08:45,380 --> 00:08:46,979 Administration, which is a federal 292 00:08:46,980 --> 00:08:50,019 agency that supervises 293 00:08:50,020 --> 00:08:52,019 traffic laws in the in a big picture 294 00:08:52,020 --> 00:08:53,939 level, for for lack of a better 295 00:08:53,940 --> 00:08:55,059 way to describe it. 296 00:08:55,060 --> 00:08:56,899 And they've basically asked the 297 00:08:56,900 --> 00:08:58,739 agency to undertake an 298 00:08:58,740 --> 00:09:00,659 investigation of Waymo to find 299 00:09:00,660 --> 00:09:02,259 out whether it's the software that's 300 00:09:02,260 --> 00:09:03,939 at fault and why this is happening, 301 00:09:03,940 --> 00:09:05,299 specifically since it relates to 302 00:09:05,300 --> 00:09:06,339 school busses. 303 00:09:06,340 --> 00:09:08,179 And so that complaint 304 00:09:08,180 --> 00:09:10,019 with the video evidence went out. 305 00:09:10,020 --> 00:09:11,139 There's a there's a letter that you 306 00:09:11,140 --> 00:09:12,819 can find on the National Highway 307 00:09:12,820 --> 00:09:14,739 NTSA website that 308 00:09:14,740 --> 00:09:16,179 describes the school district 309 00:09:16,180 --> 00:09:17,059 complaints. 310 00:09:17,060 --> 00:09:18,979 And the district says 311 00:09:18,980 --> 00:09:21,539 that even since the software 312 00:09:21,540 --> 00:09:23,539 recall was announced by Waymo 313 00:09:23,540 --> 00:09:25,379 in mid November, there have been 314 00:09:25,380 --> 00:09:27,219 additional incidents and that's what 315 00:09:27,220 --> 00:09:28,499 occasioned the letter that they 316 00:09:28,500 --> 00:09:30,499 wrote to NHTSA on December 317 00:09:30,500 --> 00:09:31,500 third. 318 00:09:31,850 --> 00:09:33,769 So we have the Way Moses 319 00:09:33,770 --> 00:09:34,809 private company and we have the 320 00:09:34,810 --> 00:09:36,169 local school district, the Austin 321 00:09:36,170 --> 00:09:37,529 ISD. Is there a reason that this 322 00:09:37,530 --> 00:09:38,889 complaint went to the federal 323 00:09:38,890 --> 00:09:40,169 government? 324 00:09:40,170 --> 00:09:42,009 Well the N T T S 325 00:09:42,010 --> 00:09:43,209 A, which is very hard to say. 326 00:09:44,530 --> 00:09:46,049 That is the federal agency that 327 00:09:46,050 --> 00:09:47,969 deals with traffic regulations. 328 00:09:47,970 --> 00:09:49,569 Now the state regulations involving 329 00:09:49,570 --> 00:09:51,409 Waymo's specifically and and 330 00:09:51,410 --> 00:09:53,329 it all robotaxis, by the way, 331 00:09:53,330 --> 00:09:54,849 have to do with whether there is a 332 00:09:54,850 --> 00:09:56,209 driver in the car or not. 333 00:09:56,210 --> 00:09:57,889 Waymo's do not require that because 334 00:09:57,890 --> 00:09:59,009 they have a higher level of 335 00:09:59,010 --> 00:10:00,929 autonomous driving software than, 336 00:10:00,930 --> 00:10:02,849 say, the Tesla robotaxis, where they 337 00:10:02,850 --> 00:10:04,689 have to have a a safety driver 338 00:10:04,690 --> 00:10:06,209 in the front seat of the car. 339 00:10:06,210 --> 00:10:07,569 And so those are the kind of 340 00:10:07,570 --> 00:10:09,889 regulations that the state imposes. 341 00:10:09,890 --> 00:10:11,649 You may remember that some years ago 342 00:10:11,650 --> 00:10:13,329 the state legislature passed a law 343 00:10:13,330 --> 00:10:14,929 that the that prevents local 344 00:10:14,930 --> 00:10:16,449 governments like Austin's or like 345 00:10:16,450 --> 00:10:18,449 AISD from imposing any rules 346 00:10:18,450 --> 00:10:19,649 on robotaxis. 347 00:10:19,650 --> 00:10:21,409 So most of the regulation is going 348 00:10:21,410 --> 00:10:22,769 to come from either the federal or 349 00:10:22,770 --> 00:10:24,229 the state government. 350 00:10:24,230 --> 00:10:25,429 Okay, well I know that this 351 00:10:25,430 --> 00:10:28,469 complaint was just lodged recently. 352 00:10:28,470 --> 00:10:29,429 What happens next? 353 00:10:29,430 --> 00:10:31,109 It sounds like, you know, you said 354 00:10:31,110 --> 00:10:32,948 AISD asked Waymos to 355 00:10:32,949 --> 00:10:34,309 take their cars off the road, but 356 00:10:34,310 --> 00:10:36,389 you s have still seen them recently. 357 00:10:36,390 --> 00:10:38,479 Where where do we go next? 358 00:10:38,480 --> 00:10:39,599 Well, there is always the 359 00:10:39,600 --> 00:10:41,519 possibility that either Waymo would 360 00:10:41,520 --> 00:10:43,438 do another voluntary recall or that 361 00:10:43,439 --> 00:10:45,279 NHTSA 362 00:10:45,280 --> 00:10:47,279 would require them to take some sort 363 00:10:47,280 --> 00:10:48,318 of further action. 364 00:10:48,319 --> 00:10:49,759 The school district actually told 365 00:10:49,760 --> 00:10:51,359 the American statesman that they 366 00:10:51,360 --> 00:10:52,958 were pursuing their legal options. 367 00:10:52,959 --> 00:10:54,639 I'm not certain what those were, but 368 00:10:54,640 --> 00:10:55,759 I think the district is very 369 00:10:55,760 --> 00:10:57,359 concerned and so it's it's a story 370 00:10:57,360 --> 00:10:58,779 to continue to watch. 371 00:10:58,780 --> 00:11:00,619 Okay, well we will continue watching 372 00:11:00,620 --> 00:11:01,979 it here on Austin Signal. 373 00:11:01,980 --> 00:11:03,259 We have been speaking with Shelley 374 00:11:03,260 --> 00:11:04,139 Brisbane. 375 00:11:04,140 --> 00:11:05,419 She has been covering autonomous 376 00:11:05,420 --> 00:11:07,578 vehicles for Texas Standard. 377 00:11:07,579 --> 00:11:08,859 You can find more of her work at 378 00:11:08,860 --> 00:11:10,539 Texas Standard dot org. 379 00:11:10,540 --> 00:11:11,899 Shelley, thank you for joining us. 380 00:11:11,900 --> 00:11:12,900 Thank you. 381 00:11:23,010 --> 00:11:24,049 All right, well, thank you for 382 00:11:24,050 --> 00:11:25,969 spending part of your Tuesday here 383 00:11:25,970 --> 00:11:28,129 with us on Austin Signal. 384 00:11:28,130 --> 00:11:29,729 Just as a reminder, we're here every 385 00:11:29,730 --> 00:11:31,889 weekday from 1 until 1:30. 386 00:11:31,890 --> 00:11:33,249 And if you can't listen to the show 387 00:11:33,250 --> 00:11:34,529 live, that's okay. 388 00:11:34,530 --> 00:11:35,729 We are a podcast. 389 00:11:35,730 --> 00:11:37,329 You can find us wherever you listen 390 00:11:37,330 --> 00:11:38,289 to your shows. 391 00:11:38,290 --> 00:11:40,129 And you can find more shows by 392 00:11:40,130 --> 00:11:42,529 going to K U T.org 393 00:11:42,530 --> 00:11:43,729 slash Signal. 394 00:11:43,730 --> 00:11:45,649 Tonight at the Paramount in downtown 395 00:11:45,650 --> 00:11:47,329 Austin, they're hosting a night for 396 00:11:47,330 --> 00:11:49,169 Rich Brotherton, the awesome 397 00:11:49,170 --> 00:11:50,849 musician, producer, and teacher 398 00:11:50,850 --> 00:11:52,369 dealing with ALS. 399 00:11:52,370 --> 00:11:54,289 Patty Griffin, Charlie Crockett, 400 00:11:54,290 --> 00:11:56,049 and Lyle Lovett are joining in on 401 00:11:56,050 --> 00:11:57,249 the celebration tonight. 402 00:11:57,250 --> 00:11:59,249 And our old friend K U T X 403 00:11:59,250 --> 00:12:01,089 DJ Jody Denberg is going to 404 00:12:01,090 --> 00:12:02,529 be serving as the master of 405 00:12:02,530 --> 00:12:03,568 ceremonies. 406 00:12:03,569 --> 00:12:05,409 There might still be a ticket 407 00:12:05,410 --> 00:12:07,329 or two out there to find, but 408 00:12:07,330 --> 00:12:09,249 if you can't make it out tonight, 409 00:12:09,250 --> 00:12:11,409 you can still hear more about Rich 410 00:12:11,410 --> 00:12:13,009 from some of the people who know him 411 00:12:13,010 --> 00:12:13,889 pretty well. 412 00:12:13,890 --> 00:12:15,969 Austin Signal spoke with Andrea 413 00:12:15,970 --> 00:12:18,209 McGee, Pat Byrne, and Scrappy 414 00:12:18,210 --> 00:12:20,129 Judd Newcomb, who will also be 415 00:12:20,130 --> 00:12:21,329 performing tonight. 416 00:12:21,330 --> 00:12:23,329 You can hear more from them about 417 00:12:23,330 --> 00:12:25,329 Rich and about their musical 418 00:12:25,330 --> 00:12:27,409 connection. Again, K U 419 00:12:27,410 --> 00:12:29,809 T.org slash 420 00:12:29,810 --> 00:12:30,769 Signal. 421 00:12:30,770 --> 00:12:32,449 Well, we're coming up on a break, 422 00:12:32,450 --> 00:12:34,209 but after that, we are gonna talk 423 00:12:34,210 --> 00:12:36,129 about K U T X's 424 00:12:36,130 --> 00:12:39,009 artists of the month for 2025. 425 00:12:39,010 --> 00:12:41,089 Your morning drive time host Taylor 426 00:12:41,090 --> 00:12:42,849 Wallace is gonna be joining us. 427 00:12:42,850 --> 00:12:44,689 That's up next on Austin 428 00:12:44,690 --> 00:12:45,690 Signal. 429 00:12:47,330 --> 00:12:49,249 Thank you for tuning in to Austin 430 00:12:49,250 --> 00:12:50,689 Signal. We're nearing the end of 431 00:12:50,690 --> 00:12:52,029 2025. 432 00:12:52,030 --> 00:12:53,149 And we're gonna start taking a look 433 00:12:53,150 --> 00:12:54,989 back at the year that was here in 434 00:12:54,990 --> 00:12:56,989 Austin. Today we're talking about 435 00:12:56,990 --> 00:12:58,909 some of the K U T X artists of 436 00:12:58,910 --> 00:13:00,588 the month featured in twenty twenty 437 00:13:00,589 --> 00:13:02,429 five. You can find write ups on 438 00:13:02,430 --> 00:13:04,188 all the artists featured this year 439 00:13:04,189 --> 00:13:06,269 over at KUTX dot 440 00:13:06,270 --> 00:13:07,869 org. But right now to help us go 441 00:13:07,870 --> 00:13:09,309 through a few of them, we're joined 442 00:13:09,310 --> 00:13:11,309 by your K U T X morning drive time 443 00:13:11,310 --> 00:13:12,269 host, Taylor Wallace. 444 00:13:12,270 --> 00:13:12,999 Howdy, Taylor? 445 00:13:13,000 --> 00:13:14,448 Hello, hi. 446 00:13:14,449 --> 00:13:15,649 I'm gonna start off first with the 447 00:13:15,650 --> 00:13:17,489 band. I love when an artist takes a 448 00:13:17,490 --> 00:13:18,848 word and they you know take a letter 449 00:13:18,849 --> 00:13:20,289 out, they add some punctuation, they 450 00:13:20,290 --> 00:13:21,489 make things kinda funky. 451 00:13:21,490 --> 00:13:23,699 So tell us about Jacuzzi, Taylor. 452 00:13:23,700 --> 00:13:25,619 Jacuzzi was our July artist 453 00:13:25,620 --> 00:13:27,459 of the month and it is I 454 00:13:27,460 --> 00:13:29,619 call it art punk, but also cork 455 00:13:29,620 --> 00:13:31,619 punk. That's that's a me word, not a 456 00:13:31,620 --> 00:13:33,779 floating in the ether word. 457 00:13:33,780 --> 00:13:35,619 So jacuzzi, they 458 00:13:35,620 --> 00:13:37,539 are this duo of 459 00:13:37,540 --> 00:13:39,459 Gorge Bones and Trey Razzle 460 00:13:39,460 --> 00:13:40,460 Dazzle. 461 00:13:41,220 --> 00:13:43,059 And they Gorge 462 00:13:43,060 --> 00:13:44,419 especially has never been in a band 463 00:13:44,420 --> 00:13:45,699 before. And you wouldn't guess it 464 00:13:45,700 --> 00:13:47,619 from like, first of all, they're 465 00:13:47,620 --> 00:13:49,219 they sound fantastic, but then to 466 00:13:49,220 --> 00:13:50,979 see them live, they are 467 00:13:50,980 --> 00:13:52,029 ostentatious. 468 00:13:52,030 --> 00:13:53,389 I was just looking at the write up 469 00:13:53,390 --> 00:13:54,669 at K U Text dot org. 470 00:13:54,670 --> 00:13:55,869 They look like rock stars. 471 00:13:55,870 --> 00:13:57,069 Yeah. So to hear that is very 472 00:13:57,070 --> 00:13:57,659 surprising. 473 00:13:57,660 --> 00:14:00,218 Yeah, they're fantastic and 474 00:14:00,219 --> 00:14:01,578 they're playing this Saturday. 475 00:14:01,579 --> 00:14:02,698 If you haven't had the chance to see 476 00:14:02,699 --> 00:14:03,818 them yet, first of all, you can find 477 00:14:03,819 --> 00:14:05,739 their MyKUTX guest DJ 478 00:14:05,740 --> 00:14:07,419 set and their studio one A over on 479 00:14:07,420 --> 00:14:08,218 our website. 480 00:14:08,219 --> 00:14:09,259 But they are playing the holiday 481 00:14:09,260 --> 00:14:11,099 hootin' nanny that we are supporting 482 00:14:11,100 --> 00:14:12,698 this Saturday at Radio East. 483 00:14:12,699 --> 00:14:14,539 So not only can you see Shannon and 484 00:14:14,540 --> 00:14:15,979 the clams, Toon Yards and Rubble 485 00:14:15,980 --> 00:14:17,899 Bucket, you can see Jacuzzi 486 00:14:17,900 --> 00:14:18,289 as well. 487 00:14:18,290 --> 00:14:19,328 Alright, well let's hear a little 488 00:14:19,329 --> 00:14:20,929 bit from Jacuzzi right now. 489 00:14:48,770 --> 00:14:50,209 Next is a band that we featured as 490 00:14:50,210 --> 00:14:51,729 part of our hour-long Austin City 491 00:14:51,730 --> 00:14:53,569 Limits music festival special 492 00:14:53,570 --> 00:14:55,009 for Austin Signal. 493 00:14:55,010 --> 00:14:56,449 For those who are not familiar, tell 494 00:14:56,450 --> 00:14:58,129 us about Next of Kin and and the 495 00:14:58,130 --> 00:14:59,379 kind of year that they've had. 496 00:14:59,380 --> 00:15:01,139 Okay, Next of Ken has had a 497 00:15:01,140 --> 00:15:02,419 gangbusters year. 498 00:15:02,420 --> 00:15:04,259 Really? Their debut EP came out 499 00:15:04,260 --> 00:15:05,139 back in May. 500 00:15:05,140 --> 00:15:06,899 Not only one sold-out night at 501 00:15:06,900 --> 00:15:08,979 Continental Club, two sold-out 502 00:15:08,980 --> 00:15:11,059 nights. And it's a trio of Lily 503 00:15:11,060 --> 00:15:12,899 Hickman of Florin Fauna, also 504 00:15:12,900 --> 00:15:15,139 Madison Baker, and Kaylin 505 00:15:15,140 --> 00:15:15,938 Trelongo. 506 00:15:15,939 --> 00:15:17,379 They make up this trio, and it is 507 00:15:17,380 --> 00:15:18,739 all about the harmonies. 508 00:15:18,740 --> 00:15:20,419 It is queer country. 509 00:15:20,420 --> 00:15:21,938 Their cover of The Chain by 510 00:15:21,939 --> 00:15:24,819 Fleetwood Mac is transcendent. 511 00:15:24,820 --> 00:15:26,659 And they played ACL Fest this 512 00:15:26,660 --> 00:15:28,579 year. They also hooked up with 513 00:15:28,580 --> 00:15:30,579 Austin FC and they got to model. 514 00:15:30,580 --> 00:15:32,419 Austin FC did some sort of like 515 00:15:32,420 --> 00:15:34,339 live music merch 516 00:15:34,340 --> 00:15:35,699 line, and they got to model for 517 00:15:35,700 --> 00:15:37,219 that. It's like a fashion show kind 518 00:15:37,220 --> 00:15:38,818 of thing. Yeah, kind of, yeah. 519 00:15:38,819 --> 00:15:40,739 And they also got invited by 520 00:15:40,740 --> 00:15:42,739 Texas Monthly to do their like dig 521 00:15:42,740 --> 00:15:44,419 through our archives series. 522 00:15:44,420 --> 00:15:46,419 Cool. So all of that is exciting 523 00:15:46,420 --> 00:15:48,019 on its head, and who knows what's 524 00:15:48,020 --> 00:15:49,939 coming up. I foresee very 525 00:15:49,940 --> 00:15:51,459 big things for this trio. 526 00:15:51,460 --> 00:15:52,818 And we're presenting their New 527 00:15:52,819 --> 00:15:54,499 Year's Eve show at Antones. 528 00:15:54,500 --> 00:15:56,419 So all the info you can find that at 529 00:15:56,420 --> 00:15:57,699 K U T X.org. 530 00:15:57,700 --> 00:15:58,979 And they'll be joined by TC 531 00:15:58,980 --> 00:16:01,059 Superstar Nane and Quentin 532 00:16:01,060 --> 00:16:01,869 Arispe. 533 00:16:01,870 --> 00:16:02,829 Okay, cool, let's hear a little 534 00:16:02,830 --> 00:16:03,830 something from Next of Kin. 535 00:16:07,370 --> 00:16:08,370 Yeah. 536 00:16:09,110 --> 00:16:10,019 How right? 537 00:16:10,020 --> 00:16:11,020 Yeah. 538 00:16:11,310 --> 00:16:13,150 Come and find you 539 00:16:15,870 --> 00:16:17,709 When you kiss in the curb 540 00:16:17,710 --> 00:16:19,709 and bend from every bar 541 00:16:22,350 --> 00:16:24,909 See the ugly truth 542 00:16:24,910 --> 00:16:25,910 on its leg 543 00:16:28,829 --> 00:16:30,188 one of my favorite things that K U T 544 00:16:30,189 --> 00:16:32,348 X does is a lot of people on staff 545 00:16:32,349 --> 00:16:33,468 get a chance to speak with the 546 00:16:33,469 --> 00:16:35,228 artists. You actually got to do the 547 00:16:35,229 --> 00:16:37,068 interview with Next of Ken. 548 00:16:37,069 --> 00:16:38,269 What did you learn? What did you 549 00:16:38,270 --> 00:16:39,629 enjoy about spending time with them? 550 00:16:39,630 --> 00:16:41,389 Because I got to interview them and 551 00:16:41,390 --> 00:16:42,509 they are like all on the same 552 00:16:42,510 --> 00:16:43,389 wavelength, you know? 553 00:16:43,390 --> 00:16:45,289 There are so they are so insane. 554 00:16:45,290 --> 00:16:47,049 Agreed. And I think it's such a 555 00:16:47,050 --> 00:16:48,969 testament to women 556 00:16:48,970 --> 00:16:50,729 supporting women and women falling 557 00:16:50,730 --> 00:16:52,409 in love with other women, not 558 00:16:52,410 --> 00:16:54,409 romantically, but with their 559 00:16:54,410 --> 00:16:56,249 music and their spirit. 560 00:16:56,250 --> 00:16:58,329 And so all three of them had 561 00:16:58,330 --> 00:17:00,169 been fans of each other's. 562 00:17:00,170 --> 00:17:01,609 And then they all kind of got 563 00:17:01,610 --> 00:17:03,529 together and just kind of became 564 00:17:03,530 --> 00:17:06,328 like this immediate like sisterhood. 565 00:17:06,329 --> 00:17:09,289 And it I think that translates 566 00:17:09,290 --> 00:17:11,209 very, very well through their music. 567 00:17:11,210 --> 00:17:12,889 And it seems like it's been very 568 00:17:12,890 --> 00:17:14,328 organic for them, which is 569 00:17:14,329 --> 00:17:15,219 wonderful. 570 00:17:15,220 --> 00:17:16,339 Yeah, you know, I think kinda 571 00:17:16,340 --> 00:17:17,859 naively I always assume that 572 00:17:17,860 --> 00:17:19,379 everyone in a band must like each 573 00:17:19,380 --> 00:17:20,739 other, but after speaking to them, 574 00:17:20,740 --> 00:17:21,779 it was like, wow, they are really 575 00:17:21,780 --> 00:17:22,659 their best friends. 576 00:17:22,660 --> 00:17:23,779 They actually like each other. 577 00:17:23,780 --> 00:17:25,459 Yeah, and it's so really cool. 578 00:17:25,460 --> 00:17:27,139 You can hear some of their their 579 00:17:27,140 --> 00:17:28,899 interactions, some of their bon from 580 00:17:28,900 --> 00:17:30,739 that special ACL episode of 581 00:17:30,740 --> 00:17:33,139 our show. That's at K U T.org 582 00:17:33,140 --> 00:17:34,339 slash signal. 583 00:17:34,340 --> 00:17:36,179 Okay, next up is September's Artists 584 00:17:36,180 --> 00:17:36,979 of the Month. 585 00:17:36,980 --> 00:17:38,419 Now, Taylor, anytime I tell somebody 586 00:17:38,420 --> 00:17:40,179 that I work at K U T, they always 587 00:17:40,180 --> 00:17:42,179 tell me how much they love K U T 588 00:17:42,180 --> 00:17:42,979 X. 589 00:17:42,980 --> 00:17:44,339 And the point was a band that 590 00:17:44,340 --> 00:17:45,539 multiple people in the community 591 00:17:45,540 --> 00:17:46,979 would come up to me and say, They 592 00:17:46,980 --> 00:17:49,219 rock. The point rocks, I love them. 593 00:17:49,220 --> 00:17:50,659 Who are they and why do they have 594 00:17:50,660 --> 00:17:51,799 everyone so hyped? 595 00:17:51,800 --> 00:17:53,638 Okay, well, let me tell you this. 596 00:17:53,639 --> 00:17:55,158 We think Next of Kin had a 597 00:17:55,159 --> 00:17:56,999 gangbusters year and the point said, 598 00:17:57,000 --> 00:17:58,839 Hold my beer, which is takes nothing 599 00:17:58,840 --> 00:17:59,959 away from Next of Kin. 600 00:17:59,960 --> 00:18:01,079 But these guys went on tour with 601 00:18:01,080 --> 00:18:02,999 Mdumakhtar earlier 602 00:18:03,000 --> 00:18:05,239 this year. They played Levitation, 603 00:18:05,240 --> 00:18:07,479 they played ACL Fest, 604 00:18:07,480 --> 00:18:09,398 and they next year 605 00:18:09,399 --> 00:18:10,839 are going on tour with St. Paul and 606 00:18:10,840 --> 00:18:12,279 the Broken Bones. 607 00:18:12,280 --> 00:18:14,199 And they, as the person at K 608 00:18:14,200 --> 00:18:15,799 U T X who keeps up with all of the 609 00:18:15,800 --> 00:18:17,319 shows for all the artists we're 610 00:18:17,320 --> 00:18:19,239 playing, they keep me the most 611 00:18:19,240 --> 00:18:21,158 busy. I would say on average, 612 00:18:21,159 --> 00:18:23,239 I kid you not, four 613 00:18:23,240 --> 00:18:25,239 local shows a month on average. 614 00:18:25,240 --> 00:18:27,319 Like they are hot, hot, hot. 615 00:18:27,320 --> 00:18:28,999 And they have a show this Sunday at 616 00:18:29,000 --> 00:18:31,079 Antones where Adrian Quesada 617 00:18:31,080 --> 00:18:32,080 will be doing a DJ set. 618 00:18:38,440 --> 00:18:40,440 I'm leaving even mama, 619 00:18:44,120 --> 00:18:46,119 but I don't know where to 620 00:18:46,120 --> 00:18:47,120 go. 621 00:18:47,720 --> 00:18:49,719 I'm even leaving 622 00:18:49,720 --> 00:18:50,720 mama. 623 00:18:53,560 --> 00:18:55,479 But I don't know where to 624 00:18:55,480 --> 00:18:56,480 go. 625 00:19:00,430 --> 00:19:01,309 Very, very cool. 626 00:19:01,310 --> 00:19:03,309 Okay, lastly, Taylor, let me ask a 627 00:19:03,310 --> 00:19:04,429 a more personal question. 628 00:19:04,430 --> 00:19:05,628 What was your twenty twenty five 629 00:19:05,629 --> 00:19:06,749 year of music like here in the 630 00:19:06,750 --> 00:19:07,869 Austin scene? 631 00:19:07,870 --> 00:19:09,469 How are you feeling about the local 632 00:19:09,470 --> 00:19:11,149 scene as we move into twenty twenty 633 00:19:11,150 --> 00:19:11,859 six? 634 00:19:11,860 --> 00:19:13,379 I am very excited. 635 00:19:13,380 --> 00:19:15,939 I think our whole class of 2025 636 00:19:15,940 --> 00:19:17,779 paints a really good tapestry that 637 00:19:17,780 --> 00:19:19,779 everything from RB, 638 00:19:19,780 --> 00:19:22,579 hip hop, country, rock, 639 00:19:22,580 --> 00:19:24,419 punk, it's all here and it's 640 00:19:24,420 --> 00:19:26,179 all happening. And I really think 641 00:19:26,180 --> 00:19:27,939 we've got several of our artists of 642 00:19:27,940 --> 00:19:29,939 the month from this year 643 00:19:29,940 --> 00:19:31,619 that really are not only great 644 00:19:31,620 --> 00:19:33,619 Austin bands, but certainly have 645 00:19:33,620 --> 00:19:35,139 breakout potential. 646 00:19:35,140 --> 00:19:36,499 Aside from all of these, there's 647 00:19:36,500 --> 00:19:37,859 just been so many other artists. 648 00:19:37,860 --> 00:19:39,859 Like it's been a really fun year 649 00:19:39,860 --> 00:19:41,459 to be in our artist of the month 650 00:19:41,460 --> 00:19:43,139 Slack channel talk discussing it 651 00:19:43,140 --> 00:19:45,779 because it's just overwhelming 652 00:19:45,780 --> 00:19:47,859 with like how many awesome 653 00:19:47,860 --> 00:19:49,459 albums and everything are coming out 654 00:19:49,460 --> 00:19:50,579 month to month to month. 655 00:19:50,580 --> 00:19:52,659 And so I am hotly 656 00:19:52,660 --> 00:19:53,459 excited. 657 00:19:53,460 --> 00:19:55,139 And if you want to kind of get an 658 00:19:55,140 --> 00:19:56,979 early step into what Austin 659 00:19:56,980 --> 00:19:59,139 in 2026 could look like, free 660 00:19:59,140 --> 00:20:00,899 week is the first week of January, 661 00:20:00,900 --> 00:20:02,259 as we all know, and we will be 662 00:20:02,260 --> 00:20:04,179 having a free week show, the 663 00:20:04,180 --> 00:20:05,619 announcement to come later this 664 00:20:05,620 --> 00:20:07,379 week. But some of them might be some 665 00:20:07,380 --> 00:20:09,059 of the artists that you'll have 666 00:20:09,060 --> 00:20:10,579 heard about today. 667 00:20:10,580 --> 00:20:12,579 And and even with that show, 668 00:20:12,580 --> 00:20:14,899 it's a good it's a good mosaic, 669 00:20:14,900 --> 00:20:16,819 sonic mosaic of who's 670 00:20:16,820 --> 00:20:18,409 who and who you should love. 671 00:20:18,410 --> 00:20:19,289 All right, well when that 672 00:20:19,290 --> 00:20:20,489 announcement is made, we'll let you 673 00:20:20,490 --> 00:20:22,329 know right here on Austin Signal. 674 00:20:22,330 --> 00:20:23,369 We have been speaking with Taylor 675 00:20:23,370 --> 00:20:24,969 Wallace, your weekday morning drive 676 00:20:24,970 --> 00:20:26,729 time host for our sister station 677 00:20:26,730 --> 00:20:28,649 KUTX, breaking down a few 678 00:20:28,650 --> 00:20:30,249 of the artists of the month featured 679 00:20:30,250 --> 00:20:32,729 as the twenty twenty five KUTX 680 00:20:32,730 --> 00:20:33,689 artists of the month. 681 00:20:33,690 --> 00:20:35,049 We're gonna have a link in our show 682 00:20:35,050 --> 00:20:37,209 notes at KUT dot org 683 00:20:37,210 --> 00:20:38,329 slash signal. 684 00:20:38,330 --> 00:20:39,529 Taylor, thank you for your time. 685 00:20:39,530 --> 00:20:40,530 Always a pleasure. 686 00:20:57,580 --> 00:20:59,419 This is Austin Signal. 687 00:20:59,420 --> 00:21:01,339 Thank you for making us part 688 00:21:01,340 --> 00:21:03,179 of your Tuesday. 689 00:21:03,180 --> 00:21:04,939 Well, if you weren't paying 690 00:21:04,940 --> 00:21:06,699 attention yesterday, we had lots of 691 00:21:06,700 --> 00:21:08,699 movement on the political front. 692 00:21:08,700 --> 00:21:10,619 It was the last day to file 693 00:21:10,620 --> 00:21:12,379 ahead of next year's midterms. 694 00:21:12,380 --> 00:21:14,219 Colin Alrid dropped out of the race 695 00:21:14,220 --> 00:21:16,139 for U.S. Senate, while Congresswoman 696 00:21:16,140 --> 00:21:17,979 Jasmine Crockett joined 697 00:21:17,980 --> 00:21:19,819 in. Locally, Democratic 698 00:21:19,820 --> 00:21:21,419 State Senator Sarah Eckhart 699 00:21:21,420 --> 00:21:23,179 announced that she is running for 700 00:21:23,180 --> 00:21:24,699 Texas Comptroller. 701 00:21:24,700 --> 00:21:26,699 The Austin area politician said 702 00:21:26,700 --> 00:21:28,539 in October that she was running for 703 00:21:28,540 --> 00:21:30,619 the newly drawn 10th Congressional 704 00:21:30,620 --> 00:21:32,859 District after Republican rep 705 00:21:32,860 --> 00:21:34,539 Michael McCall announced that he was 706 00:21:34,540 --> 00:21:36,539 not going to seek re-election, but 707 00:21:36,540 --> 00:21:38,139 things have since changed. 708 00:21:38,140 --> 00:21:40,299 Eckhart said that as Comptroller, 709 00:21:40,300 --> 00:21:41,739 she will stand up for public school 710 00:21:41,740 --> 00:21:43,819 funding and fight fraud, waste, 711 00:21:43,820 --> 00:21:45,819 and abuse in government spending. 712 00:21:45,820 --> 00:21:47,899 You can read more about that over at 713 00:21:47,900 --> 00:21:49,739 K U T.org. 714 00:21:49,740 --> 00:21:51,899 You can also find more about Waymo's 715 00:21:51,900 --> 00:21:53,819 voluntary software recalled 716 00:21:53,820 --> 00:21:56,219 there. And so much more from 717 00:21:56,220 --> 00:21:58,379 our KUT Newsroom. 718 00:21:58,380 --> 00:22:00,539 And that is it for today's show 719 00:22:00,540 --> 00:22:02,299 here on Austin Signal. 720 00:22:02,300 --> 00:22:04,379 Thank you to KUT's Olivia 721 00:22:04,380 --> 00:22:06,459 Aldridge, Texas Standard Shelly 722 00:22:06,460 --> 00:22:08,379 Brisbin, and K U T X's 723 00:22:08,380 --> 00:22:09,339 Taylor Wallace. 724 00:22:09,340 --> 00:22:11,339 We hit the trifecta on today's 725 00:22:11,340 --> 00:22:13,499 show. We couldn't do it without 726 00:22:13,500 --> 00:22:14,699 all the help here. 727 00:22:14,700 --> 00:22:16,059 And I couldn't do it without 728 00:22:16,060 --> 00:22:18,539 managing producer Kristen Cabrera, 729 00:22:18,540 --> 00:22:20,939 technical director Rayna Sevilla, 730 00:22:20,940 --> 00:22:22,859 and our theme music is by 731 00:22:22,860 --> 00:22:24,599 Rene Chavez. 732 00:22:24,600 --> 00:22:26,198 Don't forget about our show, Dad 733 00:22:26,199 --> 00:22:28,039 Jimmy Mass, and I'm your host, 734 00:22:28,040 --> 00:22:29,479 Jerry Quijano. 735 00:22:29,480 --> 00:22:31,158 Thank you for making Austin Signal 736 00:22:31,159 --> 00:22:32,359 part of your day. 737 00:22:32,360 --> 00:22:34,119 We really appreciate spending this 738 00:22:34,120 --> 00:22:35,479 time with you. We'll be back 739 00:22:35,480 --> 00:22:37,398 tomorrow at one o'clock, and 740 00:22:37,399 --> 00:22:38,399 we'll talk to you then.