1 00:00:09,600 --> 00:00:11,679 A former Austin Energy employee 2 00:00:11,680 --> 00:00:13,199 has been accused of defrauding the 3 00:00:13,200 --> 00:00:14,319 city utility. 4 00:00:14,320 --> 00:00:16,159 The man is blamed for siphoning 5 00:00:16,160 --> 00:00:17,999 off nearly $1 million over 6 00:00:18,000 --> 00:00:19,359 the course of six years. 7 00:00:19,360 --> 00:00:21,039 We're gonna talk about how he did it 8 00:00:21,040 --> 00:00:23,118 and what Austin Energy is doing 9 00:00:23,119 --> 00:00:25,039 to prevent it from happening again. 10 00:00:25,040 --> 00:00:27,199 Plus, the YMCA in downtown Austin 11 00:00:27,200 --> 00:00:28,639 wants to expand and renovate its 12 00:00:28,640 --> 00:00:30,719 current digs, adding housing, 13 00:00:30,720 --> 00:00:32,799 restaurants, and office space. 14 00:00:32,800 --> 00:00:34,639 But some folks around the spot are 15 00:00:34,640 --> 00:00:36,479 concerned about how it could affect 16 00:00:36,480 --> 00:00:37,359 the neighborhood. 17 00:00:37,360 --> 00:00:39,279 Hear about their plans coming up on 18 00:00:39,280 --> 00:00:40,649 today's show. 19 00:00:40,650 --> 00:00:42,569 The Austin Signal is a production of 20 00:00:42,570 --> 00:00:44,809 K UT News, hosted by Jerry 21 00:00:44,810 --> 00:00:45,689 Quijano. 22 00:00:45,690 --> 00:00:47,689 And Christmas time is here, but at a 23 00:00:47,690 --> 00:00:49,609 bar in North Austin, it's Christmas 24 00:00:49,610 --> 00:00:51,768 Day every single day. 25 00:00:51,769 --> 00:00:53,448 What's the reason behind it? 26 00:00:53,449 --> 00:00:54,889 Stay with us and find out. 27 00:00:54,890 --> 00:00:56,809 That's on today's Austin 28 00:00:56,810 --> 00:00:57,810 Signal. 29 00:01:08,950 --> 00:01:09,989 Howdy out there. 30 00:01:09,990 --> 00:01:11,669 This is Austin Signal. 31 00:01:11,670 --> 00:01:13,429 It is Wednesday, December 10th. 32 00:01:13,430 --> 00:01:15,189 We're glad to have you here with us. 33 00:01:15,190 --> 00:01:17,029 I'm your host, Jerry Quijano, 34 00:01:17,030 --> 00:01:19,029 and we appreciate you tuning in to 35 00:01:19,030 --> 00:01:20,949 Listener Powered Public 36 00:01:20,950 --> 00:01:21,829 Radio. 37 00:01:21,830 --> 00:01:24,229 Let's get into today's show. 38 00:01:24,230 --> 00:01:26,149 A former Austin Energy employee 39 00:01:26,150 --> 00:01:27,909 is accused of defrauding the city of 40 00:01:27,910 --> 00:01:29,669 almost one million dollars over the 41 00:01:29,670 --> 00:01:31,189 six years that he was working for 42 00:01:31,190 --> 00:01:32,629 the city owned utility. 43 00:01:32,630 --> 00:01:33,989 For more about the story, we're 44 00:01:33,990 --> 00:01:35,269 joined by Andrew Weber. 45 00:01:35,270 --> 00:01:36,549 He is KUT's government 46 00:01:36,550 --> 00:01:37,669 accountability reporter. 47 00:01:37,670 --> 00:01:39,189 Hiya, Andrew. Hey Jerry. 48 00:01:39,190 --> 00:01:40,869 So tell us how how was this fraud 49 00:01:40,870 --> 00:01:41,869 discovered? 50 00:01:41,870 --> 00:01:43,789 This fraud was discovered 51 00:01:43,790 --> 00:01:45,789 by us through a city audit, 52 00:01:45,790 --> 00:01:47,869 but Austin Energy sort 53 00:01:47,870 --> 00:01:49,949 of tipped off the city auditor's 54 00:01:49,950 --> 00:01:51,709 office about this employee, Mark 55 00:01:51,710 --> 00:01:52,989 Ibotta. 56 00:01:52,990 --> 00:01:54,989 Back in twenty twenty-three. 57 00:01:54,990 --> 00:01:56,829 He was basically 58 00:01:56,830 --> 00:01:58,749 using credit card 59 00:01:58,750 --> 00:02:00,349 like sort of procurement as they 60 00:02:00,350 --> 00:02:02,189 call the pro card, I think a lot 61 00:02:02,190 --> 00:02:04,109 of folks would know. 62 00:02:04,110 --> 00:02:06,029 And basically charging 63 00:02:06,030 --> 00:02:08,589 for services that were 64 00:02:08,590 --> 00:02:10,829 you know, non existent through 65 00:02:10,830 --> 00:02:12,829 contractors that were 66 00:02:12,830 --> 00:02:14,909 connected to him and his 67 00:02:14,910 --> 00:02:16,829 family, and it was ultimately 68 00:02:16,830 --> 00:02:18,669 about nine hundred not about, it 69 00:02:18,670 --> 00:02:19,869 was nine hundred eighty thousand 70 00:02:19,870 --> 00:02:21,149 dollars that they could estimate. 71 00:02:21,150 --> 00:02:22,589 They said there there could be more, 72 00:02:22,590 --> 00:02:24,349 but that's the sort of final amount 73 00:02:24,350 --> 00:02:26,439 that they that they could confirm. 74 00:02:26,440 --> 00:02:27,799 And this happened over the course of 75 00:02:27,800 --> 00:02:29,799 six years. The audit I'm guessing 76 00:02:29,800 --> 00:02:30,919 happened this year in twenty twenty 77 00:02:30,920 --> 00:02:31,719 five. Was there something that 78 00:02:31,720 --> 00:02:32,539 spurred it? 79 00:02:32,540 --> 00:02:34,299 Yeah, it was I mean, his firing it 80 00:02:34,300 --> 00:02:35,499 was like this is something they've 81 00:02:35,500 --> 00:02:36,699 been looking into for a minute, but 82 00:02:36,700 --> 00:02:38,459 it was released this year. 83 00:02:38,460 --> 00:02:40,299 So and that was after, 84 00:02:40,300 --> 00:02:42,059 you know, they the the auditor's 85 00:02:42,060 --> 00:02:44,059 office looked at this over 86 00:02:44,060 --> 00:02:45,979 a couple of years, over more than a 87 00:02:45,980 --> 00:02:47,819 year and a half, and found that, 88 00:02:47,820 --> 00:02:49,659 you know, had to sort of, you know, 89 00:02:49,660 --> 00:02:51,019 do the paper trail of it, follow the 90 00:02:51,020 --> 00:02:52,219 money kind of thing. 91 00:02:52,220 --> 00:02:54,859 And then reached out to APD 92 00:02:54,860 --> 00:02:56,699 and then he was indicted 93 00:02:56,700 --> 00:02:58,539 in August, August twenty eighth, 94 00:02:58,540 --> 00:03:00,219 I believe, and then he was arrested 95 00:03:00,220 --> 00:03:01,809 and then released on bottom. 96 00:03:01,810 --> 00:03:04,129 Okay, so what has Austin 97 00:03:04,130 --> 00:03:06,049 Energy done as a result of this 98 00:03:06,050 --> 00:03:08,369 incident or these this fraud? 99 00:03:08,370 --> 00:03:10,289 What how has it changed its policy 100 00:03:10,290 --> 00:03:12,129 to avoid ha this from happening 101 00:03:12,130 --> 00:03:13,079 in the future? 102 00:03:13,080 --> 00:03:14,599 Well, they've cut down on those sort 103 00:03:14,600 --> 00:03:16,519 of pro card payments for 104 00:03:16,520 --> 00:03:18,279 contracting because he was Marky 105 00:03:18,280 --> 00:03:19,799 Barrow was in a very unique position 106 00:03:19,800 --> 00:03:21,399 where he could do maintenance and 107 00:03:21,400 --> 00:03:23,079 then he could determine, okay, we 108 00:03:23,080 --> 00:03:24,839 need a third party to do this, and 109 00:03:24,840 --> 00:03:25,799 that's how this all sort of 110 00:03:25,800 --> 00:03:26,919 happened, and he would just charge 111 00:03:26,920 --> 00:03:28,449 it to a credit card. 112 00:03:28,450 --> 00:03:30,369 So there was no city contracting, 113 00:03:30,370 --> 00:03:32,209 you know, per se 114 00:03:32,210 --> 00:03:34,209 on the books and since then 115 00:03:34,210 --> 00:03:36,209 they've cut down I believe the 116 00:03:36,210 --> 00:03:38,048 last three years the average was 117 00:03:38,049 --> 00:03:39,409 like one point five million per 118 00:03:39,410 --> 00:03:41,249 year. Last year it was down to I 119 00:03:41,250 --> 00:03:42,369 believe five hundred seventy 120 00:03:42,370 --> 00:03:43,569 thousand. So they've they've cut 121 00:03:43,570 --> 00:03:44,849 down on those payments and they've 122 00:03:44,850 --> 00:03:46,529 required management to approve these 123 00:03:46,530 --> 00:03:47,479 sort of purchases. 124 00:03:47,480 --> 00:03:49,159 Okay, so this was a a an audit 125 00:03:49,160 --> 00:03:50,759 conducted by Austin Energy. 126 00:03:50,760 --> 00:03:52,119 H have there been criminal charges? 127 00:03:52,120 --> 00:03:53,959 What what is the status of that? 128 00:03:53,960 --> 00:03:54,919 Yeah, yeah. 129 00:03:54,920 --> 00:03:56,839 After this audit sort of wrapped up, 130 00:03:56,840 --> 00:03:58,599 the auditor's office passed all this 131 00:03:58,600 --> 00:03:59,879 off to ABD. 132 00:03:59,880 --> 00:04:01,879 He was indicted by a grand jury 133 00:04:01,880 --> 00:04:03,798 in August, and then he 134 00:04:03,799 --> 00:04:05,559 was arrested shortly after and 135 00:04:05,560 --> 00:04:07,029 released on bond. 136 00:04:07,030 --> 00:04:08,309 Okie dokie. Well, you can read more 137 00:04:08,310 --> 00:04:11,349 about this story over at KUT.org. 138 00:04:11,350 --> 00:04:13,029 It's from KUT's government 139 00:04:13,030 --> 00:04:14,389 accountability reporter Andrew 140 00:04:14,390 --> 00:04:16,069 Weber, who we've been chatting with 141 00:04:16,070 --> 00:04:17,268 here on Austin Signal. 142 00:04:17,269 --> 00:04:18,309 Andrew, thank you. Yes, sir. 143 00:04:18,310 --> 00:04:19,310 Thank you, Jerry. 144 00:04:24,070 --> 00:04:25,429 All right, thank you for making this 145 00:04:25,430 --> 00:04:26,549 part of your Wednesday. 146 00:04:26,550 --> 00:04:28,549 The Town Lake YMCA in downtown 147 00:04:28,550 --> 00:04:30,389 Austin is planning an expansion and 148 00:04:30,390 --> 00:04:32,229 a renovation of its current property 149 00:04:32,230 --> 00:04:33,749 to include housing and other 150 00:04:33,750 --> 00:04:35,269 commercial and community spaces. 151 00:04:35,270 --> 00:04:37,349 KUT's Luz Moneno Lozano 152 00:04:37,350 --> 00:04:39,909 has that story over at KUT.org. 153 00:04:39,910 --> 00:04:41,269 And she's got the details for us 154 00:04:41,270 --> 00:04:42,549 today on Austin Signal. 155 00:04:42,550 --> 00:04:43,349 Howdy Luz. 156 00:04:43,350 --> 00:04:44,749 Hey Jerry, how's it going? 157 00:04:44,750 --> 00:04:45,868 It's going well. 158 00:04:45,869 --> 00:04:47,069 So tell us, where's the current 159 00:04:47,070 --> 00:04:48,749 space and and what's the approximate 160 00:04:48,750 --> 00:04:49,499 size of it? 161 00:04:49,500 --> 00:04:51,339 Yeah, so this is like a hundred 162 00:04:51,340 --> 00:04:53,339 and ten thousand square feet, 163 00:04:53,340 --> 00:04:54,699 give or take. 164 00:04:54,700 --> 00:04:56,059 You know, this is a kind of a 165 00:04:56,060 --> 00:04:57,819 popular YMCA location. 166 00:04:57,820 --> 00:04:59,339 I mean, w there's several locations 167 00:04:59,340 --> 00:05:01,179 all across the city, but if anyone 168 00:05:01,180 --> 00:05:02,619 is going to the YMCA, I've heard a 169 00:05:02,620 --> 00:05:04,619 lot about this town lake one. 170 00:05:04,620 --> 00:05:06,699 It does sound like the the current 171 00:05:06,700 --> 00:05:08,619 facility is was kind of nearing the 172 00:05:08,620 --> 00:05:10,459 end of its life. 173 00:05:10,460 --> 00:05:11,979 So they were gonna have to renovate 174 00:05:11,980 --> 00:05:13,579 anyway. And so this is gonna be part 175 00:05:13,580 --> 00:05:15,659 of this whole like how can we 176 00:05:15,660 --> 00:05:17,499 not only improve the 177 00:05:17,500 --> 00:05:19,579 on site facility, but expand 178 00:05:19,580 --> 00:05:21,209 it to include other amenities. 179 00:05:21,210 --> 00:05:22,408 So what are some of the amenities 180 00:05:22,409 --> 00:05:23,389 that they want to include? 181 00:05:23,390 --> 00:05:24,429 One of the big things is this is 182 00:05:24,430 --> 00:05:25,869 gonna include is housing. 183 00:05:25,870 --> 00:05:27,949 They said it was gonna include 184 00:05:27,950 --> 00:05:29,789 around ninety affordable 185 00:05:29,790 --> 00:05:31,709 housing units, up to seven 186 00:05:31,710 --> 00:05:33,069 hundred and fifty condos. 187 00:05:33,070 --> 00:05:34,669 Okay. But there's also gonna be 188 00:05:34,670 --> 00:05:36,509 space for community events and 189 00:05:36,510 --> 00:05:38,429 sp and things like 190 00:05:38,430 --> 00:05:40,589 that. There's also gonna be 191 00:05:40,590 --> 00:05:42,429 youth programming, there's gonna 192 00:05:42,430 --> 00:05:44,669 be a child care facility. 193 00:05:44,670 --> 00:05:46,029 And so all of this is kind of 194 00:05:46,030 --> 00:05:47,869 playing into like how can we 195 00:05:47,870 --> 00:05:49,949 bring more affordable housing 196 00:05:49,950 --> 00:05:52,109 and childcare downtown, especially 197 00:05:52,110 --> 00:05:54,589 to people who are working downtown, 198 00:05:54,590 --> 00:05:55,949 but don't necessarily live here. 199 00:05:55,950 --> 00:05:57,229 And so it kind of puts it all 200 00:05:57,230 --> 00:05:57,739 together. 201 00:05:57,740 --> 00:05:59,499 Okay, and this was presented to city 202 00:05:59,500 --> 00:06:00,709 council yesterday, correct? 203 00:06:00,710 --> 00:06:02,309 It was. Yeah. So this was just kind 204 00:06:02,310 --> 00:06:03,908 of it's a it's an initial step. 205 00:06:03,909 --> 00:06:05,908 It's a first step in in the process. 206 00:06:05,909 --> 00:06:07,829 So the YMCA team 207 00:06:07,830 --> 00:06:09,669 basically presented their 208 00:06:09,670 --> 00:06:11,269 plan to the city council. 209 00:06:11,270 --> 00:06:12,629 You know, they they went through all 210 00:06:12,630 --> 00:06:14,549 of their amenities 211 00:06:14,550 --> 00:06:15,589 and things that this was gonna 212 00:06:15,590 --> 00:06:17,109 include and why they thought it was 213 00:06:17,110 --> 00:06:18,709 important. But there's still a lot 214 00:06:18,710 --> 00:06:20,629 of steps that are gonna have to take 215 00:06:20,630 --> 00:06:22,629 place before this becomes official. 216 00:06:22,630 --> 00:06:24,149 But I think they're hoping to break 217 00:06:24,150 --> 00:06:25,829 ground assuming that they kind of 218 00:06:25,830 --> 00:06:27,589 get all their ducks in a row in 219 00:06:27,590 --> 00:06:28,459 twenty twenty eight. 220 00:06:28,460 --> 00:06:29,899 Okay, and how did c city council 221 00:06:29,900 --> 00:06:31,989 members f feel about the idea? 222 00:06:31,990 --> 00:06:33,829 I I think we had a 223 00:06:33,830 --> 00:06:35,829 lot of positive feedback. 224 00:06:35,830 --> 00:06:37,269 I think the city council is 225 00:06:37,270 --> 00:06:39,109 realizing that we do need some kind 226 00:06:39,110 --> 00:06:41,349 of housing child care combination 227 00:06:41,350 --> 00:06:42,549 in addition to some of the other 228 00:06:42,550 --> 00:06:45,509 things that the YMC already offers. 229 00:06:45,510 --> 00:06:46,709 Downtown. 230 00:06:46,710 --> 00:06:48,549 So it they seemed pretty on board. 231 00:06:48,550 --> 00:06:50,149 There was some concerns that we that 232 00:06:50,150 --> 00:06:52,229 were raised about 233 00:06:52,230 --> 00:06:54,149 traffic that if you've if 234 00:06:54,150 --> 00:06:56,149 anyone drives on Lorthamar and sees 235 00:06:56,150 --> 00:06:58,229 your Chavez, you know that that is a 236 00:06:58,230 --> 00:06:59,339 it gets pretty backed up. 237 00:06:59,340 --> 00:07:00,409 A little busy around there. 238 00:07:00,410 --> 00:07:01,689 Just just a little bit. 239 00:07:01,690 --> 00:07:02,889 And there was concerns about 240 00:07:02,890 --> 00:07:04,329 environmental impacts, like where 241 00:07:04,330 --> 00:07:06,329 would the like extra wastewater 242 00:07:06,330 --> 00:07:07,609 and those kinds of things, how was 243 00:07:07,610 --> 00:07:08,969 it gonna impact that? 244 00:07:08,970 --> 00:07:10,729 So it sounds like council had a lot 245 00:07:10,730 --> 00:07:12,569 of questions just as they're kind of 246 00:07:12,570 --> 00:07:14,969 initially kind of proposing this. 247 00:07:14,970 --> 00:07:16,889 But I do think that several of 248 00:07:16,890 --> 00:07:18,409 them were like, I'm really excited 249 00:07:18,410 --> 00:07:20,409 about this opportunity and we hoping 250 00:07:20,410 --> 00:07:21,529 that this is gonna make it to the 251 00:07:21,530 --> 00:07:22,219 finish line. 252 00:07:22,220 --> 00:07:23,659 And I know some of the neighbors who 253 00:07:23,660 --> 00:07:25,499 live in that area they also shared 254 00:07:25,500 --> 00:07:26,859 some of those concerns or maybe had 255 00:07:26,860 --> 00:07:28,379 some concerns of their own. 256 00:07:28,380 --> 00:07:29,499 What did they have to say? 257 00:07:29,500 --> 00:07:31,418 Yeah, one of the biggest things was 258 00:07:31,419 --> 00:07:33,339 how it's gonna change the 259 00:07:33,340 --> 00:07:35,418 look and feel of the neighborhood. 260 00:07:35,419 --> 00:07:37,418 That particular corner 261 00:07:37,419 --> 00:07:39,658 of of the lake is filled 262 00:07:39,659 --> 00:07:40,779 with trees. 263 00:07:40,780 --> 00:07:42,699 If you like kind of look over 264 00:07:42,700 --> 00:07:44,619 North Lamar from the 265 00:07:44,620 --> 00:07:45,899 what would that be, the south side 266 00:07:45,900 --> 00:07:47,499 of the river. It's just it's it's 267 00:07:47,500 --> 00:07:48,699 it's beautiful, you know. 268 00:07:48,700 --> 00:07:49,978 This is what we do in Austin. 269 00:07:49,979 --> 00:07:51,178 We love our trees, we love our 270 00:07:51,179 --> 00:07:52,699 nature, we love our green. 271 00:07:52,700 --> 00:07:54,619 If they put these 272 00:07:54,620 --> 00:07:56,619 three buildings up, it is 273 00:07:56,620 --> 00:07:58,298 definitely gonna change what that 274 00:07:58,299 --> 00:07:59,178 view looks like. 275 00:07:59,179 --> 00:08:00,699 And there was a lot of concern about 276 00:08:00,700 --> 00:08:02,619 that. And several neighbors also 277 00:08:02,620 --> 00:08:04,298 had traffic concerns because it's 278 00:08:04,299 --> 00:08:06,218 already it's already a congested 279 00:08:06,219 --> 00:08:08,058 intersection and people who live 280 00:08:08,059 --> 00:08:09,819 there are like, Okay, this is like 281 00:08:09,820 --> 00:08:12,139 my normal route to things. 282 00:08:12,140 --> 00:08:13,819 But one of the big things that this 283 00:08:13,820 --> 00:08:15,178 will do that they really talked 284 00:08:15,179 --> 00:08:16,779 about is it does give them access 285 00:08:16,780 --> 00:08:18,379 like to the hike and bike trail. 286 00:08:18,380 --> 00:08:19,819 You can walk to restaurants and 287 00:08:19,820 --> 00:08:20,939 grocery stores. 288 00:08:20,940 --> 00:08:22,218 So, you know, they're hoping that 289 00:08:22,219 --> 00:08:23,658 this will kind of play into that as 290 00:08:23,659 --> 00:08:24,189 well. 291 00:08:24,190 --> 00:08:25,949 Okay, well like I said, you have the 292 00:08:25,950 --> 00:08:27,789 story over at KUT 293 00:08:27,790 --> 00:08:28,749 dot org. 294 00:08:28,750 --> 00:08:30,589 We have been speaking with KUT City 295 00:08:30,590 --> 00:08:33,149 Hall reporter Luz Moreno Lozano. 296 00:08:33,150 --> 00:08:34,189 We appreciate your reporting. 297 00:08:34,190 --> 00:08:35,489 Thanks for coming on Austin Signal. 298 00:08:35,490 --> 00:08:36,829 Thanks, Jerry. 299 00:08:36,830 --> 00:08:38,909 And thank you out there for tuning 300 00:08:38,910 --> 00:08:40,109 into the signal. 301 00:08:40,110 --> 00:08:42,349 We're gonna have a story about lalas 302 00:08:42,350 --> 00:08:44,189 coming up next. It's Christmas time 303 00:08:44,190 --> 00:08:45,709 year round over there. 304 00:08:45,710 --> 00:08:46,829 Come partake in it. 305 00:08:46,830 --> 00:08:48,749 Join us. We'll be back in one 306 00:08:48,750 --> 00:08:49,750 moment. 307 00:09:00,420 --> 00:09:01,619 You're listening to the Austin 308 00:09:01,620 --> 00:09:03,859 Signal? Hi, I'm Matt Reilly, 309 00:09:03,860 --> 00:09:06,098 Program Director for KUTX. 310 00:09:06,099 --> 00:09:08,098 One of my favorite songs 311 00:09:08,099 --> 00:09:09,938 out of Austin from this 312 00:09:09,939 --> 00:09:11,779 year is from Die 313 00:09:11,780 --> 00:09:12,659 Spitz. 314 00:09:12,660 --> 00:09:14,179 It's called Punishers. 315 00:09:22,500 --> 00:09:24,338 The intro of the song grabs me 316 00:09:24,339 --> 00:09:26,578 right away. It's just these 317 00:09:26,579 --> 00:09:29,059 sort of gloomy, 318 00:09:29,060 --> 00:09:30,060 fuzzed-out, 319 00:09:31,060 --> 00:09:32,899 Black Sabbath-inspired notes. 320 00:09:43,400 --> 00:09:45,318 I like this song because 321 00:09:45,319 --> 00:09:47,479 it has those elements of post 322 00:09:47,480 --> 00:09:49,399 punk and grunge and those sounds 323 00:09:49,400 --> 00:09:51,159 are a part of my musical DNA and I'm 324 00:09:51,160 --> 00:09:53,479 a jaded old Gen X guy. 325 00:09:53,480 --> 00:09:55,318 So when I hear members of Gen 326 00:09:55,319 --> 00:09:57,159 Z making 327 00:09:57,160 --> 00:09:58,999 sounds that resonate 328 00:09:59,000 --> 00:10:00,919 from my youth, it 329 00:10:00,920 --> 00:10:01,920 just makes me happy. 330 00:10:17,940 --> 00:10:19,779 So Dice Bits started 331 00:10:19,780 --> 00:10:21,779 pretty much in high school, and 332 00:10:21,780 --> 00:10:24,019 we've been fans of this band 333 00:10:24,020 --> 00:10:25,459 since their inception. 334 00:10:25,460 --> 00:10:27,299 And they're a former KUTX artist 335 00:10:27,300 --> 00:10:28,339 of the month. 336 00:10:28,340 --> 00:10:30,259 And we've watched them 337 00:10:30,260 --> 00:10:32,819 evolve into this 338 00:10:32,820 --> 00:10:34,979 snarling little punk band 339 00:10:34,980 --> 00:10:37,459 into a more expansive sound 340 00:10:37,460 --> 00:10:39,299 that brings in elements of post 341 00:10:39,300 --> 00:10:41,379 punk and grunge and is 342 00:10:41,380 --> 00:10:43,619 mature beyond their years. 343 00:10:52,740 --> 00:10:54,899 The vibe of this song is just face 344 00:10:54,900 --> 00:10:56,099 punching. 345 00:10:56,100 --> 00:10:57,379 Brain melting. 346 00:10:57,380 --> 00:10:59,059 Exactly what you want from rock and 347 00:10:59,060 --> 00:11:01,699 roll. Thundering, lots of drums. 348 00:11:01,700 --> 00:11:03,699 Love this song, and you can run 349 00:11:03,700 --> 00:11:05,299 through a brick wall after listening 350 00:11:05,300 --> 00:11:06,300 to it. 351 00:11:07,300 --> 00:11:09,059 My name is Matt Reilly, and I'm the 352 00:11:09,060 --> 00:11:10,899 program director here at KUTX, and 353 00:11:10,900 --> 00:11:12,979 you can find out all of our favorite 354 00:11:12,980 --> 00:11:15,219 songs from 2025 at our website 355 00:11:15,220 --> 00:11:17,779 at KUTX.org. 356 00:11:17,780 --> 00:11:19,540 This is the Austin Signal. 357 00:11:30,579 --> 00:11:32,499 Thank you to Matt and thank you 358 00:11:32,500 --> 00:11:34,179 to you for tuning in to Austin 359 00:11:34,180 --> 00:11:36,659 Signal. We are listener powered 360 00:11:36,660 --> 00:11:38,259 public radio. 361 00:11:38,260 --> 00:11:39,698 You might have noticed things 362 00:11:39,699 --> 00:11:41,859 looking a lot more Christmasy 363 00:11:41,860 --> 00:11:43,698 around town lately, you know, 'tis 364 00:11:43,699 --> 00:11:45,539 the season and such. 365 00:11:45,540 --> 00:11:47,539 But at a bar in North Austin, 366 00:11:47,540 --> 00:11:49,379 it's Christmas time all 367 00:11:49,380 --> 00:11:50,419 the time. 368 00:11:50,420 --> 00:11:51,619 Why though? 369 00:11:51,620 --> 00:11:53,698 KUT's Marissa Charpentier 370 00:11:53,699 --> 00:11:55,698 has the story told at a past 371 00:11:55,699 --> 00:11:57,380 AT explained live event. 372 00:11:58,820 --> 00:12:01,059 There's a place in Austin 373 00:12:01,060 --> 00:12:03,059 where it's been Christmas every 374 00:12:03,060 --> 00:12:05,540 day since 1972. 375 00:12:08,180 --> 00:12:10,019 It's a small dive bar called 376 00:12:10,020 --> 00:12:12,019 La La's Little Nugget. 377 00:12:12,020 --> 00:12:13,939 Red and green ornaments dangle 378 00:12:13,940 --> 00:12:14,979 from the ceiling. 379 00:12:14,980 --> 00:12:17,219 There are snow globes and Christmas 380 00:12:17,220 --> 00:12:19,059 trees and tons and tons 381 00:12:19,060 --> 00:12:20,899 of Christmas lights. 382 00:12:20,900 --> 00:12:23,139 And it kind of still 383 00:12:23,140 --> 00:12:25,299 feels like the 70s. 384 00:12:25,300 --> 00:12:27,139 There's a velvet Elvis painting 385 00:12:27,140 --> 00:12:29,459 on the wall, an old pool table, 386 00:12:29,460 --> 00:12:32,579 and a really outdated jukebox. 387 00:12:32,580 --> 00:12:34,099 If you don't know what I'm talking 388 00:12:34,100 --> 00:12:35,539 about, just drive around the 389 00:12:35,540 --> 00:12:37,379 Crestview area, look 390 00:12:37,380 --> 00:12:39,459 for the building with Santa Slay 391 00:12:39,460 --> 00:12:41,139 and some reindeer on the roof. 392 00:12:41,140 --> 00:12:42,979 They're always there, even 393 00:12:42,980 --> 00:12:45,539 in the dead of summer. 394 00:12:45,540 --> 00:12:47,619 I went there recently to meet 395 00:12:47,620 --> 00:12:48,739 someone. 396 00:12:48,740 --> 00:12:51,219 My name is Angela Reed. 397 00:12:51,220 --> 00:12:53,059 Angela and I each ordered one 398 00:12:53,060 --> 00:12:55,539 of Lala's signature Christmas-themed 399 00:12:55,540 --> 00:12:57,379 cocktails, and we walked around to 400 00:12:57,380 --> 00:12:59,139 sit on the patio. 401 00:12:59,140 --> 00:13:01,299 She told me she used to go to Lala's 402 00:13:01,300 --> 00:13:03,139 a lot in the 90s when she lived 403 00:13:03,140 --> 00:13:04,339 in the neighborhood. 404 00:13:04,340 --> 00:13:06,339 In those days, she says the bar 405 00:13:06,340 --> 00:13:08,729 was truly a hole in the wall. 406 00:13:08,730 --> 00:13:10,809 Dark, smoky, kind of like 407 00:13:10,810 --> 00:13:12,649 old Christmas ornaments 408 00:13:12,650 --> 00:13:13,769 in there. 409 00:13:13,770 --> 00:13:15,529 Which today it seems like they've 410 00:13:15,530 --> 00:13:17,689 like freshened it up and it's almost 411 00:13:17,690 --> 00:13:19,609 like they decorated it to be this 412 00:13:19,610 --> 00:13:21,369 way. But back then it seemed like 413 00:13:21,370 --> 00:13:22,649 no, they had been there for a long 414 00:13:22,650 --> 00:13:23,650 time. 415 00:13:24,210 --> 00:13:26,289 She said there was a story back then 416 00:13:26,290 --> 00:13:28,209 about why the decorations were 417 00:13:28,210 --> 00:13:29,389 always there. 418 00:13:29,390 --> 00:13:31,309 The owner owned this bar with 419 00:13:31,310 --> 00:13:33,149 her husband and they 420 00:13:33,150 --> 00:13:35,068 had decorated for Christmas and that 421 00:13:35,069 --> 00:13:37,149 he'd left her on Christmas 422 00:13:37,150 --> 00:13:38,029 Eve. 423 00:13:38,030 --> 00:13:40,188 And so almost as a vengeance, 424 00:13:40,189 --> 00:13:42,269 she kept the bar and never 425 00:13:42,270 --> 00:13:44,089 changed the decor. 426 00:13:44,090 --> 00:13:46,169 But she wanted to know if that 427 00:13:46,170 --> 00:13:47,209 was true. 428 00:13:47,210 --> 00:13:49,209 Surely someone at the bar would 429 00:13:49,210 --> 00:13:51,129 know, so we grabbed our drinks and 430 00:13:51,130 --> 00:13:53,449 wandered around asking people 431 00:13:53,450 --> 00:13:55,449 why was it always Christmas at 432 00:13:55,450 --> 00:13:56,969 La La's? 433 00:13:56,970 --> 00:13:58,889 We started talking to this older man 434 00:13:58,890 --> 00:14:00,889 and his friends, but then a young 435 00:14:00,890 --> 00:14:02,809 sort of hipster guy who was 436 00:14:02,810 --> 00:14:04,809 like reading a book or something 437 00:14:04,810 --> 00:14:06,509 leaned over to us. 438 00:14:06,510 --> 00:14:08,669 I've heard a tragic story about how 439 00:14:08,670 --> 00:14:10,509 the owner's daughter died 440 00:14:10,510 --> 00:14:12,509 on Christmas or Christmas Eve. 441 00:14:12,510 --> 00:14:14,429 He's dealt with it s through making 442 00:14:14,430 --> 00:14:16,909 the decor of the bar 443 00:14:16,910 --> 00:14:19,089 Christmas all year long. 444 00:14:19,090 --> 00:14:20,929 Then we walked a few tables 445 00:14:20,930 --> 00:14:22,609 over. There was a group of women 446 00:14:22,610 --> 00:14:24,689 wearing ugly Christmas sweaters. 447 00:14:24,690 --> 00:14:26,609 One of them offered to Google 448 00:14:26,610 --> 00:14:28,529 the answer for us, but like, 449 00:14:28,530 --> 00:14:30,929 where's the fun in that? 450 00:14:30,930 --> 00:14:32,769 And then finally we spotted 451 00:14:32,770 --> 00:14:34,689 some people wearing actual La 452 00:14:34,690 --> 00:14:35,729 La's shirts. 453 00:14:35,730 --> 00:14:37,249 They were sitting down, having some 454 00:14:37,250 --> 00:14:39,249 drinks, so we went up to them. 455 00:14:39,250 --> 00:14:41,169 They told us the bar owner was a 456 00:14:41,170 --> 00:14:42,119 woman. 457 00:14:42,120 --> 00:14:43,639 She just didn't want to take she 458 00:14:43,640 --> 00:14:45,469 didn't want to take it down. 459 00:14:45,470 --> 00:14:47,309 Now, they also told us to 460 00:14:47,310 --> 00:14:49,309 look up a Kenny Chesney 461 00:14:49,310 --> 00:14:51,948 song called Jesus and Elvis. 462 00:14:51,949 --> 00:14:53,789 They said the lyrics to it were 463 00:14:53,790 --> 00:14:55,789 inspired by La La's. 464 00:14:55,790 --> 00:14:57,549 It turns out it was originally 465 00:14:57,550 --> 00:14:59,389 written by Texas musician 466 00:14:59,390 --> 00:15:01,229 Hayes Carl. 467 00:15:01,230 --> 00:15:03,149 I found this video where he said he 468 00:15:03,150 --> 00:15:04,909 used to spend a lot of time at La 469 00:15:04,910 --> 00:15:05,639 La's. 470 00:15:05,640 --> 00:15:06,679 I asked around what the story 471 00:15:06,680 --> 00:15:08,438 was 'cause I was curious and what I 472 00:15:08,439 --> 00:15:10,119 heard was a tragic one. 473 00:15:10,120 --> 00:15:11,799 It was that Lalad had a son who'd 474 00:15:11,800 --> 00:15:13,239 gone off to fight in Vietnam at 475 00:15:13,240 --> 00:15:14,999 Christmas time and she promised she 476 00:15:15,000 --> 00:15:16,198 wouldn't take those lights down 477 00:15:16,199 --> 00:15:17,959 until he made it back home. 478 00:15:17,960 --> 00:15:19,799 And all these years later those 479 00:15:19,800 --> 00:15:21,639 lights are still hanging up there. 480 00:15:21,640 --> 00:15:23,239 So this is a song about that place 481 00:15:23,240 --> 00:15:24,439 that's called Jesus and Elvis. 482 00:15:26,858 --> 00:15:27,900 Jesus and Elvis 483 00:15:29,180 --> 00:15:30,780 painted on velvet, 484 00:15:32,859 --> 00:15:34,698 hanging at the bar 485 00:15:34,699 --> 00:15:37,259 here every night. 486 00:15:37,260 --> 00:15:40,139 It's good to be back again. 487 00:15:40,140 --> 00:15:41,978 Oh me and my old 488 00:15:41,979 --> 00:15:43,899 friends, Beneath 489 00:15:43,900 --> 00:15:45,899 the neon crossing a string 490 00:15:45,900 --> 00:15:47,019 of Christmas legs. 491 00:15:49,570 --> 00:15:51,489 So let's review. 492 00:15:52,530 --> 00:15:54,289 An ex-lover? 493 00:15:54,290 --> 00:15:56,129 Just a general love of 494 00:15:56,130 --> 00:15:57,169 Christmas? 495 00:15:57,170 --> 00:15:59,489 A son killed at war? 496 00:15:59,490 --> 00:16:01,649 This can't all explain why La 497 00:16:01,650 --> 00:16:03,649 La's is always decorated for 498 00:16:03,650 --> 00:16:05,569 Christmas, right? 499 00:16:05,570 --> 00:16:07,489 To get the real story, I'd 500 00:16:07,490 --> 00:16:09,329 need to get someone official on the 501 00:16:09,330 --> 00:16:10,229 record. 502 00:16:10,230 --> 00:16:11,429 My name is Max Moreland. 503 00:16:11,430 --> 00:16:13,429 I oversee all operations for 504 00:16:13,430 --> 00:16:15,509 the bar division of 505 00:16:15,510 --> 00:16:17,349 FBR, based here 506 00:16:17,350 --> 00:16:18,429 in Austin, Texas. 507 00:16:18,430 --> 00:16:20,669 Max's company took over La La's 508 00:16:20,670 --> 00:16:22,188 about eight years ago when the 509 00:16:22,189 --> 00:16:24,188 original owner retired. 510 00:16:24,189 --> 00:16:25,869 I asked him for the story behind the 511 00:16:25,870 --> 00:16:27,708 Christmas decor, but he gave 512 00:16:27,709 --> 00:16:29,708 me the same three stories. 513 00:16:31,709 --> 00:16:33,549 The owner's husband left her on 514 00:16:33,550 --> 00:16:34,429 Christmas. 515 00:16:34,430 --> 00:16:36,509 Fell into this depression from her, 516 00:16:36,510 --> 00:16:38,339 you know, ongoing divorce. 517 00:16:38,340 --> 00:16:40,259 Си декорадва Christmas one 518 00:16:40,260 --> 00:16:41,859 year and when the holidays were 519 00:16:41,860 --> 00:16:42,539 over. 520 00:16:42,540 --> 00:16:44,139 She took them down and the bar felt 521 00:16:44,140 --> 00:16:45,039 too naked. 522 00:16:45,040 --> 00:16:46,879 And finally, her son went off 523 00:16:46,880 --> 00:16:48,659 to war in Vietnam. 524 00:16:48,660 --> 00:16:50,499 And she swore these decorations 525 00:16:50,500 --> 00:16:52,019 will stay up until my son comes 526 00:16:52,020 --> 00:16:52,579 home. 527 00:16:52,580 --> 00:16:54,419 Now I asked Max which 528 00:16:54,420 --> 00:16:56,499 one is the real story. 529 00:16:56,500 --> 00:16:58,159 Is any of that true? 530 00:16:58,160 --> 00:16:59,519 One of 'em is. 531 00:16:59,520 --> 00:17:00,688 Is that the second one? 532 00:17:00,689 --> 00:17:02,289 It's up for you d whatever you wanna 533 00:17:02,290 --> 00:17:03,568 whatever you want to believe in. 534 00:17:03,569 --> 00:17:05,328 So it's like Santa, you know? 535 00:17:05,329 --> 00:17:06,449 It's up to you. 536 00:17:06,450 --> 00:17:07,648 It's open for interpretation. 537 00:17:08,650 --> 00:17:10,809 I mean come on 538 00:17:10,810 --> 00:17:12,649 I asked him a few more times and 539 00:17:12,650 --> 00:17:14,489 he still wouldn't give in. 540 00:17:14,490 --> 00:17:16,329 To learn the real story, I'd 541 00:17:16,330 --> 00:17:18,169 need to learn more about the woman 542 00:17:18,170 --> 00:17:19,449 behind the bar. 543 00:17:19,450 --> 00:17:21,838 A woman named Frances. 544 00:17:21,839 --> 00:17:22,959 She was tough. 545 00:17:22,960 --> 00:17:25,588 She was hard to impress. 546 00:17:25,589 --> 00:17:26,708 That's Mike Levine. 547 00:17:26,709 --> 00:17:28,388 He's been going to La La's since the 548 00:17:28,389 --> 00:17:29,079 nineties. 549 00:17:29,080 --> 00:17:30,438 I mean we didn't hang out socially 550 00:17:30,439 --> 00:17:31,638 outside the bar, but I don't know 551 00:17:31,639 --> 00:17:33,079 that she was ever outside that bar. 552 00:17:33,080 --> 00:17:34,918 I'm fairly certain that if the 553 00:17:34,919 --> 00:17:36,519 bar was open she was there. 554 00:17:36,520 --> 00:17:38,439 He told me that Francis opened 555 00:17:38,440 --> 00:17:40,519 La La's in nineteen seventy 556 00:17:40,520 --> 00:17:42,439 two and she ran the place 557 00:17:42,440 --> 00:17:44,439 for the next forty years. 558 00:17:44,440 --> 00:17:45,639 One of the reasons that she created 559 00:17:45,640 --> 00:17:47,399 la La's and and and had the 560 00:17:47,400 --> 00:17:48,999 environment she had in there was 561 00:17:49,000 --> 00:17:50,599 because and she used to say this 562 00:17:50,600 --> 00:17:52,999 often was because she wanted a place 563 00:17:53,000 --> 00:17:54,999 where women could feel safe to drink 564 00:17:55,000 --> 00:17:56,999 alone. And she've created 565 00:17:57,000 --> 00:17:58,839 you know, in the modern parlance a 566 00:17:58,840 --> 00:17:59,840 safe space to do that. 567 00:18:05,160 --> 00:18:07,159 For most of the decades the bar was 568 00:18:07,160 --> 00:18:09,079 open, it was just Francis 569 00:18:09,080 --> 00:18:10,839 and her business partner Sarah 570 00:18:10,840 --> 00:18:13,559 behind the bar making drinks. 571 00:18:13,560 --> 00:18:15,959 Francis didn't take bull 572 00:18:15,960 --> 00:18:17,658 from anyone. 573 00:18:17,659 --> 00:18:19,898 Francis Who would never overpour 574 00:18:19,899 --> 00:18:20,698 your drink. 575 00:18:20,699 --> 00:18:22,619 If you ordered a Jameson on the 576 00:18:22,620 --> 00:18:24,779 rocks, it was gonna be two fingers 577 00:18:24,780 --> 00:18:26,698 of Jameson and that is it. 578 00:18:26,699 --> 00:18:28,698 No more, no less, and she had little 579 00:18:28,699 --> 00:18:29,699 fingers. 580 00:18:34,990 --> 00:18:36,989 Frances was also 581 00:18:36,990 --> 00:18:38,589 a private person. 582 00:18:38,590 --> 00:18:40,269 She didn't share a lot about her 583 00:18:40,270 --> 00:18:42,169 family or her background. 584 00:18:42,170 --> 00:18:44,169 There she was behind that bar for 585 00:18:44,170 --> 00:18:46,089 I don't know, thirty five whatever 586 00:18:46,090 --> 00:18:48,089 years and nobody knew 587 00:18:48,090 --> 00:18:49,629 anything about her. 588 00:18:49,630 --> 00:18:51,549 To give you an example, 589 00:18:51,550 --> 00:18:53,389 Frances died shortly 590 00:18:53,390 --> 00:18:55,389 after she sold the bar, about 591 00:18:55,390 --> 00:18:56,829 six years ago. 592 00:18:56,830 --> 00:18:58,749 It wasn't until the day she 593 00:18:58,750 --> 00:19:00,749 was buried that Mike learned 594 00:19:00,750 --> 00:19:02,459 her real name. 595 00:19:02,460 --> 00:19:04,379 I always thought the name 596 00:19:04,380 --> 00:19:06,539 La La's was 597 00:19:06,540 --> 00:19:07,339 Christmassy. 598 00:19:07,340 --> 00:19:09,179 Like I thought the law follow la la 599 00:19:09,180 --> 00:19:10,619 or something. I thought the La La's 600 00:19:10,620 --> 00:19:13,419 thing was a a nod to Christmas. 601 00:19:13,420 --> 00:19:15,259 And then you know, I'm a 602 00:19:15,260 --> 00:19:16,779 pall bearer in her funeral. 603 00:19:16,780 --> 00:19:18,619 He looked down at the program 604 00:19:18,620 --> 00:19:20,459 and saw her last name was 605 00:19:20,460 --> 00:19:21,460 Lala. 606 00:19:24,650 --> 00:19:26,649 That was to me the ultimate surprise 607 00:19:26,650 --> 00:19:28,009 of like, you know, her life was 608 00:19:28,010 --> 00:19:29,449 like, Oh my god, that was her last 609 00:19:29,450 --> 00:19:30,489 name all along. 610 00:19:30,490 --> 00:19:32,329 And it sounds s silly but like that 611 00:19:32,330 --> 00:19:33,929 would have also jabbed with her 612 00:19:33,930 --> 00:19:34,930 sense of humor. 613 00:19:36,750 --> 00:19:38,829 Frances was the kind of 614 00:19:38,830 --> 00:19:40,829 person who'd keep up Christmas 615 00:19:40,830 --> 00:19:42,589 lights well past the month of 616 00:19:42,590 --> 00:19:43,469 December. 617 00:19:43,470 --> 00:19:45,229 And then when Halloween would come 618 00:19:45,230 --> 00:19:47,389 around, put Halloween decorations 619 00:19:47,390 --> 00:19:49,389 over the Christmas ones, 620 00:19:49,390 --> 00:19:51,789 she was the kind of person to 621 00:19:51,790 --> 00:19:53,629 embellish the truth, 622 00:19:53,630 --> 00:19:56,189 just to mess with people. 623 00:19:56,190 --> 00:19:58,109 So I brought the rumors about La 624 00:19:58,110 --> 00:19:59,949 La's Christmas decorations up 625 00:19:59,950 --> 00:20:01,789 to Mike. The husband who left on 626 00:20:01,790 --> 00:20:04,529 Christmas, the son sent off to war. 627 00:20:04,530 --> 00:20:06,449 She would have absolutely 628 00:20:06,450 --> 00:20:08,289 exaggerated on the story 629 00:20:08,290 --> 00:20:09,729 to mess with the college kids in the 630 00:20:09,730 --> 00:20:10,769 eighties. 631 00:20:10,770 --> 00:20:11,969 No doubt in my mind. 632 00:20:11,970 --> 00:20:14,049 Like that's her MO all the way. 633 00:20:14,050 --> 00:20:15,809 She liked to mess with folks. 634 00:20:15,810 --> 00:20:17,169 But again, that that doesn't mean 635 00:20:17,170 --> 00:20:19,109 that none of it's true. 636 00:20:19,110 --> 00:20:21,109 Mike wouldn't say which story 637 00:20:21,110 --> 00:20:22,789 was true either. 638 00:20:22,790 --> 00:20:24,869 He didn't want to set the record 639 00:20:24,870 --> 00:20:26,708 straight. He brought up an old 640 00:20:26,709 --> 00:20:28,389 phrase I'd heard before. 641 00:20:29,390 --> 00:20:31,309 Well they say print the legend, you 642 00:20:31,310 --> 00:20:32,589 know, don't don't worry about the 643 00:20:32,590 --> 00:20:33,789 truth. 644 00:20:33,790 --> 00:20:35,629 Print the legend. 645 00:20:35,630 --> 00:20:37,469 This idea that sometimes in 646 00:20:37,470 --> 00:20:39,629 life the stories we tell ourselves 647 00:20:39,630 --> 00:20:42,429 become bigger than the truth. 648 00:20:42,430 --> 00:20:44,829 I asked Mike one more question. 649 00:20:44,830 --> 00:20:46,829 Did he think Frances herself 650 00:20:46,830 --> 00:20:48,349 would want the real story to be 651 00:20:48,350 --> 00:20:49,648 revealed? 652 00:20:49,649 --> 00:20:51,729 I mean, look, she 653 00:20:51,730 --> 00:20:53,408 might have been a tough lady. 654 00:20:53,409 --> 00:20:55,329 She might have had her her moments 655 00:20:55,330 --> 00:20:57,168 and and people don't remember her 656 00:20:57,169 --> 00:20:58,609 as maybe the most warm human being 657 00:20:58,610 --> 00:20:59,969 that ever walked the earth. 658 00:20:59,970 --> 00:21:01,969 But the fact is that she 659 00:21:01,970 --> 00:21:03,888 created this place that 660 00:21:03,889 --> 00:21:05,888 has a sense of humor about it 661 00:21:05,889 --> 00:21:07,729 and is a a safe place for 662 00:21:07,730 --> 00:21:09,009 people to come and hang out. 663 00:21:09,010 --> 00:21:11,168 And so clearly 664 00:21:11,169 --> 00:21:13,329 she was a warm person and clearly 665 00:21:13,330 --> 00:21:15,249 she was somebody who cared about her 666 00:21:15,250 --> 00:21:16,529 fellow human. 667 00:21:16,530 --> 00:21:17,888 And I think that is the legacy of 668 00:21:17,889 --> 00:21:19,089 the bar, you know. 669 00:21:19,090 --> 00:21:21,168 And the story is fun 670 00:21:21,169 --> 00:21:23,418 or sad or interesting. 671 00:21:23,419 --> 00:21:24,419 Or whatever you need it to be. 672 00:21:26,960 --> 00:21:29,359 Now, for the sake of honesty, 673 00:21:29,360 --> 00:21:31,199 I will say someone did 674 00:21:31,200 --> 00:21:33,199 tell me which story is the 675 00:21:33,200 --> 00:21:34,638 true story. 676 00:21:34,639 --> 00:21:36,878 But in preparing for tonight, 677 00:21:36,879 --> 00:21:39,359 I kept thinking back to that phrase: 678 00:21:39,360 --> 00:21:40,959 print the legend. 679 00:21:40,960 --> 00:21:43,119 It's actually part of a longer quote 680 00:21:43,120 --> 00:21:45,039 from an old Western called The 681 00:21:45,040 --> 00:21:47,279 Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. 682 00:21:47,280 --> 00:21:49,439 In the movie, a newspaper editor 683 00:21:49,440 --> 00:21:50,719 gets a scoop. 684 00:21:50,720 --> 00:21:52,719 He learns that the story that's long 685 00:21:52,720 --> 00:21:54,398 been told about the person who 686 00:21:54,399 --> 00:21:56,479 killed the local outlaw 687 00:21:56,480 --> 00:21:58,638 is actually a myth. 688 00:21:58,639 --> 00:22:00,479 But the editor decides not 689 00:22:00,480 --> 00:22:01,480 to reveal the truth. 690 00:22:04,780 --> 00:22:06,218 You're not going to use the story, 691 00:22:06,219 --> 00:22:08,059 Mr. Scott. 692 00:22:08,060 --> 00:22:09,060 No, sir. 693 00:22:13,500 --> 00:22:15,579 This is the West, sir. 694 00:22:15,580 --> 00:22:17,738 When the legend becomes fact, 695 00:22:17,739 --> 00:22:18,739 print the legend. 696 00:22:20,000 --> 00:22:21,839 Sometimes the lore of 697 00:22:21,840 --> 00:22:24,559 an event or a place 698 00:22:24,560 --> 00:22:26,398 is more interesting 699 00:22:26,399 --> 00:22:28,158 than what really happened. 700 00:22:28,159 --> 00:22:29,999 And what kind of person would I be 701 00:22:30,000 --> 00:22:32,559 if I spoiled the fun? 702 00:22:32,560 --> 00:22:34,398 Okay, at this point, if you 703 00:22:34,399 --> 00:22:35,999 still want to know what the true 704 00:22:36,000 --> 00:22:37,918 story is, come find me, buy 705 00:22:37,919 --> 00:22:39,438 me a drink after the show. 706 00:22:39,439 --> 00:22:41,119 Maybe I'll tell you. 707 00:22:45,280 --> 00:22:47,279 But for now, I'll just 708 00:22:47,280 --> 00:22:48,639 say, this is the West. 709 00:22:53,650 --> 00:22:55,249 That was our former colleague 710 00:22:55,250 --> 00:22:57,489 Marissa Charpentier at an ATX 711 00:22:57,490 --> 00:22:59,249 Plain live show at the Paramount 712 00:22:59,250 --> 00:23:01,169 Theater back in February of 713 00:23:01,170 --> 00:23:02,369 2023. 714 00:23:02,370 --> 00:23:04,449 Maybe you were there that night. 715 00:23:04,450 --> 00:23:05,969 That's it for today's episode of 716 00:23:05,970 --> 00:23:06,929 Austin Signal. 717 00:23:06,930 --> 00:23:08,609 Thank you to KUT's Andrew Weber and 718 00:23:08,610 --> 00:23:10,529 Luz Moreno Lozano, as well 719 00:23:10,530 --> 00:23:11,969 as Matt Reilly from our sister 720 00:23:11,970 --> 00:23:13,409 station KUTX. 721 00:23:13,410 --> 00:23:14,929 And thank you to Kristen Cabrera, 722 00:23:14,930 --> 00:23:16,369 our managing producer, and Rayna 723 00:23:16,370 --> 00:23:18,289 Sevilla, our technical director. 724 00:23:18,290 --> 00:23:20,049 I'm your host, Jerry Quijano. 725 00:23:20,050 --> 00:23:21,809 Austin Signal will be back at one 726 00:23:21,810 --> 00:23:23,729 o'clock tomorrow afternoon. 727 00:23:23,730 --> 00:23:24,730 We'll talk to you then.