1 00:00:09,170 --> 00:00:11,089 The light rail transit line, long 2 00:00:11,090 --> 00:00:12,929 promised to Austinites, could soon 3 00:00:12,930 --> 00:00:14,449 clear a major hurdle. 4 00:00:14,450 --> 00:00:16,128 And if it does, it could give new 5 00:00:16,129 --> 00:00:17,649 momentum to a project that's been 6 00:00:17,650 --> 00:00:19,169 dragged down through legal and 7 00:00:19,170 --> 00:00:20,529 political resistance. 8 00:00:20,530 --> 00:00:21,889 We're gonna hear about where that 9 00:00:21,890 --> 00:00:23,649 project is headed next. 10 00:00:23,650 --> 00:00:25,889 And months after a Texas AM 11 00:00:25,890 --> 00:00:27,249 professor was fired for discussing 12 00:00:27,250 --> 00:00:29,009 gender identity in a literature 13 00:00:29,010 --> 00:00:30,929 class, transgender college students 14 00:00:30,930 --> 00:00:32,849 in Texas are working on how to 15 00:00:32,850 --> 00:00:34,449 make their voices heard. 16 00:00:34,450 --> 00:00:35,969 Some are finding solace through 17 00:00:35,970 --> 00:00:37,729 expression in their community. 18 00:00:37,730 --> 00:00:39,169 Come hear their stories. 19 00:00:39,170 --> 00:00:40,939 That's coming up on today's show. 20 00:00:40,940 --> 00:00:42,859 The Austin Signal is a production of 21 00:00:42,860 --> 00:00:45,018 K U T News, hosted by Jerry 22 00:00:45,019 --> 00:00:46,019 Quijano. 23 00:00:46,020 --> 00:00:48,099 Plus, our sister station KUTX 24 00:00:48,100 --> 00:00:49,219 is highlighting some of their 25 00:00:49,220 --> 00:00:51,939 favorite Austin songs of 2025. 26 00:00:51,940 --> 00:00:53,619 Stay tuned for that, and a little 27 00:00:53,620 --> 00:00:55,619 bit of Austin music history. 28 00:00:55,620 --> 00:00:58,019 That's next on Austin Signal. 29 00:01:07,380 --> 00:01:09,219 Howdy out there, this is 30 00:01:09,220 --> 00:01:10,499 Austin Signal. 31 00:01:10,500 --> 00:01:11,699 Thank you for tuning in. 32 00:01:11,700 --> 00:01:14,019 We are glad to be part of your day. 33 00:01:14,020 --> 00:01:16,419 It is Thursday, December 11th. 34 00:01:16,420 --> 00:01:18,019 We're officially two weeks out from 35 00:01:18,020 --> 00:01:19,699 the Christmas holiday, and Austin 36 00:01:19,700 --> 00:01:21,379 Bergstrom International Airport's 37 00:01:21,380 --> 00:01:23,459 already got a brand new toy, 38 00:01:23,460 --> 00:01:25,539 a mint baggage handling 39 00:01:25,540 --> 00:01:27,219 system. Airport officials say the 40 00:01:27,220 --> 00:01:29,619 upgraded system can process 4,000 41 00:01:29,620 --> 00:01:31,379 outbound bags an hour. 42 00:01:31,380 --> 00:01:33,379 That's about more than twice 43 00:01:33,380 --> 00:01:34,979 as much as the old system. 44 00:01:34,980 --> 00:01:36,419 And officials say this change could 45 00:01:36,420 --> 00:01:38,179 cut down on flight delays, which 46 00:01:38,180 --> 00:01:40,419 could be clutch ahead of the holiday 47 00:01:40,420 --> 00:01:42,259 rush. Speaking of which, more 48 00:01:42,260 --> 00:01:44,259 than 9 million Texans are expected 49 00:01:44,260 --> 00:01:45,779 to travel for the holidays later 50 00:01:45,780 --> 00:01:46,979 this month. That's according to 51 00:01:46,980 --> 00:01:48,419 Triple A Texas. 52 00:01:48,420 --> 00:01:50,419 About 93% of those commuters 53 00:01:50,420 --> 00:01:52,419 are expected to go by car. 54 00:01:52,420 --> 00:01:54,258 Triple A says gas prices 55 00:01:54,259 --> 00:01:56,339 are lower this year compared to last 56 00:01:56,340 --> 00:01:57,859 holiday season. 57 00:01:57,860 --> 00:01:59,459 Let's stay on the topic of 58 00:01:59,460 --> 00:02:01,299 transportation and get right 59 00:02:01,300 --> 00:02:03,619 into today's show. 60 00:02:03,620 --> 00:02:05,699 Austin's long promised light row 61 00:02:05,700 --> 00:02:07,219 line is about to clear a major 62 00:02:07,220 --> 00:02:09,219 bureaucratic hurdle within days, 63 00:02:09,220 --> 00:02:10,899 giving new momentum to a project 64 00:02:10,900 --> 00:02:12,579 that has pushed through years of 65 00:02:12,580 --> 00:02:14,869 political and legal resistance. 66 00:02:14,870 --> 00:02:16,869 KUT's transportation reporter Nathan 67 00:02:16,870 --> 00:02:18,469 Bernier sat down with morning 68 00:02:18,470 --> 00:02:20,309 edition host Jennifer Stayton to 69 00:02:20,310 --> 00:02:22,069 talk about this new development. 70 00:02:22,070 --> 00:02:23,749 Nathan starts off the conversation. 71 00:02:24,840 --> 00:02:26,599 So, federal transportation officials 72 00:02:26,600 --> 00:02:28,519 are expected to issue a 73 00:02:28,520 --> 00:02:30,359 final environmental ruling 74 00:02:30,360 --> 00:02:31,799 by the end of the month. 75 00:02:31,800 --> 00:02:33,879 Basically, it's called a final 76 00:02:33,880 --> 00:02:35,239 environmental impact statement and 77 00:02:35,240 --> 00:02:36,999 record of decision in government 78 00:02:37,000 --> 00:02:38,839 speak. And it's, you know, it's a 79 00:02:38,840 --> 00:02:40,839 sign that Washington still views 80 00:02:40,840 --> 00:02:42,759 Austin's light rail plan as 81 00:02:42,760 --> 00:02:45,319 viable after years 82 00:02:45,320 --> 00:02:46,839 of uncertainty. 83 00:02:46,840 --> 00:02:48,759 This decision, it's not going 84 00:02:48,760 --> 00:02:50,839 to settle the project's fate. 85 00:02:50,840 --> 00:02:52,519 It's not going to lock in the 86 00:02:52,520 --> 00:02:54,359 billions of federal dollars 87 00:02:54,360 --> 00:02:56,519 that Austin is depending upon 88 00:02:56,520 --> 00:02:58,599 to build this 9.8 mile 89 00:02:58,600 --> 00:02:59,879 light rail system. 90 00:02:59,880 --> 00:03:02,119 Those grants would come only 91 00:03:02,120 --> 00:03:04,279 after the Austin Transit 92 00:03:04,280 --> 00:03:06,119 Partnership nails down 93 00:03:06,120 --> 00:03:07,959 the most final, most 94 00:03:07,960 --> 00:03:09,959 detailed designs of the 95 00:03:09,960 --> 00:03:11,799 system, and the Federal Transit 96 00:03:11,800 --> 00:03:12,999 Administration has a chance to 97 00:03:13,000 --> 00:03:14,119 scrutinize those. 98 00:03:14,120 --> 00:03:15,319 And as you pointed out, you know, 99 00:03:15,320 --> 00:03:16,759 there are major challenges to this 100 00:03:16,760 --> 00:03:18,279 project still. 101 00:03:18,280 --> 00:03:20,599 But this sprawling document, 102 00:03:20,600 --> 00:03:22,839 I mean thousands of pages, 103 00:03:22,840 --> 00:03:24,999 this would move Austin's 104 00:03:25,000 --> 00:03:27,079 light rail line into its most 105 00:03:27,080 --> 00:03:29,079 consequential phase since 106 00:03:29,080 --> 00:03:30,919 the 2020 election, when voters 107 00:03:30,920 --> 00:03:32,919 approved the largest ever 108 00:03:32,920 --> 00:03:34,919 transit expansion by authorizing 109 00:03:34,920 --> 00:03:37,079 a similarly historic property 110 00:03:37,080 --> 00:03:38,169 tax increase. 111 00:03:38,170 --> 00:03:40,328 So this sounds like a a big step, 112 00:03:40,329 --> 00:03:42,409 Nathan. So once the Austin 113 00:03:42,410 --> 00:03:44,169 Transit Partnership gets this 114 00:03:44,170 --> 00:03:46,249 federal environmental clearance, 115 00:03:46,250 --> 00:03:48,169 what can they do next? 116 00:03:49,310 --> 00:03:51,229 At a high level, they there are 117 00:03:51,230 --> 00:03:52,988 three major contracts they can 118 00:03:52,989 --> 00:03:55,229 issue. And these are big 119 00:03:55,230 --> 00:03:57,789 high dollar contracts. 120 00:03:57,790 --> 00:03:59,949 One is for building the actual 121 00:03:59,950 --> 00:04:02,029 light rail line, the 9.8 122 00:04:02,030 --> 00:04:04,828 mile three-pronged system. 123 00:04:04,829 --> 00:04:06,509 Another is for designing and 124 00:04:06,510 --> 00:04:07,708 building the operations and 125 00:04:07,709 --> 00:04:09,069 maintenance facility, 126 00:04:10,109 --> 00:04:12,268 62-acre facility, 127 00:04:12,269 --> 00:04:14,349 big area right across Ben 128 00:04:14,350 --> 00:04:16,109 White Boulevard from Austin Bergsham 129 00:04:16,110 --> 00:04:17,229 International Airport. 130 00:04:17,230 --> 00:04:19,069 And then the third contract is 131 00:04:19,070 --> 00:04:21,148 for acquiring the light rail 132 00:04:21,149 --> 00:04:23,069 vehicles that would run on this 133 00:04:23,070 --> 00:04:25,549 system and would be arriving 134 00:04:25,550 --> 00:04:27,069 as often as every five minutes in 135 00:04:27,070 --> 00:04:29,069 the city's core, assuming this all 136 00:04:29,070 --> 00:04:30,908 goes according to plan and is up and 137 00:04:30,909 --> 00:04:33,309 running by 2033. 138 00:04:33,310 --> 00:04:34,989 The Austin Transit Partnership, once 139 00:04:34,990 --> 00:04:36,189 it gets environmental clearance, can 140 00:04:36,190 --> 00:04:37,389 also, and you know, this happened 141 00:04:37,390 --> 00:04:39,389 with the text.i35 project, 142 00:04:39,390 --> 00:04:40,749 once they get federal clearance, 143 00:04:40,750 --> 00:04:42,589 they can begin using eminent 144 00:04:42,590 --> 00:04:44,749 domain to acquire property. 145 00:04:44,750 --> 00:04:46,589 And that would be dozens of 146 00:04:46,590 --> 00:04:48,349 businesses and up to three single 147 00:04:48,350 --> 00:04:50,429 family homes that they would 148 00:04:50,430 --> 00:04:52,269 purchase and so that 149 00:04:52,270 --> 00:04:53,788 they can use that property 150 00:04:53,789 --> 00:04:55,629 integrated into the rail 151 00:04:55,630 --> 00:04:57,549 line. Because this project is 152 00:04:57,550 --> 00:04:58,908 is not just about light rail, it 153 00:04:58,909 --> 00:05:00,509 also includes complete 154 00:05:00,510 --> 00:05:02,189 reconstruction of city streets, 155 00:05:02,190 --> 00:05:04,668 utility relocation, a new bridge 156 00:05:04,669 --> 00:05:06,989 over Lady Bird Lake, 157 00:05:06,990 --> 00:05:08,749 three parking rides. 158 00:05:08,750 --> 00:05:10,829 And so it has a very high 159 00:05:10,830 --> 00:05:12,908 cost per mile, this project 160 00:05:12,909 --> 00:05:14,908 relative to other light rail 161 00:05:14,909 --> 00:05:16,509 projects under federal review, it's 162 00:05:16,510 --> 00:05:17,949 among the most expensive, but it 163 00:05:17,950 --> 00:05:19,079 also includes. 164 00:05:19,080 --> 00:05:20,359 All this other stuff. 165 00:05:20,360 --> 00:05:22,599 So 2026, Greg Canale, 166 00:05:22,600 --> 00:05:24,519 the head of ATP, has described 167 00:05:24,520 --> 00:05:26,599 it as an inflection point. 168 00:05:26,600 --> 00:05:28,119 Once this environmental clearance 169 00:05:28,120 --> 00:05:29,159 comes through, if it comes through 170 00:05:29,160 --> 00:05:31,159 as expected, it's going to be a 171 00:05:31,160 --> 00:05:33,359 very busy year. 172 00:05:33,360 --> 00:05:35,039 Okay, Nathan, so I seem to recall 173 00:05:35,040 --> 00:05:36,879 though that there is a lawsuit 174 00:05:36,880 --> 00:05:38,959 involving Austin Transit 175 00:05:38,960 --> 00:05:40,559 Partnership. What is going on with 176 00:05:40,560 --> 00:05:42,399 the lawsuit that that could 177 00:05:42,400 --> 00:05:43,799 stop this project? 178 00:05:43,800 --> 00:05:45,959 Right. So this lawsuit began after 179 00:05:45,960 --> 00:05:47,959 the Austin Transit Partnership 180 00:05:47,960 --> 00:05:49,719 came out and said, you know what, 181 00:05:49,720 --> 00:05:51,159 instead of building the 20-mile 182 00:05:51,160 --> 00:05:52,599 light rail line like we said we were 183 00:05:52,600 --> 00:05:54,439 going to do before voters approved 184 00:05:54,440 --> 00:05:56,039 the property tax increase, turns out 185 00:05:56,040 --> 00:05:57,639 we can only afford to do about 10 186 00:05:57,640 --> 00:05:59,959 miles. That prompted a lawsuit 187 00:05:59,960 --> 00:06:01,799 where the plaintiffs accused 188 00:06:01,800 --> 00:06:03,559 essentially the city and Austin 189 00:06:03,560 --> 00:06:04,999 Transit Partnership of doing a bait 190 00:06:05,000 --> 00:06:06,039 and switch. 191 00:06:06,040 --> 00:06:08,119 However, that's been kind of tied 192 00:06:08,120 --> 00:06:10,119 up with another lawsuit. 193 00:06:10,120 --> 00:06:11,799 The Austin Transit Partnership to 194 00:06:11,800 --> 00:06:13,319 build this light rail system needs 195 00:06:13,320 --> 00:06:15,239 to borrow billions of 196 00:06:15,240 --> 00:06:17,239 dollars in bonds. 197 00:06:17,240 --> 00:06:19,159 And the Attorney General 198 00:06:19,160 --> 00:06:20,999 of Texas needs to would have to 199 00:06:21,000 --> 00:06:22,519 approve those bonds. 200 00:06:22,520 --> 00:06:24,439 So ATP went to the courts and 201 00:06:24,440 --> 00:06:26,199 said, Can you s essentially 202 00:06:26,200 --> 00:06:28,119 establish that we are entitled 203 00:06:28,120 --> 00:06:29,799 to issue these bonds so that the 204 00:06:29,800 --> 00:06:31,399 attorney general can't block us from 205 00:06:31,400 --> 00:06:32,359 doing it? 206 00:06:32,360 --> 00:06:34,199 Those two cases got wrapped 207 00:06:34,200 --> 00:06:35,639 up together. And what's happening on 208 00:06:35,640 --> 00:06:37,799 January 14th is a hearing 209 00:06:37,800 --> 00:06:39,959 before the Texas Supreme Court 210 00:06:39,960 --> 00:06:42,039 on a somewhat of a side matter, 211 00:06:42,040 --> 00:06:43,719 but it does tie back. 212 00:06:43,720 --> 00:06:45,799 And it really has to do with whether 213 00:06:45,800 --> 00:06:47,799 or not ATP can 214 00:06:47,800 --> 00:06:49,959 even file a bond validation 215 00:06:49,960 --> 00:06:50,759 suit. 216 00:06:50,760 --> 00:06:52,839 So that is definitely something 217 00:06:52,840 --> 00:06:54,519 to watch, you know, how the Texas 218 00:06:54,520 --> 00:06:55,879 Supreme Court rules. 219 00:06:55,880 --> 00:06:58,599 And of course, the Texas legislature 220 00:06:58,600 --> 00:07:01,079 in 2023 and 2025, 221 00:07:01,080 --> 00:07:02,919 Republican lawmakers tried 222 00:07:02,920 --> 00:07:04,359 to pass legislation that would 223 00:07:04,360 --> 00:07:06,199 essentially undo the financing 224 00:07:06,200 --> 00:07:07,159 for this project. 225 00:07:07,160 --> 00:07:08,279 Without getting too much into the 226 00:07:08,280 --> 00:07:10,639 details, they're arguing that. 227 00:07:10,640 --> 00:07:12,559 The city is playing a bit of a shell 228 00:07:12,560 --> 00:07:13,919 game with maintenance and operations 229 00:07:13,920 --> 00:07:15,199 tax that you're not supposed to be 230 00:07:15,200 --> 00:07:17,039 able to use that type of tax to 231 00:07:17,040 --> 00:07:19,039 borrow bonds against. 232 00:07:19,040 --> 00:07:20,879 So they tried to pass legislation to 233 00:07:20,880 --> 00:07:22,799 like hammer that into law, 234 00:07:22,800 --> 00:07:23,919 but failed both times. 235 00:07:23,920 --> 00:07:25,039 So they'll have another chance in 236 00:07:25,040 --> 00:07:27,359 2027. By that point, ATP is hoping 237 00:07:27,360 --> 00:07:28,879 they're already under construction 238 00:07:28,880 --> 00:07:31,139 and it will be much harder to stop. 239 00:07:31,140 --> 00:07:33,299 Lots of moving parts here, Nathan. 240 00:07:33,300 --> 00:07:34,979 But just to remind us kind of to 241 00:07:34,980 --> 00:07:36,259 step back maybe for those who are 242 00:07:36,260 --> 00:07:38,579 new to Austin, what exactly 243 00:07:38,580 --> 00:07:40,399 is This light rail 244 00:07:40,400 --> 00:07:41,059 project. 245 00:07:41,060 --> 00:07:43,539 That is a great question, Jennifer. 246 00:07:43,540 --> 00:07:45,379 I often forget the details of 247 00:07:45,380 --> 00:07:46,579 this when I don't cover the story 248 00:07:46,580 --> 00:07:47,619 for a while, but essentially what 249 00:07:47,620 --> 00:07:50,179 we're looking at here is a 9.8 250 00:07:50,180 --> 00:07:52,019 mile light rail system with 251 00:07:52,020 --> 00:07:54,419 electric rail vehicles 252 00:07:54,420 --> 00:07:56,259 powered by overhead 253 00:07:56,260 --> 00:07:57,219 wires. 254 00:07:57,220 --> 00:07:59,299 And it's a three-pronged 255 00:07:59,300 --> 00:08:01,699 system extending north to 38th 256 00:08:01,700 --> 00:08:03,539 Street, east to Yellow 257 00:08:03,540 --> 00:08:05,219 Jacket Lane, which is sort of near 258 00:08:05,220 --> 00:08:06,419 the intersection of Riverside Drive 259 00:08:06,420 --> 00:08:08,499 and Benwite Boulevard, and south 260 00:08:08,500 --> 00:08:09,859 to Olttorf Street. 261 00:08:09,860 --> 00:08:12,499 There would be 15 stations. 262 00:08:12,500 --> 00:08:14,659 And these electric trains 263 00:08:14,660 --> 00:08:16,579 would run at street level 264 00:08:16,580 --> 00:08:18,419 every five minutes during peak hours 265 00:08:18,420 --> 00:08:20,259 in the downtown and north sections. 266 00:08:20,260 --> 00:08:21,539 And that would, you know, drop, 267 00:08:21,540 --> 00:08:22,899 they'd be less frequent during off 268 00:08:22,900 --> 00:08:24,339 hours, seven and a half minutes. 269 00:08:24,340 --> 00:08:25,619 And then the eastern and southern 270 00:08:25,620 --> 00:08:27,059 segments would have peak hour 271 00:08:27,060 --> 00:08:29,379 service every 10 minutes. 272 00:08:29,380 --> 00:08:31,459 Another feature of this would be 273 00:08:31,460 --> 00:08:33,538 tree-lined pedestrian and bike 274 00:08:33,539 --> 00:08:35,139 paths down the middle of Riverside 275 00:08:35,140 --> 00:08:37,059 Drive. I mentioned the elevated rail 276 00:08:37,060 --> 00:08:38,499 bridge over Ladybird Lake, which 277 00:08:38,500 --> 00:08:40,099 would include pedestrian and bike 278 00:08:40,100 --> 00:08:41,059 paths. 279 00:08:41,060 --> 00:08:43,298 But to make way for that bridge, ATP 280 00:08:43,299 --> 00:08:44,819 will have to tear down the Waller 281 00:08:44,820 --> 00:08:46,499 Creek boathouse and relocate it 282 00:08:46,500 --> 00:08:48,179 elsewhere. So there's many 283 00:08:48,180 --> 00:08:50,019 displacements with this project. 284 00:08:50,020 --> 00:08:51,539 There are many changes to the 285 00:08:51,540 --> 00:08:53,139 streetscape with this project. 286 00:08:53,140 --> 00:08:54,979 Making left turns would be more 287 00:08:54,980 --> 00:08:56,499 difficult if you're driving in a car 288 00:08:56,500 --> 00:08:57,539 in certain areas. 289 00:08:57,540 --> 00:08:59,539 So much to talk about, Jen, but 290 00:08:59,540 --> 00:09:00,819 this is a huge project. 291 00:09:00,820 --> 00:09:02,819 And the point is with this federal 292 00:09:02,820 --> 00:09:04,739 environmental impact statement, it 293 00:09:04,740 --> 00:09:05,669 is. 294 00:09:05,670 --> 00:09:07,669 Clearing the way for this to 295 00:09:07,670 --> 00:09:09,509 steam ahead in twenty twenty six. 296 00:09:09,510 --> 00:09:11,029 If you pardon the pun, it's electric 297 00:09:11,030 --> 00:09:12,429 rail, but you know what I mean. 298 00:09:12,430 --> 00:09:13,549 Yeah, got it, Nathan. 299 00:09:13,550 --> 00:09:15,389 And we will certainly have many more 300 00:09:15,390 --> 00:09:17,309 conversations on this in the 301 00:09:17,310 --> 00:09:18,188 coming years. 302 00:09:18,189 --> 00:09:20,108 K U T's transportation reporter, 303 00:09:20,109 --> 00:09:21,228 Nathan Bernier. 304 00:09:21,229 --> 00:09:22,219 Thanks, Nathan. 305 00:09:22,220 --> 00:09:23,399 Thank you so much, Jennifer. 306 00:09:23,400 --> 00:09:24,839 And you can keep up with more 307 00:09:24,840 --> 00:09:27,078 coverage of Austin Light Rail 308 00:09:27,079 --> 00:09:29,159 and more transportation projects 309 00:09:29,160 --> 00:09:30,160 at kut.org. 310 00:09:42,189 --> 00:09:43,869 This is Austin Signal. 311 00:09:43,870 --> 00:09:45,629 Thank you for tuning in and making 312 00:09:45,630 --> 00:09:48,188 us part of your Thursday. 313 00:09:48,189 --> 00:09:50,188 It's been close to three months 314 00:09:50,189 --> 00:09:52,429 since Texas AM fired a professor 315 00:09:52,430 --> 00:09:54,509 after she discussed gender identity 316 00:09:54,510 --> 00:09:56,349 as part of a children's literature 317 00:09:56,350 --> 00:09:58,029 class. The shock waves have 318 00:09:58,030 --> 00:10:00,269 continued to rock higher education 319 00:10:00,270 --> 00:10:02,029 across the state of Texas. 320 00:10:02,030 --> 00:10:04,109 Mandatory course reviews and changes 321 00:10:04,110 --> 00:10:06,109 to policies at universities have 322 00:10:06,110 --> 00:10:08,188 faculty warning of dire threats 323 00:10:08,189 --> 00:10:10,429 to academic freedom, especially 324 00:10:10,430 --> 00:10:12,349 when it comes to teaching hot button 325 00:10:12,350 --> 00:10:15,068 topics like transgender identity. 326 00:10:15,069 --> 00:10:17,389 For transgender students worrying 327 00:10:17,390 --> 00:10:19,549 about being silenced, Texas Standard 328 00:10:19,550 --> 00:10:21,549 intern Kaye Knoll reports that the 329 00:10:21,550 --> 00:10:23,229 solution has been to get out into 330 00:10:23,230 --> 00:10:25,229 the community and to get 331 00:10:25,230 --> 00:10:26,230 loud. 332 00:10:31,390 --> 00:10:33,068 Transgender university students are 333 00:10:33,069 --> 00:10:34,269 dealing with the scrutiny over 334 00:10:34,270 --> 00:10:36,109 courses involving gender identity 335 00:10:36,110 --> 00:10:37,709 the best way they know how. 336 00:10:37,710 --> 00:10:39,789 By partying through the panic. 337 00:10:39,790 --> 00:10:41,709 Kai Pacheco is the president of 338 00:10:41,710 --> 00:10:43,789 Transcend, a club for transgender 339 00:10:43,790 --> 00:10:45,229 students at Texas State University 340 00:10:45,230 --> 00:10:46,429 in San Marcos. 341 00:10:46,430 --> 00:10:47,869 He says he's proud of the ways the 342 00:10:47,870 --> 00:10:49,948 club serves the city's sizable trans 343 00:10:49,949 --> 00:10:50,819 community. 344 00:10:50,820 --> 00:10:52,739 I know that when I came in as a 345 00:10:52,740 --> 00:10:55,539 freshman I felt very lonely 346 00:10:55,540 --> 00:10:57,459 and still freshly new in the 347 00:10:57,460 --> 00:10:59,299 community. I wasn't sure 348 00:10:59,300 --> 00:11:00,819 if there was gonna be a place where 349 00:11:00,820 --> 00:11:02,739 I was able to explore my 350 00:11:02,740 --> 00:11:04,579 identity further and I 351 00:11:04,580 --> 00:11:06,339 just think it's amazing that I am 352 00:11:06,340 --> 00:11:08,899 now able to 353 00:11:08,900 --> 00:11:11,689 give that community to someone else. 354 00:11:11,690 --> 00:11:13,129 On this night in particular, the 355 00:11:13,130 --> 00:11:14,569 students are creating community 356 00:11:14,570 --> 00:11:16,009 behind a queer coffee house in 357 00:11:16,010 --> 00:11:17,529 downtown San Marcos. 358 00:11:17,530 --> 00:11:19,609 There are pride flags, drag queens, 359 00:11:19,610 --> 00:11:21,129 and queer student organizations 360 00:11:21,130 --> 00:11:22,329 showing their colors. 361 00:11:22,330 --> 00:11:23,929 In the background, though, there are 362 00:11:23,930 --> 00:11:25,449 concerns about what's happening on 363 00:11:25,450 --> 00:11:27,689 campus. Medusa Abercrombie 364 00:11:27,690 --> 00:11:29,529 is another transcend club leader. 365 00:11:29,530 --> 00:11:31,369 There are definitely moments 366 00:11:31,370 --> 00:11:33,688 of pretty intense hostility. 367 00:11:33,689 --> 00:11:35,529 I've gotten 368 00:11:35,530 --> 00:11:38,088 some pretty intense death stares. 369 00:11:38,089 --> 00:11:40,409 I've been lucky enough to not 370 00:11:40,410 --> 00:11:42,328 have any verbal 371 00:11:42,329 --> 00:11:44,549 sort of assaults or anything. 372 00:11:44,550 --> 00:11:46,228 And Kai Pacheco says he's already 373 00:11:46,229 --> 00:11:47,669 seen the impact of recent policy 374 00:11:47,670 --> 00:11:48,609 changes. 375 00:11:48,610 --> 00:11:50,609 I feel like the idea of 376 00:11:50,610 --> 00:11:52,769 gender in general is just 377 00:11:52,770 --> 00:11:55,409 not really talked about or advocated 378 00:11:55,410 --> 00:11:57,889 for. Like currently, 379 00:11:57,890 --> 00:11:59,809 like our advisor 380 00:11:59,810 --> 00:12:02,849 at the moment is being 381 00:12:02,850 --> 00:12:04,689 somewhat targeted because 382 00:12:04,690 --> 00:12:07,489 they teach a gender studies course 383 00:12:07,490 --> 00:12:09,569 and they're essentially 384 00:12:09,570 --> 00:12:11,279 attempting to get rid of 385 00:12:11,280 --> 00:12:12,958 Texas Standard reached out to Texas 386 00:12:12,959 --> 00:12:14,559 State University for comment about 387 00:12:14,560 --> 00:12:15,999 changes in how the school is 388 00:12:16,000 --> 00:12:17,999 treating gender-related topics, but 389 00:12:18,000 --> 00:12:19,519 officials declined to speak on the 390 00:12:19,520 --> 00:12:21,198 matter. When we instead reached out 391 00:12:21,199 --> 00:12:23,359 to the Texas State Employees Union, 392 00:12:23,360 --> 00:12:24,879 which represents some Texas State 393 00:12:24,880 --> 00:12:26,719 faculty, many of their members were 394 00:12:26,720 --> 00:12:28,639 ready to talk, but they wanted to do 395 00:12:28,640 --> 00:12:30,318 so on the condition of anonymity, 396 00:12:30,319 --> 00:12:31,838 for fear of retaliation. 397 00:12:31,839 --> 00:12:33,519 I spoke with four people who I 398 00:12:33,520 --> 00:12:35,359 verified teach at the university, 399 00:12:35,360 --> 00:12:37,039 but their names and voices will not 400 00:12:37,040 --> 00:12:37,838 be used. 401 00:12:37,839 --> 00:12:39,679 Our discussions gave some insight 402 00:12:39,680 --> 00:12:41,279 into the upcoming implementation of 403 00:12:41,280 --> 00:12:42,958 what Texas State is calling 404 00:12:42,959 --> 00:12:44,879 value-neutral instruction. 405 00:12:44,880 --> 00:12:46,639 The new guidelines go into effect 406 00:12:46,640 --> 00:12:48,479 next semester and ask teachers to 407 00:12:48,480 --> 00:12:49,919 change almost everything about their 408 00:12:49,920 --> 00:12:51,759 classes, from course descriptions to 409 00:12:51,760 --> 00:12:53,198 the structure of assignments. 410 00:12:53,199 --> 00:12:55,039 In a pamphlet instructing faculty 411 00:12:55,040 --> 00:12:56,318 on how to institute these new 412 00:12:56,319 --> 00:12:58,078 guidelines, Texas State says that 413 00:12:58,079 --> 00:12:59,438 they're designed to promote critical 414 00:12:59,439 --> 00:13:01,039 thinking and help teachers retain 415 00:13:01,040 --> 00:13:02,239 academic freedom. 416 00:13:02,240 --> 00:13:04,159 The faculty members I spoke with say 417 00:13:04,160 --> 00:13:06,078 they will do the exact opposite. 418 00:13:06,079 --> 00:13:07,759 The professors believe that this new 419 00:13:07,760 --> 00:13:09,759 so-called value-neutral initiative 420 00:13:09,760 --> 00:13:11,279 and the intensified scrutiny that 421 00:13:11,280 --> 00:13:12,879 comes with it will hurt areas of 422 00:13:12,880 --> 00:13:13,999 learning that tend to sit on the 423 00:13:14,000 --> 00:13:15,679 leading edge of theory and critical 424 00:13:15,680 --> 00:13:17,198 thinking, like the humanities and 425 00:13:17,199 --> 00:13:18,159 social sciences. 426 00:13:18,160 --> 00:13:19,759 These subjects are where transgender 427 00:13:19,760 --> 00:13:20,879 students are more likely to see 428 00:13:20,880 --> 00:13:22,078 themselves represented. 429 00:13:22,079 --> 00:13:23,519 The faculty members I talked with 430 00:13:23,520 --> 00:13:25,198 said Texas State's guidelines on 431 00:13:25,199 --> 00:13:27,039 being neutral in all applications 432 00:13:27,040 --> 00:13:28,959 are too vague, and since crossing a 433 00:13:28,960 --> 00:13:30,719 line could mean risking suspension 434 00:13:30,720 --> 00:13:32,318 or their job, they're worried that 435 00:13:32,319 --> 00:13:33,679 they may have to avoid issues like 436 00:13:33,680 --> 00:13:35,679 transgender identity entirely. 437 00:13:35,680 --> 00:13:37,359 Fears of losing their academic 438 00:13:37,360 --> 00:13:38,959 independence are even causing some 439 00:13:38,960 --> 00:13:40,318 professors to think about leaving 440 00:13:40,319 --> 00:13:41,349 the state. 441 00:13:41,350 --> 00:13:42,949 Meanwhile, transgender students are 442 00:13:42,950 --> 00:13:44,629 left feeling unsupported, and the 443 00:13:44,630 --> 00:13:45,749 instructors see that. 444 00:13:45,750 --> 00:13:47,189 They told me they've noticed trans 445 00:13:47,190 --> 00:13:48,789 students participating less in class 446 00:13:48,790 --> 00:13:50,309 and experiencing more distress about 447 00:13:50,310 --> 00:13:51,429 their academic futures. 448 00:13:51,430 --> 00:13:53,429 Medusa Abercrombie says trans 449 00:13:53,430 --> 00:13:54,549 students would like to see a little 450 00:13:54,550 --> 00:13:56,649 more support from their university. 451 00:13:56,650 --> 00:13:58,489 Just seeing that 452 00:13:58,490 --> 00:14:00,489 Texas State is on our side. 453 00:14:00,490 --> 00:14:02,329 And, you know, it's not a this side 454 00:14:02,330 --> 00:14:04,169 or that side necessarily, but I 455 00:14:04,170 --> 00:14:06,089 just mean that they're going to, 456 00:14:06,090 --> 00:14:08,009 you know, support us, make 457 00:14:08,010 --> 00:14:10,569 sure we're safe and comfortable. 458 00:14:10,570 --> 00:14:12,409 And in some aspects 459 00:14:12,410 --> 00:14:14,409 I think they've let 460 00:14:14,410 --> 00:14:16,249 down recently in 461 00:14:16,250 --> 00:14:18,579 that in that prospect. 462 00:14:18,580 --> 00:14:20,019 But as the university has taken a 463 00:14:20,020 --> 00:14:21,859 step back, the community has stepped 464 00:14:21,860 --> 00:14:23,699 up. Even as Texas State debates 465 00:14:23,700 --> 00:14:25,379 trans people's place in curriculum, 466 00:14:25,380 --> 00:14:27,139 transcends leaders insist that they 467 00:14:27,140 --> 00:14:28,669 will never disappear. 468 00:14:28,670 --> 00:14:30,589 And we want to let people 469 00:14:30,590 --> 00:14:33,149 know that we are here for them. 470 00:14:33,150 --> 00:14:35,789 So we make sure we show up. 471 00:14:35,790 --> 00:14:37,469 And we're gonna continue to show up 472 00:14:37,470 --> 00:14:40,209 for our community as much as we can. 473 00:14:40,210 --> 00:14:42,049 Basically our goal is to 474 00:14:42,050 --> 00:14:43,969 foster a kind, 475 00:14:43,970 --> 00:14:45,969 caring community for the trans 476 00:14:45,970 --> 00:14:47,729 students at Texas State where they 477 00:14:47,730 --> 00:14:50,289 can be somewhere and feel safe 478 00:14:50,290 --> 00:14:52,529 and experience joy 479 00:14:52,530 --> 00:14:54,369 even in a place 480 00:14:54,370 --> 00:14:56,209 that is is rapidly 481 00:14:56,210 --> 00:14:58,829 growing more hostile to them. 482 00:14:58,830 --> 00:15:00,589 The faculty members aren't sure if 483 00:15:00,590 --> 00:15:02,189 or when this intense scrutiny on 484 00:15:02,190 --> 00:15:03,549 what they teach may pass, but 485 00:15:03,550 --> 00:15:04,509 they've told us that they're 486 00:15:04,510 --> 00:15:06,029 confident trans students are strong 487 00:15:06,030 --> 00:15:06,989 enough to weather it. 488 00:15:06,990 --> 00:15:08,829 Kai Pacheco is, too. 489 00:15:08,830 --> 00:15:10,989 I'd say in these struggling times, 490 00:15:10,990 --> 00:15:12,829 stay strong for yourself, stay 491 00:15:12,830 --> 00:15:14,349 strong for your community. 492 00:15:14,350 --> 00:15:16,269 If you feel as if you do not have 493 00:15:16,270 --> 00:15:18,269 a community, keep 494 00:15:18,270 --> 00:15:19,789 searching because there is one out 495 00:15:19,790 --> 00:15:21,099 there for you. 496 00:15:21,100 --> 00:15:23,259 He has faith that standing together 497 00:15:23,260 --> 00:15:25,099 and sometimes throwing a party 498 00:15:25,100 --> 00:15:26,379 will give them the power to 499 00:15:26,380 --> 00:15:27,419 overcome. 500 00:15:27,420 --> 00:15:29,420 I'm Kaye Knoll, the Texas Standard. 501 00:15:35,850 --> 00:15:37,929 We've got more Austin Signal coming 502 00:15:37,930 --> 00:15:39,209 up in one moment. 503 00:15:39,210 --> 00:15:40,889 But don't forget, if you ever miss 504 00:15:40,890 --> 00:15:42,809 an episode, worry not, you can 505 00:15:42,810 --> 00:15:44,809 find our show on Spotify, Apple 506 00:15:44,810 --> 00:15:46,729 Podcasts, all the places where you 507 00:15:46,730 --> 00:15:47,849 get your shows. 508 00:15:47,850 --> 00:15:50,009 Just search for Austin Signal 509 00:15:50,010 --> 00:15:51,289 and hit subscribe. 510 00:15:51,290 --> 00:15:53,369 And you can also find those at K U 511 00:15:53,370 --> 00:15:55,289 T.orgslash 512 00:15:55,290 --> 00:15:56,290 Signal. 513 00:15:57,990 --> 00:16:00,229 This is Austin Signal. 514 00:16:03,590 --> 00:16:05,429 Hi, I'm Laurie Gallardo. 515 00:16:05,430 --> 00:16:07,029 I'm a show host and producer for 516 00:16:07,030 --> 00:16:09,029 KUTX 989. 517 00:16:10,630 --> 00:16:12,629 And I'm here to talk about one 518 00:16:12,630 --> 00:16:14,629 of my favorite songs from 519 00:16:14,630 --> 00:16:15,589 this year. 520 00:16:15,590 --> 00:16:17,029 And it happens to be from an 521 00:16:17,030 --> 00:16:18,549 Austin-based artist. 522 00:16:18,550 --> 00:16:20,949 I am talking about Black Odyssey 523 00:16:20,950 --> 00:16:22,949 and the song Heartbreak. 524 00:16:22,950 --> 00:16:24,869 You can find that on his 525 00:16:24,870 --> 00:16:27,029 sensational album, Mood 526 00:16:27,030 --> 00:16:28,030 Control. 527 00:16:39,930 --> 00:16:41,848 On my podcast, SPF 1000 528 00:16:41,849 --> 00:16:43,769 Vampire Sunscreen, I had 529 00:16:43,770 --> 00:16:45,369 the opportunity to speak with Black 530 00:16:45,370 --> 00:16:47,688 Odyssey about his songwriting 531 00:16:47,689 --> 00:16:49,369 process for the album. 532 00:16:49,370 --> 00:16:51,448 And they actually used 533 00:16:51,449 --> 00:16:53,289 frequencies, not just 534 00:16:53,290 --> 00:16:55,129 certain sounds, not just certain 535 00:16:55,130 --> 00:16:57,608 textures, but frequencies. 536 00:16:57,609 --> 00:16:59,129 I was like, oh, creativity and 537 00:16:59,130 --> 00:17:00,889 science, they go great together. 538 00:17:00,890 --> 00:17:02,728 And it really is an outstanding 539 00:17:02,729 --> 00:17:03,608 experience. 540 00:17:03,609 --> 00:17:05,769 They wanted to connect emotionally 541 00:17:05,770 --> 00:17:07,368 with these different frequencies or 542 00:17:07,369 --> 00:17:09,689 or kind of, you know, hone 543 00:17:09,690 --> 00:17:11,928 in on very specific emotions, 544 00:17:11,929 --> 00:17:12,888 I should say. 545 00:17:12,889 --> 00:17:14,809 That is what fascinates me about the 546 00:17:14,810 --> 00:17:16,648 entire album because I believe it's 547 00:17:16,649 --> 00:17:17,649 working. 548 00:17:32,930 --> 00:17:34,769 I love this song so much 549 00:17:34,770 --> 00:17:36,689 because I connect to this 550 00:17:36,690 --> 00:17:38,449 feeling of longing. 551 00:17:38,450 --> 00:17:39,809 Not just on this track in 552 00:17:39,810 --> 00:17:42,129 particular, but on the entire 553 00:17:42,130 --> 00:17:43,130 album. 554 00:17:43,810 --> 00:17:45,649 With something like mood control, 555 00:17:45,650 --> 00:17:47,569 it's the thing in its entire 556 00:17:47,570 --> 00:17:50,289 picture, the entire chemistry, 557 00:17:50,290 --> 00:17:52,289 the way these stories 558 00:17:52,290 --> 00:17:54,049 are all connected throughout. 559 00:17:54,050 --> 00:17:55,889 Now, obviously you can listen to 560 00:17:55,890 --> 00:17:58,209 these as singles individually, 561 00:17:58,210 --> 00:18:00,049 but I think it's the entire 562 00:18:00,050 --> 00:18:02,289 story on mood control 563 00:18:02,290 --> 00:18:03,889 and this whole idea of using 564 00:18:03,890 --> 00:18:05,809 frequencies, that is 565 00:18:05,810 --> 00:18:07,489 always going to get my attention. 566 00:18:07,490 --> 00:18:09,329 That is always fascinating 567 00:18:09,330 --> 00:18:10,690 me every time I think about that. 568 00:18:31,270 --> 00:18:33,189 Black Odyssey is an 569 00:18:33,190 --> 00:18:35,589 extraordinary artist because 570 00:18:35,590 --> 00:18:37,589 he's not confined to just 571 00:18:37,590 --> 00:18:39,349 one genre. 572 00:18:39,350 --> 00:18:41,429 So the thing that initially 573 00:18:41,430 --> 00:18:43,269 caught my attention 574 00:18:43,270 --> 00:18:45,269 was the sound of it, the 575 00:18:45,270 --> 00:18:46,469 pop of it. 576 00:18:46,470 --> 00:18:48,149 And of course I'm I'm all about the 577 00:18:48,150 --> 00:18:49,829 beats, I'm all about the rhythm. 578 00:18:50,970 --> 00:18:52,729 That's always my my first 579 00:18:52,730 --> 00:18:55,369 impression. That that kind of 580 00:18:55,370 --> 00:18:57,369 pulls me right in right away. 581 00:19:02,250 --> 00:19:03,849 My name is Laurie Gayardon. 582 00:19:03,850 --> 00:19:05,689 I'm a show host and producer at 583 00:19:05,690 --> 00:19:07,689 KUTX 989. 584 00:19:07,690 --> 00:19:09,529 You can find out more about all 585 00:19:09,530 --> 00:19:12,169 our favorite songs from 2025 586 00:19:12,170 --> 00:19:15,209 at KUTX.org. 587 00:19:15,210 --> 00:19:16,970 This is Austin Signal. 588 00:19:25,830 --> 00:19:27,189 Thank you for listening. 589 00:19:27,190 --> 00:19:29,029 This is indeed Austin 590 00:19:29,030 --> 00:19:30,309 Signal. 591 00:19:30,310 --> 00:19:32,309 There was a mystique and a 592 00:19:32,310 --> 00:19:34,389 magic that permeated Austin's music 593 00:19:34,390 --> 00:19:36,149 scene in the late seventies and 594 00:19:36,150 --> 00:19:38,149 eighties when legends like Townes 595 00:19:38,150 --> 00:19:40,069 Van Zandt and Doug Som roamed 596 00:19:40,070 --> 00:19:41,349 the streets of an Austin that was 597 00:19:41,350 --> 00:19:43,269 much different than ours, probably 598 00:19:43,270 --> 00:19:44,549 much cooler. 599 00:19:44,550 --> 00:19:46,549 One such legend, Blaze 600 00:19:46,550 --> 00:19:47,429 Foley. 601 00:19:47,430 --> 00:19:49,029 His story comes to us from the 602 00:19:49,030 --> 00:19:51,109 Center of Texas Music History 603 00:19:51,110 --> 00:19:52,469 at Texas State. 604 00:19:52,470 --> 00:19:54,389 Here's Jason Mellard on how a 605 00:19:54,390 --> 00:19:56,469 wandering Arkansas born musician 606 00:19:56,470 --> 00:19:58,389 found a home and a place 607 00:19:58,390 --> 00:20:00,230 of refuge here in Austin. 608 00:20:05,670 --> 00:20:07,349 This week in Texas Music History, a 609 00:20:07,350 --> 00:20:09,269 singer-songwriter sets the Outhouse 610 00:20:09,270 --> 00:20:10,069 ablaze. 611 00:20:10,070 --> 00:20:12,629 In December 1988, singer-songwriter 612 00:20:12,630 --> 00:20:14,309 Blaze Foley played the Austin 613 00:20:14,310 --> 00:20:16,149 Outhouse for the last time, an 614 00:20:16,150 --> 00:20:17,909 appearance later released as a live 615 00:20:17,910 --> 00:20:19,669 album. His birthday falls this week 616 00:20:19,670 --> 00:20:22,229 too, born December 18, 1949 617 00:20:22,230 --> 00:20:23,189 in Arkansas. 618 00:20:23,190 --> 00:20:25,269 Foley grew up in San Antonio, Dallas 619 00:20:25,270 --> 00:20:26,949 Fort Worth, and around the south. 620 00:20:26,950 --> 00:20:28,469 He wandered further after dropping 621 00:20:28,470 --> 00:20:29,909 out of high school, a drifter, 622 00:20:29,910 --> 00:20:31,829 biker, roadie, and songwriter. 623 00:20:31,830 --> 00:20:33,269 His songcraft flowered after 624 00:20:33,270 --> 00:20:34,869 settling in Georgia, living in a 625 00:20:34,870 --> 00:20:36,469 treehouse with partner and muse, 626 00:20:36,470 --> 00:20:37,509 Sybil Rosin. 627 00:20:37,510 --> 00:20:39,669 Foley moved to Austin in 1977, 628 00:20:39,670 --> 00:20:41,349 the Progressive Country Boom years, 629 00:20:41,350 --> 00:20:42,869 and became a stalwart in spots like 630 00:20:42,870 --> 00:20:44,949 Emma Joe's, Spellman's Lounge, 631 00:20:44,950 --> 00:20:46,309 Hole in the Wall, and the Austin 632 00:20:46,310 --> 00:20:47,109 Outhouse. 633 00:20:47,110 --> 00:20:48,469 He grew close there to another 634 00:20:48,470 --> 00:20:50,309 Starcross songwriter, Towns 635 00:20:50,310 --> 00:20:51,109 Van Zandt. 636 00:20:51,110 --> 00:20:53,029 Their hard-luck drifter ways drew 637 00:20:53,030 --> 00:20:54,709 them together, but their lyrical 638 00:20:54,710 --> 00:20:57,029 gifts cemented the relationship. 639 00:20:57,030 --> 00:20:58,869 Blaze and Towns could plumb the 640 00:20:58,870 --> 00:21:00,709 depths of human despair in one 641 00:21:00,710 --> 00:21:03,029 stanza and pivot to absurd silliness 642 00:21:03,030 --> 00:21:03,829 in the next. 643 00:21:03,830 --> 00:21:05,669 Foley's craft shone in such 644 00:21:05,670 --> 00:21:07,749 songs as If I Could Only Fly, 645 00:21:07,750 --> 00:21:09,669 Clay Pigeons, and Election Day, 646 00:21:09,670 --> 00:21:11,190 but missed opportunities abounded. 647 00:21:17,470 --> 00:21:19,389 In 1984, he recorded an album in 648 00:21:19,390 --> 00:21:21,069 Muscle Shoals, but it didn't see the 649 00:21:21,070 --> 00:21:21,869 light of day. 650 00:21:21,870 --> 00:21:23,549 Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard 651 00:21:23,550 --> 00:21:25,469 recorded If Only I Could Fly, but it 652 00:21:25,470 --> 00:21:26,989 didn't take off like the duo's cover 653 00:21:26,990 --> 00:21:28,909 of Banzance Poncho and Lefty. 654 00:21:28,910 --> 00:21:30,829 Foley remained a hometown hero, 655 00:21:30,830 --> 00:21:32,829 though, a songwriter's songwriter, 656 00:21:32,830 --> 00:21:34,349 known for the duct tape holding his 657 00:21:34,350 --> 00:21:35,949 boots together and sleeping rough 658 00:21:35,950 --> 00:21:37,229 under pool tables. 659 00:21:37,230 --> 00:21:39,149 In February 1989, Blaze 660 00:21:39,150 --> 00:21:40,589 Foley lost his life in an 661 00:21:40,590 --> 00:21:42,189 altercation in South Austin, 662 00:21:42,190 --> 00:21:43,949 defending an elderly friend. 663 00:21:43,950 --> 00:21:45,789 Lyle Lovett, John Prime, 664 00:21:45,790 --> 00:21:48,029 Gurf Morlicks, and Lucinda Williams 665 00:21:48,030 --> 00:21:49,869 covered his songs and sung his 666 00:21:49,870 --> 00:21:51,389 praises in later years. 667 00:21:51,390 --> 00:21:53,469 Ethan Hawke told his story on screen 668 00:21:53,470 --> 00:21:55,389 in 2018, and the Live at 669 00:21:55,390 --> 00:21:57,469 the Austin Outhouse album captures 670 00:21:57,470 --> 00:21:59,629 the city's poet in his prime. 671 00:21:59,630 --> 00:22:01,309 Rough and raw and ready. 672 00:22:04,830 --> 00:22:06,109 You can hear music from the Lone 673 00:22:06,110 --> 00:22:08,349 Star State 24-7 on the Texas 674 00:22:08,350 --> 00:22:11,279 Music Experience at TMX.fm. 675 00:22:11,280 --> 00:22:12,959 Support for this week in Texas Music 676 00:22:12,960 --> 00:22:15,039 History comes from Brain Audio, 677 00:22:15,040 --> 00:22:16,559 maker of portable speakers with 678 00:22:16,560 --> 00:22:18,479 patented, built-in subwoofer 679 00:22:18,480 --> 00:22:20,398 technology to deliver deep bass 680 00:22:20,399 --> 00:22:22,398 sound with waterproof design and 681 00:22:22,399 --> 00:22:23,919 Alexa functionality. 682 00:22:23,920 --> 00:22:25,359 Holiday inspiration at 683 00:22:25,360 --> 00:22:27,119 Brainaudio.com. 684 00:22:28,300 --> 00:22:30,138 That is it for today's 685 00:22:30,139 --> 00:22:32,138 episode of Austin Signal. 686 00:22:32,139 --> 00:22:33,819 Thank you for being with us. 687 00:22:33,820 --> 00:22:35,979 You can mind you can find 688 00:22:35,980 --> 00:22:38,539 more from us at kult.org 689 00:22:38,540 --> 00:22:39,579 slash signal. 690 00:22:39,580 --> 00:22:41,499 Kristen Cabrera is our managing 691 00:22:41,500 --> 00:22:43,339 producer. Rayna Sevilla 692 00:22:43,340 --> 00:22:45,178 is our technical director. 693 00:22:45,179 --> 00:22:47,099 Austin Signal will be back 694 00:22:47,100 --> 00:22:48,299 with you tomorrow. 695 00:22:48,300 --> 00:22:50,299 I'm your host, Jerry Quijano. 696 00:22:50,300 --> 00:22:51,340 We will talk to you then.