1 00:00:10,020 --> 00:00:11,819 Records in the divorce case for 2 00:00:11,820 --> 00:00:13,819 Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton 3 00:00:13,820 --> 00:00:15,699 have been unsealed after a 4 00:00:15,700 --> 00:00:16,879 judge's order. 5 00:00:16,880 --> 00:00:17,899 We're talking with the Texas 6 00:00:17,900 --> 00:00:19,539 newsroom's Lauren McGahee to find 7 00:00:19,540 --> 00:00:22,039 out what that means for the case. 8 00:00:22,040 --> 00:00:23,499 And travelers at the Austin airport 9 00:00:23,500 --> 00:00:25,679 will soon have more options. 10 00:00:25,680 --> 00:00:27,679 KUT's transportation reporter Nathan 11 00:00:27,680 --> 00:00:29,659 Bernier talks us through the 12 00:00:29,660 --> 00:00:31,559 newest flights coming to Austin 13 00:00:31,560 --> 00:00:33,999 Bergstrom International Airport. 14 00:00:34,000 --> 00:00:35,879 The Austin Signal is a production 15 00:00:35,880 --> 00:00:37,939 of KUT News, hosted by 16 00:00:37,940 --> 00:00:39,589 Saida Carrillo. 17 00:00:39,590 --> 00:00:41,649 Plus a look inside the press room 18 00:00:41,650 --> 00:00:43,549 at Hyde Park, which is home to 19 00:00:43,550 --> 00:00:45,589 a vintage letterpress and a vast 20 00:00:45,590 --> 00:00:47,889 collection of original 21 00:00:47,890 --> 00:00:50,189 cinema advertising prints. 22 00:00:50,190 --> 00:00:52,309 That and more coming up on Austin 23 00:00:52,310 --> 00:00:53,310 Signal. 24 00:01:11,160 --> 00:01:13,099 This is Austin Signal on KUT 25 00:01:13,100 --> 00:01:14,939 News. I'm Saida Carrillo filling 26 00:01:14,940 --> 00:01:16,739 in for Jerry Quijano. 27 00:01:16,740 --> 00:01:18,279 The cloudy skies are starting to 28 00:01:18,280 --> 00:01:19,819 clear up on this Monday, December 29 00:01:19,820 --> 00:01:20,599 22nd. 30 00:01:20,600 --> 00:01:23,139 Thanks for being here with us. 31 00:01:23,140 --> 00:01:24,739 Previously sealed records in the 32 00:01:24,740 --> 00:01:26,379 divorce case of Texas Attorney 33 00:01:26,380 --> 00:01:29,239 General Ken Paxton are now public. 34 00:01:29,240 --> 00:01:31,219 A judge issued an order to unseal 35 00:01:31,220 --> 00:01:33,119 the records on Friday. 36 00:01:33,120 --> 00:01:34,859 Lauren McGaughy is an investigative 37 00:01:34,860 --> 00:01:36,819 reporter and editor for the Texas 38 00:01:36,820 --> 00:01:37,639 Newsroom. 39 00:01:37,640 --> 00:01:39,379 She joins me now to talk about the 40 00:01:39,380 --> 00:01:40,579 latest in this case. 41 00:01:40,580 --> 00:01:41,659 Lauren, thanks for being here. 42 00:01:41,660 --> 00:01:42,619 You're welcome. 43 00:01:42,620 --> 00:01:44,419 So, Lauren, for those who are not 44 00:01:44,420 --> 00:01:46,419 familiar, bring us up to speed. 45 00:01:46,420 --> 00:01:47,959 Why is this a significant 46 00:01:47,960 --> 00:01:49,699 development in the Paxton divorce 47 00:01:49,700 --> 00:01:50,409 case? 48 00:01:50,410 --> 00:01:52,549 Sure, well since the 49 00:01:52,550 --> 00:01:53,849 Attorney General's wife, State 50 00:01:53,850 --> 00:01:55,729 Senator Angela Paxson filed for 51 00:01:55,730 --> 00:01:57,569 divorce in the 52 00:01:57,570 --> 00:01:59,529 summer, we have seen 53 00:01:59,530 --> 00:02:01,389 an effort from both Paxons to 54 00:02:01,390 --> 00:02:03,069 make these records in the case 55 00:02:03,070 --> 00:02:05,229 private, as private as possible. 56 00:02:05,230 --> 00:02:06,989 And for several months, we haven't 57 00:02:06,990 --> 00:02:08,549 really been able to read anything 58 00:02:08,550 --> 00:02:09,888 that they've been filing in the 59 00:02:09,889 --> 00:02:11,889 case. And this is as the 60 00:02:11,890 --> 00:02:14,229 Attorney general is running for U.S. 61 00:02:14,230 --> 00:02:15,809 Senate, and he's a public figure and 62 00:02:15,810 --> 00:02:17,289 seeking higher office. 63 00:02:17,290 --> 00:02:18,929 And we just haven't had any insight 64 00:02:18,930 --> 00:02:20,909 into these records 65 00:02:20,910 --> 00:02:23,029 until Friday when this 66 00:02:23,030 --> 00:02:24,529 order came down and we were able to 67 00:02:24,530 --> 00:02:25,809 see them for the first time. 68 00:02:25,810 --> 00:02:26,969 Right, you've been reporting 69 00:02:26,970 --> 00:02:28,629 extensively on the back and forth 70 00:02:28,630 --> 00:02:30,009 about making this information 71 00:02:30,010 --> 00:02:30,869 public. 72 00:02:30,870 --> 00:02:33,169 Why have Attorney General Paxton 73 00:02:33,170 --> 00:02:35,289 and his wife, State Senator Angela 74 00:02:35,290 --> 00:02:37,229 Paxton, fought to keep 75 00:02:37,230 --> 00:02:38,230 these records pri- 76 00:02:39,030 --> 00:02:41,029 Well, for several months, they 77 00:02:41,030 --> 00:02:43,029 were arguing that there was really 78 00:02:43,030 --> 00:02:44,709 no need for the records to be 79 00:02:44,710 --> 00:02:45,749 public. 80 00:02:45,750 --> 00:02:47,229 They were saying, look, we are 81 00:02:47,230 --> 00:02:48,469 public officials, they're both 82 00:02:48,470 --> 00:02:50,429 elected officials, but nothing 83 00:02:50,430 --> 00:02:52,269 in this case will be of interest to 84 00:02:52,270 --> 00:02:53,829 the public and it won't harm anyone 85 00:02:53,830 --> 00:02:55,229 if these records are private. 86 00:02:55,230 --> 00:02:56,449 That's what they were saying. 87 00:02:56,450 --> 00:02:58,269 And then the attorney general also 88 00:02:58,270 --> 00:03:00,929 filed his own filing that said that 89 00:03:00,930 --> 00:03:02,829 accusing the press of kind of trying 90 00:03:02,830 --> 00:03:04,809 to infiltrate his 91 00:03:04,810 --> 00:03:06,349 private life and just doing it for 92 00:03:06,350 --> 00:03:07,350 gossip purposes. 93 00:03:08,410 --> 00:03:10,169 But in response to that, a group of 94 00:03:10,170 --> 00:03:12,249 media organizations filed a request 95 00:03:12,250 --> 00:03:13,989 with the court to unseal the 96 00:03:13,990 --> 00:03:15,169 records. And the argument that they 97 00:03:15,170 --> 00:03:16,989 made was that both 98 00:03:16,990 --> 00:03:17,969 of these people are elected 99 00:03:17,970 --> 00:03:19,769 officials and that the case is going 100 00:03:19,770 --> 00:03:21,669 to involve their personal assets. 101 00:03:21,670 --> 00:03:23,629 And over the years, Attorney General 102 00:03:23,630 --> 00:03:25,749 Ken Paxson has been accused of 103 00:03:25,750 --> 00:03:27,109 corruption multiple times. 104 00:03:27,110 --> 00:03:28,989 And often they involve his own 105 00:03:28,990 --> 00:03:30,809 personal assets, the homes that he 106 00:03:30,810 --> 00:03:32,689 owns, renovations on 107 00:03:32,690 --> 00:03:34,549 his homes. And so those 108 00:03:34,550 --> 00:03:36,109 assets are pertinent to those 109 00:03:36,110 --> 00:03:37,110 allegations. 110 00:03:37,730 --> 00:03:39,589 And what new information, 111 00:03:39,590 --> 00:03:41,609 if any, have you and other reporters 112 00:03:41,610 --> 00:03:43,129 been able to take away from these 113 00:03:43,130 --> 00:03:44,130 now unsealed? 114 00:03:45,030 --> 00:03:46,309 Some of the records that were 115 00:03:46,310 --> 00:03:47,989 unsealed Friday for other media 116 00:03:47,990 --> 00:03:50,029 organizations, we saw the 117 00:03:50,030 --> 00:03:51,389 Texas Newsroom was able to see a few 118 00:03:51,390 --> 00:03:52,609 months ago because we were able to 119 00:03:52,610 --> 00:03:54,409 get some of the records right before 120 00:03:54,410 --> 00:03:55,869 the seal happened. 121 00:03:55,870 --> 00:03:57,029 So some of this we had already 122 00:03:57,030 --> 00:03:58,949 reported a few months ago. 123 00:03:58,950 --> 00:04:00,769 On Friday, we got a handful of 124 00:04:00,770 --> 00:04:02,449 additional records that showed that 125 00:04:02,450 --> 00:04:04,269 the couple has entered mediation. 126 00:04:04,270 --> 00:04:05,869 So they are trying to work this out 127 00:04:05,870 --> 00:04:07,729 without having to really get 128 00:04:07,730 --> 00:04:09,559 the courts further involved. 129 00:04:09,560 --> 00:04:11,599 And that they have used money from 130 00:04:11,600 --> 00:04:13,299 their blind trust, which has also 131 00:04:13,300 --> 00:04:14,539 been the subject of scrutiny 132 00:04:14,540 --> 00:04:15,599 regarding these corruption 133 00:04:15,600 --> 00:04:17,559 allegations, to pay for 134 00:04:17,560 --> 00:04:19,979 lawyers to do this mediation. 135 00:04:19,980 --> 00:04:21,919 So only a few additional filings in 136 00:04:21,920 --> 00:04:23,419 the case at this point were unsealed 137 00:04:23,420 --> 00:04:25,419 that we hadn't seen previously, but 138 00:04:25,420 --> 00:04:26,779 this does mean that anything 139 00:04:26,780 --> 00:04:28,619 additionally that's filed in 140 00:04:28,620 --> 00:04:30,139 the coming months into that court 141 00:04:30,140 --> 00:04:31,799 case will be available for public 142 00:04:31,800 --> 00:04:32,579 consumption. 143 00:04:32,580 --> 00:04:34,499 Okay, so a big shift from the way 144 00:04:34,500 --> 00:04:35,939 that things have been playing out so 145 00:04:35,940 --> 00:04:36,939 far. 146 00:04:36,940 --> 00:04:38,680 And you touched on this, Lauren, but 147 00:04:38,681 --> 00:04:40,519 why, if you could, if you could kind 148 00:04:40,520 --> 00:04:42,459 of sum it up, why does it matter to 149 00:04:42,460 --> 00:04:44,039 Texans that this information is 150 00:04:44,040 --> 00:04:45,239 accessible. 151 00:04:45,240 --> 00:04:46,299 You know, the argument that the 152 00:04:46,300 --> 00:04:47,859 media organizations made and the 153 00:04:47,860 --> 00:04:49,239 Texas Newsroom was one of them, so 154 00:04:49,240 --> 00:04:51,579 full disclosure there, was that 155 00:04:51,580 --> 00:04:53,579 any discussion of these assets 156 00:04:53,580 --> 00:04:54,580 that have been 157 00:04:55,580 --> 00:04:57,079 brought up in the course of 158 00:04:57,080 --> 00:04:58,119 conversations about public 159 00:04:58,120 --> 00:05:00,019 corruption allegations in 160 00:05:00,020 --> 00:05:01,999 the past should be public. 161 00:05:02,000 --> 00:05:03,699 There was also an argument made 162 00:05:03,700 --> 00:05:05,699 that, you know, most anyone who gets 163 00:05:05,700 --> 00:05:07,559 divorced in the state of Texas has 164 00:05:07,560 --> 00:05:08,819 the presumption that their case 165 00:05:08,820 --> 00:05:10,859 won't be automatically sealed and 166 00:05:10,860 --> 00:05:12,839 that the as public figures shouldn't 167 00:05:12,840 --> 00:05:14,479 be treated any differently. 168 00:05:14,480 --> 00:05:16,239 So what's next in this case? 169 00:05:16,240 --> 00:05:17,259 I know you'll be keeping an eye on 170 00:05:17,260 --> 00:05:18,459 all of the updates. 171 00:05:18,460 --> 00:05:19,519 You know, I think this development 172 00:05:19,520 --> 00:05:21,139 on Friday was a surprise. 173 00:05:21,140 --> 00:05:22,979 It wasn't the court coming 174 00:05:22,980 --> 00:05:25,059 in and say, forcing the Paxton's 175 00:05:25,060 --> 00:05:25,859 necessarily to do this. 176 00:05:25,860 --> 00:05:27,779 The Paxton just hours before 177 00:05:27,780 --> 00:05:29,779 said, we'll do this of our 178 00:05:29,780 --> 00:05:30,599 own volition. 179 00:05:30,600 --> 00:05:32,559 And I think that, you know, to me 180 00:05:32,560 --> 00:05:34,239 that might raise some questions as 181 00:05:34,240 --> 00:05:35,539 to whether they're going to try to 182 00:05:35,540 --> 00:05:37,279 handle this privately amongst 183 00:05:37,280 --> 00:05:39,159 themselves and really not try to let 184 00:05:39,160 --> 00:05:40,979 anything get into 185 00:05:40,980 --> 00:05:42,659 the public record that might be 186 00:05:42,660 --> 00:05:44,519 embarrassing. So We'll just have to 187 00:05:44,520 --> 00:05:46,359 see whether any additional 188 00:05:46,360 --> 00:05:48,379 insight into their assets, 189 00:05:48,380 --> 00:05:50,299 their asset sharing, will come 190 00:05:50,300 --> 00:05:51,799 up in those records. 191 00:05:51,800 --> 00:05:52,969 Lauren McGough, he is with the... 192 00:05:52,970 --> 00:05:54,169 Texas newsroom. 193 00:05:54,170 --> 00:05:55,229 Lauren, thank you so much for 194 00:05:55,230 --> 00:05:56,089 speaking with us. 195 00:05:56,090 --> 00:05:57,090 You're welcome. 196 00:06:04,850 --> 00:06:06,569 If you're flying out of Austin in 197 00:06:06,570 --> 00:06:08,489 2026, the list of 198 00:06:08,490 --> 00:06:09,729 places you'll be able to reach 199 00:06:09,730 --> 00:06:11,569 nonstop is changing. 200 00:06:11,570 --> 00:06:13,449 In many cases, the destinations are 201 00:06:13,450 --> 00:06:15,329 moving in a more vacation-friendly 202 00:06:15,330 --> 00:06:16,469 direction. 203 00:06:16,470 --> 00:06:18,089 New flights will make it easier to 204 00:06:18,090 --> 00:06:20,009 head straight to ski towns, 205 00:06:20,010 --> 00:06:21,909 beach cities, and some Midwestern 206 00:06:21,910 --> 00:06:22,689 hubs. 207 00:06:22,690 --> 00:06:24,869 But at the same time, a handful of 208 00:06:24,870 --> 00:06:26,869 familiar nonstop options will 209 00:06:26,870 --> 00:06:28,549 quietly fade away. 210 00:06:28,550 --> 00:06:30,589 So add it all up, and the number of 211 00:06:30,590 --> 00:06:32,209 seats for sale on flights out of 212 00:06:32,210 --> 00:06:34,539 Austin. Is set to rise nearly 213 00:06:34,540 --> 00:06:36,479 9% in the first three 214 00:06:36,480 --> 00:06:38,379 months of the new year compared to 215 00:06:38,380 --> 00:06:40,419 the same time last year. 216 00:06:40,420 --> 00:06:42,099 KUT's Jennifer Staton spoke with 217 00:06:42,100 --> 00:06:43,619 transportation reporter Nathan 218 00:06:43,620 --> 00:06:45,459 Bernier on what flying 219 00:06:45,460 --> 00:06:47,359 in 2026 is set to look 220 00:06:47,360 --> 00:06:48,360 like. 221 00:06:48,680 --> 00:06:49,999 All right, Nathan, so before we get 222 00:06:50,000 --> 00:06:51,959 down to the specific routes, what 223 00:06:51,960 --> 00:06:54,259 should travelers generally expect 224 00:06:54,260 --> 00:06:55,559 if they're flying out of Austin in 225 00:06:55,560 --> 00:06:56,899 the new year? Like, I always think 226 00:06:56,900 --> 00:06:59,059 about the airport expansion, what's 227 00:06:59,060 --> 00:07:00,260 going on with all of that. 228 00:07:00,261 --> 00:07:02,149 Yeah, well, I mean, that's 229 00:07:02,150 --> 00:07:03,429 a big one, because it's been 230 00:07:03,430 --> 00:07:04,809 underway for a few years now. 231 00:07:04,810 --> 00:07:06,629 And 2026, we're actually going 232 00:07:06,630 --> 00:07:07,769 to start seeing some of those 233 00:07:07,770 --> 00:07:09,149 projects come online. 234 00:07:09,150 --> 00:07:10,649 Of course, the big pieces of the 235 00:07:10,650 --> 00:07:12,709 expansion, like the new concourse 236 00:07:12,710 --> 00:07:14,649 with more than 20 gates and 237 00:07:14,650 --> 00:07:17,209 the big expansion of the 238 00:07:17,210 --> 00:07:18,749 Barbara Jordan terminal, they call 239 00:07:18,750 --> 00:07:19,989 it the arrivals and departures hall, 240 00:07:19,990 --> 00:07:21,829 those aren't till the early 2030s. 241 00:07:21,830 --> 00:07:24,369 But in early 2026 Checkpoint 242 00:07:24,370 --> 00:07:25,729 three, which has been under 243 00:07:25,730 --> 00:07:27,549 renovation for almost two years. 244 00:07:27,550 --> 00:07:29,109 That's at the West. 245 00:07:29,110 --> 00:07:31,109 End of the departures level 246 00:07:31,110 --> 00:07:33,029 that second level has been boarded 247 00:07:33,030 --> 00:07:34,529 up you may have noticed that is 248 00:07:34,530 --> 00:07:36,469 finally scheduled to reopen in 249 00:07:36,470 --> 00:07:38,609 early 2026 with more tsa screening 250 00:07:38,610 --> 00:07:40,609 lanes and and more airline ticket 251 00:07:40,610 --> 00:07:42,529 counters a little bit later an 252 00:07:42,530 --> 00:07:44,369 even bigger project in 253 00:07:44,370 --> 00:07:46,229 the spring of 2026 there's 254 00:07:46,230 --> 00:07:47,909 an eighty thousand square foot 255 00:07:47,910 --> 00:07:49,849 expansion at the west end of The 256 00:07:49,850 --> 00:07:51,229 barber jordan terminal that's on the 257 00:07:51,230 --> 00:07:52,889 secure site where the gates are 258 00:07:52,890 --> 00:07:54,669 that's scheduled to open in the 259 00:07:54,670 --> 00:07:56,729 Spring with three additional gates 260 00:07:56,730 --> 00:07:58,129 and a whole bunch of new amenities 261 00:07:58,130 --> 00:08:00,129 like new dining areas, 262 00:08:00,130 --> 00:08:02,069 a new mezzanine with a public 263 00:08:02,070 --> 00:08:03,929 outdoor balcony overlooking downtown 264 00:08:03,930 --> 00:08:05,809 Austin, a children's play area, 265 00:08:05,810 --> 00:08:07,649 there's even like a quiet room for 266 00:08:07,650 --> 00:08:09,489 meditation or just like you need a 267 00:08:09,490 --> 00:08:11,329 quiet space and a place where 268 00:08:11,330 --> 00:08:13,089 where pets can pee. 269 00:08:13,090 --> 00:08:15,309 So this is a big expansion and 270 00:08:15,310 --> 00:08:16,849 it's as I mentioned set to open in 271 00:08:16,850 --> 00:08:18,769 the spring and then once those two 272 00:08:18,770 --> 00:08:20,449 things are open then the airport's 273 00:08:20,450 --> 00:08:21,469 going to shut down the South 274 00:08:21,470 --> 00:08:22,729 Terminal. And that's where Allegiant 275 00:08:22,730 --> 00:08:24,439 and Frontier have been operating. 276 00:08:24,440 --> 00:08:25,839 And they're just gonna bulldoze that 277 00:08:25,840 --> 00:08:27,679 thing. I mean, you may recall the 278 00:08:27,680 --> 00:08:29,599 city tried to use eminent 279 00:08:29,600 --> 00:08:31,459 domain to evict the private 280 00:08:31,460 --> 00:08:33,418 company that was awarded the 30 year 281 00:08:33,419 --> 00:08:34,879 lease by the city council to run the 282 00:08:34,880 --> 00:08:36,599 South Terminal and that wound up a 283 00:08:36,600 --> 00:08:38,199 big legal mess and the city 284 00:08:38,200 --> 00:08:40,519 eventually paid 88 million dollars 285 00:08:40,520 --> 00:08:42,119 to get the South terminal back so 286 00:08:42,120 --> 00:08:43,359 they can knock it down. 287 00:08:43,360 --> 00:08:45,579 OK, so Nathan, remind us why 288 00:08:45,580 --> 00:08:47,219 the South Terminal is being knocked 289 00:08:47,220 --> 00:08:48,359 down. And of course, she mentioned 290 00:08:48,360 --> 00:08:50,359 the airlines that that operate there 291 00:08:50,360 --> 00:08:51,639 right now. Are they going to stay in 292 00:08:51,640 --> 00:08:53,799 Austin after that happens? 293 00:08:53,800 --> 00:08:55,459 Yeah, so the South Terminal is being 294 00:08:55,460 --> 00:08:57,839 torn down to make space for new 295 00:08:57,840 --> 00:08:59,739 taxiways that will allow planes to 296 00:08:59,740 --> 00:09:01,779 get around that new concourse that's 297 00:09:01,780 --> 00:09:03,419 opening in the early 2030s. 298 00:09:03,420 --> 00:09:04,879 And yes, both airlines are supposed 299 00:09:04,880 --> 00:09:06,279 to stay. Allegiant says they'll be 300 00:09:06,280 --> 00:09:07,259 moving into the Barbara Jordan 301 00:09:07,260 --> 00:09:08,959 Terminal in February. 302 00:09:08,960 --> 00:09:10,859 I have not heard back from 303 00:09:10,860 --> 00:09:12,979 Frontier yet, but airport staff 304 00:09:12,980 --> 00:09:14,499 say Frontier will be moving to the 305 00:09:14,500 --> 00:09:15,519 Barbara-Jordan Terminal as well. 306 00:09:15,520 --> 00:09:16,339 Now, something to keep in mind about 307 00:09:16,340 --> 00:09:17,919 this, these are ultra-low-cost 308 00:09:17,920 --> 00:09:19,319 airlines. People fly these airlines 309 00:09:19,320 --> 00:09:20,739 because they're so cheap. 310 00:09:20,740 --> 00:09:22,639 But, once they're in the 311 00:09:22,640 --> 00:09:24,249 Barbara Jordan terminal... 312 00:09:24,250 --> 00:09:25,929 They, Allegiant and Frontier, will 313 00:09:25,930 --> 00:09:27,889 have to pay much higher fees 314 00:09:27,890 --> 00:09:29,949 for all of the things that airports 315 00:09:29,950 --> 00:09:31,869 charge airlines, at least 316 00:09:31,870 --> 00:09:33,089 a part, if not all of that gets 317 00:09:33,090 --> 00:09:35,209 passed on to the customer. 318 00:09:35,210 --> 00:09:37,729 So that could affect ticket prices. 319 00:09:37,730 --> 00:09:38,949 But just speaking briefly about 320 00:09:38,950 --> 00:09:40,889 Frontier and Allegiant, both of 321 00:09:40,890 --> 00:09:42,509 those airlines are planning to 322 00:09:42,510 --> 00:09:44,149 reduce their schedules in early 323 00:09:44,150 --> 00:09:46,169 2026. So Frontier's going to go from 324 00:09:46,170 --> 00:09:48,129 flying from 11 cities to 325 00:09:48,130 --> 00:09:49,989 eight, and then Allegiant will go 326 00:09:49,990 --> 00:09:52,089 flying from seven cities to 327 00:09:52,090 --> 00:09:53,549 four. I don't know if that's related 328 00:09:53,550 --> 00:09:54,629 to their move to the Barbara Jordan 329 00:09:54,630 --> 00:09:55,969 terminal, but it does happen to 330 00:09:55,970 --> 00:09:57,049 coincide with that. 331 00:09:57,050 --> 00:09:58,449 Well, and Nathan, so we have your 332 00:09:58,450 --> 00:10:00,369 full list of new non-stops. 333 00:10:00,370 --> 00:10:02,229 You just mentioned some flights that 334 00:10:02,230 --> 00:10:03,369 are not gonna be happening, but 335 00:10:03,370 --> 00:10:05,309 we've got a list of non-stop, that's 336 00:10:05,310 --> 00:10:06,649 at KUT.org. 337 00:10:06,650 --> 00:10:08,149 But what can you tell us broadly 338 00:10:08,150 --> 00:10:10,269 about what we can expect in 339 00:10:10,270 --> 00:10:11,449 2026? 340 00:10:11,450 --> 00:10:13,389 Well, Southwest is on track to 341 00:10:13,390 --> 00:10:15,569 offer a record-breaking number 342 00:10:15,570 --> 00:10:17,229 of non-stop flights from Austin. 343 00:10:17,230 --> 00:10:19,389 So in January, Southwest will 344 00:10:19,390 --> 00:10:21,549 have up to 109 345 00:10:21,550 --> 00:10:22,789 daily departures. 346 00:10:22,790 --> 00:10:24,089 And then by June and August, that's 347 00:10:24,090 --> 00:10:26,009 going to rise to 132, which 348 00:10:26,010 --> 00:10:27,449 is higher than they've ever been in 349 00:10:27,450 --> 00:10:28,469 Austin. 350 00:10:28,470 --> 00:10:29,949 So just running down the list, a few 351 00:10:29,950 --> 00:10:30,989 examples. 352 00:10:30,990 --> 00:10:32,669 In March, Southwest, will start 353 00:10:32,670 --> 00:10:34,649 non-stops to Hayden 354 00:10:34,650 --> 00:10:36,509 slash Steamboat Springs, Colorado, 355 00:10:36,510 --> 00:10:38,629 Fort Myers, Florida. 356 00:10:38,630 --> 00:10:40,049 Palm Springs, California, and 357 00:10:40,050 --> 00:10:41,049 Pensacola, Florida. 358 00:10:41,050 --> 00:10:42,709 And then in June, Southwest will 359 00:10:42,710 --> 00:10:44,169 begin flying to Cincinnati every 360 00:10:44,170 --> 00:10:45,029 day. Of course, these are all 361 00:10:45,030 --> 00:10:46,509 non-stops I'm talking about. 362 00:10:46,510 --> 00:10:48,009 They'll bring back a non-stop to 363 00:10:48,010 --> 00:10:49,949 Seattle in June. 364 00:10:49,950 --> 00:10:51,569 And Southwest hasn't flown Austin to 365 00:10:51,570 --> 00:10:53,529 Seattle non-Stop since 2018, so 366 00:10:53,530 --> 00:10:55,349 it's been a while. 367 00:10:55,350 --> 00:10:56,869 Delta, second biggest carrier at 368 00:10:56,870 --> 00:10:58,789 ABIA after Southwest, they began 369 00:10:58,790 --> 00:11:00,709 new non- stop service in November 370 00:11:00,710 --> 00:11:03,049 to Denver and Miami. 371 00:11:03,050 --> 00:11:04,269 Delta started flying to Cancun, 372 00:11:04,270 --> 00:11:05,949 Mexico on December 20th, so just 373 00:11:05,950 --> 00:11:06,929 earlier this month. 374 00:11:06,930 --> 00:11:08,809 But in terms of 2026, Delta is 375 00:11:08,810 --> 00:11:10,909 launching new nonstop service in 376 00:11:10,910 --> 00:11:12,769 June to Columbus, Ohio, 377 00:11:12,770 --> 00:11:13,869 Kansas City, Missouri, Bozeman, 378 00:11:13,870 --> 00:11:16,009 Montana, Destin, 379 00:11:16,010 --> 00:11:17,269 Fort Walton Beach Airport in 380 00:11:17,270 --> 00:11:18,269 Florida. 381 00:11:18,270 --> 00:11:19,209 And let me bring up American 382 00:11:19,210 --> 00:11:19,989 Airlines real fast. 383 00:11:19,990 --> 00:11:21,889 They're the third largest airline at 384 00:11:21,890 --> 00:11:23,889 ABIA in terms of seat capacity. 385 00:11:23,890 --> 00:11:25,989 They'll be flying nonstop to 386 00:11:25,990 --> 00:11:27,569 Augusta Regional Airport on April 387 00:11:27,570 --> 00:11:29,769 6th, 11th and 14th for the Masters 388 00:11:29,770 --> 00:11:30,729 Tournament. 389 00:11:30,730 --> 00:11:31,989 So this is like a special event 390 00:11:31,990 --> 00:11:33,149 service. A lot of airlines do for 391 00:11:33,150 --> 00:11:34,369 college football, you'll see some of 392 00:11:34,370 --> 00:11:36,139 those flights as well. 393 00:11:36,140 --> 00:11:37,379 So a lot of these little tweaks. 394 00:11:37,380 --> 00:11:38,699 One I did want to mention, which I 395 00:11:38,700 --> 00:11:39,719 just found interesting. 396 00:11:39,720 --> 00:11:41,339 I could not afford this myself, but 397 00:11:41,340 --> 00:11:43,459 Lufthansa flies non-stop 398 00:11:43,460 --> 00:11:45,519 from Austin to Frankfurt, Germany. 399 00:11:45,520 --> 00:11:47,099 One of the few non-stops to Europe 400 00:11:47,100 --> 00:11:48,459 from Austin. 401 00:11:48,460 --> 00:11:50,759 And so Austin is one of the few U.S. 402 00:11:50,760 --> 00:11:52,059 Cities where Luftheansa has launched 403 00:11:52,060 --> 00:11:54,279 its new Allegris service. 404 00:11:54,280 --> 00:11:55,979 It's very fancy. 405 00:11:55,980 --> 00:11:57,659 It's a premium offering on select 406 00:11:57,660 --> 00:11:59,479 flights, and it allows travelers 407 00:11:59,480 --> 00:12:02,319 to choose one of five high-end 408 00:12:02,320 --> 00:12:04,259 seat configurations. 409 00:12:04,260 --> 00:12:06,299 And so you have like a private 410 00:12:06,300 --> 00:12:08,359 little area, really comfortable 411 00:12:08,360 --> 00:12:09,239 seating. 412 00:12:09,240 --> 00:12:11,019 As far as I know, they only have the 413 00:12:11,020 --> 00:12:13,379 business class Allegris from 414 00:12:13,380 --> 00:12:14,659 Austin to Frankfurt. 415 00:12:14,660 --> 00:12:16,539 And that is, you're looking 416 00:12:16,540 --> 00:12:18,459 at over $10,000 for a 417 00:12:18,460 --> 00:12:19,339 one way. 418 00:12:19,340 --> 00:12:21,579 They may bring the first class 419 00:12:21,580 --> 00:12:23,479 Allegres here and that you can 420 00:12:23,480 --> 00:12:26,159 actually get a private suite 421 00:12:26,160 --> 00:12:28,039 where it is like with a bed 422 00:12:28,040 --> 00:12:29,919 and a 43 inch TV. 423 00:12:29,920 --> 00:12:31,399 Don't ask me how much that costs, 424 00:12:31,400 --> 00:12:33,259 cause I don't know. 425 00:12:33,260 --> 00:12:34,819 If you're taking a 9-hour flight to 426 00:12:34,820 --> 00:12:36,339 Frankfurt, it sounds lovely. 427 00:12:36,340 --> 00:12:37,319 You know, if you have the money for 428 00:12:37,320 --> 00:12:38,409 that kind of thing. 429 00:12:38,410 --> 00:12:39,569 All right, Nathan, so you've been 430 00:12:39,570 --> 00:12:40,869 letting us know about some 431 00:12:40,870 --> 00:12:42,369 interesting developments in flights 432 00:12:42,370 --> 00:12:44,449 out of Austin in 2026. 433 00:12:44,450 --> 00:12:46,269 You mentioned Southwest is adding a 434 00:12:46,270 --> 00:12:47,089 significant number. 435 00:12:47,090 --> 00:12:48,129 They're gonna have more flights than 436 00:12:48,130 --> 00:12:49,409 ever out of Boston, but that makes 437 00:12:49,410 --> 00:12:51,549 me think, what about the air traffic 438 00:12:51,550 --> 00:12:52,809 controller situation? 439 00:12:52,810 --> 00:12:54,489 Somebody's gotta manage and handle 440 00:12:54,490 --> 00:12:55,449 all of these flights. 441 00:12:55,450 --> 00:12:57,169 Where do things stand with air 442 00:12:57,170 --> 00:12:59,269 traffic controllers staffing in 443 00:12:59,270 --> 00:12:59,979 Austin? 444 00:12:59,980 --> 00:13:01,019 There's still an air traffic 445 00:13:01,020 --> 00:13:02,459 controller shortage in Austin. 446 00:13:02,460 --> 00:13:04,419 There are more trainees now, 447 00:13:04,420 --> 00:13:06,339 but the staffing targets that are 448 00:13:06,340 --> 00:13:08,199 set jointly by the FAA and the 449 00:13:08,200 --> 00:13:09,359 Air Traffic Controllers Union call 450 00:13:09,360 --> 00:13:11,339 for 60 air traffic 451 00:13:11,340 --> 00:13:12,439 controllers. Not all at once, but 452 00:13:12,440 --> 00:13:14,019 just to have a pool of 60 air 453 00:13:14,020 --> 00:13:14,919 traffic controllers in there. 454 00:13:14,920 --> 00:13:16,959 At about half that still. 455 00:13:16,960 --> 00:13:18,779 And this was amazing 456 00:13:18,780 --> 00:13:20,819 to me. The busiest month ever 457 00:13:20,820 --> 00:13:22,799 in the history of Austin Berksham 458 00:13:22,800 --> 00:13:24,499 International Airport was October. 459 00:13:24,500 --> 00:13:26,689 That also happened to be 460 00:13:26,690 --> 00:13:28,509 during a government shutdown and 461 00:13:28,510 --> 00:13:30,829 there were only a handful of 462 00:13:30,830 --> 00:13:32,529 what are called ground delays which 463 00:13:32,530 --> 00:13:34,049 are becoming more familiar to people 464 00:13:34,050 --> 00:13:35,969 now I think and that's when if 465 00:13:35,970 --> 00:13:37,829 you are in a flight bound for Austin 466 00:13:37,830 --> 00:13:39,509 and it has not departed yet you're 467 00:13:39,510 --> 00:13:40,429 still on the ground then you are 468 00:13:40,430 --> 00:13:42,349 held on the ground you are delayed 469 00:13:42,350 --> 00:13:44,369 on the round so that the controllers 470 00:13:44,370 --> 00:13:46,009 here can have more time to sort 471 00:13:46,010 --> 00:13:47,289 through the planes in the sky and 472 00:13:47,290 --> 00:13:48,949 they actually the FAA reduces the 473 00:13:48,950 --> 00:13:50,109 number of planes that can land per 474 00:13:50,110 --> 00:13:51,289 hour in Austin. 475 00:13:51,290 --> 00:13:53,109 So we had I think three or 476 00:13:53,110 --> 00:13:54,329 four during the government the 477 00:13:54,330 --> 00:13:55,429 shutdown, but even after the 478 00:13:55,430 --> 00:13:56,289 shutdown ended. 479 00:13:56,290 --> 00:13:57,969 There have continued to be ground 480 00:13:57,970 --> 00:13:59,069 delays at Austin Berksham 481 00:13:59,070 --> 00:14:00,549 International Airport as a direct 482 00:14:00,550 --> 00:14:02,569 result of staffing shortages 483 00:14:02,570 --> 00:14:04,109 in the tower. So I think we'll 484 00:14:04,110 --> 00:14:06,229 likely see more of those because the 485 00:14:06,230 --> 00:14:07,689 staffing shortages have not been 486 00:14:07,690 --> 00:14:09,209 resolved. And I also think that 487 00:14:09,210 --> 00:14:11,089 government shutdown, those men and 488 00:14:11,090 --> 00:14:13,449 women working long hours, 489 00:14:13,450 --> 00:14:15,129 mandatory overtime six days a week 490 00:14:15,130 --> 00:14:17,129 without pay definitely has 491 00:14:17,130 --> 00:14:18,009 affected morale. 492 00:14:18,010 --> 00:14:19,969 It's not exactly creating a 493 00:14:19,970 --> 00:14:21,049 wonderful environment for 494 00:14:21,050 --> 00:14:22,050 recruiting. 495 00:14:22,670 --> 00:14:24,529 So don't expect ground delays 496 00:14:24,530 --> 00:14:26,579 to go away anytime soon. 497 00:14:26,580 --> 00:14:28,019 But the purpose of the ground delay 498 00:14:28,020 --> 00:14:30,438 is to make flying safer 499 00:14:30,439 --> 00:14:32,459 so that the controllers do 500 00:14:32,460 --> 00:14:34,279 not get overwhelmed when they're 501 00:14:34,280 --> 00:14:36,899 already overworked essentially so 502 00:14:36,900 --> 00:14:38,799 you just have to be as patient as 503 00:14:38,800 --> 00:14:40,399 you can and factor that in 504 00:14:40,400 --> 00:14:42,819 Looking to the skies in 2026, 505 00:14:42,820 --> 00:14:44,399 Nathan, thank you so much for your 506 00:14:44,400 --> 00:14:46,079 time. Thank you, Jen. 507 00:14:46,080 --> 00:14:47,239 You can read Nathan's more 508 00:14:47,240 --> 00:14:49,099 comprehensive list of changes to 509 00:14:49,100 --> 00:14:52,279 flights from Austin at KUT.org. 510 00:14:54,840 --> 00:14:56,359 This is Austin Signal. 511 00:14:56,360 --> 00:14:57,959 We've got more coming up right after 512 00:14:57,960 --> 00:14:59,159 this. Stay with us. 513 00:15:02,710 --> 00:15:04,349 Well, hi, you're listening to the 514 00:15:04,350 --> 00:15:05,269 Austin Signal. 515 00:15:05,270 --> 00:15:06,589 I'm Jacquie Fuller, Assistant 516 00:15:06,590 --> 00:15:08,989 Program Director at KUTX. 517 00:15:08,990 --> 00:15:10,449 One of my favorite songs out of 518 00:15:10,450 --> 00:15:12,469 Austin this year is Magic of the 519 00:15:12,470 --> 00:15:15,149 Sail by the band Teeth. 520 00:15:15,150 --> 00:15:16,489 Now, only one of the members of 521 00:15:16,490 --> 00:15:18,249 Teeth is from Austin, but the whole 522 00:15:18,250 --> 00:15:21,149 band lives here now, so Austinites. 523 00:15:21,150 --> 00:15:23,369 They all met at UNT and 524 00:15:23,370 --> 00:15:24,789 were playing in different bands 525 00:15:24,790 --> 00:15:26,349 around the Denton music scene and 526 00:15:26,350 --> 00:15:28,929 then came together around 2020. 527 00:15:28,930 --> 00:15:31,030 And this is their second album. 528 00:15:44,920 --> 00:15:46,859 Teeth, like a lot of bands that 529 00:15:46,860 --> 00:15:48,719 have been emerging as of late, 530 00:15:48,720 --> 00:15:51,359 are inspired by the sound of 90s, 531 00:15:51,360 --> 00:15:53,759 late 90s indie music, 532 00:15:53,760 --> 00:15:55,719 but to me they move beyond just 533 00:15:55,720 --> 00:15:57,579 emulating that sound and really nail 534 00:15:57,580 --> 00:15:59,679 the emotional heart of it. 535 00:15:59,680 --> 00:16:01,019 The first time I heard this song was 536 00:16:01,020 --> 00:16:02,519 during their live performance at 537 00:16:02,520 --> 00:16:04,319 KUTX back in October. 538 00:16:04,320 --> 00:16:05,759 I was running the board during that 539 00:16:05,760 --> 00:16:07,599 session and I swear that just 540 00:16:07,600 --> 00:16:09,579 listening to it I started to age in 541 00:16:09,580 --> 00:16:10,779 reverse. It's true. 542 00:16:30,680 --> 00:16:32,159 I am old enough to have been young 543 00:16:32,160 --> 00:16:33,879 in the 90s, and this song just 544 00:16:33,880 --> 00:16:35,579 transports me back to that time, 545 00:16:35,580 --> 00:16:36,819 reminds me of listening to bands 546 00:16:36,820 --> 00:16:38,999 like Lowe and Versus. 547 00:16:39,000 --> 00:16:40,659 All I have to do is close my eyes 548 00:16:40,660 --> 00:16:42,719 and I'm sending AOL instant messages 549 00:16:42,720 --> 00:16:44,559 to a crush, and probably looking at 550 00:16:44,560 --> 00:16:45,560 the Delia's catalog. 551 00:16:46,580 --> 00:16:48,019 If I had to boil it down to one 552 00:16:48,020 --> 00:16:50,719 word, magic of the sale is 553 00:16:50,720 --> 00:16:51,720 brooding. 554 00:17:01,470 --> 00:17:02,969 My name is Jacquie Fuller. 555 00:17:02,970 --> 00:17:04,269 I'm the Assistant Program Director 556 00:17:04,270 --> 00:17:06,129 at KUTx and you can find all 557 00:17:06,130 --> 00:17:07,969 of our favorite songs from 2025 558 00:17:07,970 --> 00:17:10,309 at kutx.org. 559 00:17:10,310 --> 00:17:11,430 This is The Austin Signal. 560 00:17:27,550 --> 00:17:29,429 This is Austin Signal, I'm Saida 561 00:17:29,430 --> 00:17:30,509 Carrillo. 562 00:17:30,510 --> 00:17:32,109 The Press Room in the Old Baker 563 00:17:32,110 --> 00:17:34,289 School in Austin boasts a vintage 564 00:17:34,290 --> 00:17:36,249 letterpress and a collection of 565 00:17:36,250 --> 00:17:38,929 printing blocks for old movie ads. 566 00:17:38,930 --> 00:17:40,649 Hundreds of Austinites got a look at 567 00:17:40,650 --> 00:17:42,709 it and the renovated school during 568 00:17:42,710 --> 00:17:44,589 last weekend's Hyde Park Holiday 569 00:17:44,590 --> 00:17:45,769 Market. 570 00:17:45,770 --> 00:17:47,349 Ella Kopeikin was one of them. 571 00:17:48,980 --> 00:17:50,199 If you've ever taken a walk around 572 00:17:50,200 --> 00:17:52,139 Hyde Park, you may have noticed the 573 00:17:52,140 --> 00:17:53,399 old Baker School. 574 00:17:53,400 --> 00:17:55,019 This is Travis Smith, interim 575 00:17:55,020 --> 00:17:56,199 manager of the building. 576 00:17:56,200 --> 00:17:57,799 People walk by all the time and 577 00:17:57,800 --> 00:17:58,719 they'll say, what's in that 578 00:17:58,720 --> 00:17:59,839 building? Like what is, I've always 579 00:17:59,840 --> 00:18:00,889 wondered what that is. 580 00:18:00,890 --> 00:18:01,949 Maybe you caught a glimpse while 581 00:18:01,950 --> 00:18:03,589 driving down Guadalupe, or stopped 582 00:18:03,590 --> 00:18:05,429 at Terrible Love, the coffee shop 583 00:18:05,430 --> 00:18:07,149 operating out of the former school's 584 00:18:07,150 --> 00:18:08,230 old boiler room. 585 00:18:09,410 --> 00:18:11,069 Hundreds of Austinites got to take a 586 00:18:11,070 --> 00:18:12,949 peek inside with the rollout of the 587 00:18:12,950 --> 00:18:14,929 first ever Hyde Park Holiday 588 00:18:14,930 --> 00:18:15,809 Market. 589 00:18:15,810 --> 00:18:17,789 I caught Jacqueline, an attendee, 590 00:18:17,790 --> 00:18:18,849 as she was leaving a letterpress 591 00:18:18,850 --> 00:18:19,689 demonstration. 592 00:18:19,690 --> 00:18:21,829 There's a lot of big markets and 593 00:18:21,830 --> 00:18:23,749 I feel like this one feels 594 00:18:23,750 --> 00:18:25,709 more eclectically 595 00:18:25,710 --> 00:18:26,609 awesome. 596 00:18:26,610 --> 00:18:28,549 An array of local vendors, offering 597 00:18:28,550 --> 00:18:30,649 everything from handmade ceramic 598 00:18:30,650 --> 00:18:32,829 cactus lamps to perfectly worn 599 00:18:32,830 --> 00:18:34,729 in vintage t-shirts to freshly 600 00:18:34,730 --> 00:18:36,629 baked pop tarts, lined the 601 00:18:36,630 --> 00:18:39,009 courtyard and filled the 1940s 602 00:18:39,010 --> 00:18:41,809 mint green time capsule cafeteria. 603 00:18:41,810 --> 00:18:43,709 Another market goer, Georgie, 604 00:18:43,710 --> 00:18:44,889 appreciated the level of 605 00:18:44,890 --> 00:18:45,679 craftsmanship. 606 00:18:45,680 --> 00:18:46,919 I feel like I'm getting something 607 00:18:46,920 --> 00:18:48,539 handmade. I like interacting with 608 00:18:48,540 --> 00:18:49,459 the people that made them. 609 00:18:49,460 --> 00:18:50,919 I like getting to ask about the 610 00:18:50,920 --> 00:18:52,359 product from the person. 611 00:18:52,360 --> 00:18:53,919 The event was put on by one of the 612 00:18:53,920 --> 00:18:55,949 building's tenants, the press room. 613 00:18:55,950 --> 00:18:57,909 These are the actual physical 614 00:18:57,910 --> 00:19:00,129 printing blocks that were used to 615 00:19:00,130 --> 00:19:01,449 print these advertisements in the 616 00:19:01,450 --> 00:19:02,129 newspaper. 617 00:19:02,130 --> 00:19:03,429 That's Smith again. 618 00:19:03,430 --> 00:19:05,429 He also manages the press room. 619 00:19:05,430 --> 00:19:06,949 He's showing me the shop's vintage 620 00:19:06,950 --> 00:19:07,849 letterpress. 621 00:19:07,850 --> 00:19:09,709 Any of the 60,000 blocks 622 00:19:09,710 --> 00:19:11,429 in the collection can be inked and 623 00:19:11,430 --> 00:19:12,969 pressed to make prints. 624 00:19:12,970 --> 00:19:14,829 His favorite is for Blade Runner, 625 00:19:14,830 --> 00:19:16,869 an image of a stoic Harrison Ford 626 00:19:16,870 --> 00:19:18,689 holding a gun and surrounded by 627 00:19:18,690 --> 00:19:20,829 beams of extraterrestrial light. 628 00:19:20,830 --> 00:19:22,029 So yeah, we have this historic 629 00:19:22,030 --> 00:19:23,749 collection and it covers about 50 630 00:19:23,750 --> 00:19:26,129 years of cinema history, 631 00:19:26,130 --> 00:19:27,469 graphic design history, industrial 632 00:19:27,470 --> 00:19:28,149 history. 633 00:19:28,150 --> 00:19:29,849 The press room was founded by one of 634 00:19:29,850 --> 00:19:31,849 the owners of the former school, Tim 635 00:19:31,850 --> 00:19:33,729 League. When Austin Independent 636 00:19:33,730 --> 00:19:35,269 School District put the building up 637 00:19:35,270 --> 00:19:37,289 for sale in 2017, 638 00:19:37,290 --> 00:19:38,789 League and his wife, Carrie, placed 639 00:19:38,790 --> 00:19:40,389 a bid with the hopes of making it 640 00:19:40,390 --> 00:19:41,909 the headquarters for their cinema 641 00:19:41,910 --> 00:19:44,029 chain, Alamo Drafthouse. 642 00:19:44,030 --> 00:19:45,289 Here's Carrie League. 643 00:19:45,290 --> 00:19:47,269 So we won it even though 644 00:19:47,270 --> 00:19:49,389 our offer wasn't the highest. 645 00:19:49,390 --> 00:19:51,709 After two years of renovation, 646 00:19:51,710 --> 00:19:53,109 the Leagues reopened the building 647 00:19:53,110 --> 00:19:55,299 and renamed it the Baker Center. 648 00:19:55,300 --> 00:19:56,979 Two of the three floors of former 649 00:19:56,980 --> 00:19:58,879 classrooms were dedicated to Alamo 650 00:19:58,880 --> 00:20:00,599 offices, and the press room was 651 00:20:00,600 --> 00:20:02,279 based in the repurposed cafeteria 652 00:20:02,280 --> 00:20:02,929 kitchen. 653 00:20:02,930 --> 00:20:04,609 No square pieces, but we have plenty 654 00:20:04,610 --> 00:20:05,829 of old printing equipment. 655 00:20:05,830 --> 00:20:07,729 Smith had already built a career in 656 00:20:07,730 --> 00:20:09,429 letterpress and printmaking. 657 00:20:09,430 --> 00:20:11,269 He began cataloging and organizing 658 00:20:11,270 --> 00:20:12,929 the printing blocks and showcasing 659 00:20:12,930 --> 00:20:14,859 them to small groups and workshops. 660 00:20:14,860 --> 00:20:16,839 We open up our space and do ticketed 661 00:20:16,840 --> 00:20:18,779 workshops to get people in to see 662 00:20:18,780 --> 00:20:19,799 this collection because it needs to 663 00:20:19,800 --> 00:20:21,259 be seen and used, especially to keep 664 00:20:21,260 --> 00:20:23,179 it working, keeping it healthy. 665 00:20:23,180 --> 00:20:24,599 But while work in the press room 666 00:20:24,600 --> 00:20:26,519 stayed steady, financial struggles 667 00:20:26,520 --> 00:20:28,179 in the pandemic led to Sony's 668 00:20:28,180 --> 00:20:29,959 acquisition of Alamo Drafthouse in 669 00:20:29,960 --> 00:20:31,159 2024. 670 00:20:31,160 --> 00:20:32,939 The sale created another moment of 671 00:20:32,940 --> 00:20:34,619 transition for the former school. 672 00:20:34,620 --> 00:20:36,739 Alamo just like really shrank 673 00:20:36,740 --> 00:20:38,799 down. And in the end, they only 674 00:20:38,800 --> 00:20:40,939 occupied half of one floor. 675 00:20:40,940 --> 00:20:42,939 So we just started advertising 676 00:20:42,940 --> 00:20:44,299 and looking for tenants. 677 00:20:44,300 --> 00:20:45,959 The building didn't sit empty for 678 00:20:45,960 --> 00:20:46,499 long. 679 00:20:46,500 --> 00:20:48,379 I think adaptive reuse 680 00:20:48,380 --> 00:20:50,239 sort of is going to attract 681 00:20:50,240 --> 00:20:52,059 people who believe and understand 682 00:20:52,060 --> 00:20:53,519 the importance of historic 683 00:20:53,520 --> 00:20:55,479 preservation and adapting 684 00:20:55,480 --> 00:20:56,899 and reusing spaces. 685 00:20:56,900 --> 00:20:58,999 By early this year, the Baker Center 686 00:20:59,000 --> 00:21:00,999 was transforming into a hub for 687 00:21:01,000 --> 00:21:02,879 creativity and activism, 688 00:21:02,880 --> 00:21:04,259 with tenants like the League of 689 00:21:04,260 --> 00:21:06,119 Women Voters, the Travis Audubon 690 00:21:06,120 --> 00:21:08,019 Society, Austin Classical 691 00:21:08,020 --> 00:21:09,919 Guitar, Texas Archive of the 692 00:21:09,920 --> 00:21:11,999 Moving Image, as well as a number of 693 00:21:12,000 --> 00:21:13,279 artists and designers. 694 00:21:13,280 --> 00:21:15,639 It's a really rich, kind of diverse 695 00:21:15,640 --> 00:21:17,859 cross-section of culture, 696 00:21:17,860 --> 00:21:20,339 art, and design and technology. 697 00:21:20,340 --> 00:21:22,159 With a new community established, 698 00:21:22,160 --> 00:21:23,259 the Leagues and Smiths started 699 00:21:23,260 --> 00:21:24,759 talking about ways to give the 700 00:21:24,760 --> 00:21:26,019 public greater access to the 701 00:21:26,020 --> 00:21:26,839 building. 702 00:21:26,840 --> 00:21:28,419 That's where the markets come in. 703 00:21:28,420 --> 00:21:30,519 It's been a community hub since 704 00:21:30,520 --> 00:21:31,999 the inception of the neighborhood. 705 00:21:32,000 --> 00:21:33,879 And so this is sort 706 00:21:33,880 --> 00:21:35,099 of that natural extension. 707 00:21:35,100 --> 00:21:36,759 The Holiday Market was the third 708 00:21:36,760 --> 00:21:38,679 hosted in the building this year, 709 00:21:38,680 --> 00:21:40,279 and as far as vendors and attendees 710 00:21:40,280 --> 00:21:42,519 go, the biggest one yet. 711 00:21:42,520 --> 00:21:44,299 Events like these markets also offer 712 00:21:44,300 --> 00:21:46,079 a special opportunity for the Press 713 00:21:46,080 --> 00:21:47,699 Room to be open to more than just a 714 00:21:47,700 --> 00:21:49,039 few people at a time. 715 00:21:49,040 --> 00:21:50,239 I want more people to come hang out 716 00:21:50,240 --> 00:21:51,199 with me. We'll have the printing 717 00:21:51,200 --> 00:21:53,419 press activated running prints. 718 00:21:53,420 --> 00:21:55,179 You'll get a good idea as to what 719 00:21:55,180 --> 00:21:55,889 it's like. 720 00:21:55,890 --> 00:21:57,449 Next on the agenda for the Baker 721 00:21:57,450 --> 00:21:59,309 Center, giving people more 722 00:21:59,310 --> 00:22:00,429 reasons to visit. 723 00:22:00,430 --> 00:22:02,949 I think the building itself is 724 00:22:02,950 --> 00:22:03,969 an experience. 725 00:22:03,970 --> 00:22:05,869 I see us as sort of this catalyst 726 00:22:05,870 --> 00:22:07,909 to kind of bring people together, 727 00:22:07,910 --> 00:22:09,749 learn about each other, and sort of 728 00:22:09,750 --> 00:22:11,049 build that creative community. 729 00:22:11,050 --> 00:22:12,809 And making sure they keep coming 730 00:22:12,810 --> 00:22:13,629 back. 731 00:22:13,630 --> 00:22:14,979 Here's Kerry League again. 732 00:22:14,980 --> 00:22:16,899 Building out the boiler room to put 733 00:22:16,900 --> 00:22:19,079 a coffee shop in there and then 734 00:22:19,080 --> 00:22:21,079 to start construction on a wine 735 00:22:21,080 --> 00:22:22,559 bar right next door. 736 00:22:22,560 --> 00:22:24,579 I'm trying to create a place that 737 00:22:24,580 --> 00:22:25,809 people love. 738 00:22:25,810 --> 00:22:27,249 What could be more in the holiday 739 00:22:27,250 --> 00:22:28,529 spirit? 740 00:22:28,530 --> 00:22:30,909 For KUT News, I'm Ella Kopekin 741 00:22:30,910 --> 00:22:31,910 in Austin. 742 00:22:36,630 --> 00:22:38,629 That's it for us today on Austin's 743 00:22:38,630 --> 00:22:39,469 Signal. 744 00:22:39,470 --> 00:22:41,069 Reina Sevilla is our technical 745 00:22:41,070 --> 00:22:41,989 director. 746 00:22:41,990 --> 00:22:43,449 Kristin Cabrera is our managing 747 00:22:43,450 --> 00:22:44,549 producer. 748 00:22:44,550 --> 00:22:46,249 You can find more on the show at 749 00:22:46,250 --> 00:22:48,069 kut.org slash 750 00:22:48,070 --> 00:22:49,189 signal. 751 00:22:49,190 --> 00:22:50,829 I'm Saida Carrillo, thank you for 752 00:22:50,830 --> 00:22:51,830 listening.