1 00:00:08,940 --> 00:00:10,859 It's been a busy year, and KUT's 2 00:00:10,860 --> 00:00:12,679 multimedia team has been capturing 3 00:00:12,680 --> 00:00:14,959 the moments that defined Austin in 4 00:00:14,960 --> 00:00:16,839 2025, so which one 5 00:00:16,840 --> 00:00:18,279 stood out most? 6 00:00:18,280 --> 00:00:20,459 KUTs visuals editor Deborah Cannon 7 00:00:20,460 --> 00:00:23,079 takes us through the year in photos. 8 00:00:23,080 --> 00:00:24,479 And the Paramount Theater is known 9 00:00:24,480 --> 00:00:26,539 for hosting unforgettable events, 10 00:00:26,540 --> 00:00:27,979 but have you ever wondered how 11 00:00:27,980 --> 00:00:29,799 audiences find their seats 12 00:00:29,800 --> 00:00:31,919 in the rush before showtime? 13 00:00:31,920 --> 00:00:33,579 Well, Austin High School student 14 00:00:33,580 --> 00:00:35,659 Rivers Newsome shares what it's 15 00:00:35,660 --> 00:00:37,659 like to work behind the scenes as 16 00:00:37,660 --> 00:00:38,589 an usher. 17 00:00:38,590 --> 00:00:40,469 The Austin Signal is a production 18 00:00:40,470 --> 00:00:42,509 of KUT News, hosted by 19 00:00:42,510 --> 00:00:43,510 Miles Bloxson. 20 00:00:44,800 --> 00:00:46,359 The year is winding down, but we 21 00:00:46,360 --> 00:00:47,899 still have songs for you. 22 00:00:47,900 --> 00:00:49,279 This time around, our technical 23 00:00:49,280 --> 00:00:51,279 director, Rayna Sevilla, shares her 24 00:00:51,280 --> 00:00:53,119 top song of the year. 25 00:00:53,120 --> 00:00:54,979 We'll hear more coming up 26 00:00:54,980 --> 00:00:56,819 right here on The Austin 27 00:00:56,820 --> 00:00:57,820 Signal. 28 00:01:08,480 --> 00:01:10,279 Hey, hey, Austin, it's Friday, 29 00:01:10,280 --> 00:01:11,539 December 26th. 30 00:01:11,540 --> 00:01:13,399 Hope y'all are having an amazing day 31 00:01:13,400 --> 00:01:15,499 and that you enjoyed the holiday. 32 00:01:15,500 --> 00:01:17,139 This is Austin Signal. 33 00:01:17,140 --> 00:01:18,140 I'm Miles Bloxin. 34 00:01:19,160 --> 00:01:20,939 Well, it has been another busy year 35 00:01:20,940 --> 00:01:22,879 for the KUT Newsroom and our 36 00:01:22,880 --> 00:01:24,819 multimedia team has spent 37 00:01:24,820 --> 00:01:26,979 2025 documenting Austin 38 00:01:26,980 --> 00:01:28,799 to help bring our reporters' 39 00:01:28,800 --> 00:01:30,799 stories to life and to tell some of 40 00:01:30,800 --> 00:01:31,779 their own. 41 00:01:31,780 --> 00:01:33,839 KUT's Jennifer Stayton sat down with 42 00:01:33,840 --> 00:01:36,139 visuals editor, Deborah Cannon, 43 00:01:36,140 --> 00:01:38,949 to talk about some of those photos. 44 00:01:38,950 --> 00:01:41,109 So before we get into specifics 45 00:01:41,110 --> 00:01:43,029 about your pictures of the 46 00:01:43,030 --> 00:01:44,729 year, I kind of want to take a step 47 00:01:44,730 --> 00:01:46,849 back and if you could just describe 48 00:01:46,850 --> 00:01:48,969 for us what makes 49 00:01:48,970 --> 00:01:51,109 a good photo for 50 00:01:51,110 --> 00:01:52,449 news coverage. 51 00:01:52,450 --> 00:01:54,489 Well, ideally our news photos 52 00:01:54,490 --> 00:01:56,329 will help connect the reader in 53 00:01:56,330 --> 00:01:58,309 a different way to the story 54 00:01:58,310 --> 00:02:00,389 that is published on our website. 55 00:02:00,390 --> 00:02:02,269 A great photo, you're gonna have an 56 00:02:02,270 --> 00:02:03,769 emotional connection to it. 57 00:02:03,770 --> 00:02:05,929 It's going to help inform the story 58 00:02:05,930 --> 00:02:07,709 in a difference way than just words 59 00:02:07,710 --> 00:02:09,529 can, and so it just brings a deeper 60 00:02:09,530 --> 00:02:12,289 meaning to the pieces overall. 61 00:02:12,290 --> 00:02:13,589 Great photos have three things. 62 00:02:13,590 --> 00:02:15,449 They have great moments, good 63 00:02:15,450 --> 00:02:17,229 light, and good composition. 64 00:02:17,230 --> 00:02:18,789 And ideally you get all three, but 65 00:02:18,790 --> 00:02:20,329 most of the time you hit around two, 66 00:02:20,330 --> 00:02:22,189 and that's a good place to be. 67 00:02:22,190 --> 00:02:24,089 But to make a good news photo, 68 00:02:24,090 --> 00:02:26,709 what you wanna do is inform your 69 00:02:26,710 --> 00:02:28,609 viewer. You want to add depth 70 00:02:28,610 --> 00:02:30,369 to it in a way that they're not 71 00:02:30,370 --> 00:02:32,089 getting by just reading the story. 72 00:02:32,090 --> 00:02:33,349 You want them to have an emotional 73 00:02:33,350 --> 00:02:35,389 connection with the moment, and 74 00:02:35,390 --> 00:02:36,929 our photographers really do that and 75 00:02:36,930 --> 00:02:38,509 they knock it out of the park a lot 76 00:02:38,510 --> 00:02:39,629 of the times. 77 00:02:39,630 --> 00:02:39,969 Photos. 78 00:02:39,970 --> 00:02:42,009 Actually have a pretty heavy lift, 79 00:02:42,010 --> 00:02:43,969 like they do a lot of work in 80 00:02:43,970 --> 00:02:45,889 the web posts that KUT 81 00:02:45,890 --> 00:02:47,029 reads. See when they go to the 82 00:02:47,030 --> 00:02:47,789 website. 83 00:02:47,790 --> 00:02:48,969 They do and we take it really 84 00:02:48,970 --> 00:02:49,809 seriously here. 85 00:02:49,810 --> 00:02:51,149 We have three visual journalists 86 00:02:51,150 --> 00:02:52,989 full-time on staff and we 87 00:02:52,990 --> 00:02:54,709 have some interns as well who go out 88 00:02:54,710 --> 00:02:56,549 and make photos and videos and we 89 00:02:56,550 --> 00:02:57,789 love what we do. 90 00:02:57,790 --> 00:02:59,309 I'm the editor and so I don't get 91 00:02:59,310 --> 00:03:00,709 out that much but I love seeing the 92 00:03:00,710 --> 00:03:02,789 work come in and I love 93 00:03:02,790 --> 00:03:04,949 seen how our 94 00:03:04,950 --> 00:03:07,229 visual journalists connect with 95 00:03:07,230 --> 00:03:09,209 the subjects and how they 96 00:03:09,210 --> 00:03:11,389 tell these stories in a way that 97 00:03:11,390 --> 00:03:12,390 just words can't do. 98 00:03:14,110 --> 00:03:16,029 You It really is true, 99 00:03:16,030 --> 00:03:17,489 and there's a reason why people say 100 00:03:17,490 --> 00:03:18,969 that. New sort of innovative. 101 00:03:18,970 --> 00:03:21,069 Itself is it's unpredictable, you 102 00:03:21,070 --> 00:03:22,929 may not know what's happening, but 103 00:03:22,930 --> 00:03:24,849 there sometimes can be an element of 104 00:03:24,850 --> 00:03:25,869 planning as far as location. 105 00:03:25,870 --> 00:03:28,329 So how do you figure out how 106 00:03:28,330 --> 00:03:30,389 you're actually going to cover a 107 00:03:30,390 --> 00:03:32,189 news occurrence or event? 108 00:03:32,190 --> 00:03:33,509 Visually? 109 00:03:33,510 --> 00:03:34,749 Well, there's a lot of thought that 110 00:03:34,750 --> 00:03:35,869 goes into that. 111 00:03:35,870 --> 00:03:37,769 Sometimes it's breaking news and you 112 00:03:37,770 --> 00:03:39,669 don't have a lot time, but we 113 00:03:39,670 --> 00:03:41,029 do have experienced visual 114 00:03:41,030 --> 00:03:41,929 journalists on staff. 115 00:03:41,930 --> 00:03:44,209 So if there is a wildfire, 116 00:03:44,210 --> 00:03:46,269 if there's is a protest 117 00:03:46,270 --> 00:03:47,429 that suddenly broke out that we 118 00:03:47,430 --> 00:03:48,649 weren't expecting, if there 119 00:03:48,650 --> 00:03:50,529 something else happening like 120 00:03:50,530 --> 00:03:52,449 that where you didn't know you were 121 00:03:52,450 --> 00:03:53,489 going to that when you woke up in 122 00:03:53,490 --> 00:03:55,069 the morning, our team is prepared. 123 00:03:55,070 --> 00:03:56,469 We've done the work beforehand. 124 00:03:56,470 --> 00:03:58,509 We know how to approach these 125 00:03:58,510 --> 00:03:59,669 situations. 126 00:03:59,670 --> 00:04:01,629 It's hard, but it's 127 00:04:01,630 --> 00:04:02,439 important. 128 00:04:02,440 --> 00:04:03,979 The other kind of news that we cover 129 00:04:03,980 --> 00:04:05,859 is stuff that we work in tandem with 130 00:04:05,860 --> 00:04:07,079 with reporters. 131 00:04:07,080 --> 00:04:08,479 So editors, the visual journalists, 132 00:04:08,480 --> 00:04:09,579 we all get together. 133 00:04:09,580 --> 00:04:10,939 We talk about what the story is 134 00:04:10,940 --> 00:04:11,859 going to be like. 135 00:04:11,860 --> 00:04:13,239 We do some ideation. 136 00:04:13,240 --> 00:04:14,839 We find out what are the important 137 00:04:14,840 --> 00:04:16,799 points of the story and we have 138 00:04:16,800 --> 00:04:18,819 really good long discussions about 139 00:04:18,820 --> 00:04:20,739 that before we ever step foot out 140 00:04:20,740 --> 00:04:22,078 and go into the wild. 141 00:04:22,079 --> 00:04:23,919 That said, as soon as you show up, 142 00:04:23,920 --> 00:04:24,879 everything changes. 143 00:04:24,880 --> 00:04:26,559 So that's where our photojournalists 144 00:04:26,560 --> 00:04:27,799 and their experience really comes in 145 00:04:27,800 --> 00:04:29,379 handy because even though you may 146 00:04:29,380 --> 00:04:30,419 have discussed something, and you 147 00:04:30,420 --> 00:04:31,559 think you know what the story's 148 00:04:31,560 --> 00:04:33,009 about. A lot of times you show up 149 00:04:33,010 --> 00:04:33,949 and it's something totally 150 00:04:33,950 --> 00:04:34,729 different. 151 00:04:34,730 --> 00:04:36,929 We're really good at like pivoting 152 00:04:36,930 --> 00:04:38,729 and making those meaningful images 153 00:04:38,730 --> 00:04:40,579 in whatever situation there is. 154 00:04:40,580 --> 00:04:41,879 Well, and that sounds like life in 155 00:04:41,880 --> 00:04:42,701 general, right? It is, it is. 156 00:04:42,702 --> 00:04:43,979 You show up to something and things 157 00:04:43,980 --> 00:04:45,499 can change and you sometimes don't 158 00:04:45,500 --> 00:04:46,839 know what's gonna happen. 159 00:04:46,840 --> 00:04:48,759 I'm curious when the person or 160 00:04:48,760 --> 00:04:50,719 their scene is important to tell 161 00:04:50,720 --> 00:04:52,459 the story, how do you work with 162 00:04:52,460 --> 00:04:53,739 people so that they feel comfortable 163 00:04:53,740 --> 00:04:55,159 and feel like they can participate 164 00:04:55,160 --> 00:04:57,439 in helping to tell that story? 165 00:04:57,440 --> 00:04:58,519 Well, you know, there are a lot of 166 00:04:58,520 --> 00:04:59,539 different situations. 167 00:04:59,540 --> 00:05:01,179 I always tell people, if you don't 168 00:05:01,180 --> 00:05:02,439 look good, we don't look good. 169 00:05:02,440 --> 00:05:03,839 And that isn't about making people 170 00:05:03,840 --> 00:05:06,239 pretty, but that's about making true 171 00:05:06,240 --> 00:05:08,179 images that are a slice of life 172 00:05:08,180 --> 00:05:09,459 that tell their stories. 173 00:05:09,460 --> 00:05:11,479 And we are very, very serious 174 00:05:11,480 --> 00:05:12,859 about making connection with our 175 00:05:12,860 --> 00:05:14,679 subjects, about honoring who 176 00:05:14,680 --> 00:05:16,559 they are, where they're at in 177 00:05:16,560 --> 00:05:17,479 that moment of their life. 178 00:05:17,480 --> 00:05:19,179 You know, we take pictures of people 179 00:05:19,180 --> 00:05:20,619 sometimes on the worst day of their 180 00:05:20,620 --> 00:05:22,579 lives. That is really hard. 181 00:05:23,760 --> 00:05:25,699 We respect where people are, 182 00:05:25,700 --> 00:05:26,859 and we want to make sure to meet 183 00:05:26,860 --> 00:05:28,579 them where they are, and to be 184 00:05:28,580 --> 00:05:30,499 mindful of whatever 185 00:05:30,500 --> 00:05:32,179 they're going through. 186 00:05:32,180 --> 00:05:33,819 And it's a very serious thing what 187 00:05:33,820 --> 00:05:35,859 we do, and we take it seriously, 188 00:05:35,860 --> 00:05:37,819 and you know, we have compassion for 189 00:05:37,820 --> 00:05:40,519 our subjects, and we make the 190 00:05:40,520 --> 00:05:41,699 important images that we need to 191 00:05:41,700 --> 00:05:43,519 make, but we also want to be 192 00:05:43,520 --> 00:05:45,539 sympathetic and empathetic to the 193 00:05:45,540 --> 00:05:46,879 situation that people are in. 194 00:05:46,880 --> 00:05:48,759 So let's get to some of those images 195 00:05:48,760 --> 00:05:49,919 then, Deborah. 196 00:05:49,920 --> 00:05:51,799 Tell us about maybe three 197 00:05:51,800 --> 00:05:54,299 of your favorite pictures from 2025 198 00:05:54,300 --> 00:05:56,479 and why they 199 00:05:56,480 --> 00:05:57,799 landed in that category for you. 200 00:05:57,800 --> 00:05:59,679 What did you think was so compelling 201 00:05:59,680 --> 00:06:00,399 about them? 202 00:06:00,400 --> 00:06:01,759 One of the first images I wanna talk 203 00:06:01,760 --> 00:06:03,579 about is one from our 204 00:06:03,580 --> 00:06:05,619 multimedia journalist, Patricia Lim. 205 00:06:05,620 --> 00:06:07,579 And it's just a wonderful slice 206 00:06:07,580 --> 00:06:09,579 of life moment from Sunset Valley 207 00:06:09,580 --> 00:06:10,679 Elementary. 208 00:06:10,680 --> 00:06:11,859 You know, Sunset valley's been in 209 00:06:11,860 --> 00:06:13,059 the news a lot lately because it's 210 00:06:13,060 --> 00:06:14,539 one of the schools that slated to 211 00:06:14,540 --> 00:06:16,919 close. The story was reported, 212 00:06:16,920 --> 00:06:18,579 it's about their cheer squad, and it 213 00:06:18,580 --> 00:06:19,939 was reported earlier in the year 214 00:06:19,940 --> 00:06:21,459 before all of that came out. 215 00:06:21,460 --> 00:06:23,439 And it just, it just this wonderful 216 00:06:23,440 --> 00:06:25,379 image of a girl doing a tumble. 217 00:06:25,380 --> 00:06:27,139 Her face is towards the camera and 218 00:06:27,140 --> 00:06:28,619 it just captures this moment that I 219 00:06:28,620 --> 00:06:29,509 just feel like. 220 00:06:29,510 --> 00:06:31,489 When I see it, it just feels 221 00:06:31,490 --> 00:06:32,889 like childhood, right? 222 00:06:32,890 --> 00:06:34,549 And I hope that our readers connect 223 00:06:34,550 --> 00:06:36,029 with it in that way, where they see 224 00:06:36,030 --> 00:06:37,249 their children doing things like 225 00:06:37,250 --> 00:06:38,909 that, or they remember doing that 226 00:06:38,910 --> 00:06:39,949 and being happy about it. 227 00:06:39,950 --> 00:06:41,549 And it's just this really cheerful 228 00:06:41,550 --> 00:06:43,509 thing. And now the fact that the 229 00:06:43,510 --> 00:06:45,669 school's closing, it feels 230 00:06:45,670 --> 00:06:47,629 like it'll 231 00:06:47,630 --> 00:06:48,989 be wonderful to have these special 232 00:06:48,990 --> 00:06:50,909 memories in a way 233 00:06:50,910 --> 00:06:52,209 of a school that's no longer gonna 234 00:06:52,210 --> 00:06:53,949 be there. Okay, what about some 235 00:06:53,950 --> 00:06:54,789 other photos? 236 00:06:54,790 --> 00:06:56,769 Other photos. So we do a lot at 237 00:06:56,770 --> 00:06:57,699 ACL Fest. 238 00:06:57,700 --> 00:06:59,299 A lot. We take photos, we make 239 00:06:59,300 --> 00:07:00,879 videos for KUTX. 240 00:07:00,880 --> 00:07:03,019 You can go to our KUTx 241 00:07:03,020 --> 00:07:04,619 Instagram website and see some of 242 00:07:04,620 --> 00:07:04,621 those videos. 243 00:07:04,622 --> 00:07:06,230 Our sister music station, KUTX, yes. 244 00:07:06,231 --> 00:07:07,439 Yes, exactly. 245 00:07:07,440 --> 00:07:08,979 We made some great photos this year. 246 00:07:08,980 --> 00:07:10,839 We put out a couple of photo pages. 247 00:07:10,840 --> 00:07:12,479 And one of my favorites was from 248 00:07:12,480 --> 00:07:14,059 Lorianne Willett, who's one of our 249 00:07:14,060 --> 00:07:15,959 new multimedia journalists. 250 00:07:15,960 --> 00:07:18,279 She just perfectly captured what 251 00:07:18,280 --> 00:07:20,599 it's like to be in the audience 252 00:07:20,600 --> 00:07:22,479 and you're just in the moment 253 00:07:22,480 --> 00:07:23,919 and you are feeling the music. 254 00:07:23,920 --> 00:07:25,599 She is a woman who's up on someone's 255 00:07:25,600 --> 00:07:26,879 shoulders and all you can see from 256 00:07:26,880 --> 00:07:28,179 everybody else, they have their 257 00:07:28,180 --> 00:07:29,739 hands up, they've got their There's 258 00:07:29,740 --> 00:07:31,419 smoke in the air, you can see. 259 00:07:31,420 --> 00:07:32,859 A little bit of some city lights in 260 00:07:32,860 --> 00:07:34,759 the background and you just feel the 261 00:07:34,760 --> 00:07:36,779 moment. And as you really captured 262 00:07:36,780 --> 00:07:38,739 the feeling of being in the 263 00:07:38,740 --> 00:07:40,699 crowd and just loving 264 00:07:40,700 --> 00:07:41,819 where you are and what you're 265 00:07:41,820 --> 00:07:42,679 listening to. 266 00:07:42,680 --> 00:07:44,199 The last photo I wanna discuss is 267 00:07:44,200 --> 00:07:45,519 one from our senior multimedia 268 00:07:45,520 --> 00:07:47,059 journalist, Michael Manassi. 269 00:07:47,060 --> 00:07:48,519 And it's from a reporting trip he 270 00:07:48,520 --> 00:07:50,139 did with Texas standards, Michael 271 00:07:50,140 --> 00:07:52,199 Marks. They did a story on 272 00:07:52,200 --> 00:07:54,599 Mason Brick-Ledoux. 273 00:07:54,600 --> 00:07:56,659 He was working in the music 274 00:07:56,660 --> 00:07:58,159 world and he was working with Post 275 00:07:58,160 --> 00:08:00,179 Malone. He discovered that he really 276 00:08:00,180 --> 00:08:02,279 wanted to work on a ranch. 277 00:08:02,280 --> 00:08:04,319 And so Michael and Michael went out 278 00:08:04,320 --> 00:08:05,619 to the ranch. 279 00:08:05,620 --> 00:08:07,159 So the photo I really love from this 280 00:08:07,160 --> 00:08:08,699 reporting trip is one that Michael 281 00:08:08,700 --> 00:08:10,779 made that is, it's a closeup 282 00:08:10,780 --> 00:08:12,659 shot. And it really 283 00:08:12,660 --> 00:08:14,599 shows the old world and the 284 00:08:14,600 --> 00:08:16,499 new world of the subject in 285 00:08:16,500 --> 00:08:17,959 a way that came together in this 286 00:08:17,960 --> 00:08:18,879 wonderful moment. 287 00:08:18,880 --> 00:08:20,639 And what you see is you don't even 288 00:08:20,640 --> 00:08:22,139 see the face. 289 00:08:22,140 --> 00:08:23,539 You see this cowboy hat and it's 290 00:08:23,540 --> 00:08:25,279 turned down. And then you have these 291 00:08:25,280 --> 00:08:26,799 hands that are completely covered in 292 00:08:26,800 --> 00:08:28,779 tattoos. Right, so it's speaking to 293 00:08:28,780 --> 00:08:30,719 the old, but he's got 294 00:08:30,720 --> 00:08:32,558 a rope and he's like working on 295 00:08:32,559 --> 00:08:34,439 his roping and you have a closeup of 296 00:08:34,440 --> 00:08:36,599 that. And it's just this sweet 297 00:08:36,600 --> 00:08:38,519 moment that I think just 298 00:08:38,520 --> 00:08:40,359 shows the old world and the new 299 00:08:40,360 --> 00:08:41,859 world all in one image. 300 00:08:41,860 --> 00:08:42,779 And that's what a great 301 00:08:42,780 --> 00:08:44,299 photojournalist can do, right? 302 00:08:44,300 --> 00:08:46,099 You look at that picture and you 303 00:08:46,100 --> 00:08:47,559 spend a few minutes with it. 304 00:08:47,560 --> 00:08:49,579 You see the history, 305 00:08:49,580 --> 00:08:51,519 you see the future, you see it 306 00:08:51,520 --> 00:08:53,719 all kind of encapsulated in this one 307 00:08:53,720 --> 00:08:55,699 image and It's 308 00:08:55,700 --> 00:08:57,339 just a really, really nice one and I 309 00:08:57,340 --> 00:08:58,259 really like it. 310 00:08:58,260 --> 00:09:00,499 We look forward to many more images 311 00:09:00,500 --> 00:09:02,439 from the KUT multimedia 312 00:09:02,440 --> 00:09:04,719 team in 2026. 313 00:09:04,720 --> 00:09:06,379 Deborah Cannon is KUT's visuals 314 00:09:06,380 --> 00:09:07,959 editor. Deborah, thank you so much 315 00:09:07,960 --> 00:09:09,599 for walking us through some of your 316 00:09:09,600 --> 00:09:11,859 favorites from 2025. 317 00:09:11,860 --> 00:09:13,319 Thank you for having me. 318 00:09:13,320 --> 00:09:15,159 You can keep up with much more work 319 00:09:15,160 --> 00:09:17,139 from Deborah and the KUT 320 00:09:17,140 --> 00:09:20,279 visuals crew at KUT.org. 321 00:09:27,130 --> 00:09:28,769 If you've ever been to the Paramount 322 00:09:28,770 --> 00:09:30,629 Theater in downtown Austin, 323 00:09:30,630 --> 00:09:32,429 you probably remember the artists on 324 00:09:32,430 --> 00:09:34,449 stage, the historic paint work, 325 00:09:34,450 --> 00:09:36,029 the plaster molding and the 326 00:09:36,030 --> 00:09:38,229 chandeliers of our downtown gym. 327 00:09:38,230 --> 00:09:40,089 But do you remember how 328 00:09:40,090 --> 00:09:41,549 you got to your seats? 329 00:09:41,550 --> 00:09:43,069 That's where the volunteer ushers 330 00:09:43,070 --> 00:09:43,869 come in. 331 00:09:43,870 --> 00:09:45,829 During a summer journalism workshop 332 00:09:45,830 --> 00:09:48,069 at the Austin Public Library, 333 00:09:48,070 --> 00:09:49,769 Austin High School student Rivers 334 00:09:49,770 --> 00:09:51,909 Newsome wanted to know what 335 00:09:51,910 --> 00:09:54,269 it's like to usher at the Paramount. 336 00:09:54,270 --> 00:09:56,389 So she went straight to the source, 337 00:09:56,390 --> 00:09:57,690 and here's what she found out. 338 00:09:58,790 --> 00:10:00,749 My name is Felicia Williams. 339 00:10:00,750 --> 00:10:02,509 I am Thomas Minor. 340 00:10:02,510 --> 00:10:04,469 My name Lois Goodman and I'm 341 00:10:04,470 --> 00:10:05,609 an usher at the Paramount. 342 00:10:10,890 --> 00:10:12,889 When I moved here in 343 00:10:12,890 --> 00:10:14,849 81, I bought 344 00:10:14,850 --> 00:10:16,929 a season ticket 345 00:10:16,930 --> 00:10:18,929 package at Zach 346 00:10:18,930 --> 00:10:20,429 Scott Theater. 347 00:10:20,430 --> 00:10:22,529 And it was $20 for five shows, 348 00:10:22,530 --> 00:10:23,469 and I just thought it was 349 00:10:23,470 --> 00:10:25,329 outrageously expensive. 350 00:10:25,330 --> 00:10:27,269 When I was there, somebody said, you 351 00:10:27,270 --> 00:10:29,449 could usher here. 352 00:10:29,450 --> 00:10:30,989 And then when I was ushering, 353 00:10:30,990 --> 00:10:32,549 someone said you could also usher at 354 00:10:32,550 --> 00:10:34,109 the Paramount. 355 00:10:34,110 --> 00:10:35,549 Then I don't have to pay for the 356 00:10:35,550 --> 00:10:35,909 shows. 357 00:10:35,910 --> 00:10:37,029 My girlfriend. 358 00:10:37,030 --> 00:10:38,929 She was an usher here. 359 00:10:38,930 --> 00:10:40,889 I had retired, 360 00:10:40,890 --> 00:10:42,769 so she suggested to me 361 00:10:42,770 --> 00:10:44,769 that if I wanted to, 362 00:10:44,770 --> 00:10:46,229 I could usher her. 363 00:10:46,230 --> 00:10:47,809 Then you're allowed to sit down if 364 00:10:47,810 --> 00:10:49,929 there's seats available or go in and 365 00:10:49,930 --> 00:10:51,849 watch the show, which is part of 366 00:10:51,850 --> 00:10:53,089 the perk of ushering. 367 00:10:53,090 --> 00:10:54,379 You get to see the show. 368 00:10:54,380 --> 00:10:55,819 We get to ensure that the patrons 369 00:10:55,820 --> 00:10:57,819 are having a great time, and we 370 00:10:57,820 --> 00:10:59,319 also get to have that same 371 00:10:59,320 --> 00:11:00,739 experience, and that's one of the 372 00:11:00,740 --> 00:11:02,659 hardest parts of being an usher, 373 00:11:02,660 --> 00:11:04,239 is that we have to not get caught up 374 00:11:04,240 --> 00:11:06,019 in our own fun and make sure that 375 00:11:06,020 --> 00:11:07,099 we're doing what we're supposed to 376 00:11:07,100 --> 00:11:08,100 be doing. 377 00:11:15,010 --> 00:11:17,209 The Paramount has a community 378 00:11:17,210 --> 00:11:19,209 engagement and education program 379 00:11:19,210 --> 00:11:21,149 and I've been lucky 380 00:11:21,150 --> 00:11:23,189 enough to partner with them 381 00:11:23,190 --> 00:11:25,409 to provide and expose 382 00:11:25,410 --> 00:11:27,289 youth and others that don't 383 00:11:27,290 --> 00:11:29,349 normally come to the theater with 384 00:11:29,350 --> 00:11:31,129 opportunities to come to the theater 385 00:11:31,130 --> 00:11:32,609 and sometimes it's their first time 386 00:11:32,610 --> 00:11:34,089 ever to the Theater. 387 00:11:34,090 --> 00:11:35,689 You see their eyes light up and 388 00:11:35,690 --> 00:11:37,629 they're just looking all around, 389 00:11:37,630 --> 00:11:39,389 I say we're changing lives one 390 00:11:39,390 --> 00:11:40,390 ticket at a time. 391 00:11:46,060 --> 00:11:47,979 What was my favorite show? 392 00:11:47,980 --> 00:11:49,899 Recently, I was 393 00:11:49,900 --> 00:11:51,279 ushering The Water Boys. 394 00:11:52,740 --> 00:11:54,379 And I gotta say, that was one of the 395 00:11:54,380 --> 00:11:56,259 most fabulous shows that 396 00:11:56,260 --> 00:11:57,459 I ever ushered, that people were 397 00:11:57,460 --> 00:11:59,019 really great. 398 00:11:59,020 --> 00:12:01,139 When you're an usher, seating people 399 00:12:01,140 --> 00:12:03,099 and being polite, no matter 400 00:12:03,100 --> 00:12:05,039 what the situation might 401 00:12:05,040 --> 00:12:06,679 be or circumstance that happens 402 00:12:06,680 --> 00:12:08,599 there, is to make sure that you 403 00:12:08,600 --> 00:12:10,599 kind of wow the customer 404 00:12:10,600 --> 00:12:12,139 and make sure they're happy and they 405 00:12:12,140 --> 00:12:12,879 come back. 406 00:12:12,880 --> 00:12:15,379 The best story ever 407 00:12:15,380 --> 00:12:17,379 was that the Coen 408 00:12:17,380 --> 00:12:19,079 brothers were in here being 409 00:12:19,080 --> 00:12:21,119 interviewed, and there was 410 00:12:21,120 --> 00:12:23,539 nobody here yet. 411 00:12:23,540 --> 00:12:25,519 Joel Coen walked into the 412 00:12:25,520 --> 00:12:27,679 theater and started 413 00:12:27,680 --> 00:12:29,699 asking questions about 414 00:12:29,700 --> 00:12:31,639 the theater, and how old it was, and 415 00:12:31,640 --> 00:12:33,779 I got a little personal tour 416 00:12:33,780 --> 00:12:34,780 with him. 417 00:12:39,810 --> 00:12:41,829 I think the atmosphere here 418 00:12:41,830 --> 00:12:43,769 has stayed the same and that people 419 00:12:43,770 --> 00:12:45,909 come here to kind of get away 420 00:12:45,910 --> 00:12:47,389 from everything. 421 00:12:47,390 --> 00:12:49,629 It's a peaceful, relaxing place 422 00:12:49,630 --> 00:12:51,549 and where people can 423 00:12:51,550 --> 00:12:54,049 be on one accord despite 424 00:12:54,050 --> 00:12:55,789 what's going on, despite the 425 00:12:55,790 --> 00:12:57,769 differences in the world back 426 00:12:57,770 --> 00:13:00,199 from 1915 to now. 427 00:13:00,200 --> 00:13:02,839 I've been here for over 40 years, 428 00:13:02,840 --> 00:13:04,759 and every time I come in, I still 429 00:13:04,760 --> 00:13:06,399 pinch myself that I get to work in 430 00:13:06,400 --> 00:13:08,429 such an incredible place. 431 00:13:08,430 --> 00:13:09,849 There's nothing changed in this 432 00:13:09,850 --> 00:13:11,469 grand old lady. 433 00:13:11,470 --> 00:13:13,269 I mean, she's been around for 110 434 00:13:13,270 --> 00:13:15,129 years and it 435 00:13:15,130 --> 00:13:16,889 is the same, the original. 436 00:13:16,890 --> 00:13:19,369 If you look around, it even has 437 00:13:19,370 --> 00:13:21,329 some say, the hauntings of 438 00:13:21,330 --> 00:13:23,169 past shows that are floating 439 00:13:23,170 --> 00:13:24,429 around here. 440 00:13:24,430 --> 00:13:25,769 And the pictures on the wall tell 441 00:13:25,770 --> 00:13:27,329 the story of everybody that's been 442 00:13:27,330 --> 00:13:28,529 here, so. 443 00:13:28,530 --> 00:13:30,229 Down here on Congress and Sixth 444 00:13:30,230 --> 00:13:32,129 Street, the venues and 445 00:13:32,130 --> 00:13:33,889 the places that you can view music 446 00:13:33,890 --> 00:13:35,849 have changed constantly, 447 00:13:35,850 --> 00:13:38,129 but there's only one constant And 448 00:13:38,130 --> 00:13:39,189 that's all for this video. At the Paramount 449 00:13:39,190 --> 00:13:40,190 Theater. 450 00:13:48,610 --> 00:13:50,229 This story was produced with help 451 00:13:50,230 --> 00:13:51,969 from the Texas Standards, Sarah 452 00:13:51,970 --> 00:13:52,789 Asch. 453 00:13:52,790 --> 00:13:55,089 There's more Austin Signal coming up 454 00:13:55,090 --> 00:13:56,589 right after this. 455 00:13:56,590 --> 00:13:57,590 Stay with us. 456 00:14:04,270 --> 00:14:05,489 You're listening to the Austin 457 00:14:05,490 --> 00:14:06,489 Signal. 458 00:14:06,490 --> 00:14:08,349 My name is Rayna Sevilla, and I'm an 459 00:14:08,350 --> 00:14:10,289 audio engineer for KU-TX. 460 00:14:10,290 --> 00:14:11,689 I'm also the technical director for 461 00:14:11,690 --> 00:14:12,690 the Austin signal. 462 00:14:15,780 --> 00:14:17,199 One of my favorite songs out of 463 00:14:17,200 --> 00:14:19,199 Austin this year is Dog in the 464 00:14:19,200 --> 00:14:20,200 Street by Stab. 465 00:14:29,850 --> 00:14:31,449 I found out about this band when I 466 00:14:31,450 --> 00:14:32,849 was working at my college radio 467 00:14:32,850 --> 00:14:34,929 station not too long ago 468 00:14:34,930 --> 00:14:36,229 and they were the first local 469 00:14:36,230 --> 00:14:38,189 awesome band I would follow wherever 470 00:14:38,190 --> 00:14:39,229 they played around town. 471 00:14:44,520 --> 00:14:46,699 They have this amazing live presence 472 00:14:46,700 --> 00:14:48,639 and every show I've gone to always 473 00:14:48,640 --> 00:14:50,299 feels so intimate and DIY. 474 00:15:06,440 --> 00:15:08,279 It is my destiny 475 00:15:09,660 --> 00:15:11,379 Whether it's on a random bridge or 476 00:15:11,380 --> 00:15:13,119 in a tunnel somewhere in Austin, or 477 00:15:13,120 --> 00:15:14,959 just a small dive bar, I always find 478 00:15:14,960 --> 00:15:16,799 myself having so much fun in the 479 00:15:16,800 --> 00:15:17,800 crowd at their performances. 480 00:15:32,410 --> 00:15:34,449 They've got a really cool heavy 481 00:15:34,450 --> 00:15:36,509 Midwest emo thing budding right 482 00:15:36,510 --> 00:15:38,369 here in Austin alongside a lot of 483 00:15:38,370 --> 00:15:40,309 other Texas rock bands and I'm 484 00:15:40,310 --> 00:15:41,310 so here for it. 485 00:15:43,060 --> 00:15:44,070 All I am is 486 00:15:48,690 --> 00:15:50,009 They've been building a community 487 00:15:50,010 --> 00:15:52,049 and picking up a lot of fans on tour 488 00:15:52,050 --> 00:15:53,670 in and outside of Texas as well. 489 00:15:56,030 --> 00:15:57,569 One word I would use to describe 490 00:15:57,570 --> 00:15:58,570 their vibe is lit. 491 00:16:17,800 --> 00:16:19,439 I am Rayna Sevilla and I'm an audio 492 00:16:19,440 --> 00:16:21,099 engineer for KUTX. 493 00:16:21,100 --> 00:16:22,259 You can find more of our favorite 494 00:16:22,260 --> 00:16:25,839 songs from 2025 at KUTx.org. 495 00:16:25,840 --> 00:16:27,019 This is the Austin Signal. 496 00:16:37,870 --> 00:16:39,469 This is The Austin Signal. 497 00:16:39,470 --> 00:16:41,569 Thank you so much for tuning in. 498 00:16:41,570 --> 00:16:42,889 Great news for Austin. 499 00:16:42,890 --> 00:16:44,669 There is more local news coverage 500 00:16:44,670 --> 00:16:46,429 coming to the city with the launch 501 00:16:46,430 --> 00:16:48,269 of Austin Current, a 502 00:16:48,270 --> 00:16:49,929 new local newsroom connected to the 503 00:16:49,930 --> 00:16:51,349 Texas Tribune. 504 00:16:51,350 --> 00:16:52,849 KUT News is going to be in 505 00:16:52,850 --> 00:16:55,109 partnership with Austin Current. 506 00:16:55,110 --> 00:16:57,169 Host Jerry Quijano sat down 507 00:16:57,170 --> 00:16:59,069 with the managing editor of KUT 508 00:16:59,070 --> 00:17:01,209 news, Ben Philpott, and Austin 509 00:17:01,210 --> 00:17:03,069 Current's editor-in-chief, 510 00:17:03,070 --> 00:17:04,529 Melissa Taboada. 511 00:17:04,530 --> 00:17:06,389 To learn more about what this 512 00:17:06,390 --> 00:17:08,489 new collaboration means for local 513 00:17:08,490 --> 00:17:10,490 news coverage right here in Austin. 514 00:17:12,099 --> 00:17:13,879 Melissa I want to start with you. 515 00:17:13,880 --> 00:17:14,979 You're coming to the Austin Current 516 00:17:14,980 --> 00:17:16,919 from the Boston Globe having spent a 517 00:17:16,920 --> 00:17:18,659 few years there But you have a deep 518 00:17:18,660 --> 00:17:19,879 connection to the austin journalism 519 00:17:19,880 --> 00:17:21,818 scene for our listeners who might 520 00:17:21,819 --> 00:17:23,399 not be familiar Can you just tell us 521 00:17:23,400 --> 00:17:24,879 a little bit about your background 522 00:17:24,880 --> 00:17:26,348 and your connection to this idea? 523 00:17:26,349 --> 00:17:28,189 Right. I was at 524 00:17:28,190 --> 00:17:30,449 the Globe for four and a half years, 525 00:17:30,450 --> 00:17:32,549 but spent most of my journalism 526 00:17:32,550 --> 00:17:34,249 career in Austin. 527 00:17:34,250 --> 00:17:36,249 I was the Austin American 528 00:17:36,250 --> 00:17:38,289 Statesman for over 21 years 529 00:17:38,290 --> 00:17:40,549 and covered everything 530 00:17:40,550 --> 00:17:42,829 from county government, 531 00:17:42,830 --> 00:17:44,669 city government, education, and 532 00:17:44,670 --> 00:17:46,529 then eventually became an 533 00:17:46,530 --> 00:17:47,479 editor there. 534 00:17:47,480 --> 00:17:49,239 Okay, now you are the editor in 535 00:17:49,240 --> 00:17:51,019 chief of Austin Current. 536 00:17:51,020 --> 00:17:52,469 What is the Austin Current? 537 00:17:52,470 --> 00:17:54,369 Austin Current is a 538 00:17:54,370 --> 00:17:56,669 new non-partisan, 539 00:17:56,670 --> 00:17:59,389 non-profit news organization. 540 00:17:59,390 --> 00:18:00,949 We are really going to be focusing 541 00:18:00,950 --> 00:18:02,889 on collaboration with other 542 00:18:02,890 --> 00:18:05,649 news organizations, including KUT, 543 00:18:05,650 --> 00:18:07,529 to bring the best news, 544 00:18:07,530 --> 00:18:09,349 the best information to 545 00:18:09,350 --> 00:18:11,569 our audience, to readers, 546 00:18:11,570 --> 00:18:13,449 to listeners, just to 547 00:18:13,450 --> 00:18:14,769 try to reach as many people as we 548 00:18:14,770 --> 00:18:15,199 can. 549 00:18:15,200 --> 00:18:16,739 And with your decades of experience 550 00:18:16,740 --> 00:18:18,659 here in Austin, what are some 551 00:18:18,660 --> 00:18:19,739 of the needs you're hoping to fill 552 00:18:19,740 --> 00:18:21,199 with Austin Current? How do you 553 00:18:21,200 --> 00:18:22,999 think this outlet could be better 554 00:18:23,000 --> 00:18:24,469 serving the community? 555 00:18:24,470 --> 00:18:26,689 Well, I think maybe 556 00:18:26,690 --> 00:18:28,869 what's missing in some 557 00:18:28,870 --> 00:18:30,989 news landscape is 558 00:18:30,990 --> 00:18:32,869 the explanations as 559 00:18:32,870 --> 00:18:34,789 to why things happen, not 560 00:18:34,790 --> 00:18:36,649 just that news is happening, 561 00:18:36,650 --> 00:18:38,409 but the reasons behind it. 562 00:18:38,410 --> 00:18:40,109 And we're hoping to bring some light 563 00:18:40,110 --> 00:18:42,349 to that, some long-form stories, 564 00:18:42,350 --> 00:18:44,349 short-form stories, 565 00:18:44,350 --> 00:18:46,289 explainers, just everything that 566 00:18:46,290 --> 00:18:48,389 we can to, you know, 567 00:18:48,390 --> 00:18:50,409 give our audience 568 00:18:50,410 --> 00:18:52,649 a understanding of what's 569 00:18:52,650 --> 00:18:53,589 happening. 570 00:18:53,590 --> 00:18:55,229 In Austin and what they can do about 571 00:18:55,230 --> 00:18:57,449 it to let them have 572 00:18:57,450 --> 00:18:59,729 some agency in 573 00:18:59,730 --> 00:19:01,529 the world that they live in, in the 574 00:19:01,530 --> 00:19:02,599 city that they live. 575 00:19:02,600 --> 00:19:04,139 We're in the last week right now of 576 00:19:04,140 --> 00:19:06,019 2025, when is Austin 577 00:19:06,020 --> 00:19:07,889 current? When do you go live? 578 00:19:07,890 --> 00:19:10,109 We have started our 579 00:19:10,110 --> 00:19:12,089 newsletter that started in November, 580 00:19:12,090 --> 00:19:13,729 but our first stories will start 581 00:19:13,730 --> 00:19:15,429 rolling out January 12th. 582 00:19:15,430 --> 00:19:16,709 Okay and some of those stories are 583 00:19:16,710 --> 00:19:17,869 going to be in partnership with the 584 00:19:17,870 --> 00:19:19,149 KUT newsroom. 585 00:19:19,150 --> 00:19:20,789 For that I'm going to bring in Ben 586 00:19:20,790 --> 00:19:22,269 Philpott, again the managing editor 587 00:19:22,270 --> 00:19:23,909 of KUT News. 588 00:19:23,910 --> 00:19:24,889 Ben, so let me ask you simply 589 00:19:24,890 --> 00:19:26,129 enough, how did this partnership 590 00:19:26,130 --> 00:19:27,599 come about? 591 00:19:27,600 --> 00:19:28,939 Well, you know, KUT and the Texas 592 00:19:28,940 --> 00:19:30,359 Tribune have had a long partnership. 593 00:19:30,360 --> 00:19:32,499 I mean, from day one, really, 594 00:19:32,500 --> 00:19:34,459 I was brought on as a 595 00:19:34,460 --> 00:19:36,799 kind of joint reporter with KUT 596 00:19:36,800 --> 00:19:38,279 and the TeXas Tribune when they 597 00:19:38,280 --> 00:19:40,499 first launched years ago. 598 00:19:40,500 --> 00:19:42,479 And, you, we have a lot of 599 00:19:42,480 --> 00:19:44,059 similar goals, right? 600 00:19:44,060 --> 00:19:46,379 We are both two nonprofit 601 00:19:46,380 --> 00:19:48,399 news organizations in the city 602 00:19:48,400 --> 00:19:50,399 wanting to do the 603 00:19:50,400 --> 00:19:52,359 work that sometimes is 604 00:19:52,360 --> 00:19:53,659 getting lost in commercial 605 00:19:53,660 --> 00:19:54,660 journalism. 606 00:19:55,300 --> 00:19:56,879 Do those explainers, you know, let 607 00:19:56,880 --> 00:19:58,339 people know exactly why they should 608 00:19:58,340 --> 00:20:00,759 care, how things are affecting them. 609 00:20:00,760 --> 00:20:02,679 And so when the Tribune decided 610 00:20:02,680 --> 00:20:04,379 they were going to go into local 611 00:20:04,380 --> 00:20:06,279 newsrooms, they've got one in 612 00:20:06,280 --> 00:20:07,419 Waco, we also have one here in 613 00:20:07,420 --> 00:20:09,559 Austin, we just knew we wanted to 614 00:20:09,560 --> 00:20:10,289 be a part of that. 615 00:20:10,290 --> 00:20:12,029 That's a really good point about the 616 00:20:12,030 --> 00:20:13,389 long-standing relationship between 617 00:20:13,390 --> 00:20:14,209 the two newsrooms. 618 00:20:14,210 --> 00:20:15,629 I feel like if you read the website, 619 00:20:15,630 --> 00:20:16,549 you know about that a lot. 620 00:20:16,550 --> 00:20:17,769 You see a lot of Texas Tribune 621 00:20:17,770 --> 00:20:19,209 articles. 622 00:20:19,210 --> 00:20:20,889 Should we expect more radio stories 623 00:20:20,890 --> 00:20:22,769 possibly in connection with 624 00:20:22,770 --> 00:20:23,929 the Tribune as well? 625 00:20:23,930 --> 00:20:24,809 Some of the stories that they're 626 00:20:24,810 --> 00:20:26,029 working on, perhaps? 627 00:20:26,030 --> 00:20:27,669 Well, we don't want to scare off the 628 00:20:27,670 --> 00:20:28,649 Austin Current staff. 629 00:20:28,650 --> 00:20:30,729 I mean, they are coming on as 630 00:20:30,730 --> 00:20:31,990 mostly print journalists. 631 00:20:33,210 --> 00:20:35,509 But yes, we very specifically 632 00:20:35,510 --> 00:20:37,489 want to be able 633 00:20:37,490 --> 00:20:39,569 to have their stories reach our 634 00:20:39,570 --> 00:20:40,809 audience, whether that's on our 635 00:20:40,810 --> 00:20:42,429 website or on Austin Signal. 636 00:20:42,430 --> 00:20:43,509 Obviously, they can come on and do 637 00:20:43,510 --> 00:20:45,069 exactly what Melissa and I are doing 638 00:20:45,070 --> 00:20:46,949 today, talk through those stories 639 00:20:46,950 --> 00:20:48,319 with you. 640 00:20:48,320 --> 00:20:49,539 And I'll turn it back to you, 641 00:20:49,540 --> 00:20:50,359 Melissa. How do you think this 642 00:20:50,360 --> 00:20:51,759 partnership, I kind of asked you 643 00:20:51,760 --> 00:20:53,299 this already, but how do you the 644 00:20:53,300 --> 00:20:55,299 partnership between KUT, between 645 00:20:55,300 --> 00:20:56,699 Austin Curran is gonna benefit 646 00:20:56,700 --> 00:20:59,219 Austin and its citizens? 647 00:20:59,220 --> 00:21:00,479 Helping them, sounds like what 648 00:21:00,480 --> 00:21:01,459 you're saying, helping them to 649 00:21:01,460 --> 00:21:03,039 figure out how to do something about 650 00:21:03,040 --> 00:21:04,959 what's happening, not just to take 651 00:21:04,960 --> 00:21:06,419 in what is going on around them. 652 00:21:06,420 --> 00:21:07,699 Yeah, absolutely. 653 00:21:07,700 --> 00:21:09,759 You know, we will be pulling our 654 00:21:09,760 --> 00:21:11,879 resources, we will be sharing our 655 00:21:11,880 --> 00:21:13,539 story budgets. 656 00:21:13,540 --> 00:21:15,519 This allows both KUT 657 00:21:15,520 --> 00:21:17,739 News and Austin Current to 658 00:21:17,740 --> 00:21:18,740 broaden our reach, 659 00:21:19,820 --> 00:21:21,819 deliver more comprehensive coverage 660 00:21:21,820 --> 00:21:24,319 than we could as standing 661 00:21:24,320 --> 00:21:25,059 alone. 662 00:21:25,060 --> 00:21:26,259 And, you know, just jumping into 663 00:21:26,260 --> 00:21:28,699 that real quickly, you know, 664 00:21:28,700 --> 00:21:30,739 KUT has one 665 00:21:30,740 --> 00:21:32,599 education reporter, 666 00:21:32,600 --> 00:21:34,759 Austin Current has one education 667 00:21:34,760 --> 00:21:36,679 report. Well, that's even those 668 00:21:36,680 --> 00:21:38,299 two together aren't really enough to 669 00:21:38,300 --> 00:21:40,239 cover K through 12 and 670 00:21:40,240 --> 00:21:41,859 higher education in Austin. 671 00:21:41,860 --> 00:21:43,059 But we are going to be very 672 00:21:43,060 --> 00:21:44,899 specifically working together with 673 00:21:44,900 --> 00:21:47,029 those two reporters, you know, to... 674 00:21:47,030 --> 00:21:49,249 Work on the basics, not duplicating 675 00:21:49,250 --> 00:21:50,729 efforts, digging into bigger 676 00:21:50,730 --> 00:21:51,709 stories. 677 00:21:51,710 --> 00:21:52,729 We're actually gonna be meeting 678 00:21:52,730 --> 00:21:54,289 together, having those two reporters 679 00:21:54,290 --> 00:21:55,329 come together and have a little meet 680 00:21:55,330 --> 00:21:56,549 and greet soon on that. 681 00:21:56,550 --> 00:21:58,029 Well, I think two reporters might be 682 00:21:58,030 --> 00:21:58,949 enough, Ben. I don't know if you've 683 00:21:58,950 --> 00:22:00,389 been paying attention to the news, 684 00:22:00,390 --> 00:22:02,029 but it's been a quiet year for 685 00:22:02,030 --> 00:22:03,709 education here in Austin. 686 00:22:03,710 --> 00:22:05,189 So I think to reporters should do 687 00:22:05,190 --> 00:22:06,089 the job. 688 00:22:06,090 --> 00:22:07,209 We've been speaking with Ben 689 00:22:07,210 --> 00:22:08,789 Philpotti as the managing editor of 690 00:22:08,790 --> 00:22:10,949 KUT News and Melissa Taboada. 691 00:22:10,950 --> 00:22:12,789 She is the editor in chief of 692 00:22:12,790 --> 00:22:13,629 Austin Current. 693 00:22:13,630 --> 00:22:14,929 Thank you both for your time. 694 00:22:14,930 --> 00:22:15,930 Thank you. Thank you 695 00:22:24,610 --> 00:22:26,429 That's it for us here on 696 00:22:26,430 --> 00:22:27,509 Austin Signal. 697 00:22:27,510 --> 00:22:28,989 Thanks so much for hanging out with 698 00:22:28,990 --> 00:22:31,209 us on this beautiful Friday. 699 00:22:31,210 --> 00:22:33,349 Special thank you to KUT's Deborah 700 00:22:33,350 --> 00:22:35,489 Cannon, Melissa Taboada from 701 00:22:35,490 --> 00:22:38,209 Austin Current, and Rivers Newsome. 702 00:22:38,210 --> 00:22:40,029 Rayna Sevilla is our technical 703 00:22:40,030 --> 00:22:41,969 director, Kristen Cabrera is our 704 00:22:41,970 --> 00:22:43,789 managing producer, and we've got 705 00:22:43,790 --> 00:22:45,809 more about the show in our podcast 706 00:22:45,810 --> 00:22:47,849 notes at kut.org. 707 00:22:49,300 --> 00:22:51,239 I'm Miles Bloxson and for my friend 708 00:22:51,240 --> 00:22:53,079 Jerry Quijano, I hope you have 709 00:22:53,080 --> 00:22:54,899 a wonderful weekend and be safe 710 00:22:54,900 --> 00:22:55,979 out there. 711 00:22:55,980 --> 00:22:57,579 This is Austin Signal.