1 00:00:08,719 --> 00:00:10,339 Messages from officials in Kerr 2 00:00:10,340 --> 00:00:12,219 County reveal confusion last 3 00:00:12,220 --> 00:00:14,119 July 4th, as information 4 00:00:14,120 --> 00:00:16,139 and misinformation spread amid the 5 00:00:16,140 --> 00:00:18,099 flooding that killed more than 130 6 00:00:18,100 --> 00:00:20,119 people, including counselors 7 00:00:20,120 --> 00:00:21,979 and campers at Camp Mystic. 8 00:00:21,980 --> 00:00:23,079 We're going to talk about those 9 00:00:23,080 --> 00:00:24,039 messages. 10 00:00:24,040 --> 00:00:25,119 And plenty more changes are coming 11 00:00:25,120 --> 00:00:27,219 to I-35 as work continues on 12 00:00:27,220 --> 00:00:28,639 overhauling the highway at the 13 00:00:28,640 --> 00:00:30,539 center of the city of Austin. 14 00:00:30,540 --> 00:00:32,239 What to expect on the roads and how 15 00:00:32,240 --> 00:00:33,899 it could impact your travels. 16 00:00:33,900 --> 00:00:36,299 That's on today's show. 17 00:00:36,300 --> 00:00:38,179 The Austin Signal is a production 18 00:00:38,180 --> 00:00:40,279 of KUT News, hosted by 19 00:00:40,280 --> 00:00:41,369 Jerry Quijano. 20 00:00:41,370 --> 00:00:43,229 Plus, Alamo Drafthouse is doing away 21 00:00:43,230 --> 00:00:44,989 with pen and paper ordering, and 22 00:00:44,990 --> 00:00:46,849 folks have feelings about it. 23 00:00:46,850 --> 00:00:48,709 We're going to hear from them, and a 24 00:00:48,710 --> 00:00:50,569 chat about the TV shows you and 25 00:00:50,570 --> 00:00:52,289 everyone else will be talking about 26 00:00:52,290 --> 00:00:54,209 all year long. 27 00:00:54,210 --> 00:00:56,269 That is coming up next on today's 28 00:00:56,270 --> 00:00:57,270 Austin Signal. 29 00:01:06,450 --> 00:01:07,829 Howdy out there, thank you for 30 00:01:07,830 --> 00:01:10,009 tuning in. This is Austin Signal 31 00:01:10,010 --> 00:01:11,949 here on listener-powered 32 00:01:11,950 --> 00:01:14,029 public radio KUT News. 33 00:01:14,030 --> 00:01:16,429 It is Wednesday, January 14th. 34 00:01:16,430 --> 00:01:17,789 I'm your host, Jerry Keconnell. 35 00:01:17,790 --> 00:01:19,909 Thank you for making us part of your 36 00:01:19,910 --> 00:01:20,910 day. 37 00:01:21,310 --> 00:01:22,709 A Travis County judge will decide 38 00:01:22,710 --> 00:01:24,089 next month whether to clear the 39 00:01:24,090 --> 00:01:25,929 names of four men falsely accused 40 00:01:25,930 --> 00:01:28,469 of Austin's yogurt shop murders. 41 00:01:28,470 --> 00:01:30,109 Maurice Pierce, Michael Scott, 42 00:01:30,110 --> 00:01:31,489 Robert Springsteen, and Forrest 43 00:01:31,490 --> 00:01:33,509 Wellborn were wrongly implicated 44 00:01:33,510 --> 00:01:34,989 in the murders of four teenage girls 45 00:01:34,990 --> 00:01:36,249 in the 90s. 46 00:01:36,250 --> 00:01:37,909 The Austin Police Department last 47 00:01:37,910 --> 00:01:38,929 year said it found the man 48 00:01:38,930 --> 00:01:40,809 responsible for the deaths of 49 00:01:40,810 --> 00:01:42,629 Amy Ayers, Eliza Thomas, 50 00:01:42,630 --> 00:01:44,789 and Sarah and Jennifer Harbison. 51 00:01:44,790 --> 00:01:46,429 Travis County District Attorney Jose 52 00:01:46,430 --> 00:01:48,429 Garza last month moved to exonerate 53 00:01:48,430 --> 00:01:49,629 the four men who were wrongly 54 00:01:49,630 --> 00:01:50,489 accused. 55 00:01:50,490 --> 00:01:52,109 Garza said Tuesday that Travis 56 00:01:52,110 --> 00:01:53,789 County Judge Dana Blasey will hear 57 00:01:53,790 --> 00:01:56,089 that case on February 19th. 58 00:01:56,090 --> 00:01:57,089 And of course, we're going to have more 59 00:01:57,090 --> 00:01:59,149 on that at kut.org 60 00:01:59,150 --> 00:02:02,069 and here on Austin Signal. 61 00:02:02,070 --> 00:02:04,009 Six months after a devastating flood 62 00:02:04,010 --> 00:02:05,549 swept through central Texas in the 63 00:02:05,550 --> 00:02:07,189 Hill Country, messages detailing 64 00:02:07,190 --> 00:02:08,728 when and how first responders 65 00:02:08,729 --> 00:02:10,448 reacted as the emergency was 66 00:02:10,449 --> 00:02:12,269 unfolding at Camp Mystic have come 67 00:02:12,270 --> 00:02:13,669 to light, and they highlight the 68 00:02:13,670 --> 00:02:15,269 confusion that unfolded over the 69 00:02:15,270 --> 00:02:17,029 course of that July 4th. 70 00:02:17,030 --> 00:02:18,289 The messages were revealed in a 71 00:02:18,290 --> 00:02:19,869 story co-reported by the Texas 72 00:02:19,870 --> 00:02:21,709 Newsroom and the Texas Tribune. 73 00:02:21,710 --> 00:02:23,069 For more, we are speaking with 74 00:02:23,070 --> 00:02:24,369 Lauren Magahee, investigative 75 00:02:24,370 --> 00:02:26,409 reporter and editor at the Texas 76 00:02:26,410 --> 00:02:27,429 newsroom. Lauren, thanks for coming 77 00:02:27,430 --> 00:02:27,969 on the show. 78 00:02:27,970 --> 00:02:28,999 Thanks for having me, Jerry. 79 00:02:29,000 --> 00:02:31,119 So these messages were revealed 80 00:02:31,120 --> 00:02:32,459 in the story. 81 00:02:32,460 --> 00:02:33,879 When did y'all first ask for these 82 00:02:33,880 --> 00:02:34,809 messages? 83 00:02:34,810 --> 00:02:36,629 A long time ago, we asked 84 00:02:36,630 --> 00:02:38,389 for them, I think that first week 85 00:02:38,390 --> 00:02:40,349 after the July 4th floods, 86 00:02:40,350 --> 00:02:42,189 and we had to fight for them 87 00:02:42,190 --> 00:02:43,209 for several months. 88 00:02:43,210 --> 00:02:45,149 The county repeatedly delayed 89 00:02:45,150 --> 00:02:47,089 their release and then eventually 90 00:02:47,090 --> 00:02:49,089 charged us several hundred 91 00:02:49,090 --> 00:02:50,529 dollars to get them. 92 00:02:50,530 --> 00:02:52,529 And finally we did and were able 93 00:02:52,530 --> 00:02:54,489 to, you know, 94 00:02:54,490 --> 00:02:56,149 see hundreds of back and forth 95 00:02:56,150 --> 00:02:57,989 messages between the county's top 96 00:02:57,990 --> 00:03:00,049 leaders just right there in 97 00:03:00,050 --> 00:03:01,269 as they were responding the floods 98 00:03:01,270 --> 00:03:02,159 on July 4th. 99 00:03:02,160 --> 00:03:03,639 And, of course, we're here in a big 100 00:03:03,640 --> 00:03:05,739 city, Austin, in Travis County. 101 00:03:05,740 --> 00:03:06,679 I think it's worth reminding 102 00:03:06,680 --> 00:03:08,199 listeners who might not be familiar, 103 00:03:08,200 --> 00:03:09,899 Kerr County, pretty tiny county in 104 00:03:09,900 --> 00:03:11,499 comparison to other counties across 105 00:03:11,500 --> 00:03:12,149 the state, yes? 106 00:03:12,150 --> 00:03:12,989 Yeah, that's right. 107 00:03:12,990 --> 00:03:14,569 And you know, the floods didn't just 108 00:03:14,570 --> 00:03:15,689 affect Kerr County. 109 00:03:15,690 --> 00:03:17,629 Obviously, we saw effects 110 00:03:17,630 --> 00:03:20,069 of the floods here in Travis County. 111 00:03:20,070 --> 00:03:21,409 You know, this this storm was 112 00:03:21,410 --> 00:03:23,049 historic. It was it was deadly. 113 00:03:23,050 --> 00:03:25,089 But we wanted to focus on 114 00:03:25,090 --> 00:03:26,729 seeing if we could learn more 115 00:03:26,730 --> 00:03:28,529 specifically about what county 116 00:03:28,530 --> 00:03:30,789 leaders knew right in that 24 hours 117 00:03:30,790 --> 00:03:32,609 as the flood was happening and 118 00:03:32,610 --> 00:03:33,869 how they responded. 119 00:03:33,870 --> 00:03:35,389 Yeah, you mentioned this storm was 120 00:03:35,390 --> 00:03:36,329 historic. 121 00:03:36,330 --> 00:03:37,649 It was obviously a very chaotic 122 00:03:37,650 --> 00:03:39,289 situation that morning and that day 123 00:03:39,290 --> 00:03:40,289 in the Hill Country. 124 00:03:40,290 --> 00:03:42,329 So from the messages that you all 125 00:03:42,330 --> 00:03:44,169 got, were officials in Kerr 126 00:03:44,170 --> 00:03:45,889 County on the same page that 127 00:03:45,890 --> 00:03:46,729 morning? 128 00:03:46,730 --> 00:03:48,809 You know, we didn't want to make 129 00:03:48,810 --> 00:03:50,809 a lot of value judgments about what 130 00:03:50,810 --> 00:03:52,869 we saw in the text messages. 131 00:03:52,870 --> 00:03:55,029 Our number one goal with publishing 132 00:03:55,030 --> 00:03:56,849 these hundreds of text messages 133 00:03:56,850 --> 00:03:58,609 was to get them out into the public 134 00:03:58,610 --> 00:03:59,829 domain. 135 00:03:59,830 --> 00:04:01,409 There are lawsuits that parents have 136 00:04:01,410 --> 00:04:02,489 filed against Camp Mystic. 137 00:04:02,490 --> 00:04:03,789 There's discussions about how this 138 00:04:03,790 --> 00:04:04,729 could have been done better. 139 00:04:04,730 --> 00:04:05,989 And so we want people to have access 140 00:04:05,990 --> 00:04:07,949 to those. What we did see in 141 00:04:07,950 --> 00:04:09,829 the messages is there was a lot 142 00:04:09,830 --> 00:04:12,029 confusion about how to respond, 143 00:04:12,030 --> 00:04:13,269 when to respond. 144 00:04:13,270 --> 00:04:15,669 And in particular with Camp Mystics, 145 00:04:15,670 --> 00:04:17,648 county leaders really struggled to 146 00:04:17,649 --> 00:04:19,509 find out anything that was going on 147 00:04:19,510 --> 00:04:21,389 there for you know more than twelve 148 00:04:21,390 --> 00:04:23,289 hours they they were struggling 149 00:04:23,290 --> 00:04:25,109 to understand if anyone 150 00:04:25,110 --> 00:04:26,489 had died uh... 151 00:04:26,490 --> 00:04:27,569 Let alone how many people were 152 00:04:27,570 --> 00:04:29,489 missing and that hampered their 153 00:04:29,490 --> 00:04:31,029 ability to get that information to 154 00:04:31,030 --> 00:04:32,209 the public and to parents 155 00:04:32,210 --> 00:04:33,849 Yeah, you mentioned a little bit 156 00:04:33,850 --> 00:04:35,909 there of why the Texas Tribune 157 00:04:35,910 --> 00:04:38,189 and the Texas Newsroom wanted 158 00:04:38,190 --> 00:04:39,409 to get these messages out. 159 00:04:39,410 --> 00:04:40,549 Can you just speak a little more 160 00:04:40,550 --> 00:04:41,509 about that? 161 00:04:41,510 --> 00:04:43,629 Yeah, you know, we reached out 162 00:04:43,630 --> 00:04:45,769 to the parents that have sued 163 00:04:45,770 --> 00:04:47,349 the camps over this, and we reached 164 00:04:47,350 --> 00:04:49,109 to the camp's lawyers about what we 165 00:04:49,110 --> 00:04:50,849 saw in these messages, kind of 166 00:04:50,850 --> 00:04:52,769 asking them, like, what does this 167 00:04:52,770 --> 00:04:54,209 tell you about what happened in 168 00:04:54,210 --> 00:04:55,629 those first 24 hours? 169 00:04:55,630 --> 00:04:57,349 The camp responded and said, hey, 170 00:04:57,350 --> 00:04:58,689 look, maybe they weren't getting 171 00:04:58,690 --> 00:05:00,249 this, maybe it doesn't appear that 172 00:05:00,250 --> 00:05:01,329 they were getting information from 173 00:05:01,330 --> 00:05:02,869 us. We were focused on what was 174 00:05:02,870 --> 00:05:03,909 going on on the ground. 175 00:05:03,910 --> 00:05:05,549 We were, you now, focused on what 176 00:05:05,550 --> 00:05:06,729 was happening right in front of our 177 00:05:06,730 --> 00:05:08,729 eyes, trying to find people, 178 00:05:08,730 --> 00:05:09,769 rescue people. 179 00:05:09,770 --> 00:05:11,969 And I hope that these 180 00:05:11,970 --> 00:05:13,349 text messages provide a little bit 181 00:05:13,350 --> 00:05:15,489 more context to elected 182 00:05:15,490 --> 00:05:17,469 officials about what might have 183 00:05:17,470 --> 00:05:19,389 been able to be done better 184 00:05:19,390 --> 00:05:21,269 in terms of communication. 185 00:05:21,270 --> 00:05:22,929 There's a lot of back and forth in 186 00:05:22,930 --> 00:05:24,829 the thread about who's doing 187 00:05:24,830 --> 00:05:26,649 what, where, and when, where they're 188 00:05:26,650 --> 00:05:28,169 going to get information, what 189 00:05:28,170 --> 00:05:29,549 information is going to be official 190 00:05:29,550 --> 00:05:30,649 that should be released to the 191 00:05:30,650 --> 00:05:32,569 public, and hopefully they will 192 00:05:32,570 --> 00:05:34,749 shed some light to policymakers on. 193 00:05:34,750 --> 00:05:36,589 How to tighten things up in 194 00:05:36,590 --> 00:05:37,989 the event that we have another, you 195 00:05:37,990 --> 00:05:39,869 know, historic weather event, 196 00:05:39,870 --> 00:05:41,889 which we unfortunately probably will 197 00:05:41,890 --> 00:05:42,479 at some point. 198 00:05:42,480 --> 00:05:44,079 Yeah, it's very likely. 199 00:05:44,080 --> 00:05:45,319 Again, you can read these messages 200 00:05:45,320 --> 00:05:47,199 over at KUT.org and we're going to 201 00:05:47,200 --> 00:05:49,259 have the story in our 202 00:05:49,260 --> 00:05:50,639 show notes. Yesterday we heard a 203 00:05:50,640 --> 00:05:52,559 story from the Texas newsroom's Lucy 204 00:05:52,560 --> 00:05:54,839 Ovasquez checking in six months on 205 00:05:54,840 --> 00:05:55,719 from the flooding. 206 00:05:55,720 --> 00:05:57,719 I just wanted to ask you, what else 207 00:05:57,720 --> 00:05:59,519 is the Texas Newsroom working on in 208 00:05:59,520 --> 00:06:01,599 regards to following up on these 209 00:06:01,600 --> 00:06:03,099 floods from last July? 210 00:06:03,100 --> 00:06:04,959 Yeah, we, you know, we and 211 00:06:04,960 --> 00:06:06,799 other news outlets are still combing 212 00:06:06,800 --> 00:06:08,199 through 911 calls. 213 00:06:08,200 --> 00:06:09,399 There's been some reporting from 214 00:06:09,400 --> 00:06:11,059 some other outlets on what they've 215 00:06:11,060 --> 00:06:12,179 heard in those calls. 216 00:06:12,180 --> 00:06:13,659 We want to go a little bit deeper 217 00:06:13,660 --> 00:06:15,559 and see what we can find out about 218 00:06:15,560 --> 00:06:17,739 water rescues from those. 219 00:06:17,740 --> 00:06:19,199 There does appear to be a lot of 220 00:06:19,200 --> 00:06:20,579 confusion in those call about 221 00:06:20,580 --> 00:06:22,599 whether first responders were 222 00:06:22,600 --> 00:06:24,279 able to get directly to people who 223 00:06:24,280 --> 00:06:26,219 were calling in to the 224 00:06:26,220 --> 00:06:27,459 county sheriff and to 911. 225 00:06:27,460 --> 00:06:29,559 You know, again, 226 00:06:29,560 --> 00:06:31,379 these are hundreds of audio 227 00:06:31,380 --> 00:06:33,779 recordings and As you can imagine, 228 00:06:33,780 --> 00:06:35,999 they're terrible. 229 00:06:36,000 --> 00:06:37,999 And so we're hoping to see if we can 230 00:06:38,000 --> 00:06:40,139 glean anything from the public about 231 00:06:40,140 --> 00:06:42,479 how those responses could 232 00:06:42,480 --> 00:06:43,679 be improved in future. 233 00:06:43,680 --> 00:06:44,899 Okay, well, as that reporting 234 00:06:44,900 --> 00:06:46,719 continues to unfold, we will bring 235 00:06:46,720 --> 00:06:48,999 it here on Austin Signal to 236 00:06:49,000 --> 00:06:50,319 you. We have been speaking with 237 00:06:50,320 --> 00:06:51,799 Lauren McGahee, an investigative 238 00:06:51,800 --> 00:06:53,439 reporter and editor with the Texas 239 00:06:53,440 --> 00:06:54,419 Newsroom. 240 00:06:54,420 --> 00:06:55,339 Thank you for your reporting. 241 00:06:55,340 --> 00:06:56,079 Thanks for coming on the show. 242 00:06:56,080 --> 00:06:57,080 You're welcome. 243 00:07:04,840 --> 00:07:06,459 If you're driving around right now 244 00:07:06,460 --> 00:07:07,899 and listening to us, first off, 245 00:07:07,900 --> 00:07:09,879 thanks, either live on the podcast, 246 00:07:09,880 --> 00:07:11,819 you probably, or you might be on 247 00:07:11,820 --> 00:07:13,619 I-35 right now, or at least thinking 248 00:07:13,620 --> 00:07:15,479 about ways to avoid it or being 249 00:07:15,480 --> 00:07:17,119 grateful that you're not anywhere 250 00:07:17,120 --> 00:07:18,639 near I- 35. 251 00:07:18,640 --> 00:07:20,599 All that to say I-35 is on 252 00:07:20,600 --> 00:07:22,759 everyone's mind here, especially in 253 00:07:22,760 --> 00:07:23,919 central Texas where major 254 00:07:23,920 --> 00:07:25,919 construction to the interstate is 255 00:07:25,920 --> 00:07:27,019 coming our way this year. 256 00:07:27,020 --> 00:07:28,839 So what can we expect and 257 00:07:28,840 --> 00:07:30,879 when? Well, we've got KUT's 258 00:07:30,880 --> 00:07:32,019 transportation reporter Nathan 259 00:07:32,020 --> 00:07:33,859 Bernier. Here to talk us through it 260 00:07:33,860 --> 00:07:34,859 all. Nathan, thanks for coming on 261 00:07:34,860 --> 00:07:37,038 the show. Hey, Jerry. 262 00:07:37,039 --> 00:07:38,179 So what's going on? 263 00:07:38,180 --> 00:07:39,159 What are we building here? 264 00:07:39,160 --> 00:07:40,939 Remind us about the overhaul that's 265 00:07:40,940 --> 00:07:41,729 happening at 35. 266 00:07:41,730 --> 00:07:43,029 Yeah, it's big. 267 00:07:43,030 --> 00:07:44,349 So throughout Travis County, they're 268 00:07:44,350 --> 00:07:46,429 expanding I-35 from Williamson 269 00:07:46,430 --> 00:07:48,189 to Hayes, and it's split into three 270 00:07:48,190 --> 00:07:49,529 sections. So you have North, 271 00:07:49,530 --> 00:07:51,129 Central, and South. 272 00:07:51,130 --> 00:07:53,549 South, two elevated express 273 00:07:53,550 --> 00:07:55,789 lanes in both directions, HOV 274 00:07:55,790 --> 00:07:57,669 lanes in both directions and untold. 275 00:07:57,670 --> 00:07:59,689 That's what those columns going 276 00:07:59,690 --> 00:08:01,389 up in the middle of I- 35 in South 277 00:08:01,390 --> 00:08:02,269 Austin are all about. 278 00:08:02,270 --> 00:08:03,889 And a bunch of other stuff too. 279 00:08:03,890 --> 00:08:05,919 North, it is like one 280 00:08:05,920 --> 00:08:07,539 HOV lane in each direction, of 281 00:08:07,540 --> 00:08:09,239 course, they're also rebuilding 282 00:08:09,240 --> 00:08:11,179 bridges and adding sidewalks 283 00:08:11,180 --> 00:08:12,859 and things like that as well, 284 00:08:12,860 --> 00:08:14,319 widening the highway. 285 00:08:14,320 --> 00:08:16,379 The biggest piece of this, of, 286 00:08:16,380 --> 00:08:18,399 course, is central, 287 00:08:18,400 --> 00:08:20,239 and that's from Ben White Boulevard 288 00:08:20,240 --> 00:08:22,459 to U.S. 290 East, 289 00:08:22,460 --> 00:08:24,299 two HOV lanes in each 290 00:08:24,300 --> 00:08:26,219 section. They're lowering the main 291 00:08:26,220 --> 00:08:27,699 lanes of the highway from Holley to 292 00:08:27,700 --> 00:08:29,539 Airport, building 293 00:08:29,540 --> 00:08:30,540 new bridges. 294 00:08:31,470 --> 00:08:33,109 Do sidewalks and a whole bunch of 295 00:08:33,110 --> 00:08:34,849 other stuff, but the main purpose of 296 00:08:34,850 --> 00:08:36,629 this is to add capacity to the 297 00:08:36,630 --> 00:08:38,189 highway in the form of those HOV 298 00:08:38,190 --> 00:08:38,408 lanes. 299 00:08:38,409 --> 00:08:40,449 Yeah, and also putting most 300 00:08:40,450 --> 00:08:41,589 of the highway, or a good chunk of 301 00:08:41,590 --> 00:08:43,408 the highway, going underground 302 00:08:43,409 --> 00:08:43,969 with the highway. 303 00:08:43,970 --> 00:08:45,829 Not under, well, low, I 304 00:08:45,830 --> 00:08:46,809 always struggle with how to word 305 00:08:46,810 --> 00:08:48,209 this. Like they're sinking the main 306 00:08:48,210 --> 00:08:50,009 lanes, but not necessarily covering 307 00:08:50,010 --> 00:08:51,249 them. That's up to the city of 308 00:08:51,250 --> 00:08:52,429 Austin. 309 00:08:52,430 --> 00:08:53,769 Right now, the city council is 310 00:08:53,770 --> 00:08:55,649 debating how much of this do we 311 00:08:55,650 --> 00:08:56,809 want to cover? And they could build 312 00:08:56,810 --> 00:08:58,169 parks on top of the highway, but 313 00:08:58,170 --> 00:09:00,029 that will be up to the city 314 00:09:00,030 --> 00:09:01,529 taxpayer to foot that bill. 315 00:09:01,530 --> 00:09:02,039 Okay. 316 00:09:02,040 --> 00:09:03,619 Okay, so there's a lot going on as 317 00:09:03,620 --> 00:09:05,039 you can tell. 318 00:09:05,040 --> 00:09:06,219 Can you talk us through some of the 319 00:09:06,220 --> 00:09:07,279 timeline, what we might be looking 320 00:09:07,280 --> 00:09:09,139 like or looking at in 321 00:09:09,140 --> 00:09:10,539 2026? 322 00:09:10,540 --> 00:09:10,969 And this is 323 00:09:10,970 --> 00:09:12,969 going to be a big year for this 324 00:09:12,970 --> 00:09:14,329 highway project. 325 00:09:14,330 --> 00:09:15,569 And so I got some rough estimates. 326 00:09:15,570 --> 00:09:17,409 I mean, the text dot can't provide 327 00:09:17,410 --> 00:09:19,229 specific dates, uh, until they 328 00:09:19,230 --> 00:09:20,809 get closer to these projects, but 329 00:09:20,810 --> 00:09:20,930 some of the. 330 00:09:20,931 --> 00:09:22,149 The construction projects usually 331 00:09:22,150 --> 00:09:24,089 run exactly as they're scheduled, 332 00:09:24,090 --> 00:09:25,029 Nathan. To the second. 333 00:09:25,030 --> 00:09:25,730 Yeah, exactly. I mean, you can set your... 334 00:09:25,731 --> 00:09:26,669 I mean, you can set your stopwatch, 335 00:09:26,670 --> 00:09:27,929 your watch to it. 336 00:09:27,930 --> 00:09:29,689 But yeah, no, so in the early part 337 00:09:29,690 --> 00:09:30,889 of the year, some of the stuff we're 338 00:09:30,890 --> 00:09:32,989 gonna see here is work 339 00:09:32,990 --> 00:09:35,089 on that bridge over 340 00:09:35,090 --> 00:09:37,169 Lady Bird Lake, that 341 00:09:37,170 --> 00:09:38,609 crossing. One of the interesting 342 00:09:38,610 --> 00:09:39,669 things, because they're gonna be 343 00:09:39,670 --> 00:09:41,649 rebuilding that bridge from east to 344 00:09:41,650 --> 00:09:43,609 west, somewhere 345 00:09:43,610 --> 00:09:45,689 sometime before March, 346 00:09:45,690 --> 00:09:48,149 TxDOT plans to limit 347 00:09:48,150 --> 00:09:50,029 passage under the bridge to 348 00:09:50,030 --> 00:09:51,789 a 75 foot wide passage. 349 00:09:51,790 --> 00:09:53,049 So if you, you know, ride a boat on 350 00:09:53,050 --> 00:09:53,879 the lake. 351 00:09:53,880 --> 00:09:55,639 It's gonna be a 75 foot wide 352 00:09:55,640 --> 00:09:56,919 passage. 353 00:09:56,920 --> 00:09:57,919 The first thing they're gonna start 354 00:09:57,920 --> 00:10:00,239 doing is they're going to close 355 00:10:00,240 --> 00:10:02,559 the eastern 356 00:10:02,560 --> 00:10:04,759 most sidewalk over the bridge. 357 00:10:04,760 --> 00:10:07,159 And that's in preparation, 358 00:10:07,160 --> 00:10:09,819 partly in preparation to build a 359 00:10:09,820 --> 00:10:11,639 new standalone pedestrian 360 00:10:11,640 --> 00:10:13,639 bridge over Lady Bird Lake East. 361 00:10:13,640 --> 00:10:15,059 That's the first thing that's gonna, 362 00:10:15,060 --> 00:10:16,259 they're they're, gonna start working 363 00:10:16,260 --> 00:10:18,399 on that in the 364 00:10:18,400 --> 00:10:19,699 summer at some point. 365 00:10:19,700 --> 00:10:21,619 Also, one of the big things 366 00:10:21,620 --> 00:10:22,599 they're going to start doing is 367 00:10:22,600 --> 00:10:24,939 actually boring a massive 368 00:10:24,940 --> 00:10:26,979 tunnel beneath I-35, 369 00:10:26,980 --> 00:10:28,039 and eventually that's going to go 370 00:10:28,040 --> 00:10:30,199 down Cesar Chavez Street. 371 00:10:30,200 --> 00:10:32,139 That's going to be 22 feet 372 00:10:32,140 --> 00:10:33,599 in diameter, and that's gonna be a 373 00:10:33,600 --> 00:10:34,999 big drainage tunnel, because to 374 00:10:35,000 --> 00:10:36,759 lower those main lanes when it 375 00:10:36,760 --> 00:10:38,699 rains, we live in Flash Flood Alley, 376 00:10:38,700 --> 00:10:39,999 that water's got to go somewhere, 377 00:10:40,000 --> 00:10:41,219 that's the purpose of that tunnel. 378 00:10:41,220 --> 00:10:42,879 So you may have seen the big drop 379 00:10:42,880 --> 00:10:44,079 shafts they've already started 380 00:10:44,080 --> 00:10:45,479 working on. 381 00:10:45,480 --> 00:10:46,799 The tunnel boring machine is going 382 00:10:46,800 --> 00:10:48,399 to get here in the spring, And then 383 00:10:48,400 --> 00:10:49,679 there gets from Germany. 384 00:10:49,680 --> 00:10:50,599 Going to assemble it, they're going 385 00:10:50,600 --> 00:10:51,979 to start boring. 386 00:10:51,980 --> 00:10:53,679 And then a lot of work on the Martin 387 00:10:53,680 --> 00:10:54,959 Luther King Jr. 388 00:10:54,960 --> 00:10:56,239 Bridge. 389 00:10:56,240 --> 00:10:58,079 They expect that bridge actually 390 00:10:58,080 --> 00:11:00,439 to be done sometime between July 391 00:11:00,440 --> 00:11:01,299 and September. 392 00:11:01,300 --> 00:11:02,819 Oh, okay. 393 00:11:02,820 --> 00:11:04,499 And a bunch of other little things 394 00:11:04,500 --> 00:11:06,459 as well. You know, people always ask 395 00:11:06,460 --> 00:11:07,619 when are they going to tear down the 396 00:11:07,620 --> 00:11:09,559 upper decks, because that's part of 397 00:11:09,560 --> 00:11:10,960 this project as well? 398 00:11:12,080 --> 00:11:13,899 They're probably not 399 00:11:13,900 --> 00:11:15,859 this year, maybe in 2027. 400 00:11:15,860 --> 00:11:17,719 It's not till like late October 401 00:11:17,720 --> 00:11:19,509 or December that they're to bring. 402 00:11:19,510 --> 00:11:21,109 Contractor on board for that segment 403 00:11:21,110 --> 00:11:23,469 of I-35, but that's something else. 404 00:11:23,470 --> 00:11:25,469 And they'll do that one 405 00:11:25,470 --> 00:11:27,229 side, they'll tear down one side and 406 00:11:27,230 --> 00:11:29,209 then shift traffic over, 407 00:11:29,210 --> 00:11:31,649 you know, and then they'll 408 00:11:31,650 --> 00:11:32,729 tear down the other side. 409 00:11:32,730 --> 00:11:33,569 Like they always do, but always 410 00:11:33,570 --> 00:11:36,089 three lanes open in each direction, 411 00:11:36,090 --> 00:11:37,569 three main lanes open each direction 412 00:11:37,570 --> 00:11:39,309 except for maybe a few nighttime 413 00:11:39,310 --> 00:11:40,229 closures here and there. 414 00:11:40,230 --> 00:11:42,149 Okie dokie, well yeah, lots to look 415 00:11:42,150 --> 00:11:44,069 forward to in 2026, and you know 416 00:11:44,070 --> 00:11:45,729 that we'll be bringing Nathan back 417 00:11:45,730 --> 00:11:47,169 on the show to talk you through 418 00:11:47,170 --> 00:11:48,649 everything. He is QUT's 419 00:11:48,650 --> 00:11:50,309 transportation reporter, and we 420 00:11:50,310 --> 00:11:51,429 appreciate your time, Nathan. 421 00:11:51,430 --> 00:11:52,430 Thanks, Jerry. 422 00:11:58,250 --> 00:11:59,769 If you've been to an Alamo 423 00:11:59,770 --> 00:12:01,550 Drafthouse cinema recently, you 424 00:12:01,551 --> 00:12:03,149 might have heard Dolly Parton tell 425 00:12:03,150 --> 00:12:05,129 the crowd to turn them phones off 426 00:12:05,130 --> 00:12:06,649 before the lights go down and the 427 00:12:06,650 --> 00:12:07,729 movie starts. 428 00:12:07,730 --> 00:12:09,729 But as KUT's Katy McAfee 429 00:12:09,730 --> 00:12:11,249 tells us, changes coming to the 430 00:12:11,250 --> 00:12:12,889 Dine-In theaters will now require 431 00:12:12,890 --> 00:12:14,869 phone usage to order food, 432 00:12:14,870 --> 00:12:16,589 drinks, or request service. 433 00:12:17,760 --> 00:12:18,999 Pulling your phone out during a 434 00:12:19,000 --> 00:12:21,179 movie has always been a big no-no 435 00:12:21,180 --> 00:12:22,639 at Alamo Drafthouse. 436 00:12:22,640 --> 00:12:24,099 In fact, you can't get to the start 437 00:12:24,100 --> 00:12:25,899 of the movie without hearing a PSA 438 00:12:25,900 --> 00:12:26,969 from a celebrity. 439 00:12:26,970 --> 00:12:29,569 Matthew, they don't like telephones 440 00:12:29,570 --> 00:12:31,749 at the Alamo Drafthouse, apparently. 441 00:12:31,750 --> 00:12:32,929 No, no, no no no. 442 00:12:34,330 --> 00:12:35,689 And those announcements haven't 443 00:12:35,690 --> 00:12:37,209 always been so cheery. 444 00:12:37,210 --> 00:12:39,109 In 2013, then-Austin 445 00:12:39,110 --> 00:12:41,009 Mayor Lee Leffingwell said if he 446 00:12:41,010 --> 00:12:42,249 hears about people leaving their 447 00:12:42,250 --> 00:12:43,619 phones on during a movie... 448 00:12:43,620 --> 00:12:44,919 I will work to destroy them. 449 00:12:47,370 --> 00:12:49,329 But a new mobile ordering policy 450 00:12:49,330 --> 00:12:51,209 might loosen the reigns on phones 451 00:12:51,210 --> 00:12:52,429 in the theater. 452 00:12:52,430 --> 00:12:54,729 Starting in mid-February, instead of 453 00:12:54,730 --> 00:12:56,249 ordering food and drinks on pen and 454 00:12:56,250 --> 00:12:58,089 paper, guests will place orders 455 00:12:58,090 --> 00:13:00,149 through the company's app before and 456 00:13:00,150 --> 00:13:01,369 during the movie. 457 00:13:01,370 --> 00:13:02,989 In a press release, Alamo Drafthouse 458 00:13:02,990 --> 00:13:04,669 said, the new system will be more 459 00:13:04,670 --> 00:13:06,189 efficient and cause less 460 00:13:06,190 --> 00:13:07,369 disruptions. 461 00:13:07,370 --> 00:13:09,269 A company spokesperson said, the app 462 00:13:09,270 --> 00:13:11,209 has dark screen technology, 463 00:13:11,210 --> 00:13:12,889 which is designed to work at a low 464 00:13:12,890 --> 00:13:13,979 brightness level. 465 00:13:13,980 --> 00:13:15,799 And talking, texting, or 466 00:13:15,800 --> 00:13:17,499 scrolling on social media will still 467 00:13:17,500 --> 00:13:19,279 be strictly enforced. 468 00:13:19,280 --> 00:13:21,459 But movie buffs aren't convinced. 469 00:13:21,460 --> 00:13:23,539 A Change.org petition asking Alamo 470 00:13:23,540 --> 00:13:25,299 Drafthouse leadership to reinstate 471 00:13:25,300 --> 00:13:27,139 analog ordering has reached over 472 00:13:27,140 --> 00:13:28,999 1,000 signatures in just a couple 473 00:13:29,000 --> 00:13:30,019 of days. 474 00:13:30,020 --> 00:13:31,619 A post about the new ordering system 475 00:13:31,620 --> 00:13:33,519 on Austin's subreddit received over 476 00:13:33,520 --> 00:13:35,499 1 ,000 upvotes and hundreds 477 00:13:35,500 --> 00:13:37,119 of comments calling the changes, 478 00:13:37,120 --> 00:13:39,439 quote, devastating and genuinely 479 00:13:39,440 --> 00:13:40,539 terrible. 480 00:13:40,540 --> 00:13:42,399 Julian Singleton, an Austin-based 481 00:13:42,400 --> 00:13:43,939 film critic and frequent Alamo 482 00:13:43,940 --> 00:13:45,919 Drafthouse patron, says the change 483 00:13:45,920 --> 00:13:47,989 is bound to cause distractions. 484 00:13:47,990 --> 00:13:49,609 You have to turn on your phone, 485 00:13:49,610 --> 00:13:51,389 which is not automatically on the 486 00:13:51,390 --> 00:13:53,209 app. Like if I turn on my 487 00:13:53,210 --> 00:13:54,449 phone, it doesn't pull up a dark 488 00:13:54,450 --> 00:13:55,769 screen. It'll pull up that giant 489 00:13:55,770 --> 00:13:57,639 bright picture of two of my dogs. 490 00:13:57,640 --> 00:13:59,139 Not everyone is convinced the move 491 00:13:59,140 --> 00:14:00,999 is good for staff, either. 492 00:14:01,000 --> 00:14:02,219 According to the company, no 493 00:14:02,220 --> 00:14:03,599 employees will be laid off due to 494 00:14:03,600 --> 00:14:05,559 the changes, and a spokesperson says 495 00:14:05,560 --> 00:14:07,399 all base wages for current staff 496 00:14:07,400 --> 00:14:08,779 will stay the same. 497 00:14:08,780 --> 00:14:10,599 But former Alamo Drafthouse server, 498 00:14:10,600 --> 00:14:12,159 Tad Kistner, wonders about the 499 00:14:12,160 --> 00:14:13,399 impact on morale. 500 00:14:13,400 --> 00:14:14,499 I have a feeling they're going to 501 00:14:14,500 --> 00:14:15,899 have a lot of people quit. 502 00:14:15,900 --> 00:14:16,879 You know, I don't think they'll be 503 00:14:16,880 --> 00:14:18,179 laying off anyone because I think 504 00:14:19,640 --> 00:14:21,339 people will be not wanting to do 505 00:14:21,340 --> 00:14:22,139 this anymore. 506 00:14:22,140 --> 00:14:23,659 Kissner, who worked at the cinema 507 00:14:23,660 --> 00:14:25,499 for about four years, said he left 508 00:14:25,500 --> 00:14:27,219 after he saw Alamo Drafthouse 509 00:14:27,220 --> 00:14:29,879 becoming, quote, very corporate. 510 00:14:29,880 --> 00:14:31,159 That was before the company was 511 00:14:31,160 --> 00:14:32,159 bought by Sony Pictures 512 00:14:32,160 --> 00:14:34,279 Entertainment in 2024. 513 00:14:34,280 --> 00:14:35,399 His main gripe about the new 514 00:14:35,400 --> 00:14:37,419 ordering policy, he says it'll 515 00:14:37,420 --> 00:14:39,359 make going to the movies feel more 516 00:14:39,360 --> 00:14:40,329 transactional. 517 00:14:40,330 --> 00:14:42,209 As the server, I enjoyed meeting 518 00:14:42,210 --> 00:14:43,729 the people before the movie and 519 00:14:43,730 --> 00:14:45,689 talking about the movie or even as 520 00:14:45,690 --> 00:14:48,089 a movie goer, talking to some of the 521 00:14:48,090 --> 00:14:50,109 employees about what's coming up, 522 00:14:50,110 --> 00:14:52,089 you know, it was a good way to 523 00:14:52,090 --> 00:14:53,139 spread the word. 524 00:14:53,140 --> 00:14:54,879 Whether the mobile ordering policy 525 00:14:54,880 --> 00:14:56,759 will minimize or add distractions 526 00:14:56,760 --> 00:14:58,559 is yet to be seen. 527 00:14:58,560 --> 00:14:59,999 Alamo Drafthouse will begin rolling 528 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:01,819 out the new system in mid-February 529 00:15:01,820 --> 00:15:03,519 at theaters nationwide. 530 00:15:03,520 --> 00:15:04,999 I'm Katy McAfee in Austin. 531 00:15:14,130 --> 00:15:15,929 Thank you for making Austin Signal 532 00:15:15,930 --> 00:15:19,309 part of your Wednesday afternoon. 533 00:15:19,310 --> 00:15:21,189 You're listening to us here on KUT 534 00:15:21,190 --> 00:15:23,409 News 90.5, 535 00:15:23,410 --> 00:15:25,469 on the KUT app, and online 536 00:15:25,470 --> 00:15:27,709 at KUT.org. 537 00:15:27,710 --> 00:15:29,569 And if you have an appointment 538 00:15:29,570 --> 00:15:31,209 at 1 o'clock, maybe you're doing 539 00:15:31,210 --> 00:15:33,209 some online ordering at Alamo at a 540 00:15:33,210 --> 00:15:34,149 movie at 1 O'clock. 541 00:15:34,150 --> 00:15:35,009 Don't worry. 542 00:15:35,010 --> 00:15:36,729 You can still get Austin Signal 543 00:15:36,730 --> 00:15:38,789 wherever you listen to 544 00:15:38,790 --> 00:15:40,649 your shows, and you can 545 00:15:40,650 --> 00:15:42,789 Find all of our episodes at KUT. 546 00:15:44,950 --> 00:15:47,049 Talking movies 547 00:15:47,050 --> 00:15:49,349 before this, talking TV 548 00:15:49,350 --> 00:15:50,710 after this break. 549 00:16:00,080 --> 00:16:01,679 This is Austin Signal. 550 00:16:01,680 --> 00:16:03,119 Thank you for tuning in today. 551 00:16:03,120 --> 00:16:04,959 Well, we are a couple of weeks into 552 00:16:04,960 --> 00:16:06,699 the new year and perhaps you're 553 00:16:06,700 --> 00:16:08,799 getting back into your routine and 554 00:16:08,800 --> 00:16:10,199 you're looking for something to 555 00:16:10,200 --> 00:16:11,599 watch to add to your evening 556 00:16:11,600 --> 00:16:12,439 viewings. 557 00:16:12,440 --> 00:16:13,519 But we gotta talk about the most 558 00:16:13,520 --> 00:16:15,439 anticipated shows of the year and 559 00:16:15,440 --> 00:16:17,359 who better to do that with than 560 00:16:17,360 --> 00:16:19,579 the folks at ATX TV Fest. 561 00:16:19,580 --> 00:16:21,019 Now joining us today is Kaelyn 562 00:16:21,020 --> 00:16:23,059 Montoya, social media manager 563 00:16:23,060 --> 00:16:24,659 of ATXTV. 564 00:16:24,660 --> 00:16:25,719 Kaelyn, thanks for joining us on 565 00:16:25,720 --> 00:16:26,359 Austin Signal! 566 00:16:26,360 --> 00:16:27,689 Thanks so much for having me. 567 00:16:27,690 --> 00:16:29,549 So I'm sure there 568 00:16:29,550 --> 00:16:30,929 are tons of shows that you know 569 00:16:30,930 --> 00:16:32,089 about that are gonna be launching 570 00:16:32,090 --> 00:16:33,769 this year or coming back this year. 571 00:16:33,770 --> 00:16:35,349 So first off, let's just talk about 572 00:16:35,350 --> 00:16:36,849 the one that is your most 573 00:16:36,850 --> 00:16:38,469 anticipated show of 2026. 574 00:16:38,470 --> 00:16:40,789 Yeah, so I am really excited. 575 00:16:40,790 --> 00:16:42,649 So this was announced not that 576 00:16:42,650 --> 00:16:44,609 long ago, but Ted Lasso, 577 00:16:44,610 --> 00:16:45,259 season four. 578 00:16:45,260 --> 00:16:46,119 Oh really? 579 00:16:46,120 --> 00:16:46,939 Which is huge. 580 00:16:46,940 --> 00:16:48,299 Ted Lass is coming back. 581 00:16:48,300 --> 00:16:49,799 Ted Lasser is a big hit around this 582 00:16:49,800 --> 00:16:50,579 newsroom. 583 00:16:50,580 --> 00:16:51,719 I thought he was done for. 584 00:16:51,720 --> 00:16:53,439 I think that's what we all thought. 585 00:16:53,440 --> 00:16:54,979 We thought that I think they said 586 00:16:54,980 --> 00:16:56,119 they weren't going to do a season 587 00:16:56,120 --> 00:16:57,939 four and then mid 588 00:16:57,940 --> 00:16:59,859 2025 they confirmed that they were 589 00:16:59,860 --> 00:17:01,799 in the works with season four. 590 00:17:01,800 --> 00:17:02,079 Okay. 591 00:17:02,080 --> 00:17:04,199 Coming back with Ted himself 592 00:17:04,200 --> 00:17:06,139 and the AFC Richmond 593 00:17:06,140 --> 00:17:07,338 like universe. 594 00:17:07,339 --> 00:17:09,318 But it sounds like he'll be teaching 595 00:17:09,319 --> 00:17:11,399 or coaching a 596 00:17:11,400 --> 00:17:13,419 women's division team. 597 00:17:13,420 --> 00:17:15,419 So it very exciting new 598 00:17:15,420 --> 00:17:17,338 team and I don't know what 599 00:17:17,339 --> 00:17:18,299 to expect from it. 600 00:17:18,300 --> 00:17:20,379 All I know is I love Ted Lasso, 601 00:17:20,380 --> 00:17:22,199 believe is probably like 602 00:17:22,200 --> 00:17:24,139 top of four of my mind all the 603 00:17:24,140 --> 00:17:26,499 time. And I think everyone's 604 00:17:26,500 --> 00:17:27,838 super excited. We don't have a lot 605 00:17:27,839 --> 00:17:29,839 of details about it yet, but. 606 00:17:29,840 --> 00:17:31,299 Uh, we're anticipating it'll be out 607 00:17:31,300 --> 00:17:33,199 this year or early next year, 608 00:17:33,200 --> 00:17:34,439 but I'm really thinking it'll be 609 00:17:34,440 --> 00:17:36,479 late this year and I'm excited 610 00:17:36,480 --> 00:17:36,949 for it. 611 00:17:36,950 --> 00:17:38,809 Okay, we'll see if Ted Lasso 612 00:17:38,810 --> 00:17:40,369 can handle this new challenge thrown 613 00:17:40,370 --> 00:17:41,369 his way. 614 00:17:41,370 --> 00:17:42,249 Tell us about another one that 615 00:17:42,250 --> 00:17:42,939 you're excited about. 616 00:17:42,940 --> 00:17:44,979 So The Pit, it was actually 617 00:17:44,980 --> 00:17:46,899 named ATX TV's top 618 00:17:46,900 --> 00:17:49,179 show of the year for 2025. 619 00:17:49,180 --> 00:17:50,999 Our members, our 620 00:17:51,000 --> 00:17:53,179 own like programming and 621 00:17:53,180 --> 00:17:55,099 staff voted and 622 00:17:55,100 --> 00:17:56,819 the fans, I mean, it just won a 623 00:17:56,820 --> 00:17:58,419 global, a Golden Globe, sorry. 624 00:17:58,420 --> 00:17:59,419 That's right, that was its best Sunday, 625 00:17:59,420 --> 00:18:01,599 right? Yeah, best TV drama. 626 00:18:01,600 --> 00:18:02,879 It's actually back, it already came 627 00:18:02,880 --> 00:18:05,479 back last week, I believe. 628 00:18:05,480 --> 00:18:07,399 And I mean if 629 00:18:07,400 --> 00:18:09,319 you want like drama, 630 00:18:09,320 --> 00:18:11,119 like sharp drama, you want real time 631 00:18:11,120 --> 00:18:12,999 stress and You just love 632 00:18:13,000 --> 00:18:15,499 the world of like ER and medical and 633 00:18:15,500 --> 00:18:16,599 just the topics that they're 634 00:18:16,600 --> 00:18:18,459 hitting. It's such a great show. 635 00:18:18,460 --> 00:18:20,479 It's captivated, I think, all of its 636 00:18:20,480 --> 00:18:21,339 audience. 637 00:18:21,340 --> 00:18:23,219 And it also didn't take a long time 638 00:18:23,220 --> 00:18:25,279 to come back, which I think is huge 639 00:18:25,280 --> 00:18:27,279 when a show with that momentum and 640 00:18:27,280 --> 00:18:29,159 love comes back within, I believe 641 00:18:29,160 --> 00:18:31,119 it was like 10 months. 642 00:18:31,120 --> 00:18:32,659 I mean, I was ready. 643 00:18:32,660 --> 00:18:33,939 For sure. It's going to be, I think 644 00:18:33,940 --> 00:18:35,319 it's going to be a phenomenal 645 00:18:35,320 --> 00:18:36,279 season. 646 00:18:36,280 --> 00:18:38,239 And I could see it on everyone's top 647 00:18:38,240 --> 00:18:39,159 list again this year. 648 00:18:39,160 --> 00:18:41,059 Okay, well completely unrelated to 649 00:18:41,060 --> 00:18:42,439 shows taking forever to come back, 650 00:18:42,440 --> 00:18:43,640 let's talk about Game of Thrones. 651 00:18:44,700 --> 00:18:46,499 I'm a really bad TV watcher, right 652 00:18:46,500 --> 00:18:48,479 now I'm re-watching The Wire on 653 00:18:48,480 --> 00:18:50,299 HBO Max, so before 654 00:18:50,300 --> 00:18:52,039 I start every episode I'm seeing a 655 00:18:52,040 --> 00:18:53,239 preview for this Game of Thrones 656 00:18:53,240 --> 00:18:54,879 spinoff. I gotta admit, the first 657 00:18:54,880 --> 00:18:56,799 time I saw it I wasn't 658 00:18:56,800 --> 00:18:58,239 paying attention, so I thought it 659 00:18:58,240 --> 00:19:00,219 was kind of satirical, it looked 660 00:19:00,220 --> 00:19:01,439 kind of funny, the people looked 661 00:19:01,440 --> 00:19:02,619 really pale. 662 00:19:02,620 --> 00:19:03,459 What's the deal? 663 00:19:03,460 --> 00:19:04,749 Is this a serious spinof? 664 00:19:04,750 --> 00:19:06,909 Yeah, so this is a prequel 665 00:19:06,910 --> 00:19:08,869 to the original Game of Thrones that 666 00:19:08,870 --> 00:19:10,769 we know. So this happens a 667 00:19:10,770 --> 00:19:12,909 hundred years before, 668 00:19:12,910 --> 00:19:14,529 so a century before, and I think it 669 00:19:14,530 --> 00:19:16,769 focuses more on like the common 670 00:19:16,770 --> 00:19:19,189 people of the show. 671 00:19:19,190 --> 00:19:21,069 So we're not going to be looking at 672 00:19:21,070 --> 00:19:22,549 the noble families in the way that 673 00:19:22,550 --> 00:19:24,429 we do Game of Thrones and even 674 00:19:24,430 --> 00:19:26,409 House of Dragons, which is also set 675 00:19:26,410 --> 00:19:28,099 to come back this year. 676 00:19:28,100 --> 00:19:30,079 That's on Amazon, correct? 677 00:19:30,080 --> 00:19:30,769 That's the other one? 678 00:19:30,770 --> 00:19:31,489 HBO Max. 679 00:19:31,490 --> 00:19:32,449 HBO Max. 680 00:19:32,450 --> 00:19:33,769 Okay, it's the same. This is all the 681 00:19:33,770 --> 00:19:34,869 same universe. 682 00:19:34,870 --> 00:19:35,730 Like I said, I'm not a TV person. 683 00:19:35,731 --> 00:19:37,909 No, all good. 684 00:19:37,910 --> 00:19:39,849 House of Dragons takes place, I 685 00:19:39,850 --> 00:19:41,669 think it's 200 years 686 00:19:41,670 --> 00:19:42,469 plus before. 687 00:19:42,470 --> 00:19:44,569 And then you'll have this prequel 688 00:19:44,570 --> 00:19:46,229 to Game of Thrones, but that 689 00:19:46,230 --> 00:19:47,889 actually takes place after House of 690 00:19:47,890 --> 00:19:49,869 Dragon. So a lot to 691 00:19:49,870 --> 00:19:51,229 keep up with there. 692 00:19:51,230 --> 00:19:53,089 But this will focus more on 693 00:19:53,090 --> 00:19:54,949 like the day to day of the 694 00:19:54,950 --> 00:19:56,829 folks living in Westeros and 695 00:19:56,830 --> 00:19:58,669 not necessarily all of the noble 696 00:19:58,670 --> 00:20:00,549 fighting that happens and 697 00:20:00,550 --> 00:20:01,669 that we're used to in Game of 698 00:20:01,670 --> 00:20:02,949 Throne. So this will be a little bit 699 00:20:02,950 --> 00:20:04,509 more story driven and character 700 00:20:04,510 --> 00:20:05,289 driven. 701 00:20:05,290 --> 00:20:07,669 Uh, versus the more 702 00:20:07,670 --> 00:20:09,549 fantasy war-driven 703 00:20:09,550 --> 00:20:11,289 dragons, the fun, exciting. 704 00:20:11,290 --> 00:20:13,109 So I am curious how they're going 705 00:20:13,110 --> 00:20:15,089 to balance that, uh, with 706 00:20:15,090 --> 00:20:17,229 story driving versus magical, 707 00:20:17,230 --> 00:20:19,109 you know, fantasy creatures 708 00:20:19,110 --> 00:20:20,609 and how it'll do. 709 00:20:20,610 --> 00:20:22,029 But we are very excited for that one 710 00:20:22,030 --> 00:20:22,249 too. 711 00:20:22,250 --> 00:20:23,549 Okay, well, this is a town that 712 00:20:23,550 --> 00:20:25,429 enjoys its TV, but TV 713 00:20:25,430 --> 00:20:27,369 is also produced around here 714 00:20:27,370 --> 00:20:29,589 made right here in Austin 715 00:20:29,590 --> 00:20:31,569 There's a show that's coming back. 716 00:20:31,570 --> 00:20:33,729 The first season was filmed here in 717 00:20:33,730 --> 00:20:34,589 Austin, correct? 718 00:20:34,590 --> 00:20:35,869 Yes. So tell us more about the 719 00:20:35,870 --> 00:20:36,579 series of the show 720 00:20:36,580 --> 00:20:38,399 Yeah, so the last thing he told 721 00:20:38,400 --> 00:20:40,579 me was actually a book by 722 00:20:40,580 --> 00:20:42,639 Laura Dave, and it filmed 723 00:20:42,640 --> 00:20:44,279 its first season here in Austin. 724 00:20:44,280 --> 00:20:45,919 The book takes place here. 725 00:20:45,920 --> 00:20:47,859 And it actually had some 726 00:20:47,860 --> 00:20:49,919 scenes at UT and down 727 00:20:49,920 --> 00:20:51,859 Congress and all of our famous, 728 00:20:51,860 --> 00:20:54,079 like well-spotted 729 00:20:54,080 --> 00:20:55,719 areas in town. 730 00:20:55,720 --> 00:20:56,519 Season one was very good. 731 00:20:56,520 --> 00:20:58,999 It's about the disappearance of 732 00:20:59,000 --> 00:21:00,939 her husband, and she's 733 00:21:00,940 --> 00:21:02,659 now left with his daughter and 734 00:21:02,660 --> 00:21:04,639 trying to understand the mystery of 735 00:21:04,640 --> 00:21:06,349 what happened to him. 736 00:21:06,350 --> 00:21:08,389 Really his past before 737 00:21:08,390 --> 00:21:10,009 she knew him. 738 00:21:10,010 --> 00:21:11,809 And we see a lot of Austin in that 739 00:21:11,810 --> 00:21:13,349 and it's really cool. 740 00:21:13,350 --> 00:21:14,549 They're, they just announced season 741 00:21:14,550 --> 00:21:16,489 two. I don't think it'll take place 742 00:21:16,490 --> 00:21:17,469 in town. 743 00:21:17,470 --> 00:21:18,869 It's called the first time I saw 744 00:21:18,870 --> 00:21:20,729 him, which is the sequel of 745 00:21:20,730 --> 00:21:22,049 the book as well. 746 00:21:22,050 --> 00:21:23,989 And I think if you want to 747 00:21:23,990 --> 00:21:25,069 watch season two, you'll have to 748 00:21:25,070 --> 00:21:25,699 watch, season one. 749 00:21:25,700 --> 00:21:27,119 That makes sense, yeah. 750 00:21:27,120 --> 00:21:28,299 You'd want to catch up and 751 00:21:28,300 --> 00:21:30,059 especially to catch all of the 752 00:21:30,060 --> 00:21:31,519 Austin locations that you might be 753 00:21:31,520 --> 00:21:33,099 able to catch in that show. 754 00:21:33,100 --> 00:21:34,299 Okay, last question before you get 755 00:21:34,300 --> 00:21:35,339 out of here. 756 00:21:35,340 --> 00:21:36,599 There's been a sort of a big 757 00:21:36,600 --> 00:21:38,419 surprise TV hit, everyone. 758 00:21:38,420 --> 00:21:39,739 Certainly in this newsroom is 759 00:21:39,740 --> 00:21:41,139 talking about it. It's called Heated 760 00:21:41,140 --> 00:21:43,019 Rivalry. In fact, there's a pair of 761 00:21:43,020 --> 00:21:44,519 hockey sticks in the KUT newsroom 762 00:21:44,520 --> 00:21:45,879 now. I don't even know what the... 763 00:21:45,880 --> 00:21:47,859 I'm sure that's related to that. 764 00:21:47,860 --> 00:21:50,099 I admit I haven't seen it yet, so if 765 00:21:50,100 --> 00:21:51,739 anyone out there is listening, 766 00:21:51,740 --> 00:21:54,309 please don't email me with 767 00:21:54,310 --> 00:21:56,629 is an adaptation of a book and 768 00:21:56,630 --> 00:21:58,189 I know that you have a couple of 769 00:21:58,190 --> 00:22:00,029 other adaptations on your list 770 00:22:00,030 --> 00:22:01,089 as well, right? 771 00:22:01,090 --> 00:22:03,249 Yes, so I have also not 772 00:22:03,250 --> 00:22:05,069 watched Heated Rivalry yet, which my 773 00:22:05,070 --> 00:22:06,889 friends are giving me so much flack 774 00:22:06,890 --> 00:22:08,079 for. 775 00:22:08,080 --> 00:22:09,979 Lots of TV to be watched, people, 776 00:22:09,980 --> 00:22:10,269 come on. 777 00:22:10,270 --> 00:22:12,489 I have a cue and I've been trying, 778 00:22:12,490 --> 00:22:14,349 you know, it's a lot to go through 779 00:22:14,350 --> 00:22:15,649 and I want to really dedicate some 780 00:22:15,650 --> 00:22:17,569 time, but we have Imperfect Women 781 00:22:17,570 --> 00:22:19,889 is coming out early spring, 782 00:22:19,890 --> 00:22:20,929 which is actually with Kerry 783 00:22:20,930 --> 00:22:22,949 Washington, Elizabeth Moth 784 00:22:22,950 --> 00:22:25,149 and Kate Mara, which also 785 00:22:25,150 --> 00:22:26,969 based on a book and it's going to be 786 00:22:26,970 --> 00:22:27,829 a thriller. 787 00:22:27,830 --> 00:22:29,129 And we also have Margo's Got Money 788 00:22:29,130 --> 00:22:30,989 Problems, which should be really fun 789 00:22:30,990 --> 00:22:32,989 and comes with a stacked cast. 790 00:22:32,990 --> 00:22:34,529 We have Elle Fanning in it. 791 00:22:34,530 --> 00:22:36,189 We have Michelle Pfeiffer, Nicole 792 00:22:36,190 --> 00:22:38,249 Kidman and Nick Offerman in 793 00:22:38,250 --> 00:22:40,069 it And that is also 794 00:22:40,070 --> 00:22:42,029 a TV to book adaptation or book 795 00:22:42,030 --> 00:22:43,809 to TV adaptation. 796 00:22:43,810 --> 00:22:44,749 We're seeing a lot of those right 797 00:22:44,750 --> 00:22:46,289 now. We just had the people we meet 798 00:22:46,290 --> 00:22:48,289 on vacation came out last week, 799 00:22:48,290 --> 00:22:49,209 which is a movie. 800 00:22:49,210 --> 00:22:51,189 And with the summer I turned pretty, 801 00:22:51,190 --> 00:22:53,209 there's a lot of really 802 00:22:53,210 --> 00:22:54,929 good books being turned into TV, 803 00:22:54,930 --> 00:22:56,409 which I love because I'm an avid 804 00:22:56,410 --> 00:22:58,029 reader. I run a book club. 805 00:22:58,030 --> 00:22:59,189 So this is fun for me. 806 00:22:59,190 --> 00:23:01,089 Our conversations are lively 807 00:23:01,090 --> 00:23:03,129 and heated as everyone's comparing 808 00:23:03,130 --> 00:23:04,689 the two. So it's making for a really 809 00:23:04,690 --> 00:23:06,029 good conversation, which I think 810 00:23:06,030 --> 00:23:07,969 heated rivalry has also done. 811 00:23:07,970 --> 00:23:09,429 Excellent. Well, we'll have more 812 00:23:09,430 --> 00:23:11,389 about these shows in our 813 00:23:11,390 --> 00:23:13,429 show notes here at Austin Signal. 814 00:23:13,430 --> 00:23:14,369 We've been speaking with Kaelyn 815 00:23:14,370 --> 00:23:16,089 Montoya. She is the social media 816 00:23:16,090 --> 00:23:18,229 manager for ATX TV. 817 00:23:18,230 --> 00:23:19,729 This year's festival is happening 818 00:23:19,730 --> 00:23:22,009 May 28th through 31st. 819 00:23:22,010 --> 00:23:23,169 Again, we're going to have a link at 820 00:23:23,170 --> 00:23:24,989 kut.org slash 821 00:23:24,990 --> 00:23:26,909 signal and in our podcast 822 00:23:26,910 --> 00:23:28,469 show notes. Kaelyn, thanks for 823 00:23:28,470 --> 00:23:29,089 coming on the show. 824 00:23:29,090 --> 00:23:30,869 Thanks for having me. 825 00:23:30,870 --> 00:23:32,869 And that's it for today's episode 826 00:23:32,870 --> 00:23:34,249 of Austin Signal. 827 00:23:34,250 --> 00:23:36,329 Thank you to Nathan Bernier, 828 00:23:36,330 --> 00:23:38,729 Lauren McGaughy, Katy McAfee, 829 00:23:38,730 --> 00:23:40,669 and Kaelyn Montoya for making it 830 00:23:40,670 --> 00:23:41,549 happen. 831 00:23:41,550 --> 00:23:43,169 Kristen Cabrera is our managing 832 00:23:43,170 --> 00:23:45,169 producer, and Rayna Sevilla is 833 00:23:45,170 --> 00:23:46,869 our technical director. 834 00:23:46,870 --> 00:23:48,469 I'm your host, Jerry Quijano, and 835 00:23:48,470 --> 00:23:49,470 we'll talk to you tomorrow.