1 00:00:08,590 --> 00:00:10,549 The forecast continues to evolve 2 00:00:10,550 --> 00:00:12,329 as an arctic cold front heads toward 3 00:00:12,330 --> 00:00:14,089 the Austin area this weekend. 4 00:00:14,090 --> 00:00:15,549 Temperatures are forecast to remain 5 00:00:15,550 --> 00:00:17,349 below freezing starting Saturday 6 00:00:17,350 --> 00:00:18,989 night here in Central Texas, and 7 00:00:18,990 --> 00:00:20,669 they could stay that way through 8 00:00:20,670 --> 00:00:21,709 Monday. 9 00:00:21,710 --> 00:00:23,309 The latest forecasts and updates 10 00:00:23,310 --> 00:00:24,609 from city officials, that's coming 11 00:00:24,610 --> 00:00:26,339 up on today's show. 12 00:00:26,340 --> 00:00:28,239 The Austin Signal is a production 13 00:00:28,240 --> 00:00:30,339 of KUT News, hosted by 14 00:00:30,340 --> 00:00:31,449 Jerry Quijano. 15 00:00:31,450 --> 00:00:33,069 Austin Community College's free 16 00:00:33,070 --> 00:00:34,869 tuition pilot program ballooned to 17 00:00:34,870 --> 00:00:36,729 nearly 10,000 students this 18 00:00:36,730 --> 00:00:37,869 academic year. 19 00:00:37,870 --> 00:00:39,449 The students who are being impacted 20 00:00:39,450 --> 00:00:40,649 and the things that they're learning 21 00:00:40,650 --> 00:00:41,629 about. 22 00:00:41,630 --> 00:00:43,349 And Huston Tillotson University's 23 00:00:43,350 --> 00:00:44,889 Jazz Orchestra is among the top 24 00:00:44,890 --> 00:00:46,429 bands in the country. 25 00:00:46,430 --> 00:00:47,669 We'll hear about their competition 26 00:00:47,670 --> 00:00:49,669 last weekend in New York. 27 00:00:49,670 --> 00:00:51,389 Plus photojournalism collides with 28 00:00:51,390 --> 00:00:52,989 original songwriting in the new 29 00:00:52,990 --> 00:00:54,329 project, Witness. 30 00:00:54,330 --> 00:00:56,169 We have more about that coming up 31 00:00:56,170 --> 00:00:57,229 on Austin Signal. 32 00:01:08,340 --> 00:01:10,299 Howdy, it's Austin Signal. 33 00:01:10,300 --> 00:01:12,139 Thank you for making us part of 34 00:01:12,140 --> 00:01:13,059 your Friday. 35 00:01:13,060 --> 00:01:14,339 Let's get right into it because we 36 00:01:14,340 --> 00:01:15,999 have a lot to share with you. 37 00:01:16,000 --> 00:01:17,499 A massive Arctic front is bearing 38 00:01:17,500 --> 00:01:19,319 down on central Texas. 39 00:01:19,320 --> 00:01:20,599 The National Weather Service expects 40 00:01:20,600 --> 00:01:21,859 it could bring freezing temperatures 41 00:01:21,860 --> 00:01:23,959 to Austin through maybe Tuesday 42 00:01:23,960 --> 00:01:26,059 with a chance of freezing rain or 43 00:01:26,060 --> 00:01:28,259 sleet. At a news conference today, 44 00:01:28,260 --> 00:01:29,779 Austin Mayor Kirk Watson's message 45 00:01:29,780 --> 00:01:31,699 was simple. 46 00:01:31,700 --> 00:01:33,579 Winter is here. 47 00:01:33,580 --> 00:01:35,399 KUT's Andrew Weber has been covering 48 00:01:35,400 --> 00:01:37,059 the storm And this week he has more 49 00:01:37,060 --> 00:01:38,949 about preparations. 50 00:01:38,950 --> 00:01:40,769 The days-long blast of cold air 51 00:01:40,770 --> 00:01:42,429 is expected to bring some freezing 52 00:01:42,430 --> 00:01:44,769 rain or sleet to Austin sometime 53 00:01:44,770 --> 00:01:47,169 Saturday, likely in the afternoon. 54 00:01:47,170 --> 00:01:48,709 That Arctic blast could coat 55 00:01:48,710 --> 00:01:50,689 Austin's roads in a fine glaze 56 00:01:50,690 --> 00:01:52,669 of ice, and it could weigh 57 00:01:52,670 --> 00:01:54,929 down the city's dense tree canopy, 58 00:01:54,930 --> 00:01:56,549 presenting the risk of power outages 59 00:01:56,550 --> 00:01:58,009 if limbs tumble down onto power 60 00:01:58,010 --> 00:02:00,509 lines like they did in 2023. 61 00:02:00,510 --> 00:02:01,689 Travis County Judge Andy Brown 62 00:02:01,690 --> 00:02:03,649 issued a disaster declaration today 63 00:02:03,650 --> 00:02:04,749 ahead of the front. 64 00:02:04,750 --> 00:02:06,109 At a news conference this morning, 65 00:02:06,110 --> 00:02:07,709 he was joined by Mayor Watson. 66 00:02:07,710 --> 00:02:09,448 Who had a simple request. 67 00:02:09,449 --> 00:02:11,549 If you don't need to be out over 68 00:02:11,550 --> 00:02:13,669 the weekend, please don't 69 00:02:13,670 --> 00:02:15,729 be out, don't be on the streets 70 00:02:15,730 --> 00:02:17,869 and get your home 71 00:02:17,870 --> 00:02:18,739 ready. 72 00:02:18,740 --> 00:02:20,459 Watson Brown and other officials 73 00:02:20,460 --> 00:02:22,499 urged Austinites and Central Texans 74 00:02:22,500 --> 00:02:23,699 to have a plan. 75 00:02:23,700 --> 00:02:24,739 Jason Runyon with the National 76 00:02:24,740 --> 00:02:26,179 Weather Service said this 77 00:02:26,180 --> 00:02:28,099 dangerously cold weather system 78 00:02:28,100 --> 00:02:30,099 could bring up to a quarter inch of 79 00:02:30,100 --> 00:02:31,619 ice accumulation starting Saturday 80 00:02:31,620 --> 00:02:33,659 when freezing rain and sleet are 81 00:02:33,660 --> 00:02:35,439 expected to hit the hill country. 82 00:02:35,440 --> 00:02:37,399 Runyon added that the forecast is 83 00:02:37,400 --> 00:02:38,179 changing. 84 00:02:38,180 --> 00:02:40,019 He urges residents to keep up 85 00:02:40,020 --> 00:02:41,409 to date on the forecast. 86 00:02:41,410 --> 00:02:43,809 This forecast is still evolving, 87 00:02:43,810 --> 00:02:46,809 even over the next 24 to 36 hours. 88 00:02:46,810 --> 00:02:48,269 While our confidence is increasing 89 00:02:48,270 --> 00:02:50,369 on the overall impacts, 90 00:02:50,370 --> 00:02:52,789 fluctuations in the ICE forecast are 91 00:02:52,790 --> 00:02:54,229 still possible and likely. 92 00:02:54,230 --> 00:02:55,949 While ERCOT, the state's electrical 93 00:02:55,950 --> 00:02:57,789 grid operator, says it does not 94 00:02:57,790 --> 00:02:59,469 anticipate large-scale power 95 00:02:59,470 --> 00:03:01,249 outages, the local concern about 96 00:03:01,250 --> 00:03:03,109 Austin Energy's grid is very 97 00:03:03,110 --> 00:03:04,809 real. Ice weighed down tree limbs 98 00:03:04,810 --> 00:03:07,029 across the city in 2023, 99 00:03:07,030 --> 00:03:08,509 causing outages for hundreds of 100 00:03:08,510 --> 00:03:10,769 thousands of Austinites for days. 101 00:03:10,770 --> 00:03:12,369 General Manager Stuart Riley said 102 00:03:12,370 --> 00:03:14,029 the city-owned utility has spent the 103 00:03:14,030 --> 00:03:16,129 years since retooling and improving 104 00:03:16,130 --> 00:03:18,449 its responses to winter weather. 105 00:03:18,450 --> 00:03:20,589 Austin Energy is fully staffed and 106 00:03:20,590 --> 00:03:22,229 is prepared to reach out to other 107 00:03:22,230 --> 00:03:23,069 utilities 108 00:03:23,070 --> 00:03:24,009 need be. 109 00:03:24,010 --> 00:03:25,349 Austin Energy over the past few 110 00:03:25,350 --> 00:03:27,429 years has done a great deal to 111 00:03:27,430 --> 00:03:29,349 prepare for storms, 112 00:03:29,350 --> 00:03:30,809 in particular to prepare for winter 113 00:03:30,810 --> 00:03:32,129 storms like what we're facing right 114 00:03:32,130 --> 00:03:33,509 now. Our crews are ready, our 115 00:03:33,510 --> 00:03:35,489 staffing plans are in place, so we 116 00:03:35,490 --> 00:03:37,209 are the most prepared that we have 117 00:03:37,210 --> 00:03:39,269 ever been for a winter storm. 118 00:03:39,270 --> 00:03:41,469 Watson and others advised Austinites 119 00:03:41,470 --> 00:03:43,189 to have a plan in place in case the 120 00:03:43,190 --> 00:03:44,829 power goes out, check on your 121 00:03:44,830 --> 00:03:46,269 neighbors, and make sure you have 122 00:03:46,270 --> 00:03:48,029 enough food and water ahead of the 123 00:03:48,030 --> 00:03:49,970 front. I'm Andrew Weber in Austin. 124 00:03:53,190 --> 00:03:55,229 As conversations about the costs 125 00:03:55,230 --> 00:03:57,529 of higher education continue, 126 00:03:57,530 --> 00:03:58,969 community colleges have seen a small 127 00:03:58,970 --> 00:04:01,089 percentage increase in enrollment. 128 00:04:01,090 --> 00:04:02,509 Now this is true for Austin 129 00:04:02,510 --> 00:04:04,369 Community College as well, 130 00:04:04,370 --> 00:04:06,649 but another factor is ACC's 131 00:04:06,650 --> 00:04:08,749 free tuition pilot program. 132 00:04:08,750 --> 00:04:10,729 It launched in the fall of 2024 and 133 00:04:10,730 --> 00:04:12,589 a year later saw double 134 00:04:12,590 --> 00:04:14,669 the number of participants. 135 00:04:14,670 --> 00:04:15,769 For more about this story, we're 136 00:04:15,770 --> 00:04:17,148 speaking with KUT's Greta 137 00:04:17,149 --> 00:04:18,489 Diaz-Gonzalez-Vasquez. 138 00:04:18,490 --> 00:04:19,819 Thanks for coming on Austin Signal. 139 00:04:19,820 --> 00:04:21,169 Hi Jerry, thank you for having me. 140 00:04:21,170 --> 00:04:23,049 Yeah, so remind us, what 141 00:04:23,050 --> 00:04:24,529 is this free pilot program? 142 00:04:24,530 --> 00:04:25,929 I'm assuming it's free tuition, but 143 00:04:25,930 --> 00:04:27,309 what is the goal behind this? 144 00:04:27,310 --> 00:04:28,389 Yes, that's right. 145 00:04:28,390 --> 00:04:30,409 So it's free tuition and no fees 146 00:04:30,410 --> 00:04:32,749 for students who graduated 147 00:04:32,750 --> 00:04:35,609 after July 2023 148 00:04:35,610 --> 00:04:37,689 in the ACC service 149 00:04:37,690 --> 00:04:39,669 area or students who got their GED 150 00:04:39,670 --> 00:04:41,469 after that date, also students who 151 00:04:41,470 --> 00:04:42,709 were homeschooled. 152 00:04:42,710 --> 00:04:44,509 And the idea is that more students 153 00:04:44,510 --> 00:04:46,629 can access college education 154 00:04:46,630 --> 00:04:48,169 because we all know that is very 155 00:04:48,170 --> 00:04:48,859 expensive. 156 00:04:48,860 --> 00:04:50,299 And was there a reason why they 157 00:04:50,300 --> 00:04:51,619 wanted to start this program? 158 00:04:51,620 --> 00:04:52,899 It was just, I'm guessing, to 159 00:04:52,900 --> 00:04:54,359 increase enrollment, to increase 160 00:04:54,360 --> 00:04:56,119 education among the community. 161 00:04:56,120 --> 00:04:57,479 What was the reason they wanted to 162 00:04:57,480 --> 00:04:58,409 start it in the first place? 163 00:04:58,410 --> 00:05:00,509 Yeah, so back in 2024, when 164 00:05:00,510 --> 00:05:02,449 the pilot program was approved, ACC 165 00:05:02,450 --> 00:05:04,329 officials said that at least 166 00:05:04,330 --> 00:05:06,329 12,000 Central Texas 167 00:05:06,330 --> 00:05:08,549 high school graduates were not 168 00:05:08,550 --> 00:05:09,789 going into college. 169 00:05:09,790 --> 00:05:11,709 So they hadn't enrolled to college 170 00:05:11,710 --> 00:05:13,429 after graduating. 171 00:05:13,430 --> 00:05:15,049 And so they wanted to bring that 172 00:05:15,050 --> 00:05:16,349 number down, make sure that people 173 00:05:16,350 --> 00:05:18,189 had access to 174 00:05:18,190 --> 00:05:19,749 college, but not only that, that 175 00:05:19,750 --> 00:05:21,789 they would be able to enroll and 176 00:05:21,790 --> 00:05:23,189 also stay in college because maybe 177 00:05:23,190 --> 00:05:24,529 you can do the first year, but then, 178 00:05:24,530 --> 00:05:26,589 you know, the budget 179 00:05:26,590 --> 00:05:27,469 changes. 180 00:05:27,470 --> 00:05:27,870 Yeah, right. 181 00:05:27,871 --> 00:05:28,749 It changes, things change as we hear on 182 00:05:28,750 --> 00:05:29,769 the radio, you know, things are 183 00:05:29,770 --> 00:05:30,549 always changing. 184 00:05:30,550 --> 00:05:32,109 Different factors are impacting 185 00:05:32,110 --> 00:05:34,029 people's ability to do anything and 186 00:05:34,030 --> 00:05:36,009 everything here in Austin and across 187 00:05:36,010 --> 00:05:37,509 the country. 188 00:05:37,510 --> 00:05:38,829 So I know that you've spoken with 189 00:05:38,830 --> 00:05:40,209 folks at ACC. 190 00:05:40,210 --> 00:05:42,109 So first off, I wanted to ask you, 191 00:05:42,110 --> 00:05:43,269 what are the kinds, who are the kind 192 00:05:43,270 --> 00:05:45,009 of students that are benefiting from 193 00:05:45,010 --> 00:05:46,289 this program so far. 194 00:05:46,290 --> 00:05:47,889 Right, yeah, I spoke to Jenna 195 00:05:47,890 --> 00:05:50,129 Kulinane-Hagee and she is 196 00:05:50,130 --> 00:05:52,349 the Vice Chancellor of Institutional 197 00:05:52,350 --> 00:05:54,249 Research and Analytics and she 198 00:05:54,250 --> 00:05:55,389 was telling me that they did 199 00:05:55,390 --> 00:05:57,649 interviews with students who have 200 00:05:57,650 --> 00:05:59,389 benefited from this program and she 201 00:05:59,390 --> 00:06:01,009 said there are three main groups 202 00:06:01,010 --> 00:06:02,309 that have benefited from this. 203 00:06:02,310 --> 00:06:03,669 The first is students who thought 204 00:06:03,670 --> 00:06:05,089 they wouldn't go to college because 205 00:06:05,090 --> 00:06:06,209 they couldn't afford to go to 206 00:06:06,210 --> 00:06:07,169 College. 207 00:06:07,170 --> 00:06:09,229 Second is students, who thought well 208 00:06:09,230 --> 00:06:11,449 maybe I can wait a couple of work 209 00:06:11,450 --> 00:06:13,389 a little bit, save money, and then 210 00:06:13,390 --> 00:06:14,669 go to college. 211 00:06:14,670 --> 00:06:16,849 Uh, studies find that those students 212 00:06:16,850 --> 00:06:18,849 rarely go to college. 213 00:06:18,850 --> 00:06:20,909 And the third group was students who 214 00:06:20,910 --> 00:06:23,049 plan on getting a certificate and 215 00:06:23,050 --> 00:06:24,909 then jumping into the workforce. 216 00:06:24,910 --> 00:06:26,809 They now can go to and 217 00:06:26,810 --> 00:06:28,529 get an associate or even a 218 00:06:28,530 --> 00:06:29,619 bachelor's degree. 219 00:06:29,620 --> 00:06:32,059 Now I mentioned at the top that this 220 00:06:32,060 --> 00:06:33,839 program has doubled in size, this 221 00:06:33,840 --> 00:06:35,539 current academic year is featuring 222 00:06:35,540 --> 00:06:37,499 about nearly 10,000 students 223 00:06:37,500 --> 00:06:38,539 who are benefiting from this 224 00:06:38,540 --> 00:06:39,439 program. 225 00:06:39,440 --> 00:06:40,859 What were the numbers in the first 226 00:06:40,860 --> 00:06:42,839 year and how much of that might be 227 00:06:42,840 --> 00:06:44,419 a little bit of a crossover? 228 00:06:44,420 --> 00:06:46,399 Yeah that's right the first year it 229 00:06:46,400 --> 00:06:48,359 was around 5 000 students but then 230 00:06:48,360 --> 00:06:50,439 you know that not all of them will 231 00:06:50,440 --> 00:06:50,869 come back 232 00:06:50,870 --> 00:06:52,769 These are not all unique students, 233 00:06:52,770 --> 00:06:52,770 right? 234 00:06:52,771 --> 00:06:54,309 Right. But then they also realized 235 00:06:54,310 --> 00:06:55,489 that a lot of those students were 236 00:06:55,490 --> 00:06:56,489 coming back. 237 00:06:56,490 --> 00:06:58,229 The rate of students that would come 238 00:06:58,230 --> 00:07:00,049 back every semester would 239 00:07:00,050 --> 00:07:01,889 also increase because students can 240 00:07:01,890 --> 00:07:03,069 stay in college. 241 00:07:03,070 --> 00:07:05,029 And then this year with the two 242 00:07:05,030 --> 00:07:07,339 cohorts is almost 10,000 students. 243 00:07:07,340 --> 00:07:08,259 OK. 244 00:07:08,260 --> 00:07:09,939 What kinds of programs are these 245 00:07:09,940 --> 00:07:11,339 students learning about? 246 00:07:11,340 --> 00:07:12,379 What kind of classes are they 247 00:07:12,380 --> 00:07:13,039 taking? 248 00:07:13,040 --> 00:07:14,759 You know, they said that they are 249 00:07:14,760 --> 00:07:16,339 taking all kinds of classes, but 250 00:07:16,340 --> 00:07:18,499 there were three programs that ACC 251 00:07:18,500 --> 00:07:20,559 saw an increase on enrollment 252 00:07:20,560 --> 00:07:21,599 this year. 253 00:07:21,600 --> 00:07:23,819 And they're mainly workforce-aligned 254 00:07:23,820 --> 00:07:26,379 programs or health-related programs. 255 00:07:26,380 --> 00:07:27,659 And so it was advanced 256 00:07:27,660 --> 00:07:29,799 manufacturing, skilled trades, 257 00:07:29,800 --> 00:07:31,319 and health sciences. 258 00:07:31,320 --> 00:07:33,179 Those three programs saw at least 259 00:07:33,180 --> 00:07:36,019 a 17% increase in 260 00:07:36,020 --> 00:07:37,999 enrollment. And I have to 261 00:07:38,000 --> 00:07:41,179 say ACC saw a 7% 262 00:07:41,180 --> 00:07:42,809 increase, And that would be. 263 00:07:42,810 --> 00:07:44,689 Around 41,000 students. 264 00:07:44,690 --> 00:07:46,090 And out of all these students, out 265 00:07:46,091 --> 00:07:48,209 of that 41,024 are 266 00:07:48,210 --> 00:07:50,109 part of this pilot program according 267 00:07:50,110 --> 00:07:51,719 to our math. 268 00:07:51,720 --> 00:07:53,339 Okay, according to your math, okay, 269 00:07:53,340 --> 00:07:54,579 excellent. Well, we have more about 270 00:07:54,580 --> 00:07:57,939 this story over at KUT.org. 271 00:07:57,940 --> 00:08:00,059 Greta Diaz-Gonzalez Vasquez 272 00:08:00,060 --> 00:08:01,679 is a morning edition producer here 273 00:08:01,680 --> 00:08:03,279 at KUt, but you will be hearing more 274 00:08:03,280 --> 00:08:05,259 of her here on Austin Signal, 275 00:08:05,260 --> 00:08:07,619 KUT's education reporter, 276 00:08:07,620 --> 00:08:09,479 Greta Dias-Gonsalez-Vasquez. 277 00:08:09,480 --> 00:08:10,419 Thanks for coming on the show, we 278 00:08:10,420 --> 00:08:11,009 appreciate you. 279 00:08:11,010 --> 00:08:12,010 Thank you, Jerry. 280 00:08:17,810 --> 00:08:19,049 Huston-Tillotson University's Jazz 281 00:08:19,050 --> 00:08:20,949 Orchestra is among the top 282 00:08:20,950 --> 00:08:22,689 bands in the country after their 283 00:08:22,690 --> 00:08:24,349 finish at the National Collegiate 284 00:08:24,350 --> 00:08:26,109 Jazz Competition in New York last 285 00:08:26,110 --> 00:08:27,549 weekend. 286 00:08:27,550 --> 00:08:29,649 As KUT's Katy McAfee reports, 287 00:08:29,650 --> 00:08:30,989 Huston- Tillotson was the smallest 288 00:08:30,990 --> 00:08:32,849 school selected to perform and 289 00:08:32,850 --> 00:08:34,729 the only all undergraduate 290 00:08:34,730 --> 00:08:35,730 band. 291 00:08:36,629 --> 00:08:37,908 Huston Tillotson's jazz program 292 00:08:37,909 --> 00:08:39,889 didn't exist until about four years 293 00:08:39,890 --> 00:08:40,709 ago. 294 00:08:40,710 --> 00:08:42,389 That's when Jeremy George rolled the 295 00:08:42,390 --> 00:08:44,089 dice and left his job teaching music 296 00:08:44,090 --> 00:08:45,409 at the high school level in Florida 297 00:08:45,410 --> 00:08:47,189 to develop the university's jazz 298 00:08:47,190 --> 00:08:48,190 programs. 299 00:08:48,689 --> 00:08:50,569 Before I moved here and 300 00:08:50,570 --> 00:08:51,789 took this job, I didn't know 301 00:08:51,790 --> 00:08:53,189 anything about Huston-Tillerson 302 00:08:53,190 --> 00:08:54,369 University. 303 00:08:54,370 --> 00:08:56,389 You know, I was over in Florida, 304 00:08:56,390 --> 00:08:57,549 like, working at Huston- Tillerson, 305 00:08:57,550 --> 00:08:59,089 this job opening, where? 306 00:08:59,090 --> 00:08:59,849 Where is it? 307 00:08:59,850 --> 00:09:01,809 George says once he got to Austin, 308 00:09:01,810 --> 00:09:04,069 he realized even people in Austin 309 00:09:04,070 --> 00:09:06,089 haven't heard of Huston Tillotson. 310 00:09:06,090 --> 00:09:07,689 But within four years, his students 311 00:09:07,690 --> 00:09:09,649 were on stage at Austin city limits 312 00:09:09,650 --> 00:09:11,529 and playing next to Wynton Marsalis 313 00:09:11,530 --> 00:09:12,969 at a residency in Virginia. 314 00:09:17,310 --> 00:09:19,729 Still, George felt like his band, 315 00:09:19,730 --> 00:09:21,109 only a few years old and with 316 00:09:21,110 --> 00:09:23,009 limited funding, was kind of an 317 00:09:23,010 --> 00:09:24,109 underdog. 318 00:09:24,110 --> 00:09:25,669 Being selected to perform at the 319 00:09:25,670 --> 00:09:27,429 National Collegiate Jazz Competition 320 00:09:27,430 --> 00:09:29,089 was a stretch. 321 00:09:29,090 --> 00:09:30,949 Until September, when George 322 00:09:30,950 --> 00:09:31,939 got an email. 323 00:09:31,940 --> 00:09:33,279 I looked at it and I closed my 324 00:09:33,280 --> 00:09:34,899 phone. I was like, this can't be 325 00:09:34,900 --> 00:09:35,900 what I read. 326 00:09:37,050 --> 00:09:38,889 Only 10 schools are selected to play 327 00:09:38,890 --> 00:09:40,249 at nationals each year. 328 00:09:40,250 --> 00:09:42,249 That's out of hundreds of programs, 329 00:09:42,250 --> 00:09:43,949 many with 20 plus years of 330 00:09:43,950 --> 00:09:45,649 performances behind them. 331 00:09:45,650 --> 00:09:47,349 Huston Tillotson was one of just two 332 00:09:47,350 --> 00:09:48,809 schools from Texas selected to 333 00:09:48,810 --> 00:09:51,509 perform, the other being UT. 334 00:09:51,510 --> 00:09:53,429 The competition goes like this. 335 00:09:53,430 --> 00:09:55,569 Each band plays three songs. 336 00:09:55,570 --> 00:09:57,169 Two of them have to be from Duke 337 00:09:57,170 --> 00:09:58,309 Ellington's library. 338 00:10:02,150 --> 00:10:03,629 And if you're not familiar, 339 00:10:03,630 --> 00:10:05,369 Ellington is widely considered one 340 00:10:05,370 --> 00:10:07,189 of the greatest American composers 341 00:10:07,190 --> 00:10:08,809 of all time. 342 00:10:08,810 --> 00:10:10,169 The third tune can be a student 343 00:10:10,170 --> 00:10:12,049 arrangement or a piece from the Jazz 344 00:10:12,050 --> 00:10:13,869 at Lincoln Center Library. 345 00:10:13,870 --> 00:10:15,449 That adds up to a performance that 346 00:10:15,450 --> 00:10:17,709 lasts about 18 minutes. 347 00:10:17,710 --> 00:10:19,529 George and the band practiced those 348 00:10:19,530 --> 00:10:21,349 18 minutes for more than four 349 00:10:21,350 --> 00:10:22,689 months. 350 00:10:22,690 --> 00:10:24,069 Dorian Verner is a third year 351 00:10:24,070 --> 00:10:25,449 percussion student. 352 00:10:25,450 --> 00:10:27,109 He says he had his eye on this 353 00:10:27,110 --> 00:10:28,989 competition for years and 354 00:10:28,990 --> 00:10:30,489 rehearsing for it felt like getting 355 00:10:30,490 --> 00:10:31,659 ready for battle. 356 00:10:31,660 --> 00:10:33,579 That was my mindset going into it 357 00:10:33,580 --> 00:10:35,619 the whole time, because 358 00:10:35,620 --> 00:10:37,679 we were about to be in front of 359 00:10:37,680 --> 00:10:40,019 the biggest jazz schools in 360 00:10:40,020 --> 00:10:41,020 the nation, 361 00:10:41,980 --> 00:10:43,539 and coming from Austin, Texas all 362 00:10:43,540 --> 00:10:45,459 the way to New York, like one of 363 00:10:45,460 --> 00:10:47,559 the big jazz cities in the world. 364 00:10:47,560 --> 00:10:49,359 But when competition day came, 365 00:10:49,360 --> 00:10:51,439 George says he told his students to 366 00:10:51,440 --> 00:10:54,099 focus, not on the audience, 367 00:10:54,100 --> 00:10:55,359 not about the fact that they're 368 00:10:55,360 --> 00:10:57,279 playing in New York, focus 369 00:10:57,280 --> 00:10:59,039 on the music. 370 00:10:59,040 --> 00:11:01,039 We blocked the world out, and 371 00:11:01,040 --> 00:11:02,959 it was all about us in 372 00:11:02,960 --> 00:11:03,859 that moment. 373 00:11:03,860 --> 00:11:05,319 As soon as I say it, one, two, 374 00:11:05,320 --> 00:11:06,320 three, four. 375 00:11:24,140 --> 00:11:26,039 I didn't even think about the 376 00:11:26,040 --> 00:11:27,999 fact that you know thousands 377 00:11:28,000 --> 00:11:30,179 of people were watching online and 378 00:11:30,180 --> 00:11:31,539 you know there were hundreds of 379 00:11:31,540 --> 00:11:33,099 people in the audience. 380 00:11:33,100 --> 00:11:34,059 Not at all. 381 00:11:34,060 --> 00:11:35,520 I just, I was with my students. 382 00:11:43,250 --> 00:11:45,169 Joshua Saffold plays trumpet in the 383 00:11:45,170 --> 00:11:47,369 band. He says the whole performance 384 00:11:47,370 --> 00:11:48,679 was a blur. 385 00:11:48,680 --> 00:11:50,419 I walked on and then I walked off. 386 00:11:52,560 --> 00:11:54,499 Like, everything happened so 387 00:11:54,500 --> 00:11:55,059 fast. 388 00:11:55,060 --> 00:11:56,679 Verner said this, too. 389 00:11:56,680 --> 00:11:58,039 The gravity of their performance 390 00:11:58,040 --> 00:11:59,999 didn't hit him until the next day. 391 00:12:00,000 --> 00:12:01,399 Sitting and watching and listening 392 00:12:01,400 --> 00:12:02,819 to the performance that we had on 393 00:12:02,820 --> 00:12:04,819 Sunday, that was probably 394 00:12:04,820 --> 00:12:06,019 the best we have ever sounded. 395 00:12:11,720 --> 00:12:12,759 Huston Tillotson came in third 396 00:12:12,760 --> 00:12:13,879 place. 397 00:12:13,880 --> 00:12:15,139 Michigan State University finished 398 00:12:15,140 --> 00:12:17,099 second, and Temple University 399 00:12:17,100 --> 00:12:18,639 came out on top. 400 00:12:18,640 --> 00:12:20,199 With the third place win, I asked 401 00:12:20,200 --> 00:12:22,239 George, is the Huston Tillotson 402 00:12:22,240 --> 00:12:24,469 Jazz Orchestra still an underdog? 403 00:12:24,470 --> 00:12:27,089 We are no longer the underdogs. 404 00:12:27,090 --> 00:12:28,909 Technically, we 405 00:12:28,910 --> 00:12:30,869 are the third best jazz program 406 00:12:30,870 --> 00:12:32,049 in the world. 407 00:12:32,050 --> 00:12:32,929 Think of that. 408 00:12:32,930 --> 00:12:34,769 I'm Katy McAfee in Austin. 409 00:12:39,090 --> 00:12:41,069 The Huston Tillotson University Jazz 410 00:12:41,070 --> 00:12:42,369 Orchestra will be back on the big 411 00:12:42,370 --> 00:12:43,289 stage in April. 412 00:12:43,290 --> 00:12:45,609 They open for Parliament Funkadelic 413 00:12:45,610 --> 00:12:47,489 at the Austin Blues Festival at 414 00:12:47,490 --> 00:12:49,049 Waterloo Park. 415 00:12:49,050 --> 00:12:51,089 Follow more KUT Art Beat coverage 416 00:12:51,090 --> 00:12:52,929 at KUT.org and 417 00:12:52,930 --> 00:12:54,889 we've got more Austin signal for 418 00:12:54,890 --> 00:12:56,350 you after this break. 419 00:13:01,650 --> 00:13:03,689 This is Austin Signal. 420 00:13:03,690 --> 00:13:05,309 Austin-based photojournalist Tamir 421 00:13:05,310 --> 00:13:07,089 Khalifa has covered numerous stories 422 00:13:07,090 --> 00:13:09,089 over his career, from Hurricane 423 00:13:09,090 --> 00:13:10,889 Harvey to the aftermath for victims 424 00:13:10,890 --> 00:13:13,269 of mass shootings in El Paso in 2019 425 00:13:13,270 --> 00:13:15,309 and Robb Elementary in Uvalde in 426 00:13:15,310 --> 00:13:16,310 2022. 427 00:13:17,370 --> 00:13:18,829 But along with the images that he's 428 00:13:18,830 --> 00:13:20,749 made, Khalifa also penned lyrics and 429 00:13:20,750 --> 00:13:22,629 music inspired by the events in 430 00:13:22,630 --> 00:13:24,589 a project that he calls Witness, 431 00:13:24,590 --> 00:13:26,469 which is debuting tonight out at the 432 00:13:26,470 --> 00:13:27,519 Long Center. 433 00:13:27,520 --> 00:13:28,779 He brought this new project to 434 00:13:28,780 --> 00:13:31,019 Studio 1A here at KUT and 435 00:13:31,020 --> 00:13:32,959 spoke about it with Texas Standards' 436 00:13:32,960 --> 00:13:34,639 Laura Rice. 437 00:13:34,640 --> 00:13:36,519 Absolutely. Well, it's actually your 438 00:13:36,520 --> 00:13:38,079 second time on our program and the 439 00:13:38,080 --> 00:13:39,899 last time we spoke, almost a year 440 00:13:39,900 --> 00:13:41,739 ago exactly, you had just 441 00:13:41,740 --> 00:13:43,579 been awarded the American Mosaic 442 00:13:43,580 --> 00:13:45,059 Journalism Prize for your 443 00:13:45,060 --> 00:13:46,859 photography in Uvalde. 444 00:13:46,860 --> 00:13:48,219 And I understand you actually took 445 00:13:48,220 --> 00:13:49,679 that prize money and put it toward 446 00:13:49,680 --> 00:13:51,719 this new project, which explores 447 00:13:51,720 --> 00:13:53,859 Uvalda and beyond. 448 00:13:53,860 --> 00:13:54,959 What do you want people to know 449 00:13:54,960 --> 00:13:56,269 about witness? 450 00:13:56,270 --> 00:13:58,209 So, Witness is a combination 451 00:13:58,210 --> 00:14:00,229 of my photographs and 452 00:14:00,230 --> 00:14:02,189 music that has been inspired by 453 00:14:02,190 --> 00:14:03,909 my reporting and experiences behind 454 00:14:03,910 --> 00:14:04,910 the camera. 455 00:14:05,490 --> 00:14:07,329 So, Uvalde, the songs I wrote 456 00:14:07,330 --> 00:14:09,229 about Uvalade, three of them, are 457 00:14:09,230 --> 00:14:11,029 the emotional center of the piece, 458 00:14:11,030 --> 00:14:13,229 but this project is really 459 00:14:13,230 --> 00:14:14,809 career spanning. 460 00:14:14,810 --> 00:14:16,669 It covers my 461 00:14:16,670 --> 00:14:18,789 time documenting the 462 00:14:18,790 --> 00:14:20,709 Texas-Mexico border, the Walmart 463 00:14:20,710 --> 00:14:22,529 shooting in El Paso, the 464 00:14:22,530 --> 00:14:24,849 pandemic, Hurricane Harvey. 465 00:14:24,850 --> 00:14:26,589 And covering the Kilauea Volcano 466 00:14:26,590 --> 00:14:28,749 eruption in Hawaii in 2018. 467 00:14:28,750 --> 00:14:30,789 And so throughout all of 468 00:14:30,790 --> 00:14:32,689 my experiences in all of these 469 00:14:32,690 --> 00:14:34,629 places, the theme 470 00:14:34,630 --> 00:14:36,469 that kept emerging 471 00:14:36,470 --> 00:14:38,389 was that when people are pushed to 472 00:14:38,390 --> 00:14:40,069 their limits and to their extremes, 473 00:14:40,070 --> 00:14:41,629 they can reveal an extraordinary 474 00:14:41,630 --> 00:14:42,630 resilience. 475 00:14:43,990 --> 00:14:45,769 And music has always been an 476 00:14:45,770 --> 00:14:47,549 important method for me to process 477 00:14:47,550 --> 00:14:49,389 some of what I've experienced and 478 00:14:49,390 --> 00:14:50,390 some of I've witnessed. 479 00:14:51,740 --> 00:14:53,499 And starting in 2018, I started 480 00:14:53,500 --> 00:14:55,279 writing music about it and trying to 481 00:14:55,280 --> 00:14:56,779 make sense of it while also trying 482 00:14:56,780 --> 00:14:58,699 to appreciate some 483 00:14:58,700 --> 00:14:59,939 of the people I've met along the 484 00:14:59,940 --> 00:15:01,879 way. And so this project is rooted 485 00:15:01,880 --> 00:15:03,739 in a sense of care and 486 00:15:03,740 --> 00:15:05,419 compassion for these people and 487 00:15:05,420 --> 00:15:07,419 these issues, but it's also an 488 00:15:07,420 --> 00:15:09,559 attempt to prolong some 489 00:15:09,560 --> 00:15:11,399 of, the lifespan and the relevance 490 00:15:11,400 --> 00:15:13,979 of some of this work, which 491 00:15:13,980 --> 00:15:15,419 some of it's years old. 492 00:15:15,420 --> 00:15:17,299 And as we know, the 493 00:15:17,300 --> 00:15:19,329 pace of the news cycle moves. 494 00:15:19,330 --> 00:15:21,249 Extremely quickly and some 495 00:15:21,250 --> 00:15:23,349 of the work that we do tends to get 496 00:15:23,350 --> 00:15:25,369 looked past very quickly as it's 497 00:15:25,370 --> 00:15:27,289 eclipsed by whatever else is 498 00:15:27,290 --> 00:15:28,949 happening and so this is this 499 00:15:28,950 --> 00:15:30,889 project is an attempt to 500 00:15:30,890 --> 00:15:32,729 Slow down a little bit to linger 501 00:15:32,730 --> 00:15:34,849 and it's grounded in the humanity 502 00:15:34,850 --> 00:15:36,249 that made these stories urgent in 503 00:15:36,250 --> 00:15:37,339 the first place 504 00:15:37,340 --> 00:15:39,239 You mentioned some of the topics 505 00:15:39,240 --> 00:15:41,419 there, also COVID, 506 00:15:41,420 --> 00:15:43,379 immigration, the El Paso 507 00:15:43,380 --> 00:15:44,279 shooting. 508 00:15:44,280 --> 00:15:46,939 These are really heavy stories. 509 00:15:46,940 --> 00:15:48,539 You were writing along the way, but 510 00:15:48,540 --> 00:15:50,779 were you also re-exploring as you 511 00:15:50,780 --> 00:15:52,029 entered into this project? 512 00:15:52,030 --> 00:15:54,249 Yeah, absolutely, I found that the 513 00:15:54,250 --> 00:15:56,049 writing process actually sort of 514 00:15:56,050 --> 00:15:58,129 seeped into the songs 515 00:15:58,130 --> 00:15:59,849 in their totality and sometimes when 516 00:15:59,850 --> 00:16:01,769 I was thinking of, when I writing 517 00:16:01,770 --> 00:16:03,649 one piece, say 518 00:16:03,650 --> 00:16:04,789 about Uvaldi, I was actually 519 00:16:04,790 --> 00:16:05,889 thinking about something in 520 00:16:05,890 --> 00:16:08,169 Hurricane Harvey and vice versa. 521 00:16:08,170 --> 00:16:10,169 And so it's really been an 522 00:16:10,170 --> 00:16:11,709 experience that has combined all of 523 00:16:11,710 --> 00:16:12,789 these different elements and 524 00:16:12,790 --> 00:16:14,669 different experiences, but I've 525 00:16:14,670 --> 00:16:16,589 tried to make the music as 526 00:16:16,590 --> 00:16:18,219 accessible as can be. 527 00:16:18,220 --> 00:16:20,599 Well, you talk about combining music 528 00:16:20,600 --> 00:16:22,939 and your photojournalism. 529 00:16:22,940 --> 00:16:24,079 What does that look like in 530 00:16:24,080 --> 00:16:25,739 practice? This is really an 531 00:16:25,740 --> 00:16:27,519 experiential project that you've put 532 00:16:27,520 --> 00:16:28,329 together. 533 00:16:28,330 --> 00:16:30,889 Yeah, so I'm still figuring 534 00:16:30,890 --> 00:16:33,349 it out myself, but this 535 00:16:33,350 --> 00:16:35,649 project really is an 536 00:16:35,650 --> 00:16:37,169 experience or at least I want it to 537 00:16:37,170 --> 00:16:38,029 be. 538 00:16:38,030 --> 00:16:39,989 And so I've developed a 539 00:16:39,990 --> 00:16:41,869 performance where as 540 00:16:41,870 --> 00:16:43,749 we play the songs and as I 541 00:16:43,750 --> 00:16:45,909 sing them, I screen the 542 00:16:45,910 --> 00:16:47,709 photographs that inspired the songs 543 00:16:47,710 --> 00:16:49,769 and I've timed it so that when 544 00:16:49,770 --> 00:16:51,649 you hear a certain lyric, you see an 545 00:16:51,650 --> 00:16:53,649 image that actually in some cases 546 00:16:53,650 --> 00:16:55,210 inspired that exact line. 547 00:16:56,650 --> 00:16:58,529 And during the performance I 548 00:16:58,530 --> 00:17:00,729 try to tie it all together 549 00:17:00,730 --> 00:17:03,089 with stories about 550 00:17:03,090 --> 00:17:05,269 some of my experiences that 551 00:17:05,270 --> 00:17:07,269 in some ways pulls the, draws the 552 00:17:07,270 --> 00:17:09,568 curtain from behind journalism 553 00:17:09,569 --> 00:17:10,809 and helps just give a little bit 554 00:17:10,810 --> 00:17:12,709 more insight into the humanity 555 00:17:12,710 --> 00:17:13,989 that underlies it all. 556 00:17:15,230 --> 00:17:17,348 They woke up 557 00:17:17,349 --> 00:17:21,009 on America's 558 00:17:21,010 --> 00:17:22,010 doorstep 559 00:17:28,510 --> 00:17:31,889 What's another day, 560 00:17:31,890 --> 00:17:33,789 what's another hour? 561 00:17:38,010 --> 00:17:41,049 Bottle for a shower, 562 00:17:41,050 --> 00:17:42,210 they woke up 563 00:17:44,350 --> 00:17:47,289 Above the Rio Grande, 564 00:17:47,290 --> 00:17:49,529 when past the razor wire 565 00:17:49,530 --> 00:17:51,389 They could see the 566 00:17:51,390 --> 00:17:53,789 texas skies for 567 00:17:53,790 --> 00:17:56,469 three days 568 00:17:56,470 --> 00:17:57,500 And three nights 569 00:17:59,850 --> 00:18:01,669 The bridge was a bedroom with 570 00:18:01,670 --> 00:18:04,209 headlights for nightlights And now 571 00:18:04,210 --> 00:18:06,189 they're 572 00:18:06,190 --> 00:18:08,429 waiting at the 573 00:18:08,430 --> 00:18:09,430 border 574 00:18:10,070 --> 00:18:11,569 Is this something you always wanted 575 00:18:11,570 --> 00:18:13,949 to do, or did it kind of come up as 576 00:18:13,950 --> 00:18:16,129 a dream that was made possible 577 00:18:16,130 --> 00:18:17,689 in part by winning this prize? 578 00:18:17,690 --> 00:18:19,229 I mean, how did this come about? 579 00:18:19,230 --> 00:18:21,129 So I played in Austin 580 00:18:21,130 --> 00:18:22,949 bands for many years, one of them 581 00:18:22,950 --> 00:18:24,329 was Mother Falcon and I'm grateful 582 00:18:24,330 --> 00:18:25,929 to be joined by some of the members 583 00:18:25,930 --> 00:18:27,849 of that band, but we played in 584 00:18:27,850 --> 00:18:30,349 Austin for many years and 585 00:18:30,350 --> 00:18:32,149 I always, part of me wanted to make 586 00:18:32,150 --> 00:18:33,969 music about photography 587 00:18:33,970 --> 00:18:35,549 because as I was in the band I was 588 00:18:35,550 --> 00:18:37,469 also starting to take on 589 00:18:37,470 --> 00:18:38,589 assignments and more ambitious 590 00:18:38,590 --> 00:18:40,469 projects and I wanted to do 591 00:18:40,470 --> 00:18:41,689 something that combined all of these 592 00:18:41,690 --> 00:18:43,049 things, I just didn't quite know 593 00:18:43,050 --> 00:18:43,889 how. 594 00:18:43,890 --> 00:18:45,150 I've long felt that 595 00:18:46,540 --> 00:18:47,979 the whole can be greater than the 596 00:18:47,980 --> 00:18:49,259 sum of its parts. 597 00:18:49,260 --> 00:18:51,139 And so by combining music 598 00:18:51,140 --> 00:18:52,959 and photography, I can 599 00:18:52,960 --> 00:18:55,239 try to present an experience 600 00:18:55,240 --> 00:18:57,439 that I hope is more powerful than 601 00:18:57,440 --> 00:18:58,580 the two of them independently. 602 00:18:59,790 --> 00:19:01,229 You've mentioned this wonderful 603 00:19:01,230 --> 00:19:03,109 group of musicians with you. 604 00:19:03,110 --> 00:19:05,069 There's really someone especially I 605 00:19:05,070 --> 00:19:06,229 want you to introduce first. 606 00:19:06,230 --> 00:19:08,089 Could you talk to me about 607 00:19:08,090 --> 00:19:10,259 your co-vocalist here? 608 00:19:10,260 --> 00:19:12,359 Yeah, so I'm actually getting chills 609 00:19:12,360 --> 00:19:14,919 just out of gratitude. 610 00:19:14,920 --> 00:19:16,619 But I'm joined here by Jasmine 611 00:19:16,620 --> 00:19:17,620 Casades. 612 00:19:18,700 --> 00:19:20,519 And she is truly one 613 00:19:20,520 --> 00:19:21,839 of the most extraordinary young 614 00:19:21,840 --> 00:19:23,279 women I've ever had the privilege of 615 00:19:23,280 --> 00:19:25,119 meeting. And I feel immensely 616 00:19:25,120 --> 00:19:26,979 grateful that she's joined us 617 00:19:26,980 --> 00:19:29,059 here. And I'd like her to 618 00:19:29,060 --> 00:19:31,119 just introduce herself. 619 00:19:31,120 --> 00:19:33,079 Well, yes, I'm Jasmine Casades. 620 00:19:33,080 --> 00:19:35,019 I'm from Ivaldi, Texas. 621 00:19:35,020 --> 00:19:36,939 I'm the eldest sister of Jackie 622 00:19:36,940 --> 00:19:38,859 Gossetis, who lost her life at Robb 623 00:19:38,860 --> 00:19:39,719 Elementary. 624 00:19:39,720 --> 00:19:41,499 So tell me why you get involved in 625 00:19:41,500 --> 00:19:42,919 this project. 626 00:19:42,920 --> 00:19:44,059 Tamir asked me to. 627 00:19:44,060 --> 00:19:46,179 Well, it was one of the first 628 00:19:46,180 --> 00:19:48,359 songs that Tamir 629 00:19:48,360 --> 00:19:50,339 showed us was Jackie's song 630 00:19:50,340 --> 00:19:52,399 and just 631 00:19:52,400 --> 00:19:54,019 to participate in a project like 632 00:19:54,020 --> 00:19:57,019 this that memorializes 633 00:19:57,020 --> 00:19:58,899 my sister in such a 634 00:19:58,900 --> 00:20:00,699 different and unique way. 635 00:20:00,700 --> 00:20:02,799 I'm just very, very honored and 636 00:20:02,800 --> 00:20:04,999 very grateful to keep 637 00:20:05,000 --> 00:20:06,259 sharing my sister's story. 638 00:20:06,260 --> 00:20:08,639 There's a rock 639 00:20:08,640 --> 00:20:10,959 from Uvalde 640 00:20:10,960 --> 00:20:12,799 on a ledge by 641 00:20:12,800 --> 00:20:15,259 the banks of the Seine 642 00:20:16,860 --> 00:20:18,899 It's tucked in the roots 643 00:20:18,900 --> 00:20:21,239 of an ivy 644 00:20:21,240 --> 00:20:23,559 bush Jackie's name 645 00:20:23,560 --> 00:20:25,539 is written in white 646 00:20:27,740 --> 00:20:30,059 She'd always dreamed 647 00:20:30,060 --> 00:20:32,059 of Sien, the 648 00:20:32,060 --> 00:20:33,640 city of light 649 00:20:36,850 --> 00:20:40,269 I met the Kastas family early on, 650 00:20:40,270 --> 00:20:41,849 covering the aftermath of the New 651 00:20:41,850 --> 00:20:43,129 York Times. 652 00:20:43,130 --> 00:20:45,049 And Jasmine had recognized me from 653 00:20:45,050 --> 00:20:46,389 some of the time I had spent in the 654 00:20:46,390 --> 00:20:48,529 square, and we just really forged a 655 00:20:48,530 --> 00:20:50,389 meaningful connection and bond. 656 00:20:50,390 --> 00:20:51,649 And I found out Jasmine was an 657 00:20:51,650 --> 00:20:52,809 amazing singer, and I brought my 658 00:20:52,810 --> 00:20:54,689 guitar, and we started singing all 659 00:20:54,690 --> 00:20:55,889 sorts of different songs. 660 00:20:55,890 --> 00:20:57,669 And then I just brought them a song 661 00:20:57,670 --> 00:20:59,109 one day that I had written about 662 00:20:59,110 --> 00:21:01,029 them. And then it's sort of been 663 00:21:01,030 --> 00:21:02,929 this amazing, it's been just 664 00:21:02,930 --> 00:21:04,230 an amazing journey since then. 665 00:21:07,030 --> 00:21:08,030 All of the 666 00:21:12,370 --> 00:21:14,689 All of the things 667 00:21:14,690 --> 00:21:15,850 that'll check me 668 00:21:25,740 --> 00:21:27,599 After such a tragedy, like the 669 00:21:27,600 --> 00:21:29,019 one that happened in New Valdi, the 670 00:21:29,020 --> 00:21:30,859 relationship between media and the 671 00:21:30,860 --> 00:21:32,059 people that these stories are being 672 00:21:32,060 --> 00:21:34,359 told about is such a complicated 673 00:21:34,360 --> 00:21:36,279 one, and the way 674 00:21:36,280 --> 00:21:38,219 that Tamir is telling these stories 675 00:21:38,220 --> 00:21:40,159 so beautifully and so respectfully, 676 00:21:40,160 --> 00:21:42,079 I just, just props 677 00:21:42,080 --> 00:21:43,080 to Tamir. 678 00:21:44,940 --> 00:21:47,339 Tamir Khalifa is a musician 679 00:21:47,340 --> 00:21:49,319 and photojournalist based in 680 00:21:49,320 --> 00:21:51,279 Austin. His latest project is 681 00:21:51,280 --> 00:21:52,139 Witness. 682 00:21:52,140 --> 00:21:53,619 We'll share videos of these 683 00:21:53,620 --> 00:21:55,519 performances and links to more at 684 00:21:55,520 --> 00:21:57,419 TexasStandard.org and on the Texas 685 00:21:57,420 --> 00:21:59,299 Standard 82 page. 686 00:21:59,300 --> 00:22:01,319 Tamir, Jasmine, all of you, 687 00:22:01,320 --> 00:22:02,609 thank you so much. 688 00:22:02,610 --> 00:22:04,949 All of the things 689 00:22:04,950 --> 00:22:06,030 that'll check you 690 00:22:22,880 --> 00:22:24,579 And you can find more about this 691 00:22:24,580 --> 00:22:26,479 story and this Studio 1A performance 692 00:22:26,480 --> 00:22:29,999 over at kut.org. 693 00:22:30,000 --> 00:22:31,819 That is it for today here on 694 00:22:31,820 --> 00:22:33,619 Austin Signal and for this week here 695 00:22:33,620 --> 00:22:35,359 on the Austin Signal. 696 00:22:35,360 --> 00:22:37,139 Remember, you need to have multiple 697 00:22:37,140 --> 00:22:38,939 ways to stay weather aware as we 698 00:22:38,940 --> 00:22:40,219 head into this weekend. 699 00:22:40,220 --> 00:22:41,299 We're gonna be doing our best to 700 00:22:41,300 --> 00:22:43,079 keep you updated on the latest at 701 00:22:43,080 --> 00:22:45,059 kut.org, on the 702 00:22:45,060 --> 00:22:47,259 KUT app and the Kut social 703 00:22:47,260 --> 00:22:48,319 media channels. 704 00:22:48,320 --> 00:22:49,999 So be sure to follow us there. 705 00:22:50,000 --> 00:22:51,839 Thank you to Andrew Weber, Greta 706 00:22:51,840 --> 00:22:54,379 Diaz-Gonzalez-Vasquez, Katy McAfee, 707 00:22:54,380 --> 00:22:55,899 and Laura Rice for their help with 708 00:22:55,900 --> 00:22:56,859 today's episode. 709 00:22:56,860 --> 00:22:58,699 Have a great weekend, stay safe. 710 00:22:58,700 --> 00:22:59,700 This is Austin Signal.