1 00:00:08,520 --> 00:00:09,719 The Austin Independent School 2 00:00:09,720 --> 00:00:11,559 District is being investigated again 3 00:00:11,560 --> 00:00:13,459 by the Texas Education Agency. 4 00:00:13,460 --> 00:00:14,619 This time the investigation is 5 00:00:14,620 --> 00:00:16,179 focused on the district celebration 6 00:00:16,180 --> 00:00:18,059 last month of Pride Week. 7 00:00:18,060 --> 00:00:19,259 We're gonna have more about that 8 00:00:19,260 --> 00:00:21,219 story and the Attorney General is 9 00:00:21,220 --> 00:00:22,879 a powerful role. 10 00:00:22,880 --> 00:00:24,579 Governors, senators, and even vice 11 00:00:24,580 --> 00:00:27,219 presidents got their start as AG. 12 00:00:27,220 --> 00:00:28,919 Is Ken Paxton next? 13 00:00:28,920 --> 00:00:31,149 That's coming up on today's show. 14 00:00:31,150 --> 00:00:33,049 The Austin Signal is a production 15 00:00:33,050 --> 00:00:35,149 of KUT News, hosted by 16 00:00:35,150 --> 00:00:36,449 Jerry Quijano. 17 00:00:36,450 --> 00:00:38,449 Plus, have you ever wanted a handy 18 00:00:38,450 --> 00:00:41,089 one-stop guide to everything Austin? 19 00:00:41,090 --> 00:00:42,669 Well, lucky for you, we already have 20 00:00:42,670 --> 00:00:44,509 that here at KUT, and we're bringing 21 00:00:44,510 --> 00:00:46,529 you even more ways to know about 22 00:00:46,530 --> 00:00:48,509 the city so many of us call home, 23 00:00:48,510 --> 00:00:50,009 the latest on the field guide to 24 00:00:50,010 --> 00:00:52,209 Austin, and an update on Austin's 25 00:00:52,210 --> 00:00:54,389 outlet that survived. 26 00:00:54,390 --> 00:00:56,049 Got a lot coming up for you today. 27 00:00:56,050 --> 00:00:57,949 That's up next on Austin 28 00:00:57,950 --> 00:00:58,950 Signal. 29 00:01:07,650 --> 00:01:09,209 Howdy out there, you are listening 30 00:01:09,210 --> 00:01:10,909 to Austin Signal. 31 00:01:10,910 --> 00:01:12,849 It is the final Monday of the 32 00:01:12,850 --> 00:01:14,769 month, April 27th. 33 00:01:14,770 --> 00:01:15,969 I'm your host, Jerry Kekano. 34 00:01:15,970 --> 00:01:17,249 Thank you for kicking off the week 35 00:01:17,250 --> 00:01:19,349 here with community-powered 36 00:01:19,350 --> 00:01:20,569 public radio. 37 00:01:20,570 --> 00:01:22,450 This is KUT News. 38 00:01:23,710 --> 00:01:25,069 State officials announced last week 39 00:01:25,070 --> 00:01:27,269 an investigation of Austin ISD 40 00:01:27,270 --> 00:01:29,129 over the district celebration of 41 00:01:29,130 --> 00:01:29,989 Pride Week. 42 00:01:29,990 --> 00:01:31,849 It follows a complaint from 43 00:01:31,850 --> 00:01:33,089 conservative state Board of 44 00:01:33,090 --> 00:01:34,749 Education member Brandon Hall from 45 00:01:34,750 --> 00:01:36,499 the Fort Worth area. 46 00:01:36,500 --> 00:01:38,499 Greta Diaz-Gonzalez-Vasquez is 47 00:01:38,500 --> 00:01:39,599 here to tell us more. 48 00:01:39,600 --> 00:01:41,939 She is KUT's education reporter. 49 00:01:41,940 --> 00:01:42,879 Good afternoon, Greta. 50 00:01:42,880 --> 00:01:43,999 Hi Jerry! 51 00:01:44,000 --> 00:01:45,419 So first, can you tell us a bit 52 00:01:45,420 --> 00:01:47,139 about Austin ISD's Pride Week 53 00:01:47,140 --> 00:01:48,759 celebrations and what actually took 54 00:01:48,760 --> 00:01:49,159 place? 55 00:01:49,160 --> 00:01:50,579 Yeah, so this is an annual 56 00:01:50,580 --> 00:01:52,359 celebration, and this year was from 57 00:01:52,360 --> 00:01:54,899 March 23rd to March 27th, 58 00:01:54,900 --> 00:01:57,859 and the theme was be you-tiful. 59 00:01:57,860 --> 00:01:58,879 Beautiful. Be you-Tiful. 60 00:01:58,880 --> 00:02:00,219 Okay, okay. So the district sent 61 00:02:00,220 --> 00:02:01,779 guidelines to teachers and families 62 00:02:01,780 --> 00:02:03,799 in advance, and 63 00:02:03,800 --> 00:02:05,519 all activities were to happen 64 00:02:05,520 --> 00:02:07,829 outside instructional time. 65 00:02:07,830 --> 00:02:09,769 So either before or after school 66 00:02:09,770 --> 00:02:11,589 or during lunch even, and they 67 00:02:11,590 --> 00:02:13,049 were all voluntary, all activities 68 00:02:13,050 --> 00:02:14,229 were voluntary. Okay. 69 00:02:14,230 --> 00:02:15,529 And so each day had a different 70 00:02:15,530 --> 00:02:17,369 activity. So Monday students brought 71 00:02:17,370 --> 00:02:18,829 photos of their families to feel 72 00:02:18,830 --> 00:02:20,249 proud of themselves. 73 00:02:20,250 --> 00:02:22,049 Tuesday there were walkie socks to 74 00:02:22,050 --> 00:02:23,669 show that they were unique. 75 00:02:23,670 --> 00:02:24,849 And you know, there were other 76 00:02:24,850 --> 00:02:26,369 activities, another day they were 77 00:02:26,370 --> 00:02:27,969 encouraged to sit with somebody else 78 00:02:27,970 --> 00:02:29,869 at lunch to see the diversity 79 00:02:29,870 --> 00:02:31,929 of schools. And on Friday, 80 00:02:31,930 --> 00:02:33,829 each grade level were a different 81 00:02:33,830 --> 00:02:35,729 color. On previous years, 82 00:02:35,730 --> 00:02:37,519 the district had provided a 83 00:02:37,520 --> 00:02:39,619 suggested curriculum and distributed 84 00:02:39,620 --> 00:02:41,179 even like they had even distributed 85 00:02:41,180 --> 00:02:43,099 swag but this year they didn't 86 00:02:43,100 --> 00:02:44,639 and under guidelines officials said 87 00:02:44,640 --> 00:02:45,959 that this year would look different 88 00:02:45,960 --> 00:02:48,359 due to a quote ever-changing 89 00:02:48,360 --> 00:02:49,049 environment. 90 00:02:49,050 --> 00:02:50,369 Okay, so it sounds like there are 91 00:02:50,370 --> 00:02:52,449 lots of activities going on, but it 92 00:02:52,450 --> 00:02:53,929 maybe had been pared down a little 93 00:02:53,930 --> 00:02:55,829 bit from years past a 94 00:02:55,830 --> 00:02:56,889 little. 95 00:02:56,890 --> 00:02:58,369 The investigation appears to have 96 00:02:58,370 --> 00:02:59,589 been opened because of a complaint 97 00:02:59,590 --> 00:03:01,229 from a member of the State Board of 98 00:03:01,230 --> 00:03:02,189 Education. 99 00:03:02,190 --> 00:03:03,529 Can you tell us more about that, and 100 00:03:03,530 --> 00:03:04,689 what is he alleging? 101 00:03:04,690 --> 00:03:06,649 Yeah, so in early March State Board 102 00:03:06,650 --> 00:03:08,589 of Education member Brandon Hall, 103 00:03:08,590 --> 00:03:10,669 who represents the Fort Worth area, 104 00:03:10,670 --> 00:03:12,869 not Austin, said he had concerns 105 00:03:12,870 --> 00:03:15,049 about AISD breaking the law and, 106 00:03:15,050 --> 00:03:16,929 quote, indoctrinating students by 107 00:03:16,930 --> 00:03:18,849 celebrating Pride Week. 108 00:03:18,850 --> 00:03:20,669 He went as far as to say that AISC 109 00:03:20,670 --> 00:03:22,389 needed to be defunded and that 110 00:03:22,390 --> 00:03:24,129 Superintendent Matias Segura needed 111 00:03:24,130 --> 00:03:26,009 to have to be criminally 112 00:03:26,010 --> 00:03:27,529 investigated. 113 00:03:27,530 --> 00:03:29,369 Here he is talking about AIST with 114 00:03:29,370 --> 00:03:31,329 the conservative nonprofit Texas 115 00:03:31,330 --> 00:03:33,869 Values that was back in March. 116 00:03:33,870 --> 00:03:35,609 Instead of focusing on education, 117 00:03:35,610 --> 00:03:37,889 they're focusing on gender identity 118 00:03:37,890 --> 00:03:39,789 and celebrating pride and things 119 00:03:39,790 --> 00:03:40,569 like that. 120 00:03:40,570 --> 00:03:42,329 My constituents are very concerned 121 00:03:42,330 --> 00:03:43,549 about that. I think people across 122 00:03:43,550 --> 00:03:44,609 the state are. 123 00:03:44,610 --> 00:03:46,849 We don't stop it in Austin ISD. 124 00:03:46,850 --> 00:03:47,989 We're going to see a lot more of 125 00:03:47,990 --> 00:03:48,949 this across the state. 126 00:03:48,950 --> 00:03:50,509 So we need to make a statement and 127 00:03:50,510 --> 00:03:51,409 set an example. 128 00:03:51,410 --> 00:03:53,209 We will not put up with you breaking 129 00:03:53,210 --> 00:03:54,129 the law. 130 00:03:54,130 --> 00:03:56,049 Sahal is saying that AISD is 131 00:03:56,050 --> 00:03:58,229 now complying with Senate Bill 12, 132 00:03:58,230 --> 00:04:00,069 it was passed last year, and the law 133 00:04:00,070 --> 00:04:02,109 prohibits diversity, equity and 134 00:04:02,110 --> 00:04:03,629 inclusion duties that reference 135 00:04:03,630 --> 00:04:05,449 gender or sexual orientation 136 00:04:05,450 --> 00:04:07,009 in K-12. 137 00:04:07,010 --> 00:04:08,569 Okay, so we've heard from Hall. 138 00:04:08,570 --> 00:04:10,209 What have you heard from AISD so 139 00:04:10,210 --> 00:04:10,609 far? 140 00:04:10,610 --> 00:04:12,129 So we reached out to the district. 141 00:04:12,130 --> 00:04:13,549 And while they confirmed that the 142 00:04:13,550 --> 00:04:15,589 Texas, Texas education agency 143 00:04:15,590 --> 00:04:17,629 had launched an investigation 144 00:04:17,630 --> 00:04:19,549 in March, they didn't comment on the 145 00:04:19,550 --> 00:04:21,169 matter, but I have to add, Jerry, 146 00:04:21,170 --> 00:04:23,009 this is not the first time the 147 00:04:23,010 --> 00:04:24,449 district has come under scrutiny 148 00:04:24,450 --> 00:04:26,349 this year, and it 149 00:04:26,350 --> 00:04:28,509 is also not the last, but, 150 00:04:28,510 --> 00:04:29,289 I will back up. 151 00:04:29,290 --> 00:04:30,610 I will start from the beginning, or 152 00:04:30,611 --> 00:04:32,209 at least the beginning of the year. 153 00:04:32,210 --> 00:04:33,669 In February, Texas attorney general 154 00:04:33,670 --> 00:04:35,369 Ken Paxton said he had launched an 155 00:04:35,370 --> 00:04:37,309 investigation after AIU 156 00:04:37,310 --> 00:04:39,309 students participated in walkouts. 157 00:04:39,310 --> 00:04:41,229 You might remember this, a high 158 00:04:41,230 --> 00:04:42,689 school student, mainly high school 159 00:04:42,690 --> 00:04:44,529 students in Austin, 160 00:04:44,530 --> 00:04:46,149 walked out earlier this year to 161 00:04:46,150 --> 00:04:49,289 protest ICE law enforcement. 162 00:04:49,290 --> 00:04:51,149 Then in March, Paxton also said 163 00:04:51,150 --> 00:04:52,549 that he had notified the district 164 00:04:52,550 --> 00:04:54,809 against a complaint regarding SB 165 00:04:54,810 --> 00:04:56,689 8, which is better known as the 166 00:04:56,690 --> 00:04:57,609 bathroom bill. 167 00:04:57,610 --> 00:04:59,509 It forbids students from 168 00:04:59,510 --> 00:05:01,229 going into bathrooms that are not 169 00:05:01,230 --> 00:05:03,289 consistent with the sex assigned 170 00:05:03,290 --> 00:05:04,609 at birth. 171 00:05:04,610 --> 00:05:06,529 And I said, it is not the last 172 00:05:06,530 --> 00:05:08,569 time because today Paxton announced 173 00:05:08,570 --> 00:05:10,389 that he's following up on that 174 00:05:10,390 --> 00:05:12,349 previous investigation and he 175 00:05:12,350 --> 00:05:13,889 alleges that a student went into a 176 00:05:13,890 --> 00:05:16,089 bathroom they shouldn't have had 177 00:05:16,090 --> 00:05:18,269 at the AISD Performing 178 00:05:18,270 --> 00:05:19,629 Arts Center. 179 00:05:19,630 --> 00:05:21,709 So today Ken Paxton is 180 00:05:21,710 --> 00:05:23,129 saying that he sent out another 181 00:05:23,130 --> 00:05:25,069 letter to the district asking for 182 00:05:25,070 --> 00:05:27,309 documents or documentation showing 183 00:05:27,310 --> 00:05:29,349 that the district is enforcing rules 184 00:05:29,350 --> 00:05:31,369 consistently across the district. 185 00:05:31,370 --> 00:05:33,209 He also said that he will continue 186 00:05:33,210 --> 00:05:35,029 holding AISD accountable and 187 00:05:35,030 --> 00:05:36,969 ensuring that AISd is complying with 188 00:05:36,970 --> 00:05:37,970 the law. 189 00:05:38,770 --> 00:05:40,629 But Jerry, we have not heard what 190 00:05:40,630 --> 00:05:42,069 has come out of these 191 00:05:42,070 --> 00:05:43,809 investigations, so we will keep an 192 00:05:43,810 --> 00:05:44,159 eye out. 193 00:05:44,160 --> 00:05:45,859 Yes, yes, we will definitely keep an 194 00:05:45,860 --> 00:05:47,119 eye out. This is just one thing that 195 00:05:47,120 --> 00:05:49,079 Austin ISD is dealing with 196 00:05:49,080 --> 00:05:50,019 at the moment. 197 00:05:50,020 --> 00:05:51,439 You were at last week's school board 198 00:05:51,440 --> 00:05:52,719 meeting, and we have about a minute 199 00:05:52,720 --> 00:05:53,859 left. What stood out to you from 200 00:05:53,860 --> 00:05:54,679 that meeting? 201 00:05:54,680 --> 00:05:56,519 Yeah, so there were a couple 202 00:05:56,520 --> 00:05:57,559 of things, Jerry. 203 00:05:57,560 --> 00:05:59,099 First is that Superintendent Matias 204 00:05:59,100 --> 00:06:00,599 Segura announced that there wouldn't 205 00:06:00,600 --> 00:06:02,579 be any more school closures, 206 00:06:02,580 --> 00:06:04,619 but he did say that the district 207 00:06:04,620 --> 00:06:06,459 will move on with changing 208 00:06:06,460 --> 00:06:08,479 boundaries and that this will 209 00:06:08,480 --> 00:06:09,399 happen in the fall. 210 00:06:09,400 --> 00:06:11,279 The district will hold community 211 00:06:11,280 --> 00:06:12,899 meetings. They have already posted 212 00:06:12,900 --> 00:06:14,899 the dates on their website, but they 213 00:06:14,900 --> 00:06:16,199 haven't posted the places. 214 00:06:16,200 --> 00:06:17,639 But if people want to keep up with 215 00:06:17,640 --> 00:06:19,359 the dates, they can check it out. 216 00:06:19,360 --> 00:06:21,029 It's also divided by... 217 00:06:21,030 --> 00:06:22,929 Zones, district zones, so 218 00:06:22,930 --> 00:06:24,869 people can go to the closest 219 00:06:24,870 --> 00:06:27,009 meeting that, you know, that 220 00:06:27,010 --> 00:06:28,269 is best for them. 221 00:06:28,270 --> 00:06:30,129 They also talked about budget 222 00:06:30,130 --> 00:06:31,889 cuts and we will keep an eye on that 223 00:06:31,890 --> 00:06:34,089 because the district has a 181 224 00:06:34,090 --> 00:06:36,069 million dollar budget deficit 225 00:06:36,070 --> 00:06:37,969 and they will be making cuts 226 00:06:37,970 --> 00:06:40,309 and these cuts will potentially or 227 00:06:40,310 --> 00:06:42,329 very likely impact campuses 228 00:06:42,330 --> 00:06:44,169 and thus students. 229 00:06:44,170 --> 00:06:47,949 And so we will 230 00:06:47,950 --> 00:06:49,739 working on it during May. 231 00:06:49,740 --> 00:06:51,699 And then it's expected 232 00:06:51,700 --> 00:06:53,619 to be approved in June and it 233 00:06:53,620 --> 00:06:55,069 starts in July. 234 00:06:55,070 --> 00:06:57,029 Alright, that is Greta Diaz Gonzalez 235 00:06:57,030 --> 00:06:58,869 Vazquez, KUT's education 236 00:06:58,870 --> 00:07:00,349 reporter, we'll have a link to her 237 00:07:00,350 --> 00:07:01,969 latest in today's show notes. 238 00:07:01,970 --> 00:07:02,679 Greta, thank you. 239 00:07:02,680 --> 00:07:03,680 Thank you, Jerry. 240 00:07:09,870 --> 00:07:11,689 Texas Governor Greg Abbott and 241 00:07:11,690 --> 00:07:13,429 former Vice President Kamala Harris 242 00:07:13,430 --> 00:07:15,229 have something in common. 243 00:07:15,230 --> 00:07:17,289 They both served as their state's 244 00:07:17,290 --> 00:07:18,429 attorney general. 245 00:07:18,430 --> 00:07:19,569 I'm sure they have other things in 246 00:07:19,570 --> 00:07:20,909 common, too. 247 00:07:20,910 --> 00:07:22,849 KERA's Caroline Love reports their 248 00:07:22,850 --> 00:07:24,149 time in that role helped launch 249 00:07:24,150 --> 00:07:26,229 their national political careers, 250 00:07:26,230 --> 00:07:28,069 and Texas AG Ken Paxton 251 00:07:28,070 --> 00:07:30,369 hopes that he is next. 252 00:07:30,370 --> 00:07:32,129 Harris and Abbott aren't the only 253 00:07:32,130 --> 00:07:34,149 notable former attorneys general who 254 00:07:34,150 --> 00:07:36,489 moved up into higher office. 255 00:07:36,490 --> 00:07:38,149 U.S. Senator John Cornyn from Texas 256 00:07:38,150 --> 00:07:39,929 was also AG. 257 00:07:39,930 --> 00:07:41,529 So was New York Governor Andrew 258 00:07:41,530 --> 00:07:43,369 Cuomo and his predecessor, 259 00:07:43,370 --> 00:07:44,849 Elliot Spitzer. 260 00:07:44,850 --> 00:07:46,469 Paxton has been Texas Attorney 261 00:07:46,470 --> 00:07:48,289 General for over a decade. 262 00:07:48,290 --> 00:07:50,129 Now he's challenging Cornynn in 263 00:07:50,130 --> 00:07:51,869 the Republican primary runoff 264 00:07:51,870 --> 00:07:53,029 election. 265 00:07:53,030 --> 00:07:54,909 A lot of Texas voters have already 266 00:07:54,910 --> 00:07:56,669 checked the box next to Paxton's 267 00:07:56,670 --> 00:07:58,929 name on their it more than once. 268 00:07:58,930 --> 00:08:00,369 Attorney General is a statewide 269 00:08:00,370 --> 00:08:02,449 office, just like governor or 270 00:08:02,450 --> 00:08:03,450 senator. 271 00:08:03,950 --> 00:08:05,849 Thomas Gray says running for AG is 272 00:08:05,850 --> 00:08:07,949 good practice for campaigning for 273 00:08:07,950 --> 00:08:09,149 higher office. 274 00:08:09,150 --> 00:08:10,609 He's a political science professor 275 00:08:10,610 --> 00:08:12,039 at UT Dallas. 276 00:08:12,040 --> 00:08:13,799 It's like the backup quarterback has 277 00:08:13,800 --> 00:08:15,199 already played a bunch of games 278 00:08:15,200 --> 00:08:16,919 against the first string and has 279 00:08:16,920 --> 00:08:17,779 shown he can do it. 280 00:08:17,780 --> 00:08:19,619 The AG role can be a good place 281 00:08:19,620 --> 00:08:21,939 to build a political profile. 282 00:08:21,940 --> 00:08:23,879 AGs have flexibility to be more 283 00:08:23,880 --> 00:08:25,899 creative and less reactive 284 00:08:25,900 --> 00:08:27,339 than a governor. 285 00:08:27,340 --> 00:08:28,959 Sometimes something happens in the 286 00:08:28,960 --> 00:08:30,399 state and the governor has to 287 00:08:30,400 --> 00:08:32,339 respond, like a natural disaster 288 00:08:32,340 --> 00:08:34,158 or a mass shooting. 289 00:08:34,159 --> 00:08:35,979 An AG might file a lawsuit or 290 00:08:35,980 --> 00:08:37,959 launch an investigation related to 291 00:08:37,960 --> 00:08:39,579 such an event, but they usually 292 00:08:39,580 --> 00:08:41,109 don't have to. 293 00:08:41,110 --> 00:08:43,168 Jashua Blank from the Texas Politics 294 00:08:43,169 --> 00:08:45,009 Project says AGs can spend 295 00:08:45,010 --> 00:08:46,949 more time on issues that are 296 00:08:46,950 --> 00:08:49,469 important to their political agenda. 297 00:08:49,470 --> 00:08:50,949 They really don't have a lot of 298 00:08:50,950 --> 00:08:53,629 limits on their ability to 299 00:08:53,630 --> 00:08:55,669 choose the issues on which they want 300 00:08:55,670 --> 00:08:56,849 to align themselves. 301 00:08:56,850 --> 00:08:58,989 And that's a really powerful asset. 302 00:08:58,990 --> 00:09:00,829 There's no other office in 303 00:09:00,830 --> 00:09:02,239 state government like that. 304 00:09:02,240 --> 00:09:04,179 Many of Paxton's lawsuits focus 305 00:09:04,180 --> 00:09:06,199 on national Republican priorities 306 00:09:06,200 --> 00:09:08,039 and issues that are important to 307 00:09:08,040 --> 00:09:09,679 President Donald Trump. 308 00:09:09,680 --> 00:09:11,279 He filed multiple lawsuits on 309 00:09:11,280 --> 00:09:13,399 abortion access and gender-affirming 310 00:09:13,400 --> 00:09:15,359 care for minors, and he 311 00:09:15,360 --> 00:09:16,979 challenged the 2020 election 312 00:09:16,980 --> 00:09:18,219 results. 313 00:09:18,220 --> 00:09:19,939 Focusing on those issues is 314 00:09:19,940 --> 00:09:20,959 strategic. 315 00:09:20,960 --> 00:09:23,019 If done right, 316 00:09:23,020 --> 00:09:24,939 you can sort of 317 00:09:24,940 --> 00:09:26,779 tick the boxes of the 318 00:09:26,780 --> 00:09:28,479 constituencies that you will need in 319 00:09:28,480 --> 00:09:30,439 future. That's Rebecca Dean. 320 00:09:30,440 --> 00:09:32,059 She's a political science professor 321 00:09:32,060 --> 00:09:34,239 at UT Arlington. 322 00:09:34,240 --> 00:09:35,999 Texas has become a leader for 323 00:09:36,000 --> 00:09:37,879 championing often divisive 324 00:09:37,880 --> 00:09:39,839 conservative causes at the national 325 00:09:39,840 --> 00:09:42,179 level with Paxton as AG. 326 00:09:42,180 --> 00:09:43,679 And he hasn't had to do much 327 00:09:43,680 --> 00:09:45,599 compromising as the AG of a 328 00:09:45,600 --> 00:09:46,659 red state. 329 00:09:46,660 --> 00:09:48,199 That's different from legislative 330 00:09:48,200 --> 00:09:49,819 seats, like a U.S. 331 00:09:49,820 --> 00:09:50,819 Senate seat. 332 00:09:50,820 --> 00:09:52,259 Cornyn has been in office for more 333 00:09:52,260 --> 00:09:53,659 than two decades. 334 00:09:53,660 --> 00:09:55,539 He sometimes has had to work with 335 00:09:55,540 --> 00:09:58,059 Senate Democrats to get things done. 336 00:09:58,060 --> 00:09:59,939 Paxton argues that makes him 337 00:09:59,940 --> 00:10:02,399 the more conservative candidate. 338 00:10:02,400 --> 00:10:03,799 Gray says Paxton's campaign 339 00:10:03,800 --> 00:10:05,839 messaging on Cornyn's record goes 340 00:10:05,840 --> 00:10:07,139 something like this. 341 00:10:07,140 --> 00:10:09,299 Senator Cornyn compromises. 342 00:10:09,300 --> 00:10:11,219 Senator Corbyn gives in to 343 00:10:11,220 --> 00:10:12,639 liberal demands. 344 00:10:12,640 --> 00:10:13,499 And what A.G. 345 00:10:13,500 --> 00:10:15,539 Paxton has done is basically never 346 00:10:15,540 --> 00:10:17,569 give in to that compromise. 347 00:10:17,570 --> 00:10:19,529 Paxton is leveraging his record 348 00:10:19,530 --> 00:10:21,109 as attorney general in his Senate 349 00:10:21,110 --> 00:10:22,349 campaign. 350 00:10:22,350 --> 00:10:23,829 The candidates who want to succeed 351 00:10:23,830 --> 00:10:25,909 Paxton as AG could wield the 352 00:10:25,910 --> 00:10:27,549 office for their own political 353 00:10:27,550 --> 00:10:29,649 agenda someday, but first 354 00:10:29,650 --> 00:10:31,329 they need to get elected. 355 00:10:31,330 --> 00:10:33,159 Blank says that can be challenging. 356 00:10:33,160 --> 00:10:34,719 Most candidates that they have not 357 00:10:34,720 --> 00:10:36,759 run statewide find 358 00:10:36,760 --> 00:10:38,879 themselves bewildered by 359 00:10:38,880 --> 00:10:40,479 the amount of ground they have to 360 00:10:40,480 --> 00:10:42,279 cover, the amount money they have 361 00:10:42,280 --> 00:10:44,319 raised to be able to put up ads. 362 00:10:44,320 --> 00:10:46,159 Whoever Texans choose as 363 00:10:46,160 --> 00:10:48,319 their next AG will head a powerful 364 00:10:48,320 --> 00:10:50,339 office with national political 365 00:10:50,340 --> 00:10:51,559 influence. 366 00:10:51,560 --> 00:10:53,459 And they'll have the opportunity to 367 00:10:53,460 --> 00:10:55,279 wield that power to potentially 368 00:10:55,280 --> 00:10:57,319 follow a path to a higher office 369 00:10:57,320 --> 00:10:58,820 like others before them. 370 00:11:00,370 --> 00:11:02,609 That was KERA's Caroline 371 00:11:02,610 --> 00:11:03,829 Love. 372 00:11:03,830 --> 00:11:05,709 We are about to take a break here on 373 00:11:05,710 --> 00:11:07,849 Austin Signal, but before we 374 00:11:07,850 --> 00:11:09,769 go, a quick update on a story that 375 00:11:09,770 --> 00:11:11,469 we shared with you last week here on 376 00:11:11,470 --> 00:11:12,469 the show. 377 00:11:12,470 --> 00:11:14,049 Archery club students from Highland 378 00:11:14,050 --> 00:11:15,889 Park Elementary and Austin, the ones 379 00:11:15,890 --> 00:11:17,789 who don't barf, well they 380 00:11:17,790 --> 00:11:19,949 won big over the weekend at the US 381 00:11:19,950 --> 00:11:22,509 Western Nationals in Salt Lake City. 382 00:11:22,510 --> 00:11:24,289 The team scored a first place win 383 00:11:24,290 --> 00:11:26,149 and two students, Madeline 384 00:11:26,150 --> 00:11:28,409 and John Fox, were named individual 385 00:11:28,410 --> 00:11:29,339 champions. 386 00:11:29,340 --> 00:11:30,919 That's Highland Park's first ever 387 00:11:30,920 --> 00:11:32,359 individual champions at the national 388 00:11:32,360 --> 00:11:33,299 tournament. 389 00:11:33,300 --> 00:11:34,879 The school will celebrate with the 390 00:11:34,880 --> 00:11:37,199 trophy walk on May 10th. 391 00:11:37,200 --> 00:11:38,799 And in case you missed that story 392 00:11:38,800 --> 00:11:40,019 and you don't know what I'm talking 393 00:11:40,020 --> 00:11:41,659 about about the barfing thing, we 394 00:11:41,660 --> 00:11:44,819 have more at kut.org 395 00:11:44,820 --> 00:11:46,459 slash signal. 396 00:11:46,460 --> 00:11:49,079 We have more show after this break. 397 00:11:49,080 --> 00:11:49,999 Thanks for being with us. 398 00:11:50,000 --> 00:11:51,000 This is Austin Signal. 399 00:11:59,430 --> 00:12:02,209 This is Austin Signal, welcome back. 400 00:12:02,210 --> 00:12:03,829 Last week we told you about how the 401 00:12:03,830 --> 00:12:05,649 nest of Athena, the great horned owl 402 00:12:05,650 --> 00:12:07,589 who has for years nested at Lady 403 00:12:07,590 --> 00:12:09,449 Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, had 404 00:12:09,450 --> 00:12:10,249 failed. 405 00:12:10,250 --> 00:12:12,349 One of her outlets sadly died, 406 00:12:12,350 --> 00:12:13,829 another was rescued. 407 00:12:13,830 --> 00:12:15,149 That owl is currently being 408 00:12:15,150 --> 00:12:16,789 rehabilitated at Austin Wildlife 409 00:12:16,790 --> 00:12:18,089 Rescue. 410 00:12:18,090 --> 00:12:19,049 Experts are still trying to figure 411 00:12:19,050 --> 00:12:20,909 out what exactly went wrong 412 00:12:20,910 --> 00:12:22,589 in this situation, but some clues 413 00:12:22,590 --> 00:12:24,129 are emerging. 414 00:12:24,130 --> 00:12:26,029 Luz Moreno Lozano is here. 415 00:12:26,030 --> 00:12:27,509 She has been following this story 416 00:12:27,510 --> 00:12:29,069 and she's got the latest for us. 417 00:12:29,070 --> 00:12:30,749 Howdy, Luz. Hey, Jerry. 418 00:12:30,750 --> 00:12:32,189 So first off, I'm definitely worried 419 00:12:32,190 --> 00:12:33,709 about that little owlet. 420 00:12:33,710 --> 00:12:34,809 How are they doing? 421 00:12:34,810 --> 00:12:35,779 What's the status there? 422 00:12:35,780 --> 00:12:38,079 Yeah, you know, I went to visit him 423 00:12:38,080 --> 00:12:39,459 last week. 424 00:12:39,460 --> 00:12:41,139 He, I think he's gonna be okay. 425 00:12:41,140 --> 00:12:43,199 They have really high hopes 426 00:12:43,200 --> 00:12:44,439 for him. 427 00:12:44,440 --> 00:12:45,799 When I saw him, it was kind of late. 428 00:12:45,800 --> 00:12:46,679 He'd already eaten dinner. 429 00:12:46,680 --> 00:12:48,499 So he was very cozy in his 430 00:12:48,500 --> 00:12:49,999 little incubator. 431 00:12:50,000 --> 00:12:51,399 So yeah, I thinks he's going to be 432 00:12:51,400 --> 00:12:52,779 okay, he's doing well. 433 00:12:52,780 --> 00:12:52,839 Okay. He's gonna, he's doing well. 434 00:12:52,840 --> 00:12:54,299 Okay, that's good to hear. 435 00:12:54,300 --> 00:12:55,599 In case you haven't seen, we have 436 00:12:55,600 --> 00:12:57,959 some video online at KUT, 437 00:12:57,960 --> 00:12:59,839 or on our Instagram rather. 438 00:12:59,840 --> 00:13:01,319 It's the cutest little thing you've 439 00:13:01,320 --> 00:13:02,439 ever seen. 440 00:13:02,440 --> 00:13:03,579 Okay, so let's talk. 441 00:13:03,580 --> 00:13:04,959 Let's go back to Athena and talk 442 00:13:04,960 --> 00:13:06,119 about her nest. 443 00:13:06,120 --> 00:13:07,479 You've been speaking with experts. 444 00:13:07,480 --> 00:13:08,519 What do they have to say about the 445 00:13:08,520 --> 00:13:09,999 factors that may have caused this 446 00:13:10,000 --> 00:13:10,319 failure? 447 00:13:10,320 --> 00:13:11,739 Yeah, you know, I talked with the 448 00:13:11,740 --> 00:13:13,759 Cornell people who are basically 449 00:13:13,760 --> 00:13:15,659 running the the the 450 00:13:15,660 --> 00:13:16,939 camera were running the camera and 451 00:13:16,940 --> 00:13:18,799 they had a lot of speculation. 452 00:13:18,800 --> 00:13:20,439 But yeah, Ben kind of talk with us 453 00:13:20,440 --> 00:13:21,779 about it and you can hear him a 454 00:13:21,780 --> 00:13:23,499 little bit more and more about this. 455 00:13:23,500 --> 00:13:25,359 If for some reason he had 456 00:13:25,360 --> 00:13:28,359 abandoned or disappeared 457 00:13:28,360 --> 00:13:30,759 for some reason, like an injury, 458 00:13:30,760 --> 00:13:33,139 that could be one determining 459 00:13:33,140 --> 00:13:34,519 factor as to why there was a lower 460 00:13:34,520 --> 00:13:36,659 food supply because the male is 461 00:13:36,660 --> 00:13:39,119 generally tasked with providing 462 00:13:39,120 --> 00:13:40,859 most of the food, especially during 463 00:13:40,860 --> 00:13:42,199 the early window of the nestling 464 00:13:42,200 --> 00:13:43,200 period. 465 00:13:43,740 --> 00:13:45,539 Yeah, so okay, so we're learning a 466 00:13:45,540 --> 00:13:47,159 little bit more obviously, but you 467 00:13:47,160 --> 00:13:48,119 know, there's been a lot of 468 00:13:48,120 --> 00:13:50,199 speculation like was he injured? 469 00:13:50,200 --> 00:13:51,339 Did he abandon the nest? 470 00:13:51,340 --> 00:13:52,879 Was something happening? 471 00:13:52,880 --> 00:13:53,819 You know, we've had a lot of rain 472 00:13:53,820 --> 00:13:55,199 lately, maybe that was a 473 00:13:55,200 --> 00:13:56,019 contributing factor. 474 00:13:56,020 --> 00:13:57,239 But yeah, it does sound like if 475 00:13:57,240 --> 00:13:59,099 something did happen to him, and 476 00:13:59,100 --> 00:14:00,779 since he is the main food provider 477 00:14:00,780 --> 00:14:02,649 that that could be a factor. 478 00:14:02,650 --> 00:14:04,409 Okay, excuse me, there were also 479 00:14:04,410 --> 00:14:06,189 reports of an injured male owl found 480 00:14:06,190 --> 00:14:07,969 near the wildlife center. 481 00:14:07,970 --> 00:14:10,089 Do we know if that was Athena's 482 00:14:10,090 --> 00:14:11,909 partner or what happened to 483 00:14:11,910 --> 00:14:12,589 that owl in the first place? 484 00:14:12,590 --> 00:14:14,529 Yeah, you know, it's hard to say 485 00:14:14,530 --> 00:14:16,029 if it was her mate. 486 00:14:16,030 --> 00:14:17,129 They're not tagged. 487 00:14:17,130 --> 00:14:18,549 And so without, you know knowing 488 00:14:18,550 --> 00:14:20,469 that, and you know 489 00:14:20,470 --> 00:14:21,829 all their markings are all very 490 00:14:21,830 --> 00:14:23,009 similar. So it's hard to see if it's 491 00:14:23,010 --> 00:14:24,010 him. 492 00:14:24,270 --> 00:14:25,529 You know, and they're not sure what 493 00:14:25,530 --> 00:14:27,929 happened. You know this woman who 494 00:14:27,930 --> 00:14:29,269 I talked to on Friday basically was 495 00:14:29,270 --> 00:14:30,549 like her name is Suzanne and she was 496 00:14:30,550 --> 00:14:32,589 like, I was just walking 497 00:14:32,590 --> 00:14:34,569 by from my home 498 00:14:34,570 --> 00:14:35,889 office and saw this thing on my 499 00:14:35,890 --> 00:14:37,329 porch and I was like confused at 500 00:14:37,330 --> 00:14:38,769 first and then I realized it was an 501 00:14:38,770 --> 00:14:40,729 owl and he was there for and so 502 00:14:40,730 --> 00:14:41,599 I had to... 503 00:14:41,600 --> 00:14:43,859 You know, do something to help them. 504 00:14:43,860 --> 00:14:45,059 But yeah, she, you know she explains 505 00:14:45,060 --> 00:14:46,939 that a little more for us and you 506 00:14:46,940 --> 00:14:47,719 can hear a little bit more about 507 00:14:47,720 --> 00:14:48,919 that. 508 00:14:48,920 --> 00:14:50,579 I called 311 and they sent someone 509 00:14:50,580 --> 00:14:52,299 out to pick it up later that evening 510 00:14:52,300 --> 00:14:55,419 and I 511 00:14:55,420 --> 00:14:57,179 had hoped what I understood was when 512 00:14:57,180 --> 00:14:58,979 they picked it up that it was going 513 00:14:58,980 --> 00:15:01,039 to go to the Austin Wildlife Rehab 514 00:15:01,040 --> 00:15:03,139 Center in Elgin and 515 00:15:03,140 --> 00:15:04,999 that's what I was told that they 516 00:15:05,000 --> 00:15:06,219 were going to do after they picked 517 00:15:06,220 --> 00:15:08,079 up either that night or the next 518 00:15:08,080 --> 00:15:09,080 morning. 519 00:15:10,170 --> 00:15:12,169 So unfortunately, if you read my 520 00:15:12,170 --> 00:15:14,709 story already, you know that they 521 00:15:14,710 --> 00:15:15,949 did pick them up and they took them 522 00:15:15,950 --> 00:15:17,489 back to the Austin Animal Center 523 00:15:17,490 --> 00:15:18,769 because it was so late in the 524 00:15:18,770 --> 00:15:21,089 evening. So that's normal protocol. 525 00:15:21,090 --> 00:15:22,289 They'll take them back and then in 526 00:15:22,290 --> 00:15:23,769 the morning, they'll deliver the 527 00:15:23,770 --> 00:15:25,329 owl, or in this case it was an owl, 528 00:15:25,330 --> 00:15:27,129 but the animal to the rehab center. 529 00:15:27,130 --> 00:15:29,369 Well, they got back that morning 530 00:15:29,370 --> 00:15:31,749 and the owl unfortunately had died. 531 00:15:31,750 --> 00:15:33,569 Um, I talked with the Austin 532 00:15:33,570 --> 00:15:35,569 animal center on Friday and 533 00:15:35,570 --> 00:15:37,689 she told me that his wound 534 00:15:37,690 --> 00:15:40,249 on his wing was really infected. 535 00:15:40,250 --> 00:15:42,709 Like it already had maggots 536 00:15:42,710 --> 00:15:44,289 in it. I mean, he, like, we don't 537 00:15:44,290 --> 00:15:45,729 know how long he was injured or what 538 00:15:45,730 --> 00:15:47,029 happened. 539 00:15:47,030 --> 00:15:48,770 And so she thinks that like, you 540 00:15:48,771 --> 00:15:49,809 know, they bought him in, they were 541 00:15:49,810 --> 00:15:50,809 getting ready to take him in and he 542 00:15:50,810 --> 00:15:52,689 just, you know, couldn't make it to 543 00:15:52,690 --> 00:15:53,429 the next morning. 544 00:15:53,430 --> 00:15:55,309 Very sad ending. 545 00:15:55,310 --> 00:15:57,269 Going back to the outlet who 546 00:15:57,270 --> 00:15:58,889 was able to survive and hopefully 547 00:15:58,890 --> 00:16:00,229 has a bright future. 548 00:16:00,230 --> 00:16:01,189 Yeah. 549 00:16:01,190 --> 00:16:03,069 What does that future look like? 550 00:16:03,070 --> 00:16:04,049 Do you know how much time he might 551 00:16:04,050 --> 00:16:05,269 be spending with Austin Wildlife 552 00:16:05,270 --> 00:16:05,749 Rescue? 553 00:16:05,750 --> 00:16:07,369 Yeah, they're thinking probably till 554 00:16:07,370 --> 00:16:08,490 like July or August, 555 00:16:09,749 --> 00:16:11,649 raising baby owls, especially great 556 00:16:11,650 --> 00:16:12,889 horned owls. It takes them a good 557 00:16:12,890 --> 00:16:15,109 amount of time to like get oriented. 558 00:16:15,110 --> 00:16:16,969 But if you did read that story, 559 00:16:16,970 --> 00:16:18,009 you know that he's gonna be placed 560 00:16:18,010 --> 00:16:19,929 with a surrogate owl, which is very 561 00:16:19,930 --> 00:16:21,069 exciting. Yeah. 562 00:16:21,070 --> 00:16:22,849 And this, she's basically a foster 563 00:16:22,850 --> 00:16:25,129 mom, and she takes care of like 564 00:16:25,130 --> 00:16:26,629 a dozen babies a year. 565 00:16:26,630 --> 00:16:28,349 And she just like feeds them and 566 00:16:28,350 --> 00:16:29,969 raises them and teaches them to be 567 00:16:29,970 --> 00:16:30,789 an owl. 568 00:16:30,790 --> 00:16:32,829 And so he'll be placed with her 569 00:16:32,830 --> 00:16:34,829 until he's ready to be released. 570 00:16:34,830 --> 00:16:36,849 Okay so a little bit of good news 571 00:16:36,850 --> 00:16:38,389 to go on and hopefully maybe we'll 572 00:16:38,390 --> 00:16:40,109 have you back to continue to find 573 00:16:40,110 --> 00:16:41,849 out what this recovery looks like. 574 00:16:41,850 --> 00:16:42,570 It would be a pleasure. 575 00:16:42,571 --> 00:16:44,429 Does this owl have a name yet? 576 00:16:44,430 --> 00:16:45,829 He doesn't have a name yet. 577 00:16:45,830 --> 00:16:47,629 I've seen some circulation online 578 00:16:47,630 --> 00:16:49,349 that they want to name him Phoenix, 579 00:16:49,350 --> 00:16:51,669 which would be pretty appropriate. 580 00:16:51,670 --> 00:16:52,729 Um, but obviously, you know, the 581 00:16:52,730 --> 00:16:53,969 Wildflower Center, if they do decide 582 00:16:53,970 --> 00:16:55,789 to do that, um, you know, 583 00:16:55,790 --> 00:16:57,229 they'll, they will decide. 584 00:16:57,230 --> 00:16:58,029 Okay. 585 00:16:58,030 --> 00:16:59,989 Alrighty, that is KUT's Luce Moreno 586 00:16:59,990 --> 00:17:01,709 Lozano. Thank you for the update, 587 00:17:01,710 --> 00:17:02,710 Luce. 588 00:17:12,880 --> 00:17:14,739 In Austin, whether you're 589 00:17:14,740 --> 00:17:16,318 one of those unicorns born and 590 00:17:16,319 --> 00:17:18,159 raised here or you're a transplant 591 00:17:18,160 --> 00:17:20,098 like the rest of us, it seems 592 00:17:20,099 --> 00:17:21,959 like there's always something new to 593 00:17:21,960 --> 00:17:24,059 learn about the city and always 594 00:17:24,060 --> 00:17:25,999 something to discover or 595 00:17:26,000 --> 00:17:27,699 perhaps rediscover. 596 00:17:27,700 --> 00:17:28,999 Now, if there was only a place 597 00:17:29,000 --> 00:17:30,779 online specifically focused on 598 00:17:30,780 --> 00:17:32,619 fleshing those things out for all of 599 00:17:32,620 --> 00:17:34,699 us. Well, that's where KUT's 600 00:17:34,700 --> 00:17:36,719 field guide to Austin comes into 601 00:17:36,720 --> 00:17:37,789 the picture. 602 00:17:37,790 --> 00:17:39,389 For more about this, we've got Wyn 603 00:17:39,390 --> 00:17:41,429 Davis, a digital editor at KUT, 604 00:17:41,430 --> 00:17:43,049 and the project manager for Field 605 00:17:43,050 --> 00:17:44,369 Guide to Austin. 606 00:17:44,370 --> 00:17:46,409 Welcome to Austin SignalWin. 607 00:17:46,410 --> 00:17:47,549 Thanks for having me. 608 00:17:47,550 --> 00:17:49,689 So, for a listener who might 609 00:17:49,690 --> 00:17:51,209 not be familiar with the Field 610 00:17:51,210 --> 00:17:52,909 Guide, give us a few examples of 611 00:17:52,910 --> 00:17:54,369 some of the things that KUT has done 612 00:17:54,370 --> 00:17:56,199 with the field guide so far. 613 00:17:56,200 --> 00:17:58,099 Yeah, so so far we have a 614 00:17:58,100 --> 00:17:59,819 field guide to running spots in 615 00:17:59,820 --> 00:18:01,779 Austin, some great swimming 616 00:18:01,780 --> 00:18:03,619 holes, you know we have some 617 00:18:03,620 --> 00:18:05,319 critter coverage going on, so if you 618 00:18:05,320 --> 00:18:07,399 want to know more about venomous 619 00:18:07,400 --> 00:18:08,899 snakes in Austin and want to look 620 00:18:08,900 --> 00:18:11,879 out for, be aware of, 621 00:18:11,880 --> 00:18:14,239 bobcats, coyotes, 622 00:18:14,240 --> 00:18:15,779 we also have some history features 623 00:18:15,780 --> 00:18:17,699 in there, pronunciations, which 624 00:18:17,700 --> 00:18:18,949 are a big thing. 625 00:18:18,950 --> 00:18:20,589 A big thing here in Austin and 626 00:18:20,590 --> 00:18:22,389 across the state of Texas. 627 00:18:22,390 --> 00:18:24,229 It sounds like it really 628 00:18:24,230 --> 00:18:25,949 covers your experience or covers 629 00:18:25,950 --> 00:18:27,529 one's experience here in Austin. 630 00:18:27,530 --> 00:18:28,629 Is that what you envision the field 631 00:18:28,630 --> 00:18:30,789 guide being kind of like a handy, 632 00:18:30,790 --> 00:18:32,809 your one stop guide to everything 633 00:18:32,810 --> 00:18:34,069 to Austin? 634 00:18:34,070 --> 00:18:35,449 Yeah, I mean, I think it's exactly 635 00:18:35,450 --> 00:18:36,309 what you were saying. 636 00:18:36,310 --> 00:18:38,329 The idea is that whether you were 637 00:18:38,330 --> 00:18:39,829 born here and raised here or you 638 00:18:39,830 --> 00:18:41,349 moved here, it's a great way to 639 00:18:41,350 --> 00:18:43,169 discover and rediscover what makes 640 00:18:43,170 --> 00:18:44,769 Austin, Austin. 641 00:18:44,770 --> 00:18:46,449 So, you know, maybe you just need a 642 00:18:46,450 --> 00:18:48,609 reminder of the great 643 00:18:48,610 --> 00:18:50,669 things you can do in the city, 644 00:18:50,670 --> 00:18:51,989 some of the fun happening around 645 00:18:51,990 --> 00:18:53,549 you, or maybe you're new and you 646 00:18:53,550 --> 00:18:54,709 don't know where to start and you 647 00:18:54,710 --> 00:18:55,679 can just dive in. 648 00:18:55,680 --> 00:18:57,039 Yeah, there's always a discussion 649 00:18:57,040 --> 00:18:58,919 about, like, who is the authority on 650 00:18:58,920 --> 00:19:00,779 what Austin is or 651 00:19:00,780 --> 00:19:03,039 what Austin will be in the future, 652 00:19:03,040 --> 00:19:04,759 so who are some of the people who 653 00:19:04,760 --> 00:19:07,379 are writing these field guides? 654 00:19:07,380 --> 00:19:09,299 Yeah, so one really cool 655 00:19:09,300 --> 00:19:10,799 thing about this is that we like to 656 00:19:10,800 --> 00:19:12,059 pair our reporters, 657 00:19:13,080 --> 00:19:14,919 editors, really anyone in, you 658 00:19:14,920 --> 00:19:17,079 know, the KUT public media 659 00:19:17,080 --> 00:19:19,239 stratosphere, I guess, 660 00:19:19,240 --> 00:19:21,139 of who is really 661 00:19:21,140 --> 00:19:22,539 passionate about this to write the 662 00:19:22,540 --> 00:19:24,459 story. So we're looking at people 663 00:19:24,460 --> 00:19:26,679 who are experts or, you know, 664 00:19:26,680 --> 00:19:27,799 we have someone who's really into 665 00:19:27,800 --> 00:19:29,419 running. She wrote the running spot 666 00:19:29,420 --> 00:19:31,279 one. People who are really 667 00:19:31,280 --> 00:19:33,479 excited about the 668 00:19:33,480 --> 00:19:35,809 animals in Austin writing those. 669 00:19:35,810 --> 00:19:37,849 Yeah, it's, you know, sometimes 670 00:19:37,850 --> 00:19:39,569 here in journalism, your beat is 671 00:19:39,570 --> 00:19:40,989 your beat. You can't cover all the 672 00:19:40,990 --> 00:19:42,609 stories that you want to cover, but 673 00:19:42,610 --> 00:19:43,729 I've seen a lot of people have fun 674 00:19:43,730 --> 00:19:45,349 with these field guide entries, 675 00:19:45,350 --> 00:19:46,369 because it's something that they're 676 00:19:46,370 --> 00:19:48,269 passionate about as well, so it's 677 00:19:48,270 --> 00:19:50,209 not only just a guide 678 00:19:50,210 --> 00:19:52,249 to Austin, but it's coming from an 679 00:19:52,250 --> 00:19:54,189 expert in that guide, or in 680 00:19:54,190 --> 00:19:55,649 that field, rather. 681 00:19:55,650 --> 00:19:57,369 So there was this first run of 682 00:19:57,370 --> 00:19:59,449 entries into the field guide. 683 00:19:59,450 --> 00:20:00,809 I understand that there's gonna be 684 00:20:00,810 --> 00:20:01,919 more coming out. 685 00:20:01,920 --> 00:20:03,839 Yeah, so we have some new 686 00:20:03,840 --> 00:20:05,479 stories publishing this week, really 687 00:20:05,480 --> 00:20:07,319 excited about them. 688 00:20:07,320 --> 00:20:09,339 One of them is, you know, your entry 689 00:20:09,340 --> 00:20:11,179 guide to birding in Austin, 690 00:20:11,180 --> 00:20:12,299 everything you need to know to get 691 00:20:12,300 --> 00:20:13,139 started. 692 00:20:13,140 --> 00:20:14,339 There's actually a pretty big 693 00:20:14,340 --> 00:20:15,619 birding community here, I feel like, 694 00:20:15,620 --> 00:20:16,859 and there are a lot of people in the 695 00:20:16,860 --> 00:20:18,219 station who are very passionate 696 00:20:18,220 --> 00:20:18,760 about the bird. 697 00:20:18,761 --> 00:20:19,739 I was gonna say, are you talking 698 00:20:19,740 --> 00:20:20,739 about Austin or are you talking 699 00:20:20,740 --> 00:20:22,099 about KUT specifically? 700 00:20:22,100 --> 00:20:25,339 Because it seems as though we have a 701 00:20:25,340 --> 00:20:27,369 booming population of birders here. 702 00:20:27,370 --> 00:20:29,049 Yeah, definitely, I mean, definitely 703 00:20:29,050 --> 00:20:30,709 within KUT. 704 00:20:30,710 --> 00:20:32,409 People get excited. 705 00:20:32,410 --> 00:20:34,269 Yeah, there's one about cycling in 706 00:20:34,270 --> 00:20:35,149 Austin. 707 00:20:35,150 --> 00:20:37,409 So, you know, maybe you're not super 708 00:20:37,410 --> 00:20:39,309 comfortable biking on the 709 00:20:39,310 --> 00:20:40,289 roads here. 710 00:20:40,290 --> 00:20:42,069 That can help get you to that point 711 00:20:42,070 --> 00:20:43,829 where you are. 712 00:20:43,830 --> 00:20:45,589 What else do we have coming? 713 00:20:45,590 --> 00:20:47,529 We have one about rock 714 00:20:47,530 --> 00:20:49,449 climbing in Austin, we've one about 715 00:20:49,450 --> 00:20:51,609 Mexican restaurants to check out. 716 00:20:51,610 --> 00:20:53,509 Um, we have one coming that 717 00:20:53,510 --> 00:20:55,329 is eight tips 718 00:20:55,330 --> 00:20:57,589 from librarians from 719 00:20:57,590 --> 00:20:59,169 the Austin Public Library on like 720 00:20:59,170 --> 00:21:00,429 what they think are the most 721 00:21:00,430 --> 00:21:01,849 exciting things, so a reporter went 722 00:21:01,850 --> 00:21:03,029 out and talked to them. 723 00:21:03,030 --> 00:21:03,809 That one's pretty cool. 724 00:21:03,810 --> 00:21:05,429 There's a wide variety of things 725 00:21:05,430 --> 00:21:06,569 that you can do at the Public 726 00:21:06,570 --> 00:21:07,909 Library that people might not know 727 00:21:07,910 --> 00:21:08,289 about. 728 00:21:08,290 --> 00:21:09,349 Okay, so that was going to be my 729 00:21:09,350 --> 00:21:10,749 next question. Have you learned a 730 00:21:10,750 --> 00:21:12,709 good deal from being the project 731 00:21:12,710 --> 00:21:14,009 manager of the field guide? 732 00:21:14,010 --> 00:21:16,029 Oh, totally, you know, I mean, 733 00:21:16,030 --> 00:21:19,489 I went to school in Austin, but 734 00:21:19,490 --> 00:21:21,089 you can only learn so much when 735 00:21:21,090 --> 00:21:22,129 you're a college student. 736 00:21:22,130 --> 00:21:23,909 So I feel like I've really learned 737 00:21:23,910 --> 00:21:26,109 more past, you know, 738 00:21:26,110 --> 00:21:28,149 my little area that I lived in 739 00:21:28,150 --> 00:21:30,189 when I was in school. 740 00:21:30,190 --> 00:21:31,709 Definitely even, you know, a 741 00:21:31,710 --> 00:21:34,189 frequent user of the public library, 742 00:21:34,190 --> 00:21:36,029 but I still learned things while 743 00:21:36,030 --> 00:21:37,069 editing these stories. 744 00:21:37,070 --> 00:21:37,109 Yeah. 745 00:21:37,110 --> 00:21:38,529 Yeah, that's funny the person who's 746 00:21:38,530 --> 00:21:39,709 working on that story sits right 747 00:21:39,710 --> 00:21:41,649 next to me and so I use the 748 00:21:41,650 --> 00:21:43,509 library quite frequently as well So 749 00:21:43,510 --> 00:21:45,529 I'm excited to hear what I 750 00:21:45,530 --> 00:21:47,369 don't know and you can find lots 751 00:21:47,370 --> 00:21:49,149 of things that maybe you don't know 752 00:21:49,150 --> 00:21:51,489 or maybe you just need a little 753 00:21:51,490 --> 00:21:53,469 Rediscovery of in the field 754 00:21:53,470 --> 00:21:54,909 guide to Austin We have been 755 00:21:54,910 --> 00:21:56,609 speaking with Wynn Davis a digital 756 00:21:56,610 --> 00:21:58,609 editor for KUT and a project 757 00:21:58,610 --> 00:22:00,469 manager for the field guy to Austin 758 00:22:00,470 --> 00:22:02,069 we're gonna have a link to the field 759 00:22:02,070 --> 00:22:03,959 Guide in our show notes, but You 760 00:22:03,960 --> 00:22:06,379 can also find more at kut.org 761 00:22:06,380 --> 00:22:07,939 slash field guide win. 762 00:22:07,940 --> 00:22:08,619 Thanks for your time. 763 00:22:08,620 --> 00:22:09,699 Thanks, Jerry. 764 00:22:09,700 --> 00:22:11,619 And thank you out there for spending 765 00:22:11,620 --> 00:22:13,559 your Monday afternoon here 766 00:22:13,560 --> 00:22:15,379 with Austin Signal. 767 00:22:15,380 --> 00:22:16,879 And yeah, definitely check out the 768 00:22:16,880 --> 00:22:17,799 Field Guide to Austin. 769 00:22:17,800 --> 00:22:19,539 I've been out to several KUT and 770 00:22:19,540 --> 00:22:21,619 KUTX events where 771 00:22:21,620 --> 00:22:23,439 we're meeting lots of people who 772 00:22:23,440 --> 00:22:24,959 are new to Austin or have been here 773 00:22:24,960 --> 00:22:26,119 for six months. 774 00:22:26,120 --> 00:22:27,619 And they're using Google, they're 775 00:22:27,620 --> 00:22:29,279 their search engine of choice to 776 00:22:29,280 --> 00:22:31,079 look up all these different things. 777 00:22:31,080 --> 00:22:33,219 The Field Guide Austin has you 778 00:22:33,220 --> 00:22:35,039 covered with so much already and 779 00:22:35,040 --> 00:22:36,499 we'll be bringing you more. 780 00:22:36,500 --> 00:22:38,139 Again, you can find that in the 781 00:22:38,140 --> 00:22:39,279 podcast show notes. 782 00:22:39,280 --> 00:22:41,279 And at kut.org 783 00:22:41,280 --> 00:22:43,159 slash signal. 784 00:22:43,160 --> 00:22:44,619 Rayna Sevilla is our technical 785 00:22:44,620 --> 00:22:46,339 director, Alexa Hart is our 786 00:22:46,340 --> 00:22:48,499 producer, and Kristen Cabrera is 787 00:22:48,500 --> 00:22:50,299 our managing producer. 788 00:22:50,300 --> 00:22:51,899 I'm your host, Jerry Quijano. 789 00:22:51,900 --> 00:22:54,199 Austin Signal will be back tomorrow. 790 00:22:54,200 --> 00:22:55,200 We'll talk to you then.