1 00:00:08,590 --> 00:00:10,249 It's been almost two months since 2 00:00:10,250 --> 00:00:11,829 the deadly shooting outside a 6th 3 00:00:11,830 --> 00:00:13,429 Street bar and local officials are 4 00:00:13,430 --> 00:00:15,349 looking at the emergency response to 5 00:00:15,350 --> 00:00:16,789 the tragedy that night. 6 00:00:16,790 --> 00:00:18,269 One topic of discussion, better 7 00:00:18,270 --> 00:00:20,129 regulation of autonomous vehicles in 8 00:00:20,130 --> 00:00:21,729 these kinds of situations. 9 00:00:21,730 --> 00:00:23,109 That's after one vehicle blocked 10 00:00:23,110 --> 00:00:25,809 emergency response here in Austin. 11 00:00:25,810 --> 00:00:26,989 And here in Texas, one of the 12 00:00:26,990 --> 00:00:28,549 country's largest legal cannabis 13 00:00:28,550 --> 00:00:30,589 markets is fighting for its life. 14 00:00:30,590 --> 00:00:31,929 Exceptions allowing the sale of 15 00:00:31,930 --> 00:00:33,549 smokable hemp are slated to expire 16 00:00:33,550 --> 00:00:34,569 this week. 17 00:00:34,570 --> 00:00:36,089 We've got more about both of these 18 00:00:36,090 --> 00:00:38,489 stories coming up on today's show. 19 00:00:38,490 --> 00:00:40,389 The Austin Signal is a production 20 00:00:40,390 --> 00:00:42,489 of KUT News, hosted by 21 00:00:42,490 --> 00:00:43,569 Jerry Quijano. 22 00:00:43,570 --> 00:00:45,389 Plus, there's been some changes to 23 00:00:45,390 --> 00:00:47,369 this weekend's inaugural KUT 24 00:00:47,370 --> 00:00:49,509 Fest, it is still going forward 25 00:00:49,510 --> 00:00:51,609 just in a few different locations 26 00:00:51,610 --> 00:00:52,949 around town. 27 00:00:52,950 --> 00:00:54,829 Catch up on the latest, that's 28 00:00:54,830 --> 00:00:56,469 coming up next and it's right here 29 00:00:56,470 --> 00:00:57,850 on Austin Signal. 30 00:01:07,730 --> 00:01:09,349 Howdy out there, you are tuning in 31 00:01:09,350 --> 00:01:10,749 to Austin Signal. 32 00:01:10,750 --> 00:01:13,029 It is Wednesday, April 29th. 33 00:01:13,030 --> 00:01:14,389 I'm your host, Jerry Keakono. 34 00:01:14,390 --> 00:01:15,549 Thank you for spending part of the 35 00:01:15,550 --> 00:01:16,869 day here with us. 36 00:01:16,870 --> 00:01:18,589 This is community-powered public 37 00:01:18,590 --> 00:01:21,629 radio, KUT News. 38 00:01:21,630 --> 00:01:23,329 We'll start today's show with Austin 39 00:01:23,330 --> 00:01:25,209 Public Safety and Mobility officials 40 00:01:25,210 --> 00:01:26,929 meeting at City Hall to discuss the 41 00:01:26,930 --> 00:01:28,469 emergency response to the deadly 42 00:01:28,470 --> 00:01:30,989 shooting at Buford's back in March. 43 00:01:30,990 --> 00:01:32,849 Among those discussions, how to 44 00:01:32,850 --> 00:01:34,449 better regulate autonomous vehicle 45 00:01:34,450 --> 00:01:37,049 use during emergency situations. 46 00:01:37,050 --> 00:01:38,809 That's after a Waymo was seen 47 00:01:38,810 --> 00:01:40,069 blocking the street as first 48 00:01:40,070 --> 00:01:41,449 responders were heading to the scene 49 00:01:41,450 --> 00:01:43,329 of the Buford shooting. 50 00:01:43,330 --> 00:01:45,249 KUT City Hall reporter Luz Moreno 51 00:01:45,250 --> 00:01:46,949 Lozano was at that meeting and she 52 00:01:46,950 --> 00:01:48,969 is joining us now live from City 53 00:01:48,970 --> 00:01:50,409 Hall. Hi Luz. 54 00:01:50,410 --> 00:01:51,729 Hey Jerry, thanks for having me. 55 00:01:51,730 --> 00:01:52,929 Of course. 56 00:01:52,930 --> 00:01:54,849 So tell us what were some of the 57 00:01:54,850 --> 00:01:56,389 topics of discussion at today's 58 00:01:56,390 --> 00:01:57,259 meeting? 59 00:01:57,260 --> 00:01:59,259 Yeah, you know, the the Waymo and 60 00:01:59,260 --> 00:02:00,859 autonomous vehicle discussion was 61 00:02:00,860 --> 00:02:03,239 probably the one that they had the 62 00:02:03,240 --> 00:02:05,599 most the largest discussion about, 63 00:02:05,600 --> 00:02:06,659 you know, as you mentioned during 64 00:02:06,660 --> 00:02:08,279 the Buford shooting, we saw Waymo 65 00:02:08,280 --> 00:02:09,978 blocking in ambulance from 66 00:02:09,979 --> 00:02:11,439 responding. 67 00:02:11,440 --> 00:02:12,679 Public safety officials did say that 68 00:02:12,680 --> 00:02:14,479 didn't significantly hinder the 69 00:02:14,480 --> 00:02:15,959 response, but it did take a few 70 00:02:15,960 --> 00:02:17,659 minutes for an officer to be able to 71 00:02:17,660 --> 00:02:19,339 like, access a vehicle and 72 00:02:19,340 --> 00:02:20,900 physically or manually move it. 73 00:02:22,340 --> 00:02:23,619 There was also some other concerns 74 00:02:23,620 --> 00:02:25,439 outside of the Buford shooting, just 75 00:02:25,440 --> 00:02:27,299 about how AV vehicles 76 00:02:27,300 --> 00:02:29,139 or AVs just 77 00:02:29,140 --> 00:02:31,139 kind of respond to traffic safety 78 00:02:31,140 --> 00:02:32,679 and signals in general. 79 00:02:32,680 --> 00:02:34,619 You know, we've seen videos of 80 00:02:34,620 --> 00:02:35,819 them improperly passing school 81 00:02:35,820 --> 00:02:37,299 busses driving in the wrong 82 00:02:37,300 --> 00:02:38,699 direction. 83 00:02:38,700 --> 00:02:40,519 There was videos of the way 84 00:02:40,520 --> 00:02:42,419 most driving through 85 00:02:42,420 --> 00:02:44,519 flooded roads and 86 00:02:44,520 --> 00:02:45,879 through barricades like train 87 00:02:45,880 --> 00:02:47,279 barricade. And so there's all this 88 00:02:47,280 --> 00:02:48,799 discussion about like how these 89 00:02:48,800 --> 00:02:50,519 vehicles are. 90 00:02:50,520 --> 00:02:52,579 You know, working on the roads and 91 00:02:52,580 --> 00:02:54,649 also like balancing public safety. 92 00:02:54,650 --> 00:02:56,329 So what are some of the proposed 93 00:02:56,330 --> 00:02:58,169 solutions to the issue of autonomous 94 00:02:58,170 --> 00:03:00,269 vehicles potentially hindering 95 00:03:00,270 --> 00:03:01,949 emergency responses or other kinds 96 00:03:01,950 --> 00:03:02,909 of responses? 97 00:03:02,910 --> 00:03:05,009 Yeah, you know, I think the city and 98 00:03:05,010 --> 00:03:06,309 some of these AV companies are kind 99 00:03:06,310 --> 00:03:08,629 of working together to, um, 100 00:03:08,630 --> 00:03:10,769 improve some of these, um 101 00:03:10,770 --> 00:03:12,309 safety precautions and, and 102 00:03:12,310 --> 00:03:13,989 protocols, you know, things like 103 00:03:13,990 --> 00:03:15,869 being able to stop a 104 00:03:15,870 --> 00:03:17,589 Waymo from responding to within a 105 00:03:17,590 --> 00:03:19,569 certain radius of an emergency. 106 00:03:19,570 --> 00:03:21,289 And so, you know, that's just one of 107 00:03:21,290 --> 00:03:22,969 the things that they are working on. 108 00:03:22,970 --> 00:03:24,989 The city doesn't have a lot of, 109 00:03:24,990 --> 00:03:26,849 um power to just 110 00:03:26,850 --> 00:03:28,769 be able to regulate these, you 111 00:03:28,770 --> 00:03:30,269 know, the state is trying to get 112 00:03:30,270 --> 00:03:31,609 them to register. 113 00:03:31,610 --> 00:03:32,869 That's part of a new state law that 114 00:03:32,870 --> 00:03:33,869 just passed. 115 00:03:33,870 --> 00:03:35,629 But I think it's mostly about like, 116 00:03:35,630 --> 00:03:37,129 how can these companies in the city 117 00:03:37,130 --> 00:03:38,609 work together, especially first 118 00:03:38,610 --> 00:03:39,869 responders, so that they are paying 119 00:03:39,870 --> 00:03:41,749 attention to like hand signals, for 120 00:03:41,750 --> 00:03:43,829 example, and being cleared away 121 00:03:43,830 --> 00:03:46,159 from these emergency situations. 122 00:03:46,160 --> 00:03:48,139 Now, you and I here have been 123 00:03:48,140 --> 00:03:49,479 talking about Waymo's, and I'm sure 124 00:03:49,480 --> 00:03:51,019 Waymo was discussed much at this 125 00:03:51,020 --> 00:03:52,879 meeting, but despite that, Waymo 126 00:03:52,880 --> 00:03:54,839 was not actually represented at 127 00:03:54,840 --> 00:03:56,159 this meeting of the Austin Mobility 128 00:03:56,160 --> 00:03:57,999 and Public Safety Committee today. 129 00:03:58,000 --> 00:03:59,759 Is there a specific reason why that 130 00:03:59,760 --> 00:04:00,789 they weren't there? 131 00:04:00,790 --> 00:04:01,709 Yeah, yeah. 132 00:04:01,710 --> 00:04:03,229 I talked to a spokesperson yesterday 133 00:04:03,230 --> 00:04:04,769 who basically said that they have 134 00:04:04,770 --> 00:04:06,589 had several meetings 135 00:04:06,590 --> 00:04:08,309 with both city and state leaders 136 00:04:08,310 --> 00:04:10,229 over the last several weeks. 137 00:04:10,230 --> 00:04:11,989 And they said they felt like those 138 00:04:11,990 --> 00:04:13,889 discussions were substantive enough 139 00:04:13,890 --> 00:04:15,669 to kind of explain things and how 140 00:04:15,670 --> 00:04:16,749 that happened. 141 00:04:16,750 --> 00:04:18,669 They've also kind of detailed some 142 00:04:18,670 --> 00:04:20,369 operational improvements in these 143 00:04:20,370 --> 00:04:21,828 discussions. 144 00:04:21,829 --> 00:04:22,989 So like Waymo, for example, said 145 00:04:22,990 --> 00:04:24,309 that the be expanding their avoid 146 00:04:24,310 --> 00:04:26,249 the area zone when emergency 147 00:04:26,250 --> 00:04:28,569 alerts are coming through. 148 00:04:28,570 --> 00:04:30,389 So yeah, I think that's a little bit 149 00:04:30,390 --> 00:04:32,209 about why they didn't fully 150 00:04:32,210 --> 00:04:33,509 participate today. 151 00:04:33,510 --> 00:04:34,929 I think council members were 152 00:04:34,930 --> 00:04:36,849 disappointed to see that they didn't 153 00:04:36,850 --> 00:04:38,949 have anyone on site today, 154 00:04:38,950 --> 00:04:40,769 but that's little bit about what 155 00:04:40,770 --> 00:04:41,979 we heard from them this week. 156 00:04:41,980 --> 00:04:43,439 Yeah, from the reporting that you 157 00:04:43,440 --> 00:04:44,959 have done, what would you say is the 158 00:04:44,960 --> 00:04:46,699 pulse on public opinion when it 159 00:04:46,700 --> 00:04:48,019 comes to this? 160 00:04:48,020 --> 00:04:50,119 I mean, the video went viral and 161 00:04:50,120 --> 00:04:51,019 obviously there were lots of 162 00:04:51,020 --> 00:04:52,919 emotions during that time. 163 00:04:52,920 --> 00:04:54,279 Did the public have a chance to 164 00:04:54,280 --> 00:04:55,629 speak at this meeting today? 165 00:04:55,630 --> 00:04:56,489 They did, yeah. 166 00:04:56,490 --> 00:04:58,809 We had a couple of speakers who 167 00:04:58,810 --> 00:05:00,689 basically kind of touted this idea 168 00:05:00,690 --> 00:05:02,829 that, yes, you know, Austin has been 169 00:05:02,830 --> 00:05:04,909 a testing ground for these emerging 170 00:05:04,910 --> 00:05:06,489 technologies and we've, you know 171 00:05:06,490 --> 00:05:08,649 prided ourselves as a city on 172 00:05:08,650 --> 00:05:10,469 being able to bring 173 00:05:10,470 --> 00:05:11,369 those in, you know. 174 00:05:11,370 --> 00:05:13,189 It's not just Waymo, it's Tesla, 175 00:05:13,190 --> 00:05:14,249 it is AV. 176 00:05:14,250 --> 00:05:15,069 You know, there's other companies 177 00:05:15,070 --> 00:05:16,769 kind of operating within the Austin 178 00:05:16,770 --> 00:05:17,869 city limits. 179 00:05:17,870 --> 00:05:19,689 But I do think that there are a lot 180 00:05:19,690 --> 00:05:21,509 of public safety concerns, you know, 181 00:05:21,510 --> 00:05:23,209 being passing a school bus while 182 00:05:23,210 --> 00:05:25,169 dropping and picking up kids is a 183 00:05:25,170 --> 00:05:27,069 huge concern. And so I think the 184 00:05:27,070 --> 00:05:29,009 sentiment is we can do both, 185 00:05:29,010 --> 00:05:30,969 but how do we balance up? 186 00:05:30,970 --> 00:05:32,729 Okay, Luce, we have about 40 seconds 187 00:05:32,730 --> 00:05:34,490 left. What happens next? 188 00:05:35,570 --> 00:05:37,509 So the city council and 189 00:05:37,510 --> 00:05:39,069 public safety officials will be kind 190 00:05:39,070 --> 00:05:41,449 of working with these AV companies 191 00:05:42,530 --> 00:05:44,329 to find a middle ground. 192 00:05:44,330 --> 00:05:46,169 I think that public 193 00:05:46,170 --> 00:05:48,449 safety is a top concern and 194 00:05:48,450 --> 00:05:50,309 over the next several weeks, they'll 195 00:05:50,310 --> 00:05:51,729 be trying to figure out what that 196 00:05:51,730 --> 00:05:52,739 looks like. 197 00:05:52,740 --> 00:05:54,259 All right, that is Luz Moreno 198 00:05:54,260 --> 00:05:55,099 Lozano. 199 00:05:55,100 --> 00:05:57,519 She is KUT City Hall reporter. 200 00:05:57,520 --> 00:05:58,819 Luz, thanks for joining us live here 201 00:05:58,820 --> 00:05:59,639 on the show. 202 00:05:59,640 --> 00:06:00,640 Thanks, Jerry. 203 00:06:11,150 --> 00:06:13,109 A court fight is playing out this 204 00:06:13,110 --> 00:06:14,929 week that could determine whether 205 00:06:14,930 --> 00:06:16,789 thousands of Texans are able to 206 00:06:16,790 --> 00:06:18,729 continue buying legal 207 00:06:18,730 --> 00:06:20,929 cannabis flower and extract. 208 00:06:20,930 --> 00:06:22,629 The state has allowed the sale of 209 00:06:22,630 --> 00:06:25,569 consumable hemp products since 2019, 210 00:06:25,570 --> 00:06:27,509 but new regulations have upended the 211 00:06:27,510 --> 00:06:29,109 market, and now the Texas hemp 212 00:06:29,110 --> 00:06:31,629 industry is fighting them in court. 213 00:06:31,630 --> 00:06:33,489 KUT's Nathan Bernier has been 214 00:06:33,490 --> 00:06:35,709 following the court hearing at 215 00:06:35,710 --> 00:06:37,190 a Travis County court downtown. 216 00:06:39,610 --> 00:06:41,529 The smell of cannabis greets 217 00:06:41,530 --> 00:06:43,409 people who walk into Terp 218 00:06:43,410 --> 00:06:45,589 House, a hemp store in South Austin. 219 00:06:45,590 --> 00:06:47,409 Co-owner Reese Newland shows me 220 00:06:47,410 --> 00:06:48,949 around their small storefront. 221 00:06:48,950 --> 00:06:51,369 So this is our flower. 222 00:06:51,370 --> 00:06:53,009 We have indoor. 223 00:06:53,010 --> 00:06:54,969 We have top shelf. 224 00:06:54,970 --> 00:06:57,349 We also have pre-rolls. 225 00:06:57,350 --> 00:06:59,049 The products sold at Turp House and 226 00:06:59,050 --> 00:07:00,849 13,000 other registered retail 227 00:07:00,850 --> 00:07:03,089 locations across Texas are called 228 00:07:03,090 --> 00:07:04,169 hemp. 229 00:07:04,170 --> 00:07:05,669 Marijuana and hemp come from the 230 00:07:05,670 --> 00:07:06,669 same plant. 231 00:07:06,670 --> 00:07:08,769 The only difference in Texas law is 232 00:07:08,770 --> 00:07:11,929 hemp has low amounts of Delta-9-THC, 233 00:07:11,930 --> 00:07:13,489 the main psychoactive compound in 234 00:07:13,490 --> 00:07:14,309 cannabis. 235 00:07:14,310 --> 00:07:16,149 But hemp has many other ingredients, 236 00:07:16,150 --> 00:07:18,769 including something called THCA, 237 00:07:18,770 --> 00:07:20,789 which converts to to 9 when heated 238 00:07:20,790 --> 00:07:21,749 or smoked. 239 00:07:21,750 --> 00:07:23,309 And that's how stores in many states 240 00:07:23,310 --> 00:07:25,449 that ban recreational marijuana have 241 00:07:25,450 --> 00:07:27,569 been able to sell smokable forms of 242 00:07:27,570 --> 00:07:29,589 cannabis. But in Texas, 243 00:07:29,590 --> 00:07:31,389 that all changed a few weeks ago. 244 00:07:31,390 --> 00:07:33,869 I think the regulations personally 245 00:07:33,870 --> 00:07:36,349 were designed to kill this industry. 246 00:07:36,350 --> 00:07:38,569 Casey Newlin is Reese's brother, 247 00:07:38,570 --> 00:07:40,489 and also a co-owner of Turp House. 248 00:07:40,490 --> 00:07:41,829 The regulations he's talking about 249 00:07:41,830 --> 00:07:43,329 were adopted by the state's health 250 00:07:43,330 --> 00:07:44,969 department in March, following an 251 00:07:44,970 --> 00:07:46,249 executive order by Governor Greg 252 00:07:46,250 --> 00:07:48,169 Abbott. The new rules clamped 253 00:07:48,170 --> 00:07:50,449 down on THCA, which effectively 254 00:07:50,450 --> 00:07:52,329 banned the sale of smokable hemp 255 00:07:52,330 --> 00:07:53,749 products even though possessing them 256 00:07:53,750 --> 00:07:54,639 remains legal. 257 00:07:54,640 --> 00:07:56,559 They basically took our 258 00:07:56,560 --> 00:07:58,559 highest selling products 259 00:07:58,560 --> 00:07:59,759 off the shelves. 260 00:07:59,760 --> 00:08:01,779 I can tell you our sales went 261 00:08:01,780 --> 00:08:03,339 to 5%. 262 00:08:03,340 --> 00:08:04,759 That's not even enough to cover our 263 00:08:04,760 --> 00:08:05,319 rent. 264 00:08:05,320 --> 00:08:06,839 Earlier this month, Texas hemp 265 00:08:06,840 --> 00:08:08,979 businesses sued the state. 266 00:08:08,980 --> 00:08:10,639 They argued regulators went beyond 267 00:08:10,640 --> 00:08:12,499 their authority by changing what 268 00:08:12,500 --> 00:08:14,379 counts as legal hemp and by 269 00:08:14,380 --> 00:08:16,239 imposing sharply higher fees on 270 00:08:16,240 --> 00:08:17,219 businesses. 271 00:08:17,220 --> 00:08:18,699 A state court issued a temporary 272 00:08:18,700 --> 00:08:20,439 restraining order, allowing smokable 273 00:08:20,440 --> 00:08:22,339 products back on store shelves while 274 00:08:22,340 --> 00:08:24,439 keeping those higher fees in place. 275 00:08:24,440 --> 00:08:25,799 This week, the hemp industry is 276 00:08:25,800 --> 00:08:27,819 asking for something longer-lasting, 277 00:08:27,820 --> 00:08:29,739 a temporary injunction that 278 00:08:29,740 --> 00:08:31,419 would keep some of the new rules on 279 00:08:31,420 --> 00:08:33,199 hold while the lawsuit plays out, 280 00:08:33,200 --> 00:08:34,788 which could take years. 281 00:08:34,789 --> 00:08:40,009 The court will call D1GN26002511, 282 00:08:40,010 --> 00:08:41,639 Texas Hemp Business Council. 283 00:08:41,640 --> 00:08:43,259 During court proceedings, attorneys 284 00:08:43,260 --> 00:08:44,679 for the state of Texas argued 285 00:08:44,680 --> 00:08:47,099 regulators did not rewrite the law. 286 00:08:47,100 --> 00:08:49,099 They said THCA levels have long 287 00:08:49,100 --> 00:08:50,759 been a part of how hemp is tested 288 00:08:50,760 --> 00:08:52,239 prior to harvesting. 289 00:08:52,240 --> 00:08:54,199 And so now, they say, regulators are 290 00:08:54,200 --> 00:08:56,259 just applying that total THC 291 00:08:56,260 --> 00:08:58,399 metric to consumable products. 292 00:08:58,400 --> 00:08:59,799 Zachary Berg is a lawyer with the 293 00:08:59,800 --> 00:09:01,249 Texas Attorney General's office. 294 00:09:01,250 --> 00:09:03,229 The definition of total THC 295 00:09:03,230 --> 00:09:05,089 used in the rules is consistent with 296 00:09:05,090 --> 00:09:06,649 the federal definition and 297 00:09:06,650 --> 00:09:08,049 consistent with definition of other 298 00:09:08,050 --> 00:09:09,889 states such as Colorado. 299 00:09:09,890 --> 00:09:11,909 Texas has the biggest hemp market in 300 00:09:11,910 --> 00:09:11,979 the country. 301 00:09:11,980 --> 00:09:13,259 Country, according to Robin 302 00:09:13,260 --> 00:09:14,219 Goldstein. 303 00:09:14,220 --> 00:09:15,819 He directs research at the Cannabis 304 00:09:15,820 --> 00:09:17,979 Economics Group at UC Davis. 305 00:09:17,980 --> 00:09:19,819 Goldstein says businesses nationwide 306 00:09:19,820 --> 00:09:22,119 are selling products into Texas. 307 00:09:22,120 --> 00:09:23,919 If you suddenly cut off that revenue 308 00:09:23,920 --> 00:09:25,499 stream for them, a lot of the 309 00:09:25,500 --> 00:09:26,899 producers of these products, which 310 00:09:26,900 --> 00:09:28,459 are shipping across state lines and 311 00:09:28,460 --> 00:09:29,759 which are located all across the 312 00:09:29,760 --> 00:09:31,619 country, those are threatened by 313 00:09:31,620 --> 00:09:33,539 the Texas shutdown if that happens. 314 00:09:33,540 --> 00:09:35,379 Goldstein says prohibiting the sale 315 00:09:35,380 --> 00:09:36,939 of smokable hemp products could put 316 00:09:36,940 --> 00:09:38,759 thousands of mom-and-pop retailers 317 00:09:38,760 --> 00:09:40,899 out of business in Texas and 318 00:09:40,900 --> 00:09:42,819 prompt many consumers to turn to the 319 00:09:42,820 --> 00:09:43,820 illegal market. 320 00:09:48,140 --> 00:09:49,779 Well, a little bit more news here 321 00:09:49,780 --> 00:09:50,799 for you. U.S. 322 00:09:50,800 --> 00:09:52,019 Senator John Cornyn and Texas 323 00:09:52,020 --> 00:09:53,859 Attorney General Ken Paxton are in 324 00:09:53,860 --> 00:09:55,879 a May 26 runoff for the 325 00:09:55,880 --> 00:09:56,679 Republican U. 326 00:09:56,680 --> 00:09:58,059 S. Senate nomination. 327 00:09:58,060 --> 00:09:59,459 Well, that part's not new, but this 328 00:09:59,460 --> 00:10:00,459 part is. 329 00:10:00,460 --> 00:10:02,059 A new poll finds that Democratic 330 00:10:02,060 --> 00:10:03,979 nominee state rep James Tallarico 331 00:10:03,980 --> 00:10:06,079 of Austin is ahead of 332 00:10:06,080 --> 00:10:07,319 both of them. 333 00:10:07,320 --> 00:10:08,819 The Texas public opinion research 334 00:10:08,820 --> 00:10:10,779 poll of likely voters has Tallarica 335 00:10:10,780 --> 00:10:12,879 leading CornyN by three points and 336 00:10:12,880 --> 00:10:14,799 Paxton by five points. 337 00:10:14,800 --> 00:10:16,399 That poll shows Tallarico getting 338 00:10:16,400 --> 00:10:18,179 more support from moderates and 339 00:10:18,180 --> 00:10:19,239 independents. 340 00:10:19,240 --> 00:10:20,899 And support from those voters is 341 00:10:20,900 --> 00:10:22,479 considered key to a Democrat-winning 342 00:10:22,480 --> 00:10:24,479 Texas statewide office 343 00:10:24,480 --> 00:10:26,539 for the first time since 344 00:10:26,540 --> 00:10:28,000 1994. 345 00:10:29,280 --> 00:10:31,099 We have more news on the KUT 346 00:10:31,100 --> 00:10:34,159 app and online at KUT.org. 347 00:10:34,160 --> 00:10:35,879 And we have more Austin Signal 348 00:10:35,880 --> 00:10:38,339 coming up after this break, 349 00:10:38,340 --> 00:10:40,519 including talking with Austin 350 00:10:40,520 --> 00:10:42,459 Film Society about their Doc Days 351 00:10:42,460 --> 00:10:44,519 festival kicking off tomorrow. 352 00:10:44,520 --> 00:10:46,339 And some changes to the KUT 353 00:10:46,340 --> 00:10:48,439 Festival, just the locations. 354 00:10:48,440 --> 00:10:49,959 We're gonna let you know about those 355 00:10:49,960 --> 00:10:51,659 coming up after this. 356 00:10:51,660 --> 00:10:52,799 Thank you for being with us. 357 00:10:59,470 --> 00:11:01,069 This is Austin Signal. 358 00:11:01,070 --> 00:11:02,589 Welcome back to the show. 359 00:11:02,590 --> 00:11:04,609 This year, the Austin Film Society's 360 00:11:04,610 --> 00:11:06,169 Doc Day's Film Festival is 361 00:11:06,170 --> 00:11:07,649 highlighting the effects of SpaceX 362 00:11:07,650 --> 00:11:09,649 on the South Texas coast, 363 00:11:09,650 --> 00:11:11,289 looking at collective action by UPS 364 00:11:11,290 --> 00:11:13,249 workers, the work to return 365 00:11:13,250 --> 00:11:15,429 ancestral remains to native lands, 366 00:11:15,430 --> 00:11:17,429 and a whole lot more. 367 00:11:17,430 --> 00:11:19,109 Joining me now to talk about that is 368 00:11:19,110 --> 00:11:20,749 Holly Herrick, head of film and 369 00:11:20,750 --> 00:11:22,289 creative media at Austin Film 370 00:11:22,290 --> 00:11:23,169 Society. 371 00:11:23,170 --> 00:11:24,649 Holly, thanks for joining us. 372 00:11:24,650 --> 00:11:26,289 Thanks so much for having me. 373 00:11:26,290 --> 00:11:28,309 Of course. So we want to talk about 374 00:11:28,310 --> 00:11:29,349 the films that you're going to be 375 00:11:29,350 --> 00:11:30,849 showcasing this week, but wanted to 376 00:11:30,850 --> 00:11:32,989 ask you a little bit about the focus 377 00:11:32,990 --> 00:11:34,949 on documentary work and why 378 00:11:34,950 --> 00:11:36,609 you think that it's so special. 379 00:11:36,610 --> 00:11:38,549 Sure. So this is Austin Film 380 00:11:38,550 --> 00:11:40,529 Society's annual non-fiction film 381 00:11:40,530 --> 00:11:42,769 festival, AFS Doc Days. 382 00:11:42,770 --> 00:11:44,809 And the curatorial line is 383 00:11:44,810 --> 00:11:46,969 really looking for very 384 00:11:46,970 --> 00:11:49,109 unique, special non-fiction 385 00:11:49,110 --> 00:11:51,129 films, not the paint-by-numbers 386 00:11:51,130 --> 00:11:52,689 documentaries that you might see on 387 00:11:52,690 --> 00:11:54,490 certain streaming services, but 388 00:11:54,491 --> 00:11:56,529 films that speak to the moment, 389 00:11:56,530 --> 00:11:58,369 but are also timeless, 390 00:11:58,370 --> 00:12:00,389 that we'll look back on as 391 00:12:00,390 --> 00:12:02,229 saying something really special or 392 00:12:02,230 --> 00:12:03,449 unique about the world that we're 393 00:12:03,450 --> 00:12:05,609 living in today, but that our 394 00:12:05,610 --> 00:12:06,589 touchstones. 395 00:12:06,590 --> 00:12:08,649 So we often find that films 396 00:12:08,650 --> 00:12:10,409 that we show at Doc Days end up 397 00:12:10,410 --> 00:12:11,329 being in the end of year 398 00:12:11,330 --> 00:12:13,049 conversations around sort of best 399 00:12:13,050 --> 00:12:13,949 films of the year. 400 00:12:13,950 --> 00:12:15,929 And it is with such a small program, 401 00:12:15,930 --> 00:12:17,969 sort of a best of what's out there 402 00:12:17,970 --> 00:12:20,029 in the nonfiction community. 403 00:12:20,030 --> 00:12:21,089 The other thing that we're doing 404 00:12:21,090 --> 00:12:23,469 with the festival is celebrating the 405 00:12:23,470 --> 00:12:25,089 documentary and nonfiction film 406 00:12:25,090 --> 00:12:27,009 community that we have in Austin 407 00:12:27,010 --> 00:12:28,249 and in Texas. 408 00:12:28,250 --> 00:12:29,989 There are many great nonfiction 409 00:12:29,990 --> 00:12:32,129 filmmakers living and working here. 410 00:12:32,130 --> 00:12:33,649 And so we want it to be an 411 00:12:33,650 --> 00:12:35,169 opportunity for them to interact 412 00:12:35,170 --> 00:12:36,669 with guests from. 413 00:12:36,670 --> 00:12:38,749 The greater non-fiction community, 414 00:12:38,750 --> 00:12:40,509 and that's all happening at the AFS 415 00:12:40,510 --> 00:12:42,089 cinema during AFS Doc Days. 416 00:12:42,090 --> 00:12:43,489 Very cool. Well, one of the stories 417 00:12:43,490 --> 00:12:45,429 that focuses on Texas is a 418 00:12:45,430 --> 00:12:46,609 documentary called Shifting 419 00:12:46,610 --> 00:12:47,529 Baselines. 420 00:12:47,530 --> 00:12:48,389 Can you tell us a little bit about 421 00:12:48,390 --> 00:12:48,789 that one? 422 00:12:48,790 --> 00:12:50,889 Yes, this is 423 00:12:50,890 --> 00:12:52,769 such a unique film. 424 00:12:52,770 --> 00:12:55,049 It takes place in 425 00:12:55,050 --> 00:12:57,189 on the Texas coast, 426 00:12:57,190 --> 00:12:59,189 where the SpaceX 427 00:12:59,190 --> 00:13:00,809 operation has been set up. 428 00:13:00,810 --> 00:13:02,849 And it's pretty much an ethnography 429 00:13:02,850 --> 00:13:04,789 of the town 430 00:13:04,790 --> 00:13:07,409 where SpaceX is located, 431 00:13:07,410 --> 00:13:09,249 sort of studying how the 432 00:13:09,250 --> 00:13:11,169 town has been changed by 433 00:13:11,170 --> 00:13:13,229 SpaceX setting up there. 434 00:13:13,230 --> 00:13:15,369 And what we find are 435 00:13:15,370 --> 00:13:17,329 some really unexpected characters. 436 00:13:17,330 --> 00:13:19,059 You know, people who are sort of 437 00:13:19,060 --> 00:13:20,999 migrating, they're going on these 438 00:13:21,000 --> 00:13:24,079 almost pilgrimages to 439 00:13:24,080 --> 00:13:25,939 see SpaceX and 440 00:13:25,940 --> 00:13:27,899 to talk about the future 441 00:13:27,900 --> 00:13:29,719 of humans and space 442 00:13:29,720 --> 00:13:32,019 exploration alongside people 443 00:13:32,020 --> 00:13:33,579 like the person we're going to have 444 00:13:33,580 --> 00:13:35,059 in person at the cinema named Gage 445 00:13:35,060 --> 00:13:37,539 Dabula. He's a journalist who 446 00:13:37,540 --> 00:13:39,919 is documenting the effects of 447 00:13:39,920 --> 00:13:41,959 the residents and how 448 00:13:41,960 --> 00:13:43,779 the town is changing 449 00:13:43,780 --> 00:13:45,599 dramatically from SpaceX 450 00:13:45,600 --> 00:13:46,549 being there. 451 00:13:46,550 --> 00:13:48,389 And then the film takes a really 452 00:13:48,390 --> 00:13:50,389 interesting turn to talk about 453 00:13:50,390 --> 00:13:53,129 how humanity is 454 00:13:53,130 --> 00:13:55,289 not thinking broadly about 455 00:13:55,290 --> 00:13:57,309 our future and about the ways in 456 00:13:57,310 --> 00:13:58,689 which space exploration is gonna 457 00:13:58,690 --> 00:14:00,069 affect life on Earth. 458 00:14:00,070 --> 00:14:02,029 And it's a really fascinating 459 00:14:02,030 --> 00:14:03,749 turn and I can't really say too much 460 00:14:03,750 --> 00:14:04,869 about it. You just kind of have to 461 00:14:04,870 --> 00:14:06,449 see the movie which is also just 462 00:14:06,450 --> 00:14:07,729 stunning black and white 463 00:14:07,730 --> 00:14:09,409 cinematography, it's incredible, 464 00:14:09,410 --> 00:14:10,129 yeah. 465 00:14:10,130 --> 00:14:11,709 Okay, that's definitely a good hook, 466 00:14:11,710 --> 00:14:13,569 and Gage Davila used to report 467 00:14:13,570 --> 00:14:15,449 on public radio for Texas Public 468 00:14:15,450 --> 00:14:17,249 Radio, so that's a voice that many 469 00:14:17,250 --> 00:14:18,689 of our listeners out there might be 470 00:14:18,690 --> 00:14:20,449 familiar with. That is happening on 471 00:14:20,450 --> 00:14:21,359 Friday, correct? 472 00:14:21,360 --> 00:14:22,939 That's right, and Gage will be there 473 00:14:22,940 --> 00:14:25,319 in person talking about 474 00:14:25,320 --> 00:14:27,379 Boca Chica and his 475 00:14:27,380 --> 00:14:29,279 reporting and also appearing in 476 00:14:29,280 --> 00:14:30,479 the film and what that was like. 477 00:14:30,480 --> 00:14:32,559 So he's one of many characters that 478 00:14:32,560 --> 00:14:34,579 the filmmakers follow in Boca-Chica, 479 00:14:34,580 --> 00:14:35,199 Texas. 480 00:14:35,200 --> 00:14:36,259 Well, the movie that's gonna be 481 00:14:36,260 --> 00:14:38,099 opening the Fest is called Who Moves 482 00:14:38,100 --> 00:14:38,919 America? 483 00:14:38,920 --> 00:14:40,059 What is that about? 484 00:14:40,060 --> 00:14:41,979 Who Moves America is about 485 00:14:41,980 --> 00:14:44,079 an almost labor 486 00:14:44,080 --> 00:14:45,959 strike by UPS that 487 00:14:45,960 --> 00:14:47,999 happened about five years ago. 488 00:14:48,000 --> 00:14:50,719 And during the 489 00:14:50,720 --> 00:14:52,899 mobilization towards a 490 00:14:52,900 --> 00:14:54,939 strike, all of the workers were 491 00:14:54,940 --> 00:14:56,899 looking back on a strike that 492 00:14:56,900 --> 00:14:58,319 happened at UPS in the 90s. 493 00:14:58,320 --> 00:14:59,699 And you have to think that UPS is 494 00:14:59,700 --> 00:15:01,359 actually the biggest organized labor 495 00:15:01,360 --> 00:15:02,839 force in the United States. 496 00:15:02,840 --> 00:15:04,939 It represents more than 350,000 497 00:15:04,940 --> 00:15:05,969 workers. 498 00:15:05,970 --> 00:15:08,049 And so a strike by UPS 499 00:15:08,050 --> 00:15:10,209 basically shuts down shipping in 500 00:15:10,210 --> 00:15:11,089 the United States. 501 00:15:11,090 --> 00:15:12,489 And so what happened in the 90s was 502 00:15:12,490 --> 00:15:14,329 this massive labor strike that sort 503 00:15:14,330 --> 00:15:16,149 of gave birth to 504 00:15:16,150 --> 00:15:18,729 a generational knowledge 505 00:15:18,730 --> 00:15:20,889 about how to organize 506 00:15:20,890 --> 00:15:21,769 as workers. 507 00:15:21,770 --> 00:15:23,489 And so the film is about sort of 508 00:15:23,490 --> 00:15:25,449 looking back at past generations 509 00:15:25,450 --> 00:15:27,309 of organizers and 510 00:15:27,310 --> 00:15:29,069 thinking about organizing, labor 511 00:15:29,070 --> 00:15:29,979 organizing. 512 00:15:29,980 --> 00:15:31,759 As sort of a lineage that there are 513 00:15:31,760 --> 00:15:32,999 things to learn from the past that 514 00:15:33,000 --> 00:15:34,619 can be taken into the future. 515 00:15:34,620 --> 00:15:36,319 And it's really inspiring in that 516 00:15:36,320 --> 00:15:37,739 way. And it was just fascinating 517 00:15:37,740 --> 00:15:39,559 getting the inside story of 518 00:15:39,560 --> 00:15:41,499 how a strike happens or doesn't 519 00:15:41,500 --> 00:15:42,299 happen. 520 00:15:42,300 --> 00:15:44,199 So it's a riveting film, 521 00:15:44,200 --> 00:15:46,199 also really inspiring. 522 00:15:46,200 --> 00:15:47,699 Well, there are lots of great films 523 00:15:47,700 --> 00:15:48,619 that are going to be featured during 524 00:15:48,620 --> 00:15:50,019 the fest and there are lots of a 525 00:15:50,020 --> 00:15:51,959 great Q&A's that happen after a 526 00:15:51,960 --> 00:15:52,999 lot of these films. I've been able 527 00:15:53,000 --> 00:15:54,779 to host some of these and they're 528 00:15:54,780 --> 00:15:55,579 always a really good time. 529 00:15:55,580 --> 00:15:57,039 The audience always asks really 530 00:15:57,040 --> 00:15:58,359 great questions. 531 00:15:58,360 --> 00:15:59,699 What else do you have planned for 532 00:15:59,700 --> 00:16:00,979 this round of Dock Days? 533 00:16:00,980 --> 00:16:02,959 So eight of the nine films that 534 00:16:02,960 --> 00:16:05,199 we're showing will have filmmakers 535 00:16:05,200 --> 00:16:06,579 in attendance. 536 00:16:06,580 --> 00:16:08,179 And we also have, like you said, 537 00:16:08,180 --> 00:16:09,159 amazing moderators. 538 00:16:09,160 --> 00:16:10,659 And Jerry, I'm waiting for you to 539 00:16:10,660 --> 00:16:12,099 come back this year. 540 00:16:12,100 --> 00:16:13,319 So we still have a couple of 541 00:16:13,320 --> 00:16:15,259 opportunities. But we do have some 542 00:16:15,260 --> 00:16:16,819 really, really cool conversations 543 00:16:16,820 --> 00:16:18,779 set up. So Jason Head, 544 00:16:18,780 --> 00:16:20,179 who's the senior editor of Texas 545 00:16:20,180 --> 00:16:22,079 Monthly and has reported on 546 00:16:22,080 --> 00:16:24,339 Boca Chica and SpaceX, he'll be 547 00:16:24,340 --> 00:16:25,979 talking to Gage Davula who's in the 548 00:16:25,980 --> 00:16:27,919 film. So that'll be a fantastic 549 00:16:27,920 --> 00:16:29,019 conversation. 550 00:16:29,020 --> 00:16:30,999 We have the producer of this 551 00:16:31,000 --> 00:16:33,079 film called The Lake, which is about 552 00:16:33,080 --> 00:16:34,999 the ecological crisis 553 00:16:35,000 --> 00:16:36,719 in Salt Lake City, of the drying of 554 00:16:36,720 --> 00:16:38,020 the Great Salt Lake, which is a 555 00:16:38,021 --> 00:16:39,359 massive water issue. 556 00:16:39,360 --> 00:16:40,959 And we can certainly learn some 557 00:16:40,960 --> 00:16:42,059 things about what's happening in 558 00:16:42,060 --> 00:16:43,999 Utah, about our community and water 559 00:16:44,000 --> 00:16:44,859 issues here. 560 00:16:44,860 --> 00:16:46,759 And the producer that film who 561 00:16:46,760 --> 00:16:48,639 made this movie over many years is 562 00:16:48,640 --> 00:16:50,459 named Fletcher Keys, and he'll be 563 00:16:50,460 --> 00:16:52,499 here in person for conversation. 564 00:16:52,500 --> 00:16:54,399 So many sort of 565 00:16:54,400 --> 00:16:55,599 great opportunities. 566 00:16:55,600 --> 00:16:56,899 We also have the producer of 567 00:16:56,900 --> 00:16:59,079 Anikubidjigan, the ancestor, 568 00:16:59,080 --> 00:17:00,299 great-grandparent, great grandchild, 569 00:17:00,300 --> 00:17:02,199 very long title, that 570 00:17:02,200 --> 00:17:04,118 Laura Rice from Texas Standard, 571 00:17:04,119 --> 00:17:06,078 also from your home station here, 572 00:17:06,079 --> 00:17:07,999 KUT, will be moderating a 573 00:17:08,000 --> 00:17:09,098 conversation with the producer that 574 00:17:09,099 --> 00:17:10,519 film, Jackie Clark. 575 00:17:10,520 --> 00:17:11,598 And that film is, of course, about 576 00:17:11,599 --> 00:17:13,799 the repatriation of ancestral 577 00:17:13,800 --> 00:17:15,719 remains to their 578 00:17:15,720 --> 00:17:16,848 tribes. 579 00:17:16,849 --> 00:17:18,189 All right, well it sounds like lots 580 00:17:18,190 --> 00:17:19,588 of great festivals, lots of 581 00:17:19,589 --> 00:17:20,709 opportunities. I'm gonna take a look 582 00:17:20,710 --> 00:17:22,449 at the list and maybe we'll see you 583 00:17:22,450 --> 00:17:23,429 out there this weekend. 584 00:17:23,430 --> 00:17:25,449 We also have the KUT Fest going on, 585 00:17:25,450 --> 00:17:26,769 lots going on. We're gonna be 586 00:17:26,770 --> 00:17:28,729 speaking. I'm doing a panel 587 00:17:28,730 --> 00:17:29,809 called Roll Credits. 588 00:17:29,810 --> 00:17:31,229 I'll be speaking with Martin Jones 589 00:17:31,230 --> 00:17:33,229 from Austin Film Society as well. 590 00:17:33,230 --> 00:17:35,049 So lots of film activity going on 591 00:17:35,050 --> 00:17:36,769 this weekend, Doc Days starts 592 00:17:36,770 --> 00:17:38,809 tomorrow at the Austin Film 593 00:17:38,810 --> 00:17:40,169 society. We've been speaking with 594 00:17:40,170 --> 00:17:41,809 Holly Karick, Head of Film and 595 00:17:41,810 --> 00:17:43,329 Creative Media at Austin Film 596 00:17:43,330 --> 00:17:44,569 Society, Holly, thank you for your 597 00:17:44,570 --> 00:17:44,789 time. 598 00:17:44,790 --> 00:17:46,129 Thank you. It's a great weekend to 599 00:17:46,130 --> 00:17:47,130 be in Oz tonight. 600 00:17:55,170 --> 00:17:57,069 Speaking of the KUT Festival, 601 00:17:57,070 --> 00:17:58,669 you may have heard by now that late 602 00:17:58,670 --> 00:18:00,709 yesterday afternoon, UT-notified 603 00:18:00,710 --> 00:18:03,009 KUT staff and KUTFest attendees 604 00:18:03,010 --> 00:18:04,849 at the bulk of the festival will 605 00:18:04,850 --> 00:18:06,749 be moved off-campus, and panels 606 00:18:06,750 --> 00:18:08,689 slated for Friday will be move 607 00:18:08,690 --> 00:18:09,889 to Saturday. 608 00:18:09,890 --> 00:18:11,749 The Texas newsroom's Nina Satija 609 00:18:11,750 --> 00:18:13,349 has more on that and a reported 610 00:18:13,350 --> 00:18:15,329 piece at KUT.org. 611 00:18:15,330 --> 00:18:16,609 We'll have that in the show notes 612 00:18:16,610 --> 00:18:18,009 for today's podcast. 613 00:18:18,010 --> 00:18:19,269 But ultimately, what does that mean 614 00:18:19,270 --> 00:18:20,869 for festival-goers? 615 00:18:20,870 --> 00:18:22,629 Well, KUT's Jennifer Staten spoke 616 00:18:22,630 --> 00:18:24,349 with Matt Riley, program director 617 00:18:24,350 --> 00:18:26,609 for KUTx, on the last-minute 618 00:18:26,610 --> 00:18:28,549 logistical changes. 619 00:18:28,550 --> 00:18:30,069 So we're talking about the KUT 620 00:18:30,070 --> 00:18:31,689 Festival, which is still coming up 621 00:18:31,690 --> 00:18:33,809 this weekend, Friday and Saturday. 622 00:18:33,810 --> 00:18:35,369 We've done a little bit of shifting 623 00:18:35,370 --> 00:18:36,569 of the venues though. 624 00:18:36,570 --> 00:18:38,229 Talk a little about where we're 625 00:18:38,230 --> 00:18:39,849 gonna be having the Kut Festival 626 00:18:39,850 --> 00:18:40,089 now. 627 00:18:40,090 --> 00:18:41,949 Yeah, so Friday night, there will 628 00:18:41,950 --> 00:18:43,869 still be the keynotes address 629 00:18:43,870 --> 00:18:45,849 here with CEO 630 00:18:45,850 --> 00:18:47,969 of NPR, Catherine Maher. 631 00:18:47,970 --> 00:18:49,109 That's happening at the LBJ 632 00:18:49,110 --> 00:18:50,309 auditorium. 633 00:18:50,310 --> 00:18:52,349 That is pretty much remaining the 634 00:18:52,350 --> 00:18:53,809 same. There's also a dinner if 635 00:18:53,810 --> 00:18:54,789 you're interested in that. 636 00:18:54,790 --> 00:18:55,729 Check out the website, 637 00:18:55,730 --> 00:18:56,890 ktfestival.org. 638 00:18:58,030 --> 00:18:59,889 Also, we're moving 639 00:18:59,890 --> 00:19:02,129 Saturday. So the 640 00:19:02,130 --> 00:19:03,529 portion that was going to be all on 641 00:19:03,530 --> 00:19:05,609 campus Saturday has moved to Central 642 00:19:05,610 --> 00:19:07,869 Machine Works and East End Ballroom. 643 00:19:07,870 --> 00:19:09,569 Now, if you look those up on a map. 644 00:19:10,620 --> 00:19:12,039 You would see they're next to each 645 00:19:12,040 --> 00:19:13,079 other. The addresses will look 646 00:19:13,080 --> 00:19:14,179 different, but they're really just 647 00:19:14,180 --> 00:19:15,199 next door to each. 648 00:19:15,200 --> 00:19:17,059 So don't get stymied 649 00:19:17,060 --> 00:19:17,879 by that. 650 00:19:17,880 --> 00:19:19,739 So we're gonna have all 651 00:19:19,740 --> 00:19:21,219 the programming moving over to East 652 00:19:21,220 --> 00:19:22,719 End Ballroom and Central Machine 653 00:19:22,720 --> 00:19:23,799 Works on Saturday. 654 00:19:23,800 --> 00:19:25,239 So we'll have panels, we'll live 655 00:19:25,240 --> 00:19:26,639 music with Shaky Graves and Black 656 00:19:26,640 --> 00:19:28,399 Odyssey and Melissa Carper and 657 00:19:28,400 --> 00:19:29,519 Jacuzzi and all that. 658 00:19:29,520 --> 00:19:30,519 That's still happening. 659 00:19:30,520 --> 00:19:31,619 You'll still get to see Yoga with 660 00:19:31,620 --> 00:19:34,579 Adrienne, Noah Hawley talking TV. 661 00:19:34,580 --> 00:19:36,339 And so we'll lots of panels, 662 00:19:36,340 --> 00:19:38,619 everything from healthcare to film. 663 00:19:38,620 --> 00:19:39,729 It's gonna be great. 664 00:19:39,730 --> 00:19:41,309 Right, so the main thing is the 665 00:19:41,310 --> 00:19:42,829 venue is changing as you described 666 00:19:42,830 --> 00:19:44,289 to Central Machine Works and East 667 00:19:44,290 --> 00:19:45,849 End Ballroom, and it is cool because 668 00:19:45,850 --> 00:19:47,189 they're kind of neighbors. 669 00:19:47,190 --> 00:19:48,849 So it's easy footprint to a- They're 670 00:19:48,850 --> 00:19:49,729 right next door to each other. 671 00:19:49,730 --> 00:19:51,189 Yeah, that's gonna be great. 672 00:19:51,190 --> 00:19:52,229 Now, so Matt, the other question 673 00:19:52,230 --> 00:19:53,849 will be for folks who have already 674 00:19:53,850 --> 00:19:56,109 registered and had gotten passes, 675 00:19:56,110 --> 00:19:57,449 the registration and the pass 676 00:19:57,450 --> 00:19:59,349 situation is changing a little bit. 677 00:19:59,350 --> 00:20:00,749 Walk us through what's gonna to be 678 00:20:00,750 --> 00:20:01,379 different with that. 679 00:20:01,380 --> 00:20:03,479 Correct. This is a free event. 680 00:20:03,480 --> 00:20:05,419 This is free event now, 681 00:20:05,420 --> 00:20:08,179 but you must RSVP. 682 00:20:08,180 --> 00:20:09,299 And you can do that at 683 00:20:09,300 --> 00:20:10,919 kutfestival.org. 684 00:20:10,920 --> 00:20:12,879 You have to RSVPs in advance if 685 00:20:12,880 --> 00:20:13,899 you plan on coming. I'm gonna say 686 00:20:13,900 --> 00:20:15,839 that again. You have RSV 687 00:20:15,840 --> 00:20:18,079 P in advance at the website, 688 00:20:18,080 --> 00:20:20,059 kutfestival.or if you planned 689 00:20:20,060 --> 00:20:21,919 on attending because we 690 00:20:21,920 --> 00:20:23,179 need an accurate head count. 691 00:20:23,180 --> 00:20:24,859 This is smaller space. 692 00:20:24,860 --> 00:20:26,059 Both of them are smaller spaces. 693 00:20:26,060 --> 00:20:27,739 And so we wanna make sure we get an 694 00:20:27,740 --> 00:20:28,779 accurate head count and we can fit 695 00:20:28,780 --> 00:20:30,709 everybody who wants to be there. 696 00:20:30,710 --> 00:20:32,379 So, no just walking out. 697 00:20:32,380 --> 00:20:33,939 Right. So I have a question. 698 00:20:33,940 --> 00:20:35,309 Do you have to RSVP? 699 00:20:35,310 --> 00:20:37,309 Yes, Jen, 700 00:20:37,310 --> 00:20:37,799 you do. 701 00:20:37,800 --> 00:20:39,739 You do have to RSVP, I 702 00:20:39,740 --> 00:20:40,480 just want to clarify that. 703 00:20:40,481 --> 00:20:42,959 Those four letters are your friends. 704 00:20:42,960 --> 00:20:44,019 And you can do that at 705 00:20:44,020 --> 00:20:45,699 KUTFestival.org. 706 00:20:45,700 --> 00:20:47,619 And as we'll be having some listing 707 00:20:47,620 --> 00:20:49,499 about the venue changes, 708 00:20:49,500 --> 00:20:50,699 you'll be able to keep up with all 709 00:20:50,700 --> 00:20:52,899 of that at KUTFestival dot 710 00:20:52,900 --> 00:20:55,419 org. So just to kind of recap here, 711 00:20:55,420 --> 00:20:57,339 Friday night, staying the same at 712 00:20:57,340 --> 00:20:59,199 the LBJ Auditorium, we're 713 00:20:59,200 --> 00:21:00,919 gonna hear from Maria Hosa from 714 00:21:00,920 --> 00:21:02,899 Latino USA, NPR's 715 00:21:02,900 --> 00:21:05,859 Domenico Montanaro and Leila Fadal. 716 00:21:05,860 --> 00:21:07,299 Cory Booker's gonna be talking about 717 00:21:07,300 --> 00:21:09,099 his book, Stand, in conversation 718 00:21:09,100 --> 00:21:10,139 with Domenica Montanar. 719 00:21:10,140 --> 00:21:12,019 All of that happening Friday night. 720 00:21:12,020 --> 00:21:14,079 On the UT Austin campus till the LBJ 721 00:21:14,080 --> 00:21:16,039 library. But Saturday, 722 00:21:16,040 --> 00:21:17,439 kind of the centerpiece day, 723 00:21:17,440 --> 00:21:18,919 everything moving to Central Machine 724 00:21:18,920 --> 00:21:20,149 Works and East End Ballroom. 725 00:21:20,150 --> 00:21:22,269 Your festival-ness moves 726 00:21:22,270 --> 00:21:23,949 on Saturday. 727 00:21:23,950 --> 00:21:25,669 So yeah, we're gonna be over at 728 00:21:25,670 --> 00:21:26,929 Central Machine Works in East End 729 00:21:26,930 --> 00:21:27,749 Ballroom. 730 00:21:27,750 --> 00:21:29,189 It's all right there between Cesar 731 00:21:29,190 --> 00:21:30,329 Chavez and Fifth Street. 732 00:21:30,330 --> 00:21:32,189 So if you wanna join us, you 733 00:21:32,190 --> 00:21:34,329 gotta RSVP kids and 734 00:21:34,330 --> 00:21:36,179 you do it at kutfestival.org. 735 00:21:36,180 --> 00:21:37,339 Hey Matt, talk a little bit about 736 00:21:37,340 --> 00:21:38,199 the live music. 737 00:21:38,200 --> 00:21:40,259 That's not my area of expertise 738 00:21:40,260 --> 00:21:41,219 as much as yours. 739 00:21:41,220 --> 00:21:42,519 What's some of the music going to 740 00:21:42,520 --> 00:21:43,689 get expected here on Saturday? 741 00:21:43,690 --> 00:21:45,789 So you've got 742 00:21:45,790 --> 00:21:47,969 Melissa Carper, some great old-timey 743 00:21:47,970 --> 00:21:49,129 sounding country. 744 00:21:49,130 --> 00:21:50,569 Jacuzzi, who I can't describe 745 00:21:50,570 --> 00:21:52,729 because they're insane and awesome. 746 00:21:52,730 --> 00:21:55,149 Black Odyssey, who are amazing soul 747 00:21:55,150 --> 00:21:57,069 and rock and they meld all the 748 00:21:57,070 --> 00:21:57,929 genres. 749 00:21:57,930 --> 00:21:59,889 And then Shaky Graves, 750 00:21:59,890 --> 00:22:02,029 Austin's own ShakyGraves. 751 00:22:02,030 --> 00:22:03,589 And so he's gonna be your headliner. 752 00:22:03,590 --> 00:22:04,869 And we're gonna be wrapping this 753 00:22:04,870 --> 00:22:05,969 thing up by 6 p.m. 754 00:22:05,970 --> 00:22:06,969 So if you're thinking, I'm gonna go 755 00:22:06,970 --> 00:22:08,289 out Saturday night and do this. 756 00:22:08,290 --> 00:22:09,569 No, this is a daytime event. 757 00:22:09,570 --> 00:22:10,529 We're gonna start in the morning and 758 00:22:10,530 --> 00:22:11,699 we're going to end around 6 pm. 759 00:22:11,700 --> 00:22:13,399 That's my kind of timing wrapping up 760 00:22:13,400 --> 00:22:14,519 by 6pm. 761 00:22:14,520 --> 00:22:15,539 Start early, end early. 762 00:22:15,540 --> 00:22:16,659 That's what I say. 763 00:22:16,660 --> 00:22:18,499 Me too. Me too, Matt Raleigh 764 00:22:18,500 --> 00:22:20,179 from KUT and KUTx. 765 00:22:20,180 --> 00:22:21,479 Matt, thanks so much for coming in 766 00:22:21,480 --> 00:22:23,329 to a talk about the KUT Festival. 767 00:22:23,330 --> 00:22:25,369 One note, the kids programming 768 00:22:25,370 --> 00:22:27,529 has been eliminated 769 00:22:27,530 --> 00:22:29,669 from the, it just happened in 770 00:22:29,670 --> 00:22:30,969 the churn of all this. 771 00:22:30,970 --> 00:22:32,189 And so unfortunately we don't have 772 00:22:32,190 --> 00:22:33,219 any kids programming. 773 00:22:33,220 --> 00:22:34,799 But you will be able to keep up with 774 00:22:34,800 --> 00:22:35,959 changes in the venues. 775 00:22:35,960 --> 00:22:36,739 We're not going to be at Central 776 00:22:36,740 --> 00:22:38,379 Machine Works and East End Ballroom. 777 00:22:38,380 --> 00:22:40,119 You'll be able see the schedule and 778 00:22:40,120 --> 00:22:42,379 RSVP at 779 00:22:42,380 --> 00:22:44,159 kutfestival.org. 780 00:22:44,160 --> 00:22:44,999 Thanks so much, Matt. 781 00:22:45,000 --> 00:22:46,180 Happy to do it. 782 00:22:47,340 --> 00:22:48,859 And keep checking back for an 783 00:22:48,860 --> 00:22:50,659 updated schedule and additional 784 00:22:50,660 --> 00:22:53,459 information at KUTFestival.org. 785 00:22:53,460 --> 00:22:54,859 So many great panels and 786 00:22:54,860 --> 00:22:56,959 performances happening this weekend. 787 00:22:56,960 --> 00:22:58,279 It's going to be a great time for 788 00:22:58,280 --> 00:22:59,659 our community to come together and 789 00:22:59,660 --> 00:23:01,299 we hope that you can join us. 790 00:23:01,300 --> 00:23:03,379 It should be a beautiful day here in 791 00:23:03,380 --> 00:23:05,199 Austin. So come hang out with 792 00:23:05,200 --> 00:23:06,959 us and in case you didn't hear you 793 00:23:06,960 --> 00:23:11,499 can RSVP at KUTFestival.org. 794 00:23:11,500 --> 00:23:13,459 Don't forget that AFS Doc 795 00:23:13,460 --> 00:23:15,599 Days kicks off tomorrow 796 00:23:15,600 --> 00:23:17,539 and I am going to be 797 00:23:17,540 --> 00:23:20,059 out at the cinema on Sunday. 798 00:23:20,060 --> 00:23:22,179 I will be moderating a 799 00:23:22,180 --> 00:23:24,059 Q&A following the film called 800 00:23:24,060 --> 00:23:25,639 The Voyage Out. 801 00:23:25,640 --> 00:23:26,779 It's 3 p.m. 802 00:23:26,780 --> 00:23:28,739 On Sunday, we would love to see you 803 00:23:28,740 --> 00:23:30,259 out there, we would like to see at 804 00:23:30,260 --> 00:23:31,219 the Fest. 805 00:23:31,220 --> 00:23:33,399 Wherever you are out there, 806 00:23:33,400 --> 00:23:35,199 we are glad that you are tuned in 807 00:23:35,200 --> 00:23:37,399 right now to Austin Signal. 808 00:23:37,400 --> 00:23:39,099 This is community-powered public 809 00:23:39,100 --> 00:23:40,979 radio KUT News. 810 00:23:40,980 --> 00:23:43,339 That is it for today's show. 811 00:23:43,340 --> 00:23:44,719 We have more in the podcast show 812 00:23:44,720 --> 00:23:46,799 notes and at KUT.org 813 00:23:46,800 --> 00:23:48,159 slash Signal. 814 00:23:48,160 --> 00:23:49,999 Our team is Kristen Cabrera, 815 00:23:50,000 --> 00:23:52,119 Alexandra Hart, and Rayna Sevilla. 816 00:23:52,120 --> 00:23:53,879 I'm your host, Jerry Quijano. 817 00:23:53,880 --> 00:23:54,880 We'll talk to you tomorrow.