Open enrollment for insurance plans purchased through the Affordable Care Act marketplace started this month. Millions of Texans currently use a marketplace plan, and here in Austin, folks are navigating uncertainty as premiums rise and federal subsidies expire. State officials finally released a hoard of documents and emails between Elon Musk and Gov. Greg Abbott’s office – and a majority of the information was redacted. We’ve got more about the files and the story from The Texas Newsroom. The ...
Nov 20, 2025•27 min•Season 2025Ep. 44
A federal court has ruled that the redistricting passed by Texas Republicans – a map that was set to eliminate one of Travis County’s two Democratic-held seats – cannot be used in next year’s midterm elections. The ruling was quickly appealed by Gov. Greg Abbott. We’ll get the latest from The Texas Newsroom. We’ll also hear from Congressman Lloyd Doggett, who plans to run for reelection following the ruling from the federal court. And: Travis County commissioners are facing a lawsuit over a 9.12...
Nov 19, 2025•24 min•Season 2025Ep. 43
Austin City Council members are working to finalize a city budget – and they’ll have to find ways to trim after voters resoundingly rejected a proposed tax rate increase that would’ve generated more than $100 million. The Austin Independent School District will vote this week on shuttering campuses and reassigning some students to different schools after releasing its final version of the plan last week. We have more about what’s changed and what’s the same. Plus: Bats eat tons and tons of pests...
Nov 18, 2025•24 min•Season 2025Ep. 42
Whooping cough – particularly dangerous to infants and young children – is a growing concern, with Austin continuing to confirm cases amid a statewide surge . Texas teens faced more barriers to getting an abortion than other age groups after the state’s six-week abortion ban went into effect in 2021. A new study looks at the impact on Texas and surrounding states . Plus: We chat with a couple of the folks behind the new book “Austin’s Music Scene.” The full transcript of this episode of Austin S...
Nov 17, 2025•27 min•Season 2025Ep. 41
The government shutdown may be over, but its impacts are still being felt across the country – including at Austin’s airport , which was already dealing with an air traffic controller shortage prior to the 43-day shutdown. Foreign exchange students in Texas schools could be prohibited from participating in varsity athletics in the near future after a UIL rule change that still requires approval from the state’s education commissioner. Why, and what it would mean for students. Plus: A popular Asi...
Nov 14, 2025•24 min•Season 2025Ep. 40
Looking for a smooth commute? KUT transportation reporter Nathan Bernier shares the best days to get on the road in Austin. The Austin Studio Tour continues this weekend at galleries, studios and homes around the city. With so much to look at, wouldn’t it be helpful to be chauffeured around to take in some of Austin’s best art? We hopped on a bus with 40 of our new best friends. Comedian John Mulaney is in Austin for a run of four shows starting tonight . We’ll hear some of his conversation with...
Nov 13, 2025•23 min•Season 2025Ep. 39
The Austin City Council will meet to start the process of making cuts to the city budget after voters struck down Proposition Q , a controversial property tax increase. These cuts could affect parks, public health programs, emergency medical services and more. KUT City Hall reporter Luz Moreno-Lozano shares more. KUTX’s Maile Carballo has the details on the lease extension of iconic blues venue Antone’s. Plus: We hear from singer-songwriter Judy Blank, KUTX’s artist of the month . Watch her KUTX...
Nov 12, 2025•24 min•Season 2025Ep. 38
Four months after the deadly flooding that ran through Central Texas, lawsuits are being levied against the groups in charge of Camp Mystic in the Hill Country . Families of those killed in the flooding say the people responsible ignored warnings and years of past floods. We have the latest about the lawsuits. Plus, we hear some music from students at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired here in Austin. The podcast This Is My Thing has highlighted a range of Austinite’s interests...
Nov 11, 2025•23 min•Season 2025Ep. 37
Organizations are working to bridge the digital divide in Texas and across the country, but that work has been made more difficult since the Trump administration withheld funds to assist programs aimed at getting underserved people online . Texas Standard’s Shelly Brisbin has more on how these groups and local governments are planning for a future without the financial aid. Austin FC is partnering with We Are Blood for a community blood drive this week. Learn how you can participate. And: Antone...
Nov 10, 2025•24 min•Season 2025Ep. 36
The Austin Independent School District announced changes this week to its plans to shutter campuses across the city as AISD looks for ways to save money. The consolidation plan started with 13 schools slated for the chopping block. Now, that number has been dwindled down, and some AISD parents are frustrated by what they consider the wishy-washy way the plans have been rolled out. KUT’s Katy McAfee was at last night’s district school board meeting and she joins us to share the latest updates. Pl...
Nov 07, 2025•24 min•Season 2025Ep. 35
A long-running storytelling event in Austin’s Hyde Park neighborhood is pairing personal stories with curated musical selections. We’ll have more about the shows and how you can find them . And KUT announced today that it is launching a festival of its own that’ll bring together the best of Austin’s music, arts, food and more. We’ll speak with KUT/KUTX General Manger Debbie Hiott to talk more about how the festival will build on the community that has powered the station for decades. Plus, the T...
Nov 06, 2025•26 min•Season 2025Ep. 34
Austin voters overwhelmingly rejected Prop Q , a proposed property tax rate increase. KUT’s Andrew Weber breaks down what happened – and where city officials will look next for reductions in spending. In other election news, Texans approved 17 amendments to the state constitution , touching on taxes, education, infrastructure and more. And: The sale of Cheer Up Charlies to a Florida investment firm has been called off, the latest twist in what’s been a chaotic year for the popular queer bar. The...
Nov 05, 2025•24 min•Season 2025Ep. 33
The Central Texas Food Bank is preparing to help more folks with food assistance amid the government shutdown and ahead of the upcoming holiday season. Beth Corbett, the food bank’s vice president of government affairs and advocacy, shares more about their plans to handle the increased demand. Find out how you can help or get help during the SNAP delay here . It’s Election Day, and Austin voters will give the final say on Prop Q, a proposed property tax rate increase that would result in more th...
Nov 04, 2025•23 min•Season 2025Ep. 32
Voters tomorrow will have one last chance to make their voice heard this election. One state constitutional amendment on the ballot – Prop 14 – would commit $3 billion to fund the new Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas . We’ll get the details from KUT’s Olivia Aldridge. Check out KUT’s Voter guides for Travis County , Williamson County and the proposed constitutional amendments . Plus what you need to know for election day. Texas Standard’s Sarah Asch explores adult education pr...
Nov 03, 2025•23 min•Season 2025Ep. 31
Austin ISD has some changes to its school consolidation plan . KUT’s Kailey Hunt brings us the latest updates. The Michelin Guide this week honored more Texas restaurants, including Mercado Sin Nombre , a small, outdoor coffee and breakfast shop in East Austin recognized for making quality food at a quality price. Halloween is the perfect time to embrace the darkness. KUTX’s Laurie Gallardo talks with Texas Standard’s Angela Kocherga about the goth scene in Texas and the Latine community . Plus:...
Oct 31, 2025•24 min•Season 2025Ep. 30
Texans are voting on 17 proposed amendments to the state constitution – and one of them involves voting itself. Joshua Blank from the Texas Politics Project joins us for a chat on Proposition 16, which clarifies citizenship as a requirement to cast a ballot. KUTX’s Maile Carballo talks the Beach Boys coming to Longhorn City Limits after this weekend’s UT-Vanderbilt game. Texas Standard has been exploring horror movies with Texas ties – today it’s “Grindhouse,” filmed in Austin. What is Latin mus...
Oct 30, 2025•23 min•Season 2025Ep. 29
There’s lots to consider on your ballot, from state constitutional amendments to tax rate increases for cities and school districts. Travis County Clerk Dyana Limon-Mercado shares some dos and don’ts for heading to the polls. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is removing people from Austin jails more frequently as the Trump administration ramps up enforcement across the country. The Texas Newsroom’s Mose Buchele joins us with more. Austin FC enters the playoffs today at LAFC. We’ll have more o...
Oct 29, 2025•24 min•Season 2025Ep. 28
Prop Q has brought out early voters in numbers that are higher than usual for an off-year election. The proposed tax rate increase, Austin officials say, would raise money to improve local parks, safety and homelessness. How much would that cost that homeowners? KUT government accountability reporter Andrew Weber breaks it down ahead of Election Day. Meanwhile, the city is facing a deadline to remove painted crosswalks and street murals or risk losing state and federal money for future transport...
Oct 28, 2025•24 min•Season 2025Ep. 27
The federal government has been shut down for 27 days, and if it continues, more than 3.5 million people in Texas – including 1.7 million children – will lose access to their SNAP benefits to help pay for groceries. KUT’s Olivia Aldridge shares more on what that will mean for Texans facing food insecurity. Ahead of Halloween this week, we’ll take a look at one ’90s teen horror movie filmed right here in town: “The Faculty.” Matthew Odam, longtime restaurant critic at the Austin American-Statesma...
Oct 27, 2025•23 min•Season 2025Ep. 26
There’s a lot on the November ballot, from proposed property tax increases to state constitutional amendments. KUT’s Katy McAfee walks us through what Travis County voters will see. Is something radioactive lurking in the walls of the state Capitol? KUT’s Juan Diego Garcia grabbed a geiger counter and went exploring for ATXplained. Plus: A look ahead at a busy weekend in sports, including Longhorns football trying for a more decisive win on the road at Mississippi State. The post What Travis Cou...
Oct 24, 2025•Season 2025Ep. 25
Austin is getting a new boardwalk on Lady Bird Lake – though when is still up in the air. KUT transportation reporter Nathan Bernier has the latest on the $25 million upgrade. A new exhibit at Texas State University, “ The Selena Effect ,” spotlights the Queen of Tejano’s fashion through the eyes of her friend and longtime designer, Martin Gomez. The post Austin will be getting a new $25 million boardwalk on Lady Bird Lake appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts ....
Oct 23, 2025•Season 2025Ep. 24
Austinites aren’t the only Texans weighing proposed tax rate increases at the ballot box this year. In Williamson County , the Taylor and Liberty Hills school districts are asking voters for more dollars. KUT’s Kailey Hunt has a breakdown. We’re one week out from KUT’s ATXplained Live show at the Bass Concert Hall. We’ll talk with Project Manager Matt Largey on this community-powered live storytelling event. And Texas Standard teams up with magazine “Fangoria” to highlight a horror film shot in ...
Oct 22, 2025•24 min•Season 2025Ep. 23
With early voting underway, Austin’s Prop Q is front and center for many folks – and was the subject of an ethics complain t against a resident who created a website aiming to take down the ballot item. KUT’s Andrew Weber breaks it down. What Gov. Greg Abbott’s latest announcement of Austin cleanup efforts means for the city. Plus: Barbara Morgan, executive director of the Austin Film Festival, previews what to expect from this year’s fest. The post Anti-Prop Q website raises ethics questions ap...
Oct 21, 2025•Season 2025Ep. 22
A Travis County judge has signed off on a local disaster declaration to give the county access to resources and respond quickly to wildfires when and if they pop up this season. KUT’s Luz Moreno-Lozano joins us to talk preparedness. An estimated 20,000 people attended Austin’s ‘No Kings’ rally on Saturday as part of planned demonstrations against the Trump administration nationwide. We’ll hear from a few who attended. Plus: A wrapup of Formula 1 in Austin and looking ahead to Austin FC in the ML...
Oct 20, 2025•23 min•Season 2025Ep. 21
Early voting in this year’s elections starts Monday and here in Texas, you’ll have your choice on adding 17 proposed amendments to the state constitution. The Texas Newsroom’s Blaise Gainey joins us with more. The San Antonio Spurs have made Austin their home for a couple of games in each of the past few seasons. Now, whispers about a permanent move have been buzzing, especially as San Antonio voters consider approving a new downtown stadium. After 26 years in downtown Austin, the Hideout Theate...
Oct 17, 2025•24 min•Season 2025Ep. 20
Early voting starts Monday for the Nov. 4 election, and the discussion in Austin is centered around Proposition Q, a proposed tax rate increase. The city of Austin wants to use those dollars for more services in the city, but not everyone is convinced. KUT City Hall reporter Luz Moreno-Lozano explains. Texans’ ballots will also include 17 proposed amendments to the state constitution. The Texas Newsroom’s Blaise Gainey talk us through a few of them. Plus: How George Strait got his start in San M...
Oct 16, 2025•23 min•Season 2025Ep. 19
Austin and Travis County law enforcement are left in the dark when ICE conducts raids in the area – and though Austin officials say that’s not unusual, other places like Harris County are given a heads up. Why the different practices? KUT’s Mose Buchele looks into this . As a once-disruptor of the music industry looks to be winding down, KUTX’s Maile Carballo talks about where the future could be headed. What does the darkness mean to you? KUTX’s maven of darkness herself, Laurie Gallardo, on th...
Oct 15, 2025•24 min•Season 2025Ep. 18
Students, parents and staff from the Austin Independent School District had their first opportunity to address the school board about the district’s school consolidation proposal. The board plans to vote on the decision next month, and some folks are pleading for more time to voice their concerns. ACL Fest has come and gone, but you can still experience the magic of the music thanks to our team over at KUTX. We’ll chat about the joys and difficulties of capturing these special performances with ...
Oct 14, 2025•24 min•Season 2025Ep. 17
The city of Austin is facing a deadline to remove roadway art, like the rainbow crosswalk at Fourth and Colorado streets or the words “Black Artists Matter” painted atop 11th Street. Gov. Greg Abbott says failure to do so would cause the city to risk losing state and federal dollars for future road projects. We’ll hear from KUT government accountability reporter Andrew Weber, who is following the story. Ever wondered who makes the giant fake sandwiches that you see around town at Thundercloud Su...
Oct 13, 2025•23 min•Season 2025Ep. 16
It’s Weekend 2 of the Austin City Limits Music Festival, and Austin Signal is capping off our first week on the air by broadcasting a special hour from Zilker Park. We’re talking with local trio Next of Kin, who are playing the festival this year. And KUTX’s Deidre Gott joins with a retrospective on how ACL has changed over the years – and she would know, because she’s never missed a festival. Plus: What happens to Zilker’s grass after two weekends of packed crowds? KUT’s Luz Moreno-Lozano has t...
Oct 10, 2025•49 min•Season 2025Ep. 15
