KUT Weekend: Recent Episodes
KUT & KUTX Studios
New challenges in the rush to get people vaccinated: unfilled appointments! Plus, renters still stuck in limbo after their homes were damaged by the February winter storm. And how librarians are using the outdoors to get kids reading together again. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Survey at survey.kut.org
COVID numbers continue to flatten in the Austin-area. Plus, why it’s so hard to find out what Austin Energy circuit your home is on. And how an out-of-work musician’s latest album was inspired by having to spend hours on hold with the unemployment office. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe […]
Texas expands coronavirus eligibility to everyone over 16 in Texas starting Monday. Plus, the legacy of Austin civil rights leader Bertha Sadler Means. And the story behind Herman the singing plumber. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
A recording of the state’s top utility regulator that caused him to lose his job. Plus, bills in the Texas legislature that seek to undo what local election officials did to try to make voting safe during the pandemic. And how some farmers are trying to get by after the winter storm decimated local farms. […]
The Austin school district needs to evaluate 800 students for special ed. It doesn’t have the staff to do it. A UT Austin committee determines the intent of the school song ‘The Eyes of Texas’ was ‘not overtly racist.’ And Austin rents have dropped, ever so slightly, so now some renters see a chance to […]
Frontline workers react to Governor Abbott rescinding the mask mandate. Plus, local officials prepare for an influx of COVID vaccine. And how local otters stayed warm during last month’s extreme winter weather. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
State lawmakers considering how to stop last week’s power outages from happening again. Plus, some Austin apartment dwellers still have no water. And how those sad mounds of dead cactus across Central Texas may be reborn. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
A dangerous cold snap freezes Austin. Plus, Austin Police Chief Brian Manley retires. And who’s buried in that cemetery on 51st Street? Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
Austin Public Health tries to shed light on its confusing vaccine rollout. Plus, how coronavirus testing has become a “cash cow” for freestanding ERs in Texas. And an effort to preserve the memory of East Austin’s Metz Elementary School. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
Challenges of the coronavirus vaccine rollout in Bastrop County. Plus, what is the future of the Broken Spoke now that its founder James White has died? And why it takes years for some Central Texans to develop cedar allergies. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
The latest on Austin’s coronavirus vaccine rollout. Plus, Governor Abbott targets Austin’s move to relax rules where homeless people can camp. And Texas Parks and Wildlife eradicates a zebra mussel infestation for the first time. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
Austin opens an alternate care site for COVID patients in the convention center. Plus, the Texas legislature gavels in for its once-every-two-year regular legislative session. And UT researchers experimenting with empathy as a treatment for loneliness. Those stores and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
Austin prepares a field hospital at the convention center as hospitals fill with COVID patients. Plus, we’ll hear from two members of Congress while they were locked down as pro-Trump extremists stormed the U.S. Capitol. And the Texas Legislature gears up to start their once-every-two-years regular session next week. Those stories and more in this […]
Austin moves to its highest level of COVID risk guidance. Plus, health care workers express relief as the vaccine rolls out statewide. And part 2 of the story behind some of Austin’s most prominent graffiti. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
An Austinite who’s still planting flags in his yard for every Texan who’s died from COVID-19. Plus, the voices of Central Texans facing hunger during the pandemic. And who’s spray painting some of Austin’s most visible graffiti? Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend!
Austin could move to Stage 5 of its COVID-19 risk based guidelines as soon as next week. Plus, Austin ISD’s decision to deny hundreds of teachers requesting pandemic medical exemptions the ability to work from home. And an Austin guitarist forced to rediscover his musical instrument following a stroke.
Austin Mayor Steve Adler apologizes for vacationing in Cabo while urging people to stay home. Plus, the contentious Austin city council runoff elections in North Austin. And the hero lab mice we are sacrificing to advance COVID-19 vaccine research. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
With COVID-19 hospitalizations increasing, Austin moves to Stage 4 of its risk based guidelines. Plus, CapMetro tries to make public transit more accessible for low-income riders. And why general aviation in Fredericksburg is soaring through the pandemic.Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
Coronavirus numbers going the wrong way in Travis County. Plus, why the Democrats’ attempt to flip the Texas House failed. And KUT’s efforts to improve its diversity and inclusion. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
Election results in Central Texas! Plus, the blue wave in Texas that failed to materialize. And public fridges offering free food in food insecure areas of Austin. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
Record voter turnout in Texas! Plus, the latest on COVID-19 trends in Central Texas. And a show celebrating the achievements of African Americans marks 50 years on the air at KUT. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
Third-party groups put their voices and dollars to work ahead of a public transit referendum in Austin. Plus, a look at some of the competitive elections in Travis County. And the declining COVID-19 situation in nearby Waco. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
Early voting starts and people flood the polls in record numbers. Plus, UT-Austin struggles to stop parties that could spread the coronavirus. And Mother’s Cafe, a 40-year-old vegetarian restaurant, closes permanently because of the pandemic. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
Governor Abbott allows county judges to reopen bars at 50 percent capacity. Plus, how the Republican Party consolidated power in Texas. And why are there so many otters popping up in Central Texas? Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
Does less spending on police mean higher crime rates? Plus, the University of Texas response to COVID-19. And why Luby’s cafeteria was such a huge success (before it wasn’t). Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
The Austin Independent School District plans to phase-in students back to school buildings on October 5th. Plus, trying to gauge the Latino vote in Texas ahead of the presidential elections in November. And a 15-year-old girl who wouldn’t let the pandemic stop her Quinceañera. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe […]
Governor Abbott allows restaurants, retail businesses and offices to increase to 75% capacity on Monday. Plus, the challenges of being a UT professor and parent of two toddlers during the pandemic. And a local indigenous tribe seeks to reclaim remains from the University of Texas. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! […]
The employment picture in Texas sixth months into the global pandemic. Plus, why the city of Austin is stopping a company from doing diversity training for city employees. And COVID-19 is keeping many students of color from returning to college, but less so at Southwestern. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! […]
A UT-Austin professor says the school’s history of segregation and racism still complicates campus life today. No solution is permanent for an Austin mom struggling with child care during the pandemic, And, Austin could ‘decouple’ Victim Services from the police department. Subscribe at weekend.kut.org
Thousands of Hurricane Laura evacuees take shelter in Austin. Plus, why is the Austin housing market booming during a pandemic? And Austin’s Latino community loses two giants but their legacy lives on. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
Texas leaders threaten to punish Austin for cutting police funding. Plus, how COVID-19 has devastated the local hotel industry. And what it’s like to play in a high school marching band during a pandemic. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
Austin’s city council cuts the police budget. Plus, how Census changes could take political power and funding from Texas Latinos. And a funeral home founder dies from COVID-19. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
The Austin school district delays the start of the school year because of COVID-19. Plus, local election officials in Texas scrambling to find places to put polling places during the pandemic. And a flea market that brought cultures together for decades could be closed forever. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! […]
The relatively broad self-defense laws in Texas. Plus, what it’s like to have COVID-19 in Texas without health insurance. And a spontaneous bike ride to trace Austin’s Black history draws hundreds. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
It took a statewide order, but wearing a mask in Austin isn’t weird anymore. Plus, how COVID-19 precautions have left homeless Austinites with fewer places to escape the heat. And ICE detainees in Texas are 15 times more likely to have COVID-19 than the general public. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT […]
Austin is turning the convention center into a field hospital for COVID-19 patients. Plus, Austin’s city council losing faith in the police chief they hired unanimously. And the economic turbulence facing Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe: https://weekend.kut.org
People in Austin who don’t wear face masks in public could face fines of up to $2,000. Plus, research forecasting up to 90 percent of live music venues in Austin could close permanently by Halloween. And a local couple sets up an errand service in Spanish to help people stay home as much as possible. […]
Mandatory masking ordered in counties across Texas. Plus, a call to end arrests for minor crimes in Hays County. And some of the primary runoff races you’ll find on the ballot during early voting. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
Texas reverses its phased reopening. Plus, suburbs around Austin confront monuments to the Confederacy in their backyards. And what happened when Big Bend reopened? Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
The city of Austin orders businesses to require face masks. Plus, the racist roots of UT Austin’s school song. And a Texan in her 90s still working to make Juneteenth a national holiday. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
After Mike Ramos’ death, his mother calls on Austin Police to ‘make a change.’ Project Connect makes a lot of promises. Equity is one of them. And the pandemic is making it harder to get Austin college students counted in the 2020 Census. Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
An Austin medic recalls a weekend of police violence amid peaceful protests. We hear Austinites recount police violence during protests and demand cuts to the Austin Police Department budget. And thousands rally in Austin for economic justice and an end to police violence. Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
Two Austin nurses travel to a Detroit hospital hit hard by COVID-19. Pease and Brooke Elementary students say goodbye – from a distance – as schools close for good. And despite COVID-19, leases in Austin are still ending. We find out what it’s like to move during a pandemic. Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
Austin music venues worry the COVID-19 pandemic could leave them shuttered permanently. Austin Pets Alive! sees increase in fosters and adoptions as people spend more time at home. And, no prom, no graduation – but the Class of 2020 is still celebrating the end of high school. Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
This week, the first class from Dell Medical School gets ready to graduate in the midst of a pandemic. Phones are a lifeline for homeless Austinites. That’s especially true during COVID-19. And we talk to two KUT Digital team members on collaborating from a safe distance. Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
This week, we hear from some KUT listeners about how they’re coping during the coronavirus pandemic. Whether small businesses in Austin get SBA loans could depend on where they bank. And we talk to a couple KUT ‘extroverts’ on how they find sources and anchor the news while social distancing. Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
This week, a UT grad student is marooned in Dubai after COVID-19 travel rules stymie his return to Austin. Construction in Texas is ‘essential’ during the pandemic. Workers worry their health is not. And UT Researchers say social distancing is working. Slacking off could put us on a ‘catastrophic path.’ Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
This week, an Austin running company changes course amid the coronavirus pandemic. Testing and tracing could get us out of quarantine someday. But what’s tracing, and how does it work? And, with families stuck close to home, ‘bear hunters’ take to Austin’s streets. Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
This week, Austinites who depend on real-life connections for sobriety find community online. As UT students log on to finish classes from home, some in rural Texas struggle to stay connected. And, we take a look at who’s using public transportation in Austin during the coronavirus pandemic. Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
This week, how the coronavirus pandemic has upended the most difficult part of life – death. Homeless Austinites – and the people who help them – are having to do less with less amid COVID-19. And, Austin therapists offer teleheatlh during the COVID-19 pandemic. But who pays isn’t always clear. Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
The latest on coronavirus in Austin in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
Austin cancels South by Southwest. Plus, why Tuesday’s primaries were just round one in some political battles. And how some Austin police officers are trying to build trust with young people. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
A warm winter and the weird things it does in Austin. Plus, why do people in Travis County vote at grocery stores? And the Godfather of Austin’s club scene. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
We find out who’s behind the ‘funny little messages’ on signs along Austin roads. Plus, Austin landlords repeatedly cited for health and safety violations could get their right to rent revoked. And after a rise in mothers dying in childbirth, Texas came up with a plan. We find out how it’s going. Those stories and […]
The Austin City Council gets one big step closer to a sweeping overhaul of the city’s land development rules. Plus, delays in the Austin Police Department handing enforcement of rules governing loud music to the city’s music office. And a trip to the tiny West Texas town of Valentine. Those stories and more in this […]
The Austin City Council hires a new consultant to help with homelessness. Plus, Austin firefighters look to California to address the city’s wildfire risks. And the unique role of sports medicine at Texas rodeos. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
New data showing black and Latinx drivers are increasingly more likely to be stopped by Austin police. Plus, the story of a Central Texas man’s deportation to Mexico and how it affected his children, who are U.S. citizens. And the Austin History Center celebrating a newspaper that’s chronicled black life in Austin since 1973. Those […]
The Austin City Council tries to decriminalize low-level marijuana possession, but the police chief says officers will still bust pot smokers. Plus, rural counties in fast-growing Central Texas hustle to prevent being undercounted in the 2020 Census. And the Last Man on Rainey Street vowed to stay, but now he’s glad he left. Those stories […]
Paying for new trains and buses in Austin could involve a joint venture and new taxes. Plus, as the Caddo Mounds State Historic State reopens, tornado survivors heal together. And teens in Texas react to U.S.-Iranian tension. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
Five Austin students describe what it’s like not to know whether your school is going to close. Plus, a photographer makes it his mission to capture East Austin’s “essence” before it disappears. And reporters from Kazakhstan explore what makes Austin weird. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
How a new state law makes it harder to open voting stations on college campuses. Plus, UT-Austin students want university officials to do more to fight for affordable housing. And how a scarcity of parking in Austin makes it hard for some businesses to hire. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! […]
Religious groups step in to provide contraception as Planned Parenthood gets sidelined in Texas. Plus, how does Austin’s school district move forward after its equity officer called a school closure plan racist? And who started the tradition of residents stringing up hoards of lights on a stretch of 37th Street? Those stories and more in […]
Austin is one step closer to getting a contentious set of new rules that determine what can be built in which parts of the city. Plus, how narratives and not facts often drive news coverage of public opinion surveys. And who is the chatty guy who works at the post office in East Austin? Those […]
The Austin City Council orders an extensive investigation into allegations of racism and bias in the Austin Police Department. Plus, a pediatric brain surgeon in Austin who died in a car race is remembered for his biggest wins off the track. And Rainey Street will be closed to cars and trucks on weekends. Those stories […]
A last-minute loophole could undermine a Texas law against surprise medical bills. Plus, Hill Country landowners say the energy company Kinder Morgan is lowballing them on land for a natural gas pipeline. And some Texas farmers going all in on hemp. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
Austin’s school board votes to close four elementary campuses. Plus, the number of abortion clinics in Texas continues to decline. And a new chorus in Austin for people whose memories are disappearing. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
The Austin City Council votes to spend $8 million to buy and revamp a motel to house the homeless. Plus, Austin’s first Latina city council member says she will not seek re-election. And activists knock on doors to rally voters around fixing the state’s high uninsured rate. Those stories and more in this edition of […]
Why it took Travis County almost till 4 a.m. to finish counting election results. Plus, Capital Metro crunches the numbers on future transit plans. And why you might see tarantulas around town. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
Life gets harder for people in Austin with nowhere to live. Plus, what’s on the ballot in the November election on Tuesday. And lessons learned since last year’s week-long boil water notice in Austin. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
Nobody seems to support Austin’s Proposition A, but we still have to vote on it. Plus, Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen resigns after a secretly made audio recording becomes public. And Austin’s music history is being preserved at a local museum that is opening in a new space this weekend. Those stories and more in […]
The Austin City Council reinstates limited bans on camping and resting in public. Plus, what does the word “equity” mean in the context of AISD school closures? And iconic Austin burger joint Hut’s Hamburgers closes this weekend after 80 years in business. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
Texas groups brace for cuts that could ‘devastate’ refugee resettlement services. Plus, Austin’s first homeless strategy officer steps down after just one month on the job. And we’ll hear from a guy who’s been calling Texas football games in Spanish for 25 years. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at […]
Governor Abbott threatens state action over Austin’s homelessness policies. Plus, the latest on Austin ISD’s efforts to sell parents on plans that include closing and consolidating 12 schools. And what’s the best way to get into the chilly waters of Barton Springs Pool? Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at […]
Efforts to boost youth voter turnout in 2020. Plus, Austin ISD changes its tone on school closures. And how did Lake Travis’ Sometimes Islands get their name? Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
Austin’s city council punts on reinstating rules to limit camping and resting in public. Plus, when taking out a reverse mortgage in Austin means losing your home. And Austin students demand government action on climate change. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
Austin police are still citing people for small amounts of marijuana as county prosecutors continue to reject cases. Plus, have ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft reduced drunk driving arrests in Austin? And the world says goodbye to Austin music icon Daniel Johnston. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at […]
The Austin school district’s plan to close twelve schools to cope with under-enrollment. Plus, how some Republican leaders in Texas may be dipping their toes into gun control policies. And we meet the Texas ‘ambassador’ who works at the Capitol Visitors Center. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
A church destroyed by Hurricane Harvey finally reopens. Plus, how students at an elite magnet school in Austin ISD felt they had to prove they belonged. And how the legacy of slavery is still confounding the county’s efforts to eliminate health disparities. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
How a psychological shift could be helping Texas Democrats. Plus, why is it so difficult to prosecute sexual assault cases in Travis County? And a mom who put her kids into a school with fewer resources to get them into classrooms with more diversity. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe […]
What you need to know about toxic algae blooms on Lady Bird Lake. Plus, how Austin’s past failures at desegregating schools affect today’s decisions about school closures. And why do city of Austin lifeguards blow their whistles in an unusual way to clear city swimming pools? Those stories and more in this edition of KUT […]
Gun politics in Texas after a mass shooting in El Paso. Plus, who cleans up bat guano under the Congress Avenue Bridge? And the story of a woman who helps older Austinites stay connected. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
Fears surrounding school closures and consolidations in Austin ISD. Plus, Dripping Springs takes a community approach to mental health care. And why are there no billboards on MoPac? Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
Democrats are betting the state’s changing suburbs will help them win Congressional seats in 2020. Plus, migrants facing legal limbo as asylum laws change. And why some Central Texas lakes could be lowered for safety. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
Austin gets its first triple digit heat of the summer. Plus, how new city rules on panhandling may benefit buskers. And why does the top of Austin’s tallest building look ‘unfinished’? Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
The University of Texas at Austin plans to give a free education to students whose families make less than $65,000. Plus, how the Travis County District Attorney is changing the county’s approach toward low level drug offense. And who’s the guy with the giant bird in South Austin? Those stories and more in this edition […]
Why Austin ISD is planning to close some of its schools. Plus, how a wet spring is causing a relatively cooler summer in Austin. And why the state’s surge in wind power has some people in remote areas of West Texas complaining about the view. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! […]
Why Texas is at greater risk than ever this summer of rolling blackouts. Plus, Austin ISD’s top budget official on what the state’s new school finance law means for the largest school district in Central Texas. And we meet a widower who has helped to foster more than 170 newborn babies. Those stories and more […]
The Austin City Council approves $8.6 million for a new homeless shelter on Ben White Boulevard. Plus, why is Austin’s “official” LGBT Pride celebration in August instead of June? And who is the motorcycle rider who does wheelies around Austin in pool floaties? Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at […]
Austin ISD wants to raise teacher pay by at least 6 percent. Plus, hundreds of lakefront homes in Austin not on the city tax rolls. And who’s that Krispy Kreme employee who’s so positive all the time? Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
One of the issues Texas lawmakers did not tackle the legislative session: the state’s high rate of people without health insurance. Plus, could the boom-bust cycle in the West Texas oil town of Midland be over? And efforts to get more Texas women running for elected office. Those stories and more in this edition of […]
Half of I-35’s main lanes through North Austin will close this weekend. Plus, the origin of the word “Texas” may be rooted in something other than friendship. And what’s the real story behind Dan’s and Fran’s hamburgers? Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
Texas lawmakers have until Monday to pass their latest proposal on cutting property taxes and boosting school spending. Plus, how death certificate delays have put healing on hold for a grieving family. And how an Austin woman helped change the Texas constitution to make dads pay child support. Those stories and more in this edition […]
Why Austin’s mayor supports a plan to add lanes to I-35 even though he doesn’t think it will fix traffic congestion in the long run. Plus, where are all these people moving to Austin coming from? And how DJ Southpaw bridged a gap in Austin’s hip-hop scene. Those stories and more in this edition of […]
A plan to increase the state’s sales tax is dead. Plus, black advocates demand changes in library policies after a 13-year-old’s arrest. And how did Texas become the only state with its own toast? Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
Why the Austin school district is turning to realtors to better market its schools. Plus, a CDC study saying many Austin scooter riders don’t wear helmets, ride fast and don’t know what they’re doing. And how do musicians make the cut for the Austin City Limits TV series? Those stories and more in this edition […]
What’s happening with school finance and property tax cuts at the Texas legislature. Plus, presidential candidates court women of color at a Texas forum. And how one Texas man almost lost everything when it was his word against border officials. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
In a special edition of KUT Weekend, we bring you a half-hour look at why many students of color are struggling in Austin’s public schools. It’s a documentary called Held Back, produced by KUT’s Claire McInerny.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick considers the “nuclear option” to pass property tax legislation. Plus, problems with the state’s STAAR test. And a Texas family’s tradition of bloodless bullfighting. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
A battle over renewable energy takes shape at the Texas Capitol. Plus, how a wave of tech expansion could further strain affordability in Austin. And who is the crossing guard who waves to everyone near Mendez Middle School? Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
Texas Senate budget writers agree to spend an extra $9 billion on public education and property tax cuts. Plus, local entrepreneurs look to change the face of Austin’s startup scene. And why everything in Austin is covered in green gunk right now. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
Beto O’Rourke navigating being a white man in a diverse field of candidates. Plus, a rise of migrants apprehended in El Paso strains local charities. And what ever happened to the Austin festival Spamarama? Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
We revisit the origin story of Austin as ‘The Live Music Capital of the World.’ Plus, how brands transform downtown Austin during South by Southwest. And the human cost of the Texas construction boom. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
The high cost of childcare in Austin. Plus, neighbors of last year’s Austin bombing victims reflect on their recovery. And a chat with the new general manager of KUT/X. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at weekend.kut.org
In Austin, feral hogs may be closer than you think! Plus, El Paso’s reputation pays a price as violence keeps rising in Juárez. And why a community of young nuns is growing in Georgetown. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
Why voter registration groups are fighting the state’s effort to remove suspected non-citizens from voter rolls. Plus, House Speaker Dennis Bonnen’s ties to the beer distribution industry and lobbyists. And the rules of the road for rentable electric scooters in Austin. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
Why there’s no easy way for Texas to vet its list of alleged noncitizen voters. Plus, how Texas lawmakers plan to address rising property taxes. And could an effort to renew the Longhorns-Aggies games pass the goal line? Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
Zebra mussels are blamed for a fishy smell in some Austin Water customers’ tap water. Plus, Governor Abbott declares six emergency items for the legislative session. And the Texas Secretary of State faces tough questions over his flawed attempt to remove supposed non-citizens from the voter rolls. Those stories and more in this edition of […]
A pipeline through Central Texas reignites the debate over land rights. Plus, does public comment at Austin City Council meetings make a difference? And the story of a man who robbed a bank in Austin to get access to health care behind bars. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at […]
The State Preservation Board ponders where to put a Confederate plaque removed from the state capitol. Plus, programs in Williamson and Dallas counties that offer young offenders an alternative to incarceration. And who were the streets named after in the Highland neighborhood in North Central Austin? Those stories and more in this edition of KUT […]
Surprise medical bills and the imperfect recourse available to some Texans. Plus, the new obstacles dockless scooters create for the visually impaired. And the history of Austin’s new major league soccer stadium site. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
Despite outsized risks, transgender Texans are not protected by the state’s hate crime law. Plus, the city of Austin races to regulate scooters. Why is MoPac traffic so much worse southbound in the afternoon than northbound in the morning? Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
An audit finds Austin police improperly cleared 30 rape cases in three months last year. Plus, fracking’s secret problem: some wells are not producing as much as forecast. And what happens with your genetic info in those home DNA tests? Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
Our favorite stories of 2018 in this special year-end edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
Gus Garcia, the first elected Hispanic mayor of Austin, dies at 84. Plus, Governor Greg Abbott says he might offer Texans an alternative to Obamacare. And our listeners tell us what it means to be a ‘real’ Austinite. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
Apple announces a major expansion in Austin. Plus, how football provides teenagers a way out of the Texas juvenile justice system. And who are those people who ride horses around downtown Austin? Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
An Austin-based non-profit that houses migrant kids, Southwest Key, will do an “internal review” after a New York Times investigation. Plus, a new immigration policy that could result in legal immigrants seeking less medical care. And how George H. W. Bush helped build the Texas Republican Party. Those stories and more in this edition of […]
Dockless scooters present pitfalls (and potholes) for police, pedestrians — and insurers. Plus, the U.S. waives FBI fingerprint background checks for teens at a migrant camp in West Texas. And why are Austin’s trees having such a colorful autumn? Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
Austin’s school district is rewriting its sex ed curriculum to bring more lessons to younger grades. Plus, how drivers with disabilities must often compete for a place to park despite having accessible permits. And what Austin might learn from Seattle in how to deal with its growth. Those stories and more in this edition of […]
A look at some down ballot election results in Austin. Plus, why urbanists think they won the local election. And how Austin’s efforts to feed an outsized migration of Monarch butterflies will be tested this fall. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
Austin’s boil water order could end Sunday. Plus, members of Austin’s muslim community try to balance safety with openness after a rash of vandalism. And the two leading candidates for Austin’s mayor face off in a public forum. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
People forced from their homes by flooding are allowed to return, but the Lower Colorado River Authority still has to manage all that water. Plus, political races in Central Texas to watch in the upcoming election. And why do so few homes in the Austin-area have basements? Those stories and more in this edition of […]
A local ballot proposition has Austin environmentalists divided. Plus, dockless electric scooters make their debut at the Austin City Limits Music Festival. And On The Media host Brooke Gladstone on the consequences of partisan media bubbles. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
Beto O’Rourke’s talking about racial injustice — and black voters are listening. How court decision could affect Austin’s revamping of its laws around homelessness. What ever happened to Austin’s long-running Aqua Fest?
How a sudden setback can lead to a renter’s eviction in Travis County. Plus, Austin spent millions of dollars moving people out of a flood plain, but now a new map puts some of them back in. And a new docuseries about the tacos of Texas! Those stories and more in this edition of KUT […]
Beto O’Rourke’s challenge to turn out Latino voters in his bid to unseat Sen. Ted Cruz. Plus, how Texas farmers are being hit by tariffs. And an update on a child from El Salvador who became a symbol of the family separation crisis. Those stories and more this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
A state agency created to tackle institutional racism is shut down. Plus, questions from parents about the possible merger of three East Austin elementary schools. And in 1956, UT football didn’t want to desegregate, so a USC fullback did it for them. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
Reaching out to Latino voters to turn Texas blue, a conversation with the new director of the LBJ Presidential Library and a look at the diversity of KUT’s sources for news stories.
In the Trump Era, Texas Republicans are split on how much to court Hispanic voters. Plus, venues in Austin’s Red River district have a new full-time paid advocate. And a year after Hurricane Harvey, a Port Aransas entrepreneur is helping returning tourists get around in style. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT […]
What it’s like in Rockport, Texas one year after Hurricane Harvey. Plus, why Bastrop has put a temporary stop to new development. And details on the incoming chancellor at the University of Texas System. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
The number of public school employees trained to carry guns to school in Texas is set to more than double. Plus, Mexican parents reunited with their undocumented children after spending decades apart. And a veteran Austin audio engineer’s pursuit of the perfect listening room. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe […]
Travis County to get an electronic voting system with a paper trail. Plus, the diversity training the mayor wants all of Austin to attend. And how Beto O’Rouke might help Texas Democrats even if he loses his bid to oust Sen. Ted Cruz. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at […]
CodeNEXT, a years-long process to overhaul the city’s land development code, is all but dead. Plus, the bad year for Texas wildfires and why it will probably get worse. And a Texas journalist who witnessed more than 400 executions reflects on his career. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at […]
How this week’s ground-level pollution could damage your lungs. Plus, a reporter goes looking for the Marfa lights. And one of Austin’s oldest restaurants shuts down after 65 years. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
Trump voters in Central Texas react to the president’s contradictory statements about Russian election interference. Plus, a look at Texas’ public school wealth redistribution system called “recapture.” And a brief history of air conditioning. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
The Army announces it’s bringing its new Futures Command to Austin. Plus, some Austinites ask Domain Northside to be mindful after a marketing brochure’s “direct slap” to minorities. And Texas Democrats take on gerrymandered voting maps with a pub crawl. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
The city of Austin’s bag ban ends. Plus, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Beto O’Rourke on why he’s not fully embracing the #AbolishICE movement. And why Texas’ maternal mortality is a “social justice issue” to Rice University students. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
Austin’s city council advances toward a $925 million bond election in November. Plus, what questions to ask state lawmakers if you care about funding public schools. And Austin’s public transit agency tries to help blind riders catch the bus. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
Health risks facing migrant children separated from families. Plus, Texas Democrats at their first political convention since Donald Trump was elected president. And Austin’s new police chief says he wants the department to be “trusted and respected by all.” Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
Texas Republicans hold their first convention since Donald Trump became president. Plus, the Democrat trying to defeat Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. And why can’t you swim in Lady Bird Lake? Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
The Republican-dominated Texas Senate gears up to tackle school shootings. Plus, a family pushed to the outskirts of Austin as mobile home parks are redeveloped. And thousands of motorcycles roll into town for one of the largest such gatherings in the country. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
Why the hottest May ever recorded in Austin could set us up for a scorching summer. Plus, a new art installation at a bus stop at 12th and Chicon Streets that remembers Austin’s African-American history. And it is Bee Cave or Bee Caves? And where are all the bees? Those stories and more in this […]
Texas Democrats choose their candidate for governor. Plus, why undocumented parents could have to choose between a green card and services for U.S.-born kids. And the history behind the bell tower on Cesar Chavez Street. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
After the deadly shooting at Santa Fe High School outside Houston, a look at the rules governing teens possessing firearms in Texas. Plus, how is the city doing in its goal of eliminating traffic deaths. And what’s that unusual tower in the Mueller Development? Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe […]
Austin police can no longer sell used guns to the public. Plus, why UT Austin is rethinking a program aimed at expanding ideas of masculinity. And we’ll hear about some of the best sandwiches in Austin. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
Shell’s multibillion dollar bet on the future of oil off the shores of Texas. Plus, reflections on racial bias in Austin’s public spaces after the Philadelphia Starbucks arrests. And what’s the difference between ranch-to-market and farm-to-market roads? Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
The Austin City Council votes to rename two streets named after Confederate figures. Also, how scientists are making star stuff in labs here on Earth. And a hidden piece of Austin history falls underneath the shadow of road construction. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
An increase in homeowners protesting their property tax assessments. Plus, on the anniversary of the Waco siege, lessons learned by law enforcement. And why is a map on the floor of Austin’s airport filled with misspellings? Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
An Austin soldier killed in Syria is remembered as a ‘superhero’ to friends and family. Plus, a solar farm experiment in East Austin. And why are there so many self-storage businesses in Austin? Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
Dockless electric scooters pop up on Austin streets without city authorization. Plus, why one historian says the radical legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. has been glossed over. And if the MoPac toll lanes are going too slow, do you get a refund? Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at […]
After the serial bombings, uncomfortable truths emerge about racial divides in Austin. Plus, CodeNEXT could be put to voters in November. And why Texas wine keeps getting better and better. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
A serial bomber detonated a device in his car after being hunted down by law enforcement. Plus, the stories of the two people he killed. And why won’t law enforcement label it “terrorism”? Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
A special SXSW edition with a look at how international bands afford the trip to Austin. Plus, how cops and clubs do crowd control during SXSW. And some SXSW first-timers find themselves a long way from Fuddruckers. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
How Austin public schools teach kids about slavery. Plus, an Austin law requires job seekers with criminal pasts get a fair shot, but it’s not being enforced. And we’ll meet the voice behind Austin’s crosswalk signals. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend! Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
The Gulf Coast tourist towns of Port Aransas and Rockport want you to visit, even if they’re not quite ready. Plus, a documentary about the violent arrest of an Austin teacher is up for an Oscar. And a review of a Korean BBQ restaurant off I-35. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT […]