Austin Signal

Primary runoff election night ended with some big changes for the Austin area and across the state. We’ll bring you the latest on last night’s results and the races we’ll be watching this November. After a shooting spree this month by three teenagers ended in Manor, Austin Police say they could have caught the suspects […] The post Runoff election results show big changes for the Austin area appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

It’s been nearly six years since a majority of Austinites voted in favor of creating 20 miles of state-of-the-art light rail transit across the city. But since that vote, the total length of the future rail system has been chopped in half. Despite that, the price tag for the project has continued climbing. Some folks […] The post Once-supporters now suing to stop Project Connect appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The Austin Independent School District expects a $181 million deficit in next school year’s budget — but it still hasn’t released a proposal for what cuts will be made. Austin revised its rules on how city police can interact with federal immigration agents — and city leaders are divided on what the change actually means. […] The post Program at state prison in Austin helps shelter dogs get adopted appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

A high school senior in Austin has been released from ICE custody and reunited with his family after a judge’s order — in time to walk in his graduation ceremony next month.The city of Austin has faced another blow in its efforts to keep painted street murals and crosswalks.Also, the popular Pease Park troll, Malin, […] The post Austin’s Pease Park troll burns down appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Early voting is underway for Tuesday’s primary runoffs, and we have a look at two races on some Central Texans’ ballots: state House District 49 and Hays County judge. Austin is working to rename Cesar Chavez Street after accusations of sexual abuse and assault. But some are struggling with those changes. Some good news and […] The post Latino community divided on renaming Cesar Chavez Street appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The Austin City Council is set to take up a controversial proposal this week about relying more on natural gas during times of high energy demand, and opponents worry about how it could affect climate goals. If you venture out to Lady Bird Lake this Memorial Day weekend, you might encounter an unfamiliar sight: a […] The post I-35 construction has narrowed a passage on Lady Bird Lake appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Three people are in custody following a weekend crime spree and manhunt in Austin that made national headlines. Police say the suspects, all juveniles, are tied to multiple shootings and stolen vehicles across the city. As grocery costs rise, a church near the University of Texas campus gives out hundreds of free burgers weekly to […] The post Church gives out free burgers weekly near UT to combat food insecurity appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations have been on the rise during the second Trump administration. And while enforcement in some parts of the U.S. has been messy and public, operations here in Texas are being carried out with a quieter, systematic approach. Today we’re taking a closer look at the situation here in Austin and […] The post Immigration in Central Texas — an Austin Signal special broadcast appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

A hearing this week that would’ve allowed for the review of evidence and testimony in lawsuits against Camp Mystic never came to be, and lawyers for the Hill Country girls camp where children and counselors died in last summer’s flooding were absent from the courtroom. Texas will soon have a new attorney general, with a […] The post A look at the Texas attorney general race, with runoffs around the corner appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

A housing program for chronically homeless Austinites could be facing cuts because of budget deficits and clean-ups of local encampments. The potential loss of funding is raising questions about where unhoused Austinites will go if the program is gone for good. Sam Stark from the Austin Current joins us to talk more about this. With […] The post Austin birders compete in the Great Texas Birding Classic appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

An Austin ISD high school senior’s detention has shaken his classmates, church members and family awaiting his graduation. He’s being held in a South Texas immigration processing center. We’ll hear more about his story and the people awaiting his return. You’ve probably interacted with the Austin’s Art in Public Places program without even realizing it. […] The post Austin high school senior detained by ICE draws community support appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The cost of childcare across the country is on the rise, outpacing the price of in-state college tuition in many states. While many local governments are working to figure out a solution, Travis County is ahead of the game. The pool at Barton Springs was first built around a century ago. But the springs that […] The post Shorter waits for affordable childcare in Austin area appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The Austin Independent School District is set to cut more than 200 educator salaries as they work to address a multimillion-dollar budget deficit. District officials have also identified other ways to reduce the deficit, including cuts to the central office and projected revenue from real estate sales. The City of Austin has given the green […] The post Facing deficit, Austin ISD to cut educator salaries appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The Austin City Council is considering a vote to renew its contract with a for-profit utility that provides natural gas to the city, despite long-standing dissatisfaction locally with gas rates. The IHOP near downtown Austin has finally been sold at auction. The pancake purveyor has remained steady despite rampant development all around it. Why it […] The post Austin considers new contract with Texas Gas Service appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Austin’s SAFE Alliance will no longer provide exams for sexual assault survivors because of a funding shortfall. Other programs could also be on the chopping block. We’ll talk about how others are planning to assist. A swift local police response to the March shooting at Buford’s on Sixth Street was commended in the days after […] The post Austin Police response times ticking upward, even as calls go down appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

A group of civil rights organizations filed a new lawsuit this week seeking to stop parts of the law that would let state police arrest people suspected of illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. We’ll have more about the law and why it’s been paused. Infowars, long home to Austin-based conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, shut down […] The post Infowars site shuts down amid tussle with The Onion appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Texas hemp businesses can keep selling their cannabis flower and concentrate products for now, after a Travis County judge blocked key parts of the state’s new hemp regulations while a lawsuit against those rules and increased fees plays out. There was just one bidder for the contract to take operational control of three struggling Austin […] The post Texas businesses can keep selling smokable hemp for now appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Voters in Georgetown will decide this weekend whether to sell off parts of their water system. The parts up for consideration lay outside the city limits, and the election comes as Georgetown is looking to manage rising costs. Construction at the Austin Surf Club near the airport has come to a stop, and now contractors […] The post Georgetown voters to decide on selling part of water system appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The inaugural KUT Festival is happening this weekend in Austin. It was scheduled to take place on the UT campus, but now a majority of the events are taking place elsewhere. More about the changes and the back-and-forth between UT and KUT leadership. Beef prices are sticking near record-high prices, an issue that’s been exacerbated […] The post Mando Rayo shares some taco hot takes appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

It’s been almost two months since a deadly shooting outside a bar on West Sixth Street, and local officials are looking at the emergency response to that tragedy, including concerns about autonomous vehicles. Here in Texas, one of the country’s largest legal cannabis markets is fighting for its life, with exceptions allowing the sale of […] The post Questions about self-driving vehicles during emergencies appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

It’s day two of a special legislative hearing on the Camp Mystic tragedy. Investigators told lawmakers this week that camp operators were “complacent” when it came to safety protocols at the summer camp. Lindsey Wilson, director of the city’s Equity and Inclusion office, shares details about the Fair Housing and Economic Mobility Conference taking place […] The post Lawmakers hear from Camp Mystic investigators appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The Austin Independent School District is being investigated by the Texas Education Agency for celebrating its annual Pride Week. Attorney general is a powerful role; governors, senators and even vice presidents got their start as AG. Is Ken Paxton next? Have you ever wanted a handy one-stop guide to everything Austin? KUT’s Field Guide is […] The post AISD under investigation for Pride Week celebration appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Accessing reliable sources of water is becoming more difficult for some Central Texans — and more expensive. In Kyle, residents facing high water bills are carefully considering any way that they can limit their costs. An Austin firefighter battling terminal endometrial cancer is eligible for workers’ compensation, but the decision this week granting her those […] The post Kyle water bills skyrocket after rate hikes appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Texas can force schools to post the Ten Commandments in classrooms following a ruling this week from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals — but for now, the Austin school district does not have to comply because of ongoing litigation. Highland Park Elementary School has become a powerhouse in the sport of archery, and […] The post Highland Park archery club aiming for another national championship appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Steady rain in the region over the last few days led to flooding in Williamson County, with some evacuations occurring. We’ll hear from residents impacted by the floods and how it differed from last summer’s flooding. A Central Austin building that was home to a Sears store for decades has new life as a one-stop […] The post Flooding leads to evacuations in Williamson County appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

It’s been almost two months since a deadly shooting on West Sixth Street left three people dead, including one UT Austin student. Now a new scholarship to help underprivileged students advance their education has been created in honor of Savitha Shanmugasundaram’s life. UT Austin has announced a new Dell Medical Center and research campus following […] The post UT Austin announces $750 million gift for new Dell Medical Center appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Austin’s unhoused folks say they lose everything when the city sweeps though their camps, despite a City Council resolution aiming to improve the sweeps and provide more notice ahead of time. The City of Austin overpaid hundreds of employees to the tune of more than $1 million. Most employees expected having to pay the money […] The post Belongings lost in homeless camp sweeps, despite city resolution appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Gov. Greg Abbott is threatening to cut off more than $2 million in state grants for the City of Austin because of police policies on cooperating with federal immigration authorities. This follows Attorney General Ken Paxton launching an investigation into the same policies. City of Austin leaders got their first peek at the budget forecast […] The post Gov. Abbott threatens Austin funding over ICE policy appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Water use for Tesla’s Giga Texas out far beyond East Austin jumped more than 200 million gallons in two years. That’s raising concerns about whether Austin can fulfill its long-term water conservation strategy as plans for a new semiconductor plant could push demand even higher. Sam Stark, Austin Current’s government reporter joins us to talk […] The post Camp Mystic ordered to preserve damaged cabins appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The parents of a girl still missing from Camp Mystic, a Christian girls’ camp where 27 people died during last summer’s deadly floods in the Texas Hill Country, are asking a judge to prevent the camp from reopening this summer. We’ll have the latest from the Travis County court room. A private disagreement between local […] The post Parents of missing Camp Mystic girl push to prevent camp’s reopening appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Though construction of data centers in Texas has garnered plenty of opposition from residents, plans are still moving forward to bring more of these facilities to Central Texas. But just how many? And how soon? Those questions and more were part of a recent hearing held by state leaders. Austin’s parks are a favorite amenity […] The post How is Texas preparing for more data centers? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

It’s legal again for Texas businesses to sell smokable forms of hemp. New state rules that went into effect in March had effectively outlawed these sales, while raising fees on the businesses who carry them. We’ll delve into the state of the Texas hemp market. The state board of education gave preliminary approval to a […] The post Smokable hemp products legal again in Texas — for now appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Ahead of the coming summer heat, a federal court is considering whether air conditioning should be provided in all Texas prisons. We’ve been following the case that’s been happening in Austin over the past couple of weeks. There are new changes to SNAP, the benefits that help low-income Texans purchase food. That assistance can’t be […] The post Federal court weighs decision over air conditioning in Texas prisons appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The SAFE Alliance is preparing to make millions of dollars in cuts starting this summer. This could include closing a downtown shelter and the end of services that provide additional housing assistance for people leaving abusive situations. After public outcry over the unexpected demolition of former East Austin cafe, Cenote, the developer of the property […] The post SAFE Alliance cuts could shutter shelter, programs for abuse victims appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Over the last year, Texas Republicans enacted regulatory and legal changes, completely altering life for noncitizens in the state. Many of these changes were put forward in the state Legislature, where they failed. Now, these changes are being made a reality outside of the normal legislative processes. We talk with Eleanor Klibanoff, the law and […] The post From headliners to homegrown acts, Moontower Comedy Fest brings the laughs appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Vacancies for industrial buildings in the greater Austin region are near the highest levels of any place in the country. It could be that companies thinking of moving to Austin aren’t finding buildings big enough to accommodate them. Spring fever, oak and mold pollen, and now another strain of coronavirus — all about the latest […] The post Bigger buildings on the way for industrial projects appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Williamson County is making changes to avoid the chaotic scene that unfolded last month on primary Election Day. The new change is going back to the ways things were before the most recent election. We’ll dig into why it happened and how the county is trying to avoid a repeat. The Karst Canyon Preserve is […] The post Hitting the trails at the new Karst Canyon Preserve appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

A review of the city of Austin’s $25 million contract with the Long Center to disburse arts grants has exposed gaps in billing, transparency and oversight. City auditors said they raised concerns for years about weaknesses in the monitoring of city contracts. Andrea Ball from the Austin Current has the story. A new program aims […] The post Audit of Austin’s $25 million contract with the Long Center reveals gaps in billing, transparency, oversight appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Summer temperatures in Texas prisons can often exceed 100 degrees, and lawyers have argued those conditions constitute cruel and unusual punishment for incarcerated Texans.A federal trial underway this week in Austin could decide whether the state must provide air conditioning to all inmates. A group of scientists from the University of Texas at Austin and […] The post A federal trial underway in Austin could decide whether Texas must provide air conditioning to all prisons appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Hemp flower and other smokable forms of cannabis are no longer allowed to be sold in Texas. What hasn’t changed, however, is Texas law that says it’s legal to possess those kinds of products. So, can Texans procure these smokables from other states? It’s a complicated answer that we’ll delve into. UT Austin’s Mexican American […] The post Smokable hemp is now banned in Texas, but what about by mail? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The Hays Consolidated School District voted unanimously in favor of more than $12 million dollars in budget cuts ahead of the next school year. It’s the largest such budget slash in more than a decade, and it’s a move other school districts could be facing in coming years. There’s not much known about the tactics and […] The post UT Austin researchers help discover new dinosaur species appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The Austin Independent School District is handing over control of three middle schools to a nonprofit in the hopes of avoiding a districtwide state takeover. Dobie, Burnet and Webb middle schools are trying to avoid a fifth accountability rating that could trigger the takeover. Acacia Coronado with the Austin Current has the story. Austin city leaders […] The post AISD hands over control of middle schools in bid to avoid state takeover appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

TxDOT is pouring billions of dollars into I-35 through Central Austin, adding more lanes and eventually sinking parts of the highway up to 60 feet below ground level. This could make it possible to build parks above the highways — but that comes with a hefty price tag. We’ll dig into why Austin city staff […] The post Why some Austin city staff are urging against plan for parks above I-35 appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Temperatures are on the rise and Hays County is bracing for a fourth year of drought. On top of familiar water restrictions and limitations, there are now new severe issues with the county’s water wells. In a viral clip heard around the world, actor Timothée Chalamet questioned the relevance of opera and ballet. The clip […] The post What’s in store for Hole in the Wall after historic venue is sold appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Affordable housing is top of mind for many Austinites, but especially for educators working in our local schools. Now, a former AISD elementary campus is being transformed into housing — with some units set aside specifically for teachers. Acacia Coronado from the Austin Current takes a closer look at the East Austin project. Brown water […] The post AISD campus transforms into affordable housing for teachers appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

We’re learning more about the tactics and technology used by police in Texas during deportation proceedings. The Texas Newsroom has accessed body and dashcam videos from an incident last summer in East Austin that ended with five people in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. We’ll discuss the tactics and technology being deployed in […] The post How traffic stops turn into ICE busts in Austin appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The Republican Party in Williamson County has agreed to let voters cast a ballot at any polling location available in the upcoming primary runoff. A move to precinct-specific voting made for a confusing process for many voters last month in Williamson and Dallas counties. We’ll have more about why the party is reversing course. Rent […] The post Williamson County Republicans reverse course on countywide voting appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Lake Pflugerville’s water levels remain low after a series of waterline breaks, the most recent of which was fixed on Wednesday. Local officials have issued water conservation calls while the man-made lake gets back to normal levels. We’ll have more about those water issues. Libraries are havens for many Texans, especially those living in rural […] The post Waterline breaks prompt Pflugerville officials to call for conservation measures appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

In the wake of public sexual assault and abuse allegations against union organizer Cesar Chavez, organizers of the annual parade in Austin honoring him canceled their upcoming event. Now, local activists and politicians are calling for the City of Austin to change the name of Cesar Chavez Street, the East-to-West thoroughfare running through the heart […] The post Cesar Chavez Street, local march reassessed amid abuse allegations against labor leader appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

It’s been more than two weeks since the deadly shooting at Buford’s in downtown Austin that killed three, wounded more than a dozen, and affected countless others. For mass shooting survivors, recovery can be a slow process. We’ll have the story of a mother and daughter going through that very thing following a shooting last […] The post It’s been more than two weeks since the deadly shooting at Buford’s in downtown Austin that killed three, wounded more than a dozen, and affected countless others. appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.