ATXplained

The story starts with a mysterious, long-nippled figure lurking among the tree tops, but it gets weirder from there. The post What’s the story behind this freaky sculpture hanging in the Barton Creek Greenbelt? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

We’re back with a new season of ATXplained. Lots of great stories coming your way this year. We’ll start with one from our last ATXplained Live. It’s about a guy who’s whole thing is to stand out. The post Who’s the guy who dances and silently raps at the corner of Barton Springs and South First? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

We go in search of a poet who was a fixture in Austin more than a decade ago — but suddenly dropped off the map. The post Who was that guy who used to read psychedelic poems before big concerts in Austin? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

We’re not talking about politics. Is the capitol building itself literally radioactive? The post Is the Texas Capitol radioactive? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

We go in search of the sandwich artist. But we find they’re behind a lot more iconic business art in Austin. The post Who made those giant sandwiches outside of Thundercloud Subs? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Think of a food that reminds you of Austin or Texas. Tacos? Barbecue? How about a thick slice of bread, buttered on both sides and toasted to perfection? The post How did Texas become the only state with its own toast? (archive episode) appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Shoeless children running around the land that would become Rollingwood and West Lake Hills. Bar fights ending in axe-chopped limbs. Illegal moonshine operations in caves. It’s the stuff of legend. But are the legends true? If you like what we do on ATXplained, we need your financial support right now. Go to supportthispodcast.org and mention […] The post Who were the ‘Cedar Choppers’ of West Austin? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Texas left the United States in 1861 and joined the Confederacy. But on the local level, the vote to leave the Union was more complicated. The post Did Travis County vote against secession before the Civil War? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Like many lynching victims, their names are unknown, and details about their lives and deaths are scarce. Only foreign newspapers reported on the crimes. The post Three Black Texans were lynched 130 years ago. How can Austin preserve their memory? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Join us for our next ATXplained Live at Bass Concert Hall! Here’s a sample from one of our previous shows, where we answer a question about the space you’ll be sitting in at the show. Get your tickets to the show at texasperformingarts.org The post Tickets are on sale now for our Oct. 29 ATXplained Live appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

In this story, originally from our Sept. 2022 ATXplained Live show, KUT’s Audrey McGlinchy investigates why Austin sidewalks sometimes just kinda stop. In the middle of a block. And she does battle with Shel Silverstein. If you like what you hear on this podcast, consider becoming a member and supporting us with a few bucks. […] The post Why do sidewalks in Austin sometimes just end? (archive episode) appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Kathryn Stacer had a question about her grandfather. We try to find an answer, but also consider whether the answer even matters. If you like what we do on ATXplained, we need your financial support right now. Go to supportthispodcast.org and mention ATXplained in the comments. We’ll shout you out in a later episode! The post Who is the oldest World War II veteran in the Austin area? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Talk about “Old Austin” — this was Austin before it was Austin. So why was it named after a city in Belgium? We try to find out. The post Why was Austin once called ‘Waterloo’? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Inconsistent rain forecasts have led to conspiracies about a rain-blocking dome that covers the city. The truth lies in an age-old fault. The post What’s the deal with Austin’s “Rain Dome”? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Only San Francisco and Portland, Oregon have more gay people per capita than Austin. So why don’t we have any lesbian bars? The post What happened to Austin’s lesbian bars? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Laurel Seymour’s grandmother, Binnie Ruth Seymour, says she was the first woman to become a city lifeguard in Austin. Audrey McGlinchy looks at the record to see if Grandma Binnie is telling the truth. The post Who was Austin’s first female lifeguard? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

94 year-old Reta Ward has been calling all the Texas state lawmakers for decades to weigh in on everything from water policy to school vouchers. One Capitol staffer wanted to know more about her. The post Who is the 94 year-old Texan who calls every state lawmaker? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Austin’s crown jewel has bought people together from all walks of life to enjoy a day in the sun. But before 1962, that wasn’t the case. The post What’s the history of segregation at Barton Springs Pool? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Decades ago, there were dozens of huge fuel storage tanks in East Austin — in some cases right next to homes, schools and businesses. These days, the whole thing is seen as a case of textbook environmental racism. But one East Austin resident wanted to know: what still lurks in the soil long after the […] The post Is it safe to live near an old East Austin ‘Tank Farm’? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Sixth Street is known for being party central, but it’s actually one of the most historic areas of the city. The post Why are there so many of the same kind of bars on Sixth Street? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Violet Crown this. Violet Crown that. What’s the deal with this name for so many Austin things? The post Why are there so many ‘Violet Crowns’ in Austin? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

This is a tough one. But we do our best, and maybe learn a little something about friendship along the way. The post Who has the oldest friendship in Austin? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

We’re back with a new season of stories about Austin’s people, places and culture. As SXSW rolls through Austin this week, we answer a question from Sarah Dixon about the history of films and filmmaking in Austin. The post How long have movies and TV shows been filmed in Austin? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

TXplained wants to share a new podcast with you. 24 Hours in Austin tries to answer the question: What does a day in the life of Austin, Texas sound like? The post Introducing 24 Hours in Austin appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Our question asker noticed it happening at Boggy Creek Trail. But the explanation is weirder — and more fun! — than you might think. The post Why are people dropping flour in weird patterns around Austin? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

We investigate why “Austin treasure” Bob Schneider has seen big success on the local scene, but hasn’t seemed to crack into the world of huge mainstream “success”. The post Why hasn’t Bob Schneider ever had a Top 40 hit? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

It’s the hot to Barton Springs’ cold. Why is Big Stacy warm year-round? The post How is Big Stacy Pool naturally heated? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

A generation of Austinites’ memories all line up: several alligators right in Zilker Park in the 1980s. Is it some kind of mass delusion or could it be true? The post Were there ever alligators in Zilker Park? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

In 1974, Austin was host to an epic — and epically messy — concert at UT’s Texas Memorial Stadium. This is the story from people who were there. The post What’s the story behind this insert from a 1975 ZZ Top album? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

A mysterious poster about a famous artist with no connections to Texas — or Jason’s Deli — leads us on a hunt for who made the thing — and why on Earth they put it there. The post Why is there a display about Jasper Johns on the side of a Jason’s Deli in San Marcos? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Where the pain stops and the good memories begin. The post There used to be a pet cemetery in Pflugerville. What happened to the animals? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Let’s take a moment to reflect on the color of Austin’s contemporary skyline. The post Why do all the new skyscrapers in Austin look blue? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

It’s break time. Everyone out of the pool. But what’s that sound? The post Why do lifeguards at Austin’s pools blow their whistles like that? (archive episode) appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

When you walk along The Drag, there’s not much to see in terms of businesses. Sure, there’s some hustle and bustle — students walking to and from class, cars rushing by — but many of the storefronts are empty. The post Why are there so many empty stores on The Drag near UT Austin? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

When a person buys a property under an HOA, they’re agreeing to any rules the HOA enacts. But there are state laws that could change things. The post Can you raise backyard chickens in Austin even if your HOA says you can’t? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Does the color of your house make a difference in how energy efficient it is? We try to find out. The post Black houses are so hot right now in Austin. But are they hotter? (archive episode) appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Some neighborhoods around Austin have their own reputation. Most of them are probably not all that accurate. The post Is Steiner Ranch really full of swingers? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

We spend a lot of time in Austin talking about how many new people move here. But most of us don’t talk much about the people who came before us — way before us.  If you’ve ever taken a walk along Shoal Creek or gone to Barton Springs on a hot summer day, you’re doing […] The post Where have Austin’s Indigenous people gone? (archive episode) appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

If you’ve ever been jealous of the lush, beautiful patches of wildflowers along Austin’s highways, this story is for you. The post Why do bluebonnets grow so well along MoPac? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Audrey McGlinchy on the prevalence, psychology and behavior of what are maybe humans’ most vexing pest. The post Does Austin have a rat problem? Maybe. But this reporter sure does. appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

He’s everywhere: TV, radio, billboards, YouTube. What’s the marketing strategy for this personal injury lawyer? The post How does Thomas J. Henry make any money when he spends so much on ads all over Austin? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

At one point, this tower was Austin’s main communication link to the outside world. Decades later, is it a landmark — or an eyesore — for the neighborhood? The post A tower has loomed in Austin’s Clarksville neighborhood for 72 years. What does it do? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

There’s your standard gray sidewalk, of course. But what on Earth does a red sidewalk mean? The post Why are some Austin sidewalks red? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The full transcript of this episode of ATXplained is available on the KUT & KUTX Studio website. The transcript is also available as subtitles or captions on some podcast apps. The post What’s the oldest tree in Austin? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The full transcript of this episode of ATXplained is available on the KUT & KUTX Studio website. The transcript is also available as subtitles or captions on some podcast apps. The post What happened to the time capsule UT Austin buried at Centennial Park? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Before there was an IHOP, there was a university that attempted to revolutionize higher education for immigrants at the corner of I-35 and Cesar Chavez Street. The post What happened to Juarez-Lincoln University in downtown Austin? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Off to Austin’s west, you may have seen a collection of towers with their red lights blinking through the night. ALSO: You can get tickets to our next ATXplained Live show here. The post What are those towers for in West Austin and why are they all there? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

We question a question about the history of this Mexican-American cemetery — one that stands in contrast to many of the more staid cemeteries around Austin. The post What’s the story behind the colorful Maria de la Luz Cemetery in South Austin? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.