Austin Signal

A future UT Austin academic medical campus – which is set to include an MD Anderson Cancer Center location – was set to be built on the site of the now-demolished Frank Erwin Center. But now the Board of Regents is considering a new location near the Domain. Cindy Walker might be the most successful Texas songwriter […] The post New site under consideration for UT Austin medical campus appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The Austin Independent School District has passed a plan that will close 10 schools as it works to reduce a multimillion-dollar budget deficit and empty seats at many campuses. We talk more about the plan, the vote — which came after weeks of community meetings and protests — and what happens next. State officials recently released a […] The post Austin ISD approves plan to close 10 schools appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The City of Austin cut $95 million from its budget, shrinking funding to parks, homelessness services and more after voters rejected Prop Q. We’ll get into how these cuts may impact you. With recent rain and an overnight flood watch in Travis, Williamson, and Hays counties, many residents are reminded of the July 4 floods and […] The post After Prop Q fallout, Austin cuts $95 million from budget appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 – […] The post Texans consider ACA enrollment options amid rising premiums appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 […] The post Texas appeals as its redistricting map is temporarily blocked appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 […] The post Austin City Council works to finalize budget after Prop Q failure appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 […] The post Whooping cough cases rise in Austin appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 […] The post Shutdown is over, but airport delays are still expected appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 […] The post Want to avoid traffic in Austin? Try commuting on Mondays appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 post After Prop Q fails, city leaders propose budget cuts appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 […] The post Camp Mystic faces lawsuit from parents of flood victims appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 post How the Digital Equity Act helped before funding was cut appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 […] The post AISD updates consolidation plan, now only closing 10 schools appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 […] The post KUT announces community festival in May appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 […] The post Austin voters reject Prop Q property tax rate increase appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 […] The post Central Texas Food Bank braces for increased demand appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 […] The post How state Prop 14 could help fund Texas dementia research appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 […] The post Coffee shop Mercado Sin Nombre recognized by Michelin Guide appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 […] The post What is Latin music? Carrie Rodriguez explores with ‘Laboratorio’ series appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 post ICE enforcement is ramped up at county jails appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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. […] The post How much would Prop Q cost homeowners in Austin? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The federal government has been shut down for 27 days, and if it continues, more than3.5 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 […] The post 3.5 million Texans could lose their SNAP benefits appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 […] The post What Travis County voters need to know this election appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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, […] The post Austin will be getting a new $25 million boardwalk on Lady Bird Lake appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 […] The post Williamson County voters to weigh in on proposed tax rate increases appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

With early voting underway, Austin’s Prop Q is front and center for many folks – and was the subject of an ethics complaint 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 […] The post Anti-Prop Q website raises ethics questions appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 […] The post ‘No Kings’ rally draws 20,000 protesters in Austin appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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. […] The post Downtown Austin’s Hideout Theatre moves after 26 years appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 […] The post What to look for on your ballot as early voting starts next week appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 […] The post ICE lets certain jurisdictions know about their raids, but Austin isn’t one of them appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 […] The post Parents ask for more time as AISD plans November vote on school closures appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 […] The post Austin’s rainbow crosswalks, street lettering could soon be gone appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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. The post Live from ACL Fest a special Austin Signal broadcast appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

A judge has dismissed a lawsuit in a case centered around the construction of a data center in Taylor on land that had been set aside for a park. We’ll hear from KUT Williamson County reporter Kailey Hunt, who has been following the story and speaking with the folks looking to put a halt to […] The post A massive data center in Taylor is moving forward appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

It’s been 34 years since Austin was rocked by the violent yogurt shop murders. Now, after a recent breakthrough in the case, the impact of the crime and the push to find justice is reverberating throughout the city. KUT’s Andrew Weber has an exploration of the many feelings running through the minds of folks trying […] The post 34 years later, Austin reflects on the impact of the yogurt shop murders appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The discussion around Austin’s upcoming tax rate election is picking up as voters head to the polls in the coming weeks. That tax rate hike, on the ballot as Proposition Q, goes above what local officials are normally allowed by state law. It’s all part of the City of Austin’s effort to generate revenue to […] The post How Austin leaders hope to fund nonprofits’ efforts to ease homelessness with Prop Q appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Howdy out there, Austin! This episode is the first live radio broadcast for Austin Signal. We’re discussing the proposed campus closures announced by the Austin Independent School District. More than a dozen schools would be shut down ahead of next school year as AISD works against a budget shortfall. We’ll dive into those details with […] The post Austin ISD proposes 13 school closures to curb $20 million budget deficit appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Advocates are raising awareness for Texas’ Safe Haven Laws. Also known as the “Baby Moses” Act, the law allows babies who are 60 days or younger to be safely surrendered to staff at places like hospitals and fire departments. We’ll hear more from KUT’s Olivia Aldridge. We’ll also hear how students at the Texas School […] The post How the Safe Haven law allows the safe and legal surrender of babies in Texas appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

ACL Fest is just one day away, but if you’re looking to take in EVEN MORE live music this weekend, KUTX Program Director Matt Reilly will stop by to talk with us about the shows happening tonight and outside of the festival gates. Also, we’re talking tunnels! Bastrop is looking to have Elon Musk’s Boring […] The post Bastrop asks Elon Musk for tunnels to connect city trails appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Buying new? In this economy? Shopping secondhand is the go-to for many these days. But things are about to change for sellers using online retail platforms in Texas.KUT’s Nathan Bernier joins the show to tell us why the next thrifted gem you purchase may cost you more than it used to. Plus, we prepare for […] The post Texas starts taxing seller fees on sites like eBay, Etsy appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Election season is upon us once again. It’s not midterm time and we don’t have a president to pick, but voters in Central Texas will have a reason to cast their ballots. Here in Austin, folks will be deciding whether to approve a tax-rate hike above the normal threshold allowed by the state. Why is […] The post What is Proposition Q on Austin’s ballot this November? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

For the families of the girls killed in one of Austin’s most notorious murders, justice seemed to be slipping away as more time passed. But now, almost 34 years later, a new break in the case of what’s known as the “Yogurt Shop Murders” yields the name of a suspect, identified through DNA. KUT’s justice […] The post 34 years later, police identify suspect in yogurt shop murders appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Texas Republican lawmakers redrew the state’s congressional districts in a special session this summer, doing so at the desire of President Trump and leaving no questions about their reasoning: They were changing the maps to benefit their party. But the idea of gerrymandering hasn’t been limited to just Texas this year. KUT’s Mose Buchele will […] The post Levitation Fest hits Austin this weekend appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

They say AI is the future and for the city of Austin, artificial intelligence could be one way to catch people committing crimes in parks.The City council was considering a proposal and that had some Austinites pretty concerned. Plus, for fans of horror, sci-fi, fantasy and offbeat films, it doesn’t get much better than Fantastic […] The post Fantastic Fest celebrates 20 years of Horror and Sci-fi in Austin appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Contract negotiations between the city of Austin and its fire department are fast approaching the deadline for a new deal, with negotiations at a standstill. The firefighters union called the city’s offer insulting; the city says it’s willing to negotiate. KUT government accountability reporter Andrew Weber joins the show with more. We’ll hear about the […] The post Austin fire union, city at standstill over contract days before deadline appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Most Austin area drivers have a love-hate relationship with Interstate 35 – or they avoid it completely, and have no relationship at all. The latest round of I-35 construction is hitting its stride. Live music at the grocery store, hospital, your favorite sandwich shop or taco joint? It’s HAAM Day, benefitting health care coverage for […] The post HAAM Day takes over Austin and Central Texas appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Up in Williamson County, a proposed data center is set to break ground in the city of Taylor. These kinds of centers have drawn all kinds of feedback for the resources and electricity demand required to power them. But the progress of this latest data center could be stopped in its tracks. Williamson County Reporter […] The post Williamson County deals with the ramifications of a proposed data center in Taylor appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Austin Signal keeps the community in-the-know on the latest news and stories from the Central Texas area. Hosted by KUT’s Jerry Quijano, listeners can tune in every weekday to hear stories and topics important to them. The post Introducing: Austin Signal appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.