Gov. Greg Abbott is pitching the idea of eliminating what he calls “city monopolies” on providing electricity, a plan focused in part on Austin Energy. He claims a move like this could lower customer rates, but how has deregulation played out in other parts of the state?

“Austinhenge” this weekend is a darn good chance to catch a stellar sunset photo here in town. We’ve got some tips to help you make that perfect shot.

Plus, the question has been asked before and will likely be asked forever more: Is Austin still weird? Plenty of folks say not really, or that is hasn’t been for some time now — but there’s always a bit of weird for those who go searching.

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

The full transcript of this episode of Austin Signal is available on the KUT & KUTX Studio website. The transcript is also available as subtitles or captions on some podcast apps.

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Changes are coming to where people can and cannot ride electric bikes and scooters on the UT Austin campus.

An invasive aquatic plant is expressing itself in some local waterways after it was essentially eradicated close to a decade ago.

An annual movie festival all about the intersection of film and music is, for the first time, being produced entirely here in Austin. Their story and what to see at Sound Unseen.

Plus: Summer break is almost over, but the heat isn’t going away, so we’ve got some frosty recommendations to help you cool off.

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

The full transcript of this episode of Austin Signal is available on the KUT & KUTX Studio website. The transcript is also available as subtitles or captions on some podcast apps.

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We’ve been learning a lot about the Dog’s Head development over the past months, including the future plans a developer would like to see there; how little neighbors knew about the idea as it picked up steam; and the competing interests curious about the project. How those sides sought support from the city.

What are the necessary supplies to power data centers? A lot of water and plenty of electricity. We’ll tell you how much and how that impacts all of us.

Plus, a look ahead at a few art happenings this week in our area.

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

The full transcript of this episode of Austin Signal is available on the KUT & KUTX Studio website. The transcript is also available as subtitles or captions on some podcast apps.

The post Competing interests for the Dog’s Head development appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

CapMetro’s system of electric-assisted bicycles will soon be back on Austin’s roadways — but it will be returning in phases, starting small. We’ll have the latest on Austin’s Bikeshare and the fire that hindered service.

We’re a couple weeks removed from the World Cup, but FIFA, the organization behind the tournament, has remained in the headlines. The reason? A proposal to sell shares of the quadrennial event. We’ve got more context and the latest on Austin’s soccer team.

And deaf children and families will have more options for accessible TV programming after one platform announced plans for more American Sign Language interpretations. We’ll catch up with a local performer participating in the project.

The full transcript of this episode of Austin Signal is available on the KUT & KUTX Studio website. The transcript is also available as subtitles or captions on some podcast apps.

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For years now, Austinites have been able to hail a driverless Waymo — but they’ve only been available to call for it through one specific rideshare company. That’ll soon be changing. We’ll have the details.

Recent polling is shedding more light on just how tight the margins will be in this fall’s race for the Texas seat in the U.S. Senate. Democratic nominee James Talarico is working to shore up support from Black Texans. So how does he compare with past nominees?

Austin’s “Master Pancake” has roasted and mocked the cinema for nearly two decades. How did they get their start? We tell you about their odyssey.

And more summer reading recommendations as we enter August.

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

The full transcript of this episode of Austin Signal is available on the KUT & KUTX Studio website. The transcript is also available as subtitles or captions on some podcast apps.

The post The origin story behind Austin’s ‘Master Pancake’ appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Plans for high-voltage transmission lines have hit a snag after Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and his allies this morning called for a halt to the proposal. The power lines are meant to help meet growing energy demand in West Texas, but the plan faced fierce opposition this week at a public hearing at the state capitol.

Fallout continues after Austin Police fatally shot unarmed teenager Anthoneil Williams II. Activists gathered at city hall this week demanding better mental health resources.

Music and film collide next week at the 6th Sound Unseen Austin Film Festival. We’ll talk with the festival’s director about what’s in store.

Plus, some of the best art to experience this weekend.

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

The full transcript of this episode of Austin Signal is available on the KUT & KUTX Studio website. The transcript is also available as subtitles or captions on some podcast apps.

The post Activists call for better mental health resources in wake of teen’s shooting by police appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

A ban on Delta-8 products takes effect tomorrow and Austin police say possessing certain products could now be a felony. We’ll explain why the law is changing, what it means for consumers and how local businesses are preparing.

One new affordable housing development in East Austin is moving forward with just one parking space. It’s possible because of the city’s Affordability Unlocked program, which allows developers to bypass certain building requirements.

Plus, KUTX Artist of the Month, Quentin, joins us to talk about her musical journey, the inspiration behind her new album “TOMGIRL,” her favorite songs and what’s next for her career.

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

The full transcript of this episode of Austin Signal is available on the KUT & KUTX Studio website. The transcript is also available as subtitles or captions on some podcast apps.

The post What to know as Delta-8 ban goes into effect Friday appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Activists are demanding that Travis County District Attorney José Garza prosecute three Austin police officers who fatally shot a 17-year-old last week. We’ll have more on that.

Midland ISD in West Texas announced it would be suing the state over the recapture school finance system also known as Robin Hood. Will Austin ISD follow?

Plus, data centers are popping up everywhere — including right here in Texas. But what is a data center? We’ve got the start to a special series on data centers on today’s show.

It’s been 60 years since the tower shooting at the University of Texas at Austin. The Texas Standard takes a look at how events unfolded in their documentary “Out of The Blue.”

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

The full transcript of this episode of Austin Signal is available on the KUT & KUTX Studio website. The transcript is also available as subtitles or captions on some podcast apps.

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There’s the possibility of a CapMetro strike shutting down virtually all fixed-route bus service in Austin, but how much control does the agency have over negotiations?

Texas is banning Delta-8 THC and a broad class of similar cannabis compounds starting Friday. These products have been sold for years in Texas. More about what’s set to take effect.

The latest on Austin’s cyclospora cases as the search for a contamination source continues.

Austin City Council Woman Vanessa Fuentes returned to City Hall this week after pregnancy leave and announcing a cancer diagnosis. We talk with her about her journey.

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

The full transcript of this episode of Austin Signal is available on the KUT & KUTX Studio website. The transcript is also available as subtitles or captions on some podcast apps.

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Extended Interview: UT Austin professor Chaar López, a scholar on border surveillance, was denied tenure without a stated reason, despite positive reviews and recommendations. He talks about what this means for his future, and the chilling effect it has had on faculty across the country. At the core of the conversation, the loss of academic freedom and changes to education in the state and what he sees as a “growing spiral of censorship and control and demands for obedience that are concerning and troubling.”

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

The post “There is this sense of helplessness,” UT Professor talks about faculty fears following his tenure denial appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.