City Cast Austin

At the end of every year, major dictionaries crown an official “Word of the Year.” This year’s picks included “slop,” “rage-bait,” and “parasocial.” So naturally, the team started wondering, what would Austin’s word be? Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by producers Elissa Castles and Eva Ruth Moravec to peer into their crystal balls and decide which word will best define Austin in the year ahead. Do you have thoughts on what the word should be? Let us know, text us or leave a voicemail. 

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Learn more about the sponsors of this January 13th episode:

About 10 people and 200 homes were lost in the July flooding on Sandy Creek, many of which were in Travis County. After millions of dollars spent and earmarked for recovery efforts, and nearly six months have gone by, how are the flood survivors faring? KXAN’s Grace Reader joins host Nikki DaVaughn to talk about her recent reporting on Travis County’s 9-1-1 call logs from the July 5 emergency, and what the calls revealed about how calls for help were answered and addressed. Plus, they discuss what’s different about flood victims in Travis County compared to Kerr County, where more than 100 people were killed and one Camp Mystic camper remains missing. And, catch up on KXAN’s investigation into warning systems along the Guadalupe River here. 

Learn more about the sponsors of this January 12th episode:

NAMI Central Texas

Visit Brenham Texas

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And don’t forget– you can support this show and get great perks by becoming a City Cast Austin Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm 

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Austin city staff has settled on a recommendation for redesigning Sixth Street, and there’s one thing missing in this bicycle-friendly town: Bike lanes. In today’s Friday News Roundup, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw and contributor Eric Webb to talk about the new plan. And, in a new lawsuit filed in federal court in Austin, the Texas American Federation of Teachers is challenging the state over investigations tied to social media posts in the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s death. Plus, of course, we’ve got options for your weekend plans — which should include supporting local musicians and venues at Free Week — and just so you know, the weather should be delightful. 

Learn more about the sponsors of this January 9th episode:

Zach Theater

The SAFE Alliance

New Waterloo - Trick Hat Workway

Moontower Comedy Festival

Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter. 

And don’t forget– you can support this show and get great perks by becoming a City Cast Austin Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm 

Follow us @citycastaustin

You can also text us or leave a voicemail. 

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

On January 8, 1969, two University of Texas students were brutally murdered and the city of Austin barely noticed. Amid the nation’s first modern mass shooting, political violence littering the end of the decade, and the escalating Vietnam War, this shocking crime slipped through the cracks. But why was such a violent act erased from public memory? Host Nikki DeVaughn sits down with Texas Monthly contributor Stephen Harrigan to investigate the forgotten murder, explore why it remained hidden for decades, and uncover the story Austin never knew it had.

This episode originally aired on April 21, 2025

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And don’t forget– you can support this show and get great perks by becoming a City Cast Austin Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm 

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Learn more about the sponsors of this January 8th episode:

Over the weekend, President Donald Trump arrested and captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, vowing to seize control of the country's rich oil industry. But the impacts of this international escapade can be felt right here at home in Austin. Host Nikki DaVaughn chats with Hearst columnist Chris Tomlinson to dig into the long-standing relationship between Texas and Venezuela, how these developments could strain small local oil producers, and why Austinites should be paying close attention. 

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And don’t forget– you can support this show and get great perks by becoming a City Cast Austin Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm 

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Learn more about the sponsors of this January 7th episode:

From fancy New Year’s Eve celebrations to setting intentions and resolutions, and participating in Dry January, traditions abound this time of year in Austin. So, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by producers Elissa Castles and Eva Ruth Moravec to debate which annual celebrations of the passage of time we love, and which we hate. Plus, the City Cast Austin team shares a few 2026 resolutions for the City of Austin — including one that appears to already be underway. 

Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter. 

And don’t forget– you can support this show and get great perks by becoming a City Cast Austin Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm 

Follow us @citycastaustin

You can also text us or leave a voicemail. 

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

Learn more about the sponsors of this January 6th episode:

Nobody understands a city’s pulse quite like a City Cast host — and that makes them the best predictors for 2026’s biggest local stories. City Cast Austin host Nikki DaVaughn joins CEO David Plotz and the other 12 hosts from across the network to talk about the big changes coming to our cities, from political shifts to data centers.

Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our ⁠Hey Austin newsletter⁠. 

And don’t forget– you can support this show and get great perks by becoming a City Cast Austin Neighbor at ⁠membership.citycast.fm⁠ 

Follow us ⁠@citycastaustin⁠

You can also ⁠text us or leave a voicemail⁠. 

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info ⁠HERE⁠ 

Learn more about the sponsors of this January 5th episode:

⁠Zach Theater⁠

⁠The SAFE Alliance⁠

⁠New Waterloo - Trick Hat Workway⁠

⁠Moontower Comedy Festival⁠

Austin really does have it all: stage shows and live music, scenic hiking trails, and a food scene that never stops surprising. The variety the city has to offer is next level, and this month, the mix is especially on point. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec and guest J. Summar to guide you through the plates, places, and performances worth checking out right now. From Austin's Free Week to Comadre Panadería’s Earl Grey concha, we're serving up a wide-ranging look at what to see, what to eat, and where to be around Austin this month. 

For even more tips on how to make the most of January in Austin, check out Hey Austin’s take on what to do this month. 

Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter. 

And don’t forget– you can support this show and get great perks by becoming a City Cast Austin Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm 

Follow us @citycastaustin

You can also text us or leave a voicemail. 

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

Learn more about the sponsors of this January 2nd episode:

Austin's new million-dollar logo caused a lot of controversy this year and despite petitions to “stop” it, it is officially up and running on the city's social media accounts and website. The wavy A, in colors inspired by our “greenbelts, lakes, skyline sunsets, and bluebonnets,” replaces a seal that was designed as part of a contest back in 1916, as well as hundreds of department-specific logos. But will Austinites ever be okay with the exorbitant cost? Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Jessica King, Austin’s chief communications director; and Yasmin Wagner, the city’s web and creative services manager, to discuss. 

Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter. 

And don’t forget– you can support this show and get great perks by becoming a City Cast Austin Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm 

Follow us @citycastaustin

You can also text us or leave a voicemail. 

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

With Texas being the home to several major U.S. cities, which one is actually the best? Our colleagues over at City Cast Houston, host Raheel Ramzanali and executive producer Laura Isensee, join City Cast Austin host Nikki DaVaughn and producer Elissa Castles to get to the bottom of it. Between entertainment, food, affordability, and outdoor space, does Austin have what it takes to win? 

Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our ⁠Hey Austin newsletter⁠. 

And don’t forget– you can support this show and get great perks by becoming a City Cast Austin Neighbor at ⁠membership.citycast.fm⁠ 

Follow us ⁠@citycastaustin⁠

You can also ⁠text us or leave a voicemail⁠. 

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info ⁠HERE⁠