City Cast Austin

Austin's oldest operating theater is getting a major makeover. This week, the Austin Theatre Alliance announced it's launching a $65 million campaign to restore the 110-year-old Paramount and 90-year-old State theaters. On this week's Friday News Roundup host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Hey Austin newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec to unpack the ambitious restoration plan, including long-overdue upgrades like comfier seating. Plus, the team laments the loss of a beloved downtown dining spot and digs into Austin Monthly's 2025 list of best new restaurants. And don't forget to stay tuned for the crew's weekend plans!

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Texas’ new congressional map is back in the news after a three-judge federal panel blocked it from being used in the 2026 midterm elections. Gov. Greg Abbott has already appealed the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Eleanor Klibanoff, law and politics reporter for The Texas Tribune to break down the ruling, what it means for candidates now staring down the fast-approaching December 8th filing deadline and what comes next. Plus, amid the scramble, Austin Congressman Lloyd Doggett has signaled he might not retire after all.  

Get up to speed on how we got here with City Cast Austin’s previous coverage from Democrats’ quorum break this summer, the conservative case for redistricting, how the new map would redraw Travis County’s districts, and what the new local districts would mean for Austinites.    

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Gone are the days when people seeking good barbecue in these parts had to go on a road trip: Nowadays, a good smoked brisket is a stone’s throw away from basically every Austinite. And maybe as a result of the sheer number of great barbecue joints, it takes more than a good smoked brisket to impress the Central Texan palate. On today’s episode, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Texas Monthly’s barbecue editor, Daniel Vaughn, to talk about Austin’s best budget and splurge barbecue, local standouts, and where to find some excellent macaroni and cheese. Plus, hear how Vaughn survives days-long barbecue trips that require multiple stops in one day. 

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After surviving the Texas Legislature, the hemp industry now faces a new challenge: In one year, products like gummies and drinks that are hemp-based or hemp-derived will be prohibited. The ban was folded into the deal to reopen the federal government, despite an attempt by Sen. Ted Cruz to strip it from the final version, and some are hoping that Cruz can help reverse it before the ban goes into effect. The move comes after the Texas cannabis and hemp industry beat most attempts by the state legislature to shut business down, and would cripple businesses in Austin, Central Texas, and throughout the state. Executive Producer Eva Ruth Moravec is joined by Heather Fazio, director of the Texas Cannabis Policy Center, to talk about it all. If you’re looking for info on the conference Fazio mentioned, check here.  

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The six-week long federal government shutdown is over, but it is still affecting the 270,000 people in Central Texas who are a part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the 74,000 federal workers in the area. Without their typical amount of food assistance or even a paycheck, folks in the Austin region have turned to organizations for help. To find out more about how Austinites have been impacted, and how locals are filling in the gaps, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Tawana Barksdale, an organizer with the ATX Free Fridge Project; and Beth Corbett, vice president of governmental affairs and advocacy for the Central Texas Food Bank. 

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Austin is proud to be the nation's largest no-kill city, but with shelters overflowing and stray animals on the rise, is that title becoming unsustainable? On this week's Friday News Roundup, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec and Austin American-Statesman photojournalist Mikala Compton to discuss an eye-opening investigation into the city's animal crisis. Plus, we break down the rumors around Matthew McConaughey's bid for Texas governor and what went down at Austin's White Collar Fight Night. 

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It’s finally time to get your cozy clothes out and start shopping for the holidays — but these days, money might be a little tight. You’re in luck, though, since Austin has dozens of secondhand stores, estate sales, vintage popups, clothing swaps, and other opportunities to buy things used. On today’s episode, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by expert thrifter Paula Cox and City Cast Austin newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw, who loves a secondhand store, to share their favorite shops and tips to scoring some excellent preowned clothing, furniture, and more. And, it’s not too late to help Paula’s all-time favorite store and Austin icon, Treasure City, get into their new digs. 

This episode originally aired on July 22, 2025. 

And don’t forget — become a City Cast Austin Neighbor today to win a free pass to the Texas Tribune Festival, taking place downtown Nov. 13 - 15. Join at membership.citycast.fm. 

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The Michelin Guide doesn’t give awards for the best hamburgers in town, but have no fear, City Cast Austin is here to fill the void. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw and producer Elissa Castles to debate over who has Austin’s greatest burgers for a splurge ($38??) and a good deal. Plus, the team tries to decide on one favorite overall Austin hamburger, and where to find the best burger accompaniment — the french fry. Finally, stay tuned to the end to find out why one guest is certain there is a local crinkle-cut fry conspiracy. 

And don’t forget — the first eight people to become City Cast Austin Neighbors will win a free pass to the Texas Tribune Festival, taking place downtown Nov. 13 - 15. Become a member today at membership.citycast.fm. 

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The University of Texas at Austin has until next week to respond to a controversial compact sent by the Trump Administration in early October, and some students are very opposed to the idea. Under the proposed deal, the White House would offer UT greater access to federal funds in exchange for implementing policies outlined by the administration. Several schools have already rejected the offer. Host Nikki DaVaughn sits down with Ava Hosseini and Kira Small, co-editors-in-chief of The Rag, a student-run underground magazine, to hear the two seniors’ take on how the proposed compact could reshape academic freedom, student life, and the broader political climate in Austin. Plus, is the privately-funded University of Austin actually more ideologically neutral than UT? Some say yes. 

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Last Tuesday, Austin voters overwhelmingly rejected Proposition Q, the hotly debated proposal to raise property taxes to fund city services and projects. Now that the dust has settled, what do the results reveal about public trust in city government and local spending priorities? Host Nikki DaVaughn checks back in with two previous guests, Robin Rather, who opposed the tax rate increase, and Austin City Councilmember José “Chito” Vela, who supported it, to unpack the campaign messaging, the outcome and what comes next for Austin. 

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