Texas is a battleground in the race for the state’s senate seat — held by Sen. Ted Cruz for more than a decade through scandals, bad press, and a seemingly growing number of haters. But his last challenger lost by only 219,000 votes, and millions of new Texans could cast ballots this year. How will challenger Colin Allred, a Democratic congressman, fare against Cruz? Following a debate between the two, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Ryan Chandler, who covers politics for KXAN, to break down the race. 

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Half of the seats on the Austin City Council are up for election this year, and let’s be honest, these are the races where local voters have the most impact and are also impacted the most. To break down everything Austin voters need to know about the races for council districts 2, 4, 6, 7, and 10, executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec is joined by Liz Pagano of the Austin Monitor. And for more on these important races, check out the Monitor’s reporting, and the League of Women Voters Austin Area’s voters guide. 

Plus, stay tuned after Liz’s interview for a special segment: A mile in their boots, where we feature the unsung heroes of Austin. Today, we’ll hear from Lauren Hartnett, who is a huge part of the magic of Cherrywood’s Halloween parade and festivities. 

We’d like to thank Tecovas, who makes our favorite Western wear in town, for being our exclusive launch sponsor. 

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In our fourth episode featuring interviews with mayoral candidates, host Nikki DaVaughn interviews Kathie Tovo, who’s no stranger to Austin City Hall. After years serving on neighborhood associations and the Austin Neighborhood Council, Tovo was elected to the Austin City Council and served from 2011 to 2023. She is also a lecturer at the University of Texas at Austin’s School of Architecture. 

You can find our previous Mayoral Monday episodes here: Jeffery Bowen, Doug Greco, and Carmen Llanes Pulido. Our final interview will be out soon. 

We’d like to thank Tecovas, who makes our favorite Western wear in town, for being our exclusive launch sponsor. 

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For today’s Friday News Roundup, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by producer Rishi Bajekal and Hey Austin newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw to discuss a few stories from this week’s headlines. On the agenda: A super-cool art show taking place this weekend featuring creations by Austin’s unhoused and at-risk population, the rise in school threats and how they impact students and teachers, and the closing of Outer Heaven Disco Club, which stirs up some interesting feelings for the team. Plus, stick around after the roundup for our Don’t Go Gently tip for this weekend. And, for tips on who to see, check out our recent ACL Festival preview episode. 

We’d like to thank Tecovas, who makes our favorite Western wear in town, for being our exclusive launch sponsor. 

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If you’re new here, it’s time you’ve tried two-stepping. And if you’re not, then it’s time to dust off those boots and join Austin’s thriving two-stepping scene. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by the perfect guide, Keighley Voorheis, who documents the dancing scene on her social media. We’re talking about the local dance floor circuit, two-stepping field trips, and what makes Austin’s two-stepping style unique.  

We’d like to thank Tecovas, who makes our favorite Western wear in town, for being our exclusive launch sponsor. 

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Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Natalia Contreras, a reporter with Votebeat, to break down the myths, lies, and truths about the process of registering to vote and casting a ballot in Texas. This summer, while one group urged its members to challenge the voter registration of thousands of Austinites, state leadership announced that voters were culled from the rolls. But that was regular voter roll maintenance, and the challenges weren’t legit. So, is voter suppression really a thing in Texas? Should we worry that our votes won’t count at the polls in November? 

We’d like to thank Tecovas, who makes our favorite Western wear in town, for being our exclusive launch sponsor. 

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The Broadway in Austin season is kicking off now with MJ the Musical, the first of 10 shows — the most to ever come to town. The shows travel in a fleet of trucks, and cast and crew stay in town, bringing micro-booms to the local economy, while also hiring locals, including students at the University of Texas at Austin. But is theater really for everyone? Host Nikki DaVaughn’s guest today, Bob Bursey, the executive director and artistic director of the Texas Performing Arts, says yes. 

We’d like to thank Tecovas, who makes our favorite Western wear in town, for being our exclusive launch sponsor. 

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In our third “Mayoral Mondays” episode, host Nikki DaVaughn interviews Austin mayoral candidate Carmen Llanes Pulido. She’s a native Austinite, and a community organizer who grew up in the activist movement alongside her father, and joins City Cast Austin to tell Austinites why she deserves their vote for mayor. We’ve already interviewed candidates Jeffery Bowen and Doug Greco, and we’ll publish interviews with the remaining candidates in the next few weeks. 

We’d like to thank Tecovas, who makes our favorite Western wear in town, for being our exclusive launch sponsor. 

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For today’s Friday News Roundup, Hey Austin newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec join host Nikki DaVaughn to discuss the news that caught our eye this week. On the agenda: An Austin business that struck grain-free chip gold, a crisis in one of Austin’s iconic downtown districts, and the passport that you need to get your hands on — and it’s not the one you’re thinking of. Plus, stick around after the roundup for our Don’t Go Gently tip for this weekend. 

We’d like to thank Tecovas, who makes our favorite Western wear in town, for being our exclusive launch sponsor. 

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Who should you see at Austin City Limits Music Festival this year? Which weekend is better? And what are the most crucial items to pack in your tiny bag? With the festival upon us, Deborah Sengupta Stith and Mars Salazar of the Austin American-Statesman join host Nikki DaVaughn to share all their wisdom and help you plan your schedule. 

We’d like to thank Tecovas, who makes our favorite Western wear in town, for being our exclusive launch sponsor. 

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