Introducing WTF's Up at the White House, Vatican in Crisis, & Satellites Uncover Animal Poaching from NEWSGIRLS.

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In this episode, the Newsgirls ask WTF is going on with the Trump administration?! From immigration gold cards to 150 year-olds getting Social Security payments to shutting down Pride clubs at schools, is it all rage bait or serious policy? 

Then, Wren & Mabel take you behind the scenes of the Vatican as the pope fights for his life. They speak to an expert about Pope Francis’s legacy, top candidates for his replacement and the crisis at the top of the Catholic Church. 

Finally, the Newsgirls get an inside look at the Smithsonian’s satellite tracking projects and how they’ve saved countless endangered animals, including elephants from a poaching ring in Myanmar. 

SOURCES:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wqpxdf-cKIJDBGjOizJIbWcd_sGjTDr-mlQAAZYhjJo/edit?tab=t.0

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DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

The Texas Legislature is moving bills along, our state agencies are changing under the Trump administration, and there’s a ton going on in town this weekend. TGIF, y’all, it’s time for the Friday News Round Up. Host Nikki DaVaughn, executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec, and Hey Austin newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw are getting into some of the biggest news in town this week. We discuss how Gov. Greg Abbott is “Trumpifying” Texas, by requiring state employees — of which there are nearly 70,000 in Austin — to return to the office, and fired an employee who refused to remove pronouns from his email signature. We also get into an update on some bills that are stuck, progressing, and upcoming at the Texas Legislature. Plus, how are you celebrating International Women’s Day? We’ve got some ideas. 

If you enjoyed the interview with Austin Bergstrom's International Airport Public Information Office Division Manager, Kimmie Hey, learn more here!

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Introducing Flight of the Monarchs: Jaime Rojo on Beauty and Conservation from Know What You See with Brian Lowery.

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National Geographic photographer and conservationist Jaime Rojo has spent decades capturing the beauty and fragility of the monarch butterfly. Their epic migration is one of nature’s most breathtaking spectacles, but their survival is under threat. In this episode, Jaime shares how his passion for photography and conservation led him to document the monarchs’ journey. He and host Brian Lowery discuss the deeper story behind his award-winning images, one about resilience, connection, and the urgent need to protect our natural world.
See Jaime's story on the monarch butterflies at his website: rojovisuals.com, and follow Brian Lowery at knowwhatyousee.com.

DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

Perhaps the most mysterious part of South by Southwest to many folks is the film and television portion — which gets underway this weekend. Did you know that local Austinites qualify for special discounts? Join host Nikki DaVaughn as she uncovers the mysteries of the SXSW Film and TV Festival with Eric Webb, a festival programming associate and film aficionado. With more than a decade of festivals under his belt, Webb shares all about Austinites-only discounts, the best way to get into screenings, and dishes on the celebrities that you can expect to see on the red carpet this year. 

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Introducing How Rwanda Reinvented Itself from Peak Travel.

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Many westerners associate Rwanda with the brutal genocide that overtook the country 30 years ago. But since then, Rwanda has made a huge investment in tourism — building new infrastructure, museums, music venues, and more. Now, it’s one of the most popular destinations in Africa. In this episode: Rwanda’s rebirth, how tourism has changed the country, and why this compelling narrative is more complicated than it appears.

DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

Philanthropic giving in Austin has been flat for the past few years on Amplify Austin, a 24-hour period of giving that this year features 750 local nonprofits. But what donors do this year will be a bellwether, according to today’s guest, Piper Stege Nelson, executive director of I Live Here, I Give Here, which puts on Amplify Austin. Nelson joins host Nikki DaVaughn to discuss why giving is seemingly stagnant in Austin, how Austinites could do better, and the new category of organizations in need of amplification this year. 

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Introducing Alaska’s Risky Bet on Cruises from Peak Travel.

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Cruises are coming to dominate the tourism industry, offering accessible and affordable vacations. And many local economies rely heavily on them to stay afloat. But activists, scientists, and residents worry about their impact on the community and the environment. Alaska has seen a boom in the cruise industry, and many of the communities affected are Indigenous. We visit two Alaskan towns to see who’s really on board.  

DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

South by Southwest can be intimidating, overwhelming, and ridiculously expensive. But for today’s guest, Austinite Lisa Hernandez, if you’re shelling out for anything at SXSW, you’re doing it wrong. She joins host Nikki DaVaughn to chat about how to enjoy — and we mean truly enjoy — the festival for free, from the apps to download in preparation, to the accounts to follow, and all of our best tips and tricks. Anything is possible, and you never know what’s around the corner (or in the underground parking garage), as you’ll hear when they reminisce about their best free moments and do-not-miss traditions in a dozen-plus years of attendance.  

Plus, if you enjoyed the interview with Rodeo Austin's Joel Anderson, learn more here!

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Introducing Media Bends Knee to Trump?, Not Awful News Roundup, & Sports Betting: the New Tobacco from NEWSGIRLS.

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In this episode, hear from a New York Times media reporter about all the disruptions in the journalism industry and how President Trump is changing the media landscape. His lawsuit against 60 Minutes? Major overhaul at the Washington Post? Post election ratings?

Then Wren & Mabel unveil a brand new segment- The Not Awful News Roundup! From QR codes on bees and addiction-free pain medication to no more red dye #3 in food, all these stories will leave you feeling more hopeful about the world. 

Finally, the Newsgirls explore the dark side of sports betting. They report on the disturbing statistics, the flashy advertisements, and all the lawsuits against the biggest sports betting companies.

SOURCES: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ukNjgIv2Hh3D6KFI81ID1W5m-Y2f6a-VqPN_tYTNtl8/edit?tab=t.0

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DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

Watching the California fires spread this year was scary — especially if you’re the assistant chief of the wildfire division in the fifth most at-risk city for wildfires in the country. Carrie Stewart is back with host Nikki DaVaughn to talk about what the firefighters who were dispatched to Los Angeles learned about what Austin should do right now, and how the fall fire season is looking for Central Texas. Plus, the easy steps you can take to harden your home so it’s less likely to catch on fire, if flames ever do get close, like: Join the hundreds of Austinites who’ve requested a structural ignition zone evaluation. 

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