Early voting is officially underway for the Democratic and Republican primaries and Austin voters are weighing in on some high-profile races in Texas. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec to discuss the latest primary developments, including a new voter tipline aimed at protecting "the voting process," and why The Late Show with Stephen Colbert pulled an interview with Texas State Representative James Talarico. Plus, the team dives into the buzz on MML Hospitality's newest get and why a picture of a highway flyover is going viral. Click here for more information on Austin Public Library's centennial celebrations. 

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Will this be the year that Texas turns blue? Or is it more likely that Austin turns slightly more red? Early voting begins today in the run-up to the March 3 Democratic and Republican primaries, which are the precursors for the November midterm elections. And while the big race on everyone’s mind is the Democratic primary race for U.S. Senate, lots of local and state-wide races will be on Travis County voters’ ballots, too. In this two-part episode, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by KUT state capital reporter Blaise Gainey and the Austin American-Statesman’s Alex Driggars to get you primary-ready. This episode was mistakenly published on President's Day, while we were off. We’re sorry for the confusion.

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All eyes have been on the Twin Cities lately, including Austinites'. Operation Metro Surge is reportedly ending in Minnesota, with the withdrawal of immigration agents expected over the next week. Over the last two months, though, residents of the Twin Cities have organized a range of local collective action efforts including protests, mutual aid, and monitoring ICE — and they’ve done it quickly. In this inaugural episode of “Your City Could Be Better,” City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Twin Cities podcast host Sean McPherson about how his community self-organized, why these networks have been so successful, and what other cities can take away from Minnesotans’ response to Operation Metro Surge. Plus, we have a D.C. vs. Twin Cities face-off on local cultural norms.

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Dating in Austin isn't easy, and for some of y'all, dating here can be downright brutal. In honor of Valentine's Day, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec and account executive Dan Weinstock to share some of our listeners' best, worst, and most chaotic attempts at finding love in our city. Plus, the team unpacks the student newspaper investigation into a former UT professor's connection to Jeffrey Epstein (quick note: this discussion contains adult topics), and explains why a group is still fighting to halt construction on the new convention center. Running the Austin Marathon this weekend? Don't forget to check out these events happening around town!

Check out our new City Cast podcast "Your City Could Be Better" on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted by CEO David Plotz, this week's inaugural episode features the host of City Cast Twin Cities talking about how Minneapolis and St. Paul mobilized so quickly and broadly against the months-long ICE operation there.

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Is Austin still weird? The jury may be out these days. But to one visiting superstar, Austin’s groovy — and that may be even better. Suzy Eddie Izzard extended her run at The Paramount Theater after five sold-out shows, and is performing all 23 characters in “The Tragedy of Hamlet” for local audiences through this weekend. But why did Austin make the cut on the activist and marathon runner’s world tour? Izzard joins host Nikki DaVaughn to explain. 

And don’t forget — tonight is our City Cast Austin Trivia Night! Join us for a night of fun for all, with special perks for our City Cast Austin Neighbors (it’s not too late to join and get said perks at membership.citycast.fm!). RSVP here. 

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Austin is a Gen Z hotspot, ranking 8th in the U.S. in a recent report, with tens of thousands of the 20 to 24-year-olds in town. So, what is it about Austin that attracts these young adults, who celebrated milestones of their senior high school years on screen during the COVID-19 pandemic? And why are they throwing raves in coffee shops on Saturday mornings? Shouldn’t they still be hungover? Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Meher Yeda, a fact-checker with Texas Monthly who wrote about Gen Z, to better understand. Plus, Yeda fills us in on the real reason Gen Zers don’t drink (hint: It’s less IRL than you might think) and shares her predictions for what they’ll be into in their 30s.  

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If you were watching the Super Bowl in Austin on Sunday, you probably missed State Representative James Talarico's Senate campaign ad. That's because the Texas Democrat, raised money and purchased a $100,000 spot that aired exclusively in Houston. So was it money well spent? On this week's Tuesday News Roundup, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by producers Elissa Castles and Eva Ruth Moravec to talk about the money fueling the Senate primary race, including why Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is coming up short on big-donor support. Plus, the latest construction headaches on I-35 and the reason Police Chief Lisa Davis was booed by community members last week. 

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Austin has largely been spared the sweeping ICE raids seen in other U.S. cities, but incidents like a recent ICE chase that ended in a crash suggest enforcement activity is becoming more visible here. Did you know that a quarter of all ICE arrests happen in Texas? Executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec sits down with Krystal Gomez, managing attorney at Texas Immigration Law Council, to discuss what ICE operations look like on the ground and what to do if you're involved in or witness an ICE arrest. Remember: you have the right to remain silent. 

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The Texas Education Agency released new guidance this week outlining potential consequences for school districts if students participate in political activism deemed “inappropriate.” The move comes after Gov. Greg Abbott and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton called for investigations into the Austin Independent School District following viral videos of mass student protests. On this week’s Friday News Roundup, host Nikki DaVaughn and producers Elissa Castles and Eva Ruth Moravec break down what the state guidance entails and what it could mean for student expression going forward. Plus, a look at which Austinites appeared in the Epstein files, and a peek at our weekend plans. Where are you getting chicken wings for Super Bowl Sunday? Let us know! And don't forget to RSVP to our trivia night next week.

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You might know that Austin got its name from Stephen F. Austin, the father of Texas, but chances are you drive on streets, bridges, and past buildings named after other Austinites, and you have no idea who they are. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined today by Adam Powell, the executive director of the Austin History Center Association, who shares the stories behind some of Austin’s namesakes, like the newspaper man who helped bring The University of Texas to Austin, the World War II vet-turned magician who made incredible clothing, the man who successfully challenged the so-called Hollywood blacklist, and the alderman who died in the fight to rename 19th Street after Martin Luther King, Jr. 

This episode originally aired on Sept. 5, 2025. 

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