Every day, you drive on streets, bridges, and past buildings named after Austinites who did something amazing — and chances are, 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. The Austin History Center has been undergoing renovations, and reopens this weekend with an event on Sunday, Sept. 7. 

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Austin-area students are back in school, but things are looking a little different this year in classrooms. While the new Texas law requiring schools to display the 10 Commandments is on hold at Austin Independent School District, the law banning cellphones during the school day is in full effect. Three AISD campuses are going through changes to stave off closures for poor performance, and a slew of others are facing closures to help the district fight off a $19.7 million budget deficit. There’s still another year before Texas students will be eligible for school vouchers, but even now, new and innovative private schools — like the AI-driven Alpha School — are coming to town. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Community Impact’s education reporter Chloe Young and Sharon Jayson, a local independent reporter who recently wrote about the district’s new equity assessment for the Austin Free Press, to discuss it all. 

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We made it through the worst of summer weather y’all, congratulations! The kids are back in school, the tourists are starting to come back, and maybe you’re feeling romantic. It’s time to date this city that we all call home — and we’ve got some excellent recommendations on what to do if you’re looking for some me time, some ideas for a great date night, a few things you can do as a family (spoiler alert: Everyone’s going to Bat Fest!). And, if you’re looking for ways to make that budget stretch but still have fun, don’t miss our recent episode on what to eat, drink and do for under $50. 

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

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College is back in session, Cheer Up Charlies was saved from the chopping block, and we’ve made it past 100-degree days. Buckle up for a busy Friday News Roundup, where host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by local drag performer and activist Brigitte Bandit, and University of Texas at Austin junior Genesis Britz, get into it all. Britz tells us what life is really like this semester at UT and how it feels now that UT police have expanded their footprint; while DaVaughn and Bandit share their experiences as past performers at Cheer Ups and what the bar means to them. Finally, with colder temperatures on the way, we share some recommendations for what to do this weekend. And, for more on the conservative-ization of UT, check out our recent interview with Austin Chronicle’s Brant Bingamon. 

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This weekend, Texas Longhorns play Ohio State University, kicking off The University of Texas at Austin’s football season — and the stakes couldn’t be higher. For the first time ever, UT is ranked No. 1, we’ve got a Manning as our quarterback, and the schedule is jam-packed with rivals. Plus, the tailgating scene and pre-game festivities around Darrel K. Royal Memorial Stadium have never been better. Executive Producer Eva Ruth Moravec is joined by superfan Megan Grigsby, who hosts the podcast, Fire the Cannon, and Austin American-Statesman reporter Danny Davis, to talk about all things UT Football. And, if you’re hungry for more burnt orange-themed City Cast Austin coverage, check out our Hey Austin guide to the 2025 Longhorn Football season, and this episode from last year on how to tailgate like a pro. 

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When one bar door closes, another one opens. But is the new ever as good as the old? East Side favorite Nickel City recently landed a spot on North America's Best Bars list, proving that the Austin bar scene can hold its own on the national stage. Yet, we still lose our favorite spots regularly. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined today by beer, food, and drink writer Ruvani de Silva to talk about the shifting bar scene and the must-try new spots in Austin.  

This episode originally aired on May 8. 

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That gasp you heard last Thursday evening? It was Austinites’ surprise at the news that longtime U.S. Congressman Lloyd Doggett is retiring if Texas’ new congressional district map is upheld in court. The new map combines Doggett’s district with parts of that of relative newbie Rep. Greg Casar. And while there is already a legal challenge to the redistricting law, Casar has now announced he will be running for the District 37 seat. It looks like local Democrats are supportive of Doggett’s retirement, but to find out more, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Forrest Wilder, senior writer for Texas Monthly; and Monique Alcala, a former executive director of the Texas Democratic Party based in Austin. 

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It was the Texas Department of Transportation’s construction of the Congress Avenue bridge in the 1980s that first attracted Mexican Freetail bats to Austin, in droves that caused Austinites to push for their extermination. And now, TxDOT is caring for the bats once again, building alternative spots for their roosts as it tears apart bridges over Interstate 35. So to find out how they’re faring in this new living situation, along with what happened to Austin’s bats during the summer rainstorms, executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec is joined by Austin Bat Refuge co-founders, Dianne Odegard and Lee McKenzie. Plus, now is peak bat-watching season, so we’ve got a few tips on how and where to see them best. 

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It's not just you, traffic has indeed gotten worse since AISD went back to school this week. But the congestion on the roadways isn't the only thing changing this school year. Starting September 1, two new Texas laws will go into effect – one that bans cell phones during school hours and one (currently temporarily blocked by a federal judge) that requires schools to display the Ten Commandments. On this week's Friday News Roundup, the City Cast Austin team breaks down these new school rules. Plus, now that the redistricting map is moving forward, Rep. Lloyd Doggett says he won't be seeking reelection if the map is upheld by the courts. The team discusses what shifts are expected for Austin's districts and also, why taxpayers might foot the flood recovery bill. 

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After a 15-year hiatus, “King of the Hill” has been rebooted — and it just may be the very thing that Austinites need to watch right now. As this traditionally liberal city tries to navigate life in President Donald Trump’s America, Mike Judge provides us with just the thing to help bridge gaps and build understanding through the life of Hank Hill. Longtime fan and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec is joined by Austin comedian and writer Brian Gaar to discuss the show’s fortes, shortcomings, and connections to Austin, including the reboot’s debut at last year’s SXSW. Stick around for their predictions on how Bobby Hill’s fusion restaurant would do here, and which neighborhood the Hills et al would call home. 

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