Central Texas top stories for December 26, 2024. Another round of bills filed by Texas’s GOP majority for the upcoming legislative session aim to overrule Austin’s left-leaning city policies. A new report shows Texas will face a long-term water deficit if it fails to develop new supplies before another multi-year drought. The City of Austin is launching its holiday tree recycling program today.

The post KUT Morning Newscast for December 26, 2024 appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for December 23, 2024. The City of Austin has approved plans for building 200 new homes since passing HOME Phase 1. The Texas Longhorns emerged victorious from the first round of the College Football Playoff. 125th Annual Christmas Bird Count is underway. Several City of Austin facilities and services will close for the holidays.

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Central Texas top stories for December 20, 2024. Hearing goes on at Texas Capitol without Death Row inmate called to testify. Austin opening cold weather shelters tonight. Busy but cheery day at Austin airport. Preventing the spread of bird flu. Austin home prices plateau. Texas football in playoff game Saturday. Austin-area high school football team in state championship games Saturday. 

The post KUT Afternoon Newscast for December 20, 2024 appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

There has been a lot of talk about how the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump might impact local public education. Will they try to eliminate the Department of Education? What about a potential nationwide push for a school voucher program?

But what exactly is the existing relationship between the federal government and local public schools? To find out more, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton spoke with Morgan Craven. She is the National Director of Policy, Advocacy and Community Engagement for the Intercultural Development Research Association. It is an independent organization that works for equal educational opportunity for students via strong public schools. They talked over Zoom about how the federal government and local public schools interact.

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Central Texas top stories for December 20, 2024. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a motion to prevent Texas death row inmate Robert Roberson from testifying. More homes are selling in the Austin area than this time last year. Cold Weather Shelters will open tonight in Austin. Hear all the details of tomorrow’s football game, it’s the Longhorns against the Clemson Tigers.

The post KUT Morning Newscast for December 20, 2024 appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for December 19, 2024. Hundreds of Texas school districts collectively owe the federal government 16 million dollars. Daniel Perry, a former Army sergeant convicted of murder in 2020, faces a misdemeanor charge after getting pardoned by Texas Governor Greg Abbott. Over 100 people experiencing homelessness have been moved from their camps to city shelters. Over 600 Austin-area workers will be laid off in February. There was some welcome rain in the area in the past week, but it was not enough to change the drought situation in the area.

The post KUT Afternoon Newscast for December 19, 2024 appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for December 19, 2024. Some of “Old Austin” businesses closed this year. The City of Kyle is warning residents to stay away from feral hogs. ABIA is expecting more travelers this weekend, be prepared.

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Central Texas top stories for December 18, 2024. Today is the deadline for enrolling in health insurance through the Affordable Care Act for coverage beginning January 1st. Austin ISD will vote on whether to renew a contract with the charter school network that operates Webb Middle School. Round Rock ISD is limiting who can challenge its library books and course materials. Central Health officials have been getting pressed by Travis County Commissioners about conflicts with CommUnityCare. A cold front this morning will keep temperatures down through the weekend.

The post KUT Afternoon Newscast for December 18, 2024 appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The recent shooting at a K through 12th grade private school in Madison, Wisconsin has brought attention once again to school safety and how school violence can impact children’s mental health. This school year started out with a slew of threats against schools in Central Texas, which turned out to be hoaxes. But that raised questions about how even the threat of violence, or perhaps even the drills to prepare for it, might also impact mental health. KUT’s Jennifer Stayton spoke earlier this fall about all of that with Chelsea Romero. She is the Senior Director of Programs and a clinician at Austin Child Guidance Center.

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Central Texas top stories for December 18, 2024. Travis County Commissioners pressed leaders of Central Health about conflicts with CommUnityCare. Texas death row inmate Robert Roberson has been subpoenaed to testify this Friday on his case. Round Rock is changing who can ban or restrict books in school. Lake Travis school superintendent was placed on paid leave after misconduct allegations.

The post KUT Morning Newscast for December 18, 2024 appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.