Central Texas top stories for July 31, 2025. The newly-drawn congressional district maps released this week by Texas Republicans would have big implications for voters in Travis County. The organizers of Austin’s annual LGBTQ Pride festival say they’re facing a funding shortfall. The Austin City Council is signaling its willingness to ask voters for that approval in November. Renting an electric bike from Capital Metro will cost more starting tomorrow. We have entered the hottest part of the summer in Austin.

This podcast is made at KUT and KUTX, which are public radio stations in Austin, Texas. You may have heard that Congress just took back the money it had allocated for public radio. Our organization stands to lose 1.2 million dollars. We’re asking our listeners now to help us make up this shortfall. If you want to help us out, you can make a donation at supportthispodcast.org.

The post KUT Afternoon Newscast for July 31, 2025: Newly-drawn congressional district maps released this week by Texas Republicans would set up a showdown for the remaining Democratic seat in the Austin area appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for July 31, 2025. Texas Republicans have released a proposed map to redraw the state’s congressional districts. The City of Austin plans to pass its budget within the next few weeks. The organizers of Austin’s annual LGBTQ Pride festival say they’re facing a funding shortfall this year. One of Austin’s best-kept parking secrets will disappear in the coming weeks.

KUT News Now is made at KUT Public Media Studios. You may have heard that Congress just took back the money it had allocated for public media. Our organization stands to lose 1.2 million dollars. We’re asking our listeners now to help us make up this shortfall. If you want to help us out, you can make a donation at supportthispodcast.org.

The post KUT Morning Newscast for July 31, 2025: Texas Republicans have released a proposed map to redraw the state’s congressional districts appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for July 30, 2025. Travis County is using its emergency authority to raise property taxes to pay to repair damage caused by this month’s flooding. Austin is in the homestretch of its budget season. Austin Police are asking for help from the public as they try to find a man accused of attacking a trans woman. Hays County has confirmed its first human case of West Nile virus this season. We’re starting to see afternoon high temperatures befitting the historically hottest part of the summer.

This podcast is made at KUT and KUTX, which are public radio stations in Austin, Texas. You may have heard that Congress just took back the money it had allocated for public radio. Our organization stands to lose 1.2 million dollars. We’re asking our listeners now to help us make up this shortfall. If you want to help us out, you can make a donation at supportthispodcast.org. 

The post KUT Afternoon Newscast for July 30, 2025: Travis County is raising property taxes to pay for flood damage repairs appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

New research from the United Nations finds women all over the world are having fewer children than ever before. But haven’t we been hearing for decades that the world’s population is getting too big for the planet to support and a smaller population would be better? Two University of Texas at Austin Associate Economics professors have a new book out challenging some assumptions about population size and the health of the planet. KUT’s Jennifer Stayton talked recently with Dean Spears and Mike Geruso about their book After the Spike: Population, Progress, and the Case for People. Spears speaks first about where things stand with the world’s population.

The post KUT Interview: The world’s growing population is heading toward a decline. Isn’t that better for the planet? Two UT-Austin professors argue maybe not. appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for July 30, 2025. The Austin City Council is set to decide tomorrow whether to ask voters to approve a  property tax rate hike. Some school programs set to be cut due to pauses in federal funding can continue. Fort Cavazos in Killeen was renamed back to Fort Hood this week.

KUT News Now is made at KUT Public Media Studios. You may have heard that Congress just took back the money it had allocated for public media. Our organization stands to lose 1.2 million dollars. We’re asking our listeners now to help us make up this shortfall. If you want to help us out, you can make a donation at supportthispodcast.org.

The post KUT Morning Newscast for July 30, 2025: Austin city leaders will soon decide whether to ask voters to approve a property tax hike appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for July 29, 2025. The Texas Senate had another in a series of hearings today on redrawing congressional districts at the behest of President Trump. Hays County is looking to make the most of its water supply. Tesla says it’s struck a deal with Samsung to produce semiconductor chips at the South Korean company’s forthcoming plant in Taylor. East Austin has a new pocket park. Humidity has been so low this afternoon that the heat index has been lower than the air temperature in the Austin area.

This podcast is made at KUT and KUTX, which are public radio stations in Austin, Texas. You may have heard that Congress just took back the money it had allocated for public radio. Our organization stands to lose 1.2 million dollars. We’re asking our listeners now to help us make up this shortfall. If you want to help us out, you can make a donation at supportthispodcast.org.

The post KUT Afternoon Newscast for July 29, 2025: The Texas Senate had another hearing on redrawing congressional districts appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for July 29, 2025. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a legal petition against a New York county clerk in an ongoing battle over conflicting state abortion laws. The Texas Senate’s Special Committee on Congressional Redistricting on Monday held the third of four scheduled meetings. The Austin area is returning to hot, dry weather this week after an unusually wet start to the month.

KUT News Now is made at KUT Public Media Studios. You may have heard that Congress just took back the money it had allocated for public media. Our organization stands to lose 1.2 million dollars. We’re asking our listeners now to help us make up this shortfall. If you want to help us out, you can make a donation at supportthispodcast.org.

The post KUT Morning Newscast for July 29, 2025: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton files a legal petition in an ongoing battle over conflicting state abortion laws appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for July 28, 2025. A lawsuit filed by school districts had blocked the T-E-A from releasing the 2024 A-through-F grades, until now. Central Health has unveiled its proposed budget for the next fiscal year. You can learn more about what is in the proposed Austin budget at a variety of town hall meetings starting today. The Marble Falls Volunteer Fire Department is planning a memorial for Chief Michael Philips.

This podcast is made at KUT and KUTX, which are public radio stations in Austin, Texas. You may have heard that Congress just took back the money it had allocated for public radio. Our organization stands to lose 1.2 million dollars. We’re asking our listeners now to help us make up this shortfall. If you want to help us out, you can make a donation at supportthispodcast.org.

The post KUT Afternoon Newscast for July 28, 2025: The Texas Education Agency is about to release school accountability ratings for the last two years appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for July 28, 2025. Texas state lawmakers heard public testimony in Houston Saturday as part of mid-decade congressional redistricting. Storms brought deadly flooding, but also refilled Austin’s water reservoirs. People in Travis County impacted by flash flooding earlier this month can now get federal help at a different location. Kyle voters could vote to impose term limits on city council members this fall.

KUT News Now is made at KUT Public Media Studios. You may have heard that Congress just took back the money it had allocated for public media. Our organization stands to lose 1.2 million dollars. We’re asking our listeners now to help us make up this shortfall. If you want to help us out, you can make a donation at supportthispodcast.org.

The post KUT Morning Newscast for July 28, 2025: Austin’s water reservoirs may be full, but water restrictions won’t disappear overnight appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for July 25, 2025. It could take weeks for CapMetro to repair railroad tracks damaged by recent flooding. The latest in the City of Austin’s efforts to improve the safety of 6th Street. 15 Texas House Democrats are leaving the state to see how top leaders in blue states are dealing with the sweeping new spending and tax legislation passed by Congress this month. Austin hit triple digit temperatures for the first time since mid-May. A former Camp Mystic camper recounts the many memories she wears on her wrist.

This podcast is made at KUT and KUTX, which are public radio stations in Austin, Texas. You may have heard that Congress just took back the money it had allocated for public radio. Our organization stands to lose 1.2 million dollars. We’re asking our listeners now to help us make up this shortfall. If you want to help us out, you can make a donation at supportthispodcast.org.

The post KUT Afternoon Newscast for July 25, 2025: A former Camp Mystic camper recounts the many memories she wears on her wrist appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.