Central Texas top stories for March 21, 2025. A bill aimed at clarifying the medical exception to the Texas abortion ban was filed this week in the state legislature. Arrivals from Houston and Dallas were halted at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport this morning. Leander is working to secure access to water for its growing population. Longhorn Women’s Basketball Team kicks off its NCAA tournament campaign this weekend.

The post KUT Afternoon Newscast for March 21, 2025: The Texas Legislature looks to clarify abortion exemptions. appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for March 21, 2025. As the measles outbreak in West Texas continues, Texas congressional representatives are demanding answers from national health officials. Landlords in Travis County filed more than 13-thousand evictions last year. Religious leaders in Austin have joined two federal lawsuits challenging an executive order by the Trump administration that allows immigration enforcement in previously protected spaces, including places of worship. Travis County leaders want to hear from residents about how they should spend about 75 million dollars on child care services this year. 

The post KUT Morning Newscast for March 21, 2025: Texas congressional representatives demand answers from national health officials on measles outbreak  appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for March 20, 2025. A tenant advocacy group says landlords filed the highest number of evictions last year in Travis County. Public education advocates in Austin are criticizing President Trump’s decision to dismantle the Department of Education. Austin officially has its first-ever poet laureate.

The post KUT Afternoon Newscast for March 20, 2025: State lawmakers are considering a bill that could speed up the eviction process for landlords. appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Last November, then-new Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis released a 100-day Action Plan called “Building Officer and Community Safety and Trust.” Earlier this year, before that 100-day marker, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton talked with Davis about her plans for the Department.

The post Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis talks about her 100-day Action Plan appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for March 20, 2025. The city of Austin has a poet laureate for the first time ever. A state lawmaker wants to create the District of Austin, putting the city under state oversight. Firefly Aerospace concluded its first moon mission, and now we have images of the lunar sunset. Texas men basketball team is out of the NCAA after losing to Xavier. 

The post KUT Morning Newscast for March 20, 2025: Austin has chosen its first-ever poet laureate.  appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for March 19, 2025. The Austin area is under a red flag warning again today. APD fired an officer after he pleaded guilty to an on-duty assault charge. State lawmakers heard testimony today on a bill that would put Austin under state oversight. The Texas men’s basketball team plays Xavier tonight for a chance to compete in the NCAA College Basketball Tournament.

The post KUT Afternoon Newscast for March 19, 2025: What’s up with all the Red Flag Warnings? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

As women’s sports gain more popularity, the first women’s sport bar in Texas is opening its doors. 1972 Pub is right across from UT’s campus in Austin and is committed to only showing women’s sports. The Texas Standard’s Sara Asch tells us fans are overjoyed.

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Central Texas top stories for March 19, 2025. A Red Flag Warning is in effect today for all of Central and South Texas until nine tonight, but what does that mean? The Crabapple fire north of Fredericksburg is now 90 percent contained. The City of Austin’s hosting an Emergency Preparedness pop-up today to help people prepare for wildfires and other weather-related hazards. For at least six months, the Texas DMV has been tracking drivers who have tried to change the sex listed on their driver’s licenses. Texas lawmakers are considering a bill to prohibit local governments from having guaranteed income programs. 

The post KUT Morning Newscast for March 19, 2025: The state of Texas has been collecting information on trans people without their knowledge. appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for March 18, 2025. A bill filed in the Texas Senate could change the way Travis County voters have cast their ballots for more than 10 years. A bill to restrict cellphone use in classrooms has bipartisan support. Most of Central Texas is under a Wind Advisory until tonight, with a Red Flag Warning starting tomorrow morning.

The post KUT Afternoon Newscast for March 18, 2025: A bill filed in the Texas Senate could change the way Travis County voters have cast their ballots for more than 10 years. appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

A perfect storm of weather conditions left Gillespie County particularly vulnerable to fire, and Saturday afternoon a very bad one broke out near Crabapple Road, near Fredericksburg. Texas Public Radio’s Jack Morgan went to Fredericksburg to talk to neighbors. 

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