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Central Texas top stories for August 22, 2025. Congressman Lloyd Doggett has said he won’t run for re-election if the new redistricting map goes into effect. The UT System Board of Regents has signed off on a new contract for Athletic Director Chris Del Conte to keep him on the Forty Acres through 2036. There’s a dispute over how much property tax should be paid by the Tesla Gigafactory. The owners of Cheer Up Charlies say they will close at the end of the month unless they can pay overdue rent. Travis County is hosting a resource fair for people affected by July’s Sandy Creek flooding.

This podcast is made at KUT Public Media Studios. 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 August 22, 2025: What new maps mean for Austin’s congressional districts appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for August 22, 2025. The City of Austin is considering changes to how it disposes of garbage, that could mean a new “transfer station.” Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is getting closer to nailing down a ten-year deal with the biggest airlines. The UT System Board of Regents has signed off on a nearly $40 million contract for Vice President and Athletic Director Chris Del Conte. This weekend is Austin’s Pride Parade. 

The post KUT Morning Newscast for August 22, 2025: The City of Austin is considering changes to how it disposes of garbage appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for August 21, 2025. A new congressional map aimed at helping Republicans win five seats currently held by Democrats is now in the hands of the Texas Senate. The exact size of Austin’s airport expansion is starting to lock into place. Congressman Chip Roy announced today that he’s running for the Republican nomination for Texas Attorney General. The City of Austin is trying to bring back overnight vet care services at the Austin Animal Center. Assistant City Manager Eddie Garcia is leaving Austin to become Fort Worth police chief.

This podcast is made at KUT Public Media Studios. 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 August 21, 2025: The Texas House passed a new district map designed to give Republicans an edge in Congress appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for August 21, 2025. The Texas House passed a new congressional map designed to help Republicans flip five Democratic districts in the next midterms. A federal judge has temporarily blocked Texas from requiring public schools to display the Ten Commandments in some school districts, including Austin. Last time a bill to ban THC products passed at the Legislature Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed it, could it be different on a second time around? Travis County will soon stop free curbside flood debris pickup service in areas affected by the July 5th floods. 

The post KUT Morning Newscast for August 21, 2025: The Texas House passed a new congressional map designed to give Republicans an edge in Congress appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for August 20, 2025. The map is designed to flip five U.S. House seats from Democrat to Republican in next year’s midterm elections. A federal judge is blocking a new Texas law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every public school classroom. Liberty Hill ISD plans to ask voters to approve increases to the tax rate this November to make up for a budget shortfall. The men serving as interim UT Austin president and interim UT System Chancellor are now confirmed for those positions. The Zilker Eagle is off the rails again because of a broken axle.

This podcast is made at KUT Public Media Studios. 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 August 20, 2025: Members of the Texas House are debating a new congressional district map ahead of a vote expected today appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for August 20, 2025. Eviction filings in the Austin area are the highest they’ve been in five years. Hays CISD is putting a tax rate election on the ballot this fall. The Texas Capitol will go back to regular activates today after it was evacuated yesterday evening. The Texas Senate passed a bill that would require government buildings to only allow people to use bathrooms that align with the gender that was assigned to them at birth. There’s an emergency preparedness pop-up event happening today. 

The post KUT Morning Newscast for August 20, 2025: Eviction filings in the Austin area are the highest they’ve been in five years appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for August 19, 2025. House Democrats are back in Texas and the House Speaker wants to keep it that way to push through new Congressional maps. ACC and immigrant rights advocates are trying to intervene in a case that ended access to in-state tuition for students without legal status in Texas. A bridge over Cow Creek in Northwest Travis County is open again. Voters in the Hays school district will decide whether to give themselves a roughly 15% tax rate increase. A ban on outdoor burning was lifted today for parts of Northwest Travis County.

This podcast is made at KUT Public Media Studios. 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 August 19, 2025: A Texas Democrat is sleeping at the Texas Capitol to protest GOP redistricting and state trooper escorts appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for August 20, 2025. Today’s the first day of class for 70 thousand AISD students. Texas House Democrats returned to Austin on Monday, ending their 2-week-long walkout and restoring the chamber’s quorum. Austin Community College has been awarded $3.6 million from the state to help create a new semiconductor manufacturing lab. Is it a summer cold… Or is it COVID-19? 

The post KUT Morning Newscast for August 19, 2025: Texas House Democrats return to Capitol after two-week walkout appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for August 18, 2025. The City of Austin is being sued over its upcoming tax rate election over the language on the ballot. Austin ISD goes back to school tomorrow, but some families have been struggling with enrollment before the big first day. State oil and gas regulators are not adequately ensuring that critical energy facilities are ready for another big winter storm. New Mexico is still feeling the effects of the West Texas measles outbreak.

This podcast is made at KUT Public Media Studios. 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 August 18, 2025: The City of Austin is being sued over its upcoming tax rate election appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Tariffs, job cuts, tragic flooding, and a fatal shooting in Austin. The news cycle can be exhausting for some, how does that impact us? KUT’s Jennifer Stayton spoke with with Central Texas neuropsychotherapist Bella J. Rockman about it.

The post Some people feel the news are overwhelming right now. Experts say there’s a way to cope. appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.