KUT News Now

Central Texas top stories for August 4, 2025. More than 50 Texas House Democrats have fled the state to prevent Republicans from passing a heavily redrawn congressional map, aimed at securing five extra seats for the GOP in the midterm elections. Flood survivors from Travis County’s Sandy Creek area attended a recent hearing with state lawmakers and local officials discussing the response to last month’s disaster. The Trump administration wants cities and counties to crack down on homeless encampments. Liberty Hill is the latest place in Central Texas to receive an ‘International Dark Sky Community’ designation.

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 August 4, 2025: More than 50 Texas House Democrats have fled the state to prevent Republicans from passing a heavily redrawn congressional map appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for August 1, 2025. Imam Mossad served Austin’s Muslim community for more than 15 years, providing spiritual counseling and leading sermons. Cedar Park’s Firefly Aerospace wants to fly annual lunar missions. The number of days with triple-digit high temperatures has been growing this week.

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 August 1, 2025: Funeral services for Imam Islam Mossad are being held this afternoon appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

After deadly flash flooding in the Hill Country and Austin area over the July 4, 2025, holiday weekend, people were warned to stay off the Highland Lakes, and the Lower Colorado River Authority had to open some floodgates.  This is often what happens in the aftermath of intense rains and flooding. But what is actually going on when that happens? What are the Highland Lakes, and how do these dams work? KUT’s Jennifer Stayton turned to KUT’s Energy and Environment reporter Mose Buchele for this dam explainer.

The post Interview: Recent Austin area flash flooding focused attention on the Highland Lakes and dam system. Here’s how it works and why we have it in the first place. appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for August 1, 2025. Austin City Council members yesterday signaled they’re interested in putting a tax increase to voters this fall. Major staffing changes at the Austin ISD central administrative office take effect today. State Lawmakers in Texas met in Kerrville yesterday to hear from local officials and residents who survived the July 4th floods. Local officials in areas along the Guadalupe River have for the first time confirmed a 40-minute lag in sending out mass warnings during last month’s deadly floods. A new Westlake Drive Bridge over Loop 360 is scheduled to open as soon as tonight.

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 August 1, 2025: Austin City Council members signaled they’re interested in putting a tax increase to voters this fall appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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.