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Central Texas top stories for June 13, 2025. Frontier Airlines launched nonstop service to San Diego this week, just one of several changes to the flight schedule at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Two tornadoes touched down briefly in Hays County. Officials from the University Interscholastic League say they will continue to study a proposal to make girls’ flag football an official varsity sport in Texas. The City of Austin wants people’s feedback for a 2026 General Obligation Bond. Juneteenth celebrations ramp up at the Carver Museum this weekend. 

The post KUT Morning Newscast for June 13, 2025: New flights are coming to ABIA  appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for June 12, 2025. A Flood Watch is in effect until seven o’clock for Hays, Travis, Williamson and more counties to the northeast. Another round of protests is expected Saturday night in downtown Austin. A tornado touched down in Hays County just south of Wimberly early this morning.

The post KUT Afternoon Newscast for June 12, 2025: Austin city leaders are prepared to allow people to peacefully demonstrate on Saturday appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for June 12, 2025. A Flood Watch is in effect for much of Central Texas until 7 p.m. Austin’s Mayor Kirk Watson says he was notified that the Texas National Guard will be ready to respond to protests this weekend. A report says the TCEQ permitted three new natural gas power plant projects in violation of the Clean Air Act. A judge has ruled a redevelopment of the former Statesman offices can go forward after a challenge from Save Our Springs Alliance. 

The post KUT Morning Newscast for June 12, 2025: Central Texas is under a Flood Watch until 7 tonight appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for June 11, 2025. The City of Austin has been notified that the Texas National Guard will be ready to respond this weekend to scheduled protests. Austin and Travis County leaders are celebrating improvements in the local response to the opioid crisis. A judge on Tuesday upheld an Austin vote on redevelopment along the shores of Lady Bird Lake. A vote on a proposal to improve three Austin ISD middle schools that have received failing grades from the state has been delayed.

The post KUT Afternoon Newscast for June 11, 2025: The Texas National Guard is ready to respond to protests in Austin this weekend appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Are you holding your smartphone right now, or is it at least nearby? We all know it can be extremely difficult to let go of those devices and all the access they provide, even for just a bit.

But during this summer vacation season, what about taking a vacation from your smartphone? Adrian Ward is an Associate Professor of Marketing at UT Austin’s McCombs School of Business. He and some researchers wanted to follow up on their hunch that a smartphone vacation could bring some lasting benefits, but they knew it could be tricky to investigate. KUT’s Jennifer Stayton talked with him about what they found.

The post Interview: UT-Austin researcher confirms the benefits of a smartphone “vacation” appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for June 11, 2025. Austin and Travis County leaders are celebrating improvements in the local response to the opioid crisis. Texas high school students this year did better in math and science on state standardized tests than they did in 2024. Hays County Commissioners voted unanimously to pass a resolution for the humane treatment of immigrants. The University Interscholastic League will hear a proposal to recognize girls flag football as an official sport. 

The post KUT Morning Newscast for June 11, 2025: Austin and Travis County leaders celebrate improvements in the response to the opioid crisis  appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for June 10, 2025. Austin police arrested 8 protestors Monday night following demonstrations downtown against President Trump’s immigration crackdown. Hays County Commissioners voted unanimously to pass a resolution for the humane treatment of immigrants. A bill headed to Governor Abbott’s desk would raise the threshold needed for property owners to protest a neighbor’s construction plans. The City of Austin’s offering grants to local organizations working on food, climate equity and resilience.

The post KUT Afternoon Newscast for June 10, 2025: Austin police arrested 8 protestors following demonstrations downtown against President Trump’s immigration crackdown appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for June 10, 2025. Law enforcement officers used an eye irritant to disperse people protesting the Trump’s administration’s mass deportation efforts. Some students expect their tuition and fees to be more than double after the Texas Dream Act was struck down last week. A bill lawmakers hope will make it harder to stop or stall new housing has been sent to the governor’s desk. Juneteenth celebrations start in Austin today. FACE grant applications are open until July 17th.  

The post KUT Morning Newscast for June 10, 2025: Hundreds march in downtown Austin to protest Trump immigration crackdown appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for June 9, 2025. Undocumented students are preparing to pay higher tuition rates at public colleges and universities after a judge last week struck down the Texas Dream Act. Rain in the forecast this week could be helpful in bringing life back to Jacobs Well. Williamson County’s Regional Animal Shelter is now offering “reunion stations” to help lost pets get home faster.

The post KUT Afternoon Newscast for June 9, 2025: Undocumented students are preparing to pay higher tuition rates at public colleges and universities appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Three related bills prompted substantial discussions in the Texas House and Senate this year. Two of them passed. KUT’s Olivia Aldridge tells us about the main abortion bills that were part of the conversation at the Texas Legislature this year.

The post Here’s what happened with abortion at the Texas Legislature this year appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.