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Central Texas top stories for May 2, 2025. A tornado touched down in Burnet County yesterday, a house and a building were destroyed. Protesters marched down Congress Avenue in Austin yesterday to speak out against the Trump administration. The number of people experiencing homelessness in Austin and the surrounding counties has increased by about 36 percent, according to the latest point-in-time count. Voters will be going to the poles this weekend for the May 3 elections. The Austin Independent School District is working on plans to turn around three campuses that have received several failing grades in a row from the state. 

The post KUT Morning Newscast for May 2, 2025: Roughly 3,200 people experience homelessness in Austin on any given night. appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for May 1, 2025. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for Austin and much of the surrounding area. The Texas Senate has passed an expansive bill that would crack down on abortion pill prescribers and manufacturers. Current and former UT Austin students have filed a federal lawsuit against the University over their arrests during a pro-Palestinian demonstration on campus last year. Starting today, it costs more to park at the airport. May Day ushers in what is historically the rainiest month in Austin.

The post KUT Afternoon Newscast for May 1, 2025: A bill allowing Texans to sue abortion pill distributors passes the Texas Senate. appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

President Donald Trump tried to fire three members of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting even though it’s not a government entity. Now, they are suing him. KUT’s Jennifer Stayton talked to PBS CEO Paula Kerger about how public television is funded and how federal funding might be in jeopardy. This is not the first time there has been talk of defunding public media, but Kerger says “this time is different.”

The post Interview: PBS CEO says “this time is different” with threatened federal funding cuts. appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for May 1, 2025. Whooping cough cases are on the rise in Texas. Texas Senators approved a bill that could shut down a church’s homeless navigation center in South Austin. Texas Governor Greg Abbott says he’ll pull state grant funding from San Marcos if the city passes a resolution related to the war in Gaza. 

The post KUT Morning Newscast for May 1, 2025: Whooping cough cases are rising in Texas. appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for April 30, 2025. Fire departments are preparing to battle suburban wildfires.  WestJet is canceling plans to run direct flights from Austin to Vancouver starting in May. Renting an electric bike from Capital Metro will cost you more starting in August. The City of Austin is asking people for input on what city services, programs and investments matter most to them. The Austin Record Convention returns to the Palmer Events Center this weekend.

The post KUT Afternoon Newscast for April 30, 2025: Fire departments across the Austin area are preparing for wildfire season. appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for April 30, 2025: Fire departments across the Austin area are preparing for wildfire season – including making sure they have the necessary equipment to battle suburban wildfires. And Texas oil and gas regulators are a step closer to getting permission from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to regulate carbon capture and storage wells though some oppose giving Texas regulators that authority.

The post KUT Morning Newscast for April 30, 2025: Local officials are prepping for summer wildfires and encouraging residents to do the same.   appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for April 29, 2025. Today is the last day of Early Voting ahead of the May 3rd local elections. Officials at UT Austin are accused of using chat apps to hide internal communications in violation of state law. Local officials are urging the public to prepare for wildfires ahead of another hot and dry summer. The Texas baseball team has just 5 home games remaining this regular season. Willie Nelson is 92 years old today.

The post KUT Afternoon Newscast for April 29, 2025: UT Austin officials are being accused of using chat apps to hide internal communications. appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for April 29, 2025. Today is the last day of in-person Early Voting in the May 3 local election. City leaders say funding is needed to address Austin’s homelessness. Parking rates are going up at ABIA’s Red and Blue parking garages. Georgetown’s animal shelter hopes merging with another shelter will help address overcrowding issues.  

The post KUT Morning Newscast for April 29, 2025: Today is the last day of in-person Early Voting in the May 3 election.   appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for April 28, 2025. Austin leaders are encouraging vaccination after last week’s news that a local person has tested positive for measles. The city of Georgetown is hoping a new merger with the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter can help alleviate its overcrowding issue. UT’s baseball and softball teams are in action this week.

The post KUT Afternoon Newscast for April 28, 2025: A second local measles case prompts Austin leaders to encourage vaccination. appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for April 28, 2025. Austin Public Health will give an update today on a second case of measles in Travis County. Tomorrow’s the last day of Early Voting in the May third election. A bill in the Texas legislature would attempt to introduce penalties for prescribers and manufacturers of abortion pills, even if they operate from a state where abortion is legal. A bill recently passed by the Texas House aims to protect homeowners who choose to conserve water during periods of drought. Twelve Texas Longhorns had their names called during this year’s NFL’s draft.

The post KUT Morning Newscast for April 28, 2025: Updates on a second measles case in Travis County are expected today. appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.