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Central Texas top stories for April 21, 2025. Early Voting for the May election starts tomorrow, here’s what’s on the ballot. Officials with the Round Rock Independent School District are now reporting a budget surplus for next school year. The Trump administration is withholding funds from recipients of a federal program that provides uninsured people with family planning and preventive reproductive health services. Texas lawmakers are considering a bill this week that could create new state-backed district attorneys in the areas around the state’s biggest cities. The City of Austin wants to hear from the LGBTQIA+ community on their interactions with APD. It’s the last week of the Austin Municipal Court and the Downtown Austin Community Court’s Warrant Amnesty program.

The post KUT Morning Newscast for April 21, 2025: Round Rock ISD is reporting a budget surplus for the next school year.  appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for April 18, 2025. The Travis County Fire Marshal has determined the cause of the house explosion in Northwest Austin last weekend. A measure making its way through the Texas Legislature looks to give local district attorneys more oversight from the state. The Trump administration has revoked the visas of more than 200 international students at Texas colleges and universities. The Texas baseball and softball teams are back in action today. Several businesses will be closed this Sunday for Easter.

The post KUT Afternoon Newscast for April 18, 2025: Texas lawmakers are targeting local prosecutors – again appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Some in the Austin area and around the country are being more cautious about their church attendance after a Trump administration directive issued earlier this year means spaces like schools and places of worship are no longer protected from agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement or Customs and Border Protection entering and making arrests.

Several Austin area churches are affiliated with organizations suing over that directive.

KUT’s Jennifer Stayton talked recently with The Reverend Natalie Webb of University Baptist Church and The Reverend Katheryn Barlow-Williams of Central Presbyterian Church about how that directive is impacting their congregations. The Reverend Barlow-Williams speaks first.

The post Austin area pastors on Trump administration immigration directives: “Like a stun gun of fear injected into… our churches.” appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for April 18, 2025. The president of AISD’s Board of Trustees says the funding boost provided by HB2 does not make up for inflation. Republicans in Williamson County are divided over the possibility of a new toll road along Ronald Reagan Boulevard. A raccoon picked up in San Marcos has tested positive for rabies. Travis County parks will be open this weekend. 

The post KUT Morning Newscast for April 18, 2025: AISD says school funding boost doesn’t make up for inflation appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for April 17, 2025. APD arrested a man today after finding explosives at a home in South Austin. The marijuana decriminalization ordinance in San Marcos is on thin ice. Williamson County is working to identify areas at risk of flooding. The Texas House has approved a bill to create Education Savings Accounts, also referred to as school vouchers. Austin Public Health has confirmed a case of whooping cough at Del Valle High School.

The post KUT Afternoon Newscast for April 17, 2025: Man arrested after homemade explosives were detonated by bomb squad in South Austin house appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The Trump administration has been slashing funding for a federal agency that supports biomedical research across the U.S. KUT’s Olivia Aldridge and Becky Fogel talked to UT Austin professors who say funding from the National Institutes of Health is essential for running their labs.

The post UT Austin professors fear Trump administration’s funding cuts will derail life-saving research appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for April 17, 2025. After over nine hours of debate, the Texas House gave initial approval to a bill to create an Education Savings Account plan. The Austin Police Department says a suspect has been detained in relation to an explosive found at a home in South Austin. Williamson County is in the process of updating its floodplain maps. Wheatsville Co-op is planning to open several smaller stores and is asking the community for help. Ascension Seton will be taking full ownership of Cedar Park Medical Center. 

The post KUT Morning Newscast for April 17, 2025: After hours of debate, the Texas House gave initial approval to a school voucher bill.  appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for April 16, 2025. APD has strained for years under the weight of staffing shortages. The Texas House is debating this afternoon one of the governor’s top priorities: education savings accounts, also referred to as school vouchers. Ascension Seton will be taking full ownership of Cedar Park Medical Center. The Texas Department of Transportation has closed the southbound I-35 exit for Woodland Avenue just north of Oltorf in Austin as part of the I-35 Capital Express Central Project.

The post KUT Afternoon Newscast for April 16, 2025: City audit finds the Austin Police Department doesn’t have a plan to hire more police appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for April 16, 2025. A new city audit finds APD is struggling to recruit new officers. Travis County officials are encouraging residents to be prepared for potential severe weather. The Texas Supreme Court ruled the City of Dripping Springs can move forward with the expansion of its South Regional Wastewater System. A project to build a tollway along Ronald Regan Boulevard has received mixed support from residents.  

The post KUT Morning Newscast for April 16, 2025: A new report says APD is struggling to recruit officers.  appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for April 15, 2025. A Republican-backed bill would limit what information from the Medical Examiner’s office is public record. The Texas House is about to take up an effort from the governor that would use public money for private schools. A memorial service will be held tomorrow for a Georgetown firefighter and paramedic. The Longhorns are the top-ranked team in collegiate baseball for the first time in three years.

The post KUT Afternoon Newscast for April 15, 2025: Travis County leaders are trying to keep “coffin chasers” from accessing your information appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.