KUT News Now

Central Texas top stories for March 19, 2025. The Austin area is under a red flag warning again today. APD fired an officer after he pleaded guilty to an on-duty assault charge. State lawmakers heard testimony today on a bill that would put Austin under state oversight. The Texas men’s basketball team plays Xavier tonight for a chance to compete in the NCAA College Basketball Tournament.

The post KUT Afternoon Newscast for March 19, 2025: What’s up with all the Red Flag Warnings? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

As women’s sports gain more popularity, the first women’s sport bar in Texas is opening its doors. 1972 Pub is right across from UT’s campus in Austin and is committed to only showing women’s sports. The Texas Standard’s Sara Asch tells us fans are overjoyed.

The post Texas’ fist women’s sports bar opens in Austin appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for March 19, 2025. A Red Flag Warning is in effect today for all of Central and South Texas until nine tonight, but what does that mean? The Crabapple fire north of Fredericksburg is now 90 percent contained. The City of Austin’s hosting an Emergency Preparedness pop-up today to help people prepare for wildfires and other weather-related hazards. For at least six months, the Texas DMV has been tracking drivers who have tried to change the sex listed on their driver’s licenses. Texas lawmakers are considering a bill to prohibit local governments from having guaranteed income programs. 

The post KUT Morning Newscast for March 19, 2025: The state of Texas has been collecting information on trans people without their knowledge. appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for March 18, 2025. A bill filed in the Texas Senate could change the way Travis County voters have cast their ballots for more than 10 years. A bill to restrict cellphone use in classrooms has bipartisan support. Most of Central Texas is under a Wind Advisory until tonight, with a Red Flag Warning starting tomorrow morning.

The post KUT Afternoon Newscast for March 18, 2025: A bill filed in the Texas Senate could change the way Travis County voters have cast their ballots for more than 10 years. appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

A perfect storm of weather conditions left Gillespie County particularly vulnerable to fire, and Saturday afternoon a very bad one broke out near Crabapple Road, near Fredericksburg. Texas Public Radio’s Jack Morgan went to Fredericksburg to talk to neighbors. 

The post The Crabapple fire near Fredericksburg has burned over 9,800 acres.  appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for March 18, 2025. The Texas A&M Forest Service says the Crabapple fire in Gillespie County is now 85% contained and has burned just over 9,700 acres. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the deadly crash on I-35 that killed five people in North Austin last week. After years of pushback from doctors, patients and advocacy groups, SB31 aims to clarify the medical exception to Texas’ abortion law. The median sales price of a home in Austin hit 564-thousand dollars last month, that’s up compared to the same time last year. 

The post KUT Morning Newscast for March 18, 2025: A crash on I-35 that killed five people last week is now under federal investigation. appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for March 17, 2025. The Austin area is under a Red Flag Warning. The South by Southwest festival will look much different in 2026. A new report from a national housing organization finds Austin has few homes affordable to people earning very low incomes.

The post KUT Afternoon Newscast for March 17, 2025: SXSW is downsizing for 2026. appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

This week is Spring Break for many Central Texas students. For some, that might mean a trip to the beach and putting on a bathing suit for the first time in a while. That can bring up lots of feelings from people who aren’t happy with their bodies or who’ve been the target of criticism because of anything about their looks. KUT’s Jennifer Stayton talked with Central Texas neuropsychotherapist Bella J. Rockman about a suggestion she made: maybe we could all commit to not commenting on people’s appearance.

The post What can we do to facilitate healthier relationships and conversations around body image? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for March 17, 2025. The Texas A&M Forest Service says the Crabapple fire north of Fredericksburg is 55% contained and has burned 9,500 acres. A new report from local public hospital district, Central Health, shows poverty is spreading to new areas of Travis County. A new report from a national housing organization finds Austin has few homes affordable to people earning very low incomes. Sixth Street reopens to vehicle traffic today. UT women’s basketball team earned a number one seed in the 2025 NCAA tournament.

The post KUT Morning Newscast for March 17, 2025: The Crabapple fire north of Fredericksburg has burned 9,500 acres. appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for March 14, 2025. I-35 southbound in North Austin is back open this afternoon following a horrific crash overnight. The Austin area is under a Red Flag Warning until 9 o’clock tonight. The latest on a lawsuit against Austin-based conspiracy theorist Alex Jones from the family of Sandy Hook victims. Williamson County Commissioners voted today to promote Precinct 3 Commissioner Valerie Covey to help oversee the court until a new county judge is appointed. Williamson County is partnering with neighboring Burnet County to grow the region’s space industry.

The post KUT Afternoon Newscast for March 14, 2025: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is ordering the reversal of changes to the sex listed on documents for Transgender Texans. appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.