KUT News Now

Central Texas top stories for January 2, 2025. A proposal to boost the number of lanes on MoPac through South Austin will be open to public comment for an extra month. State lawmakers are reigniting an effort to allow the State of Texas to take control of Austin. Texas moves on to the College Football Playoff semifinals. The IRS is hiring in Austin ahead of tax season.

The post KUT Morning Newscast for January 2, 2025 appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for December 30, 2024. A new lung cancer screening initiative shows strong results. A Williamson County jury has awarded a family more than a million dollars after finding the company that managed their apartment complex neglected to make critical repairs. The city of San Marcos is considering a merger of its bus routes with those of Texas State University. The country is mourning the death of former President Jimmy Carter. Austin Pets Alive! is hoping to find new homes for 50 dogs by New Year’s Eve. 2024 will end on a warm note.

The post KUT Morning Newscast for December 30, 2024 appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for December 27, 2024. The City of Austin will reopen applications for its rent assistance program on January 1st. How to stay safe around fireworks. The Harry Ransom Center has acquired a collection of materials related to the life of Ethel Waters. Bevo will miss the Peach Bowl against Arizona State due to a lack of space on the sideline.

The post KUT Morning Newscast for December 27, 2024 appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for December 26, 2024. Another round of bills filed by Texas’s GOP majority for the upcoming legislative session aim to overrule Austin’s left-leaning city policies. A new report shows Texas will face a long-term water deficit if it fails to develop new supplies before another multi-year drought. The City of Austin is launching its holiday tree recycling program today.

The post KUT Morning Newscast for December 26, 2024 appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for December 23, 2024. The City of Austin has approved plans for building 200 new homes since passing HOME Phase 1. The Texas Longhorns emerged victorious from the first round of the College Football Playoff. 125th Annual Christmas Bird Count is underway. Several City of Austin facilities and services will close for the holidays.

The post KUT Morning Newscast for December 23, 2024 appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for December 20, 2024. Hearing goes on at Texas Capitol without Death Row inmate called to testify. Austin opening cold weather shelters tonight. Busy but cheery day at Austin airport. Preventing the spread of bird flu. Austin home prices plateau. Texas football in playoff game Saturday. Austin-area high school football team in state championship games Saturday. 

The post KUT Afternoon Newscast for December 20, 2024 appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

There has been a lot of talk about how the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump might impact local public education. Will they try to eliminate the Department of Education? What about a potential nationwide push for a school voucher program?

But what exactly is the existing relationship between the federal government and local public schools? To find out more, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton spoke with Morgan Craven. She is the National Director of Policy, Advocacy and Community Engagement for the Intercultural Development Research Association. It is an independent organization that works for equal educational opportunity for students via strong public schools. They talked over Zoom about how the federal government and local public schools interact.

The post The incoming Trump administration has floated closing the Education Department. Hear about the existing relationship between the federal government and local public schools. appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for December 20, 2024. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a motion to prevent Texas death row inmate Robert Roberson from testifying. More homes are selling in the Austin area than this time last year. Cold Weather Shelters will open tonight in Austin. Hear all the details of tomorrow’s football game, it’s the Longhorns against the Clemson Tigers.

The post KUT Morning Newscast for December 20, 2024 appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for December 19, 2024. Hundreds of Texas school districts collectively owe the federal government 16 million dollars. Daniel Perry, a former Army sergeant convicted of murder in 2020, faces a misdemeanor charge after getting pardoned by Texas Governor Greg Abbott. Over 100 people experiencing homelessness have been moved from their camps to city shelters. Over 600 Austin-area workers will be laid off in February. There was some welcome rain in the area in the past week, but it was not enough to change the drought situation in the area.

The post KUT Afternoon Newscast for December 19, 2024 appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for December 19, 2024. Some of “Old Austin” businesses closed this year. The City of Kyle is warning residents to stay away from feral hogs. ABIA is expecting more travelers this weekend, be prepared.

The post KUT Morning Newscast for December 19, 2024 appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.