KUT News Now

Central Texas top stories for December 18, 2024. Today is the deadline for enrolling in health insurance through the Affordable Care Act for coverage beginning January 1st. Austin ISD will vote on whether to renew a contract with the charter school network that operates Webb Middle School. Round Rock ISD is limiting who can challenge its library books and course materials. Central Health officials have been getting pressed by Travis County Commissioners about conflicts with CommUnityCare. A cold front this morning will keep temperatures down through the weekend.

The post KUT Afternoon Newscast for December 18, 2024 appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The recent shooting at a K through 12th grade private school in Madison, Wisconsin has brought attention once again to school safety and how school violence can impact children’s mental health. This school year started out with a slew of threats against schools in Central Texas, which turned out to be hoaxes. But that raised questions about how even the threat of violence, or perhaps even the drills to prepare for it, might also impact mental health. KUT’s Jennifer Stayton spoke earlier this fall about all of that with Chelsea Romero. She is the Senior Director of Programs and a clinician at Austin Child Guidance Center.

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Central Texas top stories for December 18, 2024. Travis County Commissioners pressed leaders of Central Health about conflicts with CommUnityCare. Texas death row inmate Robert Roberson has been subpoenaed to testify this Friday on his case. Round Rock is changing who can ban or restrict books in school. Lake Travis school superintendent was placed on paid leave after misconduct allegations.

The post KUT Morning Newscast for December 18, 2024 appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for December 17, 2024. More Austin area renters are cost-burdened by their housing situation. Williamson County is looking to expand its jail and justice center. A section of road in Northwest Austin has been renamed in honor of a San Marcos Police Officer who died in the line of duty in 2020. Lots of weather changes inbound.

The post KUT Afternoon Newscast for December 17, 2024 appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Chuck Loesch fell in love with barbershop music as a teenager, then, after a twenty-five year break, rediscovered it as an adult.

The full transcript of this episode of KUT News Now is available on the KUT & KUTX Studio website. The transcript is also available as subtitles or captions on some podcast apps.

The post This Is My Thing: Barbershop Quartet! appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for December 17, 2024. Hays CISD is considering a nearly one-billion-dollar bond. Travis County officials are encouraging county residents to apply for the annual Expunction Expo. The Longhorns will host an opening round game at DKR Memorial Stadium this Saturday. APD is increasing traffic and DWI enforcement through January first. 

The post KUT Morning Newscast for December 17, 2024 appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for December 16, 2024. Travis County leaders are starting a new program to improve communication to the more isolated neighborhoods in the area for whenever the next disaster strikes. Texas football will host the Clemson Tigers this Saturday for their first game in the expanded College Football Playoff format. Among those walking across the stage with the Texas State class of 2024 were students from the graduating class of 2020. A cold front is due on Wednesday. Sundown has been getting slightly later in the day even as the lengths of daylight continue to get shorter.

The post KUT Afternoon Newscast for December 16, 2024 appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for December 16, 2024. Here are the results for this weekend’s runoff elections in Travis and Hays County. The City of Austin is working on a new plan to get information to people in case of a weather emergency.

The post KUT Morning Newscast for December 16, 2024 appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for December 13, 2024. Runoff election day tomorrow with brief ballots. Austin approves long-term energy generation plan. Austin now requiring crash barriers outside medical facilities. Austin school district looking at how to cut spending, increase revenue.

The post KUT Afternoon Newscast for December 13, 2024 appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for December 13, 2024. Tomorrow is runoff Election Day in Texas. The Austin City Council yesterday approved $6.75 million dollars to support an emergency homeless shelter in Southeast Austin. Austin’s Energy’s new power generation plan was approved by the Austin City Council. There’s a new plan in the works to expand one State Highway 130.

The post KUT Morning Newscast for December 13, 2024 appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.