KUT News Now

Ben Rollman has loved LEGO since he was a kid. After a brief ‘Dark Age’ away from the hobby, he started back up as an adult and is now a bigger LEGO fan than ever.

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.

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Central Texas top stories for September 24, 2024. Travis County’s budget for next year includes a new law enforcement department, it is set to be approved today. The City of Austin and the Austin Police Association have reached a tentative contract agreement that includes a 28% pay increase. The Austin Independent School District is moving forward with an effort to build housing. The FDA is re-launching a program for people to order free COVID-19 tests. 

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Central Texas top stories for September 23, 2024. The Del Valle ISD school board has chosen a new superintendent. The Enchanted Rock State Natural Area is increasing its parkland by about 40 percent. Officials in Williamson County say Child Protective Services is struggling to protect abused and neglected children. The Hays County Sheriff’s Office is putting out a warning about an attempted scam. The Lorraine “Grandma” Camacho Activity Center is getting new bikes and helmets for its youth programs. This is the first full day of fall.

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

Central Texas top stories for September 23, 2024. Austin’s police official Christopher Taylor goes back to trail for a second time for another on-duty shooting. Travis County Commissioners are set to approve a nearly $2 billion dollar budget. Central Texas school districts have seen an uptick in violent threats. Texans who have federal student loans in default can sign up for a temporary relief program. UT Austin’s police chief, Eve Stephens, resigned Friday. Texas Longhorns remain no. 1 on the AP college football poll.

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Central Texas top stories for September 20, 2024. Officials from ten local school districts held a news conference today to address a recent uptick in threats. This week the management of Austin Water fielded questions over how to stop leaks from the utility’s distribution system. Round Rock ISD adopted a new property tax rate this week. Texas DPS is adding Saturday appointments for the next two weekends at offices across Central Texas. The Round Rock Public Library is  hosting a series of free workshops for small businesses this fall. The 27th annual Austin Museum Day is this Sunday.

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

Central Texas top stories for September 20, 2024. TxDOT is looking to make changes regarding the customer service for TxTag. Eddie Garcia, who’s been serving as Dallas Police Chief, will become Austin’s assistant city manager overseeing public safety. State leaders are looking at expanding rules for automated vehicles. The City of Austin will soon require people to get microchips for their pets.

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Central Texas top stories for September 19, 2024. Schools in Central Texas and throughout the U.S. have been seeing an uptick in threats of violence. Concerns about ballot secrecy swept Texas earlier this year. In Texas, deaths among pregnant women and new moms increased dramatically in the most recent years for which we have that data. School districts across the state are struggling to comply with a safety law more than a year after it went into effect. Second gentleman Doug Emhoff will be in Texas next week for campaign events with the Texas Democratic Party. Austin City Limits money will help improve local parks.

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

Central Texas top stories for September 19, 2024. The Austin City Council could vote next week to keep a temporary homeless shelter open longer than originally planned. Leaders from Austin Water are set to give an update today on plans to better conserve the city’s water supply. Law enforcement officials are increasing security at the Williamson County Justice Center after discovering an alleged plot to kill a local judge. Today Austinites can hear from the city council candidates for district four, here are the details. Barton Springs pool is open again! 

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Central Texas top stories for September 18, 2024. Travis County is giving 15 million dollars to nonprofit organizations to build more housing. Hays County Commissioners have approved a new budget. Central Texas education officials say the state has not provided enough money to implement school safety legislation passed last year. An Austin police officer who was charged twice with murder will face a lesser charge. The Austin History Center is hosting conversations with the community to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. The Texas Volleyball team is headed up to Waco tonight to face former Big 12 foe Baylor.

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Central Texas top stories for September 18, 2024. Travis County filed a federal lawsuit accusing state leaders of violating the National Voter Registration Act. Austin has seen a rise in its older population over the last decade, that’s according to a new Census survey. Travis County Commissioners postponed a vote on the budget for Central Health. Barton Springs pool will open tomorrow. The Austin History Center is hosting conversations with the community to celebrate Hispanic/Latino Heritage month.

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