KUT News Now

Central Texas top stories for September 11, 2024. State officials are considering whether to approve a new reading curriculum for elementary school students that includes Bible stories. Rent prices in Austin have continued to fall, even as rents in other large cities are going up. A mosquito infected with West Nile Virus was found in San Marcos last week, the mosquito season continues. Officials are honoring firefighters who were part of 9/11 rescue teams.

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Central Texas top stories for September 10, 2024. Austin Mayoral Candidate Doug Greco filed a lawsuit against the city today over its rules limiting how much a candidate can raise from outside the city. Questions about Austin’s Live Music Fund grants. Texas groups and elected officials are divided over whether a state-approved reading curriculum for elementary school students should include Bible stories. Austin Water is looking at ways to preserve the city’s water supply into the future. Austin-Travis County EMS has been seeing fewer opioid overdoses over the summer. HEB begins construction on its third Georgetown location.

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Some folks like to watch trains or photograph trains or build model trains, but for Marc Opperman only the real thing will do. His love of trains led him to become a student conductor on a real, functioning vintage train.

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 10, 2024. Travis County Commissioners today will get a first look at an audit of Central Health. Austin-Travis County medics saw fewer opioid overdoses over the summer. The Austin city council will consider amending its noise ordinance. The City of Georgetown is encouraging residents to conserve water.

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Central Texas top stories for September 9, 2024. A new poll finds nearly 80 percent of Texas teachers have seriously thought about leaving the job in the last year. The Austin City Council is considering a resolution that would eliminate the use of harmful chemicals that firefighters are exposed to when they’re on a call.  A civil trial started today in federal court in Austin claiming intimidation and harassment by the “Trump Train” in 2020. Travis County employees are set to get a 5 percent raise next year, but some say it’s not enough to keep up with their workload. TxDOT has announced a major environmental study to look at expanding the bridge from Corpus Christi to Padre Island. The Hays County Sheriff’s Office will be ramping up enforcement on US Highway 290 along a stretch between Cedar Valley and Dripping Springs. Sally Duval is highlighting a platform of marijuana legalization. Tropical Storm Francine is expected to make landfall on the Upper Gulf Coast as a hurricane later this week.

The post KUT Afternoon Newscast for September 9, 2024 appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for September 9, 2024.The Austin City Council this week is considering a plan to phase out forever chemicals used in firefighting. A poll shows 78 percent of Texas public school teachers say they have seriously considered leaving their job in the last year. Testing data shows students in Texas are still struggling with math post-pandemic, a Central Texas district is trying to help. A UT poll shows an uptick of support for Democrats. The Longhorns are now #2 in the AP Top 25 College Football Poll.

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Central Texas top stories for September 6, 2024. UT-Austin fell in the bottom ten out of more than 250 institutions nationwide in a ranking of the best and worst colleges and universities for free speech. Potential fraud in the application process has raised questions about the Texas Energy Fund. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued Travis County today over a program encouraging voter registration. The Cheneys throw their support behind Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign. Austin’s Bat Fest is tomorrow. Del Valle ISD is getting a new acting superintendent after the current one announced his retirement. Longhorns visit The Big House this weekend. This should be a better weekend than last to fill up your gas tank.

The post KUT Afternoon Newscast for September 6, 2024 appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for September 6, 2024. Travis County officials are responding to a recent announcement from Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who says more than a million people have been taken off state’s voter rolls since 202. Travis County is trying to revive efforts to fund a passenger rail from Austin to San Antonio. The City of Leander and its firefighters are one step closer to establishing their first-ever collective bargaining agreement. The City of Austin will receive a $10.5 million dollar grant to reduce fatal and serious pedestrian injuries.

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Central Texas top stories for September 5, 2024. Firefighters in Leander are looking to negotiate benefits, pay and other working conditions within the city’s fire department. Some state lawmakers, local leaders and activists are calling out what they’re calling voter intimidation after millions of people were removed from Texas voter rolls. A federal court has approved a settlement between Austin ISD and Disability Rights Texas. Texas lawmakers say they aim to expand on plans from the last legislative session to boost funding for mental health hospitals. A mosquito trap in Georgetown has tested positive for the West Nile Virus. Recent rain has helped the drought picture in the Hill Country. The top-ranked Texas Volleyball team has their home opener tonight at Gregory Gym.

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Central Texas top stories for September 5, 2024. Rents in the Austin area have been falling for almost a year and a half. Round Rock ISD is asking voters to pass bonds to help fund construction and renovation projects. ABIA will have jet bridges with air conditioning. Austin FC is looking to divert tons of trash from landfills.

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