KUT News Now

Central Texas top stories for August 20, 2024. The Austin area is under an Excessive Heat Warning until tomorrow night. The Austin ISD school board is asking voters to approve a new tax rate in November. There’s one last candidate for Austin mayor. The Austin City Council is facing another lawsuit from the environmental nonprofit Save Our Springs Alliance. The City of San Marcos is looking to reallocate some federal COVID relief funds that are set to run out soon. Travis County is now under a burn ban.

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

Here are the top stories from the KUT Newsroom for the morning of August 20th. The Austin ISD school board will ask voters to approve new funding for the district. Austinites waste lots of food, and yet, we also have too many people who are food insecure. The Taylor ISD needs to build more schools or it will run out of room for students as the area continues its explosive growth. And it’s the first day of school in Austin! Please watch out while driving to and from work today.

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Central Texas top stories for August 19, 2024. This week could be the hottest week of the year. Austin ISD’s school board is considering whether to ask voters to approve a new tax rate in November. Thousands of people in the Austin Independent School District head back to campus tomorrow. Taylor ISD could run out of room for its students by 2030 unless new school facilities are built. Gas prices have been trending down.

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

Central Texas top stories for August 19, 2024. AISD Board of Trustees is deciding tonight whether to call a tax rate election in November. Travis County residents are likely to see higher property tax bills this fall. A new 20-gate concourse at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is getting closer to becoming a reality. Today will be the hottest day of the summer so far.

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Central Texas top stories for August 16, 2024. Builders in Austin can now construct homes on smaller pieces of land. A new cooling center catering directly to people experiencing homelessness has opened in downtown Austin. The trial for a former Williamson County sheriff and current county employee charged with tampering with evidence has been put on pause. School board members in Round Rock ISD are calling for a bond election this November. Travis County is helping folks this weekend who may have cars at risk of theft. The city of Austin is offering free annual check-ups tomorrow.

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

Central Texas top stories for August 16, 2024. Violent crime in Austin is down compared to last year. A new rule lowering the amount of land required to build a home in Austin goes into effect today. Travis County Constables want to hire more deputies to patrol what they call traffic “hot spots,” but the budget is tight. AISD says its chief financial officer, Ed Ramos, was reinstated Thursday. Travis County has seen a steady rise in new HIV diagnoses since 2020, they are launching a campaign to end the epidemic. There’s a new cooling center in Austin, it’s located in the Trinity Center on East 7th street. 

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

Central Texas top stories for August 15, 2024. The Austin City Council adopted a record-breaking budget for the upcoming fiscal year. A Hays County Grand Jury determined this week that a San Marcos Police Department officer’s shooting of Malachi Williams this year was justified under state law. The Assistance League of Austin is donating 50-thousand dollars to Pickle Elementary. Round Rock officials are asking people to be careful around Mexican free-tailed bats after several tested positive for rabies.

The post KUT Afternoon Newscast for August 15, 2024 appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for August 15, 2024. The Austin City Council adopted a $5.9 budget, the largest in the city’s history. Homes in the City of Austin are taking longer to sell and are more expensive than last year. Peter Pan Mini Golf will stay open until March 2025. A prescribed burn is scheduled to take place on the Water Quality Protection Lands today, Austinites might see smoke. Georgetown and Lago Vista ISD are going back to school today.

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Central Texas top stories for August 14, 2024. Austin City Council adopts 2024-2025 budget. Logistical issues in the way of legal counsel for low-income people accused of crimes in Travis County. Williamson County does not have a medical examiner. Hays County Commissioners approved putting a bond for roadway improvements on the November ballot. Austin residents can participate in a free Emergency Preparedness Training tomorrow. Capital Metro’s new high-frequency bus lines won’t be fully up and running until 2026. The Major League Soccer summer transfer window closes today.

The post KUT Afternoon Newscast for August 14, 2024 appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Central Texas top stories for August 14, 2024. Travis County is asking voters to approve a tax rate hike this fall to expand affordable childcare programs. The Austin City Council meets this week to finalize a spending plan for the next year. A U.S. District Court Judge in Austin today will hear arguments that could determine the future of the Golden Cheeked Warbler. Hays County Commissioners yesterday approved putting a bond for roadway improvements on the November ballot. Taylor, Manor, Liberty Hill and other Central Texas school districts are starting classes today. 

The post KUT Morning Newscast for August 14, 2024 appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.