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A court battle is set to begin over the newly drawn congressional maps. At stake is whether they go into effect for the 2026 midterm elections.
The Texas Newsroom’s Blaise Gainey joins us to talk about the recent rise in political violence.
Have you heard of 7-OH? It’s the latest drug cropping up at convenience stores. Now there’s a fight to stop the sale of what’s known as “gas station heroin.”
A new book by former CDC Director Tom Frieden offers a formula for better health – potentially saving millions of lives.
And today’s Hispanic heritage moment spotlights the trio of brothers known as Los Lonely Boys.

Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas.

You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org

The post Court weighs Texas redistricting fight appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

A breakthrough in a murder case unsolved for more than three decades: Police say they know who was behind Austin’s yogurt shop murders. Tony Plohetski of the Austin American-Statesman and KVUE on what has led police to declare the Austin yogurt shop murders “solved” after 34 years.
Many questions swirling around a highly unusual meeting of U.S. military top brass being brought in from around the world for a rare joint in person meeting. We’ll take a look.
Plus, a legacy of the Cold War: Nuclear missile silos hidden across Texas and the Great Plains, many now decommissioned. You may be surprised to hear how they’ve been repurposed.

Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas.

You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org

The post Police say Austin’s yogurt shop murders case is finally solved appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

This week, Kim Masters talks to director Mike Figgis about Megadoc, his fly-on-the-wall chronicle of Francis Ford Coppola's self-financed $160 million dream project, Megalopolis. Figgis captures Coppola’s battles on set, including the turmoil that followed when the director’s improvisational style collided with the art department’s meticulous planning — a story Masters covered with her former colleagues at The Hollywood Reporter. Figgis was there to immortalize it all as it unfolded. 

Plus, Jimmy Kimmel’s return to late-night (in most markets) was greeted with strong ratings and warm audience reactions. But behind the scenes, the decision to put him on indefinite leave has become another headache for Bob Iger. The Disney CEO, already navigating a difficult chapter, now faces questions about whether the move could leave a lasting mark on his legacy. Kim Masters and her partner in Banter Matt Belloni weigh in on the fallout — including what it might mean for his heir-apparent Dana Walden.

A looming budget deadline and threats of a government shutdown: what that could mean for Texans.
The Texas Democratic Party has launched an expansion plan that includes relocating its headquarters to Dallas. The decision has roiled quite a few within the party, even prompting an exodus of top staff.
In Texas, there are around 11,000 students who are blind or visually impaired, and many of them spend time in school learning how to get around safely. The Texas Standard’s Sean Saldana takes us inside the process of orientation and mobility training.
For years, birdwatching in Texas has been a tale of two jays: blue in the east, and green further south. Recently though, researchers have found a rare new species that lies somewhere in between – the Grue Jay.

Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can help make this podcast happen by donating at supportthispodcast.org.

The post How thousands of blind and visually impaired Texans learn to get around safely appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

An investigative report claims as Texas flooded on the July 4 weekend, the head of FEMA couldn’t be reached. We’ll hear more about a reported slow response from acting administrator David Richardson and what it meant for Texas during the Hill Country floods.
Concerns are rising in higher ed over millions of federal dollars for Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) on hold, with no end in sight.
The latest on lawsuits challenging Texas’ new law for the Ten Commandments in the classroom.
Tech expert Omar Gallaga has the latest on a deal that would keep TikTok in the U.S. and growing concerns about who might be running that operation.
Plus, taco journalist Mando Rayo weighs in on Tex-Mex.

Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas.

You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org

The post Where was the acting FEMA head during the July 4 floods? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

This was Todd’s last episode of Podcast Insider, recorded on September 4th. Todd poured his heart into Blubrry’s show and into serving the podcasting community, and we’re honored to share his final conversation here. We’ll be returning to the podcast most likely around mid-October. In the meantime, we want to thank all of our listeners for standing with us as we grieve, reflect, and decide the best way to move forward with the show.

Some podcasters, like Todd, prefer not to use seasons because they’ve seen how it can disrupt listener habits—especially with shows tied to weekly news or current events. But for many podcasters, seasons can provide structure, creative focus, and built-in opportunities to reset or experiment without losing momentum. The key is knowing your audience and your show’s format, then deciding whether a seasonal approach will help you deliver content more consistently and sustainably.

Before you dive into episode ideas, take a step back and ask:

Seasons don’t have to be 10 or 12 episodes—some are just 3 to 6. The key is to choose a structure you can stick with and that your audience will appreciate.

Blubrry helps: Use your Blubrry stats to look back at past performance. What topics resonated most? What formats kept listeners around? Let your data guide your next season.

Once you’ve locked in your season theme or focus, start brainstorming topics. Don’t overthink it—jot down everything that fits.

Then organize your ideas by:

Batch planning gives you a head start, so you’re not scrambling week to week.

Blubrry helps: With built-in episode drafting and scheduling tools, your podcast dashboard makes it easy to prep ahead and stay consistent.

If your season includes interviews, start reaching out to guests as early as possible. Provide a general timeline and ask about their availability over the next few weeks.

If you’re doing a solo season, block out time to record multiple episodes at once. This is key fo

A deadly shooting this morning at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Dallas. We’ll share the latest details.
Workplaces across the state trying to calculate the implications of a new $100,000 fee for H-1B applications. We’ll hear more on the questions raised by the new policy and the possible fallout.
How college football in Texas and beyond is being reshaped by new NIL rules allowing for direct athlete pay by advertisers and sponsors.
And the return of Rodney Crowell: Music and conversation with a Texas songwriting legend.

Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas.

You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org

The post Rodney Crowell talks new album, career appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

This week on The Metallica Report…

Gary Holt—the veteran lead guitarist of Exodus and, more recently, a member of Slayer—speaks to us about his longtime friendship with Kirk Hammett. From their school days to the stage, Gary explains how Exodus and Metallica came up in the Bay Area scene through his unique lens. Gary paints a wonderful picture of a couple of dedicated outsiders whose love of metal and good times saw them defy all the odds, achieving success and international acclaim.

The Metallica Report – your official, weekly guide for all things Metallica, straight from the source. New episode every Wednesday.

Gary Holt’s autobiography: https://www.dacapopress.com/titles/gary-holt/a-fabulous-disaster/9780306834011 

Music from The Metallica Report: metallica.lnk.to/TMR-music 

Upcoming Tour Dates: metallica.com/tour   

Wanna be featured on a future episode? Submit your questions or comments: metallica.com/podcast

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After years of failed attempts, a so-called “bathroom bill” becomes law in Texas. We’ll cover what the rules say and how they’ll be enforced.
Thinking of getting a COVID booster and have questions? We have answers.
Why the National Weather Service offices in Austin and San Antonio are not fully staffed, even after historic flooding this summer.
A conversation with Christian Davenport, author of the new book, “Rocket Dreams,” all about the billionaires engaged in a new space race.
And today’s Hispanic heritage moment honors four-time Grammy winner Vikki Carr.

Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas.

You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org

The post Breaking down new guidances over COVID boosters appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Some are calling it a new chapter in the relationship between higher education and Texas politics – we’ll have a closer look at what’s happening at A&M right now and why it matters.
Something is missing in a new report from the Agriculture Department: an explanation for the data. Michael Marks reports on why the missing link is raising eyebrows.
There’s been a boom in indie bookstores nationwide, with Texas leading the way. How did it happen?
Last November, after years of the Odessa City Council focusing on culture war issues, Odessa voters went in a different direction.

Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org

The post Why voters in Odessa turned against the far-right local government appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.