The Texas Lottery gets a second chance under new management. So what will change?
A new state law now in effect targets AI-generated child pornography. But could it also ban some anime?
Americans have been on the move since the founding of our country. But now, more people staying put rather than relocating for new jobs and other opportunities.
And: Thinking about an energy efficient upgrade for your home? A tax credit to to help you get the job done is expiring at the end of this year.

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

You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org

The post Could a new Texas law make some types of anime illegal? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

What separates a casual podcast from a “professional” one—and does it really matter in 2025? In this episode of Podcast Insider, Todd, Mike, and MacKenzie break down what it means to be a professional podcaster, the different interpretations of the word “professional,” and how podcasters can level up their show without losing their authenticity. Whether you’re podcasting as a hobby or building a brand, we’ll help you understand the standards, expectations, and options available to you.

Being professional doesn’t necessarily mean making money or having sponsors. A professional podcast is:

It’s more about intention than income. Plenty of unpaid shows are professional because they’re well-crafted and focused.

Blubrry helps: With built-in tools for scheduling, show notes, and publishing, our dashboard helps keep your workflow organized and consistent.

Audio quality is often the first thing people think of when they hear “professional”—and yes, it matters. But you don’t need a studio or high-end gear.

Professional quality can come from:

Blubrry helps: We offer media mastering and transcripts that help polish your content for a more professional feel—without overcomplicating things.

This is where the “does it matter?” question comes in. If you’re just podcasting for fun, there’s no need to force yourself into a professional mold.

But if you want to:

…then it’s worth aiming for a more professional approach.

Blubrry helps: We give you access to

The fight over redistricting has shifted from the Capitol to the courthouse, but plenty of serious work is still on the table when legislators return to their offices Tuesday. The Texas Newsroom’s Blaise Gainey joins with a look at what’s left on the agenda.
A new law in effect today creates a statewide alert system for pests and diseases that affect plants and wildlife. The Standard’s Michael Marks has the story.
And: The Standard continues celebrating 10 years on the air with a look back at some memorable animal stories.

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

You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org

The post New state law will give farmers a heads-up on pests and diseases appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

It’s official, KPop Demon Hunters’ sing-along screenings were a resounding success. The film about a KPop girl group who also hunt… well, you know… became an immediate global phenomenon via streaming on Netflix when it was released in June. Now that the desire for communal experiences has been made abundantly clear, what will this mean for the franchise going forward? Kim Masters and her partner in Banter Matt Belloni get into it.

Plus, in an encore conversation from January, Masters speaks to The Brutalist co-writer & director Brady Corbet and co-writer Mona Fastvold. The pair talk about the seven-year battle to get their post war epic to the big screen. They also explain their audacious decision to make a three and a half hour film with an intermission, share thoughts on the state of the country, and Corbet reveals his thoughts about Trump’s plans to demolish brutalist federal buildings. 

P.S. Expect to hear much more from Fastvold as the current awards season shapes up, her forthcoming, Amanda Seyfried-led film The Testament of Ann Lee is sure to be on everybody’s lips.

Three new measures are set to take effect aiming to “Make Texas Healthy Again.” Political sloganeering or genuine change? A closer look at the laws that prompted Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s visit to Texas.
As we approach Sept. 1, more than 800 new laws are set to take effect. We continue our close-up of some of those that’ll have a major impact, including some that haven’t received much attention. Our own Sarah Asch tells us about a new obscenity law and why one provision related to exposing minors to controversial material has teachers, librarians and even doctors concerned.
Tech producer and reporter Shelly Brisbin gets us up to speed on a sweeping new bill aimed at regulating artificial intelligence.
Plus, the week in politics and much more.

The post Educators face new risks under inappropriate material law appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Texas’ newly drawn congressional maps are aimed at helping Republicans in 2026, but they’re shaking up the political landscape already. We’ll hear just how today on the Texas Standard.
Rice University’s Mark Jones on the musical chairs among Texas’ congressional Democrats, and whether these maps are likely to survive scrutiny as legal challenges proliferate.
Over 800 new laws are set to take effect in just a couple of days. One of them is aimed at helping first responders deal with the trauma of being on the front lines of so much tragedy.
And a plan to channel water away when the next Hurricane Harvey hits. How Elon Musk is angling to be a part of that massive project.

The post Elon Musk looks to build tunnels under Houston appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

President Trump is using the threat of legal action to push his policies forward in Texas and beyond.
We continue our series about new state laws taking effect with a look at one that prevents people from certain countries from buying land in Texas.
20 years after Hurricane Katrina, how the New Orleans residents who found a home in Houston reshaped the cultural landscape.
Actor Austin Butler and filmmaker Darren Aronofsky on their new film, “Caught Stealing.”
And the Standard’s Kristen Cabrera with part two of her report on the Rio Grande Valley’s brand new college football team, the UTRGV Vaqueros.

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

You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org

The post Austin Butler, Darren Aronofsky talk Texas, filmmaking & ‘Caught Stealing’ appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

This week on The Metallica Report…

We dive right back into another Metalli-treasure excavation with Steffan, Dan Nykolayko, and Ally Bace at the Inveniem, the home of the real-life Metallica Black Box. Among this excursion’s highlights are a rare Kirk Hammett artifact, old and intriguing setlists, and a discussion about that glorious old nugget, the cassette tape! Not to be forgotten, the CD longbox makes an appearance, we settle a hotly contested “Outlaw” debate, and Kevin Weinstein—pay attention—because the answer is “yes!”

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

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

OverLoad in The Metallica Black Box: metallica.com/museum

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

President Trump signs an executive order ending cashless bail. We’ll dive into what that means for cities like Houston.
We’re also tracking new state laws set to take effect Sept. 1, including one that aims to attract more film and television productions. Another increases the penalty for assaulting a utility worker.
Plus, could the San Antonio Spurs get a new venue as part of the Project Marvel effort to create a new downtown entertainment district?
And the Standard’s Kristin Cabrera reports on the Rio Grande Valley’s first college football team. The UTRGV Vaqueros are ready for kickoff.

The post College football arrives in the Rio Grande Valley appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Promoting your podcast doesn’t have to feel awkward or salesy. In this episode of Podcast Insider, we share practical ways to talk about your show with confidence—whether you’re chatting with friends, posting on social media, or networking at events. You’ll learn how to highlight your purpose, use storytelling instead of pitches, and spark curiosity that leads people to want to listen—without ever sounding pushy.

When talking about your podcast, start with why it exists—not just where to find it. People connect with purpose and personality more than self-promotion.

Instead of saying, “Hey, check out my podcast!” try:

Letting the conversation flow from what you’re passionate about makes people more likely to ask follow-up questions—and then they open the door to you sharing your link.

Blubrry helps: Use your free podcast website or custom episode URLs to easily share your show when people do ask for it.

Instead of promoting a new episode with just the title or a generic link, pull out a powerful quote, a surprising moment, or a quick teaser.

Some ideas:

Use visuals like audiograms, quote graphics, or a short reel to give people a taste before asking them to commit to listening.

Blubrry helps: Easily create short video teasers with Pod2Vid, and share them on social with your custom links.

Whether you’re at a networking event or casually chatting online, focus on the person, not the pitch.

Ask them what kind of content they listen to.