ATXplained

Inconsistent rain forecasts have led to conspiracies about a rain-blocking dome that covers the city. The truth lies in an age-old fault. The post What’s the deal with Austin’s “Rain Dome”? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts .

Only San Francisco and Portland, Oregon have more gay people per capita than Austin. So why don’t we have any lesbian bars? The post What happened to Austin’s lesbian bars? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts .

Laurel Seymour’s grandmother, Binnie Ruth Seymour, says she was the first woman to become a city lifeguard in Austin. Audrey McGlinchy looks at the record to see if Grandma Binnie is telling the truth. The post Who was Austin’s first female lifeguard? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts .

94 year-old Reta Ward has been calling all the Texas state lawmakers for decades to weigh in on everything from water policy to school vouchers. One Capitol staffer wanted to know more about her. The post Who is the 94 year-old Texan who calls every state lawmaker? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts .

Austin’s crown jewel has bought people together from all walks of life to enjoy a day in the sun. But before 1962, that wasn’t the case. The post What’s the history of segregation at Barton Springs Pool? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts .

Decades ago, there were dozens of huge fuel storage tanks in East Austin — in some cases right next to homes, schools and businesses. These days, the whole thing is seen as a case of textbook environmental racism. But one East Austin resident wanted to know: what still lurks in the soil long after the […] The post Is it safe to live near an old East Austin ‘Tank Farm’? appeared f...

Sixth Street is known for being party central, but it’s actually one of the most historic areas of the city. The post Why are there so many of the same kind of bars on Sixth Street? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts .

Violet Crown this. Violet Crown that. What’s the deal with this name for so many Austin things? The post Why are there so many ‘Violet Crowns’ in Austin? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts .

This is a tough one. But we do our best, and maybe learn a little something about friendship along the way. The post Who has the oldest friendship in Austin? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts .

We’re back with a new season of stories about Austin’s people, places and culture. As SXSW rolls through Austin this week, we answer a question from Sarah Dixon about the history of films and filmmaking in Austin. The post How long have movies and TV shows been filmed in Austin? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts .

TXplained wants to share a new podcast with you. 24 Hours in Austin tries to answer the question: What does a day in the life of Austin, Texas sound like? The post Introducing 24 Hours in Austin appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts .

Our question asker noticed it happening at Boggy Creek Trail. But the explanation is weirder — and more fun! — than you might think. The post Why are people dropping flour in weird patterns around Austin? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts .

We investigate why “Austin treasure” Bob Schneider has seen big success on the local scene, but hasn’t seemed to crack into the world of huge mainstream “success”. The post Why hasn’t Bob Schneider ever had a Top 40 hit? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts .

It’s the hot to Barton Springs’ cold. Why is Big Stacy warm year-round? The post How is Big Stacy Pool naturally heated? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts .

A generation of Austinites’ memories all line up: several alligators right in Zilker Park in the 1980s. Is it some kind of mass delusion or could it be true? The post Were there ever alligators in Zilker Park? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts .

In 1974, Austin was host to an epic — and epically messy — concert at UT’s Texas Memorial Stadium. This is the story from people who were there. The post What’s the story behind this insert from a 1975 ZZ Top album? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts .

A mysterious poster about a famous artist with no connections to Texas — or Jason’s Deli — leads us on a hunt for who made the thing — and why on Earth they put it there. The post Why is there a display about Jasper Johns on the side of a Jason’s Deli in San Marcos? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts .

Where the pain stops and the good memories begin. The post There used to be a pet cemetery in Pflugerville. What happened to the animals? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts .

Let’s take a moment to reflect on the color of Austin’s contemporary skyline. The post Why do all the new skyscrapers in Austin look blue? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts .

It’s break time. Everyone out of the pool. But what’s that sound? The post Why do lifeguards at Austin’s pools blow their whistles like that? (archive episode) appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts .

When you walk along The Drag, there’s not much to see in terms of businesses. Sure, there’s some hustle and bustle — students walking to and from class, cars rushing by — but many of the storefronts are empty. The post Why are there so many empty stores on The Drag near UT Austin? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts .

When a person buys a property under an HOA, they’re agreeing to any rules the HOA enacts. But there are state laws that could change things. The post Can you raise backyard chickens in Austin even if your HOA says you can’t? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts .

Does the color of your house make a difference in how energy efficient it is? We try to find out. The post Black houses are so hot right now in Austin. But are they hotter? (archive episode) appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts .

Some neighborhoods around Austin have their own reputation. Most of them are probably not all that accurate. The post Is Steiner Ranch really full of swingers? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts .

We spend a lot of time in Austin talking about how many new people move here. But most of us don’t talk much about the people who came before us — way before us.  If you’ve ever taken a walk along Shoal Creek or gone to Barton Springs on a hot summer day, you’re doing […] The post Where have Austin’s Indigenous people gone? (archive episode) appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studio...