City Cast Austin

The Blue Genie Art Bazaar started off as a party where art was sold — and remains one today, with more than 200 artists, 24 years later. Cofounder Dana Younger joins host Nikki DaVaughn to talk about what makes the perfect gift, and how to buy art for friends, along with what you can expect out of this year’s Blue Genie.  Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin new...

The holidays are here, and for us at City Cast Austin, that means spending time with our parents, some of whom we’re lucky to have nearby. So we brought the team together and asked our folks to join us on the mic, sharing stories about the holidays, food, traditions, and siblings — but also getting real about how traditions change over time, and that’s OK. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by her moth...

‘Tis the season for holiday soirees, dinners, and guests, who always seem to bring their appetite. Emily Hill, our grocery expert, joins host Nikki DaVaughn to talk about the seasonal snacks and drinks in grocery stores right now, Emily’s go-to holiday appetizer, why you should get your pies at Central Market and your cheese at Aldi, and how to hack your cookie exchange. Plus, hear how she’s champ...

Working on Austin City Limits TV show is a dream job for camera operators, and about a dozen years ago, that dream came true for one man who’d fallen in love with Austin’s music scene and musicians. Eric Graham joins host Nikki DaVaughn in sharing his memories of working on the show, what makes it feel so intimate, what it was like to film the upcoming 50th anniversary special, and watching musici...

Hook ‘em horns, it’s the Friday News Roundup! We’re bringing you all the latest news that caught our eyes this week, including Texas Longhorns’ big win on the football field against longtime rival A&M — and UT’s upcoming SEC title game, Austin’s newest (and oldest) H-E-B grocery store, and a fight to preserve the history of East 12th Street. Plus, hear about the music festival, festival of lights,...

KUT’s latest podcast, “24 Hours in Austin,” dispatches out a team of producers to do just that — spend 24 hours in various locations in Austin. From Dirty Sixth Street to coffee shops to the airport and a call center for mental health emergencies, characters abound. KUT’s projects editor, Matt Largey, is one of the show’s producers and joins host Nikki DaVaughn to discuss, among other topics, why...

Delorian-driving Austinite Ernest Cline always wanted to write a book about the bats that roost under bridges downtown — but after writing “Ready Player One,” other things got in the way. Recently, he published “Bridge to Bat City,” a love letter to Austin’s culture of accepting creative, different people and cultivating their wacky dreams. Cline joins host Nikki DaVaughn, a huge fan of Cline’s sc...

Every year for the past 25 years, the Austin American-Statesman has dedicated a good amount of ink and online real estate to helping others. The annual Season for Caring series has raised more than $20 million, which goes to local nonprofit organizations that apply for 12 spots. Nicole Villalpondo edits the project, and joins executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec in talking about its impact and how...

It’s beginning to look a lot like December in Austin, and there are holiday popups, festivities, and cheer everywhere. In this episode, you’ll hear our best tips for getting into the holiday spirit, along with our picks for arts and cultural events throughout the month. Plus, we share our favorite ways to help other Austinites, not just during the holidays, but any time of year.   For even more ti...

Local artist Greta O. is having a huge breakthrough — in just hours, her art will be worn by thousands of runners as they flood Austin’s streets in the 34th annual ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot. Greta O. was 8 years old when she submitted the winning design for this year’s trot, and now 9, she reflects on her design, her favorite Thanksgiving foods and activities, and what she wants to be when she...

According to the experts, Tejano music — a true blend of musical styles authentic to Texas — hit its peak in the 1980s and 1990s, and then faded away after the murder of Selena Quintanilla. But it’s back, and these days, it’s more accessible and versatile than ever. Texas Monthly’s new podcast, Viva Tejano, captures the nostalgia and experience of Tejano music, and today, its host, J.B. Sauceda, j...

Thanksgiving kicks off a holiday season that, for many of us, comes with a hefty side dish of anxiety. Should you talk about politics? What should you do if you’re cornered in a conversation and can’t escape? And is it OK to just sit some of the festivities out? Host Nikki DaVaughn sits down with Julie Burke of Violet Crown Therapy to share some tips for holiday survival for all Austinites, free o...

It’s the Friday News Roundup, and the City Cast Austin team is back, sharing the headlines that are on our minds. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Hey Austin newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec to discuss the Bible-steeped curriculum for elementary school students that the State Board of Education is poised to adopt; the rising costs of the caps over Interstat...

Lisa Davis has been at the helm of Austin Police Department for about two months, and has already made some big changes — particularly when it comes to transparency. But what other changes does she have up her uniform sleeve? How can Austinites learn more about her 100-day plan? And after moving from Cincinnati, what is Chief Davis loving about Austin? Host Nikki DaVaughn asks her about it all, in...

Why should we care that a tire company decided to honor 45 Austin (and Lockhart) restaurants in the new Michelin Guide of Texas? Host Nikki DaVaughn wasn’t so sure she did — until she heard all about it from Eater Austin’s editor, Nadia Chaudhury. Which seven restaurants received one of the coveted Michelin Stars? What exactly does Bib Gourmand mean, anyway? And how is all of this recognition goin...

We’ve talked before about just how much Austinites throw away, but did you know that the city, as a whole, has a goal to get to zero waste by 2040? With holidays around the corner, there’s no time like the present to make a plan to reduce your household waste through the parties, feasts, and onslaught of packages. Austin Resource Recovery’s Paul Bestgen joins host Nikki DaVaughn to discuss it all,...

Maryam Ahmed, a sophomore at The University of Texas at Austin, wasn’t planning on spending her time at college covering protests. Still, she’s owned the beat, reporting for The Daily Texan on the dozens of students who were arrested protesting the war in Israel and Gaza, and the fallout in court challenges and by university administration. Ahmed joins host Nikki DaVaughn to discuss how the goings...

On today’s Friday News Roundup, the City Cast Austin team discusses several headlines that caught our eye: What the Texas Democratic Party chairman said that led to him stepping down, Austin City Council finally wrote a check to the Red River Cultural District, and — no joke — The Onion has purchased local conspiracy theorist Alex Jones’ Infowars. Plus, host Nikki DaVaughn, Hey Austin newsletter e...

The presidential election was touted as “high stakes,” but voter turnout in Texas, and Austin, was relatively low. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Blaise Gainey, KUT’s Texas Capitol reporter, to discuss how Donald Trump’s next presidential term could affect life and people in Austin, and what the election data says about Texas voters. Plus, how big of a boost did Trump get from celebrity Austinit...

Can you critique a city that you truly love? Author Alex Hannaford, who moved to Austin after falling in love with it — and then left after growing dismayed 20 years later — says actually, it’s necessary. Hannaford doesn’t hold back in “Lost in Austin,” which takes a close look at the tug-of-war between the economic booms that have made Austin businesses thrive and the downturns that allow creativ...

Texas executes more people than any other state, but recently, state lawmakers were able to halt one at the last minute, saving Robert Roberson’s life, at least for now. Michelle Lyons, a former public information officer for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice who witnessed hundreds of executions and wrote a memoir about it, joins host Nikki DaVaughn to break down Roberson’s case, what life...

We at City Cast Austin wanted to know how well Austinites know their city, so we put on our Tecovas, made for walkin’, and took to the streets to find out. Join host Nikki DaVaughn as she and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec quiz folks on five local trivia questions. We’d like to thank Tecovas, who makes our favorite Western wear in town, for sponsoring this episode.   Want some more Austin new...

On today’s Friday News Roundup, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Jasper Scherer, politics reporter with the Texas Tribune, and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec, to dig into how Austin voted. Did you know that Donald Trump has actually gained more ground here since 2020? Plus, we get into several local races, like the still-undecided race for Austin’s mayor and one of the five city council seats...

Fall is in the air, and for some in Central Texas, the itch to spend more time outside must be scratched. Host Nikki DaVaughn likes nature from afar, and is joined by Pam LeBlanc, adventurer extraordinaire, to share all of her top tips for where to pitch a tent this fall, how to prepare for a successful outing, and why the best views in nature are actually found on the loo. Among her tips: Reserve...

Voters in Austin showed up for Mayor Kirk Watson, and backed some council members and sent a few council hopefuls to run offs. Host Nikki DaVaughn, Hey Austin newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw, and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec break down what happened in local and state races, including what happened with local ballot propositions, and whether incumbent Ted Cruz will hold onto his U.S. Sena...