KUT News Now

Lowering a highway in flash flood alley comes with obvious risks. So TxDOT’s building a drainage tunnel wide enough to drive a semi-truck through it. KUT’s Nathan Bernier reports about this massive underground construction project that will shake things up… literally. The post Behind those walls along I-35, TxDOT is building one of the largest tunnels Austin’s ever seen app...

Central Texas top stories for September 29, 2025. The Austin Police Department is expected to release more information today in the 1991 murder case known as the “Yogurt Shop Murders” after announcing they’ve identified a suspect. The Austin firefighters union agreed to a new labor contract with the city. Several school districts in the Austin […] The post KUT Morning Newscast for September...

The Austin firefighters union is nearing a deal on a new labor contract with the city. Results are in from an election in Austin's Cherrywood neighborhood on whether to build a concrete barrier between homes and I-35. The expansion and redevelopment of the Austin Convention Center is moving ahead. The City of Austin is offering free health screenings tomorrow in East Austin. Central Health is host...

Central Texas top stories for September 26, 2025. The city of Austin is changing its rules to allow the Austin Animal Center to spay certain animals without first notifying rescue organizations. A Williamson County judge has temporarily blocked a data center project from moving forward with any work on its site in Taylor after neighbors filed […] The post KUT Morning Newscast for September 2...

The Texas Attorney General’s office has responded to a lawsuit brought by UT students. The City of Austin is now holding off on the idea of installing cameras that use artificial intelligence around parks and other green spaces. The U.S. Department of Education’s decision not to distribute already-appropriated funds to Hispanic-Serving Institutions is costing Texas colleges and universities nearly...

Central Texas top stories for September 25, 2025. The City of Austin could consider using artificial intelligence to help catch people committing crimes at local parks, but some residents have concerns. Austin firefighters and the city can’t come to an agreement on a labor contract; they are set to discuss it today. The Texas Higher […] The post KUT Morning Newscast for September 25, 2...

Central Texas top stories for September 24, 2025. Travis Co offering the public disaster response training. Austin council to vote on animal shelter overcrowding prevention. CapMetro wants input on plan to expand service. Burnet Rd to be rebuilt near Q2 Stadium. Texas Volleyball looks to lengthen win streak. This podcast is made at KUT Public […] The post KUT Afternoon Newscast for September...

Central Texas top stories for September 24, 2025. Camp Mystic, where 27 girls died during July 4th flooding, is set to reopen one of its camps for summer 2026. A new rule from the Trump administration could make it more difficult for businesses in Central Texas to attract skilled workers from foreign countries. One of […] The post KUT Morning Newscast for September 24, 2025: Camp Mystic is s...

Central Texas top stories for September 23, 2025. Driver in deadly I-35 pile-up indicted on 22 counts. Travis County imposes burn ban. Leander mayor stepping down. Austin Resource Recovery getting more eco-friendly facility. Lower gas prices. 20th annual HAAM Day. This podcast is made at KUT Public Media Studios. You may have heard that Congress […] The post KUT Afternoon Newscast for Septem...

Central Texas top stories for September 23, 2025: Austin Resource Recovery’s new service center in Northeast Austin will help better serve the city’s north side. Governor Greg Abbott has signed Texas’ so-called “bathroom bill” into law. And it’s “HAAM Day” – the 20th annual city-wide music festival benefitting the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians. The...

Central Texas top stories for September 22, 2025. A hot first day of fall in Austin but relief is on the way. New lawsuit against posting Ten Commandments in every Texas classroom. Leander and Austin ISDs looking at closing campuses to ease budget shortfalls. No classes today for several area school districts with Austin and […] The post KUT Afternoon Newscast for September 22, 2025: Austin&...

Central Texas top stories for September 22, 2025: The Austin Firefighters Association says the city of Austin has lowballed them on a wage increase compared to what it paid EMS and police during their negotiations. Like many other school districts in Central Texas, Leander ISD is looking to save money amid a looming budget deficit […] The post KUT Morning Newscast for September 22, 2025: Aus...

Central Texas top stories for September 19, 2025. Texas A&M University President Mark Welsh will step down today. Governor Greg Abbott has signed a bill into law that allows private citizens to sue out-of-state prescribers and distributors of abortion pills. Austin officials say they’re confident they’re complying with the law after the U.S. Department of […] The post KUT Morning Newscas...

The Department of Justice announced today that it’s investigating the City of Austin’s hiring practices. The Moody Foundation is donating $150 million to Huston-Tillotson University. Two men are being sought after an assault against a transgender woman and a bystander who intervened at the Barton Springs spillway. Severe drought has returned to parts of Travis and Hays counties. The post KUT After...

Central Texas top stories for September 18, 2025. News organizations fight to unseal Texas AG Ken Paxton’s divorce case records. A new audit finds the City of Austin is falling behind on its “zero waste” goals. Austin severs ties with a nonprofit that runs two downtown homeless shelters. ACC has a new partnership to help […] The post KUT Morning Newscast for September 18, 2025: A new a...

A Texas State University student is no longer enrolled at the university after a video of him mocking the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk circulated online. Austin police say there’s now a murder charge against the man accused of shooting a woman last week before shooting a police officer. A heavily-used bridge over I-35 will be closed all day tomorrow for emergency repairs. Texas Voll...

Central Texas top stories for September 17, 2025. Governor Greg Abbott called for a Texas State student to be expelled after the student imitated Charlie Kirk’s death. A study shows the City of Austin could do more to help residents being displaced by redevelopment. Neighbors in Taylor are trying to stop a data center from […] The post KUT Morning Newscast for September 17, 2025: A Texas Sta...

Travis County commissioners approved a new budget today for the local public hospital district Central Health. Travis County property taxes are going up to help cover the costs of the July 5th flooding and prepare for future climate disasters. Austin ISD and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton have reached an agreement over a lawsuit. The City of Austin is ending its contract with nonprofit Urban Al...

Central Texas top stories for September 16, 2025. The Texas Supreme Court has dismissed a lawsuit challenging the city of Austin’s ballot language for its upcoming tax rate election. A new app aims to tell people how much the MoPac Express Lanes will cost them. Deadlines to apply for FEMA assistance after July floods are […] The post KUT Morning Newscast for September 16, 2025: Texas Supreme...

Travis County Commissioners are set to approve a significant property tax increase this month. Tonight is the last night Austin ISD parents can hear directly from the district on its plan to close schools and redraw school boundaries. The Texas Supreme Court has denied a petition in a lawsuit filed against the City of Austin that challenged the ballot language in its upcoming tax rate election. Th...

Central Texas top stories for September 15, 2025. Republican Representative Michael McCaul announced on Sunday he won’t seek reelection to congress. The Texas Legislature formed new House and Senate committees focused on freedom of speech on Texas college campuses. Texas saw the largest increase in the rate of uninsured children in the country between 2022 […] The post KUT Morning Newscast f...

The Austin Police Department has identified the man accused of shooting a police officer and another person Wednesday morning near Zilker Park. UT Austin students are trying to get the word out about a new law they say limits free speech on campus. Central Health has given initial approval to a new budget and tax rate. The City of Austin is launching a program to remove graffiti from private prope...

Central Texas top stories for September 12, 2025. Austin Police have identified 30-year-old Brandon Thompson as the suspect in the shooting of two people near Zilker Park this week. The 183 North Project is running months behind schedule. The Austin City Council has approved new rules for short-term rentals like Airbnb. Central Health has given […] The post KUT Morning Newscast for September...

People in parts of Austin were told Wednesday morning just after 6:30 that a man shot a police officer and another person near Zilker Park was no longer a threat, but he still was. Central Health has given initial approval to a new budget and tax rate. Property owners running short-term rentals in Austin will have to follow new rules adopted by the Austin City Council today. The Longhorns volleyba...

Central Texas top stories for September 11, 2025. People operating short-term rentals in Austin without a license could risk being removed from online rental sites. Austin Police say they’re looking into their text-based alert system after confusion yesterday during the search for a man who shot two people, including an APD officer. Georgetown is making […] The post KUT Morning Newscast for...