City Cast Austin

Austin City Council members have a new plan to make downtown streets friendlier for pedestrians, cyclists, and mass transit-users — and think it will reduce vehicular traffic in the city’s core. But it comes at a steep price at a time when many Austinites are wary and skeptical about council’s spending. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw and executive producer Eva R...

The Texas Legislature has just been tasked with getting a handle on data centers, but with more than 70 data centers in the area, is it too late? Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Ryan Pollock, the Executive Director and Secretary Treasurer of Texas State Building and Constructions Trades Council, to find out how these massive, necessary facilities are being built, what kinds of jobs they might pro...

Austin is building more affordable housing than any other American city right now — 50% more, by some measures, than the second most successful city. However, Austin is also seeing a shortage in housing that middle- and lower-income residents can afford. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Austin host Nikki DaVaughn about this paradox, Austin's affordable housing successes, and where th...

On this week's Friday News Round Up, Host Nikki DaVaughn and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec talk about new reporting that reveals just how closely Texas Department of Public Safety officers are working with immigration officers here in Austin. Plus, the city of Austin has removed mysterious downtown bench rails, and still nobody knows who installed them, and the new owners of The Hole in the...

Playing pool is cheap, indoors, and a great way to meet people — and fits in perfectly with Austin’s relaxed vibe. Looking for the best tables in Austin? Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by local pool shark and producer Elissa Castles to share her favorite hidden gems, free tables, and best date night spots, plus some rules of the road and tips for newbies.  Want some more Austin news? Then make sure...

For many of us, H-E-B is so much more than a grocery store; it's a cornerstone of the community. In moments of crisis, H-E-B shows up as a lifeline. For local makers, it offers a path to get homegrown products onto the shelves. And for everyday shoppers, it's a place that feels unmistakably Texan (butter tortillas included). Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Heidi Post, Senior Director of Public Af...

The City of Austin has redesigned its website, and Austinites have thoughts on the changes and the $1.48 million price tag. On this week’s Tuesday News Roundup, host Nikki DaVaughn talks with producer Elissa Castles and newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw about the website and what local Reddit users are saying. Plus, Hoover’s Cooking, an east Austin staple for almost 30 years, is closing at the end...

Whether or not you think SXSW is dead, you have to admit things were quite different this year, the festival’s 40th. New ownership, a demolished convention center, a condensed schedule, and other changes made this a make-it-or-break-it year — so how did it go? The short answer: Things were different. But magical moments still abounded. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Dan Solomon, senior writer at...

The unionization efforts of sex workers in Nevada might have implications for gig workers in Austin. At Sheri's Ranch, a legal brothel 45 minutes outside Las Vegas, some of the workers are seeking both recognition as employees and union representation. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with former City Cast Las Vegas podcast host, current contributor, and longtime Nevada attorney Dayvid Figler about...

After a bombshell investigation from the New York Times detailed multiple allegations of sexual abuse by labor activist César Chávez, the City of Austin is grappling with how to respond. Officials have already canceled a César Chávez parade scheduled for next weekend and are considering renaming a downtown street bearing his name. On this week's Friday News Round Up host Nikki DaVaughn is joined b...

We love many things about Austin, but today’s episode is all about the things we hate. Host Nikki DaVaughn, producer Elissa Castles, and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec asked each other: “Where would you take someone in town if you hated them?” Tune in for our worst bad day itineraries, and stay until the end to find out whose is the ultimate worst.  Want some more Austin news? Then make sure...

To most Austinites, the annual music festival at Willie Nelson’s ranch in Driftwood is a mystery — one needs a bit of good fortune just to buy a ticket for the exclusive Luck Reunion. Before the festivities kick off, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by two people charmed enough to have attended last year’s event: Tricky Jones, who sang with Jessica Simpson; and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec, to...

Happy St. Patrick's Day y'all! Right now, Austin is bursting in green decor and luck is thick in the air. If you're looking for a spot to grab a pint of Guinness or sip an Irish coffee, we've got you covered. On this week's Tuesday News Round Up, host Nikki DaVaughn sits down with beer, food, and drink writer Ruvani de Silva to talk through the Irish-themed events you won't want to miss today. Plu...

Surveillance technology has played a big role in the investigation into the recent West Sixth Street mass shooting, and participants in this year’s SXSW festival certainly understand they are being watched by law enforcement on downtown cameras. But how much surveillance technology is too much? Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Mackenzie Rhine, a digital rights attorney and board member of the Elec...

Austinites are concerned about police accountability, especially with the increased presence of federal troops in many cities. DC Council in Washington recently passed emergency legislation requiring local police to release body-worn camera footage of incidents involving federal forces they patrol with, and to collect the names of federal officers who make arrests. It’s a big shift in local policy...

Welcome to SXSW 2026! If you're planning on heading downtown, things might look a little different this year. On this week's Friday News Round Up, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec and newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw to get you up to speed on the changes happening during SXSW, from street closures and venue shifts to updated safety protocols. Plus, why a histor...

It’s SXSW — and downtown Austin has been transformed like never before, with programming even more spread out than usual due to the lack of a convention center. So, what will SXSW’s 40th year look like? Will running the innovation, music, film and TV, and comedy festivals simultaneously be a chaotic mess?  How can Austinites get involved without breaking the bank? And is SXSW ready for the crowds...

Spring festival season is here, just as more restaurants around Austin are beginning to offer late-night dining. If you’re planning on being out past 10 p.m. and looking for a spot to grab a bite, we’ve got the guide for you. Host Nikki DaVaughn teams up with producers Elissa Castles and Eva Ruth Moravec to share their favorite late-night spots around town, from quick snack stops to dine-in favori...

Last week, Austinites turned out to the polls in record numbers, eager to cast their ballots in this year's primary election. On this week's Tuesday News Roundup, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec and Blaise Gainey, Texas Newsroom's politics reporter, to break down how Austin voted, what races are headed to runoffs, and what it could all mean for the general midt...

Austin City Council is considering spending money to hire an outside auditor — even though it has an audit office — to identify ways the city could save money. But what are their motivations? Is it to actually prove to the public that they are more fiscally responsible, and regain lost trust? Or, is it to take action before an outside group can gather signatures and force a vote on whether to incl...

Homelessness is one of the major issues that cities like Austin are trying to solve. The state of Utah is planning to build a 16-acre homeless campus on the outskirts of Salt Lake City, where unhoused people with mental illnesses or addiction issues could be sheltered and in some cases involuntarily committed. This controversial idea is the brainchild of conservative think tanks, and it’s one that...

Yesterday, Austin police released new details about the deadly shooting that unfolded early Sunday on West Sixth Street, including 911 calls and video footage from the area. On this week's Friday News Roundup, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by producers Elissa Castles and Eva Ruth Moravec to unpack the latest developments and what officers’ body cameras reveal about the scene. Later, the team is jo...

We made it past Austin’s several weeks of winter, and spring is officially springing. It’s time for festivals, bluebonnets, Election Day, and so much more. Host Nikki DaVaughn and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec are joined by Austin-based content creator Poonam Patel to share their best recommendations for what to do, and how to do it, this March. And, don’t miss the chance to enter our giveaw...

A change to when votes are counted in Travis County caused results on primary election night to be delayed for hours, leaving several local races uncalled late into Tuesday evening. In the heavily-watched race for the U.S. Senate nomination, State Representative James Talarico beat U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett, and the top Republican vote-getters, incumbent John Cornyn and Attorney General...

As federal and local officials continue to investigate and look for a motive in Sunday morning’s West Sixth Street shooting, friends and relatives of the victims are remembering their loved ones, and a memorial outside of Buford’s Backyard Beer Hall continues to grow. Austin police have now identified two people who were killed in the shooting, Ryder Harrington, 19; and Savitha Shan, 21, and have...