Austin Signal

Program at state prison in Austin helps shelter dogs get adopted

The Austin Independent School District expects a $181 million deficit in next school year’s budget — but it still hasn’t released a proposal [https://www.kut.org/education/2026-05-22/austin-isd-tx-budget-deficit-delayed-plan] for what cuts will be made. Austin revised its rules on how city police can interact with federal immigration agents — and city leaders are divided on what the change actually means [https://www.kut.org/austin/2026-05-20/austin-tx-police-ice-policy-immigration-enforcement-safe-to-call]. The Austin Animal Center is often overcrowded. But a new program at the Travis Unit state prison [https://www.kut.org/crime-justice/2026-05-21/texas-prison-dog-training-enduring-service-program] is getting dogs there training and socialization to help them get adopted. And a look back at an iconic performance 41years ago at the Armadillo World Headquarters. Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org [http://supportthispodcast.org] The full transcript of this episode [https://kutkutx.studio/austin-signal/program-at-state-prison-in-austin-helps-shelter-dogs-get-adopted#transcript] of Austin Signal is available on the KUT & KUTX Studio website. The transcript is also available as subtitles or captions on some podcast apps. The post Program at state prison in Austin helps shelter dogs get adopted [https://kutkutx.studio/austin-signal/program-at-state-prison-in-austin-helps-shelter-dogs-get-adopted] appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts [https://kutkutx.studio].

Austin’s Pease Park troll burns down

A high school senior in Austin has been released from ICE custody [https://www.kut.org/crime-justice/2026-05-20/austin-isd-senior-detained-by-ice-to-be-released-following-judges-order] and reunited with his family after a judge’s order — in time to walk in his graduation ceremony next month. The city of Austin has faced another blow in its efforts to keep painted street murals and crosswalks [https://www.kut.org/transportation/2026-05-20/austin-tx-street-art-txdot-black-artists-matter-rainbow-crosswalks-texas-mural]. Also, the popular Pease Park troll, Malin, has burned down. We’ll share what we know. [https://www.kut.org/austin/2026-05-21/austin-tx-pease-park-troll-burns-down] The end of this school year will feel very different at the 10 schools in the Austin Independent School District that are permanently closing. Becker Elementary’s Green Classroom is gearing up for their community garden’s final harvest [https://www.kut.org/education/2026-05-20/austin-isd-tx-school-closures-becker-elementary-garden-green-classroom]. And the Austin bird everyone loves to hate: The grackle [https://www.kut.org/austin/2016-03-31/why-do-grackles-flock-to-grocery-store-parking-lots-at-dusk]. The post Austin’s Pease Park troll burns down [https://kutkutx.studio/austin-signal/austins-pease-park-troll-burns-down] appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts [https://kutkutx.studio].

Latino community divided on renaming Cesar Chavez Street

Early voting is underway for Tuesday’s primary runoffs, and we have a look at two races on some Central Texans’ ballots: state House District 49 [https://www.kut.org/politics/2026-05-18/austin-tx-montserrat-garibay-kathie-tovo-house-district-49-runoff] and Hays County judge [https://www.kut.org/politics/2026-05-19/hays-county-judge-tx-democratic-runoff-election]. Austin is working to rename Cesar Chavez Street after accusations of sexual abuse and assault. But some are struggling with those changes [https://www.kut.org/austin/2026-05-15/austin-tx-cesar-chavez-allegations-latino-community-reacts]. Some good news and some bad news about a ranking of Austin’s parks. We’ve got more from a new report [https://www.tpl.org/parkscore], including who rivals the city’s parks. And: A sneak peek at tomorrow night’s ATXplained Live [https://texasperformingarts.org/event/atxplained-live-may2026-bass-concert-hall-austin-texas/]! Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org [http://supportthispodcast.org] The full transcript of this episode [https://kutkutx.studio/austin-signal/latino-community-divided-on-renaming-cesar-chavez-street#transcript] of Austin Signal is available on the KUT & KUTX Studio website. The transcript is also available as subtitles or captions on some podcast apps. The post Latino community divided on renaming Cesar Chavez Street [https://kutkutx.studio/austin-signal/latino-community-divided-on-renaming-cesar-chavez-street] appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts [https://kutkutx.studio].

I-35 construction has narrowed a passage on Lady Bird Lake

The Austin City Council is set to take up a controversial proposal this week about relying more on natural gas during times of high energy demand, and opponents worry about how it could affect climate goals. [https://austincurrent.org/2026/05/14/texas-austin-energy-grid-climate-gas/] If you venture out to Lady Bird Lake this Memorial Day weekend, you might encounter an unfamiliar sight: a construction zone on the water. [https://www.kut.org/transportation/2026-05-19/austin-tx-i35-bridge-lady-bird-lake-75-feet-passageway] How a photography project is helping one woman reclaim her story of loss and perseverance. Television lovers rejoice: The ATX TV Festival [https://atxfestival.com/]is returning for its 15th season. Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org [http://supportthispodcast.org] The full transcript of this episode [https://kutkutx.studio/austin-signal/i-35-construction-has-narrowed-a-passage-on-lady-bird-lake#transcript] of Austin Signal is available on the KUT & KUTX Studio website. The transcript is also available as subtitles or captions on some podcast apps. The post I-35 construction has narrowed a passage on Lady Bird Lake [https://kutkutx.studio/austin-signal/i-35-construction-has-narrowed-a-passage-on-lady-bird-lake] appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts [https://kutkutx.studio].

Church gives out free burgers weekly near UT to combat food insecurity

Three people are in custody following a weekend crime spree and manhunt in Austin that made national headlines. Police say the suspects, all juveniles, are tied to multiple shootings and stolen vehicles across the city. [https://www.kut.org/news/2026-05-17/austin-shootings-active-shooter-search-shelter-in-place] As grocery costs rise, a church near the University of Texas campus gives out hundreds of free burgers [https://www.kut.org/austin/2026-05-15/austin-church-gives-out-hundreds-of-free-burgers-weekly-by-uts-campus-to-combat-food-insecurity]weekly to combat food insecurity. Texas Democrat James Talarico’s taco order is going viral after a stop at Taco Joint. More on the order heard around the country. [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/14/us/james-talarico-breakfast-taco-debate-texas.html] Austin FC has fired its sporting director and head coach. The co-host of the Vamos Verde podcast shares what this means for the team. [https://www.kut.org/austin/2026-05-18/austin-fc-fire-top-staff-after-disappointing-start-to-season] Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org [http://supportthispodcast.org] The full transcript of this episode [https://kutkutx.studio/austin-signal/church-gives-out-free-burgers-weekly-near-ut-to-combat-food-insecurity#transcript] of Austin Signal is available on the KUT & KUTX Studio website. The transcript is also available as subtitles or captions on some podcast apps. The post Church gives out free burgers weekly near UT to combat food insecurity [https://kutkutx.studio/austin-signal/church-gives-out-free-burgers-weekly-near-ut-to-combat-food-insecurity] appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts [https://kutkutx.studio].