A Central Texas city eyes desalination to help with water woes

A Central Texas city eyes desalination to help with water woes

Water is never far from the top of concerns for Central Texans and folks across the state. Down in Corpus Christi, plans for a desalination plant are underway [https://www.kut.org/energy-environment/2026-06-24/kyle-tx-water-rates-desalination-project-drought-corpus-christi-texas], and one Austin-area city is set to spend half a million dollars for a spot in line to get some of that water. City of Austin leaders are divided on a bond election [https://www.kut.org/austin/2026-06-24/austin-tx-november-bond-election-city-council-parks]to improve local roads and parks. The election this November would come just one year after voters soundly rejected a property tax rate increase known as Proposition Q. Plus, Austin’s food scene is chock full of fine dining experiences, but has that erased the presence of a bonafide Texas staple? Our ATXplained project chewed the question over. [https://www.kut.org/austin/2026-06-18/ausitn-tx-atxplained-chicken-fried-steak-restaurants-food] Plus a Few Headlines mentions in the show today: * And Mexico has their final Group Stage world cup match [https://www.kut.org/sports/2026-06-24/austin-tx-mexico-world-cup-watch-parties-fc]. Tonight at 8pm against Czechia and watch parties are happening across the city. * Camp Mystic has filed for chapter 11 Bankruptcy [https://www.kut.org/business/2026-06-24/camp-mystic-bankrupt-texas-flood-deaths] that’s after months of investigations and multiple lawsuits files by the families of those who died in last years deadly July fourth floods.  * Also the Statesman is reporting a ‘Rat infestation’ at St. David’s hospital [https://www.statesman.com/news/healthcare/article/austin-hospital-rat-infestation-st-davids-22318738.php] in South Austin.  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/a-central-texas-city-eyes-desalination-to-help-with-water-woes#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 A Central Texas city eyes desalination to help with water woes [https://kutkutx.studio/austin-signal/a-central-texas-city-eyes-desalination-to-help-with-water-woes] appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts [https://kutkutx.studio].

New podcast explores aftermath of deadly 2025 flooding

The city of Austin is being sued by a group of Travis County property owners after reversing course on an agreement that would have released nearly 170 properties from the city’s jurisdiction. Sean Hemmersmeier from the Austin Business Journal tells us more. [https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2026/06/18/lawsuit-etj-releases-filed-against-atx-court.html] We’re approaching one year since the devastating Fourth of July floods that claimed the lives of more than 100 Central Texans. A new podcast, “After the Flood, [https://www.kut.org/texas/2026-06-10/texas-flood-camp-mystic-kerr-county]” takes a deeper look at the disaster’s lasting impact. Looking for your next great read? The Field Guide to Austin Summer Reading Bingo Challenge [https://www.kut.org/austin-field-guide/2026-06-05/austin-tx-summer-reading-challenge-bingo-kut] is happening now, and we’ve got a couple of book recommendations to help fill your card. Plus: Tattoo shops across Austin [https://www.kut.org/business/2026-06-23/austin-tx-rise-and-shine-tattoos-construction-pandemic-closures-economy] are finding it increasingly difficult to keep their doors open. 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/new-podcast-explores-aftermath-of-deadly-2025-flooding#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 New podcast explores aftermath of deadly 2025 flooding [https://kutkutx.studio/austin-signal/new-podcast-explores-aftermath-of-deadly-2025-flooding] appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts [https://kutkutx.studio].

Water samples from Austin’s Colony exceed limits for heavy metals

A new study from UT Austin found several water samples collected from the Austin’s Colony neighborhood in far East Austin exceeded regulatory guidelines for lead and other heavy metals [https://www.kut.org/energy-environment/2026-06-19/austin-colony-tx-lead-water-quality-testinguniversity-texas-ut]. For decades, residents in the area have been at odds with its water provider, a for-profit company. The Austin Independent School District board voted in favor of more than $200 million in cuts [https://www.kut.org/education/2026-06-19/austin-tx-aisd-cuts-budget-205-million] to next year’s school budget — but, in a last-minute change, all campuses will keep a full-time librarian. The Austin Asian American Film Festival [https://www.aaafilmfest.org] is gearing up for its 18th iteration. What they’ve learned and how they’re honoring the work that’s been done before them. Plus: An Austin nonprofit celebrates community and connection through stories about pizza [https://www.kut.org/life-arts/2026-06-22/austin-tx-stories-about-pizza-color-arc-productions]. 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/water-samples-from-austins-colony-exceed-limits-for-heavy-metals#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 Water samples from Austin’s Colony exceed limits for heavy metals [https://kutkutx.studio/austin-signal/water-samples-from-austins-colony-exceed-limits-for-heavy-metals] appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts [https://kutkutx.studio].

Juneteenth in Austin: Black History Bike Ride Documentary, Book Festival Preview and Reflections on Freedom

It’s Juneteenth, and it’s time for another trek through town for the Black History Bike Ride [https://blackhistorybikeride.com]. The organization has been hosting the event for a few years now and a new documentary [https://www.kut.org/austin/2025-07-23/austin-tx-black-history-bike-ride] has been made highlighting the mental and physical journey of the ride. We’ll sit down to chat with the filmmaker about the project. [https://blackhistorybikeride.com/film/] The Austin African American book [https://www.aaabookfest.org] festival is fast approaching. We’ll hear some book recommendations from the leader of the fest. Plus; KUT’s Miles Bloxson speaks to Black Austinites about the history of Juneteenth, how they celebrate the holiday and explores the question, “Are We Really Free?” [https://kutkutx.studio/juneteenth-are-we-really-free/juneteenth-are-we-really-free] 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/juneteenth-in-austin-black-history-bike-ride-documentary-book-festival-preview-and-reflections-on-freedom#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 Juneteenth in Austin: Black History Bike Ride Documentary, Book Festival Preview and Reflections on Freedom [https://kutkutx.studio/austin-signal/juneteenth-in-austin-black-history-bike-ride-documentary-book-festival-preview-and-reflections-on-freedom] appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts [https://kutkutx.studio].

Capital Factory founder Joshua Baer dies in plane crash

Joshua Baer — founder of the tech investment company Capital Factory and described as the “godfather” of the Austin startup scene — died in a plane crash this week [https://www.kut.org/texas/2026-06-17/austin-tx-laredo-plane-crash-highway-texas] on his way back to Austin. We’re learning more about the crash, the investigation and about Baer’s larger impacts here. Summer break is well underway for the Austin school district, but teachers and staff from 10 closing schools are thinking about life at a different campus next school year. How one math teacher made the decision to retire [https://www.kut.org/education/2026-06-17/austin-isd-tx-school-closures-teachers-leaving]. Plus: A preview of the Black Auteur Film Festival [https://www.austinfilm.org/screening/black-auteur-film-festival/] that’s happening this Saturday. 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/capital-factory-founder-joshua-baer-dies-in-plane-crash#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 Capital Factory founder Joshua Baer dies in plane crash [https://kutkutx.studio/austin-signal/capital-factory-founder-joshua-baer-dies-in-plane-crash] appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts [https://kutkutx.studio].