Taylor rejects citizens’ effort to temporarily ban data centers

Taylor rejects citizens’ effort to temporarily ban data centers

The Taylor City Council was set to consider a citizen-led initiative to temporarily ban data centers, but 15 minutes into its meeting on Thursday night, the city released a statement that state law would not allow the effort [https://www.kut.org/energy-environment/2026-07-09/taylor-city-council-ban-data-centers]. The City of Austin is releasing details on its proposed budget for the next fiscal year as it tries to chip away at a budget deficit. The programs and cuts that are up for consideration. Enchanted Rock Natural Area is a favorite Austin getaway, and it’s growing in size to provide even more hiking and exploration [https://www.kut.org/texas/2026-07-08/enchanted-rock-opens-new-backcountry-area-for-experienced-hikers]. And: We’ve got another anecdote from the Accent Unmuted storytelling series. 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/taylor-rejects-citizens-effort-to-temporarily-ban-data-centers#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 Taylor rejects citizens’ effort to temporarily ban data centers [https://kutkutx.studio/austin-signal/taylor-rejects-citizens-effort-to-temporarily-ban-data-centers] appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts [https://kutkutx.studio].

Austin Community College continues free tuition program and staff raises despite lower revenue

Data center construction is booming in Texas, and though proponents say the industry stands to bring billions of dollars to the state’s economy, their rapid growth is under scrutiny from all sides of the political spectrum. The Austin Community College Board of Trustees has approved a budget for the 2027 fiscal year that continues free a tuition program and staff raises [https://www.kut.org/education/2026-07-08/austin-community-college-offers-2-raises-amid-lower-revenue] despite lower revenue — but officials say they will need state legislators to approve new funding to be able to keep up with increased costs in the future. The latest excerpt from the “After the Flood” podcast [https://kutkutx.studio/after-the-flood/who-when-whereand-now-what]. There’s lots more than World Cup watch parties happening this weekend in Austin [https://www.kut.org/newsletters]: a roundup of the galleries [https://www.kut.org/life-arts/2026-07-09/austin-tx-disability-pride-showcase-alienated-majestic-bookstore-open-mic] and shows you don’t want to miss. 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/austin-community-college-continues-free-tuition-program-and-staff-raises-despite-lower-revenue#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 Austin Community College continues free tuition program and staff raises despite lower revenue [https://kutkutx.studio/austin-signal/austin-community-college-continues-free-tuition-program-and-staff-raises-despite-lower-revenue] appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts [https://kutkutx.studio].

New homeless navigation center coming to North Austin

For Austinites experiencing homelessness in the northern half of the city, accessing food, shelter or even a shower can mean taking the bus to downtown, or even South Austin. But a new center opening this summer will bring those services closer to many folks. [https://www.kut.org/austin/2026-07-08/austin-tx-homeless-navigation-center-north-austin-we-can-now] A group of activists gathered outside the Travis County Administrative building this morning to protest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Community members say ICE activity has ramped up in recent weeks. [https://www.kut.org/austin/2026-07-08/austin-santuary-network-ice-arrests-houston-shooting-tx] People in Austin’s Bryker Woods neighborhood have lodged concerns about a dilapidated home that’s attracted rodents of all shapes and sizes. The owner hasn’t lived there in years but says the home still holds sentimental value. Andrea Ball from Austin Current, gives us an overview of the battle to address problems that go beyond eyesores. [https://austincurrent.org/2026/07/06/austin-demolition-abandoned-citycode-compliance-bryker/] After emerging from years spent as a caregiver, one woman wanted to process the experience by swimming in 50 bodies of water for her 50th birthday — including Barton Springs Pool. “Midstream” author Kate Washington shares her story. [https://texasstandard.org/stories/midstream-kate-washington-memoir/] Plus a Few Headlines mentions in the show today: * The Austin Community College Board of Trustees has approved the system’s $583 million dollar budget for the next fiscal year. * Two former Travis County Tax office employees have been indicted on charges of engaging in organized criminal activity. 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-homeless-navigation-center-coming-to-north-austin#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 homeless navigation center coming to North Austin [https://kutkutx.studio/austin-signal/new-homeless-navigation-center-coming-to-north-austin] appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts [https://kutkutx.studio].

Austin paves over street murals including ‘Black Artists Matter’ following state order

Two street murals in Austin were paved over last week at the behest of state leaders who’d threatened to pull federal transportation funds if the city didn’t act. How much will it cost? And what street art remains? [https://www.kut.org/transportation/2026-05-20/austin-tx-street-art-txdot-black-artists-matter-rainbow-crosswalks-texas-mural] High prices for beef aren’t being driven by the New World Screwworm — at least, not yet. The U.S. contains the fewest cattle since 1951 [https://texasstandard.org/stories/cattle-herd-size-beef-prices-high/]. Austin-based filmmaker Edna Diaz has spent time in Mexico highlighting feminist voices working to bring attention to the rising amount of femicides there. We talk with her about her new documentary short, https://www.sangrevioletafilm.com“Sangre Violenta, Sangre Violeta.” [https://www.pbs.org/video/sangre-violenta-sangre-violeta-cpftht/] Another summer book recommendation to knock out that KUT reading bingo challenge [https://www.kut.org/austin-field-guide/2026-06-05/austin-tx-summer-reading-challenge-bingo-kut]. Plus: a few headline mentions in the show today: * Texas is among the states being investigated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention amid a food-borne illness outbreak. [https://www.kut.org/health/2026-07-06/texas-among-states-in-cdc-investigation-of-foodborne-parasite-outbreak] * Applications opened today for the Austin Arts Culture, Music and Entertainment grant program [https://www.austintexas.gov/arts-culture/austin-live-music-fund] * All city park and library facilities are operating as cooling centers during normal business hours amid 90 degree heat this week. 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/austin-paves-over-street-murals-including-black-artists-matter-following-state-order#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 Austin paves over street murals including ‘Black Artists Matter’ following state order [https://kutkutx.studio/austin-signal/austin-paves-over-street-murals-including-black-artists-matter-following-state-order] appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts [https://kutkutx.studio].

Sandy Creek residents remember lives lost to 2025 flood

School’s out for the summer, but when Austin ISD students return in the fall, they’ll be navigating some big changes in how they get to school. KUT’s education reporter Greta Díaz González Vázquez will help get us up to speed. It’s been one year since deadly floods tore through the Texas Hill Country. Residents of the Sandy Creek neighborhood in Travis County are honoring the neighbors they lost. [https://www.kut.org/energy-environment/2026-07-06/austin-tx-flood-sandy-creek] The FIFA World Cup is in full swing. KUT’s Jimmy Maas joins us to talk about tonight’s match between the U.S. and Belgium — which has suddenly gotten a lot more interesting. Plus a Few Headlines mentions in the show today: * Two overnight shootings in Austin left 3 people dead this Fourth of July weekend. [https://www.kut.org/crime-justice/2026-07-05/austin-tx-shooting-july-4-club-bar-police] * The city of Austin visited 127 different homeless encampments between May 11 and June 5 [https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/austin-visited-127-homeless-camps-in-first-month-of-enhanced-clearing-efforts/] 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/sandy-creek-residents-remember-lives-lost-to-2025-flood#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 Sandy Creek residents remember lives lost to 2025 flood [https://kutkutx.studio/austin-signal/sandy-creek-residents-remember-lives-lost-to-2025-flood] appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts [https://kutkutx.studio].