Austin’s Pease Park troll burns down

How many Austin city council votes happen in secret?

The Austin city council approved a plan last month to build new natural gas power generators. One thing that’s still unknown: The price of this new project. It’s estimated to cost more than $1 billion, but the vote approving the plan took place in executive session — behind closed doors. The KUT Newsroom wanted to know how many more of such votes have happened away from public view. [https://www.kut.org/politics/2026-06-26/austin-city-council-votes-secret-executive-session-austin-energy] For kids, summer should be a magical time: catching fireflies, belly-flopping into the pool and maybe a little too much TV. But life can be tough for some kids. Luckily, there’s a place in the Hill Country that wants to help those kids experience some summertime magic, too. This week in Texas music history, Lonnie Guerrero is born. [https://texasstandard.org/stories/this-week-in-texas-music-history-lonnie-guerrero-is-born/] A few of today’s headlines: * A new medical facility focused on women’s healthcare [https://www.kut.org/health/2026-06-25/austin-tx-ascension-seton-medical-center-womens-hospital-open] is set to open Monday in Central Austin. * A Giraffe on the Lam in the Hill Country has been found safe [https://www.kut.org/news/2026-06-26/missing-giraffe-gracie-found-safe-after-nearly-two-weeks-on-the-loose]this morning after a dayslong search effort. * The National Weather Service is forecasting a high today of 97 degrees, but with that heat and high humidity it could feel as hot as 105. 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 post How many Austin city council votes happen in secret? [https://kutkutx.studio/austin-signal/how-many-austin-city-council-votes-happen-in-secret] appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts [https://kutkutx.studio].

What you need to know about fire ants

Some hospitals are still denying miscarriage care despite a state law that’s supposed to prevent that. What an Austin-area woman having a miscarriage went through [https://www.kut.org/health/2026-06-23/austin-area-hospitals-denied-miscarriage-care-despite-clarification-to-texas-abortion-ban-federal-complaint-alleges] when she tried to get care. Austin voters will decide this fall if they want an outside auditor [https://www.kut.org/austin/2026-06-25/austin-tx-city-audit-petition-november-election] to check the city’s books. But some city officials say that could be problematic. What you need to know about those pesky fire ants in Central Texas. We’re in the final stages of group competition as the knockout phase of this year’s World Cup starts this weekend. More from one of the hosts of KUT’s “Vamos Verde” podcast. 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/what-you-need-to-know-about-fire-ants#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 What you need to know about fire ants [https://kutkutx.studio/austin-signal/what-you-need-to-know-about-fire-ants] appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts [https://kutkutx.studio].

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].