If you’ve ever been jealous of the lush, beautiful patches of wildflowers along Austin’s highways, this story is for you.The post Why do bluebonnets grow so well along MoPac? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Does Austin have a rat problem? Maybe. But this reporter sure does.

16 days ago 13m 17s

Audrey McGlinchy on the prevalence, psychology and behavior of what are maybe humans’ most vexing pest.The post Does Austin have a rat problem? Maybe. But this reporter sure does. appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

How does Thomas J. Henry make any money when he spends so much on ads all over Austin?

30 days ago 11m 32s

He’s everywhere: TV, radio, billboards, YouTube. What’s the marketing strategy for this personal injury lawyer?The post How does Thomas J. Henry make any money when he spends so much on ads all over Austin? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios

A tower has loomed in Austin’s Clarksville neighborhood for 72 years. What does it do?

Mar 7th, 2024 13m 34s

At one point, this tower was Austin’s main communication link to the outside world. Decades later, is it a landmark — or an eyesore — for the neighborhood?The post A tower has loomed in Austin’s Clarksville neighborhood for 72 years. What does

Why are some Austin sidewalks red?

Dec 15th, 2023

There’s your standard gray sidewalk, of course. But what on Earth does a red sidewalk mean?The post Why are some Austin sidewalks red? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

What’s the oldest tree in Austin?

Nov 9th, 2023 14m 31s

The full transcript of this episode of ATXplained is available on the KUT & KUTX Studio website. The transcript is also available as subtitles or captions on some podcast apps.The post What’s the oldest tree in Austin? appeared first on KUT &

What happened to the time capsule UT Austin buried at Centennial Park?

Oct 26th, 2023 12m 46s

The full transcript of this episode of ATXplained is available on the KUT & KUTX Studio website. The transcript is also available as subtitles or captions on some podcast apps.The post What happened to the time capsule UT Austin buried at Cent

What happened to Juarez-Lincoln University in downtown Austin?

Sep 14th, 2023 11m 18s

Before there was an IHOP, there was a university that attempted to revolutionize higher education for immigrants at the corner of I-35 and Cesar Chavez Street.The post What happened to Juarez-Lincoln University in downtown Austin? appeared fir

What are those towers for in West Austin and why are they all there?

Sep 7th, 2023 11m 43s

Off to Austin’s west, you may have seen a collection of towers with their red lights blinking through the night. ALSO: You can get tickets to our next ATXplained Live show here.The post What are those towers for in West Austin and why are they

What’s the story behind the colorful Maria de la Luz Cemetery in South Austin?

Aug 23rd, 2023 11m 14s

We question a question about the history of this Mexican-American cemetery — one that stands in contrast to many of the more staid cemeteries around Austin.The post What’s the story behind the colorful Maria de la Luz Cemetery in South Austin?

Why is Lala’s Little Nugget in Austin always decorated for Christmas?

Jul 20th, 2023 12m 53s

No matter the season, the iconic Austin dive bar off Justin Lane is filled with snow globes, Christmas trees and strings of red and green lights. But the story behind how this decor came to be is always changing.The post Why is Lala’s Little N

What’s the oldest music venue in Austin?

Jun 8th, 2023 12m 14s

It seems like a simple question, with a simple answer. But there’s more to it.The post What’s the oldest music venue in Austin? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Why does the Texas Legislature meet for only 140 days every two years?

Jun 1st, 2023 10m 19s

Army veteran Denise Gordon questioned whether it makes any sense for lawmakers from the second-largest state in the country and one of the largest economies in the world to meet so infrequently.The post Why does the Texas Legislature meet for

What are the weirdest laws in Texas?

May 25th, 2023 11m 31s

The Texas Legislature’s regular session is nearing an end. While some of the laws passed during these sessions are crucial to keep the state running, other laws have been a little more interesting.The post What are the weirdest laws in Texas?

‘Is Austin hiding their elderly?’ What’s the average age of its residents?

May 19th, 2023 6m 8s

In a city with a reputation as being young, we got a question about where all of Austin’s older people are.

‘Is Austin hiding their elderly?’ What’s the average age of its residents?

May 19th, 2023 6m 8s

In a city with a reputation as being young, we got a question about where all of Austin’s older people are.The post ‘Is Austin hiding their elderly?’ What’s the average age of its residents? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Who is ‘Moody,’ and why is everything in Austin named after them?

May 11th, 2023 11m 9s

There’s the Moody College of Communication at UT, the Moody Rooftop at the Contemporary Austin, Moody Hall at St. Edwards University, Moody Bank, the Moody Pavilions at Laguna Gloria, ACL Live at the Moody Theater, the Moody Amphitheater at Wat

For mouth painter Jared Dunten, the trick is to just keep going

May 4th, 2023 12m 22s

The process can leave him feeling “beat up,” but he still gets the thrill he felt when he painted for the first time after an accident left him paralyzed from the neck down.The post For mouth painter Jared Dunten, the trick is to just keep goi

What happens to all that stuff you throw in compost bins in Austin?

Apr 19th, 2023 7m 41s

Every week banana peels, coffee grounds, moldy strawberries and pizza boxes are placed in green bins and rolled out to the street as part of the city’s residential composting program.The post What happens to all that stuff you throw in compost

How much of the stuff we put in the blue bin in Austin actually gets recycled?

Apr 18th, 2023 13m 15s

Plastic in the U.S. is largely going unrecycled, but the city says that’s not so for the plastic we put in the blue bins.The post How much of the stuff we put in the blue bin in Austin actually gets recycled? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studi

Why is the two-step danced differently in Austin than in other parts of Texas?

Apr 6th, 2023 4m 29s

Two-stepping originated from foxtrot and has been danced to country music in dancehalls around Austin for ages. Influenced by other music genres played in the region, people here have put their own spin on it. KUT listeners Allyson Lipkin and C

What’s the story behind the abandoned house by Dell Medical School?

Mar 30th, 2023 10m 28s

One of the oldest homes still standing in Austin was once known as The Chateau. Its residents hosted legendary parties that were often safe spaces for gay people in the 1960s and ‘70s. Today, the home is boarded up — but there’s a new effort br

What happened to Brian Vargo almost 50 years ago? His niece is still looking for answers.

Mar 9th, 2023 11m 7s

Brian Vargo was 20 years old when he disappeared in 1976. The UT Austin student seems to have simply vanished.The post What happened to Brian Vargo almost 50 years ago? His niece is still looking for answers. appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studi

Is Austin’s Paramount one of only a few century-old theaters still operating in the country?

Feb 16th, 2023 11m 49s

The landmark theater in downtown Austin has been a source of movie entertainment for more than a century, while many of its contemporaries have closed for good.The post Is Austin’s Paramount one of only a few century-old theaters still operati

Why do sidewalks in Austin suddenly end?

1 Feb 9th, 2023 12m 5s

According to the Public Works Department, the city is missing about 1,600 miles of sidewalk — a length of concrete that could stretch from here to Winnipeg, Canada.The post Why do sidewalks in Austin suddenly end? appeared first on KUT & KUTX