City Cast Austin

This week, Texas House Democrats fled the state, breaking quorum in an effort to block a vote on redistricting. In response, Republican lawmakers have threatened legal action and have even called on the FBI to track them down. On this week's Friday News Roundup, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Hey Austin newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec to break down the political standoff and what it means for the special session. Plus, we get into the permanent barricades coming to Sixth Street, newly discovered dinosaur footprints in Big Sandy Creek, and why every Austinite should watch HBO's 'The Yogurt Shop Murders'. Want to learn more about the series? Listen to our conversation with the documentary's director.  Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter.  And don’t forget– you can support this show and get great perks by becoming a City Cast Austin Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm  Follow us @citycastaustin You can also text us or leave a voicemail.  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

Two new state laws have caused major changes at Texas’ public universities, just as loads of cash has been channeled to new institutions claiming a more “anti-woke” approach to education. As a result, professors have left The University of Texas at Austin, reports today’s guest, Brant Bingamon, in the Austin Chronicle. He joins host Nikki DaVaughn to talk about the $100 million School of Civic Leadership at UT, backed by conservative politicians including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick; the University of Austin; and UT’s brain drain.  Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter.  And don’t forget– you can support this show and get great perks by becoming a City Cast Austin Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm  Follow us @citycastaustin You can also text us or leave a voicemail.  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

The State of Texas just set a new execution date of Oct. 16 for Robert Roberson, convicted of killing his two-year-old daughter in 2002. Last October, the Supreme Court of Texas stepped in to stay his execution at the last minute, after state lawmakers raised questions about his potential innocence, but then lifted the stay one month later, clearing the way for this new execution date. For today’s episode, we revisit a conversation host Nikki DaVaughn had with Michelle Lyons shortly after the stay to break down Roberson’s case and Texas’ prolific use of the death penalty. And she knows all about it — Lyons, a former public information officer for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, has witnessed hundreds of executions and even wrote a memoir about her experiences. As you might imagine, this interview touches on some difficult topics, so please listen with care.  This episode originally aired on November 12, 2024 Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter.  And don’t forget– you can support this show and get great perks by becoming a City Cast Austin Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm  Follow us @citycastaustin You can also text us or leave a voicemail.  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

After Democrats fled Austin in order to keep the Texas House from taking up redistricting, Gov. Greg Abbott threatened to remove them from office and suggested they might be committing bribery by fundraising to cover $500-a-day fines. Still, the Democrats have declared the special session is over and appear to be well-resourced enough to back that up. Executive Producer Eva Ruth Moravec is joined by Scott Braddock, editor of the Quorum Report, to unpack what’s taken place and talk about what’s to come.   Learn more about the sponsors of this August 5th episode: Cozy Earth - Use code COZYAUSTIN for 40% off best-selling sheets, towels, pajamas, and more. Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter.  And don’t forget– you can support this show and get great perks by becoming a City Cast Austin Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm  Follow us @citycastaustin You can also text us or leave a voicemail.  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

The violent deaths of four teenagers in an Austin yogurt shop in 1991 forever changed the city, and Austin’s collective trauma is on full display in a new HBO documentary series, “The Yogurt Shop Murders.” Over the years, detectives have tried to find the killers, and two people were even convicted – but later released after being cleared by DNA. Still unsolved, the killings of Amy Ayers, 13; Eliza Thomas, 17; and sisters Jennifer Harbison, 17, and Sarah Harbison, 15, rocked the teenage years of host Nikki DaVaughn, she shares in today’s episode with the series’ director, Margaret Brown. The first episode is out now, and three more will be released in the coming weeks

Austin is once again in the national spotlight, as Texas lawmakers work to create the five new Republican congressional districts President Donald Trump requested. But will they succeed? On today’s Friday News Roundup, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by KXAN’s Grace Reader and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec to talk about the effort to redistrict Texas, why the City of Austin is clashing with firefighters, and how you can get on “Love Is Blind.” Plus, our weekend picks.  Learn more about the sponsors of this August 1st episode: Framebridge Visit Port Aransas Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter.  And don’t forget — you can support this show and get great perks by becoming a City Cast Austin member at membership.citycast.fm. And Neighbors, please send us your neighborhood shout-outs here!  Follow us @citycastaustin You can also text us or leave a voicemail.  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

We’ve made it to the dog days of summer, and they are long. Yet unlike most other years, this August, Austin is looking green and gorgeous thanks to our very rainy July. In our monthly guide to August 2025 in Austin, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec and Nicolai McCrary, senior staff writer at The Infatuation, to share our picks for sights to take in (in the air-conditioned halls of government, outside, and on stages), the concerts to put on your calendar (free, benefits, and otherwise), and the snacks to try before the month is up. And, if you’re craving more ideas for cold treats to eat this summer, check out our recent round-up in Hey Austin.  For even more tips on how to make the most of August in Austin, check out Hey Austin’s take on what to do this month. Learn more about the sponsors of this July 31st episode: Framebridge Visit Port Aransas Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter.  And don’t forget — you can support this show and get great perks by becoming a City Cast Austin member at membership.citycast.fm.   Follow us @citycastaustin You can also text us or leave a voicemail.  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

Since the July 4th flooding in Central Texas and the Hill Country, volunteers have shown up in droves, at first overwhelming the extensive flooding scenes. Even though officials told folks to not just show up, hundreds of people did, both in and around Kerr County, and in Austin-area Sandy Creek. In this two-part episode, host Nikki DaVaughn first hears from Dayna De Hoyos, who lives in Comfort and volunteered dozens of hours to helping animals in the area; and then with Dwight Bailey, executive director of the Austin Disaster Relief Network, which organizes volunteers and is part of the official response to Central Texas disasters. Volunteers are still badly needed in Travis County and in the Kerrville area. And, in full disclosure, City Cast Austin recently donated $347 to ADRN during a membership drive.  Learn more about the sponsors of this July 30th episode: Framebridge Visit Port Aransas Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter.  And don’t forget — you can support this show and get great perks by becoming a City Cast Austin member at membership.citycast.fm.  Follow us @citycastaustin You can also text us or leave a voicemail.  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

A tax rate election is getting more and more likely, as Austin City Council members seem less interested in cutting services in order to adopt a budget that balances out a $33 million deficit. But Austin City Council Member Paige Ellis has another proposal: Charge Austinites a fee for parks, an idea that could bring in $5.4 million. Ellis joins host Nikki DaVaughn to explain her proposal, and go over some major pain points in the budget so far. Plus, Ellis announces that although she’s term-limited next year, she plans to ask District 8 voters for permission to run once more. Finally, Ellis shares her favorite hidden gems for gumbo-lovers and green thumbs in District 8.  Learn more about the sponsors of this July 29th episode: Framebridge Visit Port Aransas Cozy Earth - Use code COZYAUSTIN for 40% off best-selling sheets, towels, pajamas, and more. Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter.  And don’t forget — you can support this show and get great perks by becoming a City Cast Austin member at membership.citycast.fm.   Follow us @citycastaustin You can also text us or leave a voicemail.  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

A special session is underway at the Texas Capitol, where lawmakers have a list of 18 items to address in just 30 days. While regulating THC products used to be at the top of the list, that all changed after the July 4th floods, and folks want answers and solutions to prevent similar tragedies from happening again. Plus, lawmakers are voluntarily taking on redistricting, to appease President Donald Trump. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by KUT’s Blaise Gainey to talk about what to watch this special session.  Learn more about the sponsors of this July 28th episode: Framebridge Visit Port Aransas Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter.  Plus, get more from City Cast Austin when you become a City Cast Austin Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/austin   Follow us @citycastaustin You can also text us or leave a voicemail.  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE