City Cast Austin

Watching the California fires spread this year was scary — especially if you’re the assistant chief of the wildfire division in the fifth most at-risk city for wildfires in the country. Carrie Stewart is back with host Nikki DaVaughn to talk about what the firefighters who were dispatched to Los Angeles learned about what Austin should do right now, and how the fall fire season is looking for Central Texas. Plus, the easy steps you can take to harden your home so it’s less likely to catch on fire, if flames ever do get close, like: Join the hundreds of Austinites who’ve requested a structural ignition zone evaluation. Learn more about the sponsors of this March 3rd episode: Port Aransas Rodeo Austin Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter. Follow us @citycastaustinYou can also text us or leave a voicemail. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

We made it to Friday, y’all! Join host Nikki DaVaughn and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec as we round up the news that caught our attention this week. We’re talking about how the Dallas Cowboys are bringing flag football to girls at Austin high schools, a new bill that Texas lawmakers are considering to restrict funding for public libraries that host so-called drag queen story hours, and the measles outbreak in West Texas that took a recent road trip to San Marcos and San Antonio. Plus, if you’re looking for something to do in town this weekend, we’ve got ideas. Learn more about the sponsor of this February 28th episode: Tecovas Rodeo Austin Zach Theatre Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter. Follow us @citycastaustinYou can also text us or leave a voicemail. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

We all know that March means South by Southwest, or SXSW, in Austin. But there’s so much more than that happening around town. So, we’re focusing on all things un-SXSW for our March monthly guide. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by her pal, multi-hypenate Aira Juliet, and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec to talk about how to eat, work, and have fun away from the madness downtown. Plus, we’ve got some tips for surviving March in Austin, whether you’re festival-bound or not. For even more tips on how to make the most of March in Austin, check out Hey Austin’s take on what to do this month. Learn more about the sponsor of this February 27th episode: Tecovas Rodeo Austin Zach Theatre Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter. Follow us @citycastaustinYou can also text us or leave a voicemail. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

We made it through the winter without any major power outages in Austin. So is it time you restore your faith in the Texas power grid? Frustratingly, it’s still complicated. The main culprit back in the 2021 blackout was natural gas-related power, and Texas is now making more renewable energy than any other state. So why are we investing more and more into natural gas? Host Nikki DaVaughn digs into it all with today’s guest, Mose Buchele, KUT’s senior correspondent covering energy and the environment, and the host of the latest season of The Disconnect, a podcast all about Texas’ power grid. Learn more about the sponsor of this February 26th episode: Tecovas Rodeo Austin Zach Theatre Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter. Follow us @citycastaustinYou can also text us or leave a voicemail. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

Five years ago, a recent college grad moved to Austin, sight unseen, without knowing anyone here. It was peak pandemic time, and he had an idea for an app — he just needed some funding. After some ups and downs, Destin Bell got just that, and even wound up with a Shark Tank deal for an app that gamifies running, walking and cycling. Bell talks to host Nikki DaVaughn about why running is so popular right now in Austin, if it’s still a good place for startups, and how he’s been able to hit his stride here. Learn more about the sponsor of this February 25th episode: Tecovas Rodeo Austin Zach Theatre Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter. Follow us @citycastaustinYou can also text us or leave a voicemail. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

In his nine months on the job, Austin City Manager T.C. Broadnax has already steered the city through a few choppy waves: Passing Austin’s biggest budget ever, changing the criteria for Austin’s cold weather shelters to open, and, recently, creating the Office of Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment. He talks to host Nikki DaVaughn at Austin City Hall about his plans for the city’s future, including how he plans to help Austin avoid some of the headaches his former city had over short-term rentals. Plus, Broadnax tells us what really went down last year, when he resigned as Dallas’ City Manager, and then got hired by Austin.   Learn more about the sponsor of this February 24th episode: Tecovas Rodeo Austin Zach Theatre Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter. Follow us @citycastaustinYou can also text us or leave a voicemail. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

There’s a new one-stop-shop for all things arts-related at the City of Austin this week, after Austin City Manager T.C. Broadnax announced the creation of a new Office of Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment that will focus on “sustaining and growing Austin’s creative sector.” On today’s Friday news roundup, host Nikki DaVaughn, KUT reporter Lauren McGaughy, and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec break down just what this new office will do. Plus, what it means to Bastrop County to be home to Elon Musk’s headquarters for X Corp. and The Boring Co., and we have a fantastic list of weekend activities for you to check out. Hey, want to join our team? We’re hiring a producer, and you can apply here.Learn more about the sponsor of this February 21st episode: Tecovas Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter. Follow us @citycastaustinYou can also text us or leave a voicemail at (512) 200-2227Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

You may have heard that Saturday Night Life is celebrating 50 years on the air — but did you know that only a handful of cast members have been Texans? We’re revisiting host Nikki DaVaughn’s interview with Devon Walker, a native of Pflugerville who’s been on SNL for three seasons, about the characters he likes playing the most, Austin’s comedy scene, and what he misses about Central Texas. Learn more about the sponsor of this February 20th episode: Tecovas Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter. Follow us @citycastaustinYou can also text us or leave a voicemail. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE This episode originally aired on October 28, 2025. 

What is it like being a “funeral director of stuff”? In this episode, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Carl McQueary, owner of Estate Services of Austin, to talk about his work. After 31 years, McQueary has seen it all — he’s sold skulls, settled family disputes, and handled the estates of some of Austin’s most famous residents. We touch on how he stays motivated in such a dark line of work, how he handles the logistics, and what he loves about his job. Learn more about the sponsor of this February 19th episode:TecovasWant some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter. Follow us @citycastaustinYou can also text us or leave a voicemail. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

Looking for a place to dine where you won’t need a reservation? A new-to-you bar that just might be your next fave? Or how about an essential Austin activity that won’t cost a fortune? Host Nikki DaVaughn has got you covered, with the help of Hey Austin newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec, in today’s episode, all about our favorite hidden gems in Austin. We get into the restaurants, bars, and activities you might not know about and should not miss. Did we miss your favorite hidden gem? Send us an email.  Learn more about the sponsor of this February 19th episode: Tecovas Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter. Follow us @citycastaustinYou can also text us or leave a voicemail. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE