

City Cast Austin
City Cast
Join Nikki DaVaughn and the award-winning City Cast Austin team every weekday morning to catch up on what’s on Austinites’ minds, from the latest out of City Hall and the Texas Capitol to the buzz about the new bar on East Sixth. With a companion daily newsletter, Hey Austin, we’ll keep you up to speed on everything you need to know. It’s as essential in town as the MoPac express lane at 5 p.m. on a Friday. Learn more and subscribe to our morning newsletter at austin.citycast.fm*"Friendliest Local News Dispatches" - The Austin Chronicle's Best of Austin 2025
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 7, 2024 • 34min
Need a Mood Booster? Go Camping
Fall is in the air, and for some in Central Texas, the itch to spend more time outside must be scratched. Host Nikki DaVaughn likes nature from afar, and is joined by Pam LeBlanc, adventurer extraordinaire, to share all of her top tips for where to pitch a tent this fall, how to prepare for a successful outing, and why the best views in nature are actually found on the loo. Among her tips: Reserve state campsites in advance, check out the LCRA’s glamping options, borrow gear, and sign up for a guided camping trip if you’re just getting started. This episode originally aired on September 9. 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 Learn more about the sponsor of this November 7th episode:TecovasBetterWay Blood Testing - Get 20% off your first order with code CITY at BetterWay.com

Nov 6, 2024 • 30min
Austin's Election Results Are in…but Now There Might Be a Runoff
Voters in Austin showed up for Mayor Kirk Watson, and backed some council members and sent a few council hopefuls to run offs. Host Nikki DaVaughn, Hey Austin newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw, and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec break down what happened in local and state races, including what happened with local ballot propositions, and whether incumbent Ted Cruz will hold onto his U.S. Senate seat in a fight with challenger Colin Allred. For full election results, check the Travis County Clerk’s Elections Division website. 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 Learn more about the sponsor of this November 6th episode:TecovasBetterWay Blood Testing - Get 20% off your first order with code CITY at BetterWay.com

Nov 5, 2024 • 35min
Willie Nelson for Mayor & Other Winners in Our Just-For-Fun Election
It’s Election Day! And since the City Cast Austin team all voted early, we decided to hold an election of our own. Host Nikki DaVaughn leads the team down a very Austin ballot, and is joined by producer Rishi Bajekal, Hey Austin newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw, and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec. The team pitch candidates for who should be the chef for Austin ISD, the Austin musician who writes our walk-on music, Austin’s celebrity mayor, and where we’d have our Election Night watch party. Play along and cast your ballot via email, and if you haven’t voted in the actual election, peep our guide for all the info you’ll need. 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 Learn more about the sponsor of this November 5th episode:TecovasBetterWay Blood Testing - Get 20% off your first order with code CITY at BetterWay.com

Nov 4, 2024 • 27min
The Four Cities That Could Decide the Election
This week we’ll be sharing results from our local elections and discussing what they mean for Austin. But we can’t help but wonder… what’s going on with our City Cast colleagues in swing states? As America white-knuckles its way into one of the closest presidential elections in modern history, City Cast CEO David Plotz sits down with the hosts of our shows in swing state cities: Madison, Philly, Pittsburgh, and Las Vegas. In this special episode, our crew of hosts gives you a locals’ look inside how their cities are preparing for the presidential election and its aftermath. From a peek inside the Pennsylvania election warehouse where mail-in ballots will be counted, to a glimpse at how Dane County, Wisconsin’s early voting is going, you’re invited to hear what the swing states are talking about…with each other.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 HERELearn more about the sponsor of this November 4th episode:TecovasBetterWay Blood Testing - Get 20% off your first order with code CITY at BetterWay.com

Nov 1, 2024 • 30min
The Draw of Joe Rogan’s Podcast, Austin’s Third False Fall Cometh, and What To Do for Día de los Muertos
On today’s Friday News Roundup, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Stephanie Bergara of the Waterloo Greenway and Hey Austin newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw to chat about the local news stories on our mind: Why political candidates want to be on Joe Rogan’s podcast, a potential third false fall, and how to celebrate Día de los Muertos. 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

Oct 31, 2024 • 27min
Why Water Is Crucial for Austin’s Ghosts
Looking for a spooky treat for your ears this Halloween? Today, Jeanine Plumer of Austin Ghost Tours joins our guest host, Hey Austin newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw, for a virtual tour of Austin’s most haunted haunts. Plus, you’ll never guess what natural element Jeanine says makes Austin more haunted than other cities. We’d like to thank Tecovas, who makes our favorite Western wear in town, for being our exclusive launch sponsor. 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

Oct 30, 2024 • 44min
Your Guide to November 2024 in Austin
Life in Austin these days is busy, with a contested mayoral race, the continuation of festival season, tons of tasty things to eat and drink, and hopefully some cooler weather with which to enjoy the outdoors even more. So, listen to this episode to get all the best tips on what to eat, what to do, and how to keep your spirits up through the elections and holiday season. Plus, if you’re looking for intel on some of the city’s best bars, check out our recent episode. Plus, stay tuned after our chat for a special segment: A mile in their boots, where we feature the unsung heroes of Austin. Today, we’ll hear from Jess Pryles, creator of Hardcore Carnivore, a globally available line of unique meat seasonings and tools.For even more tips on how to make the most of November in Austin, check out Hey Austin’s take on what to do this month. City Cast Austin’s guide to September is made possible by our awesome exclusive launch sponsor, Tecovas, who makes our favorite Western wear in town. 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

Oct 29, 2024 • 30min
The Beers You Should Drink This Fall in Austin
Although Texas ranks 47th in the country for breweries per capita, Austin is lucky to have an abundance of excellent, diverse beers brewed right here in town. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Ruvani de Silva, an award-winning beverage and food writer, to share her favorite seasonal stouts, a list of iconic Austin-made beer, and what makes Austin’s brewing scene unique. We’d like to thank Tecovas, who makes our favorite Western wear in town, for being our exclusive launch sponsor. 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

Oct 28, 2024 • 24min
How Devon Walker Went From Pflugerville to SNL
Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Saturday Night Live cast member, Devon Walker, to talk about what it’s like to be on SNL, the characters he likes playing the most, what he misses about Central Texas — and it’s not just his family. We’d like to thank Tecovas, who makes our favorite Western wear in town, for being our exclusive launch sponsor. 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

Oct 25, 2024 • 35min
Dr. Phil at the Capitol, Early Voters Set Records, and Musicians’ Mental Health Services Paused
On today’s Friday News Roundup, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Hey Austin newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec to dish on a few stories that caught our eyes this week: Trouble at the SIMS Foundation, a dramatic hearing at the Texas Capitol, and what’s happening with early voting. Plus, stick around after the roundup for our Don’t Go Gently tip for this weekend. We’d like to thank Tecovas, who makes our favorite Western wear in town, for being our exclusive launch sponsor. 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