City Cast Austin

When you think of Austin’s most iconic people, who comes to mind? That’s the question we asked ourselves last year as we tried to build Austin’s version of Mount Rushmore – let’s call it Mount Waterloo since that’s what Austin was originally called. Host Nikki DaVaughn, our Hey Austin editor Kelsey Bradshaw and former producer Elissa Rozentuller put our heads together to choose just a handful of the most iconic Austinians. Did we make the right choice? 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. Learn more about the sponsor of this January 29th episode: Tecovas Visit Amarillo Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Bastrop-based Boring Company, owned by Elon Musk, has tunneled 40 feet below Las Vegas, causing all kinds of problems in the name of creating a new mode of transportation. Host Nikki DaVaughn interviews Dayvid Figler, co-host of City Cast Las Vegas, who recently co-reported a story exposing the tunnel’s troubles in Nevada. There, Boring Company privately built the so-called Tesla Tunnel, avoiding some regulations and scrutiny that publicly-funded operations would have required. Already, Boring has been fined for environmental impacts here in Texas, but could a tunnel be in Austin’s future? Figler gives Austinites advice on what to pay attention to, and spills that the best part about the tunnel are the lights.Learn more about the sponsor of this January 28th episode: Tecovas Visit Amarillo  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

Austin’s City Council is set to hit the ground running in its first meeting of the year this week, and one issue directly in its bullseye: Regulating short-term rentals. With three new members on the dais and Mayor Kirk Watson returning for his final term, City Council members will also have to make massive decisions, like what to do about the cap-and-stitch proposals over Interstate 35; how to fund a new 10-year, $350 million plan on addressing homelessness; and how to protect the city from potential wildfires like the devastating ones seen this month in California. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by The Austin Common’s editor-in-chief, Amy Stansbury, to discuss it all, plus explain why now is “idea time” at Austin City Hall.Learn more about the sponsor of this January 27th episode: Tecovas Visit Amarillo 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

Did you catch all of the Austinites who went to President Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday? The City Cast Austin crew did, and host Nikki DaVaughn dishes about who-said-or-did-what with Hey Austin newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec on today’s Friday News Roundup. Plus, we get into why Austin rents keep dropping, bucking a national trend; say goodbye to women’s rights activist Cecile Richards, and share our weekend plans.Learn more about the sponsor of this January 24th episode: Tecovas Visit Amarillo Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST ATX Chamber music 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 this episode, host Nikki DaVaughn chats with Lloyd Maines, an influential musician and producer considered to be a part of Austin’s — and Texas’ — musical royalty. From his early days in Lubbock to his iconic performances on Austin City Limits, Lloyd shares his journey and insights into the vibrant Austin music scene. We touch on his unique path to becoming a top-tier musician without formal lessons, his memorable performances with artists like Joe Ely, and his perspective on why ACL TV is integral to Austin's culture. Lloyd also offers valuable advice for aspiring musicians and reflects on his musical legacy, including his impact on his daughter Natalie, lead vocalist for The Chicks.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 

Taking a month off of drinking alcohol, during January or in any other month, can do magic to your body, — and could reduce your chances of getting certain types of cancer. Plus, it could also impact safety on Austin’s roadways. In today’s episode, Austin Public Health’s Medical Director, Dr. Desmar Walkes, talks to host Nikki DaVaughn about the recent research from the U.S. Surgeon General, and the lasting impacts of abstaining from alcohol for 30 days.Learn more about the sponsor of this January 23rd episode: Tecovas Visit Amarillo Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST ATX Chamber music 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

Back when we were younger, we’d play a game called “F/M/K,” where we’d decide who among three people we would, ahem, freak, marry, or kill. So for today’s episode, the City Cast Austin team decided to throw it back and play a version of the game with our local celebrities. Tune in to find out how we feel about Joe Rogan, Elon Musk, Sandra Bullock, Vince Young, Jesse Plemons, Elijah Wood, and so many others. Plus, don’t miss our lightning bonus round at the end, where we toss in some Texas politicians.Learn more about the sponsor of this January 22nd episode: Tecovas Visit Amarillo ATX Chamber music 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

With snow (or at least very cold weather) on the forecast and the Los Angeles fires top of mind, host Nikki DaVaughn sits down with Sara Henry, interim chief administrative officer for Austin’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management division, to talk about emergency preparedness. She takes us behind the scenes to tell us how the city’s first responders get activated upon an emergency, and what you can do at home to stay up to date.Learn more about the sponsor of this January 21st episode: Tecovas Visit Amarillo Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST ATX Chamber music  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 more news about Sixth Street reopening to weekend traffic, and we’re breaking it down today on the Friday News Roundup, along with other stories that caught our eye. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Hey Austin newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec to also discuss local layoffs at the Alamo Drafthouse, next week’s winter weather, and our plans for the weekend and MLK Day. Plus, for more on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s impact on Austin, check out our recent interview with East Austin historian Harrison Eppright.Learn more about the sponsor of this January 17th episode:The Holdsworth CenterTecovasWant 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

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. may have only visited Austin once during his lifetime, but he left his imprint all over this city, from MLK Boulevard to the Dr. King statue at the UT campus and beyond. Host Nikki DaVaughn talks to East Austin historian Harrison Eppright about what the city was like in the time of MLK, and his legacy here in town. And a note: Listeners will hear the n-word in this episode, because it is relevant to the conversation. Please take care when listening. Learn more about the sponsor of this January 16th episode: The Holdsworth CenterWant 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. Learn more about the sponsor of this January 16th episode: The Holdsworth CenterInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE