

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 newest bar on East Sixth. With a companion daily newsletter 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 newsletter at austin.citycast.fm.
"Friendliest Local News Dispatches" - The Austin Chronicle's Best of Austin 2025
"Friendliest Local News Dispatches" - The Austin Chronicle's Best of Austin 2025
Episodes
Mentioned books

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

Oct 24, 2024 • 31min
Travis County’s First-Ever Food Plan Explained
Austinites waste a TON of food — and at the same time, many in town face food insecurity regularly. Central Austin leaders have committed to addressing this imbalance and overall food insecurity — but what will that actually look like on the ground? Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined today by Angela Baucom, the Food and Climate Program Coordinator for the City of Austin, to break down the Austin-Travis County Food Plan. 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 23, 2024 • 38min
The Dating Tips You Need For Cuffing Season in Austin
It’s cuffing season, dear Austinites, and we’re sorry, but some of y’all could really use some help in the relationship department. Have no fear! Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Blaine Anderson, an Austin-based dating coach for men, who honestly has tips for all of us. Spoiler alert: It can be difficult, whether you’re gay or straight, but City Cast Austin is here for you.Plus, stay tuned after Blaine’s interview for a special segment: A mile in their boots, where we feature the unsung heroes of Austin. Today, we’ll hear from Acia Gray, Artistic Director of Tapestry, which has brought multi-form dance performance and education to Austin since 1989.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 22, 2024 • 33min
What We'd Add to the 40 Best Austin Bars List
How did Matthew Odam pick the 40 bars that “capture the spirit of Texas’ capital city,” for his recent Austin American-Statesman guide? Well, it wasn’t exactly the way that you might think. Odam joins host Nikki DaVaughn to explain his criteria and choices. 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 21, 2024 • 39min
Why Kirk Watson Wants To Keep Being Austin’s Mayor
In our final “Mayoral Mondays” episode, host Nikki DaVaughn interviews Austin mayoral candidate, current Mayor Kirk Watson. Watson was first mayor of Austin from 1997 to 2001, and was then elected to serve in the Texas Senate from 2007 to 2020. He was again elected as mayor in 2023 to serve a two-year term. Plus, this isn’t the first time we’ve interviewed Watson — we interviewed him back in the summer for our very first episode, all about where Austin has been, and where it’s headed. You can find our previous Mayoral Monday episodes here: Jeffery Bowen, Doug Greco, Carmen Llanes Pulido, and Kathie Tovo. 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 18, 2024 • 37min
Our Favorite ACL Fest Moments, the Plan for Congress Avenue, and The Case for Early Voting
Claudia Yoli Ferla, the Executive Director of MOVE Texas, champions youth civic engagement, while Eva Ruth Moravec, the Executive Producer, brings a keen eye for local stories. They reminisce about the vibrant atmosphere and personal moments from the Austin City Limits Music Festival. The duo also discusses the ambitious plan to turn Congress Avenue into a pedestrian plaza, emphasizing community involvement. As early voting approaches, they stress its vital role in empowering young voices and keeping civic engagement alive in Texas.