City Cast Austin

Why did the City of Austin almost spend millions of dollars to bring out-of-state artists’ work to the airport? And what’s with the awkward wrangling over the public art Austin already paid for that was set to be demolished in the Austin Convention Center? Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined today by Heidi Schmalbach, a member of the Austin Arts Commission, to tell us the story behind the headlines about Austin’s Art in Public Places program, share why the city’s policy on public art is being revamped, and more. Learn more about the sponsors of this April 23rd episode: Zach Theatre Tecovas Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code 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 

We don’t want to shame anyone this Earth Day, but Austinites, are you throwing things away correctly? The city has an ambitious goal to drastically reduce the amount of trash we send to landfills by 2040, and we’ve sadly plateaued. The good news? We now have recycling and composting options for the entire city — and drop-off and pick-up options for folks who aren’t Austin Resource Recovery customers. Host Nikki DaVaughn welcomes ARR’s Paul Bestgen back on City Cast Austin to check in on why numbers aren’t improving and how we can all do trash better. Learn more about the sponsors of this April 22nd episode: Zach Theatre Tecovas Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST 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. Follow us @citycastaustinYou can also text us or leave a voicemail. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

If the double-murder of Keitha Morris and John White, two University of Texas sweethearts, had taken place today instead of in 1969, you’d probably know all about it. But for decades, it’s been hidden — only unearthed now by Texas Monthly contributor Stephen Harrigan, at the behest of White’s sister. Harrigan was at UT and even met White just before the murders occurred, but felt almost embarrassed that the city and Longhorns seemed to move on so quickly from such a traumatic incident. Harrigan joins host Nikki DaVaughn to talk about what happened to the couple, whether justice was served when the killer was caught, and why Harrigan, a prolific and award-winning author and screenwriter, loves working in Austin. And, just a note, that you might have already guessed, this interview touches on some explicit topics.Learn more about the sponsors of this April 21st episode:Zach TheatreTecovasBabbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCASTAura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCASTWant 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 

It finally happened — after years of trying, the Texas House approved a bill to give tax money to Texas parents for private school tuition. The details still have to be worked out, but the $1 billion plan is a priority for Gov. Greg Abbott and is well on its way to Abbott’s desk. Lawmakers also approved $7.7 billion in funds for public schools, including for teacher raises, making the voucher bill easier for some to swallow. Nikki DaVaughn hosts newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec for today’s Friday News Roundup, to discuss the voucher proposal, along with how threats to cut funding for public media could affect Austin’s own KUT/KUTX. Plus, the local bar that was recently named as one of the 100 best bars in the country, and our weekend plans. Learn more about the sponsors of this April 18th episode: Austin Community Foundation Zach Theatre Tecovas Visit Port Aransas 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 

Episode Description:John Waters is bringing “The Filthiest Birthday Ever” show to Austin on Saturday night, and loves filthing up Texas, even though it’s a conservative state. On today’s episode, host Nikki DaVaughn chats with the self-proclaimed “filth elder” as he ramps up to celebrate his 79th birthday. Tune in to hear about his favorite horror movie, how he feels about cowboy hats and cowboy boots as a fashion statement, and what you can expect from his set on at the Paramount Theatre for the Moontower Comedy Festival. Learn more about the sponsors of this April 17th episode:Austin Community FoundationZach TheatreTecovasVisit Port AransasWant 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 are thousands of people still moving to Austin every year, and if you’re like us, it’s easy to spot the newbies out and about. Newbies, we’re here to help you do Austin better. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec and former producer Elissa Rozentuller to share nine essential rules for surviving in Austin. This episode originally aired on June 18, 2024. Learn more about the sponsors of this April 16th episode: Austin Community Foundation Zach Theatre Tecovas Visit Port Aransas 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 

The Trump Administration recently slashed an entire agency that provides funding for Texas museums, institutions and libraries — the latter, to the sum of $12.5 million a year. Guest Gretchen Pruett, the newly-retired head librarian in New Braunfels and past president of the Texas Library Association, tells host Nikki DaVaughn what’s at stake with the funding cuts and how libraries are essential for a 21st century workforce. Learn more about the sponsors of this April 15th episode: Austin Community Foundation Zach Theatre Tecovas 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. Follow us @citycastaustinYou can also text us or leave a voicemail. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

Just as the City of Austin adopted a 5-year plan to attempt to address ongoing problems at the Austin Animal Center, the director, who’d been on administrative leave, resigned. Does that mean the shelter — which has struggled with overcrowding basically since the city declared it was a “no-kill” shelter back in 2011 — will finally turn a corner? Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT’s city hall reporter, who warns that the five-year plan is just a piece of paper without an implementation plan. Learn more about the sponsors of this April 14th episode: Austin Community Foundation Zach Theatre Tecovas Visit Port Aransas 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 

The Texas Legislature is still in session under the pink dome down on Congress Avenue — but they won’t be for too much longer. Now is the time in the session when things get weird and hard to follow, so host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec to break down where things stand on vouchers, the THC ban, and DOGE, on this week’s Friday News Roundup. Plus, we discuss the Texas Department of Transportation’s parking problems as employees return to the office, the City of Austin’s $7.5 million in unpaid parking tickets, and whether that money could help shore up the city’s estimated $33 million budget deficit for next year. Learn more about the sponsors of this April 11th episode: Austin Community Foundation Wild West Brew Fest 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 

The James Beard Restaurant and Chef Award Nominees were just named, and to the surprise of some, Austin’s only mention was for Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service, for Arjav Ezekiel, at Birdies. None of the nominees for Best Chef Texas are Austin chefs. So, what does that say about our local restaurateurs? What impact do these awards have on restaurants and their financial sustainability? Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by the owner and head chef of El Naranjo, Iliana de la Vega, who was named Best Chef Texas in 2022 and a semifinalist twice before that. Plus, de la Vega shares how she changed the way Austinites make tortillas, the Austin restaurant she’d bring back from the dead, and the dish that makes her customers cry (happy tears). Learn more about the sponsors of this April 10th episode: Austin Community Foundation Wild West Brew Fest 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