City Cast Austin

It’s the Friday News Roundup, and the City Cast Austin team is back, sharing the headlines that are on our minds. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Hey Austin newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec to discuss the Bible-steeped curriculum for elementary school students that the State Board of Education is poised to adopt; the rising costs of the caps over Interstate 35, and what’s going on in Austin this weekend.  Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter.  Follow us @citycastaustin Do you have thoughts on the new SBOE curriculum? Send us an email.  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE  Learn more about the sponsor of this November 22nd episode: Tecovas

Lisa Davis has been at the helm of Austin Police Department for about two months, and has already made some big changes — particularly when it comes to transparency. But what other changes does she have up her uniform sleeve? How can Austinites learn more about her 100-day plan? And after moving from Cincinnati, what is Chief Davis loving about Austin? Host Nikki DaVaughn asks her about it all, in an interview at APD headquarters.  Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter.  Follow us @citycastaustin You 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 21st episode: Tecovas

Why should we care that a tire company decided to honor 45 Austin (and Lockhart) restaurants in the new Michelin Guide of Texas? Host Nikki DaVaughn wasn’t so sure she did — until she heard all about it from Eater Austin’s editor, Nadia Chaudhury. Which seven restaurants received one of the coveted Michelin Stars? What exactly does Bib Gourmand mean, anyway? And how is all of this recognition going to affect the local dining scene? They get into all of it.  Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter.  Follow us @citycastaustin You 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 20th episode: Tecovas

We’ve talked before about just how much Austinites throw away, but did you know that the city, as a whole, has a goal to get to zero waste by 2040? With holidays around the corner, there’s no time like the present to make a plan to reduce your household waste through the parties, feasts, and onslaught of packages. Austin Resource Recovery’s Paul Bestgen joins host Nikki DaVaughn to discuss it all, along with news on how the city is handling bulk trash pick-up starting next year.   Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter.  Follow us @citycastaustin You 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 19th episode: Tecovas

Maryam Ahmed, a sophomore at The University of Texas at Austin, wasn’t planning on spending her time at college covering protests. Still, she’s owned the beat, reporting for The Daily Texan on the dozens of students who were arrested protesting the war in Israel and Gaza, and the fallout in court challenges and by university administration. Ahmed joins host Nikki DaVaughn to discuss how the goings-on at the 40 Acres have affected UT’s historic protest culture. Learn more about the sponsor of this November 19th episode: Tecovas Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter.  Follow us @citycastaustin You can also text us or leave a voicemail.  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

On today’s Friday News Roundup, the City Cast Austin team discusses several headlines that caught our eye: What the Texas Democratic Party chairman said that led to him stepping down, Austin City Council finally wrote a check to the Red River Cultural District, and — no joke — The Onion has purchased local conspiracy theorist Alex Jones’ Infowars. Plus, host Nikki DaVaughn, Hey Austin newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw, and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec share what they’re getting into this weekend. And, stick around after the roundup for our Don’t Go Gently tip for this weekend, sponsored by Tecovas.  Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter.  Follow us @citycastaustin You can also text us or leave a voicemail.  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

The presidential election was touted as “high stakes,” but voter turnout in Texas, and Austin, was relatively low. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Blaise Gainey, KUT’s Texas Capitol reporter, to discuss how Donald Trump’s next presidential term could affect life and people in Austin, and what the election data says about Texas voters. Plus, how big of a boost did Trump get from celebrity Austinites Joe Rogan and Elon Musk, who has now been tapped to lead the Department of Government Efficiency?  Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter.  Follow us @citycastaustin You can also text us or leave a voicemail.  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Can you critique a city that you truly love? Author Alex Hannaford, who moved to Austin after falling in love with it — and then left after growing dismayed 20 years later — says actually, it’s necessary. Hannaford doesn’t hold back in “Lost in Austin,” which takes a close look at the tug-of-war between the economic booms that have made Austin businesses thrive and the downturns that allow creatives to stay in town and in business. Hannaford joins executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec, who isn’t defensive about Austin at all.   Plus, stay tuned after Alex’s interview for a special segment: A mile in their boots, where we feature the unsung heroes of Austin. Today, we’ll hear from Hannah Gabel, literary director for the Texas Book Festival, which takes place downtown this weekend.  Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter.  Follow us @citycastaustin You can also text us or leave a voicemail.  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Texas executes more people than any other state, but recently, state lawmakers were able to halt one at the last minute, saving Robert Roberson’s life, at least for now. Michelle Lyons, a former public information officer for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice who witnessed hundreds of executions and wrote a memoir about it, joins host Nikki DaVaughn to break down Roberson’s case, what life has been like for him on death row these past 20 years, and what might happen next. And just a note: As you might have already guessed, this interview touches on some difficult topics, so please listen with care.  Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter.  Follow us @citycastaustin You can also text us or leave a voicemail.  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

We at City Cast Austin wanted to know how well Austinites know their city, so we put on our Tecovas, made for walkin’, and took to the streets to find out. Join host Nikki DaVaughn as she and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec quiz folks on five local trivia questions. We’d like to thank Tecovas, who makes our favorite Western wear in town, for sponsoring this episode.   Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter. Follow us @citycastaustin You can also text us or leave a voicemail.  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

On today’s Friday News Roundup, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Jasper Scherer, politics reporter with the Texas Tribune, and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec, to dig into how Austin voted. Did you know that Donald Trump has actually gained more ground here since 2020? Plus, we get into several local races, like the still-undecided race for Austin’s mayor and one of the five city council seats that were on the ballot, a big upset on council, local tax increase propositions, and more. Finally, our team of optimists can’t help but talk about our good news from the week.  Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter.  Follow us @citycastaustin You 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 8th episode: Tecovas BetterWay Blood Testing - Get 20% off your first order with code CITY at BetterWay.com

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 @citycastaustin You 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: Tecovas BetterWay Blood Testing - Get 20% off your first order with code CITY at BetterWay.com

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 @citycastaustin You 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: Tecovas BetterWay Blood Testing - Get 20% off your first order with code CITY at BetterWay.com

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 @citycastaustin You 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: Tecovas BetterWay Blood Testing - Get 20% off your first order with code CITY at BetterWay.com

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 @citycastaustin You 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 4th episode: Tecovas BetterWay Blood Testing - Get 20% off your first order with code CITY at BetterWay.com

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 @citycastaustin You can also text us or leave a voicemail.  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

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 @citycastaustin You can also text us or leave a voicemail.  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

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 @citycastaustin You can also text us or leave a voicemail.  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

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 @citycastaustin You can also text us or leave a voicemail.  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

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 @citycastaustin You can also text us or leave a voicemail.  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE