City Cast Austin

Today, the Austin Fire Department union will hold a vote of no confidence in the fire chief, Joel Baker, after accusing him of preventing rescue crews from assisting in Kerr County during the devastating Fourth of July floods. Plus, Gov. Greg Abbott added flood safety response to the agenda for the upcoming special session later this month. 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 give you the latest developments following the catastrophic Central Texas Floods. We honor the Austinites who lost their lives, discuss why the floods were so deadly, and highlight the many ways Texans are showing up to help each other recover. Learn more about the sponsors of this July 11th episode: Jones Dairy Farm LBJ Presidential Library 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 

In the early morning of July 4th, the National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning, but two hours later, the swollen Guadalupe River swept camp children out of their cabins at Camp Mystic. A wall of water then flooded the Hill Country and most of Central Texas, eventually killing more than 110 people, including dozens of children. Another 170 people are still missing, and the victims are strewn from Kerr County down to Sandy Creek. But flash floods are familiar to this area, known as “flash flood alley,” so why did the July Fourth floods catch so many off-guard? From missing warning systems to critical staffing gaps at the National Weather Service, spotty cell phone service and just plain complacency, veteran KXAN Meteorologist Jim Spencer joins host Nikki Davaughn to examine what could have gone wrong and how Texans can better prepare for the next flash flood. Late Wednesday, Gov. Greg Abbott announced that several flood-related items, including funding flood warning systems, are now on the agenda for the Texas Legislature's upcoming special session.   Learn more about the sponsors of this July 10th episode: Jones Dairy Farm LBJ Presidential Library 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 

If you're among the half of all Austinites who rent, you may question the headlines screaming that Austin's rents have been dropping for months, or that the city is becoming more “affordable.” Truth is, rents are still too high for many Austinites, in part because wages have not kept pace with prices. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Shoshana Krieger, program director at BASTA, which stands for “Building And Strengthening Tenant Action,” to dig into the nuance of our local rental market, and share some tips that every renter in town should know.  Learn more about the sponsors of this July 9th episode: Jones Dairy Farm LBJ Presidential Library 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 death toll continues to rise from the Fourth of July Central Texas flooding, and Camp Mystic is grieving the loss of 27 campers and counselors. But the main focus of today's City Cast Austin episode is the massive 65% annual loss reported this year in our local Central Texas honeybee colony over last year, and it turns out, there's a mite to blame. So, scientists now are experimenting with breeding bees that are mite-resistant — more specifically, that will bite off mite's legs and kill them before the mites can kill the bees. So, what can you do to help the bees? Start your own hive? Wear light colors? Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Garett Slater, a lifelong beekeeper and the Honeybee Extension Specialist at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension to find out.  Learn more about the sponsors of this July 8th episode: Cozy Earth - Use code COZYAUSTIN for 40% off best-selling sheets, towels, pajamas, and more. Jones Dairy Farm LBJ Presidential Library 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 

Historic rainfall in the Texas Hill Country over the Fourth of July weekend killed at least 67 people statewide, with many others still missing, including some from the all-girls sleepaway camp, Camp Mystic. After bombarding the Hill Country, the rushing floodwater in the San Saba, Llano and Guadalupe rivers kept wreaking havoc downstream, including in Austin, where at least four were killed and others were missing. Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 21 counties, and federal assistance is also on the way. Host Nikki DaVaughn and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec hopped on the mic on Sunday to bring you the latest on what we know and how to help.  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 

Nikki DaVaughn and all 12 other City Cast podcast hosts (from Boise, Chicago, DC, Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, Madison, Nashville, Philly, Pittsburgh, Portland, and Salt Lake City) compete head-to-head in a high-stakes showdown to answer the question that's been burning up our company-wide Slack for weeks: which city is the best for a summer weekend trip? From naked bike rides to ‘the country's best farmers market,' pickle festivals to Elvis impersonators driving pink convertibles, our hosts are bringing the best of the best of what their city has to offer. Did your city win? Take our interactive quiz to see which city best fits YOUR vibe! Learn more about the sponsors of this July 3rd episode: Jones Dairy Farm Visit Port Aransas

What's up with all these robots in Austin? From Tesla's self-driving robotaxi rollout to a full-on cowboy robot roaming the streets, the city seems to be sprinting into the future, and we've got some thoughts. Host Nikki DaVaughn and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec are popping in for a special midweek news roundup to talk robot takeovers, the stars of Yelp's Top 100 Food Trucks list (spoiler: Austin dominated), and what we're doing this July 4th.  Learn more about the sponsors of this July 2nd episode: Jones Dairy Farm Visit Port Aransas 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 heat dome is here, and we hope your AC is working. Luckily for you, there are a bazillion things to do indoors this July, and we've got you covered right here. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec and Stephanie Brown, an account executive at Giant Noise, to share their best tips and recommendations for what to eat in Austin this month, what to do right here in town (pop-up pirate bar, anyone?), and our favorite day-trips, for Austinites who need a break. And, as we promised, here are some links to previous episodes and Hey Austin coverage we mentioned in the episode: Where to celebrate the Fourth of July in Austin; how to have the best staycation in Austin ever; and our favorite summer snacks. Learn more about the sponsors of this July 1st episode: Cozy Earth - Use code COZYAUSTIN for 40% off best-selling sheets, towels, pajamas, and more. Jones Dairy Farm Visit Port Aransas For even more tips on how to make the most of July in Austin, check out Hey Austin's take on what to do this month.  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 

Just as soon as Texas lawmakers wrapped up the regular session, Gov. Greg Abbott surprised some by vetoing a highly contentious bill banning nearly all consumable hemp products and calling lawmakers back to hash it, and other bills, out once more. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Sen. Sarah Eckhardt, a Democrat representing Austin, to find out what we can expect from the special session that starts July 21. Plus, Eckhardt shares Austin's biggest legislative wins and losses from the regular session. A quick note: We asked other lawmakers representing Austin at the Texas Capitol for interviews, but only Eckhardt was available. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 30th episode: Jones Dairy Farm Visit Port Aransas 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 

Austin, we have a water problem. A new report from Austin Water showed the city lost 9.3 billion gallons of water last year due to leaky pipes. This news comes as we continue another month of drought and as Texas' water supply dwindles. On today's Friday News Roundup, host Nikki DaVaughn chats with Hey Austin newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec to discuss it all. Plus, Governor Greg Abbott's latest special session, SXSW's new plans for 2026, and what Kelsey is doing in Houston this weekend.  Learn more about the sponsors of this June 27th episode: LBJ Presidential Library Jones Dairy Farm 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 

Snack season is officially here, and no one's doing it better than Central Texas brands. From tangy frozen treats and juicy fruits to fizzy drinks and crave-worthy chips, Austin-based food start-ups are dominating the grocery aisles— and not just H-E-B's! Host Nikki DaVaughn, sits down with local snack expert Emily Hill to break down the newest treats hitting the shelves and why it's worth spending a little extra to support small, local brands. Warning: this episode might make you snacky so proceed with caution! Learn more about the sponsors of this June 26th episode: LBJ Presidential Library 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 

With summertime in Austin comes insects and bugs of all shapes and sizes, all of which do NOT appeal to host Nikki DaVaughn. But if anyone can change her mind, it's Entomologist Wizzie Brown with Texas A&M's ArgiLife Extension Service, who loves cockroaches so much she got a tattoo of one. Brown exposes Austin's bug life, breaking down the good, the bad, the ugly, and the summer stunners in our local insect world.  Learn more about the sponsors of this June 25th episode: LBJ Presidential Library 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 

In order to shore up a $33 million budget deficit without making deep programmatic cuts, Austin taxpayers may soon be asked to vote to increase taxes, Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes tells City Cast Austin. In an interview at Austin City Hall with Executive Producer Eva Ruth Moravec, Fuentes talked about the tough discussions she's expecting to have during this year's unprecedented budget season, along with how Austin fared at the Texas Capitol this year, and how Austin police have changed since the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020. Plus, Fuentes' favorite hidden gems in District 2, and what she does to relax.  Learn more about the sponsors of this June 24th episode: Cozy Earth - Use code COZYAUSTIN for 40% off best-selling sheets, towels, pajamas, and more. LBJ Presidential Library Zach Theatre 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 

Whether you love it or, like host Nikki DaVaughn, hate it, AI is here in Austin to stay. From the tech giants like Meta, Google, X, and Microsoft to new startups that open up shop every single day, we're home to hundreds of companies and thousands of techies working on the next era of artificial intelligence. But how does it impact Austinites? Who's paying attention and providing oversight into how this new technology is used? And what's next? Local tech writer Omar Gallaga joins City Cast Austin to fill us in on it all.  Learn more about the sponsors of this June 23rd episode: Visit Port Aransas LBJ Presidential Library 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 @citycastaustin You can also text us or leave a voicemail.  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

City Cast hosts are on the pulse of what's happening in our communities. So Nikki DaVaughn and all 12 other hosts sat down with City Cast CEO David Plotz to talk about creative local problem solving that might work in your hometown too and to commiserate about stressors affecting most of our cities, from unaffordable housing to bike lanes. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 20th episode: Tecovas Visit Port Aransas Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Zach Theatre

Once a month, Austinites gather at The Living Room: Storytime for Grownups to share their stories in front of a live audience. Local writer, director, actor, and former professor Amparo Garcia-Crow created this space for creativity and connection 15 years ago, and she's still the host. Garcia-Crow joins executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec to talk about the story of Austin, her take on the local arts scene, and what it's like creating alongside her family — including her son, musician Shakey Graves. Learn more about the sponsor of this June 18th 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 

We all know Austin's official Pride celebration takes place in August — but there's one event that you shouldn't miss in June: The Majestic Ball, this Saturday, June 21. House of Lepore Founder and Mother, Icon Natalie Lepore, joins host Nikki DaVaughn to talk about ballroom in Austin, how ballroom picks up where biological families fail LGBTQ-plus relatives, and why Lepore is now giving up on Austin and advising her trans children to do the same.  Learn more about the sponsors of this June 18th episode: Tecovas Visit Port Aransas Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Zach Theatre 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 

Rainey Street has had a multitude of lives — from working-class Chicano neighborhood frequently overlooked and underserved; to Craftsman-style homes transformed into bars and restaurants bustling with bodies, especially for Sunday brunch; to unforgettable SXSW experiences; and now the high rise-lined wind tunnel where the sun never shines with one extremely worthwhile and Austin-ey cocktail bar. So what even is Rainey Street today? Is it still cool? Could it ever be again? Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Hey Austin newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw, and Nikki's friend, local musician Doug Leveton, to discuss.  Learn more about the sponsors of this June 17th episode: Tecovas Cozy Earth - use code COZYAUSTIN for 40% off best-selling temperature-regulating sheets, apparel, and more. Visit Port Aransas Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Zach Theatre 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 

Every session of the Texas Legislature, Republicans file bills that affect Texans' access to reproductive health, in particular, limiting abortions. In a state that has outlawed most abortions already (even though most Texans support at least some access to abortion), lawmakers found some room for improvement at the local level and banned city and county programs like Austin's fund for abortion travel for residents. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Lucie Arvallo, the executive director of Jane's Due Process, to talk about which abortion-related bills passed and which ones failed at the Texas Legislature this year.  Learn more about the sponsors of this June 16th episode: Tecovas Visit Port Aransas Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Zach Theatre 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

Governor Greg Abott has ⁠called in⁠ the Texas National Guard after ⁠13 were arrested⁠ at Monday's anti-ICE protest in Austin and a clown-themed ⁠"No Kings"⁠ protest gets planned for Saturday. 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 unpack it all. Plus, we talk about the latest ⁠staffing issues⁠ at the Austin airport, a Taylor Pride ⁠update⁠, and where Governor Abbott sits on the ⁠THC ban⁠.  Learn more about the sponsors of this June 13th episode: ⁠Tecovas⁠ ⁠XOXO Downtown Austin⁠ 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 

Summertime in Austin means the return of our frenemy, the heat dome, but we're hoping this year's is friendly enough to let in some rainfall here and there. To prepare us for the sweltering heat, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by CBS Austin meteorologist Avery Tomasco. Join us in praying for a nice, gentle tropical storm in the gulf, and in letting your lawn brown. It'd be a lot cooler if you did.  Learn more about the sponsors of this June 12th episode: Tecovas XOXO Downtown Austin 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 

Let's face it, Austin, it's just too hot to cook inside. Enter: Grilling season. To get you grillmaster-ready, we're revisiting a conversation host Nikki DaVaughn had last year with Cairo-born and Texas-trained pitmaster Kareem El-Ghayesh, of KG BBQ. The award-winning, self-proclaimed “Lambassador of Texas” shares his best tips and tricks for cooking meat like a pro, his favorite place to buy meat, and where he had the first taste of barbecue that forever changed his life.  This episode originally aired on August 29, 2024.  Learn more about the sponsors of this June 11th episode: Tecovas XOXO Downtown Austin 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

If we were to grade Austin Independent School District's paper right now, they'd probably get a B — could be better, but certainly could be a lot worse. After getting repeated “F's,” three AISD middle schools are being forced to shape up, in a year that the school district's budget has shrunk to deficit level. But now that state lawmakers have funneled $8.5 billion into public schools, increasing the basic student allotment and giving teachers raises, will AISD be able to balance its books? Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Austin American-Statesman reporter Keri Heath to discuss it all, including other education-related bills passed by the Texas Legislature.  Learn more about the sponsors of this June 10th episode: Tecovas XOXO Downtown Austin 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 @citycastaustin You can also text us or leave a voicemail.  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

Texas lawmakers wasted no time this legislative session setting up a school voucher program, and eventually passed an $8.5 billion public school funding bill. And, lawmakers found new ways to impact the lives of LGBTQ-plus Texans. But some items are yet to be decided. Will Gov. Greg Abbott veto a bill banning virtually all consumable hemp in Texas? And will voters approve increases to homestead exemptions on property taxes and changes to the bail system? Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by KUT's Blaise Gainey to get into it all.  Learn more about the sponsors of this June 9th episode: Tecovas XOXO Downtown Austin 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 Texas Legislature is finally out of our hair, the city of Austin is ending its use of automatic license plate readers (at least for now), and there's some tragic news on the heels of the King of the Hill reboot announcement. 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 discuss it all. Plus, we discuss why the mayor of Taylor is refusing to sign a proclamation for this year's Taylor Pride event, and where you can celebrate Pride Month in Austin. And hey, please do send us a voicemail or email and let us know what you think about Rainey Street! We want to hear all the opinions.  Learn more about the sponsors of this June 6th episode: Jones Dairy Farm Visit Port Aransas InKind - Get $25 off your next order of $50 or more! LBJ Presidential Library 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 

What kind of people can you meet by spending 24 hours in one spot in Austin? KUT's podcast, “24 Hours in Austin,” dispatched a team of producers to find that out. From Sixth Street to coffee shops to a call center for mental health emergencies, characters abound on Austin's streets. KUT's projects editor and podcast producer, Matt Largey, joins host Nikki DaVaughn to discuss what happens when you slow down, start a conversation, and connect with the strangers in your city.  This episode originally aired December 5, 2024 Learn more about the sponsors of this June 5th episode: Jones Dairy Farm Visit Port Aransas InKind - Get $25 off your next order of $50 or more! LBJ Presidential Library 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 

Is Amy's Ice Cream still the best ice cream shop in town? Who has the best frozen summer drinks, with or without booze? And where are we drinking our iced lattes? In today's episode, host Nikki DaVaughn contemplates where to find the best cold treats in town with Hey Austin newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw (she's a Sandy's stan) and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec (whose lactose intolerance prefers Dulce Neve Gelato). And a warning: This episode may give you a brain freeze.  Learn more about the sponsors of this June 4th episode: Jones Dairy Farm Visit Port Aransas InKind - Get $25 off your next order of $50 or more! LBJ Presidential Library 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 to get away this summer but don't want to deal with the hassle of airports and travel delays? A staycation in Austin might be just what you need, whether you're planning a relaxing getaway for you and your boo, a fun-filled weekend with kids, or an action-packed adventure with friends. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Austin Monthly's Editor-in-Chief Madeline Hollern to dish on all of the best local spots. You can read more about Austin Monthly's summer travel guide here.  Learn more about the sponsors of this June 3rd episode: Jones Dairy Farm Visit Port Aransas InKind - Get $25 off your next order of $50 or more! LBJ Presidential Library 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 @citycastaustin You can also text us or leave a voicemail.  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

The City of Austin is facing a $33 million budget deficit, even as it moves forward with multi-million and billion-dollar projects like the I-35's caps and stitches and the Austin airport expansion. If you're scratching your head wondering how that math adds up, you're not alone. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by City Budget Officer Kerri Lang to get an inside look on how the city's budget really comes together. They dig into where the money comes from, what city bonds actually do, and how Lang's team works overtime to build the budget that will go up for a vote in August. Plus, how you can weigh in on where those dollars go. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 2nd episode: Jones Dairy Farm Visit Port Aransas InKind - Get $25 off your next order of $50 or more! LBJ Presidential Library 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

Summer storms slammed Austin this week, including one on Wednesday that left nearly 40,000 residents without power and one person dead. On this week's Friday News Roundup, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw to discuss the severe weather and how to be summer storm ready. Later, Leslie Rangel, senior editor of investigations for The Barbed Wire joins to talk about the Texas Legislature passing both a THC ban and a film incentives bill, and what these new state laws mean for Austinites. Plus, we discuss which Austin BBQ joints made Texas Monthly's Top 50 list and our weekend plans, including attending the ATX TV Festival, and a Juneteenth exhibition at the Bullock Texas State History Museum.  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 city is full of tourists, the kids are everywhere, and we're praying for rain: Happy June, Austin! The entire world is celebrating Pride month, and while Austin's festivities mostly take place in August (read this if you're wondering why), host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec and local sex therapist Adam Maurer to share tips on commemorating Stonewall right here, from the Majestic Ball to QUEERBOMB and more. Plus, we discuss our favorite watering holes, chlorinated and not, and how we are all prepping for summer.  For even more tips on how to make the most of June in Austin, check out Hey Austin's take on what to do this month.  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 

Last week, Austin City Council voted to designate $104 million to help fund the I-35 "caps and stitches" project. They also agreed to add solar panels to publicly-owed buildings in an effort to stay on track with the city's climate goals. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Amy Standbury, editor-in-chief of The Austin Common, to break down these latest council actions – plus why some housing advocates are urging the city to reconsider a redevelopment plan at Acacia Cliffs apartment complex, what's in the works for Austin's water, and why some vape shops might soon be banned. You can find the city survey Amy mentioned, here. And for more on Nikki's midweek mood boost, read this.  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

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is taking shape in the heart of downtown Austin right now: The redevelopment of Sixth Street. Unlike other redevelopment projects in town, a single entity — Stream Realty — owns most of the street, and is spending an undisclosed amount of money on making it look old again. Host Nikki DaVaughn, a Sixth Street aficionado herself, is joined by Sky Currie of Clayton Korte, the architecture firm turning Dirty Sixth back into Old Sixth, to discuss what Sixth Street will look and feel like in the not-too-distant future.  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 

If you're planning on traveling in or out of the Austin airport this Memorial Day Weekend, you might want to be prepared for a possible delay. On this week's Friday News Roundup, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec to talk about the recent air traffic staffing shortages affecting Austin Bergstrom International Airport. We also discuss some good and bad news about higher education in Austin, The Infatuation's Summer Spots list, and our Memorial Day weekend picks including Hot Luck Live Food and Music Fest, the Jaws Movie Party at Alamo Drafthouse, and more.   Learn more about the sponsors of this May 23rd episode: Tecovas Williamstown Theatre Festival 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 Paramount Summer Classic Film Series returns tonight for its 51st year of bringing iconic cinema to the heart of Austin. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by local journalist Eric Webb to unpack the criteria for what makes a movie "classic", this year's must-see picks, and how to soak up all the beauty this 110-year old building has to offer. Turns out, the silver screen isn't the only thing worth looking at! Learn more about the sponsors of this May 22nd episode: Tecovas Williamstown Theatre Festival 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

You might not be one of them — but the hundreds of Austinites who volunteer their time on boards, commissions, advisory groups, and more in town are imperative for Austin's success. After living in Austin for several years, Dewi Smith decided she needed to get more involved, and since then, she's created the perfect imbalance of work, life, service, and fun. Smith joins host Nikki DaVaughn to share how she does it all, and why she needs more than just brunch to feel connected.  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 Austin Gamblers are the reigning champions of the 2024 Professional Bull Riding Team Series, and their top cowboy just won the world championship. In other words — they're really good, and their next season is about to kick off. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Michael “Gman” Gaffney, the Gamblers' coach and a Professional Bull Riders champion himself, to get us up to speed.   Learn more about the sponsors of this May 21st episode: Tecovas Williamstown Theatre Festival This episode originally aired on August 20, 2024.  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 

Aaron Franklin is a barbecue icon, a household name among meat aficionados, and a guru to restaurateurs. At Franklin Barbecue and his second local spot, Uptown Sports Club, Franklin is constantly collaborating with and boosting other local chefs — and for this weekend's Hot Luck, a food and music festival, he cast his net nation-wide. Aaron Franklin joins host Nikki DaVaughn to share how he personally selects the chefs featured at the festival, what he loves about East Austin, and the restaurants other than his own that he recommends to visitors.  Learn more about the sponsors of this May 20th episode: Tecovas Williamstown Theatre Festival 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 

Austin City Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison wants East Austin, where she was raised and now serves, to keep changing. That can put her on the other side of historic preservation at times, but she has her reasons why, and her vision for what East Austin could be. She joins host Nikki DaVaughn to discuss gentrification, food insecurity, and how she found her peace while balancing city council responsibilities and mental health.  Learn more about the sponsors of this May 19th episode: Tecovas Williamstown Theatre Festival 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

Unless you live in a very dark and cool cave, you already know we just survived our first heat wave of 2025. A little early in the season, no? On this week's Friday News Roundup, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec to talk about the heat wave that broke records and made national news. Plus, we discuss how a new court ruling could impact Austin's marijuana ordinance, the latest on state lawmakers' effort to ban consumable hemp (and how much said ban could cost the state), the grocery store that truly does more and is now hosting a live music series, and our weekend plans, including attending the Affordable Art Fair. Finally, don't forget to vote for all your faves in the Austin Chronicle's Best of Austin 2025!  Learn more about the sponsors of this May 16th episode: Tecovas Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Prolonlife.com/city - Use this link for 15% off Austin PBS 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

Austin has long had a reputation for being bicycle-friendly — maybe it's the Lance Armstrong factor, or the extensive hike-and-bike trail system, or the veloway, or the multi-million dollar bike infrastructure projects. But what's it really like to commute daily on Austin's streets, solely on two wheels? Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Abi Robins, who ditched their truck a year ago and has pedaled all over town since. Robins shares their favorite off-road trails, best and worst bike lanes, how cycling helps them better connect with the city, and the volunteers who cycle around downtown, handing out food, drinks and necessities to folks in need. Plus, how you can be like Abi at least for a day — tomorrow's Bike to Work Day!  Learn more about the sponsors of this May 15th episode: Tecovas Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Prolonlife.com/city - Use this link for 15% off Austin PBS 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

Local arts organizations are hurting, especially after the recent announcement of federal funding cuts coming at the end of the month. But it's not just artists who are facing financial uncertainty. Who can afford to buy art right now? Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by local artist and the director of the Affordable Art Fair Cori Teague to talk about the how, the why, and the where of buying art in Austin. Plus, she dishes on her favorite local artists, the state of the local arts community in 2025, and how social media has changed the way we discover and connect with art — including that viral banana artwork. Don't miss Teague's Affordable Art Fair May 15-18! And for more on Nikki's midweek mood boost, read this.  Learn more about the sponsors of this May 14th episode: Tecovas Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Prolonlife.com/city - Use this link for 15% off Austin PBS 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