The drought does not recognize political boundaries. Astronomers gather in Austin. And some Texas drillers get big tax breaks. Here’s a roundup of the latest content from KUT and StateImpact Texas, our joint reporting project with NPR.
KUT News: What do South Carolina Voters Want?
Texas Governor Rick Perry has been touring South Carolina for three days. He will be traveling pillar to post across the state over the next 11 days, hoping to convince Republican voters he’s worth their vote. But is Perry what South Carolina Republicans are looking for?
KUT News: Supreme Court Considers Delaying Texas Primary
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Monday in a case that could determine what Texas’ legislative and congressional districts look like for the upcoming primaries. That election, now set for April 3, was already delayed a month by legal wrangling. Monday’s hearing left open the possibility the primaries could be delayed further.
StateImpact Texas: Texas Drillers Get Big Tax Breaks
The Texas Comptroller’s office is adding auditors to increase scrutiny of tax breaks claimed by drilling operations.
KUT News: Astronomers Looking Ahead Despite Budget Cuts
The 219th annual meeting of the American Astronomical Society runs through Thursday in Austin, a gathering of individuals and industry in the wake of budget cuts to the country’s space program. The society holds its winter meeting in Austin every four years, in rotation with Washington, Long Beach, Calif., and Seattle. About 2,800 people registered for this week's conference.
StateImpact Texas: A Look to the Future at Texas’ Largest Solar Farm
A ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday marked the official opening of the Webberville Solar Farm, an array of 127,000 solar panels set to provide enough electricity to power 5,000 homes in the Austin area. The farm will be the largest of its kind in Texas, and is the largest solar project of any public power utility in the United States, according to Austin Energy CEO Larry Weiss.
Arts Eclectic: FronteraFest
Now in its nineteenth season, Austin’s FronteraFest has grown to become one of the premiere fringe theater festivals in the country. The fest lasts for five weeks, features hundreds of performers, and takes place in three theaters and a few private homes across town.
This Week in Texas Music History: Jimmy Day
Steel guitarist, Jimmy Day, was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on January 9, 1934, but spent much of his life in Texas. While still a teenager in the early 1950s, he began performing on the Louisiana Hayride alongside such artists as Hank Williams and Elvis Presley.
Song of the Day: Whitman, “NW Thurman”
Sometimes it’s good to get a fist in the air. Now don’t get us wrong, you won’t be slamming in a mosh pit to Austin’s own Whitman anytime soon, but the band sure knows how to make straight-ahead, anthemic rock and roll.
Featured Video: Belo Center for New Media construction time lapse
Construction of the new KUT Public Broadcast Center at The Belo Center for New Media is well underway and on schedule for early summer completion.
