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Austin

Our favorite KUT photos of 2024

KUT 90.5 | By KUT Staff

Published December 23, 2024 at 5:23 AM CST

2024 was an eventful year in Austin, and KUT photographers captured the moments that helped define it. Protesters and police clashed, an iconic Austin building was demolished and an eclipse brought visitors from around the world. We got lost in a sea of people trying to get a glimpse of Chappell Roan, reported on an exceptionally warm year, and spent time with the community as Austinites went about their days.

Here are a few of our favorite photos from this year.

A line of police officers stand behind a sign advertising UT Austin with the words, "What starts here changes the world." — Law enforcement officers form a barrier during a pro-Palestinian protest on April 24 at UT Austin. The university was one of many across the country that saw protests about the war in Gaza.

A woman dressed in graduation robes hugs and kisses her nephew. — Tina Contreras hugs her nephew, EJ, during her graduation ceremony at the Coleman Unit, a state prison for women, on June 21. About 70 women at the prison in Lockhart graduated with a high school diploma this summer.

A line of people dressed in construction vests and hard hats stand in front of a partially demolished stadium building. — Press gather for the Frank Erwin Center demolition on April 12. The iconic building, often known by the moniker "The Drum," has been on UT Austin's campus since 1977 and served as the home for the school's men’s and women’s basketball teams until 2022.

Two young kids stand in line with towels around their necks. They look like they're sweating. — Mateo and Sebastian Rocha, both age 9, cool off with wet towels as they wait in line for the Ferris wheel during UT's SEC celebration event on the South Mall on June 30. Texas left the Big 12 for the Southeastern Conference on July 1.

Atlas Castillo rides an elevator with his belongings in trash bags during his move into Pecan Gardens, an apartment complex for people over 55 years old who have been homeless, on Aug. 20, 2024. Pecan Gardens is housed in a former hotel which the City of Austin bought in 2021 to turn into housing. — Atlas Castillo rides an elevator with his belongings during his August move into Pecan Gardens, an apartment complex for people over 55 years old who are exiting homelessness. Pecan Gardens used to be a hotel, which the City of Austin bought in 2021 to turn into housing for the homeless.

Three performers dance inside of a church — LaKendra Howard performs during the annual Texas Purple Hull Pea Festival in Shankleville on June 22. Howard is part of the Fairytale Project, an African-American dance group focusing on the story of Shankleville, a freedmen's town in East Texas.

A very small bat is held by a gloved hand. — A Mexican free-tailed bat is held by Lee Mackenzie of the Austin Bat Refuge at the South Congress Bridge on Sept. 16.

A state trooper sprays a crowd of pro-Palestinian protesters. — A state trooper sprays a crowd of pro-Palestinian protesters at UT Austin on April 29.

Police escort a protester away in the middle of a crowd. — Law enforcement detain a pro-Palestinian protester on April 29.

A composite photo consisting of six images of the solar eclipse as it reaches totality. It shows the moon gradually covering the sun. — A composite photo consisting of six images of the solar eclipse as it reaches totality in Kerrville on April 8.

A person lying down on a park lawn sketches drawings of the eclipse in a journal. — A woman draws illustrations of the eclipse during a watch party at the Long Center for the Performing Arts on April 8.

Dua Lipa sings on stage, surrounded by backup dancers — Dua Lipa sings during ACL Festival at Zilker Park on Oct. 6. Dua Lipa was a headliner for both weekends of the annual festival.

Chappell Roan is shown singing from the shoulders up, her eyes closed. — Chappell Roan performs at ACL Festival at Zilker Park on Oct. 13. Chappell Roan drew an immense crowd during her two shows; a sea of people stretched halfway across the park.

A drag queen stands out of the sunroof of a car, holding a fan that says, "Don't mess with queer Texans." — Drag queen Maxine LaQueene rides in the back of a pickup truck down Congress Avenue during the Austin Pride Parade on Aug. 10. The annual event drew thousands of participants.

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