City Cast Austin logo
July 24, 2025

How NPR's Funding Cuts Affect Your Favorite KUT Shows

City Cast Austin

How NPR's Funding Cuts Affect Your Favorite KUT Shows

00:00:00
View all City Cast Austin episodes

For lots of Austinites, the swag one gets for donating to our local NPR station, KUT, is a status symbol. Grackle-adorned totes and socks are practically a currency — this city loves the news station and its sister station, KUTX, which often showcases Austin musicians. But do Austinites love KUT enough to save it? The station is trying to raise $1.2 million to shore up what it lost when Congress rolled back funding for the Center for Public Broadcasting, which supports NPR and PBS. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by KUT’s General Manager, Debbie Hiott, who also sits on NPR’s board of directors, to talk about how the cuts will affect local programming, staffing, and more, especially at a time when local news deserts are expanding.

Learn more about the sponsors of this July 24th episode:

Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter

And don’t forget– you can support this show and get great perks by becoming a City Cast Austin Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm

Follow us @citycastaustin

You can also text us or leave a voicemail

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Hey Austin

Stay connected to City Cast Austin and get ready to join the local conversation.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

Latest Episodes

See all
April 16

Are Austinites Happy?

Austin is officially the 39th happiest city in America to live in, according to a recent WalletHub survey. But what does that even mean?...

City Cast Austin podcast episode art
April 15

There’s More to Austin BBQ Than Franklin

Southern Living magazine has once again crowned Franklin Barbecue as the best in Texas, which made us wonder — is it? Host Nikki DaVaughn...

City Cast Austin podcast episode art
April 14

What the Data Center Boom Means for Texas. Plus, East Austin Shooting & Renaming Cesar Chavez St

State lawmakers held a hearing last week to examine the rise and impact of data centers in Texas, looking at both the economic benefits a...

City Cast Austin podcast episode art
April 13

The 10 Worst Intersections in Austin

There are hundreds of intersections in Austin, but which are the absolute worst? Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by KUT’s transportation re...

City Cast Austin podcast episode art
April 10

Should Texans Learn World History? Plus, Hemp Industry Sues & Why Austin Is a Runner's City

This week the State Board of Education met in Austin to propose and vote on newly rewritten K-12 history and English curricula that could...

City Cast Austin podcast episode art
April 9

Austin Facts That Sound Too Weird To Be True

Austin is full of great stories, from legendary tales to little-known local lore. But how many are actually true? Host Nikki DaVaughn is...

City Cast Austin podcast episode art
April 8

Is Austin's $60 Cup of Coffee Worth It?

Austin was just ranked among the top cities in America for coffee, according to a recent Wallethub report. But with hundreds of coffee sh...

City Cast Austin podcast episode art
April 7

AV Kills Duck, the Austinite Directing the Moon Mission, & Where You’d Take Your Enemies

On today’s episode, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by producers Elissa Castles and Eva Ruth Moravec to talk about the biggest news in town...

City Cast Austin podcast episode art
April 6

Can Closed Schools Become Parks? Plus, Council Supports Home Businesses and Cools on I-35 Caps

Austin City Council could be cooling on building caps and stitches over Interstate 35, after months of planning and discussion over fundi...

City Cast Austin podcast episode art
April 5

'Your City Could Be Better': Denver’s Bet on a Women’s Soccer Stadium — Presented By City Cast Austin

Both Denver and Austin wanted, but didn't get, a WNBA team. While more and more people are embracing women’s sports, Denver is only the s...

City Cast Austin podcast episode art