City Cast Austin

On January 8, 1969, two University of Texas students were brutally murdered and the city of Austin barely noticed. Amid the nation’s first modern mass shooting, political violence littering the end of the decade, and the escalating Vietnam War, this shocking crime slipped through the cracks. But why was such a violent act erased from public memory? Host Nikki DeVaughn sits down with Texas Monthly contributor Stephen Harrigan to investigate the forgotten murder, explore why it remained hidden for decades, and uncover the story Austin never knew it had. This episode originally aired on April 21, 2025 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  Learn more about the sponsors of this January 8th episode: Zach Theater The SAFE Alliance New Waterloo - Trick Hat Workway Moontower Comedy Festival

Over the weekend, President Donald Trump arrested and captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, vowing to seize control of the country's rich oil industry. But the impacts of this international escapade can be felt right here at home in Austin. Host Nikki DaVaughn chats with Hearst columnist Chris Tomlinson to dig into the long-standing relationship between Texas and Venezuela, how these developments could strain small local oil producers, and why Austinites should be paying close attention.  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  Learn more about the sponsors of this January 7th episode: Zach Theater The SAFE Alliance New Waterloo - Trick Hat Workway Moontower Comedy Festival

From fancy New Year’s Eve celebrations to setting intentions and resolutions, and participating in Dry January, traditions abound this time of year in Austin. So, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by producers Elissa Castles and Eva Ruth Moravec to debate which annual celebrations of the passage of time we love, and which we hate. Plus, the City Cast Austin team shares a few 2026 resolutions for the City of Austin — including one that appears to already be underway.  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  Learn more about the sponsors of this January 6th episode: Zach Theater The SAFE Alliance New Waterloo - Trick Hat Workway Moontower Comedy Festival

Nobody understands a city’s pulse quite like a City Cast host — and that makes them the best predictors for 2026’s biggest local stories. City Cast Austin host Nikki DaVaughn joins CEO David Plotz and the other 12 hosts from across the network to talk about the big changes coming to our cities, from political shifts to data centers. 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  Learn more about the sponsors of this January 5th episode: ⁠Zach Theater⁠ ⁠The SAFE Alliance⁠ ⁠New Waterloo - Trick Hat Workway⁠ ⁠Moontower Comedy Festival⁠

Austin really does have it all: stage shows and live music, scenic hiking trails, and a food scene that never stops surprising. The variety the city has to offer is next level, and this month, the mix is especially on point. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec and guest J. Summar to guide you through the plates, places, and performances worth checking out right now. From Austin's Free Week to Comadre Panadería’s Earl Grey concha, we're serving up a wide-ranging look at what to see, what to eat, and where to be around Austin this month.  For even more tips on how to make the most of January 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.  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  Learn more about the sponsors of this January 2nd episode: NAMI Central Texas Simply Eloped

Austin's new million-dollar logo caused a lot of controversy this year and despite petitions to “stop” it, it is officially up and running on the city's social media accounts and website. The wavy A, in colors inspired by our “greenbelts, lakes, skyline sunsets, and bluebonnets,” replaces a seal that was designed as part of a contest back in 1916, as well as hundreds of department-specific logos. But will Austinites ever be okay with the exorbitant cost? Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Jessica King, Austin’s chief communications director; and Yasmin Wagner, the city’s web and creative services manager, to discuss.  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 

With Texas being the home to several major U.S. cities, which one is actually the best? Our colleagues over at City Cast Houston, host Raheel Ramzanali and executive producer Laura Isensee, join City Cast Austin host Nikki DaVaughn and producer Elissa Castles to get to the bottom of it. Between entertainment, food, affordability, and outdoor space, does Austin have what it takes to win?  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 

Just call us “Oprah” — as we wrap up 2025, the City Cast Austin team had to share some of our favorite things of the year. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw and executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec to talk about the best things we ate this year — thanks to Casa Bianca, Allday Pizza, and Jupiter Supper Club — as well as our favorite drinks of the year (have you tried Small Victory’s Hotel Nacional?). Plus, we reminisce on the best experiences we had in Austin this year, from blow-out rivalry games at Darrel K. Royal Memorial Stadium to early night dance parties, and Country Fried Dance.  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  Learn more about the sponsors of this December 23rd episode: Jeremiah Program Austin Simply Eloped Cozy Earth - Use code COZYAUSTIN for 40% off best-selling sheets, towels, pajamas, and more.

Crime has long been a concern in downtown Austin, especially on Sixth Street. That's why Austin City Council Member Zo Qadri, who represents the area, has supported rolling out new safety strategies aimed at restoring confidence and revitalizing the city's core. As the holiday season brings an influx of visitors, are those efforts making a difference? Host Nikki DaVaughn chats with Qadri to discuss his safety initiatives, concerns surrounding Rainey Street, and why he thinks Austin is experiencing its best years yet. 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  Learn more about the sponsors of this December 22nd episode: Jeremiah Program Austin • Simply Eloped

Texas' so-called Bathroom Bill is now in ⁠full effect⁠ and enforcement of this law remains murky. Still, this week Attorney General Ken Paxton launched a ⁠tip line⁠ to encourage residents to report suspected violations. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec and Hey Austin newsletter editor Kelsey Bradshaw to discuss the ⁠bill's effects⁠ and how the city is ⁠fighting back⁠. Plus, why is Texas collecting a list of names of people who have tried to change the ⁠gender marker on their ID⁠? And later in the episode, the team breaks down the latest developments around Texas State University's decision to ⁠cancel a Black History Month⁠ exhibit, reflects on the five-year anniversary of a ⁠mysterious disappearance⁠, and pays tribute to the ⁠businesses Austin lost⁠ this year.  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  Learn more about the sponsors of this December 19th episode: ⁠DUER⁠ - Get 15% off at ⁠shopduer.com/ccaustin⁠ ⁠The SAFE Alliance⁠