KUT » ATXplained
81 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 4 years ago - ★★★★★ - 50 ratingsWhat about Austin has you curious?
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Episodes
What’s Story Behind The ‘Will You Marry Me?’ Mural That Was On South Lamar?
April 02, 2020 21:50 - 12 minutes - 28.5 MBIf you’ve ever been near Lamar and Oltorf, you probably saw it. But what’s the story behind the now-gone mural there?
What Is The History Behind Polling Locations In Grocery Stores In Austin?
February 27, 2020 23:39 - 8 minutes - 18.9 MBVoting should be easy, right? Well, can it get any easier than going to your local supermarket? KUT’s Jimmy Maas has the history behind what’s become an election season tradition in Austin.
Austin’s Club Scene Has A Godfather. Here’s His Story.
February 27, 2020 03:44 - 11 minutes - 26.7 MBYorkie Louie is known as the Godfather of Clubbing in Austin. But his story is more complicated than that. Someone asked about him for our ATXplained spin-off, Hi, Who Are You?.
Who Writes The ‘Funny Little Messages’ On Signs Along Austin Roads?
February 20, 2020 16:11 - 5 minutes - 13.6 MBTraffic sucks. But every so often a sign in the distance might give you a chuckle. Or a groan. So who writes those electronic road signs with (sometimes) funny rhymes?
What Happened To The Last Man On Rainey Street?
January 21, 2020 23:34 - 9 minutes - 22.5 MBA year ago, we answered a question from an ATXplained listener: Where did all the families that used to live on Rainey Street go? One man was still there. But now, even that has changed. Audrey McGlinchy has this follow-up.
We’re Doing A Live Show! Last Chance To Get Tickets.
January 10, 2020 22:13 - 2 minutes - 6.08 MBTickets are running out for our Jan. 23 ATXplained Live show at the Hogg Auditorium. Details and tickets here.
Who Started Austin’s 37th Street Christmas Light Tradition?
December 19, 2019 21:26 - 8 minutes - 19.8 MBAustin’s 37th St. lights aren’t the only holiday light display in town, but it did draw this question about its origins.
Who Is The One Chatty Guy Who Works At The Post Office In East Austin?
December 05, 2019 23:40 - 11 minutes - 25.9 MBChristine Hannon wanted to meet this postal worker who seems to know everyone who come into his East Austin post office.
What’s The Best Way To Get Into The Chilly Waters Of Barton Springs?
October 03, 2019 00:29 - 9 minutes - 21.5 MBThere are many ways. But what’s the best way? Can medical science tell us?
How Did Lake Travis’ Sometimes Islands Get Their Name?
September 25, 2019 22:07 - 5 minutes - 11.8 MBThey usually only appear when there’s and drought and lake levels are low. But who named them?
Have Ride-Hailing Services Like Uber And Lyft Reduced Drunk Driving In Austin?
September 06, 2019 21:19 - 6 minutes - 15.7 MBUber and Lyft said their services would give other transportation options for people who’ve been drinking in Austin. So — did they?
Who Is This Texas ‘Ambassador’ Who Works At The Capitol Visitors Center?
September 02, 2019 19:24 - 7 minutes - 16.5 MBNo matter how jet-lagged, or sweaty, Austin tourists may find themselves when they reach the Texas Capitol Visitors Center, they’ll find a breath of fresh air waiting for them just inside its doors: Mary Jackson.
Why Do Lifeguards At Austin’s City Pools Blow Their Whistles At Break Time Like That?
August 13, 2019 02:17 - 7 minutes - 17.5 MBMadeline Fening heard the break whistle at Austin city pools and just had to know why it was so dramatic.
Who Is This Woman Who Helps Older Austinites Stay Socially Connected?
August 08, 2019 14:48 - 7 minutes - 17.5 MBThe aging population is growing fast in Austin. So Becky Rhodes said we should meet a couple trying to keep seniors active in the community.
Who Cleans Up The Bat Guano Under The Congress Avenue Bridge?
August 06, 2019 20:24 - 6 minutes - 14.4 MBCatherine Samuel was curious about where the guano goes and who cleans it up, so she asked about it for our ATXplained project.
Why Are There No Billboards On MoPac?
July 26, 2019 19:24 - 6 minutes - 14.8 MBBillboards are all over I-35 — but not MoPac and a few other freeways in Austin. Why not?
Why Does The Top Of Austin’s Tallest Building Look ‘Unfinished’?
July 12, 2019 21:39 - 13 minutes - 31.3 MBEveryone’s an architecture critic. But why does the crown on “The Independent” look the way it does?
Who Is That Guy With The ‘Giant Bird’ In South Austin?
July 10, 2019 23:05 - 9 minutes - 22.7 MBIn our latest, “Hi, Who Are You?” story, we hear the story of a man and his bird — and the family that wanted to meet them.
Answering the Unanswerable With KUTX’s John Aielli — Episode 1
June 24, 2019 18:08 - 2 minutes - 90.6 MB VideoWe get a lot of questions for ATXplained that don’t really have answers. So KUT’s Andrew Weber put some of those to longtime KUT/X host John Aielli.
Who Is The Man In Southwest Austin Who Fostered Over 100 Babies With His Wife?
June 19, 2019 22:19 - 9 minutes - 21.9 MBFor the next episode in our Hi, Who Are You? series, KUT’s Nadia Hamdan introduces us to Burrell W. Lankford.
Why Is Austin’s ‘Official’ Pride Festival In August — And Not June, Like Most Everyone Else’s?
June 18, 2019 02:12 - 7 minutes - 16.4 MBJune is when many places celebrate LGBTQ Pride Month. So why doesn’t Austin?
Who Is The Motorcycle Rider Who Does Wheelies Around Town In Pool Floaties?
June 13, 2019 03:07 - 8 minutes - 19.2 MBThe second in our Hi, Who Are You? series. A low-speed chase. Revving engines. Inflatable flamingoes.
Who’s That Krispy Kreme Employee Who’s So Positive All The Time?
June 12, 2019 20:24 - 7 minutes - 18.1 MBIn the first episode of our spin-off series, Hi, Who Are You?, we meet Sylvester Myers. This piece was produced by KUT’s Nathan Bernier.
What’s The Real Story Behind Dan’s Hamburgers And Fran’s Hamburgers?
May 28, 2019 21:40 - 9 minutes - 22.5 MBTheir signs looked oddly similar. The names were pretty darn close, too. Is the origin of Dan’s and Fran’s an urban legend?
People Keep Moving To Austin. But Where Are They Coming From?
May 16, 2019 14:31 - 6 minutes - 15.6 MBAbout 145 people moved to Austin each day last year. Where did they move from?
How Did Texas Become The Only State With Its Own Toast?
May 09, 2019 04:19 - 9 minutes - 22.6 MBIt started almost 80 years ago, with a restaurant and some too-thick bread.
How Do Musicians Make The Cut For The Austin City Limits TV Series?
May 01, 2019 19:42 - 6 minutes - 14.9 MBGo behind the scenes at KLRU’s Austin City Limits TV show to find out how they pick their artists — how little they get paid. MORE HERE.
Who Is The Crossing Guard Who Waves To Everyone Near Mendez Middle School?
April 04, 2019 02:54 - 8 minutes - 19.3 MBAre there people in your life that you see all the time, but have never stopped to meet?
What Ever Happened To Austin’s ‘Spamarama’?
March 14, 2019 13:47 - 13 minutes - 30.8 MBThe spiced ham product was the centerpiece of this longtime festival. For a time, the event was insanely popular — so what why did it go away?
So, About The Origin Of ‘The Live Music Capital Of The World’… We Were Wrong. Here’s The Real Story.
March 11, 2019 22:58 - 11 minutes - 26.9 MBOK, now we have the definitive story of Austin’s official nickname (we think).
The Last Man On Rainey Street
February 14, 2019 21:57 - 10 minutes - 24 MBThe families who once lived on Rainey Street all left. One man is still there.
Who Were The Streets In This North Austin Neighborhood Named After?
January 17, 2019 15:21 - 5 minutes - 13.6 MBWho were Miranda, Esther, Lisa and Rufus?
Why Is MoPac Traffic So Much Worse In The Afternoon Than In The Morning?
January 10, 2019 00:22 - 5 minutes - 12.5 MBDoes it really take longer to get home in the afternoon than to get to work in the morning?
When Can You Call Yourself A Real Austinite? Y’all Had Some Ideas.
December 18, 2018 23:14 - 12 minutes - 29.7 MBMaybe being an Austinite is more than a checklist. SUBSCRIBE on iTunes or RSS
Who Are Those People Who Ride Horses Around Downtown Austin?
December 12, 2018 21:30 - 8 minutes - 20.1 MBSometimes you can find people riding horses on the streets of Austin. We went for a ride with one of them. SUBSCRIBE: iTunes RSS
Why Is Austin’s Foliage So Amazing This Fall?
November 29, 2018 02:10 - 5 minutes - 13.6 MBMose Buchele takes a walk with our question-asker to learn the science behind this fall’s colorful trees.
TELL US: When Can You Call Yourself A “Real” Austinite?
November 27, 2018 20:43 - 4 minutes - 9.83 MBWhat are the experiences that bind Austinites together? Send us your answer at ATXplained.org or call/text to 737-443-9466 or email us at [email protected]
Why Are There So Few Homes With Basements Around Austin?
October 18, 2018 14:28 - 8 minutes - 19.8 MBBasements are common in other parts of the country. So why not here? Is it the rock? The flooding? Nope.
What Ever Happened To Austin’s Long-Running Aqua Fest?
October 04, 2018 13:46 - 7 minutes - 16.9 MBFor decades, Aqua Fest was an annual celebration in Austin. Then, it stopped. One ATXplained listener wanted to know why.
We’re Doing A Live Show! Come Be A Part Of It!
August 24, 2018 16:00 - 1 minute - 2.47 MBJoin us on Friday, September 21 at 7 p.m. at the Texas Union Theater on the UT campus. Details and tickets (they’re free) are right here.
How Did These Tropical Fish Wind Up Thriving In Austin’s Waller Creek? 🐠
June 28, 2018 01:46 - 6 minutes - 15 MBAn Austin creek is home to a wild population of platyfish, known worldwide as colorful, affordable pet-store species. But they jumped the tank as early as 2004.
Why Are You Not Allowed To Swim In Lady Bird Lake?
June 14, 2018 04:13 - 9 minutes - 21 MBYou can canoe, kayak, paddleboard — but don’t get in the water. Why not? MORE HERE
Is It Bee Cave Or Bee Caves? And Where Are The Bees? 🐝
May 31, 2018 03:51 - 7 minutes - 17.8 MBIt’s a question that’s vexed people for years. But were there ever any bees?
What’s The History Behind That Bell Tower On Cesar Chavez?
May 24, 2018 03:22 - 9 minutes - 21.3 MBAt the end of Colorado Street on the north bank of Lady Bird Lake stands a six-story brick tower. So what’s it there for?
What’s That Weird-Looking Tower Up On 51st Street?
May 11, 2018 21:30 - 7 minutes - 13.8 MBWater tower? Government conspiracy? KUT’s Joseph Leahy investigates.
What’s The Difference Between Ranch-To-Market And Farm-To-Market Roads?
May 04, 2018 14:39 - 7 minutes - 13.4 MBRM? FM? Do they even go to farms or ranches? You can read more here.
What’s The Story With This Tiny Cemetery In The Highway Median?
April 24, 2018 22:28 - 13 minutes - 24.2 MBOut by the Austin airport, there’s a tiny cemetery in a huge construction site. Who’s buried there? What will become of it? See more here.
What’s The Story Behind The Different Tags On Trees Around Austin?
April 20, 2018 14:04 - 8 minutes - 14.8 MBYou can’t not notice the trees that line the paths on Austin’s many hike and bike trails. But have you ever noticed a fair amount of them are numbered?
Why Do So Many Self-Storage Places Keep Popping Up In Austin?
April 11, 2018 22:05 - 6 minutes - 12.3 MBIt seems like they’re everywhere: Self-storage facilities. Why are there so many being built in Austin?
Can You Get A Refund If The MoPac Toll Lanes Aren’t Moving At 45 MPH?
April 04, 2018 21:27 - 7 minutes - 14.2 MBThe operators of the MoPac tolls lanes say the “goal” is 45 mph — so what happens if it doesn’t meet that goal?