# KXAN Catalyst

Catalyst is a specialty unit within the KXAN investigative team focused on ”digital-first” storytelling that aims to spark positive change in society. The group takes a multi-platform, innovative approach to each project, including this KXAN Catalyst Podcast.

Page: <https://rssamplifier.com/kxan-catalyst>  
Feed: <https://rssamplifier.com/kxan-catalyst.md>

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## [S8 E4: Victimology of the Rainey Street Ripper](https://www.kxan.com/catalyst-season-8/)

_2026-03-01_

As social media speculation swirls, Austin police partner with an expert in serial killers and their hunting grounds to dispel rumors of a predator near Lady Bird Lake.

[Listen](https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/j97eqky5daqxp7ev/08e04_-_Beneath_the_Surface_-_Victimology_of_the_Rainey_Street_Ripper_-_2026030019o8zi.mp3)

## [S8 E3: Folks Having Their Drink Spiked](https://www.kxan.com/catalyst-season-8/)

_2026-02-22_

After losing loved ones in Lady Bird Lake, families push Austin leaders for years to implement new safety initiatives surrounding alcohol and the downtown waterway.

[Listen](https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/hj2e42yjuwa7cnbs/08e03_-_Beneath_the_Surface_-_Folks_Having_Their_Drink_Spiked_-_2028020228k4ze.mp3)

## [S8 E2: Saw My Brother’s Body Floating](https://www.kxan.com/catalyst-season-8/)

_2026-02-15_

Mitchell Gutierrez speaks out about his brother’s Lady Bird Lake drowning, his family’s fight for answers and why he believes a serial killer is behind the deaths.

[Listen](https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/imxb8z286ftv8dd9/08e02_-_Beneath_the_Surface_-_Saw_My_Brother_s_Body_Floating_-_202502159fbv7.mp3)

## [S8 E1: Just Wander Toward the Water](https://www.kxan.com/catalyst-season-8/)

_2026-02-08_

Following dozens of drownings in Austin’s downtown lake, KXAN explores solutions in other U.S. cities, including volunteer student patrols in a northern college town.

[Listen](https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/t7mx6t7d7mxnruu3/08e01_-_Beneath_the_Surface_-_Just_Wander_Toward_the_Water_-_202502088ecgw.mp3)

## [S8 Trailer](https://www.kxan.com/catalyst-season-8/)

_2026-02-01_

Hear the serial drownings trailer now.

[Listen](https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/yxrb63kp7c6pzuxz/08e00_-_Beneath_the_Surface_-_Trailer_-_20250201ardiv.mp3)

## [S7 Update: More Medical Examiners to the State](https://www.kxan.com/catalyst-season-7/)

_2025-07-14_

Following KXAN’s reporting on Texas’ death investigations, lawmakers look at ways to modernize the state’s system amid legislative challenges and cost concerns.

[Listen](https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/4euzyrv64hqsy9v4/07_Update_-_Backbone_Creek_-_More_Medical_Examiners_to_the_Statebedi7.mp3)

## [S7 Bonus: Patchwork of Death Investigations (Analysis)](https://www.kxan.com/catalyst-season-7/)

_2024-12-09_

KXAN’s Josh Hinkle, David Barer, Arezow Doost, Eric Henrikson and Dalton Huey discuss challenges they faced while investigating Texas’ death inquest system.

[Listen](https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/3ly7iw3pdzdumivt/kxandt_playlist_15_2950_imryvr.mp3)

## [S7 E3: Wanted an Autopsy on that Child](https://www.kxan.com/catalyst-season-7/)

_2024-12-02_

While Texas’ justice of the peace system has evolved since its start in 1824, counties are slowly replacing the death inquest part of their role with medical examiners.

[Listen](https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/qyngu1vdi62vm004/kxandt_playlist_15_2928_g9ugqc.mp3)

## [S7 E2: Murdered Down by Backbone Creek](https://www.kxan.com/catalyst-season-7/)

_2024-11-25_

As Texas’ population grows, so do critics’ concerns over elected officials investigating death. As Daynon Lewis’ case unfolds, state lawmakers look to the future.

[Listen](https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/28blrw0n5k7iuxp4/kxandt_playlist_15_2890_jdu5ds.mp3)

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_2024-11-25 · **Sponsored**_

No telemetry or ads — built on Ungoogled Chromium with a built-in AI sidebar and CLI.

## [S7 E1: Found Hanging by a Jump Rope](https://www.kxan.com/catalyst-season-7/)

_2024-11-18_

A teenager’s mysterious death in 1965 resurfaces in the Texas Hill Country, prompting a new review of her case and the inquest system still used across the state.

[Listen](https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/pmpk4vev40vjtl9x/kxandt_playlist_15_2871_sfqvnv.mp3)