The Source: Recent Episodes
David Martin Davies
The Source is a daily, one-hour call-in talk program that gives listeners in San Antonio the opportunity to call and connect with our in-studio guests and city-wide audience.The Source seeks to give life, context and breadth to the events and issues affecting San Antonio by bringing newsmakers and experts to the public, and highlighting the people being affected by the news of the day.Hosted by veteran journalist David Martin Davies, and is produced by Dallas Williams and Meagan Halbardier Moore. Production assistance is provided by Mark Hutchison.Tune in to The Source for insightful discussion and analysis on topics that matter to residents of the Alamo City.Contribute to the conversation:Call or text during the live show at 833-877-8255.Leave a voicemail at 210 615-8982 anytime. Submissions may be played on-air.Tweet questions to @tprsource.Email comments to thesource@tpr.org.
Initially President Trump said the war with Iran would last four to five weeks. Now over five months later there is no end in sight. The war is acting like a tax on the U.S. economy: energy costs are rising, inflation has accelerated, and the federal government is spending tens of billions of dollars on military operations.
Should San Antonio have another vote on city funds for Project Marvel? San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones says a second vote is needed. She joins The Source to explain why. Also what's her response to Governor Greg Abbott wanting to open the San Antonio electricity market to private companies? And should San Antonio have a moratorium on data centers?
Three San Antonio City Council members are calling for a temporary moratorium on applications for new data centers, citing concerns about the rapidly growing industry’s demands on water, electricity and impact on air quality in surrounding neighborhoods.
President Donald Trump has spent decades cultivating an image as a master dealmaker. A new book examines the techniques behind that reputation and what others can learn from both his successes and shortcomings.
We might live in a crowded city, but we also share the urban space with lot of animals.Raccoons, skunks, possums and even coyotes roam our streets. And we are part of their ecosystem. These creatures are ambassadors from nature — and reminders that this land isn't ours. How animals are adapting to cities and reshaping the natural World.
Federal cuts are threatening HIV testing, prevention and treatment programs across the country — and San Antonio organizations are being impacted. What could the loss of funding mean for free testing, access to PrEP and the outreach work of local nonprofits like BEAT AIDS? We examine whether decades of progress against HIV are now at risk.
A rapidly expanding Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has killed more than 1,400 people, as armed conflict and reduced international assistance complicate efforts to contain the virus.
Texas retailers stopped selling many popular hemp-derived THC products on Friday. But vendors can still put Delta-9 products on their shelves for now. What's next for the Texas hemp industry?
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has directed state senators to explore expanding religious expression in Texas public life, continuing a broader push by Republican leaders to increase religion’s presence in schools and government.
What's known as "dark money" in U.S. elections reached a record-shattering $1.9 billion in recent federal election cycles, nearly doubling the previous record. This surge traces back to the Supreme Court's 2010 Citizens United decision. Now dark money has grown into a mysterious massive force, as billionaires and organizations exploit loopholes in campaign finance disclosure laws.
Flock cameras and license plate readers are rapidly expanding across Bexar County. They are deployed by local police departments, private businesses, and HOAs. Law enforcement officials say they help keep communities safer but there are concerns regarding mass surveillance, civil liberties, and data sharing.
Two data centers on San Antonio’s West Side will be powered with on-site natural gas-fired and diesel generators. Nonprofit groups are saying these data centers are trying to avoid clean air regulations and laws — and will have a negative impact on San Antonio’s air. The groups say they are preparing to sue over the projects.
World War II concluded with Japan's unconditional surrender after the United States dropped two atomic bombs on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. What led to President Truman's order to deploy this new weapon? Was the first and only wartime use of nuclear bombs justified?
The Democratic Socialists of America are winning elections across the nation, including in San Antonio. There are three San Antonio City Council members who belong to the progressive party. The Republican Party is calling the DSA "communists." DSA supports universal health care, benefits for workers, opposition to billionaires and stopping data centers.
With a Super El Niño brewing in the atmosphere, there's concern about what the weather pattern means for the U.S. and the Southwest. Texas is already experiencing another summer of weather extremes: destructive rainfall and flooding followed by dangerous heat, with Tropical Storm Bertha now moving across the northern Gulf of Mexico.
Rising summer temperatures mean more Texans are spending time outdoors and are more likely to encounter venomous snakes in parks, wooded areas, along waterways and even in backyards.
In June the Republican-controlled State Board of Education approved new statewide reading requirements. Students in every grade are required to read Bible passages. Supporters say students need biblical literacy to understand Western literature. However, opponents say the selections disproportionately favor Christianity, particularly Protestant interpretations.
San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones is confronting major questions about the city’s finances, growth and relationship with the federal government. Jones joins “The Source” Monday to discuss a projected $158 million city budget shortfall and the difficult choices it could force over services and spending.
Texas is confronting a widening gap between its long-term water supply and the needs of its growing population and economy. The state is projected to be in a water crisis in coming decades unless new conservation measures are installed and new water sources are created,
Texas is again facing severe flooding after heavy rainfall in the Hill Country and the region west of San Antonio. Evacuations are underway along with high water rescues and road closures.
Lone Star Beer has marketed itself as a Texas tradition dating to 1884, but a new book argues the familiar brand grew from two distinct San Antonio breweries operating in different eras.
On Juneteenth we look back at the fight for civil rights in America. Historian Peniel E. Joseph discusses his new book Freedom Season: How 1963 Transformed America’s Civil Rights Revolution." He reflects on the power of protest and community organizing and how segregationists and other bigots in power were pushed out of the way. And what this means today.
Thirteen people died after a heavy rainfall hit San Antonio. The city measured over six inches of rain— the tenth rainiest day in the city’s history. But was this high death toll avoidable? Bexar County Commissioner Tommy Calvert joins us to talk about what went wrong and what needs to be done to prevent this from happening again.
The City of San Antonio and its partners are teaming up to host workshops and share resources on how to protect people, family, friends, and pets from the heat.
The consumer economy is showing signs of stress and strain. Lending platforms report an increasing number of “buy now, pay later” users falling behind on payments. “Buy now, pay later” refers to the short-term loans and missed installments are a sign of faltering financial health especially in the low-income working class— who are being confronted with rising inflation, cuts in SNAP and the Trump administration’s move to collect on federal student loans.
New generations of Americans are taking to the street in protest, demanding change and accountability. And they are discovering what protestors of the 1960s and '70s found out— protesting is hard, frustrating and requires sacrifice. But protest songs can help. Songs demanding freedom and justice go back generations and are also being composed today. We hear from Stephen Stacks about his new book The Resounding Revolution: Freedom Song After 1968.
The U.S. Supreme Court is the final word on what happens in this country. Historically the nine justices decide what is constitutional and legal by looking at the law, legal precedent and judicial philosophy. But these days it seems like the high court is running on grievance, fringe theories and bad vibes. We get an explainer on why the Supreme Court is now so politically powerful and unpredictable.
There’s a lot of chatter these days about a possible coming recession—and the impact of tariffs— inflation, stagflation and high interest rates. But what are all those things? It’s easy to get lost with all these terms. How do make sense of the economy and how money works? We talk about Economics in Plain English.
FRONTLINE investigates the Assad regime’s arrest, torture and execution of detainees during the Syrian war. Former prisoners, guards, soldiers and intelligence officials shed new light on atrocities carried out during Bashar al-Assad’s reign.
The San Antonio AIDS Foundation has scaled back free testing services due to White House-imposed cuts in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funding. Free HIV testing provides early detection and reducing transmission rates. How can San Antonians continue to get tested safely and confidentially for AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases?
In recent months the United States has witnessed a resurgence of protesters taking to the streets calling for change on social, political and environmental issues. These marchers are walking in the footsteps of other protesters who fought for civil rights, labor and peace. What makes a protest successful? How can a mass demonstration lead to substantial and long-lasting change. We discuss "A Protest History of the United States" by Gloria J. Browne-Marshall.
The Wild West gunfighter is a stock figure in dime novels and cornball westerns—but what is the reality of the six-shooter packing outlaw?The new book by Bryan Burrough, The Gunfighters: How Texas Made the West Wild, separates myths from truths about the violence of the Wild West. Many of the bloody shootouts happened in the streets of San Antonio.
As the Texas legislative session ends there are new bills passed that could again reshape the state’s access to abortion care. Advocates for reproductive freedom are condemning the passage of Senate Bill 31, The Life of the Mother Act and SB 33, a ban on San Antonio's Reproductive Justice Fund.
Sitting on Governor Abbott’s desk is SB3 —a bill that would ban hemp-derived THC products in Texas. Abbott has not said if he will veto it or allow it to become law. Supporters of the bill, including Lt Gov Dan Patrick, argue the ban is necessary to protect public health. But many veterans, chronic pain suffers, and some conservatives say it goes too far.
Who are the ultrarich in America and what do they want? Evan Osnos, author of The Haves and Have-Yachts, pulls back the curtain on the hidden world of the massively wealthy, their unbelievable lifestyles and their unchecked influence on American politics—which directly impacts our lives while distorting the economy.
What does it mean to be a father? Fatherhood is one of history’s enduring puzzles. Why are fathers the way that they are? We look at being a dad through the lens of history, philosophy and the examples of some of Western civilization’s most emblematic fathers to understand how this role of protector, caretaker, provider and disciplinarian evolved. Augustine Sedgewick is the author of "Fatherhood: A History of Love and Power."
Former Under Secretary of the U.S. Air Force and two-time Democratic congressional candidate Gina Ortiz Jones will face former Republican Texas Secretary of State Roland Pablos in the June 7 mayoral runoff election after no candidate received a majority of votes in the May municipal election.
District 6 runoff candidates are Kelly Ann Gonzalez and Ric Galvan. They are the two remaining candidates from a diverse field of eight, and only 28 votes separated them after the final count on election night.
District 1 Councilmember Sukh Kaur, who faced nine challengers in the May 3 election, is headed to the June 7th runoff against Patty Gibbons, a retired business owner and conservative.
Many Texans across the state were misled about the benefits of solar. A new report looks at who gets targeted the most, and what to look out for when purchasing solar.
San Antonio Independent School District is continuing its rightsizing implementation and trying to combat chronic absenteeism. Federally and locally, funding for public school is up in the air. What's next for SAISD?
San Antonio Water System recently sent out 300,000 letters notifying customers about possible lead in their water pipes. If your home was built before 1989, then you received a letter. But there is no reason to panic. SAWS CEO Robert Puente joins us to answer your questions.
In 1899, 200 acres along the San Antonio River were donated to the city of San Antonio by philanthropist George W. Brackenridge who intended the space to be a public space for the people of San Antonio. Brackenridge Park is celebrating 125 years with a 'Big Brack Bash' that is free and open to all of San Antonio.
President-elect Donald Trump ran on a campaign of anti-immigration policies—and won. He is now promising to carry out the largest deportation operation in American history. If Trump follows through on his promises, there could be serious consequences in San Antonio.
Ashley Alvarado formerly served as the Vice President of Community Engagement and Strategic Initiatives at LAist. She will lead TPR's day to day operations and programming across platforms.
It used to be true that a college degree was the sure path to success. But that's not necessarily always true today. In "Rethinking College," award-winning journalist Karin Klein suggests another path for our country's students and their families.
With over 300 years under its belt, San Antonio can tell many scandalous tales. Residents of San Antonio have seen the city go through the rise and fall of gambling joints, around-the-clock saloons and other places of ill repute. Mike Cox, the author of “Wicked San Antonio”, dives into the past of the many misdeeds of the Alamo City.
The day after Election Day—there will be winners and losers. Did the pollsters get it right? How about your predictions? Were you surprised by the outcome?
Election night has become an American tradition. How newspapers in the 1800s, radio stations in the 1920s, and television in the 1950s created the spectacle of counting and adding that it is today.
In the six months before Adolf Hitler seized power, the Nazi leader teetered between triumph and ruin. His party was losing supporters and facing financial collapse. Hitler was considered a failure and a political joke. Yet somehow, in a few brief weeks, he became chancellor of Germany. Weeks later, Germany was no longer a democracy. Timothy Ryback, author of Takeover: Hitler’s Final Rise to Power joins us on "The Source."
Vast economic inequality is actually a very old problem, and many of the world’s greatest thinkers have had something to say about it—including Jesus and Plato, Adam Smith, Thomas Hobbes, John Stuart Mill and others. They had ideas on how to take on the oligarchies of their time that we can learn from today. David Lay Williams discusses his new book "The Greatest of All Plagues."
The world’s worst dictators are working together. Russia, China, North Korea, Turkey, Hungary and Venezuela have formed an alliance that is working on issues of expanding military power, promoting kleptocracy and defeating democracy. Anne Applebaum discusses her new book Autocracy Inc.: The Dictators Who Want to Run the World.
With a week remaining before Election Day the political tension is so tight that many families are having a difficult time maintaining the household peace. How is the election impacting your family when Democrats and Republicans live under the safe roof?
A new FRONTLINE documentary analyzes the fears and concerns of American voters in 2020 and how they're feeling about this year's presidential election.
In this election the ultra-wealthy are using their money, power and influence in ways that we’ve never seen. Elon Musk is the prime example but he’s not alone in corrupting the democratic process for his own benefit. How oligarchy is on the ballot and what it means for the common citizen.
A new book examines how and why politicians lie, and why Republicans are leading the war against the truth. We hear from Bill Adair, the creator of the Pulitzer Prize-winning website PolitiFact and author of the new book "Beyond the Big Lie: The Epidemic of Political Lying, why Republicans do it more, and how it could burn down our democracy."
Steve Allison is a the current Representative for Bexar County's House District 121. He won't be on the ballot this election after losing in the Republican primary. We hear how Allison sees this election and what the next legislative session might look like.
Magic mushrooms are banned federally in the United States, but some swear by the life-changing experiences they have on the psychedelic.
There is a complicated relationship between womanhood and motherhood. History is full of women without children—some who chose childless lives, others who wanted children but never had them, and still others who are somewhere in between. Modern women considering how and if children fit into their lives are products of their political, ecological, and cultural moment. But they are not alone.We hear from Peggy O'Donnell Heffington about her book “Without Children: The Long History of Not Being a Mother.”
This Saturday the 9th Annual Monarch Butterfly & Pollinator Festival will be held from 9 a.m. to 1p.m. at Brackenridge Park. Over 30 educational partners will provide hands-on, nature-based experiences for children and adults to over an expected over 3,500 attendees. This is a free event and open to the public.
"Chasing The Tide" charts a 370-mile trek across the seven barrier islands of Texas. The series will air on all Texas PBS stations. It highlights efforts by individuals, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies to conserve Texas’ wild coast and future-proof communities at the mercy of the Gulf of Mexico.
Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont says Texas has a chance to turn blue this election and he's in the region to rally support for Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for president.
“America First”— it’s a slogan that has currency with the right-wing today, but they didn’t coin the phrase. That happened back in 1930s America to serve a movement trying to keep the U.S. from getting involved in fighting the Nazis in Europe. We look at this tipping point in American history—and America as a global power—with historian and author H.W. Brands.
TPR's The Source is producing a series of candidate interviews for the 2024 election season. Today we hear from Democrat Cecilia Castellano who is running for HD 80. Former Uvalde Mayor Don Mclaughlin is the Republican in the race. TPR's "The Source" has invited McLaughlin to come on air and we are working on setting a date for that discussion.
Heading into the vice-presidential debate, we look at the job of being Veep. It is a position that has been called worthless by some of the people who were vice presidents. But now the job has grown—though is still perceived as a "second banana." We look at the "Modern American Vice Presidency: The Transformation of a Political Institution."
The American overdose crisis has reached record-breaking levels; preventable overdoses are now responsible for more annual deaths than traffic accidents, suicide, or gun violence. Fentanyl—the cheap synthetic opioid—remains poorly understood by policymakers and the public. We separate the facts from the fiction surrounding fentanyl.
District 118 candidates incumbent Republican Rep. John Lujan and Democratic challenger Kristian Carranza take your calls and talk about their vision for the future of Texas, including the issues of school vouchers, expanding health care and border security.
Democrats have relied on the Latino vote but we are seeing a red shift. More Latinos are voting for Republican candidates. This is despite the anti-immigration rhetoric and threats of mass deportations. Paola Ramos investigates and has written the book : "Defectors – the rise of the latino far right and what it means for America."
Election denialism and myths of voter fraud have long been part of the history of the United States. And here we are again.The survival of our democracy is on the line as efforts are underway to keep many away from the ballot box.Marc Favreau joins us to discuss his new book "Represent: The Unfinished Fight for the Vote. "
Marc LaHood is the Republican Party candidate for Texas House District 121 which had been represented by Steve Allison. The Democrat in the race is Laurel Jordan Swift.
Many anexos operate outside regulations, resorting to brute force, confinement and isolation to keep people there. Their methods are often far from therapeutic, relying heavily on religious indoctrination, shaming tactics, and even physical punishment.
San Antonio voters will decide on six changes to the city’s charter on Election Day, November 5th.The proposed amendments would make the following changes to the city’s charter, which is similar to the city’s constitution, an overall governance document.Gordon Hartman is a tri-chair of RenewSA, a local political action committee which launched a campaign supporting all six amendments to San Antonio’s charter this week.
There is a new $2.8 billion budget and possible downtown moves for the Spurs and the Missions. County Judge Peter Sakai joins us to update listeners about the latest developments.
The idea that a local sheriff is the supreme political authority is a dangerous fiction, yet the constitutional sheriff movement as a political ideology continues to gain ground. Jessica Pishko is the author of "The Highest Law in the Land."
The relationship between George Jones and Tammy Wynette, two of country music’s biggest stars, is one of the most tumultuous and legendary in the genre’s history. But it's also been largely misunderstood. Podcaster and author Tyler Mahan Coe sets the record straight in "Cocaine & Rhinestones."
The stated goal for school vouchers has been to provide educational equity. However, after years of implementation in other states, it's clear that vouchers are failing students and exacerbating income inequality. We now know that voucher programs hurt low-income students. But billionaires continue to push vouchers, especially in Texas.
The state of Texas is proposing to adopt a curriculum for Texas public schools that includes Christian-based religious references in K-5 education. A report finds the plan factually flawed and distorts the Bible.
State Representative Steve Allison lost in the Republican Primary to Marc LaHood, making the Alamo Heights area House District up for grabs. Laurel Jordan Swift is the Democrat in the race for District 121 that watchers say could be flipped blue on November 5th.
Barbara Jordan was a trailblazing American politician, civil rights leader, and the first Southern Black woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Mary Ellen Curtin chronicles Jordan's life in her book, She Changed the Nation.
Nathan Buchanan is the Republican candidate for Bexar County sheriff and is challenging Democrat incumbent Sheriff Javier Salazar.
Lisa Phillips is speaking out about the sex abuse she experienced from Jeffrey Epstein. She is an advocate for women healing from abuse and trauma.
Intense political divide, debates about citizenship, fears of political violence, and a public unsure about whether the presidency can even work— these were some of the challenges that John Adams had to solve— and in the process he helped to create what we recognize as the power of the presidency and the creation of political norms.
CNN’s chief political correspondent Dana Bash joins us to discuss America’s deadliest presidential election—the election of 1872. Bash has co-authored a new book about the first run for the white house after the civil war that led to hundreds of dead and warfare in the streets. And the eerie parallels to today’s divided nation.
Along with his brother and friend, David Zucker directed and produced the 1980 movie ‘Airplane!’ which has become a classic in cinema. Zucker has also directed The Naked Gun series starring Leslie Nielson, and the later Scary Movies in the early 2000s.
KLRN, San Antonio’s PBS affiliate, has announced a new season of ¡SALUD!, a groundbreaking series that tells the stories of local Latinas who are leading in business, government, and the arts.
Over the course of his presidency, Donald Trump intimidated, silenced, and bent to his will the Justice Department and FBI officials, from Attorneys General Jeff Sessions and William Barr to career public servants.In the new book “Where Tyranny Begins,” Pulitzer Prize–recognized journalist David Rohde investigates how Trump systematically turned the country’s two most powerful law-enforcement agencies into his personal political weapons.
Poverty is big business in America. The federal government spends about $900 billion a year on programs that impact poor Americans, including antipoverty programs like Medicaid, affordable housing and subsidies. There is a vast web of entrenched companies that profit from regulating the lives of the poor with business models that depend on exploiting low-income Americans. The new book Poverty for Profit explains.
Last week South Texas candidate Cecilia Castellano, her legislative aide Manuel Medina, and other campaign workers were raided by the AG’s office. Officials say it was part of an investigation into a vote harvesting operation.
What do kids today say they want to be when they grow up? One top dream job is “influencer.” Due to the rise of social media, becoming a star of the small screen is now a top career. And UTSA is launching a new degree program to teach how to be an effective digital influencer.What’s behind this innovative program?
We are a nation of immigrants, never more than now. The beacon of the American Dream continues to attract the tired and poor yearning to be free—despite the barbed wire lining the Rio Grande and the political hatred. Most immigrants come to this country to work hard and find their place in the land of opportunity. Veteran journalist Ray Suarez documented the stories of this new wave of arrivals.
By all accounts the Uvalde school massacre was a failure of law enforcement to protect the lives of children. But you wouldn’t know that by looking at the lack of accountability at the Texas Department of Public Safety. Director Steve McCraw didn’t have to resign. In fact, he got a big raise after the shooting. How is it that the DPS has dodged responsibility for its failures in Uvalde?
The refrigerator has become so common that we may not give it a great deal of thought, but this one appliance has had a tremendous influence on the way we live at home. And yet, less than 100 years ago, people didn’t have refrigerators at all. Nicola Twilley is the author of Frostbite: How Refrigeration Changed Our Food, Our Planet, and Ourselves
Polls are a valuable tool in gauging the state of a presidential race, but they should not be seen as definitive predictors of the outcome. Voters should approach polling data with a critical eye, recognizing its limitations and the complexities of the electorate that it attempts to measure.
Nicholas Kristof is known as the "reporter's reporter," with a remarkable career that spans four continents and over 150 countries. Along the way, he faced malaria, wars, warlords, and even survived a plane crash in Africa. Kristof's fearless reporting earned him two Pulitzer Prizes notably for his coverage of Tiananmen Square and his advocacy against genocide in Darfur.
The conservative movement is preparing for Donald Trump to return to the White House with an agenda called "Project 2025." A ProPublica investigation reveals their plan and intentions.
When was the last time you topped off that backyard bird feeder? San Antonio’s climate and its growing urban footprint can mean bird feeding is a needed benefit for the local avian population. What are the best practices for bird feeding? What bird do you see chowing down at your feeder?
How crazy has this presidential election become? With dramatic ups and downs. It's become a thrill ride that won't end until Nov 5. We get analysis with Matthew Dowd, an American political pundit and consultant.
Anti-government protests continue in Venezuela in the aftermath of the nation’s July 28 sham presidential election. There is a call for a global protest against President Nicolás Maduro for this Saturday August 17.
As San Antonio's City Council is preparing to decide if downtown horse carriages should be banned, it's worth noting the horse's long journey with mankind. Timothy C. Winegard is the author of "The Horse: A galloping history of humanity."The horse's evolutionary history, its indispensable role in human development, and its enduring cultural significance make it a subject worthy of study and appreciation.
Forty-six percent of households in Bexar County earn less than what is required to make ends meet in the current economy. This means that 345,000 households in Bexar County earn wages below the cost of living. That’s according to a report by The United Way of San Antonio. Why are so many families living with financial hardship? How are they getting by? What can be done to improve their situations?
How do we understand the utilization—and weaponization—of charm in contemporary global politics? Leaders gifted with natural charm and magnetism often hold an undeniable allure that can significantly impact diplomatic efforts. If we do not understand charm’s political power, we cannot grasp today’s fragile political moment.
There are about 17,000 Border Patrol agents stationed along the U.S. Mexico border. Each has a gun and a badge but there are some who fail in their task to protect their communities.
President Biden last week called for reforms to the U.S. Supreme Court. Biden is recommending 18-year term limits for the justices, an enforceable code of ethics and a constitutional amendment to counteract the Supreme Court’s recent presidential immunity decision.
Behind President Joe Biden’s fateful decision are decades of challenges and controversies, triumphs and tragedies. FRONTLINE tells the inside story of Biden’s rise to the presidency, and the personal and political forces that shaped him and led to his dramatic decision to step aside.
Contrary to claims that there is an invasion at the southern border, actually undocumented immigrants are paying into the tax system but are not able to use the government programs. Undocumented immigrants paid $26 billion dollars into Social Security coffers in 2022 and paid 37 billion to state and local authorities.
After an extensive investigation of conditions for children in five juvenile detention facilities operated by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD), the US Department of Justice finds that there is reasonable cause to believe that TJJD is violating the constitutional rights of the children in their care.
Questions are being raised after a group of neo-Nazis allegedly attacked a family gathering on the San Marcos River. The incident happened in June at Don’s Fish Camp in the Central Texas town of Martindale.
How are the bees doing these days? While there was a significant decline in bee populations in recent years, there's been a surprising uptick lately. However, this doesn't mean the crisis is over. Honeybee populations are increasing – but wild bee populations are still struggling.
Since the Holocaust, Germany has worked to overcome its Nazi history. But over the past decade, Germany has faced a rising wave of far-right violence and plots against Jews, Muslims, immigrants and politicians. PBS's FRONTLINE investigates.
San Antonio Congressman Joaquin Castro said Project 2025 is bad public policy but he said despite this recent move it isn’t going away unless the majority of voters rise up and reject it.
'ET,' 'Star Trek,' 'Wrath of Khan,' 'Blade Runner,' 'Poltergeist,' 'The Thing' — these are just some of the now classic science fiction films that came out in the summer of 1982. What was it about that moment in Hollywood that made it open to fresh ideas and high concept films and what would it take to do it again?
The nation will move in two very different directions depending on who becomes the next president. Experts say democracy is at stake— and according to the polling, it’s a toss-up.So how are you feeling? Are you extra stressed and anxious? The uncertainty of this is on my last nerve as well. We’re going to talk about news anxiety.
Ethics complaints are being filed against Texas Senator Ted Cruz for his podcasting arraignment with IheartMedia.
For 50 years Urban-15 has been drumming and dancing in the streets of San Antonio—and helping to shape local culture. Before Urban-15 was invigorating Fiesta parades, it was an experimental music group and a champion for local arts and creativity. George and Cat Cisneros join us to talk about a half-century of Urban-15.
The first Arboretum San Antonio community input workshop is August 19 at the Mission Library 3134 Roosevelt Ave, San Antonio, TX 78214 at 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
State Representative Steve Allison (Rep D-121) lost his re-election in the Republican primary after standing up to Gov. Greg Abbott's school voucher plan. He is calling on Abbott to restore public school funding in Texas.
On Saturday there was an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. What happened was both unthinkable and paradoxically, many say, predictable. Political rhetoric in America has grown increasingly polarized and intense.
Three of the nation’s top scholars known for tackling key mysteries about poverty in America turn their attention from the country’s poorest people to its poorest places.
Writer Meredith Ochs profiles 50 female performers who made their mark on rock 'n' roll.
The state of Texas pours millions of dollars into the Alternatives to Abortion program. From $5 million starting in 2005 to $140 million today. But what are Texans actually getting for all that money? An investigation shows it’s difficult to tell since there is little to no oversight and accountability and there are examples of theft and grift.
The Supreme Court decision on former president Donald Trump’s claims of presidential immunity has been seen by many as one of the most consequential rulings in the history of the high court. The justices decided 6-3 along ideological lines that presidents are immune from criminal prosecution for “official acts,” while adding that they may still be prosecuted for unofficial acts. The ruling did not offer a clear line between the two, and the justices may have to settle further disputes about that — including in Trump’s four criminal cases.
The city’s grand vision for the southeast corner of downtown is called Project Marvel. It’s an ambitious multi-billion-dollar project that will turn the area around the re-imagined Alamodome and the bulldozed Institute of Texan Cultures into a new home for the Spurs and an entertainment destination. But some say the ITC building should be saved and that public transparency is needed for all of this.
South Texas this summer is delivering extreme weather events and higher temperatures. How is CPS prepared for this? Aside from the hotter days and longer heat waves, how are growing development, data centers and bitcoin mining impacting the local demand for power?
Robert Roberson is facing execution by lethal injection on Oct. 17, 2024, for the death of his 2-year-old daughter. However, his attorneys say there is new evidence that proves he's innocent.
Despite little national popularity, the genre of music known as the "West Side Sound" was a distinctly San Antonio and South-Central Texas cultural phenomenon—and remains beloved today.
Throughout American history, presidential campaigns have used music as a powerful tool to connect with voters. These songs offer a glimpse into the political climate of yore, that wasn’t so different than today. In the early days some campaigns looked to stoke patriotic fervor, while others crafted derisive songs mocking opposing candidates. We listen to the historic songs of historic presidential campaigns.
There’s a long-held belief that after the death of Buddy Holly rock & roll lost its way until the arrival of the Beatles. Early '60s rock was still growing in popularity, but the airwaves were ruled by teen idols, girl groups and novelty songs. However, that’s not the full story. This could be seen as a time of innocence and tremendous creativity which shattered with the assassination of President Kennedy.
Americana music. What is it? Where did it come from? And where is it going? Whatever it is, Americana is not selling out stadiums any longer. Tastes have changed, but there are still many devoted fans.
The U.S. Surgeon General Gun declared gun violence a public health crisis on Tuesday. This is the first time the Surgeon General has made an advisory on firearm violence.
The former commander of the 19th Air Force was accused of sexually assaulting a female subordinate officer. This case marks the second time in history that a general officer was court-martialed over assault accusations.
With the 2024 presidential election just five months away, the United States seems to be losing its sense of national solidarity between parties. Can we work through the ongoing political polarization between Democrats and Republicans and return to the shared commitment to freedom and justice?
As President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump prepare to take the stage for Thursday’s presidential debate, will they address an important question: How will they tackle Alzheimer’s, the most pressing public health crisis of our time?
The Ukraine-Russia war continues to grind away—on the battlefield, in public opinion and about the global economy.But there are recent developments with weapon deliveries and international sanctions that could signal that Putin is on his back heels. Could the war be nearing the beginning of the end and what would a Ukrainian victory look like?
The legal concept of fetal personhood dates back to before Roe v. Wade, but since the fall of Roe the legal argument that fetuses, embryos and even frozen fertilized human eggs have the same rights as a person is growing— and at the cost of the rights of women.
Donald Trump is already claiming the upcoming presidential election will be rigged if he loses. There is no evidence for the claim— just like there was zero evidence behind his claim that his loss in 2020 was stolen. The man Trump hired to find that evidence says the election was clean. His new book is Disproven: My Unbiased Search for Voter Fraud for the Trump Campaign.
The three Black musicians risked their lives every time they traveled for a performance. Critics of their music were often racist and unhelpful. So how did they become so successful during such a troubling time for Black Americans?
If more people knew more ways to cook vegetables, do you think they would be more likely to eat healthier? Studies show that people who were more knowledgeable about cooking vegetables were more likely to report eating them regularly. Hetty Lui McKinnon is an award-winning Australian Chinese cookbook author. She is known for her vibrant and flavorful vegetarian recipes that are inspired by her Chinese heritage and global travels.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. Nearly one in every four deaths is attributed to it, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Knowing the warning signs is crucial.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. Nearly one in every four deaths is attributed to it, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Knowing the warning signs is crucial.
The majority rules. That’s the basic tenet of how a democracy should work. But today in America are we living with minority rule with the will of the majority being ignored? There’s Voter suppression, election subversion, gerrymandering, dark money, dirty tricks and the take over the supreme court. Is it all connected to white supremacy?
The Kids Count report and data maps provide a deeper understanding of child well-being in Texas and identify opportunities to invest in Texas children.
Becoming famous is something that many seek these days—perhaps more than ever. But achieving fame feels more like a lottery win than a calculated pursuit. Can we truly distill fame into a formula that can render a guaranteed path to stardom?
A firestorm has been raging on many American college campuses. Ignited by the devastating October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and the catastrophic war in Gaza, the outrage deeply divided American campuses and, in some places, devolved into hate-filled rhetoric and arrests. Frontline investigates universities that have responded and how powerful interests joined the fray.
Voice of America's chief national correspondent, Steve Herman, tells us about his latest book, "Behind the White House Curtain." Herman covered the White House under Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden. His book discusses inner workings of the White House press corps and the relationship between the president and the press.
Just because you are getting older, doesn’t mean your brain has to. Your noodle can stay sharp longer by keeping it active—with language learning, reading, developing new skills, playing music and even participating in competitive sports. We discuss 6 secrets to build brain power.
Last week the Texas Supreme Court ruled against a group of women seeking clarity in the state's prohibition on abortion. The decision continues a crisis in Texas where a woman who needs an abortion to save her life is forced to travel hundreds of miles out of state. The organization Catholics for Choice denounces this ruling.
A virus doesn’t care if you are a Republican or a Democrat. But unfortunately, in the aftermath of the COVID pandemic, vaccinations and the validity of medical science have become a partisan issue. Polling shows a significant number of Republicans question the safety of vaccines and say Americans shouldn’t be encouraged to get them. How is this hurting public health?
D-Day is one of history’s greatest and most unbelievable military and human triumphs. Though the full campaign lasted just over a month, the surprise landing of over 150 thousand Allied troops on the morning of June 6, 1944, is understood to be the moment that ultimately led to the defeat of the Nazis. How should we remember and honor the heroic sacrifices of D-Day?
They are serial killers riding in plain sights. They are a solitary breed of predators who avoid the law by being constantly on the move all across America. The FBI says there is a gruesome pattern of unsolved murders along America’s roadways, and the perpetrators are long-haul truckers. The problem is so big the FBI opened up a special unit—the Highway Serial Killings Initiative
High-quality early childhood education is essentia,l not only for the future academic achievements of children, particularly those from low-income families, but for the overall Texas economy. However, child care remains out of reach for many. So much of the state is a child care desert for low-income families. What can be done about it?
The San Antonio Water System approved changes to its water conservation rules.SAWS says the current drought restrictions are not doing enough to save water, and they are proposing changes that they say will close a “loophole" and tighten the tap on some of the biggest water-users in town.
What’s it going to take to turn San Antonio into a more bike-friendly city? There are some real-world challenges that bicyclists take on every day. But the city of San Antonio is working on the development of a safer, more efficient bike network that caters to both cyclists and drivers.
On Sunday, June 2, Mexico will hold its presidential election.Two of the leading candidates are women. It’s expected that for the first time a Woman will lead the Mexican Republic. Mexicans are being asked to chart the country’s new path forward dealing with cartel violence, economic development, growing water scarcity and difficult relations with Texas and the United States.Also, Mexico City could run out of water by the end of June, an event locals call "Day Zero." What happens when the system goes dry.
Groups of anti-migrant vigilantes are operating with impunity and new reporting finds they are getting cooperation from local law enforcement and immigration agents—with alarming results. Also, a new ACLU reports finds that Operation Lone Star is racially profiling and arresting people who pose no threat to public safety.
The Uvalde Leader News has documented the fallout after the mass shooting at Robb Elementary on May 24, 2022, including controversies involving the botched police response and the grief and frustration of the families of the victims. ABC News has produced a documentary, “Print It Black,” about the Uvalde newspaper and how it was impacted by the shooting and related controversies.
Daniel Perry was convicted of murder. He killed Grant Foster who was part of a Black Lives Matter protest. Perry shot Foster for openly carrying an AK-47—which is legal in Texas. Governor Greg Abbott has now pardoned Perry claiming it was self-defense. In light of this pardon what does “Stand Your Ground” really mean?
Banning books, whitewashing history and breaking down the barrier between church and state—that’s happening in some school districts in Texas and spreading. A new book exposes it all: They Came for The Schools: One Town’s Fight Over Race and Identity, and the New War for America’s Classrooms. We're joined by the author Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC investigative reporter.
Some dogs struggle with anxiety, a serious issue that can significantly impact their well-being. Recognizing the signs and implementing solutions can be crucial for promoting a calm and happy life for our canine friends.
With the Venezuelan news outlet Armando.info, FRONTLINE investigates the shadowy figure at the heart of a corruption scandal spanning from Venezuela to the U.S. This 90-minute documentary tells the inside story of Alex Saab, his capture and then release by the U.S. in a controversial prisoner swap, and what has happened to the journalists who helped uncover the corruption scandal.
On January 28, 1986, the shuttle Challenger broke apart over the Atlantic Ocean, killing all seven people on board. Millions of Americans witnessed the tragic deaths.But could the shuttle disaster have been avoided? There were many warning signs of a tragedy to come. They were recognized but then ignored — and later hidden from the public.
With the nation lurching from one crisis to the next, many Americans believe that something fundamental has gone wrong. Why aren’t college graduates able to achieve financial security? Why is government unable to face the disaster of climate change? And why do experts tell us that the economy is strong even though the majority of Americans are struggling? In the new book The Quiet Coup, we see that the system is in fact rigged toward the powerful.
He was the longest serving governor in Texas history from 2000 to 2015. But what did Rick Perry actually accomplish during that time leading Texas? Are we better or worse off because of Perry’s politics? A new biography breaks down the Perry years.
South Texas Democratic congressman Henry Cuellar is indicted. What is the political fall out? Climate change is driving rapid sea level rise in the Gulf of Mexico. And the DEA is proposing to reschedule marijuana which could have implications for Texas.
University campuses across America are the scenes of protests and counterprotests. There are encampments and law enforcement moving in to arrest protestors who they say have gone too far. What are the rights of students for free speech and expression? How can that expression be protected without infringing on the rights of others?
It’s comforting to think that we can be successful because we work hard and get what we deserve, but each of us has been profoundly touched by randomness. Dumb luck plays a crucial role in shaping outcomes across history and in our everyday lives. How do luck and chance guide our lives and how can we use the lessons of luck to guide our lives and public policies?
We are approaching another grim remembrance of the school massacre at Robb Elemetary School in Uvalde. And there is still critical information about that day that the state of Texas refuses to release to the public and the families of the dead. We check in as we wait for possible indictments to come from a grand jury.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is planning to install new stadium lighting along part of the border wall in Texas. These massive lights will be directed toward the Rio Grande and brightly shine every hour of every night, harming wildlife.
Mexico is not immune to the scourge of drug addiction and has developed its own response: anexos. Based on over a decade of research, a book by Angela Garcia delivers a powerful, moving work of narrative nonfiction that illuminates the little-known world of the anexos of Mexico City, the informal addiction treatment centers where mothers send their children to escape the violence of the drug war.
They've earned the name “forever chemicals,” because they don't break down and can persist in water and soil indefinitely. The EPA recently set new limits on the toxic chemicals used to make everything from nonstick pans to firefighting foam. How to protect yourself and your family.
Eight in ten women of reproductive age have inaccurate knowledge around Texas abortion laws and their reproductive rights. What are the larger impacts of these misconceptions on Texas women? What are the larger issues surrounding accessibility to reproductive health education in the state?
America can be divided between the blue cities and the red counties. Life in the Republican voting rural parts of the nation is largely a mystery to most of the liberal voting urban dwellers. There is very real rural-urban gap, but is there White Rural Rage in America? And what explains the political loyalty to the Republican party when it doesn’t have many policies that addresses the unique needs of Rural America?
Donald Trump is selling autographed bibles and comparing himself to Jesus while asking for political contributions. And this doesn’t seem to be a problem for many in the Religious Right because Trump could deliver a Christian Nationalist agenda. How did a fringe viewpoint grab the center of American politics and what happens if they gain power?
Delta-8 products have exploded in popularity and are easily accessible to people 21 and over. Some argue that it helps with chronic pain and stress while others are pushing for a statewide ban.
Just this week it was announced that an advanced computer chip manufacturer is coming to central Texas and creating thousands of jobs. The Biden Administration passed the CHIPS Act to bring that technology back to the U.S. for economic growth and national security. The next global conflict could be decided by who has access to the best silicon chips.
When Russia invaded Ukraine, it didn't just take territory. It separated thousands of Ukrainian children from the only home they've ever known, relocating them to Russian-occupied territory or to Russia itself. Most of those children have not returned. FRONTLINE shows us what happened to those children.
The coverage of migration at the border frequently skips over a very important point. The people who show up at the border want to work. And the United States needs workers. The federal reserve is crediting migration for boosting the economy and avoiding a recession.But what can the Biden administration do to take full advantage of the migration opportunity at the nation’s doorstep?
In Shadow of the New Deal: The Victory of Public Broadcasting (U Illinois Press, 2023), Josh Shepperd looks at the people, institutions, and influences behind the media reform movement and clearinghouse the National Association of Educational Broadcasters (NAEB) in the drive to create what became the Public Broadcasting Service and National Public Radio.
Should the city of San Antonio fund people going out of state for a legal abortion? District 8 Councilman and candidate for mayor, Manny Pelaez, supports the Reproductive Justice Fund, but not if it pays for evading the Texas' abortion ban. Pelaez joins us to discuss why he says the city council should not be involved in this divisive issue.
Five local artists worked with the San Antonio River Foundation to design and install public art pieces across the San Pedro Creek Culture Park.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. Nearly one in every four deaths is attributed to it, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Knowing the warning signs is crucial.
Just 70 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border is a land littered with the dead who feel short in their attempt to find a better life in the United States. Brooks County, Texas is a barren scrub brush desert that U.S. immigration policy takes advantage of to raise the death toll for migrants. And the numbers of fatalities keep rising.
What happens to our trash? Why are our oceans filling with plastic? Do we really waste 40 percent of our food 65 percent of our energy? Waste is truly our biggest problem, and solving our inherent trashiness can fix our economy, our energy costs, our traffic jams, and help slow climate change—all while making us healthier, happier and more prosperous.
On Monday the moon will block out the sun and put parts of Texas into darkness. The day of the total solar eclipse is almost here. And we are being gripped by Eclipse mania. If you haven’t made your plans, it’s not too late to find a front-row seat to the greatest show not on earth.
The discussion of the climate crisis can be too abstract. Data warns us of an overheated future, but it's hard to communicate the seriousness and the urgency to take action. But look around now and you will see the changes to our seasons and from the accumulating damage from worsening weather disasters—and the people who are being forced to pick up the pieces if they can. Stories from the front line of the climate crisis from small town America
Every major American city has a highway tearing through its center. Seventy years ago, planners sold these highways as progress, essential to our future prosperity. Instead, they divided cities, displaced people from their homes and chained us to our cars. Nowhere is this more visible than in Texas, up and down I-35. Where is the off ramp from the highway trap?
More than 100,000 people in the U.S. need an organ transplant, but there is a shortage of donors. Could the solution be found in pigs? The early success of the first transplant of a pig kidney into a living human points to a future when xenotransplantation could be routine.
It was about this time four years ago that we were all witnessing the spread of COVID-19 and the response —masks, social distancing and a lot of uncertainty. We are still healing from that societal experience. We got some things right and some things wrong. What did we learn from the COVID pandemic?
The difference in turnout between white and nonwhite voters has soared since 2008, especially in regions once covered by strict Voting Rights Act protections. A new report from the Brennan Center shows since the Supreme Court’s 2013 decision in Shelby County v. Holder, the white-Black voter turnout gap has widened.
When it comes to poverty in America, many of the nation’s most disadvantaged communities are not in the big cities but mainly in the rural areas, including in South Texas.And these are places where there are few assistance programs, resources or attention given to the struggle of families. What questions do you have about the injustice of place?
Bexar County’s budget has long suffered from a lack of equity. Some precincts have enjoyed larger allocations for roads, drainage, and other infrastructure. There are calls for greater transparency for how the county budget pie is sliced. Should all four precincts be equally capped? or should there be an adjustment for growth or historic need?
Childhood cancer is the number one disease killer of children and is the leading cause of death for children between the ages of 4 and 14 in the United States. Many are calling for making beating childhood cancer a national health priority by shaping policy, supporting research, raising awareness, and providing educational resources and programs to children with cancer, childhood cancer survivors, and their families.
Are there people in your life who you feel have their own agenda when they deal with you? Maybe they are using you and have founds ways to manipulate and exploit you. These “Master Manipulators” are everywhere, but you don’t have to be their next victim. How master manipulators operate and how to beat them at their own game.
Frontline PBS and The Marshall Project take us inside America’s prison system. We see the impact of a “two strikes” law which requires mandatory maximum sentences. AndWhat’s it like to give birth in prison and be forced to give up your baby 24 hours later?
Humans have struggled with the phenomenon of addiction for centuries. How can we better understand the causes behind it?
The San Antonio Independent School District is considering "rightsizing" the district due to a drop in enrollment. It could involve closing schools, co-locating schools on the same campus, or consolidating multiple schools into one school.
The nukes never went away. The capacity for a humanity-ending global nuclear war is still a threat and might even be a bigger threat today. The Russian invasion of Ukraine reminds us that we are still a button’s push away from annihilation. What is being done to prevent that and promote nuclear disarmament?
Suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton has been impeached and is facing permanent removal from office.He is accused of bribery, abuse of office and obstruction of justice. The Republican says he is innocent . He won't resign and is looking to regain his office if enough Republican senators vote to acquit.
It was 103 years ago that women were granted the right to vote in the United States. The passage of the 19th Amendment was a revolutionary change to the U.S. Constitution. Today women remain underrepresented in elected leadership. Women make up 47 percent of the workforce, but women make up 29 percent of the seats in Congress. How has the 19th Amendment changed America?
This super-hot summer has been a significant drain on the water levels in the Edwards Aquifer. With all the fast growth and development, the drought-stricken San Antonio-Austin mega-metro may eventually face a water crisis. Across the region, natural springs are drying up due to extreme heat, persistent drought, and ever-growing demand for water. What can be done today to protest tomorrow’s water?
On October 14th high over San Antonio, the moon will pass between the sun and the Earth bringing about a "ring of fire," solar eclipse. And then San Antonio will expect another total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. How to prepare to get the most out of these rare solar events.
Pepe Serna has appeared in over 100 films – from "Scarface" to "The Jerk." This corpus Christi native has left his mark on American cinema as a groundbreaking actor. Yet he frequently felt the barrier of race-based typecasting. He channeled his infectious optimism to push the boundaries of negative casting for him and his fellow actors.
What’s it like to be a war correspondent? We get a candid, darkly comic, and emotionally heavy tale of a former NPR journalist who sought out the world's most dangerous places to report from. What happens when the assignment ends? Sean Carberry joins us to take your calls.
Is the term “global warming” too gentle and soothing? Perhaps it doesn’t pack the punch needed to terrify people about the horrible future we are trying to avoid. The planet is burning. The oceans are boiling. Extreme heat now kills more people in the U.S. than any other weather event. We’re talking about the book The Heat will Kill you First with journalist Jeff Goodell.
A new Texas law goes into effect on September 1 that criminalizes drag performers who are in front of children as well as any businesses that host those shows. Critics say the law is unconstitutional and poorly worded allowing for too much discretion for police to decide what is legal or illegal. There is a court challenge, but meanwhile San Antonio is preparing for a last drag show before the new law.
Via metropolitan transit is moving forward with its plan for an advanced rapid transit route. It’s a North-South line that will link the San Antonio Airport to the historic missions. How is this line coming together? And how soon can we catch a ride?
More than six years after voters approved a bond and restoration plan for Brackenridge Park, work on the much-debated project is set to get underway. The park is a much-loved part of the city but there are crumbling structures, failing stone wall and some trees in need of removal. The tree issue has gotten pushback from some in the public.
True stories of living in San Antonio are collected in Worth Repeating.Once performed live on the TPR stage, the stories are now part of a new book.What did it take to compile these epic tales of overcoming life's challenges and that have a distinct San Antonio flavor?
What did you think of the 'Barbie' movie? The billion-dollar blockbuster has sparked fiery conversations about stereotypes and gender roles.
Her inspiration for the memoir came from one of the people she met on her second night in jail. She was sentenced for heroin charges and was in prison for nearly two years.
Are you starting to notice that you aren’t hearing as well as you used to? Do you have to ask people to repeat themselves? Are you having trouble understanding speech in noisy environments? Is there a constant ringing in your ears? You don’t have to live with these problems. There is help.
San Antonio is getting an arboretum that will blossom on the city's southeast side. It's expected to open to the public in 2024, but community input is needed for the arboretum's master plan.
Former President Donald Trump is expected to appear in Washington D.C. for his arraignment after once again being indicted. This time Trump is facing charges that he conspired to subvert the results of the 2020 presidential election. Trump is claiming the charges are politically motivated and says he did nothing wrong.
If you knew that something was going to destroy the planet and you could do something about it, would you do it? “Just Stop Oil” is doing that. The environmental activist group is using civil resistance, direct action, vandalism, and blocking traffic to try to spur some meaningful immediate action to address climate change. Its methods are controversial – but are they helping or hurting the cause?
Our culture likes to dismiss conspiracy theories as the product of an overactive, paranoid imagination. But not everything is chemtrails, flat earth and false flag attacks. Real conspiracies do happen. And in today’s world, belief in conspiracies is on the rise.
Every day it seems that Donald Trump’s legal troubles are increasing. The former president, who is seeking re-election, is under criminal indictments for stealing and hording government secret documents. And there are the charges of falsifying business records for the porn star payoffs. Now Trump could be indicted for January 6th—trying to keep himself in power using fake electors. Is all this political retaliation? What are the facts?
The Texas convict leasing program was a system in which the state of Texas leased out prisoners to private companies to work for free or for very low wages.
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Wesley Lowery documents the rise in hate crimes in the United States after Barack Obama’s presidential election in his new book, American Whitelash: A Changing Nation and the Cost of Progress.
True crime is the most popular genre for podcasts — a staple for documentaries and the backbone of broadcast news. However, does the obsession with crime stories distort reality and highlight another instance of racial bias?
Stand-up comics are supposed to be edgy, but how far out there is too edgy?Comics use their platform and their wit to tackle topics dealing with mental health, sexual assault, violence, race and inequality. How are jokes used to help us laugh through the pain and gain a new awareness and compassion about the struggle of others?
High blood pressure kills more people than all infectious disease combined. High blood pressure (hypertension) means that your blood is pumping with more force than normal through your arteries. Untreated, high blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack, stroke and other serious health problems. Nearly half of Americans ages 20 years and up have high blood pressure.
The vast majority of children in foster care are there because they experienced neglect. Too often, neglect is a proxy for poverty and stressed families torn apart. For families—especially low-income families and families of color—becoming involved with the child welfare system is both traumatic and counter productive. What can be done to create a foster case system that works.
The two metros are officially 75 miles apart on I-35, but San Antonio and Austin can seem worlds apart. Even so, every day, they are sprawling closer and one day they will become one. How can the two cities put old rivalries to the side and find ways to mutually benefit from working together. What would you call this metro combo loco? San Austin? - Austin-tonio?
We were warned. Science told us that if we keep pumping carbon into the atmosphere the earth will get hotter. And here we are. And still the climate change deniers are ignoring the facts and the horrible weather events. Who are the liars, hucksters, zealots, and crackpots who misled the public and blocked policy to address climate change.
Is there something different about the current U.S. Supreme Court? Is this collection of nine life-time appointees with an extreme conservative majority willing to reshape America into a land with fewer rights and opportunities? Abortion is gone. Affirmative action is gone. What could they target next?
Birthright citizenship is something that many have considered settled with the 1868 ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment. But now there is a growing movement from the reactionary right rejecting the concept. They claim this is an open question and they want to end birthright citizenship for children who are born on U.S. soil to undocumented migrants.
Latinos are now the largest ethnic group in Texas. But Latinos still lag behind white Texans in political and economic power due to gerrymandering and under-investment in Latino communities. When will that change?
Is Putin’s grip on power in Russia slipping? The Russian dictator has faced down a mutiny from the Wagner fighting force, and questions remain about what happened. FRONTLINE examines how the Russian leader reached this moment of crisis and how his troubled Ukraine war led to the greatest threat yet to his position as leader.
Black holes, colliding galaxies, dark matter, quantum entanglements: there’s a lot of weird stuff going on in the universe. But it's all too far away, too massive or too miniscule to be explored. But cosmologists are grasping these exotic phenomena by building breakthrough computer simulations. How does building a universe in a box provide a peek into the code of the cosmos?
From Port Arthur, Texas Janis Joplin was the first queen of rock 'n' roll. Her voice was singular. She was rough around the edges, vulnerable and charismatic, and she paved the way for countless women in rock.
From jazz to present-day pop, drum kits make up one of the most transformative musical inventions. In his book "Kick It," musician, professor and author Matt Brennan dives into the history of drums and drummers, and their impact on both creative culture and society as a whole.
An American revolution started in Boston. A radio station that played rock and roll that other stations banned from the air produced the soundtrack that was against the war in Vietnam, flamed consumer culture and demanded equal rights. How WBCN turned strangers who listened to the radio into a community that wanted change.
Michael Jackson thrilled, Madonna wowed, Prince had doves cry and Lionel Richie couldn’t slow down: it was 1984. This was a year the changed the music industry and American culture. And it was the last great year for American pop music.
In the world of the addiction treatment industry, there is a culture of sexual misconduct that preys on vulnerable people who are in recovery.This is so common, that the recovery world calls it "the 13th step."A New Hampshire Public Radio podcast investigates.
PBS "Frontline" takes us inside the protests that have rocked Iran since the death of a young woman in police custody. With footage filmed by protestors, much of it previously unseen, the documentary sheds new light on a regime under unprecedented pressure.
In Texas Dennis Hope was held in solitary confinement for 27 years after two prison escapes. A new documentary, “The Box: 27 Years in Solitary,” details Hope’s experience in solitary confinement.
The docuseries "Fractured" explores America after the fall of Roe. We hear from the producer about the effort to restore women's rights.
Public radio reporters from across the nation are gathering in San Antonio for the Public Media Journalists Association conference. This gives us a rare opportunity to check in on how the big stories are playing out across America and discuss what are the challenges in public radio newsrooms in this era of the never-ending news cycle.
Since the Taliban overran Afghanistan, thousands of Afghans have sought resettlement in the United States and here in San Antonio. But there are many challenges. Some Afghans are languishing in bureaucratic limbo, while others work to rebuild their lives. TPR News is investigating and documenting the stories and struggles of Afghan resettlement in SA.
A system called the Electronic Registration Information Center, or ERIC, prevented double-voting across state lines. It was considered the gold standard, but Texas and other Republican states are leaving the program after it was targeted by Right Wing conspiracy theories. What’s really behind the effort to dump ERIC?
Ken Paxton has been impeached and is now suspended from the office of Texas Attorney General. Paxton is now facing permanent removal from office with an impeachment trial in the Texas Senate. But what is he accused of and what about the recent FBI arrest of his supporter businessman Nate Paul?
San Antonio State Representative Trey Martinez Fischer is the chairman of the House Democratic Caucus. He led the minority party as the Republican majority sought to pass an agenda that horrified progressives. What happened during the session?
Pride San Antonio began in 2004 as Gay Pride SA when a group decided that a PRIDE festival that would be about the community at-large. We can have pride that we live in a society that celebrates the freedom to be openly LGBTQ+ in the sunshine.
FRONTLINE and ProPublica investigate why a common sense and affordable saftey feature isn't required for America's big trucks to prevent underride crashes.
Humanity is on the doorstep of one of the greatest advancements since the printing press. Artificial Intelligence is now available and as AI continues to develop, it will make our lives easier, safer, and more productive. But there are bias concerns about what happens if humanity loses control of an AI superintelligence?
Stephen I. Vladeck is the author of The Shadow Docket: How the Supreme Court Uses Stealth Rulings to Amass Power and Undermine the Republic.
CPS Energy, the San Antonio municipally owned electric utility, offers a number of programs to encourage homeowners to save electricity.
Confusion over food expiration dates is leading to food waste. In 2020, Americans wasted an estimated 40% of all food produced for human consumption. This is equivalent to 25% of the entire U.S. food supply, and it has a significant environmental impact. Food waste contributes to climate change, water pollution, and land degradation.
We are all getting older, but that aging process differs for many of us. Hair turns grey. Print gets smaller. Gravity gets stronger. We don’t want to admit it, but the effects of aging catch up with us. So, what’s normal and what can we do to enjoy healthy aging?
Are you your job? Does your job define you? Many entangle their identities with their jobs. That’s not a good idea because jobs go away, and then where are you? Who are you without that defining occupation? Why has work come to dominate the lives of so many?What does it take to make work a part of a healthy balanced life?
Early voting is now underway for the city council runoff election. District one incumbent city council member Mario Bravo is being challenged by Sukh Kaur. Both candidates will answer your questions about their priorities for the future of San Antonio.
Marina Alderete Gavito and Dan Rossiter are heading into the runoffs for the SA City Council District 7 seat. Alderete Gavito had 42% of the early vote on Saturday, and Rossiter had 22%. Runoffs are on June 10.
It’s our little guilty pleasure. We all do it, and that’s why there are so many of them. Reality TV shows.These tacky TV shows do more than give us something to talk about at work. They tell us something about ourselves. What’s your favorite reality TV show and why?
It’s been one year since the Uvalde school massacre, and so many questions remain.We still don’t have answers about what drove the gunman, why law enforcement failed and why there continues to be no accountability. But more importantly why isn’t anything significant being done to prevent another Uvalde from happening? PBS Frontline and the Texas Tribune with Maria Hinojosa look for answers.
"The Point of No Return: American Democracy at the Crossroads" by Thomas Byrne Edsall is a collection of his columns from the New York Times. Edsall argues that the United States is at a crossroads, with its democracy in danger of collapse. He traces the roots of this crisis to the rise of Donald Trump, whom he sees as a symptom of a deeper rot in American politics.
With so much rain recently South Texas is dealing with an explosion of mosquitoes. What does the public need to know to protect themselves from the disease-carrying bloodsuckers?
In the U.S., 1 in 3 people will get shingles, usually after age 50, with the risk of complications climbing sharply after age 60. Getting shingles can mean dealing with a burning pain that can be incapacitating and that can last for months or even years. There is a vaccine that’s safe and highly effective.
The Texas Hill Country is recognized as a unique ecosystem rich in biodiversity and home to several endangered species. Habitat loss is often the primary factor threatening a species' existence. What are some of the most interesting and iconic plants and creatures of the Hill Country? How can we protect them, as the area continues to experience exploding development?
There is an epidemic of loneliness, and it is a threat to public health— that’s according to the U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy. He said that loneliness is more than just a bad feeling. When people are socially disconnected, their risk of anxiety and depression increases. So does their risk of heart disease, dementia, and stroke.
"Engage and Evade" investigates how everyday forms of surveillance threaten undocumented immigrants—but also offer them hope for societal inclusion
You can be at the wrong place at the wrong time, and there’s a gunman opening fire. But the victims did nothing wrong. They were at school, at the mall, at church. So how do we accept the fact that our society will allow these mass casualty events to happen again and again without a meaningful solution? Do you feel that you are taking a risk of being shot by going out into a public space?
Wednesday night, former President Donald Trump returned to CNN for a town hall that featured the proven sexual assaulter telling lies about January 6, his lost re-election, stealing classified documents and abortion rights. He was given a standing ovation by the crowd. Did you watch this unfiltered look at the GOP frontrunner for president?Guest:Angelo Carusone, president of Media Matters.Ruth Ben-Ghiat, historian and commentator on fascism, authoritarian leaders, and propaganda — and the threats these present to democracies. She is the author of "Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present""The Source" is a live call-in program airing Mondays through Thursdays from 12-1 p.m. Leave a message before the program at (210) 615-8982. During the live show, call 833-877-8255 or email thesource@tpr.org.*This interview will be recorded on Thursday, May 11.
The national COVID emergency has been declared over. The World Health Organization says the pandemic is also now over. So does that mean we are done with COVID? Well, no. People are still getting COVID and there are still really bad cases that can result in death.How do we make sense of the new COVID normal?
The end of an emergency immigration restriction rooted in COVID-19 known as Title 42 will mark a major policy shift in how the U.S. processes migrants who reach the southern border.
Is Clarence Thomas the most corrupt Supreme Court justice in the history of the high court? In the middle of revelations of dealings with a Texas billionaire, comes a PBS Frontline exposé of Thomas and his wife Ginni, a high-profile, right-wing activist.
San Antonio went to the polls. Well, actually, only a small sampling of San Antonio went to the polls. This self-selected group has an outsized influence and power on who leads the city and what goals the community will pursue. Did you vote in the city election? Why or why not? How did you come down on prop A?
Last year there were at least 2,457 boil water notices issued across Texas. That is an average of seven per day. Boil water alerts are happening more frequently and lasting longer. These are signs that the water infrastructure is old and at a breaking point.
Over 80 % of El Paso voters rejected Proposition K, the citizen-led climate charter. We look at what was in the measure and why it failed.
Economist Edmund Phelps – winner of the 2006 Nobel Prize in Economics – wants people to have rewarding work—and not just work with reasonable compensation, but also, more importantly, work that is meaningful, respected and creative. We hear from Edmund Phelps about his life in economics and the future of work.
House Republicans passed a plan to raise the U.S. debt limit for one year, with the condition to slash spending on programs that millions of American families depend on.Family advocates say the cuts are draconian and will impact hunger, education, childcare, veterans and those with disabilities. President Biden says the debt ceiling should not be tied to budget cuts.
A new lawsuit filed by the Center for Biological Diversity, Save RGV, the American Bird Conservancy and a tribal alliance alleges the FAA failed “to fully analyze and mitigate the environmental harms resulting from the SpaceX Starship/Super Heavy launch program at Boca Chica.”
Journalists working throughout the United States face innumerable risks to their well-being while performing their essential work, and the disturbing trend is only getting worse. Journalists are being intimidated, spied on, arrested or mistreated for simply doing the job of keeping the nation informed. Is there a threat to the free press?
Maurice Chammah tells us about his podcast. In ‘Just Say You’re Sorry,’ a new Marshall Project podcast, we are introduced to a famed Texas Ranger and a prisoner who says he was railroaded.
Child labor is often thought of as a problem only in other countries or as being part of American history from the Industrial Revolution, but it’s making a comeback in the United States. There is a conservative movement to extend the working hours for children, eliminate work permit requirements, and lower the minimum age to work in certain risky industries.
Why did a once popular retail chain go bankrupt? Why are local newspapers laying off reporters? Why is healthcare so expensive? The answer is “private equity.” Private equity firms buy companies, load them with debt, and then bleed them dry. The new book “These are the Plunderers” explains why we are all worse off because of private equity.
A requirement to put the Ten Commandments in Texas classroom is on track to become law. Experts say this is a clear violation of the separation of church and state which is a foundational principle for America. Lt Governor Dan Patrick says this will make students better Texans.
The fentanyl problem in the U.S. is very serious and has been classified as an epidemic. It is often used to lace other drugs without the user's knowledge, leading to a significant increase in overdose deaths. The fentanyl problem in the U.S. is complex and addressing it requires a comprehensive approach that involves prevention, treatment and law enforcement.
Superbugs are now a leading global health risk, according to a major U.N. report.Antimicrobial resistance is when germs such as bacteria, viruses and fungi develop the ability to defeat the medications designed to kill them. And more superbugs are being found around us, making a simple cut a cause for concern.
Early voting begins for SA and Proposition A, also known as the Justice Charter Amendment. Supporters of Prop A say it would decriminalize abortion and expand SAPD’s cite-and-release program to include graffiti and some nonviolent theft. Opponents claim it will make San Antonio less safe.
The passage of the Affordable Care Act was a political battle that spilled into the streets with opponents screaming it would bring ruin, destroy the health care system and turn us all into socialists. The dispute was all over the creation of insurance exchanges, partial expansion of Medicaid and regulatory reform. What did we learn from the Obamacare Wars?
Almost half of the people in San Antonio are living in a rented space. And many of them have negligent landlords who don’t respond to maintenance problems in a timely manner - if at all. What are renters' rights and how can they protect themselves when things go wrong?
The Republican led Texas legislature is moving forward with a bill that would create a new border protection unit that critics say will lead to vigilante justice against migrants – and anyone who looks like a migrant from Mexico. Supporters say the anti-migrant militia is needed because Texans are in "imminent danger."
Texas lawmakers are debating whether to block transgender kids’ access to transition-related health care, classify businesses that host drag shows as sexually oriented establishments and limit public school lessons on sexuality and gender identity.
How can the United States, one of the wealthiest nations on earth, have the highest rates of poverty among industrialized nations? In The Poverty Paradox author Mark Rank argues that this is due to how the American economy is set up to ensure that poverty will exist and will persist.
As the national conversation around climate crisis, gun violence, and police brutality creates a new call for a lower voting age, how did the voting age come to be lowered to 18? What impact did that have on national politics and how could the voting age be lowered again?
As local news outlets shrink and news deserts expand, pink slime news is creeping in. Pink slime news is dark money-funded, rightwing slanted news that is disguised as local news. How does this hurt local civic engagement? What is the political agenda behind pink slime news?
Recently the Carroll ISD school board members voted to break away from the nonpartisan Texas Association of School Boards – claiming the group was promoting “divisive political ideologies” largely related to its support for diversity and inclusion.The move comes two months after nine Republican lawmakers sent a letter to Texas school districts urging them to abandon the association.
LLano County Commissioners are set to vote on Thursday to shut down it's library system in order to avoid obeying a federal judge's order to return banned books to the shelves. This is just one of many attacks on public libraries happening across Texas and the nation.
NPR has stopped tweeting after Elon Musk's Twitter labeled NPR as "state-affiliated media." How does this track with Musk's record of fueding with the news media?
There's growing concern that the San Antonio Spurs could move to Austin after playing two "home" games there.
Firearms are enshrined in America, yet the motivations for ownership have been understudied by psychologists.But new research shows a psychological dependence for many on the gun. For some, owning a gun actsas a coping mechanism to manage psychological threats like losing one’s status in society.
In Texas, where do the poor and uninsured go when they need medical care? They are likely to go without until it’s too late and then end up in an E.R. at a safety-net hospital.The doctors are confronted with people with serious illnesses as a result of not being able to have access to basic preventive care. They have cancers that have spread, diabetes that is unchecked and infections that are untreated. What are the people's stories? What needs to change to help them?
For 20 years a Texas business man has been wining and dining Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas with secret super luxury vacations at the most exotic places on the planet. And how Republican backed bills in the state legislature could end free and fair elections in Texas.
Artificial Intelligence has generated deep faked images of Donald Trump being arrested and Joe Biden making fake announcements. This new technology is even being used to scam people with the voices of loved ones calling in the middle of the night begging for money. What’s the latest with Deep Fake AI audio? How can we protect ourselves?
Trump’s popularity never cratered with his base. What role did satire play in the opposition to Trump? During the four years of the Trump presidency, the former president was frequently ridiculed on Late night TV. Trump was portrayed as a buffoon who was both absurd and terrifying.
There could be a planet-killing asteroid, an A.I. rebellion or a mutant fungus that turns people into zombies. Are you prepared? Texas is one of the states with the highest number of survivalists. And the trend is growing. Why are more folks training and prepping for living off the grid?
How did Americans come to equate the broad concept of freedom with an almost religious belief in free market economics? Did the rejection of government oversight bring on the current banking meltdown, train derailment disasters, the wonky Texas grid, the housing crisis, global warming and the return of child labor? In ‘The Big Myth,’ Naomi Oreskes recounts the coordinated 20th-century effort to instill unquestioning faith in markets above all.
As Starship sits in South Texas waiting for its first attempt at orbital launch. It’s a big step that would take humanity back to the moon and beyond. Going back to Luna—and this time to stay—opens up a new window to view the universe and find answers to many of the big questions about the early universe.
Is Ozempic the answer for quick and easy weight loss? What are the drawbacks to taking the drug? Is the demand keeping it out of the hands of people who really need it?
For a third straight Texas legislative session, gambling expansion is on the table, including mobile sports betting. Texas, with its population of 30 million, has long been a target of the sports betting industry. Lobbyists tell lawmakers if sports betting is legalized the state will make big bucks. But something that is a sure bet, researchers say, is a rise in gambling addiction.
Blood plasma is a $20-billion-a year business that bleeds America’s most economically vulnerable for immense profit. Each year twenty million people in America sell their plasma, and there’s a booming blood market in Texas border towns targeting Mexican citizens.
What's Elon Musk's plan for Texas? Is he here to embrace the state's free-wheeling low regulation business atmosphere or is he here to upend the state?Texas Monthly's Russell Gold joins us to discuss his article,"Elon Musk Came to Texas to End the Oil Age."
Democracy and market capitalism work together, though not always perfectly. However, having a well-functioning democracy and a competitive free market, along with the rule of law will lead to lifting people out of poverty. But Martin Wolf of the Financial Times warns there is a crisis of democratic capitalism due to the rise of authoritarianism.
Caliber 60, a limited series podcast from Texas Public Radio about the flow of avocados, guns and people
PBS Frontline documentary producer, director, and correspondent James Jacoby discusses his latest film, “The Age of Easy Money,” about the Federal Reserve’s role since the Great Recession.
The World Affairs Council of San Antonio will present Waheeda Thawerbhoy Kara with the 2023 International Citizen of the Year for her humanitarian and civic work on Wednesday at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts.
"Pull yourself up by your bootstraps." How many times have we heard that scolding? But what does that actually mean? We are told that if we work hard and rely on our own resources, we will ultimately succeed. But there are major flaws in this do-it-alone grit delusion. It’s a moralistic and unreasonable expectation and enables contempt for the less fortunate. How can we free ourselves from this self-defeating narrative and help each other up—and not by your bootstraps.
After four Americans were kidnapped in Matamores Mexico by a drug cartel there has been an increase in calls for the United States to take military action in Mexico against the cartels. some lawmakers want the U.S. to launch drone strikes in Mexico. How could this impact South Texas?
Jesse Treviño was more than a San Antonio artist. He was an artist that was motivated by San Antonio and captured the spirit of the city in his works.Treviño is now gone but his art lives on and will continue to be an inspiration.
NPR's National Political Correspondent Mara Liasson joins "The Source" to discuss the news and take listener phone calls.
In her new book, Water Always Wins, environmental writer Erica Gies argues that in the age of drought, we need to start thinking about water in a different way.
There's been another deadly dog attack in San Antonio. Officials say this one could have been prevented. But it wasn’t. What can be done about the over-population of stray dogs on the streets and about dog owners who don’t keep their animals from running wild? What should be done about dangerous dogs in the name of public safety?
Take a look at Instagram and TikTok and you’ll see the trend setters known as influencers. How is the Influencer Industry thriving in an increasingly fractured and profit-driven communications environment?
The disclosure of behind-the-scenes emails and texts increases the chances that Dominion will win its billion-dollar lawsuit against Fox News, but perhaps more than that, do the Fox internal communications remove all doubt and denials that Fox is a political organization not committed to truth or journalism?
It’s been one year since Russia’s brutal unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. The ten-day special military operation didn’t go as planned for Russian leader Putin. The war wages on, but with the strong commitment of the United States and President Biden. Prospects for peace are gloomy. What is the endgame ?
Keeping the abortion pill out of Texas and the rest of the nation is the next objective for anti-abortion activists. Texas A.G. Ken Paxton is suing the Biden administration over a rule requiring pharmacies to fill prescriptions for abortion pills. And a decision is expected soon from a Texas federal judge that could nationally block access to the abortion pill.
Tesla is recalling over 300,000 US cars with its so-called “Full Self Driving” driver assist software due to risks of traffic accidents. “Full self-driving,” promises to one day drive better than a human but that’s not how it works today. How far away is this technology from working? Are you ready for a world of robo-taxis and driverless traffic? Or do you think it’s a dream?
Are U.S. inequalities rooted in justice systems that have turned away from its lofty ideals and toward efficiency and generating revenue? What are the hidden forces behind America’s courts, prosecutors, probation departments, police, and detention facilities that have turned them into part of a machine commodifying children and the poor? Daniel Hatcher joins us, author of "Injustice Inc. How America's Justice System Commodifies Children and the Poor."
Governor Greg Abbott is ordering state agencies and public universities to stop diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in hiring. Abbott is calling DEI “illegal.” DEI now joins Critical Race Theory in the extreme right wing culture war that argues white people are being unfairly treated.
Valentine's Day is known as a red-letter day for love and romance – but data shows it’s also a big day for break-ups. We live in a culture that kind of sends many mixed messages about love, romance, dating and mating - in person or online. How do we make sense of it all?
School districts all over Texas are switching to a new school week schedule of four days rather than the traditional five day. This new scheduling idea was introduced to schools to help attract more teachers to districts that were lacking staffing power and two local ISD’s – Harlandale and La Vernia could be next.
Why are the very wealthy able to avoid paying the IRS? Black Americans are roughly three-to-five times more likely to face an IRS audit than other taxpayers. A study shows this problem stems from a faulty software algorithm. Why is doing your taxes so difficult and expensive?
At age 3 Goldie Taylor started teaching herself to read from the billboards in East St. Louis. She went on to become a journalist, opinion writer and novelist - but along the way she endured years of abuse and sexual assaults. Now Goldie has written her most personal story– an unflinching memoir, The Love You Save.
It's been called the "Trumpiest court in America" with ruling so far to the right, it baffles legal experts. Why is the Fifth Circuit the most conservative court in America? It's frequently breaking precedents and causing some to say it’s going too far.
Texas legislators filed bipartisan bills to prohibit physical, chemical and mechanical restraints of children under the age of 10 by school security personnel.
The one-year mark of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine comes late this month. It also marks a continuation of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s tense relationship with the United States and the West. During his tenure, Putin has tried to rebuild the Russian empire, and over the years he has clashed with several U.S. presidents.
It has been a year since the controversial report “Ousted: The City of San Antonio’s Displacement of Residents through Code” was released. City officials claimed the report exacerbated a difficult situation.
In the late 2000s, the opioid epidemic was exacerbated by two brothers in Florida who owned and operated a franchise of pain clinics. These “Pill Mills” often ignored blatant signs that a patient was an addict, and they wrote prescriptions for high doses of opioids.
A recent newspaper investigation into the high number of DWI cases in San Antonio caught the attention of District Attorney Joe Gonzales, who said that he will impose new restrictions on plea bargains in DWI cases.
In July, a $4 million dollar grant was awarded to UT Health San Antonio School of Nursing to expand foster care health services. Foster youth often need a wide variety of care that varies based on the race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender identity of the child. Foster youth and their families can sometimes have difficulty accessing adequate care.
The national debt ceiling sits at $31.4 trillion, and the republican-led lawmakers in congress have stated that they will not raise the debt ceiling unless there is a large cut to social safety net programs. If the debt ceiling is not raised, it could mean a default on Social Security payments, salaries for federal civilian employees and veteran benefits.
There has been a recent rise in religious and political leaders who have embraced the ‘Christian Nationalist’ label. In fact, most adults who live in the United States falsely believe that America’s founders intended the country to be a Christian nation, and 45% of adults who live in the United States today believe that it should be a Christian nation. This subsect of Christianity thinks that a civil war is imminent.
A group of incarcerated men across several Texas prisons have been on a hunger strike since Jan. 10, the start of the state’s 88th Legislative Session. Now in week three, dozens of them continue the peaceful protest against long-term solitary confinement.
Many people resolved to reduce their alcohol intake in 2023, and they selected January to be their “dry month.”
A study conducted by the Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission found that Texas has seen a steady increase in antisemitic incidents in recent years.
The state’s biennial maternal death report shows a wide gap in maternal outcomes between Black pregnant people and their white counterparts.
In 2020, there were more than 6,000 United States veteran suicides. This averaged out to almost 17 people per day. Veteran suicide rates have trended downward but they still take their own lives 1.5 times higher than the general population.
Jared Yates Sexton writes in “The Midnight Kingdom” about the dangerous abuses that those in power carried out throughout history. Those same people, he argues, reshaped those stories into fictions for people to better swallow the past. Many still cling to the myths about Western civilization, and Sexton exposes the political power and religious indoctrination behind it.
Fusion centers are meant to serve as hubs of intelligence to flow between federal government, private sector, state, local, tribal and territorial partners. However, in a recent investigation, the Brennan Center for Justice uncovered not only flawed analyses from the centers but also abuses of their authority and instances of the surveillance of people engaged in First Amendment-protected activities. Under the guise of counterterrorism, they have historically targeted American Muslims and claimed that activists are threats.
Dreamweek is in full swing in Alamo City. Dreamweek is a 16-day event that started in 2013 as a way to bring people together to celebrate creative and diverse voices. It also serves as a time when the community can reflect on the past year and discuss the issues that still affect society.
Peniel Joseph argues that the third reconstruction started in 2008. In his new book “The Third Reconstruction: America’s Struggle for Racial Justice in the Twenty-First Century” he draws from research and his personal experiences.
In "The Light We Give: How Sikh Wisdom Can Transform Your Life," San Antonio writer Simran Jeet Singh recounts his early life on the North Side of San Antonio. The book explains how the core tenets of the Sikh religion — love and service to others — helped him navigate the discrimination he often faced. As an adult, Singh has dedicated his life to the research and application of Sikh philosophy – for not only his life but for others who look to make meaningful changes in their lives.
For 11 years, the San Antonio Public Library has presented a series titled “The Holocaust Learn and Remember.” This year the program focuses on censorship and how the Nazi regime controlled information in order to suppress Jewish people and other persecuted groups. The timeliness of this theme is a reminder of current censorship efforts across the state. Texas currently leads the nation with the most banned books in school districts and libraries.
In December, scientists in California produced more energy in a fusion reaction than was used to ignite it. This historic first could lead to more advancements in clean energy.
A spyware program titled Pegasus is currently sold to governments around the world. This spyware, when used, targets journalists and innocent citizens. The Israeli firm NSO Group created it, and many journalists have already seen their governments use it against them.
A coalition of grassroots organizations seek to amend the city charter. The San Antonio Justice Charter initiative would reform certain police practices and enforcement. The proposed amendments would ban the San Antonio Police department from the use of no-knock warrants and chokeholds and expand the cite-and-release policy. They would also decriminalize low-level marijuana possession, abortion, and establish a city Justice Director.
San Antonio is home to many pieces of public art that have deep and beautiful meanings. The city’s collection includes sculptures, murals, architectural and landscape architectural work.
The 118th Congress convened on Tuesday. Their first task: Elect Speaker of the House. Voting for the speakership usually happens with little to no incident, but in an unprecedented move, the U.S. House of Representatives had voted on the measure several more times by Wednesday afternoon.
Doctors who have distanced themselves emotionally from their patients often believe that doing so would reduce the risk of compassion fatigue; however, the opposite is true. Research has suggested that a lack of empathy in doctors often leads to more fatigue and quicker burnout rates. Many experts have pointed out that when doctors distance themselves emotionally from their patients that their work often suffers.
With over 300 years under its belt, San Antonio can tell many scandalous tales. Residents of San Antonio have seen the city go through the rise and fall of gambling joints, around-the-clock saloons and other places of ill repute. Mike Cox, the author of “Wicked San Antonio”, dives into the past of the many misdeeds of the Alamo City.
According to data sourced by the San Antonio Express News, San Antonio had the highest rate of drunk driving crashes per capita among large Texas cities in 2021.
After decades of public service, County Judge Nelson Wolff has retired from elected office. Wolff served as a state house representative, state senator, San Antonio mayor and then Bexar County judge. He took the lead in multiple battles over public policy and frequently he came out on top.
Earlier this month, Rackspace was hit by a ransomware group that took customers' data. Potentially, this group has held onto this data in exchange for ransom, but the company has not said either way due to the investigation run by the FBI.
In November, over 62,000 electric vehicles were sold in the United States. This was a 5% increase since November of 2021. Experts forecast an increase in EV sales in the next year due to the financial rebate.
The Source team looks back at 2022, with the most impactful topics covered on the show. The Source has hosted community conversations on topics such as the contentious race for Bexar County judge, the loss of federal abortion rights, and reactions to the horrible school shooting in Uvalde. We gave you the news as it broke, while we also looked for answers to the big questions of the day.
San Antonio is among one of the latest cities to experience an uptick in anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and threats of violence.
Since 1880, global temperatures have increased by 2.2 degrees Fahrenheit. Record-high temperatures have outnumbered record-low temperatures in the United States alone. This has left many scientists to warn that the world is dangerously close to irreversible damage. Is there anything we can do before it is too late?
The Texas coast could permanently be altered by a storm surge barrier plan called the Ike Dike. In July, The U.S. Senate approved the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to begin planning the massive multibillion-dollar coastal project.
Compared to last year’s departures, 2022 saw teachers leave their profession at a rate 56% higher than the previous summer. Experts believe that the problems teachers face were compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. Low pay, school shootings and culture wars have always been present, but in recent years these issues have intensified.
On average, police kill 1,100 people each year since 2013. More than 30% of Black adults worry every day that they may be threatened or attacked due to their race or ethnicity. The spotlight on George Floyd’s death highlighted the issue of police violence toward minority communities. So what are solutions to end gun violence against Black Americans and what are the systems that can ensure accountability in police shootings?
Researchers at the University of Houston have developed a vaccine that could potentially block the high of fentanyl.
In November, Greg Casar a Texas native and son of Mexican immigrants, won the seat for Texas Congressional District 35. Casar will be sworn in on January 3 along with other new congressional representatives.
San Antonio City Council members have been asked to consider a ban on horse-drawn carriages. City Councilmembers Jalen McKee-Rodriguez and Phylis Viagran submitted a Council Consideration Request last week.
In September, hospitals saw an increase in patients with Respiratory Syncytial Virus or RSV. This infection was also met with a recent spike in COVID-19 cases as the Thanksgiving holiday came to a close. To add to it, a higher than usual influenza season has caused some health experts to call this season a ‘tridemic.’
At the end of 2021, more than 80 countries experienced hardships that eroded the state of their democracy.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has lasted much longer than Russian leaders anticipated. The Russian economy is damaged, and the Russian troops report low morale. Many experts have warned that the war may just get worse for Russians, as they have no support from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Less than 3% of the United States national budget is spent on public health. This could reflect that Americans value healthcare for the individual, over the well-being of many.
The San Antonio Board of Realtors released their latest market analysis report earlier this month. According to the report, San Antonio has seen a decrease in home sales for seven consecutive months.
In a recent study, 32% of Type 2 diabetics who built trust with community health workers were able to achieve long-term self-care.
Age bias is culturally embedded across regions and socioeconomic groups. It rears its head in the workplace, in media representations and beauty "standards," and can be subtle — even unconscious — or overt.
San Antonio has many economically segregated neighborhoods. Historically the city has dealt with high poverty rates and low education among communities of color. Much of this can be attributed to the federal government’s redlining practices after The Great Depression.
The Farm Bureau in a recent survey has shown that the cost of Thanksgiving dinner is up 20% from last year due to inflation. This is the largest increase in almost 37 years.
Two years into a multi-prong effort to tamp down domestic violence in Bexar County has resulted in measured but incremental progress.
In 2021, San Antonio’s poverty level hit 17%, higher than the national average which was recorded as almost 13%. Race may also play a factor in poverty, with Black and Hispanic groups seeing the largest percentages. A recent rise in poverty in older communities has also come to light, and some economists have voiced their concern and believe it may just get worse from here.
The midterm elections are usually a chance for the electorate to push back against the party of the sitting president. However, the results of this year’s midterm showed differently, and many experts believe that it may due to the Gen Z vote.
Two San Antonio City Council representatives are currently facing public criticism and condemnation concerning two separate incidents. For Councilman Bravo and Councilman Perry, their political futures hang in the balance of public scrutiny.
Brackeen v. Haaland has made its way to the U.S. Supreme Court. This case is the latest challenge to the Indian Child Welfare Act.
In 2020, the beloved documentary that chronicled groundbreaking artist Doug Sahm was removed from the streaming platform Amazon Prime. Licensing for rights to use music and visual clips had expired, but after much fanfare, the film has been given a re-release.
The midterm elections centered around abortion, school safety, and immigration. Many experts highlighted the importance of the Latino vote in this election, as they are the largest minority group in the south. However, early vote turnout was low across the state of Texas.
This year’s midterm elections could be a referendum on the Biden Administration. The results could also show a majority populous unhappy with the passage of conservative laws at local, state and federal levels of government.
Shifts in political majority often happen slowly over time with many intervening forces — some economic, some social. What might seem like a meteoric rise for some politicians, their success can really be attributed to years of discontent and political party restructuring.
After being a victim of a crime, Texans can apply for financial assistance with the Crime Victims’ Compensation fund. Many victims, however, have stated that receiving their funds has been slow — if they ever do receive the payments. An investigative report by NBC Austin affiliate KXAN revealed the slowdown is due to understaffing, a toxic work environment and poor communication.
Many believe that Brackenridge Park was first opened at the turn of the 19th century. However Lewis Fisher’s new book “Brackenridge: San Antonio’s Acclaimed Urban Park” reveals that the history of the park as both a gathering spot and a water source predates widely held current explanations of the park’s history.
In 2012, yet another Mexican journalist was found dead. The message became clear: No journalist in Mexico is safe.
Gov. Greg Abbott is up for reelection. He seeks a third term as governor of Texas. His challenger for this election cycle is Democrat Beto O’Rourke. Abbott still leads O’Rourke in various polls, but this year’s gubernatorial race has gained national attention.
Since the invasion of Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin has signed measures that dole out long jail sentences for Russian citizens who oppose the war. Despite this, some citizens are still vocal in their dissent against the Ukrainian invasion. Russian opinions of the war span from undying support to abhorrence.
True crime is the most popular genre for podcasts — a staple for documentaries and the backbone of broadcast news. However, does the obsession with crime stories distort reality and highlight another instance of racial bias?
Breast cancer is still one of the more common types of cancer women can be diagnosed with. Each year, 30% of women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Of that 30%, Black women diagnosed with breast cancer disproportionately die at a much higher rate than their white counterparts.
Long known as the birthplace of San Antonio, efforts to revitalize San Pedro Creek are well underway with the first phase now complete. Phase one of the multi-year $300-million project was completed earlier this month. Completion of phase one was celebrated with the opening of the San Pedro Creek Culture Park.
More than 34 million Latino Americans are eligible to vote this year. While that population is not monolithic, both major political parties are trying to win the voting bloc. Polling numbers suggest that the Republican party succeeds more often than Democrats at wooing Hispanic and Latino voters, especially in battleground states like Texas.
For much of the 21st century, the public’s trust in the government has remained low. More than 60% of Americans believe that the political candidates that run for office only run to serve personal interests.
After 20 years of service, Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff announced in October 2021 that he would not seek re-election. With the seat open, Judge Peter Sakai and former Precinct 3 County Commissioner Trish DeBerry fight for the county’s top spot.
In November of 2021, Republican John Lujan won the special election against Democrat Frank Ramirez by less than 300 votes. Ramirez challenges Lujan once more in this upcoming election.
In December, Trish DeBerry announced her bid for Bexar County Judge. After announcing her candidacy, she had to step down from her precinct 3 commissioner seat. Now with a vacant seat, Susan Korbel and Grant Moody are on the ballot to replace DeBerry.
Entrepreneur and small business owner, Angi Aramburu, is the Democratic candidate running for Texas House District 122. Currently, House District 122 is held by Lyle Larson. His term ends January 2023. Larson will not seek re-election.
A vocal advocate for women and an entrepreneur, Michelle Vallejo is the Democratic candidate currently running for Texas’ 15th Congressional District. Current seat holder, Vicente Gonzalez Jr., has vacated his seat to run for newly redrawn Texas’ 34th Congressional District.
A new documentary film from PBS’s Frontline, in collaboration with The Associated Press, chronicles Michael Flynn’s career from national security insider to spiritual war fighter.
The 1965 Voting Rights Act could further be dismantled. Opening arguments to dismantle Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act have been heard. If the Supreme Court votes in favor, this could limit further protections for racial minorities from discrimination in voting.
This year’s midterm election sees the return of Gonzales versus a LaHood in the race for Bexar County district attorney.
Protesters of the civil rights movement were deliberately unarmed. Nonviolence was a strategic plan of the movement to break down the segregation of the Jim Crow laws.
Last month, downtown San Antonio received low marks on a visitor survey conducted by Centro San Antonio. The full survey has not been released to the public yet, but some visitor complaints were shared with the San Antonio City Council.
Over the weekend, Morgan’s Wonderland opened a new special one-stop shop for persons with special needs. The Multi-Assistance Center provides health and living resources to individuals with special needs and disabilities in one location.
The death of Mahsa Amini has sparked outrage throughout Iran. The 22-year-old woman visited Tehran with her family in mid-September. Iran’s morality police detained her for violating the region’s conservative dress code requirements for women.
The U.S. continues to lead the world in the number of people in prison — accounting for more than 20% of the global prison population. The original role of prison is to reform those who have committed crimes to become good neighbors and good citizens. However, have prisons achieved the goal of widespread rehabilitation?
Nearly nine months ago, Russian forces invaded Ukraine. Russia appeared to have an advantage at first but Ukraine has held its own. Some experts believe that the war has turned in Ukraine’s favor.
This year’s midterm general election is fast approaching. Some Texans still have questions surrounding how to register to vote, eligibility requirements, and how to seek assistance.
On Friday, Greg Abbott and Beto O’Rourke faced off in their only scheduled debate ahead of the November general election.
Residents of Tobin Hill, business owners, and city officials met last Saturday to discuss a pilot program to restrict overnight parking along the N. St. Mary’s Strip. The proposed Residential Parking Permit Pilot Program (RPPP), would restrict public parking from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Experts connect lack of sleep to many health related issues in adults and children. Around 50-70 million American adults experience one or more sleep disorders.
Last week, local law enforcement responded to false reports of an active shooter at Jefferson High School. After notice was given, some parents rushed to the school on high alert. Many of the them were angry, visibly upset and frightened because their children were not released.
There are still Americans who doubt the results of the 2020 election. Many Republicans and right-wing politicians want to force a second constitutional convention.
Last week, nearly 50 migrants were flown from San Antonio to Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, as part of a program helmed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Some Republican leaders have called this act a relocation program. Democrats and advocates alike have referred to it as political theater.
San Antonio has become a destination for premier sporting events despite the lack of a second major league team. Several large-scale, revenue-generating events have been held in the city to great fanfare, including multiple NCAA tournaments.
Cameras have been essential tools to look at the wonders and horrors of life since their creation. For Black Americans, the camera has also been an instrument to show the atrocities of violence against Black bodies.
During the pandemic, some students experienced poor mental health such as anxiety and depression due to loneliness and isolation. Greater access for youth mental health services has been a goal long before the pandemic’s onset.
According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, reading scores saw the largest drop since the 1990s, and this marks the first drop in mathematics. The decline was seen across different student groups.
The San Antonio Regional Flood Planning Group has a draft plan to help manage flooding in the 16-county region affected by the San Antonio River Basin.
After a record-breaking summer, many residents of San Antonio saw a spike in their energy bills. Now, there is a $75 million surplus and council members of San Antonio wonder what to do with it next.
Close friendships in Americans have declined in the past several decades. The pandemic has made it difficult to maintain friendships for American adults. A study has shown that there is a correlation between those who experience loneliness and worsening health problems.
Peniel Joseph argues that the third reconstruction started in 2008. In his new book “The Third Reconstruction: America’s Struggle for Racial Justice in the Twenty-First Century” he draws from research and his personal experiences.
In her new book, Suzanne Nossel delves into the nation's culture wars over the right to free speech and argues that the way forward as a society is to ensure an open market of ideas and protect all speech — even that which we disagree with.
In its second season, “The Disconnect: Power Politics and the Texas Blackout” now observes 18 months after the storm and power outages of February 2021. Millions of Texans lost their power, and hundreds may have died.
Autism itself doesn’t discriminate but gender, racial, ethnic and sociodemographic disparities do affect the diagnosis of and services for many kids with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Young people on the autism spectrum face a number of challenges, but are families and educators doing enough to meet them with understanding?
The City of San Antonio’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2023 was presented to city council earlier this month. This year the city is noticeably flush with cash due to revenue from CPS Energy.
Former San Antonio Republican Congressman was once touted as "the future of the GOP," but then he stepped away from public office in 2020.
The FBI searched former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort last week. Federal agents seized 11 classified documents, including one with the highest level of classification by U.S. government. The unsealed FBI warrant suggests that the transfer of documents from the White House to Mar-a-Lago violates three criminal statutes including Section 793 of the Espionage Act.
In late July, monarch butterflies were classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The IUCN stated that climate change, droughts that limit the growth of milkweed, and wildfires are factors in the decrease in population. Some experts say that this classification is unnecessary.
After the repeal of Roe v. Wade in late June, the once federally protected right to abortion now falls under the jurisdiction of state governments. With abortion rights on the ballot, it is expected that many voters will take a stand in upcoming elections.
In the past nine months, more than 1,500 book bans in schools have occurred across the country. This movement does not come from parents, instead, it stems from Republican leadership.
On Wednesday, President Joe Biden signed the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act into law. This PACT Act expands benefits for veterans and service members that were exposed to — and inhaled — fumes, debris from large trash fires known as burn pits while serving overseas.
Seventy percent of teachers in Texas have considered leaving the profession. At the start of a new school year, the nation faces a teacher shortage specifically among K-12 grades.
Conscious and unconscious negative attitudes from health care professionals have impacted the treatment and care of people living with obesity. Patients have reported that physicians blame their weight first and treat their presenting symptoms second — if at all.
When 16,000 Haitians arrived in Del Rio, Texas in September 2021, the humanitarian crisis made international headlines. But the unlikely spectacle at the Texas-Mexico border was just a glimpse of an immigration journey like no other – one that extends more than 10,000 miles, from the rubble of the 2010 Haitian earthquake, through South America… all the way to Del Rio and across the US.
Two of the largest cities in the Rio Grande Valley have water restrictions as their reservoirs hit near record lows. The drought and the hottest summer on record are one of the main causes of low water levels across the state.
Animal neglect calls to Animal Care Services have increased in San Antonio. High temperatures are affecting pets just as much as their human counterparts. Veterinarians across the city are treating animals with burned paws and heat exhaustion. Even responsible pet owners have unknowingly left pets outside in the sun for too long with little to no shade.
Many conspiracy theories in the far-right political platform are not new. Several old conspiracy theories first presented by The John Birch Society in the 1950s have resurfaced in the last few years.
Electricity bills are at an all-time high, and many CPS Energy customers are beginning to see the difference on their bills. Prices jumped up more than 50% in June alone.