Local muralist David Blancas is taking the mission of public art online using the appeal of one of his works in particular: La Música de San Anto. Starting Friday, Blancas will host a bimonthly series of videos exploring the history of the work and its restoration, as well as “paint alongs” and other family-friendly activities.…
San Antonio Tex-Mex fixture Los Barrios will join the likes of Max and Louie’s New York Diner and Rosario’s Mexican Cafe Y Cantina as part of H-E-B’s expanded Meal Simple program. Diana Barrios Treviño, who co-owns the restaurant chain with her two siblings, said getting its menu items in the grocery’s refrigerator cases allowed her…
Despite Gov. Greg Abbott’s frequent executive orders in response to the COVD-19 pandemic, Texas is among the slowest states to respond to the crisis, according to a new study by financial site Finder. Finder’s report ranks state governments by metrics including the date of their first confirmed COVID-19 case, when they declared a state of…
You’ve got to give Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick credit for staying on message — even when a lot of people think his message is nuttier than a goddamned PayDay bar. After drawing national derision last month for telling Fox News that elderly people should be willing to die during the pandemic to save the economy,…
With 20 Bexar County Jail inmates now testing positive for COVID-19, records show other county lockups around Texas are in danger of becoming pandemic petri dishes. As of April 19, 180 county jail inmates around the state have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, as have 153 jailers, according to Texas Commission on Jail Standards…
Local poet and activist Amalia Ortiz isn’t letting a little quarantine slow her down. Tomorrow, Ortiz will be featured in an online version of a Bay Area literary event series called “Lunada: New Moon Virtual Literary Lounge.” The livestreamed event will “present an evening of truth-telling and testimonials on the dark side of the moon,”…
The National Beer of Texas has unveiled a new Mexican-style lager called Rio Jade. The limited-edition Lone Star brew will be available until the end of summer with full distribution starting in early May. Rio Jade — that’s pronounced “Ree-Oh Hah-Day,” gringo — features a flavor profile that includes the sweetness of flaked maize balanced…
Just call him Saint Willie. In addition to staging a free online festival last month to watch in quarantine — followed by a 4/20 “Come and Take It” livestreamed variety show yesterday — Texas music legend Willie Nelson has released an online video urging fans to help out the state’s food banks during the pandemic.…
¡Viva Virtual Fiesta! Though she’s far from the only one finding a way to celebrate San Antonio’s beloved holiday on the web, gamer Melissa Montoya appears to be the first to combine it with a recent video game sensation: Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons. On Sunday, Montoya, who lives in Austin, tweeted a series of screen…
Police arrested a suspected human smuggler in San Antonio after a two-hour car chase that started in Dimmit County near the U.S.-Mexico border. Six suspected undocumented immigrants were also taken into custody. The chase began when Dimmit County deputies tried to pull over the driver who refused to stop, the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office told…
COVID-19 survivors in San Antonio can potentially help others recover from the disease. On Saturday, Mayor Ron Nirenberg posted an Instagram photo of Paul Basaldua, whom the mayor identified as a friend. It shows Basaldua holding four bags of yellowish fluid chock full of potentially life-saving antibodies. In the post, Niernberg shouted out Basaldua for donating blood…
Strolling through art galleries is one of the many pleasures to be missed while doors have closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Nonprofit art space Blue Star Contemporary recognized that the scenic value of its surrounding complex, Southtown’s Blue Star Arts Complex, is also part of the appeal. So, the gallery is offering downloadable and…
Reggae duo StoneTribe chose the perfect day to release their chill and semi-psychedelic new track “Over the Edge.” I mean, it is 4/20 and all. StoneTribe — whose members collaborate from San Antonio and Portland, Oregon — launched onto the reggae radar last year with a debut EP called “Tank Man.” The newcomers have already…
After serious blowback for appearing to tweak its refund policy to not cover events postponed by the pandemic, Ticketmaster’s head honcho tweeted out a statement obviously intended to put buyers at ease. “To be clear, Ticketmaster intends to refund as many tickets as possible in as timely a fashion as is feasible,” company president Jared…
If you’re having a hard time getting off the couch during quarantine, you’re far from the only one. But the Spurs are here to help. The Fiesta de los Spurs Run was supposed to happen this weekend, but like so much else got put on hold. To encourage physical activity while maintaining social distancing, the…
Democratic candidates vying to represent San Antonio-area swing districts in the U.S. House have pulled ahead of their GOP opponents in fundraising, campaign filings show. Both Gina Ortiz Jones, who’s running for the 23rd District seat being vacated by retiring Republican Will Hurd, and former Texas Sen. Wendy Davis, who’s running to represent the Hill Country’s…
In an era where binge watching Netflix has unironically become America’s favorite pastime — if it wasn’t before — the idea of engaging with art may seem a thing of distant memory. Fortunately, our city is gifted with the folks at Unfiltered San Antonio, who are working to bring a spot of culture to their…
Politics are not on most people’s minds right now. It’s just noise, a distraction from the pandemic, family, friends and work. As it should be. But 2020 is still an election year, and it has become an even weirder one than you might have suspected. The primary runoffs have already been delayed. Super Tuesday might…
With concerns about health insurance soaring during the COVID-19 pandemic, a new report shows 17% of people in San Antonio have no coverage — the 7th highest rate of any big U.S. city. The study by Self Financial ranks cities by the percentage of people without health insurance, and five of the 10 large metros…
Health officials have confirmed 1,015 cases of COVID-19 in Bexar County and one additional death from the disease, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg said during an update Sunday evening. The new death, a man in his 50s, brings the county’s death toll from the coronavirus pandemic to 39. Roughly half of those deaths, 18 in…
In the midst of mask shortages for medical employees, one nurse’s invention may be more effective than the widely used N-95 mask. According to KSAT News, Tommye Austin, chief executive nurse at University Health System, wanted to make more masks for frontline medical workers by May — when a surge in COVID-19 cases is predicted…
Keeping the kids entertained these days can be as difficult as keeping them educated. The Magik Theatre is doing a little of both. Like most performing arts organizations in town, the Magik has canceled all in-person performances and programs through May 2020. To keep young audiences engaged in the meantime, the children’s theater has committed…
The COVID-19 pandemic appears to have pot smokers in a quandary. A new AmericanMarijuana.org survey shows that 54.4% of marijuana users with lung problems agreed that smoking weed will make them more susceptible to poor outcomes if they contract the novel coronavirus. Among pot users without lung problems, that percentage is 34.5%. Even so, just 28% of…
A state district judge said Wednesday that he will move forward with an order easing restrictions for voting by mail in Texas in light of the new coronavirus pandemic. After conducting a video conference hearing in a lawsuit filed by state Democrats and civic organizations, Judge Tim Sulak told the attorneys he will issue a…
After hinting for days about a grand plan to restart the state’s economy, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday announced he’d formed a “strike force” to oversee a phased opening of businesses. During a news conference, Abbott said he’d seen “glimmers that the worst of COVID-19 may soon be behind us,” thanks to residents’ social…
This Saturday, local restaurant group Mi Familia de Mi Tierra is inviting guests to put on their best guayaberas and embroidered blouses and come celebrate its “Mi Familia’s Drive-Thru Fiesta.” Food, drink and merchandise booths set up at the Mi Tierra’s RIM location will allow customers to get their Fiesta fix from the safety of their vehicles.…
Remember the Alamo? S.A.’s best-known landmark has partnered with the Texas Historical Commission, the San Jacinto Museum and the Presidio La Bahia to create San Jacinto Day: Texas Remembers, a livestream educational event scheduled for Tuesday, April 21. During Fiesta, the Alamo typically hosts special events to honor the Texan Army’s victory at the Battle…
Life at home has offered many San Antonio citizens an opportunity to focus their attention back on their family, loved ones and community. The community aspect can be a bit difficult under the stay-at-home order, though, with the requirement to stay 6-feet apart from one another whenever possible and now the newly announced face mask…
Like in other Texas cities, San Antonio renters may get an extra 60 days to resolve overdue rent or fees during the coronavirus pandemic. Under the proposed ordinance, landlords could not begin the eviction process until early July, roughly two months after the Texas Supreme Court’s eviction moratorium ends. District 1 Councilman Roberto Treviño, who’s…
To help keep doctors’ offices, nursing homes and hospitals open during the coronavirus outbreak, Texas officials are recommending the state increase payments to health providers to the tune of $334 million. State health officials want approval from Gov. Greg Abbott and a panel of state lawmakers on the Legislative Budget Board to pay more to…
The first casualty of the San Antonio’s arts funding cuts has been revealed: Luminaria’s annual Contemporary Arts Festival. This morning, the organization announced it’s cancelling this year’s event, originally scheduled for November 14 at Hemisfair. “With the overwhelming health concerns and the projected insecurity of funds resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, we believe this is…
If you thought that people would have less opportunities to do dumb shit while we shelter in place, think again. Last night, police responded to a call on the 8600 block of Spoonbill Court on the city’s far West Side, where a local teen had been shot in the foot, KSAT reports. Police say that…
Mayor Ron Nirenberg and County Judge Nelson Wolff expanded their Stay Home, Work Safe order Thursday, requiring all people 10 or older to cover their faces when in places where it’s impossible to maintain six feet of distance. The new rule takes effect Monday, requiring residents to wear masks, bandanas or other cloth coverings over…
How many of you are missing your dose of Selena right now? After all, the movie, partially shot in San Antonio, is screened somewhere in the city at least monthly. Maybe the quarantine is making you feel a little Bidi Bidi Bum Bummed. You can, of course, rent Selena online any time you want. But,…
Keeping kids occupied after finishing the day’s schoolwork can present challenges in the stay-at-home environment. Luckily, a couple of San Antonio’s kid-friendly museums have created online outlets for curiosity and wonder beyond school hours. Those offerings provide hands-on activities and virtual learning experiences sure to keep young minds engaged. Witte Museum Just because the doors…
Craving some good booze and good tunes? Well, this weekend you’re in luck. On Sunday, Rebecca Creek Distillery — the creator of Rebecca Creek Whiskey, Texas Ranger Whiskey and Enchanted Rock Vodka — will present a free, livestreamed concert to benefit Meals on Wheels. The eight-hour marathon performance will be hosted live from the distillery…
Editor’s Note: This is the first in a series of weekly essays from San Antonio readers who support our recently launched SA Current Press Club fundraising initiative. When the City of San Antonio and Bexar County issued their Stay Home, Work Safe Order, they required all non-essential employees to stay home. I have watched enough…
Many of us are postponing routine medical visits while we wait for the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic to pass, but a local pediatrician warns that putting off vaccinations for children right now is a risky move. Dr. Illeana Silva, pediatric director for San Antonio’s University Health System, said delaying well-checks and vaccines for babies…
As we grapple with the new normal, it’s only natural to look for silver linings — wherever they might be found. Some of us have become a lot more familiar with “personal space” and “me time” while gaining greater appreciations for concepts like community and global unity. And many now have an abundance of “quality time”…
There’s an ethical way to spend your coronavirus stimulus check, but screw it. Spring has sprung! It’s finally beautiful outside again, sunny and temperate, and seeing as how absolutely everything everywhere is closed on account of a global pandemic, you’ve probably already gotten caught up on all the yard work you could possibly do. Now…
The Texas Commission on Judicial Conduct has sanctioned Bexar County Court-at-Law No. 13 Judge Rosie Speedlin Gonzalez for using Facebook to congratulate attorneys who won jury verdicts in her courtroom. Speedlin Gonzalez — who in 2018 became the first openly gay judge to be elected in Bexar County — plans to file an appeal, her lawyer,…
Local Antiques Roadshow fans are in for a treat starting next Monday. Last spring, PBS’s venerable antiques-appraisal series filmed part of its 24th season in San Antonio at the McNay Art Museum. During the three-day event, more than 3,000 people showed up with family heirlooms and cherished possessions to seek free appraisals from the independent…
For the first time since Gov. Greg Abbott declared the new coronavirus a public health disaster, the number of Texans who filed for unemployment relief last week declined from the previous week, but only slightly. Yet more than 1 million Texans have applied for unemployment insurance since mid-March, including 273,567 just last week, and countless…
Panic buying of toilet paper during the coronavirus crisis has created an unforeseen consequence for the Alamo City’s sewer system. In the absence of Charmin and Cottenelle, people are using — how do we put this delicately? — alternative wiping methods to get the job done. And when folks flush items such as baby wipes…
A Texas judge said Wednesday he will ease the state’s voting restrictions, allowing people concerned about COVID-19 to send in ballots by mail. Travis County District Judge Tim Sulak told attorneys in a case to expand voting by mail during the pandemic that he’ll file a temporary injunction allowing the move under state election rules…
Texas bar owners face a make-or-break deadline on April 20. That’s when state liquor taxes — many bar and restaurant operators’ biggest monthly expense — come due. Most have closed due to the pandemic’s stay-at-home orders or resorted to takeout or delivery only, so there’s been little or no incoming revenue. “Our liquor tax is…
Like many local arts organizations, the Public Theater of San Antonio has had to close its doors due to the pandemic, but also found a way to pipe performances into people’s homes while we shelter in place. This weekend, local theater-lovers can enjoy two nights of programming livestreamed by The Public as part of its new…
Fiesta has moved to November, but that’s not stopping La Tuna from celebrating. The Southtown ice house and grill is offering a couple of the citywide festival’s favorite foods to go. In honor of Fiesta’s opening day, which would have been this Thursday had a pandemic not gotten in the way, the establishment will host…
Have a little empathy for the people in elected office as they fret over possible answers to the question we’re all asking: “Is it safe to go outside yet?” The conversation of the week centers on the economy — on which businesses can restart and which people can get back to work. But this isn’t…
After angering Asian Americans for incorrectly blaming Chinese people for a host of pandemics and drawing fire from constituents for tweeting a glib joke about the coronavirus, Sen. John Cornyn’s found a new group to piss off. Scientists. Late last week, the Texas Republican opined via Twitter that he just doesn’t like all this modeling…
Viva Noche Azul! After an internationally successful livestream launch in March, the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center’s monthly Noche Azul concert series is back for another virtual entry this weekend. This Saturday, Esperanza artist-in-residence Azul Barrientos will give an intimate café-style performance alongside percussionist Nina Rodriguez and cellist Emilio Alvarez, which will livestream on Facebook and…
Just FYI, tomato water is a thing. At least it is among the cocktail cognoscenti. Usually obtained by chopping up fresh tomatoes and letting them drain through a sieve lined with cheesecloth, the water is a pale pink and appealingly translucent suggestion of the turgid, traditional tomato juice some of us drink only on airlines.…
Tacos — like men — are a varied bunch. They come in different sizes, tastes and shapes. But there’s one thing they all have in common, whether thick or thin, big or small, soft or hard. You know what I’m referring to here: tortillas. (My apologies if you thought I was still talking about guys.)…
Six more inmates at the Bexar County Jail have tested positive for COVID-19, raising the number there who have been diagnosed with the disease to eight, according to a KSAT news report. Officials with the sheriff’s office are tracing how each contracted the ailment, and University Health System staff are screening all inmates via daily…
Looks like the San Antonio River Walk Association liked our alternative Fiesta celebration ideas in the latest issue of the Current. Or, more likely, they were separately struck by a great, if goofy, idea. Either way, the River Walk Association is crowdsourcing a virtual version of its annual Texas Cavaliers River Parade, which was postponed…
The pandemic has shut down venues across the country, forcing artists to cancel shows and whole tours. That also includes plenty of bands and musicians from San Antonio. Even so, some of our city’s most creative musical minds are continuing to release recordings while quarantined. In the past few weeks, we’ve discovered a wealth of…
San Antonians knew shit was truly getting real when Fiesta was pushed back to November. Even though the main festivities won’t commence until fall, there’s no reason why we can’t get into the party spirit at home. Here are 10 suggestions for staging a DIY, stay-at-home version of San Antonio’s favorite holiday. You’ll be surprised…
Well, somebody had to draw the parallel. Our only regret is we didn’t get there first. On Monday, MySA.com pointed out an on-target Facebook post labeling the late Mike Yuchnitz — perhaps the most flamboyant TV pitchman to ever work in our city — as “San Antonio’s very own Joe Exotic.” Anyone not living in…
The plan Texas Gov. Greg Abbott unveiled Monday to give small businesses hurt by the coronavirus pandemic access to $50 million in loans isn’t exactly drawing rave reviews from those it’s meant to help. San Antonio small businesses contacted by the Current say they either weren’t aware of the plan, aren’t interested or have already…
Disappointed by Tiger King’s extra episode? Chances are, you’re not alone. Fortunately, we have good news: anyone still craving another binge of big cat-themed schadenfreude need look no further than the Alamo Drafthouse for their next fix. Starting Wednesday, as part of its Alamo-At-Home Virtual Cinema initiative, Austin-based Drafthouse is offering an online rental of the…
A federal appeals court has handed a defeat to Gov. Greg Abbott, permitting medication-induced abortions — which terminate a pregnancy with prescribed pills — to continue in Texas during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ruling issued by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans is the latest development in a back-and-forth legal fight over…
Planet X Cinema is back again, baby! After entering hibernation last year, the boisterous brotherly team Blair and Drew Hicks have caved to the demands of friends and fans in quarantine and found a way to restart their Planet X Cinema film screening series. This time, in a way that can be enjoyed from home.…
‹ Left Center Right Resize Cancel Crop 600 x 389 ✖i › Instagram / safoodbank The number of Texas families that applied for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program doubled in March compared with the same period last year, as thousands of Texans lost their jobs and incomes because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In March, Texas…
Bexar County’s tally of COVID-19 cases has edged closer to 800, and three more people have died of the disease, bringing the local death toll to 33, according to data released Monday. Metro Health officials reported 794 cases of COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus. That’s more than double the number of cases…
Yesterday, Matthew McConaughey posted an important — erm, excuse me, let me check my notes. Ahem. Yesterday, Bobby Bandito posted an important announcement on Twitter. Bandito, who possesses an uncanny resemblance to the Uvalde-born actor, took to the social media platform to share a DIY mask tutorial for all cowboys and cowgirls who lack face…
Exercise is known to improve mental health. But those benefits may be magnified as people deal with the stresses of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a San Antonio mental health professional. Under quarantine, many find themselves with more free time than they’ve had in years. Some will take the opportunity to pick up a new…
The national economy is crumbling at its fastest pace on record. In a mere two weeks, 10 million people applied for unemployment benefits, with many millions more unemployed expected to file later this year. The looming specter of economic depression has become a significant threat to the real estate industry and both renters and landlords.…
The Texas Observer has published a lengthy article on the planned demolition of the Alazán-Apache Courts, San Antonio’s oldest public housing project, as part of its “Gentrification of Texas” issue. The piece by writer Gus Bova chronicles the development’s significance in Mexican American culture and cautions that its destruction to make way for mixed-income housing…
With the COVID-19 crisis putting the kibosh on concerts and other gatherings, Ticketmaster has quietly altered its refund policy to exclusively cover only canceled events, not those postponed or rescheduled by promoters. Digital Music News reports that the change appears to give ticketholders little recourse for getting back money they spent on events that have been indefinitely pushed…
After turning his flagship fine-dining establishment Restaurant Gwendolyn into a curbside grocery during the pandemic, renowned SA chef Michael Sohocki has launched a weekly video series showing how to cook what he sells. Sohocki says his motivation isn’t moving more groceries but better connecting people with food and helping them make use of what’s available…
The Easter bunny didn’t visit the San Antonio Zoo this year, but the local institution still got a gift in its basket. Yesterday, the zoo announced that one of its whooping cranes — a species that almost went extinct — has laid an egg. A second egg is also expected soon. “We are beyond excited…
The ongoing legal battle over whether Gov. Greg Abbott has authority to block Texans’ abortion access during the COVID-19 pandemic may be headed to the U.S. Supreme Court. Over the weekend, lawyers representing Planned Parenthood and the Center for Reproductive Rights asked the nation’s highest court to take emergency action to restore abortion access to…
Let’s face it: You need a drink. I know I could use one. There’s nothing wrong with pulling the cork on a bottle of favorite vino, popping the tab on a popular beer — or even retreating to an old favorite cocktail. But let’s face this reality: you may have some time on your hands.…
San Antonio’s Contemporary Art Month wasn’t quite what we expected this year, but it was still pretty dang cool. As the coronavirus crisis first came to a head, wiping out most of Second Saturday’s festivities, followed by a city-wide shelter-in-place order that spelled doom for the rest of the month’s art openings, CAM quickly pivoted,…
As concerns rise nationwide about COVID-19 sweeping through packed jails and prisons, Bexar County reports that a pair of inmates tested positive for the quick-spreading disease. What’s more, a nurse and a maintenance worker at the jail also tested positive, according to County Judge Nelson Wolff. During Sunday’s televised city-county update on the pandemic, the…
Basketball (and Other Things) author Shea Serrano is at it again. Even after a wildly successful campaign of direct donations to people who needed help paying their bills — which got him a shout-out from Barack Obama — the New York Times bestselling author didn’t sit back on his laurels. After learning of unprecedented demand faced…
The number of COVID-19-related deaths in Bexar County has reached 30, nearly half of which are linked to a nursing home at the center of an outbreak, Mayor Ron Nirenberg announced Sunday evening. One of the three new deaths reported since Saturday is a resident of Southeast Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, where a total of…
On April 4, 2019, I testified to the Texas House Corrections Committee about the need for clemency for survivors of domestic violence who defended themselves or their children. All session long, Gov. Greg Abbott signaled support for House Bill 3078, which would have created that clemency process. Then, shortly after the end of the session,…
This week, first responders and medical professionals working on the frontlines of the COVID-19 health crisis, can receive free hot meals and freshly brewed coffee in the parking lot of NorthRock Church-Stone Oak. Cruising Kitchens, a San Antonio-based mobile business fabricator, teamed up with the church to hand out meals from their custom-made Oshkosh food…
A state district judge in Travis County has temporarily blocked enforcement of Gov. Greg Abbott’s order to limit jail releases during the new coronavirus pandemic. She cited unconstitutional provisions and overreach of executive power in the gubernatorial order. State District Judge Lora Livingston issued her ruling Friday night after a lawsuit this week challenged the…
Trinity University professor Erin Sumner doesn’t like the term “social distancing.” As a scholar of interpersonal communication, she knows that for us to thrive during this time of physical separation, we can’t stop being social animals. “Let’s call it ‘physical distancing,’ which is a better description for what we should be doing,” Sumner said. “Socially,…
Despite all the grim news lately, San Antonio news junkies have reason to celebrate. Hearst Corp., the owner of the San Antonio Express-News, has informed its newsroom employees that it plans no layoffs, furloughs or pay cuts during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report by the nonprofit Poynter Institute. What’s more, Hearst — which…
If you’re skeptical or curious about this pandemic, how is what you’re hearing from the official Texas sources supposed to be reassuring? The information Texans are working with is too damn thin. Where to start? Not enough tests have been completed, or taken, to really know who has or doesn’t have the disease, where the…
While certain zoo animals might be enjoying their newfound privacy during the pandemic, the San Antonio Zoo is missing out on virtually all of the income it needs to operate. To continue to provide care for its animals, the Zoo Crew has gotten creative with fundraising. The latest idea? Gift baskets full of plush animals…
If you’re tired of singing “Happy Birthday to You” twice to make sure you’re putting in the requisite 20 seconds of hand washing during the pandemic, a punk band with San Antonio ties has got you covered. Fort Collins, Colorado’s Bad Decisions dropped a speedy and pissed-off new tune full of instructions on proper hand…
RediClinic, operator of medical clinics located inside H-E-B stores and Rite Aid pharmacies, has created a way for patients to adhere to stay-at-home orders while receiving medical care. The Houston-based company’s newly launched telehealth option, RediClinic@Home, connects patients with live board-certified clinicians from home. In the video visit, a clinician can diagnose and treat common…
With the new recommendations from both the CDC and San Antonio officials to wear masks in public spaces, the need for this commodity has increased tenfold. Luckily, local boutique Niche is one of the many businesses joining the fight against the spread of COVID-19 with a line of washable – and fashionable – non-medical face…
After a spate of event cancellations, the Classical Music Institute of San Antonio is launching a social media show called Composer Madness 2020 to stream on Facebook Live starting Saturday. In a sporting appeal to young basketball fans, the show will mix elements of the canceled March Madness college hoops tournaments with classical music education,…
After the city of San Antonio cut $82 million in funding last week, it was only a matter of time before the other shoe dropped. And now it has. On Wednesday afternoon, the city announced the latest bad news: the cancellation of funding for local arts organizations and the furlough of 270 municipal employees from…
Around 160 of the Texas’s 1,222 nursing homes, roughly 13%, have documented at least one case of the novel coronavirus, state officials told the Texas Tribune. That revelation comes as 38 residents and staff members at Texas nursing homes have died of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus. Ten of those deaths occurred in…
H-E-B has once again expanded its Meal Simple program, adding entrees from one of San Antonio’s most popular dining destinations: Rosario’s Mexican Cafe Y Cantina. Rosario’s closed the doors of its two local eateries amid the COVID-19 pandemic, furloughing 90% of its staff. Since packaging heat-and-eat entrees for the refrigerator cases at H-E-B stores, the…
Editor’s Note: The following is CityScrapes, a column of opinion and analysis. San Antonio, like every community across America, faces an unprecedented public health crisis. That crisis will tax every part and resource of our healthcare and emergency response systems. Our elected officials have done the right thing in imposing a stay-at-home order and limiting…
Correction: This story was updated to specify that the city hasn’t yet determined where the gazebo will be placed. With the city largely hunkered down under a stay-at-home order, work crews this week began removing two Alamo Plaza fixtures — steps that critics of the landmark’s redevelopment claim were deliberately timed to avoid scrutiny. Video…
An accused hoaxer appears to have gotten his just desserts this week. On Tuesday afternoon, the FBI arrested Christopher Charles Perez, 39, in New Braunfels on a charge of hoaxes related to weapons of mass destruction, according to a mysa.com report. If convicted, he faces up to five years in federal prison. His alleged crime? Claiming…
This promises to be an Easter and Passover season like no other. Social distancing is binding us to our homes and keeping us from the friends and family with whom we normally celebrate. Even so, San Antonio restaurants are trying to keep the holiday memorable by offering readymade, multi-course meals for the holiday, including brunch…
After feeding San Antonians for nearly nine decades, Earl Abel’s is now feeding the front line. So far, the beloved Alamo City staple has delivered box dinners to three local hospitals, and plans to expand its reach to fire stations starting next Monday. R.E.A.C.H., which stands for Ready Earl Abel’s Community Helpers, is an initiative…
More than 760,000 Texans have applied for unemployment insurance over the last four weeks, exceeding the roughly 700,000 people who filed for unemployment relief in Texas in all of 2019. Just last week, a historic 313,832 Texans submitted unemployment insurance claims, which was a 13.6% jump from the previous week’s short-lived record. Analysts expect many…
An occupational therapist at the San Antonio nursing home at the center of a deadly COVID-19 outbreak had previously warned supervisors that another employee continued to show up to work there after potential exposure to the disease, KSAT 12 reports. The therapist resigned from Southeast Nursing & Rehabilitation Center on March 20, citing concerns the…
Between the economic hardship brought on by the pandemic and shortages on grocery shelves, it’s been difficult for San Antonio families to get essential items they need. On Wednesday night, Catholic Charities teamed with Central Catholic High School students and adult volunteers to help address that dilemma and provide relief. In just two hours, they were…
We’re not going anywhere for a while, but that’s no reason to settle for the sad boxed meals you panic-bought last week. We reached out to four top San Antonio chefs and bartenders and asked them to supply creative recipes using simple kitchen staples. The rule many that are already in your pantry — so…
Planet K Gifts owner Michael Kleinman’s current pissing match with the city of San Antonio isn’t the first time he’s gotten wet and wild with municipal officials. The owner of the Texas smoke shop chain has a lengthy history of duking it out with municipalities and the state over anything from parking a junked car…
The ACLU and a group of Texas judges have sued Gov. Greg Abbott, arguing that his recent move to block people accused of violent crimes from receiving personal bonds is unconstitutional. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Abbott issued a March 29 order stopping judges from issuing personal bonds to defendants in violent crime cases.…
Fox News commentator — and top Trump Administration propogandist — Sean Hannity has made a career of twisting facts and peddling conspiracy theories. Now, a new report from the nonprofit watchdog group Media Matters for America labels Hannity one of the chief sources of dangerous misinformation about the coronavirus pandemic. The analysis documents some 50 specific examples…
Just because you can’t walk through the exhibition halls of local museums doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy them from home. San Antonio’s major art organizations have found clever ways to provide entertainment, education and even projects to do at home while we shelter in place. For those of us who missed out on their…
San Antonio-based H-E-B and its delivery unit Favor have rolled out service to 75 new Texas markets within a week and expanded delivery areas in existing markets — all to better get groceries to seniors during the pandemic. For a little context, Austin’s Favor has steadily grown since the grocery acquired it in 2018, but…
Authorities have arrested a local man for possession of an improvised explosive device, or IED. Working with Universal City police, deputies from the office of the Bexar County Fire Marshal (BCFM) apprehended wanted fugitive Joshua Faleide at the Super 8 Motel at 200 Palisades Dr. in Universal City, county officials say. Faleide had been on the…
It’s no surprise that meme-making has reached fever pitch while we all shelter in place. As the Quarantine House meme gains traction on social media, forcing us to choose between groups of rappers, GrecoRoman mythological figures and dead authors, Los Spurs knew they needed to weigh in with one of their own, which they posted on…
Two additional residents of Southeast Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, the facility at the center of San Antonio’s worst COVID-19 outbreak, have died from complications of the disease, health officials confirmed Wednesday. That brings the number of deaths at the nursing home to 10, or half the total number of local fatalities from the coronavirus pandemic,…
Although it’s officially closed to the public for the foreseeable future, the Aztec Theatre has found a way to make the show go on. This Friday, the theater will premiere the first installment of its new “Couch Sessions” — a benefit concert series streamed to the comfort of our homes via Facebook. Showcasing a variety…
Jazz trombonist Ron Wilkins, beloved both in his longtime hometown of San Antonio and across the country, is fighting for his life against COVID-19. The 63-year-old musician and educator has been on a ventilator in critical condition at Northeast Baptist Hospital since Saturday, according to a News 4 San Antonio report. Although Wilkins relocated to…
At least 320 residents and staff members at Texas nursing homes have tested positive for the new coronavirus. At least 18 people have died. And at least seven nursing homes, across five metro areas, are grappling with infections of 10 or more people. But those numbers, collected by The Texas Tribune from various public health…
Even in the middle of an unparalleled national health crisis, inflammatory Republican U.S. Rep. Chip Roy just can’t seem to help himself. With the 24-hour U.S. death toll from COVID-19 surpassing 1,850 on Tuesday — a record for any country in a single day — most of us get that stay-at-home orders are a reasonable…
The following is Current Events, a column of opinion and analysis. Unlike President Donald Trump, Gov. Greg Abbott hasn’t been caught on video dismissing the novel coronavirus as a hoax. Nor has he used his time at the mic for tone-deaf praise of his own TV ratings or godlike medical knowledge. Likewise, Texas’ Republican governor…
A lot has changed in my three decades as a working journalist. The online revolution pitched old business models out the window, newsrooms enacted deep layoffs and corporate buyouts left media outlets in fewer hands. All that came at the expense of independent local coverage. That said, I’ve never seen anything like the turmoil gripping…
The U.S. military says it will no longer report the number of COVID-19 diagnoses at its bases, triggering cover-up accusations by San Antonio and Bexar County officials. On the evening of Friday, March 27, a coronavirus webpage set up by Joint Base San Antonio confirmed 28 local military personnel, dependents and retirees had tested positive…
Many musicians — including the San Antonio Symphony — have found ways to perform together virtually while we shelter in place. But Austin’s Miró Quartet wasn’t satisfied with recording yet another classical music Zoom call. Instead, the musicians eschewed their usual instruments — violin, viola and cello — for something new: the Otamatone, a surprisingly…
As pandemic grips the land, many bands and artists are migrating online to reach fans, and perhaps even earn a few bucks. San Antonio’s all-female punk quartet Fea is no exception. For many bands, livestream performances mean unusual covers, and Fea took that inspiration and added its own Chicana spin. On Tuesday night, the band…
