Cover Story
Space Cadet: For all the grandiosity of Elon Musk’s vision, it’s morally bankrupt
Recent Texas transplant Elon Musk, the world’s richest person, has entertained us all in recent weeks with plenty of real-life tailspins, many self-inflicted.
Nacho Estrada, Texas Border Convoy: The top 10 headlines in San Antonio this week
Gov. Greg Abbott’s border standoff continued to make headlines, even if it hasn’t forced the overreach he wants from the White House.
Lala’s Gorditas, James Beard Awards: San Antonio’s biggest food stories of the week
The city also said goodbye to a longtime East Side bakery.
Internet sleuth accuses San Antonio police of corruption, prompts rebuke from chief
Internet personality TizzyEnt alleges that an SAPD detective hindered an investigation. Chief William McManus pushed back in a tweet.
City officials look to give cultural designation to San Antonio’s Main Strip
The Historic and Design Review Commission is expected to approve designating the street a culturally significant space for LGBTQ+ San Antonians.
Yet another San Antonio resident falls victim to dog attack
The mauling follows a series of high-profile attacks last year that prompted a budget boost for Animal Care Services.
Texas industrial sites spewed 2 million pounds of pollution during last week’s freeze
Some of the releases occurred in South Texas counties, including McMullen, Live Oak and DeWitt, which are significant sites of oil and gas exploration.
Facing pressure from judge, Texas reassigns workers to care for foster kids in unlicensed homes
The move is designed to reduce some of the rotating overtime shifts expected of agency caseworkers at group homes and motels, which have been criticized as dangerous for the children who live there.
Despite Abbott hinting he’ll ignore Supreme Court order, history shows he’ll ultimately cave
The federal government always wins — and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott knows that, a top political scientist maintains.
Gino’s Deli in San Antonio makes Yelp’s Top 100 list once again
Windcrest-area soul-food spot Mr. A-Ok’s Kitchen was the only other San Antonio restaurant to grace this year’s list.
San Antonio’s Freetail Brewing Co. up for sale, according to online listing
The same ownership group has controlled the venture since 2016.
San Antonio’s Monday rainfall sets record
Despite the heavy rains, Bexar County is unlikely to exit its persistent drought any time soon.
Supreme Court rules feds can cut through wire Texas deployed along border
Texas AG Ken Paxton sued the federal government in October after border patrol agents were caught cutting through the wire the state installed along the Rio Grande.
Twenty months after deadly Uvalde school shooting, multiple investigations have yet to be released
The U.S. Department of Justice just released its investigation into law enforcement’s response to the shooting at Robb Elementary School. But at least three other investigations have not yet been released to the public.
Alamo Colleges reschedules Nikki Giovanni speaking event
The poet, activist and educator is now set to speak in San Antonio Wednesday, Jan. 31.
San Antonio Film Commission opens call for 2024 #FilmSA contest entries
The contest, open to San Antonio residents between the ages of 14 and 21, offers cash prizes of $1,000.
San Antonio Councilman Manny Pelaez says he would have voted for ceasefire resolution
The comment comes after Pelaez pulled the plug on the special meeting to vote on such a resolution.
CPS Energy bringing on another 150 megawatts of solar power
The solar expansion comes as the utility works to close its coal-fired J.K. Spruce 1, one of the region’s biggest sources of pollution, but environmentalists say it must do more.
Texas faces dangerously low water supplies as experts brace for another hot summer
Scientists say another hot, dry year would drain Texas reservoirs to historic lows and prompt emergency steps, Inside Climate News reports.
Body recovered in Rio Grande near Eagle Pass’ disputed Shelby Park
The Texas Department of Public Safety said it recovered the body near the park that’s been the site of a standoff between state and federal officials.
Ken Paxton paid $2.3 million to defense lawyers for impeachment trial
The lawyers were paid from his campaign, according to a report filed this week.
San Antonio ISD will resume classes on Monday after system failures
The district shuttered all 98 schools last week due to heating system outages at many campuses.
Naomi Shihab Nye: Life as a Palestinian-American poet
‘Palestinians are all haunted. We’re haunted by what used to be, what could have been.’
Money flows into Texas House GOP primary battles this season
Impeachment and school vouchers are animating the races as Speaker Dade Phelan tries to protect incumbents.
Grand jury called to investigate flawed police response to Uvalde shooting
Twelve jurors selected Friday will review law enforcement’s delayed response during Texas’ deadliest school shooting and recommend possible criminal charges.
Nothing Bundt Cakes opens location at San Antonio’s Brooks complex
The new shop will celebrate its grand opening with a full week of giveaways.
Report: Texas will host 2026 Men’s FIFA World Cup Final
Arlington’s AT&T stadium beat out New York’s MetLife Stadium to host the elite event, a British newspaper reports.
Austin-based nightclub Barbarella planning San Antonio location
Barbarella is teasing the launch of an Alamo City location sometime in February.
San Antonio Report management declines to recognize employee union
The San Antonio Report union said it will file the appropriate paperwork to hold elections.
Uvalde victims’ families get an official acknowledgement of botched shooting response — but some want criminal charges
Some relatives of the 21 people killed in Texas’ deadliest school shooting are demanding criminal charges after federal officials say delayed police response cost lives.
Yet another San Antonio Chick-fil-A has opened, this one by Ingram Park Mall
The new restaurant, owned and operated by a local franchisee, will bring 120 jobs to the area.
Two top San Antonio ISD administrators resign amid heating and plumbing debacle
In an internal staff memo, Superintendent Jaime Aquino said campuses will only reopen once staff ‘know that classrooms are ready for learning.’
Mi Gente now open inside former San Antonio staple Martha’s Mexican Restaurant space
Mi Gente offers its own menu, but it still serves up some of Martha’s beloved recipes.
Four Brother’s Arepas debuts at San Antonio’s Make Ready Market food hall
The spot, focused on Venezuelan cuisine, will begin serving this Friday. A grand opening is planned for Jan. 26.
Texas’ singles population swells by 3.1 million in the new year
The Lone Star State runs a close second to California in its number of available singles, a new study shows.
San Antonio sports-talk radio hosts team up for new podcast
Mike Taylor and Rudy Jay are the latest San Antonio radio personalities to jump from broadcast to the internet.
San Antonio housing market will be among the nation’s coldest this year, Zillow warns
The Alamo City ranked as the thirteenth-hottest market in Zillow’s report last year.
Apple asks California AI team to relocate to Texas or be fired
Workers who don’t relocate to Austin by the end of February will face termination in April.
San Antonio Italian mainstay Fratello’s Restaurant & Deli closing down
Fratello’s will serve from its Broadway location until Jan. 31. It’s downtown spot, Fratello’s Centro Citta, shut down last year.
Despite a recent boom, San Antonio ranks as one of the worst U.S. cities for coffee
SA has just 9.1 coffee shops per 100,000 residents, making it the nation’s fourth-worst big city for coffee.
San Antonio lawmakers say Justice Department report shows Texas’ failure on Uvalde
The report calls out ‘cascading failures’ by state and local police during their foot-dragging response to the deadly school shooting.
TABC to offer free webinar on identifying, reporting signs of human trafficking
The Thursday session, which starts at 2 p.m., also will teach restaurant workers how to report suspicious activity.
Appeals court blocks Texas from enforcing book rating law
Plaintiffs claimed that the 2023 law, which required book vendors to rate the explicitness of sexual references in materials sold to schools, was unconstitutionally broad.
United We Brunch moves to San Antonio’s Witte Museum for latest installment
The fest — which features the Alamo City’ only onstage Bloody Mary competition — will take place Saturday, Feb. 10.
Downtown San Antonio nightclub Paramour faces eviction lawsuit
The owner of downtown’s Phipps Building accuses the upscale rooftop bar of failing to pay months’ worth of rent.
H-E-B launches new round of San Antonio Spurs ads featuring Victor Wembanyama
The 15- and 30-second commercials launched Wednesday bringing the grocer’s total number of Spurs ads this season to four.
Family of San Antonio 13-year-old killed in police shooting files federal lawsuit
SAPD officer Stephen Ramos shot 13-year-old Andre ‘AJ’ Hernandez in June 2022 during a stolen vehicle call.
Brazilian steakhouse Fogo de Chão planning a second San Antonio location
The new Alamo City restaurant is part of an aggressive expansion, which includes locations both stateside and abroad.
Upcoming Drake-J. Cole San Antonio concerts pushed back until March
The two sold-out shows will now take place March 14 and 15, according to Ticketmaster.
San Antonio plans to tackle violence with a public health approach. Here’s what that looks like.
Houston and Austin already use similar methods. San Antonio will aim to reduce gun-related violence, sexual assaults and other crimes against people.
Workers at nonprofit news site San Antonio Report vote to unionize
Employees said they want improvements in pay equity and clear boundaries with donors to protect the newsroom’s journalistic integrity.
San Antonio-based Whataburger opens 1,000th store
The honor of being the brand’s 1,000th restaurant is shared between two locations — Atlanta and Yukon, Oklahoma — which both opened Tuesday, Jan. 16.
San Antonio ISD closes 27 schools due to burst pipes, heating issues
SAISD’s decision came after parents shared the concerns online about holding class during the arctic blast.
School voucher supporter gave Gov. Greg Abbott $6 million in December
The contribution is the largest single campaign donation in Texas history, according to Abbott’s campaign.
Taco Trio: In a city overrun by taquerias, these three stand out from the herd
These home-grown and distinctly different places have made an impression.
Eliza Doolittle will enunciate her way through My Fair Lady at San Antonio’s Tobin Center this week
The touring production stars Anette Barrios-Torres as Doolittle and Jonathan Grunert as Professor Henry Higgins.
Downtown’s renovated Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa reopens this week
Indiana-based hotel management firm White Lodging has been renovating the hotel since 2020.
San Antonio couple use Tesla Cybertruck to brew coffee during power outage
An online video of the trick has drawn lots of interest, but plenty of people pointed out that non-Tesla trucks also come with power outlets.
After break-in, San Antonio’s Smashin Crab asks for help locating thieves
Suspects ripped off the locally based restaurant chain for $5,000 in goods.
San Antonio Zoo brings back ‘Name a Roach After your Ex’ event
This year, the zoo is offering five Valentine’s Day-themed romantic events for singles and couples.
Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire coming to San Antonio’s Frost Bank Center in June
Tickets for the 1980s pop balladeer’s Sing A Song All Night Long tour go on sale this week.
Texas’ Ted Cruz roasted for joke about his controversial trip to Cancun
Hundreds of Texans died during the 2021 freeze while Cruz was in Cancun, yet he decided to joke about it as winter weather settled over the state this week.
Live Music in San Antonio This Week: Explosions in the Sky, Elvis Costello, Madball and more
A musical celebration of the 50th anniversary of legendary New York punk club CBGB is also among this week’s options.
Texans asked to conserve energy Tuesday as statewide freeze continues straining power grid
The state’s grid operator also asked residents and businesses to conserve power on Monday.
Frequently shirtless comic Bert Kreischer brings new tour to San Antonio’s Frost Bank Center
Kreischer’s stop in the Alamo City comes after the release of his highly anticipated fifth Netflix special, Razzle Dazzle.
Catching up with the Bacon Brothers ahead of their Gruene Hall performance
The duo, consisting of Hollywood star Kevin Bacon and his real-life brother Michael, will play the historic dance hall on Friday.
San Antonio’s Sangria on the Burg rebrands as new concept Saucy Birds
The casual dining spot offers sauced chicken wings along with sangria and margarita flights.
Northeast San Antonio staple Old Main Ice House reopening this week following fire
The Cibolo nightlife staple will reopen Thursday and resume its regular operating hours the following day.
Joe Jama, a key figure in San Antonio’s West Side soul sound, has died
Jama, who died at 74, joined the Royal Jesters and helped guide the band in a funkier, jazzier direction.
Gov. Greg Abbott denies responsibility for migrant drownings near Eagle Pass
Border Patrol agents dispute Abbott’s claims, maintaining that Texas National Guardsmen prevented them from rescuing the drowning migrants.
San Antonio City Council censures Marc Whyte following DWI arrest
The meeting marked the third time in less than two years that members of City Council have voted to censure a colleague.
Texans asked to conserve energy Monday as expected demand likely to put strain on electric grid
Public Utility Commission says conservation will help lower demand during peak times and help avoid emergency conditions.
San Antonio cancels Martin Luther King Jr. March due to freezing conditions
Local officials are warning residents to stay off the roads if possible.
Gender-bending ballet company brings levity to classic dance form at Tobin Center Thursday
Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo combines a reverence for the art of ballet with a knack for comedy that highlights the personalities of the troupe’s dancers.
Three migrants drowned near Eagle Pass park after Border Patrol was denied access
Texas officers took control over Shelby Park against the city’s wishes on Wednesday and have since blocked U.S. Border Patrol agents from entering.
San Antonio’s Six Flags Fiesta Texas rescued Matthew McConaughey’s lost phone
The movie star lost his phone on the same family theme-park visit that recently went viral.
From Donald Trump to Mike Johnson, Chip Roy is a thorn in the Republican Party
Roy toyed with ousting the House speaker over a government spending deal and has antagonized MAGA world with his resistance to Trump.
Man arrested after asking flight attendants to join ‘mile high club’ on U.S. flight
He also made several comments about ‘entering’ the cockpit.
Texas GOP chair Matt Rinaldi backed a group with white supremacist ties — while working for its billionaire funder
Farris Wilks is a key funder of Defend Texas Liberty, the state party’s largest donor, which is under fire for its ties to white supremacists.
Texans with smaller student loans could see federal debt canceled as soon as February
Texas borrowers enrolled in the SAVE loan repayment program will have their debt canceled if they took out $12,000 or less and have been repaying for at least 10 years.
San Antonio, Bexar County to open 25 warming locations ahead of deep freeze
Lows are expected reach the teens in San Antonio on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.
Nola Brunch & Beignets drops details about new San Antonio location
“The secret’s out! We’re moving into a new location in Spring 2024,” a Jan. 12 social media post read.
Saxon and Uriah Heep headed to San Antonio on double-headlined tour
Both bands remain local favorites from the era when SA was known as the Heavy Metal Capital of the World.
San Antonio chef Nicola Blaque’s Freight Fried Chicken concept opening Saturday
Blaque is the chef behind nationally lauded The Jerk Shack, and her new concept will serve from the Pearl’s food hall.
San Antonio Councilman Marc Whyte has strong defense in DWI arrest, legal experts say
Body-cam footage from the incident was publicly released hours after Mayor Ron Nirenberg stripped Whyte of his committee assignments.
Matthew McConaughey, USAA Lawsuit: The top 10 headlines in San Antonio this week
Updates on the shooting death of pregnant teen Savanah Soto were also among the Current‘s most-read stories.
First Look: San Antonio’s new Stable Hall venue marries history, innovation
Stable Hall invited special guests to a preview show Thursday to see just what’s been brewing inside the historic space.
El Ojo, Ace of Steaks: San Antonio’s biggest food stories of the week
New spots Beerhead Bar & Eatery and Hook Land & Sea also shine in this week’s top stories.
Texas power grid expected to handle brutally cold temperatures
State leaders say Texans should monitor weather forecasts and prepare their households for next week’s plunging temperatures.
San Antonio police personnel fired, suspended over Melissa Perez death
An SAPD lieutenant has been fired and a sergeant slapped with a seven-day suspension over accusations they left duty early the night officers shot and killed Perez inside her apartment.
Feds ask Supreme Court to intervene after Texas governor seizes Eagle Pass park
Texas National Guardsmen took control of Eagle Pass’ Shelby Park, stopping federal agents from carrying out duties there.
On the Horizon: Eight San Antonio-tied actors have film and TV projects premiering in 2024
Kevin Alejandro, Pedro Pascal, Carol Burnett and more are debuting new films and TV series this year.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott draws backlash for comment about ‘shooting migrants’
‘This is hateful, dangerous, sick rhetoric from a sitting governor … in the United States of America,’ U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, said.
Jukebox musical celebrating pop legend Tina Turner heads to San Antonio’s Majestic Theatre
Tina features such resonant anthems as ‘River Deep Mountain High,’ ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It?’ and ‘Proud Mary.’
New year’s weight-loss goals better accomplished with realistic expectations, local experts say
We spoke to San Antonio health, food and wellness pros about how to make resolutions that are both meaningful and attainable.
Texas Nationalist Movement seeks to halt printing of state GOP’s primary ballots
The TNM’s request for a temporary restraining order is just the latest twist in the fringe movement’s fight to get a “TEXIT” question on the Republican primary ballot.
San Antonio chef Johnny Hernandez opening margarita garden, coffee bar at Burgerteca
Both concepts will reportedly open sometime in February.
Homelessness in Texas on the rise amid high housing costs, federal estimates show
Homelessness rose last year across nearly every demographic group, but strides were made to connect people with new housing.
San Antonio Councilman Marc Whyte stripped of committee assignments over DWI arrest
City Council will hold a special meeting Sunday, Jan. 14, to consider censuring Whyte.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott spending $19 million to take down anti-voucher Republicans
Abbott’s voucher proposal went down in flames after 21 House Republicans, mostly from rural districts, voted to pull it from a major education bill.
San Antonio City Council meeting shut down by protests over scrapped Israel-Hamas ceasefire vote
The chaos at Thursday’s meeting followed a rowdy public comment session the evening before.
Last year was the hottest ever recorded in Texas
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data shows that average temperatures in 2023 were 3.5 degrees above the 20th century average.
San Antonio’s Ace of Steaks closes after less than a year in business
The restaurant opened in February 2023, touting a Las Vegas-style steakhouse experience, complete with gold leaf-garnished entrees.
San Antonio’s Biga on the Banks, Nineteen Hyaku praised in Forbes article
The two-part piece by writer John Mariani focuses on where to eat and stay in San Antonio.
Texas Nationalist Movement is threatening to sue state GOP for leaving ‘TEXIT’ off primary ballot
Despite its rabid support from fringe groups, Texas secession is a legal pipe dream, experts say.
Third person arrested in connection with shooting of pregnant San Antonio teen Savanah Soto
Myrta Romanos, 47, is charged with three felonies, including altering or destroying a corpse, abuse of corpse and tampering with evidence.
San Antonio City Council to discuss Marc Whyte DWI case during Wednesday session
Whyte’s District 10 predecessor, Clayton Perry, opted not to run for a fourth term after making headlines with his involvement in a hit-and-run collision in Northwest San Antonio.
Councilman Manny Pelaez pulls plug on San Antonio’s Israel-Hamas ceasefire vote
Activists and Pelaez colleague Jalen McKee-Rodriguez blasted the councilman’s decision to take his name off a memo calling for a vote on the resolution.
Assclown Alert: Pushing inaction on immigration reform with House Speaker Mike Johnson
Johnson made the absurd argument that Border Patrol agents don’t want $14 billion in supplemental funding from the Biden White House.
U.S. Rep. Chip Roy says voters want him to shut down the government over border legislation
Roy, a firebrand known for tantrum politics, has been threatening to force a government shutdown over the border since last January.
Caribbean Connection: San Antonio visual artists working to build cultural bridge with Cuba
Two events this month will help introduce the concept to the San Antonio community.
San Antonio DreamWeek’s 12th annual celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. begins this week
The ever-expanding series of lectures, concerts, celebrations, discussions and happenings is designed to promote conversations around race, social justice and empowerment.
San Antonio-born Mike Dillon’s Punkadelick bringing jazz-punk fusion to the Lonesome Rose
The trio plays with an intensity and power as much influenced by Bad Brains as Charlie Parker.
MLK Jr. March and Celebration to bring thousands of marchers to San Antonio’s East Side Jan. 15
The federal holiday and annual celebration falls on Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday this year.
Monster Jam’s giant trucks will take over the Alamodome this weekend
Monsters from the legendary Grave Digger to the toothy El Toro Loco will do what they do best — racing, stunting and freestyling until a victor is crowned.
Live Music in San Antonio This Week: Sex Mex, A David Bowie Tribute, That 1 Guy and more
Garage punk outfit The Spits is also bringing its low-fi, high-energy sound to the Alamo City.
