On July 18, it will have been a half century since the “Great (Little) Train Robbery” of the Brackenridge Eagle. In the summer of 1970, two masked men jumped out of the brush in San Antonio’s Brackenridge Park and demanded the valuables of 75 passengers riding the park’s mini-train. The robbery was initially thought to…
Employees at insurance giant USAA, one of the city’s largest and highest profile companies, will continue to work from home through the end of 2020, the San Antonio Business Journal reported. The San Antonio-based financial services institution extended its work-from-home guidelines to December 31. Employees’ original return date had been set for September 1. The…
A San Antonio resident’s purchase of a $50 scratch ticket from Ray Ellison Enterprise Inc. resulted in a $5 million win. The lottery winner has chosen to stay anonymous after buying the winning ticket at the Shell gas station at 8630 W. U.S. Highway 90. According to KSAT, the win marks the second of three…
Let’s face it, San Antonio is no New Orleans when it comes to street music. The City didn’t open a pathway for performers to legally play in public outdoor spaces until 2016. But, now that it’s here, musical performers have become fixtures at numerous downtown sites. What would the Pearl district be without its barefoot didgeridoo…
Just because you’ve finally gotten used to social distancing and self-isolating doesn’t mean you don’t still want to get in on a patriotic celebration for the Fourth of July. Fortunately, there are two easy ways to celebrate safely at home this year. While there won’t be fireworks, the U.S. Air Force Band of the West’s online…
A picture is worth a thousand words, but can it really tell a story? In a new group exhibition, three artists — Sara Vanderbeek, ChaeWon Moon and Hollie Brown — will try to do just that, taking viewers through their lives and experiences with the power of their paintings. Clamp Light Artist Studios and Gallery will…
Nearly 80% of Americans take part in spring cleaning every year, and that was before COVID-19 forced us all to become Netflix-binging recluses. If you’re part of that group, there’s now a San Antonio option to do some good with your COVID cleaning thanks to an eco-friendly junk removal company that promises to find ways to…
Authorities discovered partial human remains during their search for missing Fort Hood soldier Vanessa Guillen, Houston TV station ABC13 reported late Tuesday afternoon. The Army Criminal Investigation Division confirmed that it had found the remains, but has not yet released details about their identity. A medical examiner still needs to examine the remains to make a…
As outrage builds that President Donald Trump may have ignored intelligence reports about Russia offering bounties to Afghan militants to kill U.S. troops, Sen. John Cornyn of Texas has again gone to bat for the prez. In a Tuesday story from the Washington Post, Cornyn sought to deflect from Trump on the controversy, saying the…
For those of us missing book clubs but heeding advice to avoid in-person gatherings as COVID-19 cases spike, Nowhere Bookshop and the San Antonio Book Festival have a treat in store. On July 15, the store and festival will jointly hosts a Zoom conversation between Clay Smith, SABF’s Literary Director, and Lara Prescott, author of…
With COVID-19 cases rising statewide, the Texas Workforce Commission has reversed its recent decision to make unemployed Texans provide job search documentation. The TWC last month announced that, starting July 6, Texans receiving unemployment benefits would again be required to document their search for work to remain eligible for benefits. Under normal, non-pandemic circumstances, Texans collecting unemployment…
Bill Miller Bar-B-Q has closed the dining rooms of all 76 of its Texas locations until further notice, citing to the statewide spike in COVID-19 cases. The San Antonio-based chain will continue to offer its full menu via curbside, drive thru and delivery. The company’s owner, Balous Miller, is a member of Gov. Greg Abbott’s Strike…
The Texas Medical Association is encouraging Texans to practice social distancing, stay home when possible and wear masks to slow the spread of the new coronavirus. But despite the potential mixed message it may send, the state’s largest medical organization said Monday it is not reconsidering its sponsorship of the Texas Republican convention next month.…
San Antonio officials have ordered a local businessman to stop his efforts to recruit an unauthorized civilian force to assist police “during riots.” On Monday, the city issued a cease-and-desist order to James Alfaro, owner of Alamo Sign Solutions, saying a poster he created to assemble a patrol of up 200 “Texas patriots” makes misleading…
Taprooms may have closed again to slow the spread of COVID-19, but Islla Street Brewing owners J.D. and Joshua Peña haven’t slowed down a bit. The brothers plan a full-scale release for Big Rojo, a new beer brewed with that most puro of San Antonio ingredients — Big Red syrup. Last week, Islla Street secretly…
San Antonio’s Weathered Souls Brewing Co. on Saturday will release the first of three iterations of its Black Is Beautiful Imperial Stout — the beer the Black-owned craft brewery is releasing to raise awareness of racial justice. The third of those versions features the flavor profile of hazelnut coffee, and brewery founder Marcus Baskerville’s describes it as…
You probably know it, you’ve probably said it aloud, and now you’ve got a study to confirm it: Lone Star State drivers really are awful. Not just a little awful. We’re talking Top-10-in-the-Nation levels of suck. Texas tied with South Carolina for having the seventh-shittiest drivers among the 50 U.S. states in an annual study…
San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff sent a joint letter to Gov. Greg Abbott Monday asking him for more authority to implement local restrictions to slow the spread of COVID-19. Those could include another stay-at-home order or the ability to limit groceries and big box stores to 50% occupancy, the…
Art is all about perspective, and the McNay Art Museum’s most recent critics provided a new angle of viewing the museum’s masterpieces. Literally. Last Friday, animal ambassadors ventured out of the San Antonio Zoo to expand their horizons at the McNay, which the museum documented in a post on social media. View this post on…
Three members of Texas’ congressional delegation were potentially exposed to COVID-19 during a tour of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement site near San Antonio last Monday, the Texas Tribune reports. Democratic U.S. Reps. Joaquin Castro and Henry Cuellar, both of whom represent San Antonio, and Sylvia Garcia of Houston were exposed to an ICE…
In a series of anecdotes from residents waiting in line at a San Antonio Food Bank mega-distribution, photojournalist Tamir Kalifa wrote a poignant article for the New York Times over the weekend, singing the praises of the local organization’s work during the COVID-19 crisis. “From above the crowded parking lot, the vehicles look like a…
With a Tuesday, June 30 deadline looming, event planning company CRE8AD8 appears to have delivered just a sixth of the food boxes required under its $39 million federal contract to help feed hungry families. As of Friday, June 26, the San Antonio-based firm had delivered just 123,000 of the 750,000 boxes of produce, dairy and…
The Texas Bar & Nightclub Alliance said it plans to sue the state of Texas over Gov. Greg Abbott’s recent order once again shutting bars across the state. “Texas Bar and Nightclub Alliance (TBNA) is taking the necessary steps to protect the rights of our members and their employees across the state, who have been unjustly…
The number of San Antonio police officers diagnosed with COVID-19 has made a nine-fold increase since late May, according to SAPD numbers released Monday. A total of 51 officers have now tested positive for the coronavirus, up from just six on May 29. According to the figures released by the department, 151 SAPD personnel are…
A San Antonio cop already on administrative duty over a domestic violence charge was arrested Sunday for violating a condition of his bond. Officer Jonathan Montalvo was taken into custody for violating a condition of his parole on a November 2019 domestic violence charge that prohibits him from having contact with the woman who was…
That Saturday-night emergency alert didn’t just startle those of us sitting around at home — it also spurred two local institutions to take immediate action. On Sunday morning, the Witte Museum and DoSeum both announced that they would temporarily close their doors. The Witte initially reopened in late May, while the DoSeum had begun to…
As San Antonio’s number of COVID-19 cases reached more than 10,000 Sunday, local officials are asking the state of Texas to help it staff a 250-bed hospital in Freeman Coliseum to handle potential patient overflow, the Express-News reports. Post-Memorial Day infections have sent record numbers of people to Bexar County hospitals, taxing available beds and…
In a change that comes a day after Texas closed its bars again due to rising COVID-19 cases, Gov. Greg Abbott on Saturday signed a waiver letting some restaurants and bars sell mixed drinks to go and for delivery. Under the change, businesses with mixed-beverage permits may now sell cocktails made and sealed onsite. Previously, restaurants and…
As Covid-19 cases continue to hit record highs in Bexar County, roughly 50 people, most of whom wore face coverings, gathered Saturday afternoon to advocate for the removal of the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Park in northwest downtown. They called for the statue to be taken down because of Columbus’ history of colonization and…
The spread of the coronavirus in Texas is accelerating. State leaders dither, following the example of national leaders — all of them afraid to impose unpopular restrictions and many of them doubting epidemiologists and other medical and public health officials as overly dramatic Chicken Littles. But the numbers pile up; maybe the sky is falling,…
This story was originally published by ProPublica. ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power. Sign up to receive our biggest stories as soon as they’re published. This article is co-published with The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan local newsroom that informs and engages with Texans. Sign up for The Brief weekly to get up…
The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected an initial bid by state Democrats to expand voting by mail to all Texas voters during the coronavirus pandemic. Justice Samuel Alito — whose oversight of federal courts includes cases coming through Texas — on Friday issued the court’s denial of the Texas Democratic Party’s request to let a…
With Governor Greg Abbott closing bars Friday to contain the state’s record COVID-19 infections, workers in the industry have been thrust back into limbo, coping with more lost wages and another uncertain wait. But one Texas group representing the industry thinks it has a solution to lessen the damage: let bars sell pre-mixed cocktails to…
Texans are supposed to be pretty neighborly, but that doesn’t seem to apply to the wildlife that we share space with. While we’re generally keen to keep up with local chisme, it seems that locals are pretty clueless when it comes to our non-human neighbors. Case in point: on the heels of San Antonio’s misplaced…
Alamo City-based The Holy Knives called in some indie rock royalty to zhuzh up title track from their latest EP. The brotherly duo tapped The Kills’ Jamie Hince to add his personal touch to “Always Gone” in a remix the band released on SoundCloud this week. The Hince’s touched-up version blends the antique with the…
San Antonio’s mural collection will gain a few more colorful additions this summer. In a press release, arts organization Luminaria has identified at least five local creators who will paint new murals around the city “to fill San Antonio with beauty and contemplation.” Sandra Gonzalez will create the Mission San José tricentennial mural, which will…
City council unanimously approved an ordinance Thursday requiring landlords and property managers to provide a document called a “notice of tenant’s rights” to tenants they want to evict, a measure they hope will curb evictions locally during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. The notice informs renters of their rights within the eviction process, provides them…
The San Antonio Zoo wants residents to help it sniff out three alleged trespassers who snuck into Kiddie Park earlier this week. But local Twitter users aren’t necessarily on board. On Tuesday, Zoo President and CEO Tim Morrow tweeted surveillance images of youths he said broke into the iconic amusement park located on the zoo’s…
Looks like we’re moving into summer blockbuster territory with no summer blockbusters in sight. In fact, with COVID-19 peaking in many states, Hollywood studios in the last few weeks are continuing to push their most anticipated features of 2020 farther and father down the schedule. For example, Christopher Nolan’s spy film Tenet has now been…
San Antonio fashion designer Cynthia Collins and Bird Bakery CEO and Founder Elizabeth Chambers have raised $7,100 for the San Antonio Food Bank through the sale of 500 handmade face masks. The project, born from the two entrepreneur’s friendship, will provide nearly 8,400 meals to hungry families harmed by the pandemic. Collins helms an independent…
First things first: tapioca isn’t for everyone. We know this. But, for those who don’t mind its uniquely squishy texture, there are itches only an icy boba tea — sometimes called bubble tea — will scratch. The Taiwanese drink, invented in the 1980s, is shaken with ice to create a bubbly, foamy layer on top. Chewy…
San Antonio Metro Health Director Dawn Emerick has resigned as concerns mount that the city’s record number of COVID-19 cases could outstrip hospital resources. In an email, City Manager Erik Walsh said he received Emerick’s resignation Thursday night. He did not give a reason for her departure. “Clearly, the timing is not good, but we wish…
After days of saying he doesn’t want to reverse course on reopening Texas’ economy, Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday ordered bars to close and told restaurants to scale back to 50% capacity. The move comes as the state grapples with record numbers of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations. The order also bans outdoor gatherings of more…
When Weathered Souls Brewing Co. launched its Black Is Beautiful campaign earlier this month, founder Marcus Baskerville simply wanted to invite craft brewers nationwide to help raise awareness of racial injustice. Since then, the initiative — which encourages brewers to add their unique spin to a Weathered Souls imperial stout recipe and donate sale proceeds…
After recent news that Texans just don’t seem to get the whole social distancing concept — something backed up by our record COVID-19 infection rates — maybe there’s hope. This week, Dictionary.com posted a map displaying the top-searched terms by state during the pandemic, and Texans apparently have been doing research on how to stand…
Wednesday’s dustup between a shopper angry about the local mask ordinance and Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff — the rule’s architect — ended with the mask-averse man turning himself in to face an assault charge. Terry Toller, 47, reported to authorities Thursday morning on a second-degree felony warrant for assault on a peace officer or…
For a moment, it actually looked like live music was making a return. The Randy Rogers Band was set to play a pair of shows at Floore’s Country Store this Friday but cancelled due to new restrictions on outdoor gatherings. The concerts would have been among the first by a big-name performer since local music venues…
Two million Texans stand to lose medical coverage if the White House and Republican state attorneys general convince the U.S. Supreme Court to strike down the Affordable Care Act, according to a new study. An analysis by the Center for American Progress think tank found that a high court decision to kill off the Obama-era…
Here’s a little quiz for you: Which came first, the Scotch and soda, the gin and tonic or the Cuba Libre? Actually, it’s kind of a trick question, but don’t panic. The answer isn’t really all that important to this article, though you’ll find it, with qualifiers, embedded below. What’s important is that all three…
Next Thursday, Brick at Blue Star will host VideoPop, a recurring video art showcase that, this go-round, will celebrate one of the venue’s tenants, Cube Projects, being granted nonprofit status. Cube Projects provides local artists a creative space “to develop concepts and create original work,” something much needed for those of us who have been cooped…
The SA chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier — a nonprofit representing women in the food, beverage, hospitality and agriculture industries — is taking applications for its annual grant to empower female culinary innovators. The Aspirations Grant Program offers annual awards of up to $10,000 to culinary groundbreakers who live in San Antonio, South Texas or the…
The literary scene was a lot different when the Texas Book Festival was launched in 1995. But the one constant through those years is that it brought together thousands of readers and authors from all over. This year, that massive meeting of literary minds will happen virtually. For the first time, the Texas Book Festival will…
Anyone curiously drawn to the style and appearance of the printed word now has a chance to dive in deep with other local typography enthusiasts. On Friday, July 3, Blue Star complex art gallery Bear & Ink will present “Type is Cool” — a group show focused on the different ways people envision type, sayings, letters,…
Southtown fixture The Friendly Spot closed Tuesday after guests alerted ownership to a post on Twitter in which a man threatened to show up to spread the coronavirus. “Since I’m positive fuck it,” the post said. “Come catch it at The Friendly Spot.” The outdoor bar’s owners shut it down immediately and enlisted the help…
A new Duck Donuts location has landed in Northwest San Antonio and will open Saturday, June 27. Known for serving warm, made-to-order donuts, the Duck, North Carolina-based chain — see what they did there? — also offers signature coffee blends, espresso drinks, donut breakfast sandwiches, frozen beverages and milkshakes. “We have had such a warm…
The San Antonio area is the U.S. metro with the third-fastest growth in COVID-19 cases, according to an analysis by global research firm Evercore ISI. Phoenix topped the list, followed by Tampa, Florida. Austin ranked fifth, Houston eighth and the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex sixteenth. The research was shared this week via Twitter by Meg Tirrell,…
Locals who skipped this year’s Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP) Conference in San Antonio due to the onset of the pandemic now have a chance to remedy at least some of their FOMO. Next week, the Esperanza Peace & Justice Center is releasing an edited recording of its “Queer Voices” reading online. The event originally…
Faced with an avalanche of new COVID-19 cases, Gov. Greg Abbott issued an order Thursday morning suspending all elective surgeries at hospitals in San Antonio and Texas’ three other largest metro areas. The order suspends any surgeries in Bexar, Dallas, Harris and Travis counties that aren’t immediately medically necessary. “These four counties have experienced significant…
Apparently, some of us are taking this whole mask-in-public thing harder than others. A man pissed off about the newly enacted ordinance “smacked” Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff in the hand Wednesday during a confrontation about the policy at a local home improvement store, county spokeswoman Monica Ramos said. Wolff, who created the ordinance a…
A little virus isn’t going to stop Pride San Antonio from throwing the biggest, glitteriest and safest party the Alamo City’s ever seen: it just means that instead of gathering in large groups, the festivities have moved online. Streaming on Pride SA’s Facebook and YouTube channels, PRIDE Bigger than Texas 2020’s Pride365 online event will…
Truth Pizzeria, brainchild of Sulla Strada Pizza’s John Winkler, has opened its doors for carryout on San Antonio’s East Side. For years, Winkler was a fixture on the patio of St. Mary’s Strip bar the Squeezebox, building a loyal following by slinging Napolitano-style pizza for hungry patrons. “I’m not biased or anything, but this man’s pie…
The local filmmakers known for the Walk on the River series documenting the Alamo City’s Black history are rolling out another vital lesson. This time, Melaneyes Media is conducting the Freedom Black History Tour, a virtual event that will take viewers to key African American landmarks near Hackberry and Center streets on the city’s East Side. “More…
Texas Rep. Sylvia Garcia and the family of missing U.S. Army soldier Vanessa Guillén said during a Tuesday news conference that Fort Hood military officials finally suspect foul play in the soldier’s disappearance. Twenty-year-old Private First Class Vanessa Guillen has been missing since April 22. She was last seen in a parking lot at Fort…
The Texas Restaurant Association is the latest group to push Gov. Greg Abbott to mandate that businesses require customers to wear face masks as COVID-19 numbers rise. Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff made headlines last week when he ordered the protective measure at a local level, and other municipalities have since followed suit. However, Abbott…
The American Federation of Teachers union ripped Texas’ hands-off approach to reopening public schools amid the pandemic, saying during a Tuesday call that state leaders are exposing both students and educators to infection risks. A draft document posted on the Texas Education Agency’s website appears to show that the agency plans a light regulatory touch…
Five San Antonio Food Bank employees have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past two weeks, the San Antonio Express-News reports. The organization confirmed the number and said the workers began quarantining after they developed symptoms and as they waited for their test results. Food Bank CEO Eric Cooper told the daily that his staff…
A Bexar County Sheriff’s Office deputy has been put on administrative leave after making a Facebook post calling for a “lynch mob” to deal with someone who committed a petty crime, KSAT reports. “The deputy who made this post has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation by BCSO Internal Affairs,”…
Prepare to see an array of talented drag queens live at Drag Me Out of Quarantine. Woodlawn Pointe and Pride San Antonio are hosting the event, which aims to both celebrate and entertain. It’s also two shows for the price of one. First, Drag Me Out will serve as a viewing party of RuPaul’s Drag…
This fall, San Antonio ballet fanatics will once again be able to enjoy breathtaking pirouettes and leaps — as long as they keep their masks on. Ballet San Antonio has announced its 2020-2021 season, which will include performances of classic tales Don Quixote, The Nutcracker and Cinderella, all under the direction of Artistic Advisor Sofiane…
Faced with the current health crisis, Classic Theatre will perform its 13th season outside — something it’s calling “Theatre in the Rough.” The Classic’s current Deco District home is simply too intimate to accommodate social distancing guidelines, Executive and Artistic Director Kelly Roush said in explaining the decision. Operating at the 50% capacity allowed under the…
Multi-hyphenate musician Polly Anna Rocha brings a lot more to the table than her dreampop bops. Rocha’s resume spans everything from comedy to lyric poetry. With an EP slated for release this year, soon to be followed by a book that’s been years in the making, the prolific xicana artist is showing no signs of…
The San Antonio Airport System is collaborating with local musicians to raise money for the San Antonio Food Bank with its newly relaunched SAT Live-Stream Concert Series. On its Facebook page, the airport is featuring a new artist every weekday for 34 days of live-streamed performances. Along with the online shows, the airport includes a…
In San Antonio, “murder hornet” paranoia apparently refuses to die. According to KSAT, concerned locals have been submitting a slew of queries to the local Texas Parks and Wildlife Department after a May story in the New York Times stirred up panic that the U.S. was being invaded by Asian Giant Hornets. The Gray Lady…
Texas education officials are envisioning a largely hands-off approach to helping school districts bring students back to campus this fall, imposing few mandatory safety precautions but recommending staff and students wear masks, hand sanitize regularly and stay six feet away from each other, according to draft documents found on the Texas Education Agency’s website Tuesday.…
An uncharacteristic quiet surrounded the hundred or so people lounging at the Pearl’s riverside park last Saturday night. After all, the barefoot didgeridoo man who’s often a fixture of the space was nowhere to be seen — or heard. But things changed around 9 p.m., when drum beats reverberated through the near-downtown development, from its…
Widely lauded for its conduct during the pandemic, grocery powerhouse H-E-B has made another move likely to draw praise. Yesterday, the San Antonio-based chain said in a press release that it’s permanently increasing pay for store and supply-chain hourly workers after ending its Texas Proud Pay program. That temporary program granted employees a $2-per-hour raise for working…
Earlier this year, San Antonio’s Pre-K through University educators had to quickly shift to an online format in response to COVID-19. In recognition of their efforts, the San Antonio Museum of Art is offering local educators free summer memberships to the museum, effective immediately. The memberships are valid through September 30 of this year. Memberships…
Picks Bar, a North Side nightspot known for live music and live-band karaoke, has yet to reopen from the pandemic, but its new owners are using the downtime for major upgrades. When Jessica Marinez and Amber Hernandez purchased the venue last November, their ideas for the space included fresh paint, new lighting and an elevated VIP area for…
San Antonio police union President Mike Helle is drawing rebukes after comparing a local officer’s repeated use of the N-word during an arrest to Mayor Ron Nirenberg letting an expletive fly when he recently addressed anti-police brutality protesters. The comparison came during a June 10 interview with TV station KSAT, during which Helle defended the…
In a recent Facebook post, former Little Caesars store manager Stephen Estrada announced he’d quit his job with the pizza chain after battling a four-month rat infestation at his South San Antonio location. In the lengthy June 12 post, Estrada said he walked away from his position at the Little Caesars at Nogalitos and Division…
On Monday, North San Antonio bar Burnhouse became the first in the Alamo City to have its alcohol license suspended for failure to follow state policies to slow the spread of COVID-19. “Operation Safe Open,” the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission’s initiative to help safely reopen Texas’ economy, has so far shut down 17 Texas bars…
For the second time in less than a week, Gov. Greg Abbott made the media rounds to assure Texans we’re not running out of hospital beds, even as the state grapples with record COVID-19 hospitalizations. During a press briefing Monday from the capitol, Texas’ Republican governor called the numbers “unacceptable.” He even trotted out top…
The management of the Pegasus, located on the Main Avenue LGBTQ+ nightlife strip, announced on Monday, June 22 that the club will close for a few days to sanitize after several patrons tested positive for the coronavirus. The announcement said the virus “not only affects us but has been affecting all the bars on the…
On Monday, members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus inspected federal immigrant detention facilities in Dilley and Pearsall, both located short drives south of San Antonio, and called what they found a humanitarian disaster. U.S. Reps. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio; Sylvia Garcia D-Houston; and Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, spent the morning touring the two sites operated on…
The latest performance created through Jump-Start Performance Co.’s INKubator initiative to support local creators doesn’t require audiences to venture back into a theater. Instead, the showing of she wears bells — an operetta by poet, playwright, and essayist jo reyes-boitel — will take place online. The pre-recorded performance will be streamed Zoom on Friday, June 26, and Saturday, June 27,…
When the coronavirus threat was newer and seemed more immediate, Texas postponed its May elections to pick winners in several party primary runoffs, fearing the health risks of exposing voters and poll workers. With those statewide elections about to take place, the health risks voters face are now arguably greater than when the runoffs were…
San Antonio nonprofit Circle of Arms will hold a Zoom discussion Wednesday called “Predators in Boots” to make prospective U.S. soldiers aware of the realities of sexual assault within the military. The discussion occurs as authorities search for 20-year-old Private First Class Vanessa Guillen, who was last seen in April on Fort Hood. Guillen’s family…
Mobile-phone GPS data holds some potential insight into why San Antonio and Texas are recording alarming rises in COVID-19 cases — namely, that we aren’t limiting our nonessential movement. Unacast, a company that collects and analyzes smartphone GPS location data, has given San Antonio an “F” grade on the latest version of its “Social Distancing Scoreboard.” Overall, the…
In a Saturday evening tweet, Governor Greg Abbott shared a Fox San Antonio article about restaurants’ desires to continue selling alcoholic beverages to go, adding, “This has my support!” Now, State Representative Tan Parker, R-Flower Mound, wants to make it happen. Parker replied to Abbott’s tweet with a promise to file a bill to set…
During his time in office, two things have become clear about Donald Trump. First, he cares an awful lot about adulation. And, second, when shit goes south, it’s someone else’s fault. Neither of those work in the favor of San Antonio web designer-turned-Trump 2020 Campaign Manager Brad Parscale, who oversaw the weekend rally in Tulsa,…
As of Sunday evening, one dozen Texas bars had their alcohol permits temporarily suspended for not following state-mandated health protocols meant to slow the spread of COVID-19. None of those bars were in San Antonio. Gold Star for us! Under Gov. Gregg Abbott’s executive orders reopening the state’s economy, bars were allowed to reopen at…
San Antonio Metro Health reported 538 new COVID-19 cases in Bexar County on Sunday, its highest daily count since the coronavirus pandemic began. That brings the total number of COVID-19 cases to 6,882. After another fatality was also reported Sunday, bumping the county’s death toll to 97. On Sunday, San Antonio hospitals had 406 COVID-19…
It’s noontime Sunday when the signature smile of María R. Salazar, one of San Antonio’s most notable LGBTQ activists, pops up on my screen. Between the growing debates about COVID-19 and the civil unrest that’s erupted across the nation after the death of George Floyd, an African American man who died in custody of Minneapolis…
An arbitrator has upheld the second firing of Matthew Luckhurst, the San Antonio bike cop who beat an earlier termination for trying to give a sandwich filled with dog feces to a homeless man. The San Antonio Police Department officer drew international headlines in March 2019 when a another third-party arbitrator returned him to work…
No matter how frequently it happens, it’s always a bit startling. Ever since February 2019, polls have been coming out indicating that former Vice President Joe Biden is competitive with — sometimes even leading — President Donald Trump in Texas. A June 3 poll by Quinnipiac University gave Trump a 1-percentage-point lead in the state. A recent…
San Antonians may not be able to congregate downtown to commemorate Pride, but there are still other opportunities to mark the occasion. Next week, Alamo City author and activist Anel Flores will co-host Voices in Queerantine, a special Pride-themed online reading featuring award-winning LGBTQ+ authors from Los Angeles, New York, Oakland, Dallas and good ol’ San…
This month, some special four-legged friends made appearances at the San Antonio Zoo — and unlike its resident animals, these were the kind that could actually come home with you. The zoo partnered with the Animal Defense League of Texas to provide a field trip for some of the adoptable animals across the street at…
San Antonians not yet ready to venture into cineplexes now have another moviegoing option — and one that involves food, drink and fresh air. Outdoor movie institution Slab Cinema will mark the end of its pandemic hiatus with a series of screenings at The Good Kind Southtown. The restaurant and bar will host “Monday Noir,” a…
Fellow movie buffs—doesn’t it feel a bit weird that the summer is already here but there are no summer blockbusters? Raise your hand if you can’t wait to get back into a movie theater to see a new release. Until then, there are plenty of new movies hitting VOD and other platforms for your viewing…
If you’re still looking for a way to celebrate dad on Sunday — or maybe just a dad-adjacent figure in your life — it’s safe to say food is always a good option. We’ve found four San Antonio small businesses offering tasty meal deals for dads, whether you want to order in or dine out.…
As child care centers across Texas slowly reopen, reported COVID-19 cases among children and staff are rising even as the state eliminates temporary safety rules put in place to lower risks during the pandemic. As of last week, state-licensed child care centers are no longer required to comply with a list of safety precautions in effect…
Nearly five weeks after the launch of the federal Farmers to Families food program, Larissa Martinez, CEO of non-profit Circle of Arms grew anxious about when she could expect deliveries from federal vendor CRE8AD8. After all, lawmakers and critics have questioned whether the San Antonio event-planning firm with no previous food-distribution experience was up to the task…
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, who faced withering criticism this week for denying systemic racism is a problem, now says he plans to introduce bipartisan legislation to make Juneteenth a federal holiday. Juneteenth, celebrated every June 19, commemorates the day that news of the end of slavery reached Texas. “As we do every year, tomorrow Texans…
San Antonio-based filmmaker Cedric Thomas Smith thought he wanted to be an actor when he graduated from Judson High School in 1991 and relocated to San Francisco. “I told myself I was going to move to California to be the next Tom Cruise,” said Smith, now 46. “But Will Smith beat me to it.” Along…
While our reality show president seems to think he’s somehow responsible for making Juneteenth “very famous,” we beg to differ. Friday marks the 155th anniversary of Juneteenth, a holiday commemorating the abolishment of slavery that millions observe every June 19. That date doesn’t signify the legal end of slavery in U.S. but how long it…
Look, you can only give Dad so many ties. Or brushes for cleaning the grill on his barbecue pit. We’re sure he appreciates the thought. But he might also appreciate something unavailable at a big box store. With that in mind, here are five San Antonio-based small businesses that can help you up your gifting game…
Name: Rebel Mariposa Job/Title: Chef-owner of La Botanica Birthplace: San Antonio Years in Industry: 12 Impact: Owns and operates a premier “queer-friendly community venue,” serving up vegan eats and drinks with a side of activism Money Quote: “Just keep asking for change. Keep demanding it.” You’ve been attending city hall meetings recently. Tell us about…
There’s outrage to spare when it comes to the dozen Texas GOP county chairs who recently shared racist memes and conspiracy theories online, such as the widely debunked claim that Jewish billionaire George Soros is paying Black people to riot. Maybe some of that anger should be directed higher on Texas’ Republican food chain. Namely,…
North Side bar manager Brad Vehrs was one of thousands of local hospitality-industry employees eager to get back to work after weeks idle. Now, after contracting COVID-19 since Texas’ statewide reopening, he’s worried not enough is being done to keep wage-earners safe. He and his coworkers followed CDC precautions, wore masks and gloves, but that…
As ongoing protests force tough conversations about the nation’s legacy of racism, Councilman Robert Treviño has asked that San Antonio return the Christopher Columbus statue in a downtown park to the group that donated it. Treviño, whose district includes the park, filed a request Wednesday for council’s governance committee to consider changing the name of…
Federal marshals have arrested the suspect in a shooting that wounded eight people at a North San Antonio bar last weekend. Jenelius Crew, 37, was taken into custody Thursday morning in Miami after evidence collected by homicide detectives suggested that he opened fire outside the nightspot Rebar, according to a San Antonio Police Department Facebook…
Starting next month, Texans receiving unemployment benefits will once again be required to show they’ve tried to find jobs if they want to continue receiving help from the state. The requirement — temporarily waived during the COVID-19 crisis — will kick back in July 6, according to the Texas Workforce Commission. Numerous Texas businesses were…
The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday blocked the Trump administration’s push to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, rescuing more than 120,000 Texans from possible deportation. In a 5-4 ruling, the justices said the White House hadn’t provided adequate justification for its effort to end the Obama-era initiative, which gives protections to immigrants brought…
The two Democrats vying to oppose Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, say the three-term incumbent’s recent denial that systemic racism is real shows his inability to lead as the nation struggles with deep-seated issues of race. During a Tuesday Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on police misconduct, Cornyn balked at an argument from Vanita Gupta, the Justice…
On a hot July night two years ago, bass frequencies rattled the walls of the Gallery — a former male strip club remade into a music venue — as it held the first of many crowded parties that became a North St. Mary’s Street oasis for LGBTQ-identifying youths. As the dancing worked toward a crescendo,…
Celebrating Father’s Day with one of the most recognizable fathers in literature and Greek mythology, Daedalus, Fernando Rover Jr. will host an online reading session to honor papas everywhere. The reading will include selections from Rover’s award-winning poetry collection Labyrinth, which takes its name from the Greek architect’s famous maze built for King Minos —…
The 2005 film Walk the Line — Hollywood’s portrayal of American music icon Johnny Cash — might have been one of that year’s most acclaimed biopics, but at least one of Cash’s daughters was unhappy with the way it depicted their mother, Cash’s first wife Vivian Liberto. “My mom was basically a nonentity in the entire…
Those of us who planned to catch comedian Paul Reubens’ summer tour celebrating the 35th anniversary of PeeWee’s Big Adventure put on a frowny face when the pandemic scuttled those plans. But here’s something to cheer up fans of the cult film: a boy in Texas named Roosevelt decided to recreate the entire movie with his family during…
This week, the San Antonio Museum of Art and the newly formed Black Lives & Allies in Community, or BLAC, activist group offered “Action Bags” designed to help concerned residents share opinions with policymakers. The bags — a collaboration between SAMA and San Antonio Poet Laureate Andrea Vocab Sanderson — are intended to let those…
Perhaps it should come as no surprise, but Texas’ two GOP senators, John Cornyn and Ted Cruz just don’t seem to get this whole systemic racism thing. During a Senate Judiciary hearing Tuesday on police brutality, both Cruz and Cornyn discounted the idea that structural racism is present in police forces — or even the…
Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff issued an executive order Wednesday morning that will require businesses’ customers and employees to wear face coverings or face a $1000 fine for each offense. It’s an order at least one San Antonio bar owner says puts an unfair burden on small businesses. Starting Monday, peace officers will be able…
As the cost of meat products such as chicken, beef and pork rises due to pandemic-related shortages, one San Antonio restaurant owner is suggesting consumers turn to a veggie-based alternative: falafel. Michael Ahlstrom, owner of Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh in Northwest SA, says the chickpea-based street food can be an effective alternative for even the most…
In a move that defies recent public statements by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff has issued an order forcing local businesses to require both customers and workers to wear masks. The order, released Wednesday, comes as the county reported its highest-ever increase in COVID-19 infections. Citing rising infection rates, local leaders,…
A mask might just be the perfect accessory for a restaurant critic preferring to remain incognito. One could even modify it to cover more of the face and not stand out too much. However, any disguise but a wig and false moustache is out the window when it comes time to actually eat. Turns out…
The San Antonio Food Bank has so far spent $84,000 to distribute emergency food under a controversial federal program meant to get shipments directly to needy families, the San Antonio Express-News reports. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farmers to Families Food Box Program was intended to pair produce, meat and dairy suppliers harmed by the pandemic with…
Editor’s Note: The following is Current Events, a column of opinion and analysis Ask former city councilman Rey Saldaña what the biggest obstacle is to meaningful police reform in the Alamo City, and without flinching, he’ll say it’s the San Antonio Police Officers Association. In 2016, Saldaña was one of just two members of council to…
On Tuesday, Bexar County reported its largest single-day increase in COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic, prompting County Judge Nelson Wolff to warn that the city faces a “dangerous situation.” The 436 new diagnoses reported Tuesday brought the number of confirmed cases to 4,873. The number of local deaths stands at 89. “We’re…
