Cover Stories
Natural Novelist: Jeff VanderMeer’s weird fiction is grounded in a love of Earth’s ecology
The San Antonio Book Festival’s guest list features a bevy of literary giants, but only one author who’s written a book that includes a literally giant, flying bear. From the Southern Reach Trilogy to Dead Astronauts, Jeff VanderMeer’s award-winning weird fiction has long captivated readers. After making the jump to the screen with Alex Garland’s film…
Lost in Lockup: Last year, prisoners in Bexar County and across Texas died in record numbers
On February 15 of last year, Claudine Marie Parisi, a 49-year-old woman jailed in Bexar County on a criminal trespass charge, died while being treated for the effects of a meth overdose. The following day, another prisoner in the county lockup, Robert Lee Edwards, 64, succumbed to heart disease, diabetes and other chronic conditions while…
Without independent oversight, San Antonio’s city government will keep making the same mistakes
Editor’s Note: The following is CityScrapes, a column of opinion and analysis. San Antonio, we have an accountability problem. There are, of course, all the questions about February’s Great Freeze and the response by the city government, SAWS and CPS Energy: questions about preparedness, public information, decision making, policies and investment choices that demand real…
Assclown Alert: Dressing the part with Gov. Greg Abbott and Sen. Ted Cruz
Assclown Alert is a column of opinion, analysis and snark. When play acting, it’s even more exciting when dressing the part. Just ask any kid who dons fatigues when he shoots his cap gun or puts on her sparkly dress when having tea with her dollies. Or ask Texas Gov. Greg Abbott or U.S. Sen.…
a softer focus: Percussionist claire rousay celebrates release of new album with virtual performance
Prolific San Antonio percussionist and composer claire rousay is dropping a new album, a softer focus, April 23 on American Dreams Records. It’s an appropriate title, since the ambient release features, well, a softer focus compared to much of her previous work, which falls largely in the avant-garde realm. She will celebrate the album release…
San Antonio community organizations join forces for second of three online archival workshops
The Esperanza Peace and Justice Community Archives is partnering with the Historic Westside Residents Association (HWRA), and the Westside Preservation Alliance (WPA) for the second of three virtual workshops aiming to help San Antonians preserve their family history. This Saturday, the second workshop of the series will feature Laura Hernández-Ehrisman, as she gives tips on how to…
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is mad about being called a racist. Maybe he should look at his own rhetoric
During a Tuesday news conference, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick lashed out at Democrats, the media and businesses for daring to suggest that the restrictive voting bill he’s championing amounts to a bid to suppress minority votes. American Airlines, which publicly announced its opposition to Patrick-backed Senate Bill 7, was a key target at the presser,…
Living the Dream: San Antonio businesses must stand up against Texas’ toxic voter suppression bills
Editor’s note: Current Events is a column of opinion, insight and analysis. At San Antonio’s annual Martin Luther King Day march, it’s common to see employees from H-E-B, Valero Energy and other locally based companies clustered together wearing T-shirts bearing their company logos, along with quotes from the civil rights leader. In January of last…
Running on Riffs: Thunder Horse celebrates powerful second album with outdoor live show
On its newly released second album, Chosen One, San Antonio doom metal band Thunder Horse demonstrates that it grasps a fundamental of its chosen subgenre: it’s about the riffs, stupid. While loads of present-day aspirants to the Throne of Sabbath get the tune down-turn up thing, fewer grasp that the key to rising from the…
These San Antonio breweries are offering brand new brews just in time for National Beer Day
There’s no shortage of intriguing craft breweries to explore in the Alamo City on National Beer Day, which just happens to be Wednesday. And, as luck would have it, a few even have spiffy new brews to tilt back for the occasion. Here we go: Roadmap Brewing Co. is inviting folks to jump aboard the…
San Antonio-based Taco Cabana brings back MargaritaPalooza, featuring more ridiculous flavors
Do you ever get the feeling Taco Cabana’s margarita recipe team just picks flavors at random and hopes something will eventually appeal to the dining public? Because we sure do. Often. Shortly after debuting its Dill Pickle-flavored frozen marg, the Tex-Mex chain has announced the return of MargaritaPalooza, a promotion serving up an array of…
First day of STAAR testing canceled for thousands of students experiencing technical issues across Texas
Texas education officials advised school districts to suspend the first day of STAAR testing after thousands of students showed up in person and were prevented from taking the standardized test online because of widespread technical issues across the state. “If your students have been able to access the test, they should continue testing. If your…
Poll shows San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg likely to win third term, while voters split on Prop B
New polling suggests San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg is poised to win a decisive victory in the May 1 citywide election — a sharp contrast to the squeaker he pulled off two years ago to land a second term. According to a Bexar Facts poll released Tuesday, 56% of San Antonians said they plan to…
Four San Antonio bands joining forces Saturday to raise money for fellow musician battling Leukemia
This weekend, four local acts will band together to raise funds for one of their own. Amy Heller Reif, frontwoman of blues-rock group the Heller Highwater Band, was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in December. AML starts in the bone marrow and blood and sometimes spreads to other parts of the body, including the lymph…
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott hands down order prohibiting ‘vaccine passports’
Gov. Greg Abbott has issued an order barring state agencies and groups that access state funds from setting up “vaccine passports” that require someone to obtain a COVID-19 inoculation before receiving services. The action by Texas’ Republican governor is yet another sign how partisan divisions are playing out during pandemic. As private companies and other…
Lone Star Beer to debut hard seltzer flavors this month
Get ready for yet another set of hard seltzer flavors on liquor store shelves, San Antonio. The brewing entity once branded the National Beer of Texas is launching Lone Star Agave Seltzers, a pair of boozy, bubbly canned libations sweetened with blue agave nectar. The new beverages will be available in Texas stores this month,…
San Antonio’s COVID-19 positivity rate the lowest among big Texas metros
In contrast to the weeks of bleak COVID-19 reports that followed the winter holidays, Monday evening’s coronavirus briefing by San Antonio and Bexar County officials was chock full of good news. Let’s recount: •The Alamo City’s 2.1% positivity rate is the lowest of all of Texas’ major metro areas, Mayor Ron Nirenberg reported. •Bexar County…
San Antonio pastry chef Sofia Tejeda joins nationally lauded team at progressive eatery Mixtli
Chefs Diego Galacia and Rico Torres of nationally-acclaimed Mixtli and sister concept Omakase Kumo have tapped another SA talent to join their culinary dream team. Pastry Chef Sofia Tejeda has joined the fray as executive pastry chef at Mixtli, bringing her playful and flavorful approach to desserts to the eatery. Chefs Galacia and Rico Torres…
Ted Cruz wants you to boycott ‘Woke Coke’ after company speaks out against Georgia voting law
If you’ve ever been faced with the Coke or Pepsi dilemma, you’re not alone. Latest to be posed with the question is Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who — for now, at least — is choosing Pepsi. Atlanta-based soda giant Coca-Cola recently spoke out against Georgia’s Senate Bill 202, which severely tightened restrictions on absentee voters…
Write off your other weekend plans, because the San Antonio Book Festival is back in a big way
After its sudden cancellation in 2020, San Antonio’s mega-celebration of the written word is back with a stacked deck of nearly 200 authors. This year’s event will take place solely online, with a veritable cornucopia of book discussions and even a live science demonstration, free for all to attend, barring four ticketed events that come…
URBAN-15’s big-hearted streaming celebration is back for another National Poetry Month marathon
URBAN-15’s annual blowout event in honor of National Poetry Month commences today. More than 15 premiere performance poets will be featured in this year’s Mega Corazon spoken word marathon, including San Antonio Poet Laureate Andrea “Vocab” Sanderson, former poets laureate Carmen Tafolla and Octavio Quintanilla, Anthony “the Poet” Flores, John Phillip Santos and Amalia Ortiz. Guests…
Gov. Greg Abbott refuses to throw pitch at Rangers game after league pulls All-Star Game out of Atlanta
Talk about poor sportsmanship. Gov. Greg Abbott said Monday he won’t throw the ceremonial first pitch at the Texas Rangers’ home opening game after the league yanked its All-Star Game out of Georgia over the state’s restrictive new voting law. He also pledged to boycott the league, and said the state won’t attempt to host any…
The Mendoza Line: GOP shocked by corporations’ false concern about voter-suppression bills
We understand that in the current political environment it can be really tough to tell the difference between real news stories and satire, which is precisely why we’re letting you know that the Mendoza Line is a weekly work of satire. Republican lawmakers across the country were flabbergasted when companies last week decried nationwide efforts by…
McDonald’s will debut limited-time McFlurry in May, but check out this website before leaving the house
McDonald’s — home of the 740 calorie Double Quarter Pounder con queso — has announced a new, sugar-packed summertime snack featuring the chain’s soft serve ice cream. That is, of course, if your neighborhood Mickey D’s has a working ice cream machine. More on that later. According to a release from the company, the limited-time…
San Antonio’s The Grasshopper Lies Heavy and Capra’s singer drop noisy AF Jesus Lizard cover
Nineties noise rockers The Jesus Lizard left an indelible mark on creators of angular, ear-piercing rock across numerous subgenres. As evidence of the Chicago-based band’s lasting influence, San Antonio avant-metal act The Grasshopper Lies Heavy last week dropped an absolutely scorching cover of the Lizard’s “Mouth Breather.” For the recording, Grasshopper got an able assist…
San Antonio’s J’Dubs Burgers and Grub will expand to downtown nightspot starting Wednesday
The crew behind brand-spanking new burger joint J’Dubs Burgers and Grub has teamed up with Houston Street nightspot Moses Rose’s Hideout to bring the Dubs flavor to downtown. Starting Wednesday, the San Antonio Express-News reports, J’Dubs will take over the Hideout’s kitchen with an expanded menu that will go beyond the juicy burgers the brand…
Whole Foods Market is now brewing its own beer, and you can get it in San Antonio
Austin-based Whole Foods Market — land of natural and organic foods, wine and beer — has begun brewing its own beer under the Whole Foods Market Brewing Company label, and one of its brews is available in SA right now. Under the watchful eye of Master Brewer Chris Shelton, Whole Foods Market Brewing Company has…
When the power went out, Texas oil and gas regulators rushed to defend the industry’s image
When the power went out for Marsha Hendler on February 15, she rushed to her downtown San Antonio office to ride out the winter storm. Thankful to find the electricity and heat still on, she typed out an email to the elected officials who regulate her small, independent oil and gas company. “I strongly urge…
San Antonio draws on Little Joe, Simply Rayne, other artists to urge COVID-19 vaccinations
The city of San Antonio has kicked off the second phase of its “What Will It Take” ad campaign, which taps local musicians and artists to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. While the first phase primarily urged residents to wear masks, the second will focus on the importance of getting vaccinated. The spots,…
Tax breaks for developers under scrutiny in San Antonio, Texas capitol
Texas legislators are considering a handful of bills that would abolish or restrict the use of public facility corporations, or PFCs — a tool intended to create affordable housing, but that has been scrutinized for depriving public entities of millions of dollars in property tax revenue in San Antonio, and other Texas cities. Meanwhile in…
Despite federal moratorium, more Texas renters face eviction as state protection lapses
Texans behind on their rent are at increasing risk of losing their homes despite a federal moratorium on evictions, according to housing attorneys, because a Texas Supreme Court order aimed at forestalling evictions has expired. The nationwide order from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention halting evictions through June 30 — originally issued under…
Priced out of Southtown, SAY Sí goes west
In late 2019, SAY Sí, the youth arts education nonprofit that’s been operating in San Antonio since 1994, announced that it would leave its longtime home, a renovated 26,000-square-foot commercial building at 1518 S. Alamo St., across Probandt from its original site in the Blue Star Arts Complex. “We really thought that was going to…
Lick Honest Ice Creams debuts spring flavors at its San Antonio locations
Austin-based Lick Honest Ice Creams has unveiled a slew of spring-inspired flavors, now available at its two San Antonio shops. While the majority of the flavors — such as Lady Bird Lavender Crisp, Elderberry Mojito and Cilantro Lime — have graced Lick’s menu before, the ice cream outfit debuted one brand-spanking new flavor this season.…
Gus’s Fried Chicken, Glass and Plate: San Antonio’s biggest food stories of the week
This week, San Antonio foodies were craving oysters, big ol’ burgers and spicy fried chicken. How do we know? Because we can tell what Current food stories you’re clicking on and reading. We’re nosy like that. Turns out, folks were hungry for news on Glass and Plate’s new oyster happy hour, Papa’s Burgers heading back…
John Hagee, Ted Cruz: The top 10 headlines in San Antonio this week
Sometimes nothing beats having a good laugh at pandering politicians and pompous preachers. Or so it seems, based on the Current’s most-read news stories of the week. Our top-trafficked story was one on Twitter losing its shit over a sticker depicting GOP Sen. Ted Cruz in bondage gear with a belly tat spelling out his allegiance…
Margaritas have been Texans’ choice at-home pandemic cocktail, surprising no one
A recent study of Google Trends determined Texans have consistently turned to an old tequila standby, the margarita, for comfort during the COVID-19 pandemic. Upgraded Points, an Austin-based travel company, conducted a study based on Google data and discovered searches for “cocktail recipes” in March of 2020 were nearly double what they were in March…
San Antonio’s Künstler Brewing to release Sake Bomb, an Imperial IPA brewed with sake yeast
Künstler Brewing is ready to drop a bomb on SA. A sake bomb, that is. The craft brewpub will release a unique imperial IPA brewed with sake yeast this Saturday. The beer is the first of its kind in Texas, according to the Southtown spot’s owner and head brewer, Vera Deckard. “When I heard that sake…
San Antonio kicks off National Poetry Month with streaming event on Saturday
For the 25th anniversary of National Poetry Month, San Antonio isn’t messing around. More than 30 events are scheduled to take place this month, including readings, workshops, performances and discussions. This weekend, the city’s celebration begins with a kickoff event hosted by the City of San Antonio World Heritage Office. Hosted by Anthony The Poet, “VIVA…
Analysis: Texas’ proposed voting restrictions have more to do with 2018 than 2020
In spite of their public anguish over drive-thru voting, expanded early voting and efforts to allow more people to vote by mail, Texas Republicans were happy with the results of the state’s 2020 elections. They held steady in the Texas House, with 83 of 150 seats both before and after the election. They lost a…
San Antonio’s Southside may be getting its own exotic animal safari park
Does SA really need its own Joe Exotic? Exotic animal breeder Brian Gilroy, CEO and co-founder of WildLife Partners, seems to think so. Gilroy wants to build a $500 million safari park on San Antonio’s South Side, south of Loop 410 and west of University Way, according to the San Antonio Express-News. Gilroy told the daily…
The Good Kind to bring hearty vegan pop up to San Antonio’s Southtown neighborhood
After nearly a year of Monday evenings featuring fried, beer-battered goodness from Rosey’s Fish and Chips, The Good Kind is flipping the script to something a tad lighter. Staring April 5, the Southtown eatery will begin hosting Monday-evening pop ups featuring newish plant-powered concept Vegan & Sara. The concept, helmed by local chef Stephanie Lopez,…
San Marcos’ Roughhouse Brewing to release limestone cave-aged beer next weekend
Roughhouse Brewing, a family-run farmhouse brewery located just outside of San Marcos, is releasing its long-awaited Texas Cave Ale, dubbed Premiere, which was fermented in a natural, underground limestone cave. A collaboration with Austin-based Jester King Brewery, Premiere is a beer nerd’s dream. Believed to be the first beer aged in a natural cave in…
Rapper Chris Conde dropping new album, will live-stream release performance this Friday
Self-described “thicc, queer, Mexican” rapper Chris Conde is celebrating the release of the forthcoming album Engulfed in the Marvelous Decay with a live-streamed performance this Friday. The Austin-to-San Antonio transplant — and former Current music writer — will be joined by pop showman Wayne Holtz, producer and emcee D.R.O. and R&B crooner Alyson Alonzo. The online event…
Lonesome Lounge Sessions continue Monday with a streaming concert by Dreambored
The Facebook-powered, online-only performance series Lonesome Lounge Sessions rolls on with a show from these local dream poppers. The band, composed of married couple Mark Lee Walley and Angela Guerra Walley, debuted with the album Loved Ones in 2018. The release is composed of emotional songs inspired partly by the death of Angela’s father. 7…
San Antonio’s La Gloria debuts dog-friendly ‘Puppyritas’ with proceeds going to charity
Dog beer, dog charcuterie and now doggy-ritas? San Antonio pups are living the high life this spring. On Thursday, La Gloria — celebrity chef Johnny Hernandez’s Mexican street-food concept — revealed a new canine-friendly thirst quencher on Instagram dubbed the Puppyrita. View this post on Instagram A post shared by La Gloria (@lagloriapearl) The dog-friendly drink…
Texas Republicans’ bills limiting voting access gets pushback from 2 high-profile corporations
A pair of high-profile corporations are voicing opposition to Republicans’ push in the Texas Legislature to tighten the state’s already restrictive voting laws. Statements issued Thursday by Fort Worth-based American Airlines and Austin-based Dell Technologies potentially clear the way for other businesses to come out against the GOP effort, which critics say is meant to suppress minority votes.…
False Barriers: These things should not prevent you from getting a COVID vaccine
This story was originally published by ProPublica. ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox. As the United States seeks to end its coronavirus crisis and outrun variants, public health officials recognize it is essential for as many people as…
As vaccine eligibility widens, some vulnerable Texans are still fighting for access
Fredericksburg retiree Cyn White has been trying to find a COVID-19 vaccine in her Hill Country community since she became eligible for it in December. White, 63, who has a disability, grew frustrated with the lack of available appointments, problems with overloaded websites, and zero follow-up from the locations that allowed her to get on…
Texas olive-industry pioneer and San Antonio native Saundra Winokur has died
Saundra Winokur, an acclaimed pioneer of Texas olive cultivation, died last week after a years-long battle with cancer. Winokur, who owned and operated Sandy Oaks Olive Orchard in Elmendorf, just south of San Antonio, has been known as a trailblazer in the Texas olive industry since her orchard’s 1998 inception. One of the state’s first organic…
These San Antonio restaurants are offering special menus for Easter Sunday brunch and dinner
If you don’t feel like cooking on Easter Sunday, consider this a blessing. Multiple San Antonio-area eateries are serving Easter meals for folks who’d rather, you know, actually rest on the holiday. We gathered up four that have put together special brunch or dinner menus to tantalize your taste buds with fresh seasonal ingredients and,…
Texas Senate passes restrictive voting bill backed by Republicans including Gov. Greg Abbott
Overnight Thursday, the Texas Senate passed a controversial bill that would ban municipalities such as San Antonio from ensuring increased voter access and give partisan poll watchers more access to voting sites. Part of a national scramble by Republicans to restrict state voting laws, the measure’s passage comes after Texas last November tallied its highest voter…
Bio-domes and beefy beer: San Antonio goes all in on April Fools’ Day
It’s that time of year again — the day where we all must eye the news with more scrutiny than usual. As brands and even fictional characters participate in April 1 tomfoolery today, some San Antonio organizations are also having a bit of April Fools’ Day fun. The San Antonio Zoo made its April Fools’ announcement…
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery’s new canned cocktails use real liquor, now available in San Antonio
Another line of canned cocktails is on local liquor store shelves, San Antonio, and these use real liquor to pack their punch. The name “Dogfish Head” may be most recognizable for their line of beers, but the Delaware-based brand has low-key been distilling full proof spirits for nearly 20 years. Their new line of canned…
Popular San Antonio eatery La Panaderia to open new La Cantera location Friday
David and Jose Cáceres, the brothers behind popular San Antonio restaurant La Panadería, will open their third location on SA’s northwest side, bringing their unique bread cultura to the La Cantera shopping center. The 4,200 square foot, indoor/outdoor space will open Friday, April 2 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., offering breakfast, lunch, brunch and…
San Antonio council votes to create a vaccine registry after weeks of outcry from residents
After an outcry from residents frustrated with the mad scramble required to sign up for COVID-19 vaccinations, city council on Wednesday approved a vaccine registry that will initially be available to those 65 and older. The move comes four months into the vaccine rollout, and it will be another three to four weeks before it’s…
Meet St. Mary’s Kaitlin Teniente: the first female head coach for a college esports program in Texas
When St. Mary’s University hired Kaitlin Teniente last March to run its fledgling esports program, she became the first female head coach to helm a competitive gaming program at a Texas higher-ed campus. A San Antonio native and a lifelong gamer, Teniente didn’t enter the esports scene until her time as a student at UTSA.…
San Antonio Botanical Garden sends off its latest exhibition with Origami Nights event series
There’s only one more month for guests to attend the “OrigamiintheGarden²”exhibition at the San Antonio Botanical Garden, which ends on May 1. During its final days, the garden is sending it off with a new series of events starting on the first day of April. Each Thursday evening, visitors to the garden can enjoy Origami Nights,…
Ads urge Texas businesses to weigh economic backlash if Lege tightens voter restrictions
A coalition of 10 Texas progressive groups has run full-page ads in the Houston Chronicle and Dallas Morning News asking business leaders to push back against a restrictive voting bill now in front of the Legislature. Senate Bill 7 would add numerous additional restrictions to Texas voting laws, already some of the strictest in the…
Analysis: After statewide power outages, Texas lawmakers reconsider an ounce of prevention
Texas lawmakers have been talking tough since February’s statewide freeze and electrical outages, promising voters they’ll do anything possible to see that it doesn’t happen again. Now we’ve come to the part where words become actions, or laws — the part where we all get a look at what Texas legislators mean when they say…
San Antonio burger haven Papa’s to open new location on West Side
Robert Walker, owner of nationally acclaimed burger joint Papa’s Burgers, will head back to San Antonio’s West Side next month when his business opens a new location, MySA reports. Once voted the purveyor of the Best Burger in Texas by website Eat This, Not That, Papa’s was forced to close its original West Side location last…
The Gus’s Fried Chicken chain bringing its ‘world famous’ hot chicken to San Antonio
Tennessee-based Gus’s Fried Chicken will open a spot selling its “world famous” yardbird in the Alamo City, MySA reports. After adding locations in Dallas, Austin and Houston, the chain known for hot-and-spicy chicken will open in Southtown, across the street from Rosario’s. A bright yellow sign already hangs near the building’s entrance. However, it’s unclear when…
Two more San Antonio-area residents arrested for participating in January 6 Capitol insurrection
A self-described lifestyle coach from Kerrville and her boyfriend were arrested last week on federal charges they entered the U.S. Capitol building during the January 6 insurrection, Houston Public Media reports. Security cameras picked up images of Elizabeth Rose Williams and boyfriend Bradley Stuart Bennett during the break-in, according to court papers accessed by Houston…
New San Antonio eatery Glass and Plate debuts daily happy hour menu featuring oysters, frozen cocktails
New Olmos Park-area restaurant Glass and Plate has unveiled a daily happy hour menu featuring snacks and boozy treats which will be available starting Tuesday. Happy hour snacks include $1 fresh-shucked oysters, Cotija Cheese Fries and Popcorn Chicken with Bloody Mary BBQ sauce. Mid-afternoon libations will be priced between $4 and $6 and include domestic…
Stop by one of these three San Antonio spots to get your fix on National Burrito Day
We all know it, we all love it: the burrito. A savory collection of ingredients snuggled together all warm and toasty within a pillowy, expertly-rolled tortilla, the burrito is an optimal choice for noshing when you’re on-the-go. Today is National Burrito Day, and we made the executive decision to skip over the big-box burrito chains…
Texas Senate gives initial approval to bill to stop social media companies from banning Texans for political views
The Texas Senate on Tuesday gave initial approval to a measure that would prohibit social media companies with at least 100 million monthly users from blocking, banning, demonetizing or discriminating against a user based on their viewpoint or their location within Texas. Senate Bill 12, sponsored by Republican state Sen. Bryan Hughes of Mineola, was approved…
There’s more than just tortillas to sample at San Antonio Colonial factory
If you haven’t taken a drive down Guadalupe Street lately, let me suggest it’s worth your time. Beyond being able to experience a wealth of visual and cultural richness, if you keep driving west you’ll eventually come to the San Antonio Colonial Tortilla Factory at the intersection with South Cibolo Street. The entrance is the…
Cookware company Sur La Table to offer summer cooking series for kids and teens in San Antonio
La Cantera cookware retailer Sur La Table is looking to coax out kids’ inner chefs out with a new series of summer programs. The shop, which stocks some 12,500 kitchen items, will open its in-store cooking classroom to kiddos this summer, offering classes such as Cooking 101 and Global Street Food from June through August.…
Texas will provide rapid COVID-19 tests for summer camps
Texas will provide state-licensed summer camps with COVID-19 rapid tests in an effort to prevent potential outbreaks, Gov. Greg Abbott said in a statement Tuesday. Last summer, most summer camps were shuttered across the country because of the pandemic. The tests will be voluntary for both staff and campers. Summer camp organizers need to apply to participate. “As normalcy…
Giant sticker of Ted Cruz in bondage gear pops up on San Antonio wall and Twitter goes wild
Twitter is aflame with Ted Cruz mockery after a user shared a snap of a San Antonio wall sticker depicting Texas’ junior senator garbed in leather bondage gear and with his prestigious gut bearing a “Proud Boy” tattoo. Naturally, the GOP senator is also holding a riding crop, and his face looks, well, as smirky…
Balcones Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey gets VIP treatment from new independent bottler
Balcones Distilling’s Straight Bourbon Whiskey has been recognized as such an exemplary spirit that a new craft-whiskey bottler is releasing a special edition of it this spring. Lost Lantern — an independent bottler of highly limited, one-of-a-kind American whiskies — has included a special expression of the Waco-area distillery’s Straight Bourbon Whiskey in its lineup of spring 2021…
Texas launches online COVID-19 registration system as scheduling frustrations mount
After months of complaints about the scattershot availability of COVID-19 vaccines, Texas has launched an online registration system to help residents schedule appointments for their shots. A new portal operated by the Texas Department of Health and Human Services will allow people needing vaccines to sign up for email or text notifications about the incoulations’ local availability.…
Bills restricting abortion, including one that bans procedure as early as six weeks, get initial Texas Senate OK
The Texas Senate gave initial approval Monday to a half-dozen bills that would restrict access to abortion, including a priority measure that could ban abortions before many women know they are pregnant. The measures are among the earliest bills to be debated by the full Senate — whose presiding officer, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, has…
Pabst Blue Ribbon teams with San Antonio studio to bring interactive art pop-up to Aztec Theatre
San Antonio-based Pabst Blue Ribbon is teaming with creative studio Wide Awake to bring the interactive art pop-up In Living Pixels to the Aztec Theatre next month. Founded by two San Antonio natives — Paloma Cortez and Pamela Rachél — Wide Awake has collaborated with local and global partners to create both ads and art…
San Antonio once again banning Easter tradition of overnight camping in city parks
For the second time during the pandemic, San Antonio will prohibit residents from camping overnight in city parks during Easter Weekend, a popular local tradition. During Monday night’s coronavirus briefing, Mayor Ron Nirenberg said parks will be open during the day, but he said the city doesn’t have the resources to enforce COVID-19 safety protocols…
Spurs will take on Trae Young and the Hawks in Thursday AT&T Center matchup
In an NBA currently thriving on the play of talented young guards including Luka Doncic, Jamal Murray and Ja Morant, All-Star Trae Young continues to forge his own path in Atlanta. Under new head coach Nate McMillan, the Hawks have reeled off eight consecutive wins, with Young powering the team’s offense as one of the…
Glitter Political: Councilwoman Jada Andrews-Sullivan says there’s still more work to do for District 2
It’s a sunny Tuesday afternoon as Jada Andrews-Sullivan waves to me through my computer screen. She’s wearing glasses, an eye-catching floral blouse and the friendly smile that helped boost her political success as the District 2 representative on San Antonio City Council. Andrews-Sullivan’s staying power will be put to the test as she vies win…
Newish San Antonio nightspot Hello Paradise launches Monday wing and dumpling specials
Hello Paradise, the north-of-downtown frozen cocktail haven, may have just the ticket for San Antonians who dread getting back to the grind every Monday: dollar dumplings. The relative nightlife newcomer has launched Monday-specific specials from Yai’s Mobile Kitchen, which operates onsite. The outdoor oasis will offer garlic, black pepper and sesame-seasoned pork dumplings for one…
San Antonio Humane Society slashing adoption fees during event with North Shore Animal League
The San Antonio Humane Society is partnering with North Shore Animal League America for Tour for Life 2021, the world’s largest national cooperative pet adoption event. Taking place from March 29 to April 3, the promotion will include half-off adoption fees for most SAHS animals. Approved adopters will also receive free flea protection doses for their…
The Mendoza Line: Texas GOP proposes bills to restrict voting while increasing gun ownership
We understand that in the current political environment it can be really tough to tell the difference between real news stories and satire, which is precisely why we’re letting you know that the Mendoza Line is a weekly work of satire. Undeterred by recent mass shootings, Republican state legislators have filed bills that would require voters…
San Antonio chef Adán Medrano will participate in panel discussion of Truly Texas Mexican film
Esperanza Peace & Justice Center will host a panel discussion, or plática, with chef, filmmaker and food writer Adán Medrano and others who brought his recently released documentary Truly Texas Mexican to life. Medrano will join director Aníbal Capoano, producer Virginia Díaz and local foodie Christine Ortega as they discuss the 90-minute film, which explores the flavors,…
Texas Republicans’ bills to restrict voting aren’t popular and would harm GOP voters, study finds
Texas voters of both parties oppose measures put forth by Republican state lawmakers this session that would make voting more difficult, according to a new poll by nonpartisan voting-rights group Secure Democracy. What’s more, Secure Democracy’s analysis of 2020 state voting data found that restricting access to absentee and early voting would actually harm Texas…
Diplo’s San Antonio concert drew packed crowds despite being billed as ‘limited capacity’ show
Cowboys Dancehall advertised a Saturday concert by EDM artist Diplo as “limited capacity” due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but videos posted on social media appear to show the gathering was anything but. A Facebook event page promised the performance would have limited tickets and a mask requirement. However, one Twitter user described the show…
SeaWorld San Antonio’s Seven Seas Food Fest returns with globally inspired eats and sips
Events are slowly returning to the Alamo City, and SeaWorld is getting in on the action. The theme park will hold its Seven Seas Food Festival every weekend in April, featuring limited-capacity access to 50 globally inspired cuisine tastings from around the world. The bites and sips will span the Caribbean, Asia, Latin America, mainland…
San Antonio native dies during last phase of elite U.S. Army Ranger course
San Antonio native Spc. James A. Requenez died Thursday during the final phase of Ranger School training at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, Task & Purpose reports. The 28-year-old was transported to Eglin AFB hospital from training and pronounced dead at the medical facility on March 25. The Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade gave…
All adults in Texas are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. But there still aren’t enough doses for everyone.
Starting Monday, all Texans ages 16 and older — about 22 million people — are eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccine doses, the Texas Department of State Health Services announced. But as vaccine eligibility expands, actually getting the vaccine may be even more difficult. Texas joins several other states in opening eligibility to all adults. DSHS said…
Assclown Alert: Pastor John Hagee said Jesus is the ‘true vaccine,’ but he got a shot in the arm anyway
Assclown Alert is a column of opinion, analysis and snark. After preaching last November that Jesus was the “true vaccine” that would protect believers against the deadly scourge of COVID-19, it now appears San Antonio megachurch Pastor John Hagee also has a backup plan. A spokesman for Hagee Ministries this month told ABC News that…
A trek through the Medina River Valley is a journey into San Antonio’s rich past
I recently embarked on an epic journey. My quest was to circumnavigate San Antonio on foot, following trails where possible and, where the trails end, traversing pavement, parking lots and freeway underpasses. The first portion of my journey took me the length of Leon Creek, from The Rim trailhead to the Medina River Valley. Those…
Guest Editorial: Don’t steal my identity
Editor’s note: The following guest editorial was submitted by District 5 city council candidate Marie Crabb in response to a Texas Observer article about her indigenous identity. America is a mestizo nation. A miscegenation nation. The mixing of blood has always been our story, although not one we’ve often told ourselves. It is often easier…
AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine holds up in an updated analysis of trial data
Analysis of the latest data from a clinical trial for a coronavirus vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford shows the shot is still effective at preventing COVID-19 symptoms, the pharmaceutical company reported March 25. The news comes after the U.S. National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases aired concerns that AstraZeneca may…
South Texas emerges as political hotbed after Democrats underperformed there in 2020
South Texas is quickly shaping up to be the epicenter of the state’s political universe in 2022, a notable shift after the two major parties spent the last two elections duking it out in the suburbs. There are ample unknowns, starting with redistricting. But the number of political attractions cropping up in South Texas are…
Bexar County agrees to house migrant children at Freeman Coliseum
As expected, Bexar County has struck a deal with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to offer temporary shelter to unaccompanied migrant children at Freeman Coliseum. The county confirmed the use of Freeman as a shelter on Friday afternoon, saying it will house up to 2,400 minors in the county-owned site’s two expo…
Texas Roadhouse CEO, Puppy Menu: San Antonio’s biggest food stories of the week
Food news this week went to the dogs. On top of celebrating National Puppy Day earlier this week, news broke that a new coffee shop in La Cantera will offer a special menu for our canine companions. Our readers made those among the Current’s most visited food stories of the week. In more sobering news,…
San Antonio-based grocery chain H-E-B finally expanding to Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex
Let the grocery wars begin. Capping decades of speculation, Alamo City-based grocery chain H-E-B announced Friday it will finally expand into the DFW Metroplex, starting with stores in Frisco and Plano next fall. H-E-B has been a presence in the community since 2001 via its Central Market stores in Dallas, Plano, Southlake and Fort Worth.…
Ken Paxton, COVID-19 vaccines: The top 10 headlines in San Antonio this week
After counting up the clicks, it’s apparent many Current readers are desperate for info on when and where to get their Fauci ouchies. This week, our two most-read online stories, in order of web traffic, were about Texas making all adults eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine and the city of San Antonio announcing plans to…
San Antonio high schooler in the running for $20,000 scholarship from Coca-Cola
If you’ve got positive juju to spare, consider sending it to local high school senior Izumi Vázquez. The Northside Health Careers High School student is one of 251 regional finalists in the 2021 Coca-Cola Scholars Program contest, advancing to the second round of interviews to vie for a hefty $20,000 college scholarship. If the name…
Pepsi releases Peeps-flavored marshmallow cola in latest WTF food news
To the delight of dentists everywhere, Pepsi has unveiled a sure-to-be-sickeningly-sweet collaboration with the Peeps candy: a soda with “marshmallow flavor.” The brands revealed the new product Thursday. It’s available in 7.5-ounce Pepsi mini-cans clad in an instantly recognizable Peeps-inspired design featuring a bright yellow, pink and blue color scheme. “After what has been a…
Briscoe Western Art Museum’s Night of Artists debuts in person and online for 20th anniversary
The Briscoe Western Art Museum’s annual fundraiser exhibition and sale is back, and more accessible than ever. For its 20th anniversary event, the Briscoe is staging its Night of Artists both in person and online this year. The exhibition, auction and art sale features more than 250 new works by 75 contemporary Western artists. Festivities…
New Chick-fil-A to open just north of San Antonio will be one of the biggest in Texas
Folks who enjoy the taste of religious liberty in the form of breaded chicken will have another spot to visit come August: Chick-fil-A plans to build a huge new location in Leon Springs, just north of San Antonio. The mammoth, 5,000-square-foot restaurant will open this summer, offering double drive-thru lanes, dining room seating for 112…
Swanky new boutique hotel, speakeasy now in the works for San Antonio’s St. Paul Square
Investors are injecting $5 million into an outdated Best Western property in St. Paul Square to transform it into a trendy boutique hotel, MySA reports. The east-of-downtown property is on track to open in October, boasting updated rooms and a re-creation of the basement speakeasy that operated in the building during Prohibition, according to the…
111 people, including 7 in San Antonio area, died in winter storm, Texas health department says
Twice as many people perished in the devastating winter storm that hit Texas last month than state officials initially counted. At least 111 people, including seven in the San Antonio-New Braunfels metro area, died as a result of the four-day storm that knocked out power to millions, state health officials revealed Thursday. Four of the…
San Antonio-based Taco Cabana now sells a frozen pickle margarita
Forgive us the dad joke, but for pickle lovers, this news is kind of a big dill. San Antonio-based Tex-Mex chain Taco Cabana took to social media Thursday to unveil a new flavor in its unnecessary frozen marg lineup: dill pickle. In its Instagram post, TC proclaimed the radioactive green libation an “old April Fool’s joke” that’s bound…
Actress and San Antonio native Katie Leclerc lands cameo on Netflix’s Waffles + Mochi
Oscar-nominated actor Stanley Tucci (The Lovely Bones) is getting critical acclaim for his new culinary travel series Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy on CNN, but he just might have some competition. Meet Waffles and Mochi, the title puppet characters on the new Netflix children’s series Waffles + Mochi. The show — whose executive producers are…
Please tell us WTF Ted Cruz was thinking when he decided to sell shirts of himself with a mullet
It’s hard to figure out what went through the mind of Sen. Ted Cruz — or more likely his handlers — when they authorized new merchandise depicting him with a mullet and the slogan “McConnell in the front, MAGA in the back.” We get that someone in the orbit of Texas’ junior senator gleaned that…
Puppeteer and Brownsville native Michelle Zamora lends a hand, and her voice, to Netflix series
On the Netflix children’s series Waffles + Mochi, puppeteer and Brownsville native Michelle Zamora lends her voice to the title character Waffles and also provides the movements that bring her to life. She spoke with the Current about what it’s like turning a puppet into a the star of a TV show. Did you know…
San Antonio’s St. Paul Square hosting outdoor roots-rock shindig for the next three nights
After fits and starts, live music finally seems to be percolating back up in San Antonio. Case in point: a three-night string of free outdoor concerts at St. Paul Square featuring a roundup of roots-rock reliables. Husband-wife duo Danny B. Harvey and Annie Marie Lewis will kick things off Thursday, March 25. Harvey was the guitarist…
Riff wranglers Warlung and Bridge Farmers headed to San Antonio’s Lonesome Rose on Saturday
Billing themselves as “heavy psych,” Houston rockers Warlung will bring a mix of riffs and classic metal vocal stylings to the Alamo City. The way they describe themselves and their visual imagery suggests that they are part of the lineage from Sabbath to Sleep. However, the band seems more focused on songcraft rather than simply…
Q: The Music of Queen brings tribute show fit for royalty to the Tobin Center on Satuday
No, not the Q that likes to keep it anonymous. Instead, a highly visual tribute to the band with one of the most charismatic frontmen of all time, Mr. Freddie Mercury, who was most certainly not anon. This socially distanced show promises a comprehensive look at the operatic, iconic band’s 21-year run, highlighted in the…
Price is Right Live on Stage coming to San Antonio’s Tobin Center this fall
“Come On Down,” San Antonio! Daytime television mainstay the Price Is Right is bringing its “Live on Stage” iteration back to the Alamo City this fall, KSAT 12 reports. The show — scheduled for Sunday, October 10 at the Tobin Center — will give audience members a chance to play the show’s iconic games such…
White Republicans are refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccine more than any other demographic group in Texas
Sam Webb says he’s not against vaccines. His kids are up to date on their vaccines for school, and he got a flu shot a few years ago, the Weatherford truck driver said. But he won’t be getting a COVID-19 shot. Webb, a former Army medic, is among the thousands of Republicans in Texas and…
Texas House passes bill to make cocktails to-go permanent. Senate will now consider the measure
The Texas House on Thursday passed HB 1024, a proposal to make permanent a temporary order that lets bars and restaurants sell mixed drinks for takeout. The bill, which passed 144-1, now moves on to the Senate for consideration. It will need Gov. Greg Abbott’s signature to become law. Abbott issued the temporary order at the…
Team behind EDM Drive In to bring socially distanced food and dance music festival to San Antonio
The promoters of last year’s socially distanced electronic dance music shows at Freeman Coliseum will next month host Electric Cookout, a similar all-ages music experience pairing food with the beats. EDM Maniac and Electric Fiesta launched Electric Drive In last year to let music fans experience something close to a live performance amid the pandemic. The…
A new North San Antonio coffee shop has a menu just for your dog
If you’ve ever felt like your dog would enjoy cracking a cold one after a long day of napping and licking its own rear end, a La Cantera coffee shop may be just the spot for you and your pooch. The newly opened Cool Beans Cafe, 17803 La Cantera Terrace Suite 8123, serves up coffee,…
Ken Paxton refuses to turn over messages about his participation in rally before Capitol insurrection
Talk about fighting a war on many fronts. Embattled Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton — already in the midst of a securities fraud case, a whistleblower lawsuit and a reported FBI probe — is now refusing to turn over messages related to his appearance at the pro-Trump rally that preceded the January 6 Capitol insurrection.…
Controversial EDM DJ Diplo will swing through San Antonio this Saturday
If you’ve even dabbled in the world of EDM, you’ve most likely encountered a song or style that at least owes a debt to the world-renowned, globetrotting DJ Diplo. He’s collaborated with everyone from Sia and Skrillex to Mark Ronson, and he’s produced projects for Snoop Dogg, Britney Spears and … hell, pretty much everyone…
Marielle La Rue started her niche denim line to fulfill a wish for pants that fit her body type
In the realm of garment construction, tailoring a pair of well-fitting pants is no easy task. Add sturdy denim to the equation and you’ve got a challenge that’s not for beginners. Nevertheless, form-fitting blue jeans were exactly what led Canada-to-San Antonio transplant Marielle La Rue to try her hand at making clothes. A native of…
City of San Antonio opening up 30,000 COVID-19 vaccine appointments on Thursday
The city of San Antonio will make 30,000 Pfizer first-dose appointments available starting at 7 p.m. Thursday through Metro Health’s COVID-19 vaccine registration website. The appointments will be from April 6 to May 1 at the Alamodome mass-vaccination site, according to the city announcement. Under new state rules, all adult Texans will be eligible for a vaccine…
Blues guitar ace Samantha Fish will play a pair of San Antonio shows Thursday at Sam’s
For her debut with Rounder Records, guitar hero Samantha Fish chose a title that sums up the dichotomy of the modern world: Kill or Be Kind. Fish sought to achieve a balance between her bluesy guitar leads and an accessible, story-oriented, hooky ap proach to the tunes. To help achieve this, she collaborated with professional…
Boerne’s Dog & Pony restaurant holding weekend fling with pet adoptions and outdoor market
You’d think a place with a fenced-in dog park, covered patio, playground, basketball court, live music and a dance floor would be all set for activities to hold during a spring bash. But you’d be wrong. Family-friendly Boerne restaurant Dog & Pony Grill is adding a car show, dog adoptions and a vendor market to…
UTSA lands $20 million gift and renames its business school after the donor
The University of Texas at San Antonio’s College of Business has received a $20 million philanthropic gift from the founder of a San Antonio-based beer importer. The donation by Carlos Alvarez, founder of the Gambrinus Company, and his wife Malú will fund research programs and endowed faculty positions for the campus. In light of the…
San Antonio Zoo celebrates native pollinators with Monarch Fest
San Antonians can ring in spring this weekend by celebrating monarchs, milkweed and migration at the 2021 Monarch Fest. The San Antonio Zoo is showcasing all things monarch by giving visitors free native milkweed and nectar plant seeds, as well as the chance to partake in entertaining games and crafts while educating guests on how…
Artisan Brewery and Distillery opens craft cocktail bar on San Antonio’s East Side
The San Antonio distillery behind Texas Pride Vodka and Bexar Ridge Bourbon has relocated and expanded, adding an East Side craft cocktail bar to the mix. Artisan Brewery and Distillery’s new space, located at 402 Austin St., will serve up its signature spirits and craft brews in a space that includes a swanky main lounge, an outdoor patio…
Kid-friendly double feature at San Antonio Botanical Garden to feature Onward and Glory Road
Snuggle up with friends and family for a special double feature of family-friendly films Onward and Glory Road at the San Antonio Botanical Garden. Pixar’s Onward is centered around two elven brothers on a journey to see their deceased dad again for one day. Glory Road, which is being screened for the second time at…
San Antonio’s Cherrity Bar to hold spring concert series benefitting musicians hit hard by pandemic
With local COVID cases declining, East Side eatery Cherrity Bar will hold an outdoor, family-friendly concert series to benefit local musicians whose gig schedules were put on hold by the pandemic. The Thursday night series will kick off April 1 with R&B outfit the Foreign Arm. Other acts include Michael J. & the Foxes, MC²…
Critics rip into Ted Cruz after he says lawmakers’ concern over mass shootings are political theater
After a seven-day string of mass shootings that culminated with 10 people dying in a Colorado supermarket, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz is tirelessly and tiresomely fanning the flames of outrage. On Tuesday, the Texas Republican — who also happens to be among Washington’s top recipients of NRA dollars — racked up a litany of Twitter…
Talking to Lucas Bradbury of Project Pollo about his vegan chain’s meaty expansion plans
Project Pollo’s sandwiches aren’t the only thing on a roll. In less than a year, the vegan chick’n outfit has opened five locations, with a goal to open 100 by 2025. Founder Lucas Bradbury, who also co-owns swanky cocktail havens Jet Setter and Pastiche, started the company during the COVID crisis to line up a…
San Antonio can enjoy classical music either online or outdoors at Agarita’s full weekend of concerts
Armed with their new roving concert venue the Humble Hall, Agarita is hosting a weekend of performances that can be enjoyed both outdoors and online. On Friday, the quartet will debut a special concert filmed at San Antonio’s Spanish Governor’s Mansion on its website and Facebook. Themed around the music of Spain, the program includes…
Kawhi’s Clippers will tangle with the Spurs Wednesday in San Antonio
Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers tip off a two-game stint against the Spurs on the eve of the NBA trade deadline. The former Spur recently expressed concerns about his current team’s continuity emphasizing, “it’s all about consistency, from teams to players to coaches. That’s what makes a team great, players great, coaches great.…
Foodie Film Fest continues at Good Kind Southtown with The Lunchbox and Tampopo
Slab Cinema’s Foodie Film Fest is just what it sounds like. Presented in partnership with Southtown’s The Good Kind restaurant and bar, the Foodie Film Fest showcases the diversity of various countries and languages, with screenings on Wednesdays through the end of April. March 24’s film, Ritesh Batra’s The Lunchbox, is about a young wife…
Artpace’s Spring 2021 Artists-in-Residence unveil exhibitions in virtual opening this week
Artpace’s International Artists-in-Residence program continues with its Spring 2021 cohort, selected by guest curator Gilbert Vicario (Phoenix, Arizona). This spring’s residents are Nazafarin Lotfi (Tehran, Iran/Tuscon, Arizona), Adrian Aguilera (Austin, Texas/Monterrey, Mexico) and Angel Nevarez and Valerie Tevere (Brooklyn, New York). During the virtual opening, the artists will give a walk-through of each of their exhibitions. Both…
