The Source

This week on Texas Matters: President Trump makes a Texas campaign stop in Texas. Inside Ken Paxton's jet-setting travels. And a Texas State University anthropologist wins a “genius award."

The Conservation Society of San Antonio has canceled A Night in Old San Antonio (NIOSA) for Fiesta 2027, saying the longtime celebration is no longer fulfilling its purpose as a fundraiser for historic preservation and education. Society President Betty Bueché said the suspending NIOSA is due to financial reasons, and there is no timetable for its return.

San Pedro Park is the oldest park in Texas but there is archeological evidence that it's been used for over 12,000 years. The newly formed San Pedro Springs Park Conservancy wants to rehabilitate neglected elements of the historic park that sits just north of downtown. How do you want to see the park restored and improved for generations to come?

The PBS FRONTLINE documentary “Scammed,” examines the dark industry of online con jobs through a joint investigation with The Associated Press. Each year billions of dollars are stolen from victims. Drawing on interviews and thousands of documents, the reporting follows sextortion operations in Nigeria and sprawling scam compounds in Southeast Asia that depend on human trafficking.

American journalism is in crisis. There is distrust in reporting. There are expanding news deserts. There is the rise of bad faith partisan outlets. How can journalism meet the challenges of today's media landscape to inform, to be useful and to fight to maintain American democracy? How should the press change to serve democracy?

San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones is pressing state officials over two backlogs affecting Texans' access to health care and the ballot, while also seeking more information from federal officials about immigration enforcement in the Alamo City.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement is moving ahead with plans to turn an East Side warehouse into a detention facility. ICE awarded a contractor $17 million to renovate the warehouse and provide services for its operation where they will hold over a thousand people. It's expected to begin operation in early 2027.

There has been a catastrophic decline in the population of North American birds. The continent has lost approximately one-third of all birds since 1970. But certain groups like raptors and waterfowl have recovered significantly due to targeted habitat restoration and dedicated conservation funding.

Over 2.5 million grandparents in the U.S. are primary caregivers for their grandchildren. This is a growing trend driven by parental addiction, incarceration, mental health issues, neglect, and financial instability. This "grandfamily" phenomenon often leaves seniors managing financial, legal, and health challenges with little to no support.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. Nearly one in every four deaths is attributed to it, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Knowing the warning signs is crucial.

Four years ago Vladimir Putin commanded Russian forces to invade Ukraine, producing a rupture with the United States and Europe the world has not seen since the Cold War. The war has turned into a long battle of wills in which Russia refocused its entire state machinery to achieve one purpose: Outlast the West, at any cost necessary. The Kremlin is waging a war not only on Ukraine, but against global order.

Eugene Robinson is one of America's most respected voices on politics, race, and democracy. Raised during the height of the Civil Rights Movement, he witnessed the struggle for racial justice firsthand. Robinson brings historical context, clarity, and personal insight to the most important issues facing the country. His latest book is Freedom Lost, Freedom Won: A Personal History of America. Robinson will be speaking at Trinity University in October.

Today the Democratic Party is out of power and generally unpopular. Even so, Democrats are expecting to see a "blue wave" this midterm because of a sagging economy, the war with Iran and affordability issues. Democratic strategist Adam Jentleson argues the Democratic Party can again become the dominant political power if they expand their appeal and build a wider coalition.

For some San Antonio residents, a rent increase or an unexpected expense can turn a fragile housing situation into a crisis. Close to Home's latest report says housing costs are outpacing incomes, and more people are seeking help, even as the region has fewer emergency shelter beds.

Liver cancer is a serious health problem in San Antonio and South Texas, particularly among Hispanic residents. UT Health San Antonio researchers have reported that South Texas Latinos have exceptionally high rates of the disease.

Texas is seeing anti-Muslim political rhetoric move beyond campaign speeches and social media and into policy decisions affecting public-school curriculum, facilities and access to the state's new private-school voucher program. Does the rise of anti-Muslim public policy in Texas violate the U.S. Constitution?

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's campaign to eliminate diversity programs is prompting concern among Black service members who say their qualifications and patriotism are being called into question. Writing in The Atlantic, Clint Smith said many of the roughly two dozen Black military personnel he interviewed felt disrespected or pressured to leave.

A controversy surrounding Republican Railroad Commission nominee Bo French is highlighting divisions within the Texas GOP as the November election approaches. Scott Braddock, editor of the Quorum Report, breaks down the politics of Texas and why French's social media post is creating so much controversy.

San Antonio District 9 Councilmember Misty Spears is calling for deeper spending reductions as the city confronts a projected $158 million budget gap over two years.

In "Reboot: AI and the Race to Save Democracy" author Beth Simone Noveck argues if democracy is to survive the AI era, pro-democracy advocates must use the technology to increase government accountability, transparency and outreach.

Former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, U.S. Senator, and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar joins "The Source." He shares his unique perspective on the U.S.-Mexico relationship, the border and immigration — and his belief that America's diversity is its superpower. Salazar says it's time to end division in the nation and come together.

Young people who spend much of their day on social media are considerably more likely to experience anxiety and suicidal thoughts, according to a new study from UTHealth Houston.

The recent Nepal catastrophic high-altitude glacier collapse triggered massive flash floods resulting in over a thousand deaths and thousands more missing. Many scientists attribute the tragedy to global warming and warn it could be the "tip of the iceberg" of things to come due to climate change.

The Latino vote could be a wild card in the midterm elections. South Texas Latino voters swung sharply toward Donald Trump in 2024, but polling now shows many are dissatisfied with the president. They're concerned about the economy and affordability, mass deportations and the war with Iran. Latino vote expert Mike Madrid joins The Source to break it down.

Recently the slavery exhibit was removed at Independence National Historical Park, The Pride flag was removed at Stonewall National Monument and at the Smithsonian references to President Trumps impeachments were taken down. We hear from Jason Stanley, the author of “Erasing History – How Fascists rewrite the Past to Control the Future.”

On his first day of his second term President Donald Trump signed an executive order that brought the USAID to a screeching halt. Elon Musk later bragged that his DOGE effort fed USAID "to the woodchipper." Musk today insists not one person has died from the ending of USAID but the evidence tells a different story. We hear from a whistle blower about the end of USAID and its impact.

San Antonio and Austin are bookends to one of the fastest-growing regions in the nation. Growth and development are happening now. But are plans keeping pace? The Central Texas Alliance is a coalition of civic, business, academic and community leaders working to maximize opportunities and support the Austin-San Antonio corridor.

The war with Iran is in its sixth month. Service members are experiencing extended deployments and limited support. But how are their families dealing with the strain and the stress of the war. Who is supporting the military family during deployment, the bills get higher and the spouse is running the household alone?

The price Americans pay at the pharmacy can bear little resemblance to what a drugmaker ultimately receives. Between those amounts lies a complicated system of rebates, fees and insurance rules that can leave sick patients paying disproportionately high costs.

San Antonio researchers are investigating whether a drug better known as ecstasy can help people recover from post-traumatic stress disorder when combined with established psychotherapy.

How has the United States harnessed the power of Wall Street, Silicon Valley, and Big Oil against America's enemies and allies?The US government is escalating economic wars against Russia, China, and Iran. But also Canada and Mexico — using tariffs and trade. But could these efforts backfire?

When President Trump launched the war with Iran he said it would be over in four to five weeks. But it's been dragging on for six months. Trump ran for president with the promise of no more “forever wars,” but has the war with Iran become a quagmire that has no end in sight. What are the consequences of being locked in a war with no clear rational for fighting and no exit.

Persistently high grocery prices are forcing more San Antonio-area families to choose between food and other necessities, contributing to a sharp increase in food insecurity across South Texas.

A massive outbreak of foodborne illness linked to imported lettuce is intensifying questions about whether federal staffing cuts and weakened surveillance have left the United States less prepared to detect and contain contaminated food.

President Trump signed an executive order earlier this month to limit the vaccine schedule to 11 immunizations. Trump directed officials to review the timing and sequencing of vaccinations. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), heavily criticized the decision, warning that it lacks scientific backing, creates unnecessary hurdles for parents, and leaves children vulnerable to preventable diseases.

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is criticizing President Donald Trump's plan to increase beef imports, warning that the effort to reduce grocery prices could come at the expense of Texas cattle producers.

Last week San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones lost the city council vote 5-6 to hold a city vote on funding the proposed downtown Spur arena. Jones joins "The Source" to discuss moving forward as the city is dealing with a budget shortfall.

The bulldozers have stopped in Big Bend for now. But for how long? And what does this mean for other culturally sensitive areas on the border slated for border wall construction? The Trump administration says the wall is needed to prevent illegal immigration, but critics say this pristine land is not a crossing point. The latest on the legal fight to save Big Bend.

Twenty-five years after the September 11 attacks, the United States continues to grapple with the wars, fear and political upheaval that followed. In "Toward the Turning," psychotherapist Scott Gibbs examines 9/11 as part of a destructive cycle of grievance, violence and retaliation between Islamist movements and Western powers. He argues that humanity must learn to coexist across profound cultural differences to escape this cycle of conflict.

Polling shows President Donald Trump is unpopular with independent voters — and the midterm elections could be a blue wave. But could Trump try to interfere with the election? He's used executive orders to attack voter eligibility, mail voting, voter databases and redistricting. How vulnerable are the midterms? How can we protect democracy?

Governor Greg Abbott is calling for the San Antonio electricity market to be opened up to private for-profit power companies. CPS Energy is the largest municipally owned electricity provider in the nation, and each year contributes about half a billion dollars to the city's general fund. CPS Energy joins us to explain what Abbott's proposal could mean for your power bill and for funding city programs.

San Antonio Councilwoman Marina Alderete Gavito is calling for renewed scrutiny of cybersecurity protections at the city's municipally owned water and electric utilities following attacks on water systems in Minnesota.

Texas history is more than just history. It's filled with myth— and amnesia—that provides a permission structure which fuels conservative politics. It also has a powerful influence on the nation as a whole. In his book Texas: An American History, Benjamin Heber Johnson shines new light on Texas history—while seeking to balance the dark chapters of Texas history and not letting them overshadow the achievements of the lone star state.

Over just the last 50 years, humanity as taken more out of the earth than in all the rest of human history combined. The wounds left behind by this extraction — mines, oil wells, quarries, poisoned rivers, hollowed-out industrial towns — now form the true map of our civilization and our age. What can we learn by confronting these ruins?

As record high temperatures continue to rise around the globe this summer, many communities are faced with a common challenge: how to stay safe from extreme heat.In the U.S., extreme heat has claimed more than 21,000 lives since 1999. UT San Antonio researchers are working to better understand extreme heat's impact and to develop strategies to protect the most vulnerable residents.

San Antonio District 10 Councilmember Marc Whyte is rejecting Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones' call for a citywide vote on San Antonio's proposed $489 million contribution toward a new downtown Spurs arena.

Initially President Trump said the war with Iran would last four to five weeks. Now over five months later there is no end in sight. The war is acting like a tax on the U.S. economy: energy costs are rising, inflation has accelerated, and the federal government is spending tens of billions of dollars on military operations.

Should San Antonio have another vote on city funds for Project Marvel? San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones says a second vote is needed. She joins The Source to explain why. Also what's her response to Governor Greg Abbott wanting to open the San Antonio electricity market to private companies? And should San Antonio have a moratorium on data centers?

Three San Antonio City Council members are calling for a temporary moratorium on applications for new data centers, citing concerns about the rapidly growing industry's demands on water, electricity and impact on air quality in surrounding neighborhoods.

President Donald Trump has spent decades cultivating an image as a master dealmaker. A new book examines the techniques behind that reputation and what others can learn from both his successes and shortcomings.

We might live in a crowded city, but we also share the urban space with lot of animals.Raccoons, skunks, possums and even coyotes roam our streets. And we are part of their ecosystem. These creatures are ambassadors from nature — and reminders that this land isn't ours. How animals are adapting to cities and reshaping the natural World.