The Source

How did the Avocado become the toast of the nation? The humble tropical fruit is now common in supermarkets, but even in the 1980s many Americans had never seen an avocado, much less tasted one. How did this once obscure alligator pear come to occupy a central spot in American culture?

The federal spending bill aimed at ending the ongoing government shutdown could also wipe out the nation's hemp-derived THC industry, including products that have become popular and widespread across Texas.

Since Donald Trump has returned to the presidency there has been a steady stream of government assisted harms focused on America's black communities. That's the finding of "The Blackout Report." According to the new report Black progress is at risk, as is Black history. The report identifies over 15,000 instances or actions that erase, distort or suppress Black history and opportunity.

Around the world many nations are facing a full-blown depopulation crisis. In the U.S. birth rates have steadily declined and the U.S. fertility rate is now well below replacement level. Some parts of the country are already experiencing population loss, aging demographics, and labor shortages. What needs to happen to change the population decline before it's too late?

SNAP payments are disrupted, the government shutdown continues, air travel is chaos. Congressman Joaquin Castro joins us to give us an update. The San Antonio Democrat explains why this is all happening and he will take your calls and answer your questions.

With the passage of Prop B, San Antonio Mayor Jones pledged to ensure a new Spurs arena and the assurance that, more broadly, Project Marvel will deliver real benefits for San Antonians. Meanwhile Jones is working to address the immediate hunger needs as SNAP continues to be disrupted.

The San Antonio Water System is expected to request a rate increase next year, its first since 2020. What is the SAWS position on a proposed wastewater treatment facility at the Guajolote Ranch development? How expensive and complicated will the relocation of a downtown chilled water plant be to accommodate Project Marvel?

Bexar County voters have had their say on Props A and B. We'll break down the results and what this means for the future of San Antonio and local politics.

When you think of Mount Rushmore, you picture four presidents carved in stone in the Black Hills of South Dakota. But part of that story began in San Antonio. Sculptor Gutzon Borglum began shaping his vision for the monument while working in San Antonio. As Mount Rushmore celebrates 100 years, we look back on the history and future of the landmark.

A new controversy at the Alamo over history, whose history gets told, and anti-woke politics has been reignited. Republican state leaders cracked down on the telling of the history of the Spanish mission. We hear from the American Indians in Texas at the Spanish Colonial Missions.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson, alleging the company failed to warn that Tylenol taken during pregnancy could increase the risk of autism and ADHD. The move comes after President Trump's remarks on ignited public debate on the cause of autism and the safety of Tylenol.

This year, San Antonio College celebrates 100 years of changing lives. For a century, SAC has opened doors to education and opportunity, helping generations build brighter futures and stronger communities. From workforce training to university pathways, San Antonio College has been a cornerstone of access and innovation in higher education. We look back at a hundred years of progress and ahead to what the next century holds.

Last week we heard from COPS/METRO making their case against Prop B and Project Marvel.We give equal time to the pro-Prop B side as they are explaining why raising the venue tax is a generational investment in San Antonio's future. Supporters argue that the new arena would bring economic benefits and secure the Spurs' long-term presence in San Antonio.

With the continued federal government shutdown and SNAP not being funded for November, San Antonio and many other communities are confronting a hunger crisis. The San Antonio Food Bank is working to meet the sudden rising need. We are joined by Eric Cooper, president and CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank.

Philosopher John Sanbonmatsu's The Omnivore's Deception argues that eating animals—no matter how “humanely” raised—is inherently unethical. Rejecting the idea of sustainable meat, he calls for abolishing animal agriculture altogether.

The anti-hunger program Meals on Wheels San Antonio is facing a growing number of challenges. The need for its services continues to grow with inflation driving up the cost of food and government cuts to SNAP, while federal funding is also being slashed.

Opponents of Proposition B have filed an ethics complaint alleging that several members of the San Antonio City Council used their town hall events to advocate for the measure rather than providing an even-handed forum. We'll get a response on the controversy from San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones.

As Bexar County voters cast their ballots for Props A and B, COPS/Metro is the leading voice against Prop B—the venue tax hike for a new spurs arena. They say the deal prioritizes private profit over community needs. Supporters of Prop B say it's needed to keep the Spurs in San Antonio. We'll hear from COPS/Metro about their campaign.

When you take a look around America and see the growing wealth gap, a housing shortage, generational poverty, regional disparities, the end of upward mobility, you realize these problems and others like them are all connected to the U.S. tax code. These problems didn't happen by accident. They are the result of a fundamentally tilted tax system that favors the wealthy and punishes the middle class.

If approved, Proposition 4 would generate $20 billion dedicated to state water projects over the next twenty years and up to $1B of sales tax revenue going into the Texas Water Fund every year starting in 2027.

Texas rural hospitals are in a struggle to stay open.In the last decade, 14 rural hospitals have closed down. Of the 156 rural hospitals currently in the state, about 70% have lost services, and more than half are at risk of closing. Federal cuts to Medicaid, Medicare and Affordable Care Act coverage are expected to significantly increase the uninsured rate in Texas and could cause more rural hospitals to shutter. What's being done to keep these vital lifelines open?

Opposition continues to mount against Guajolote Ranch, a proposed residential development on approximately 1,100 acres in northwest Bexar County west of the intersection of Scenic Loop Road and Babcock Road.

He's the most well known Kennedy in America today and the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. How Robert F. Kennedy Jr grew up a scion to a political legacy, became a former heroin addict, then a vaccine sceptic and the leader of the Make America Healthy Again movement. A PBS Frontline documentary tells the story.

As the fall weather begins to cool, this is the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors of Texas. The state has an abundance of hiking options to choose from. Regions covered include the Panhandle Plains, prairies and lakes, Piney Woods, Gulf Coast, South Texas Plains, Hill Country, and Big Bend. What makes Texas hiking unique? What dangers and challenges should hikers be prepared for? And which hikes best capture the spirit of Texas?

From drought and extreme heat to floods and freezes, gardening in Texas can be a challenge. However, with some helpful tips some Texas gardeners can cultivate spaces that are productive, resilient, and beautiful.By choosing hardy plants, water-saving native lawns, and other strategies, they're creating dynamic, thriving gardens. What are the practical practices that tame the Texas climate?

Your right to read is being infringed upon, and librarians have become the first responders in the fight for democracy and First Amendment rights. Texas has become ground zero as sweeping book bans are adopted at an unprecedented rate. As tensions escalate, librarians are being threatened with violence, harassed and accused of crimes. A new documentary, “The Librarians,” shows who is standing up for basic rights.

As Bexar County voters prepare to cast ballots on a possible venue tax increase for a proposed downtown home for The Spurs, SA Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones takes listeners' questions.

On Nov. 4, Texans will decide on 17 proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution, the largest batch since 2003. The measures span a wide range of issues: property tax relief, judicial reforms, funding for education and water, parental rights, and stricter voting eligibility rules. Proposition 16 is labeled “Voting for Citizens Only.”

Christopher Columbus used to be considered a hero for "discovering America" But did he? Columbus has now become a more controversial figure. Five years ago San Antonio took down its Columbus statue. A new biography of Columbus takes a fresh look at the explorer – his life and afterlife – how our understanding of the man has changed.

Proposition A on the November 4th ballot is asking Bexar County Voters to approve an increase to the hotel occupancy tax to generate just under $200 million to revitalize the Bexar County rodeo / coliseum / expo grounds on the East Side. The proposal is to turn the area into a year-round destination for rodeo, livestock, exhibitions, conventions and other uses.

San Antonio and Austin are growing day by day—and growing closer to each other. One day they will form one massive combo loco metro. But can the two cities and the communities in between work with each other now to develop healthy development that will maximize the benefits and minimize the problems of this mega region metropolis? Former HUD secretary Henry Cisneros joins us to discuss this on "The Source."

More than a decade ago, in the Emmy-nominated documentary, "Poor Kids," the acclaimed PBS series FRONTLINE explored poverty in America as it's rarely seen: through the eyes of children. Filmed across 14 years, “Born Poor” premieres Tuesday, October 7, on PBS stations.

“Business can be a force for good." That's the view of Daniel Lubetzky, best known as the founder of KIND Snacks, a star on "Shark Tank," philanthropist and the author of the book, "Do the Kind Thing: Think Boundlessly, Work Purposefully, Live Passionately," which lays out his philosophy of combining business, kindness, and social impact. Lubetzky will be the keynote speaker for San Antonio Startup Week.

Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai joins "The Source" to discuss the coming vote on the proposed new downtown Spurs arena and revitalizing the rodeo grounds.

San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones has completed her first 100 days in office, which is an informal, early benchmark of leadership, priorities, and political effectiveness. These first few months of tenure often reveal both strengths and vulnerabilities, demonstrates the style of leadership and signals what to expect for the rest of their term.

About half a million Texans are living with Alzheimer's disease. Another million Texans serve as unpaid caregivers, managing the daily needs for loved ones. This November, Texas voters will consider Proposition 14, which would direct $3 billion over 10 years to create the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. If approved, it would be the largest state-funded Alzheimer's and dementia research program in the nation.

"Dodgers to Damascus," by Catherine Nixon Cooke, documents David Lesch's work in Syria and the Middle East, a part of the world plagued by conflict, power struggles, and warfare. It offers a firsthand glimpse inside modern Syria, its neighboring countries, and their connections to the rest of the world.

We think of the surrender of Robert E. Lee as the end of the Civil War, but the end really wasn't clear at the time. The Galveston News reported Lee's surrender as a positive development for the Confederacy and encouraged Texans to fight on. How did Lincoln's peace take hold? How did a divided nation come together? Michael Vorenberg's new book is Lincoln's Peace: The Struggle to End the American Civil War.

Many of us tend to take our muscles for granted. They are the unsung heroes of our bodies. They are the stuff that moves us and keeps us healthy. But as we age, how much can we rely on our muscles? What are the secrets of our muscles? Journalist and author Bonnie Tsui takes a deep dive into the science, history, and personal narratives that shape our understanding of muscle in her book, On Muscle: The Stuff that Moves Us and Why it Matters.

Earlier this summer Carmen Herrera was detained by ICE outside of San Antonio's immigration court. She's a mother of five girls who are all U.S. citizens and she is also married to a U.S. citizen. After she was detained, Herrera's nightmare began—and it's a story shared by many in our community. Herrera's story is told in a new documentary.

A first of its kind study challenges the conventional thinking about the onset of Type 2 diabetes and identifies the signs of risks before pre-diabetes. Called "pre-prediabetes," it zeroes in on people with insulin resistance and shows that diabetes is a continuous disease that demands early detection and intervention through lifestyle changes.

The American Lung Association's 2025 “State of the Air” report finds that the San Antonio metro area is one of the worst regions for air quality. There are rising concerns about asthma, allergies and chronic respiratory illness. What are the sources for local air pollution and is stronger EPA action necessary to help everyone breathe a little easier.

Free speech is the cornerstone of American democracy. That's why it's in the First Amendment. But today, it's under pressure from every direction. From the White House to college campuses to late night TV, the battle is on over who gets to speak — and who gets silenced. What happens when Americans are afraid to speak out?

New York Times bestselling author and former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul joins "The Source." He brings a bold, clear-eyed look at how the autocracies of China and Russia are challenging the current global order, and how America's future depends on successfully confronting these threats.

After the Texas Legislature failed in the special session to pass a bill to restrict minors' access to THC products, Governor Greg Abbott signed an executive order putting these limits in place. But what is Abbott calling for? And how soon will they go into effect? Is this going to be enough to keep THC out of the hands of teens in Texas?

We love our cars, but do we understand how much they are costing us? The lifetime cost of driving in the U.S. is estimated at almost $800,000—including maintenance, insurance, fuel, parking, and depreciation. And then there's the cost in lives. Cars have killed 60 to 80 million people since their invention—that's more than the deaths of WWI and WWII combined. Is there a better way?

How do we deal with deep loss and grief? For local author and poet Cyra Sweet Dumitru, it was journaling and writing poetry that helped find a way to recovery.The author joins us with the Children's Bereavement Center to discuss her time as a volunteer at the center and how that helped her heal from a very personal death loss in her life.

Hannah Arendt came of age in Germany as Hitler rose to power, before escaping to the United States as a Jewish refugee. Arendt's time as a political prisoner, refugee and survivor in Europe informed her groundbreaking insights into the human condition, the refugee crisis and totalitarianism. A PBS documentary” Hannah Arendt: Facing Tyranny” takes a closer look at one of the most fearless political writers of modern times who still inspires us today.

Texas lawmakers approved legislation, House Bill 7, allowing private citizens to sue manufacturers, distributors, and providers of abortion-inducing drugs, including mail-order pills, for at least $100,000 in damages. The bill aims to restrict access to medication abortion by creating a private right of action and has been described as a potential model for other states seeking to curb abortion access.

Ric Galvan, the youngest member of the San Antonio City Council representing District 6, is currently 25 years old. The unabashed progressive from the city's West Side has become a dependable ally for Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones as he questions the benefits of Project Marvel and prevent cuts to social services in a tightening city budget.