The Source

When it comes to politics, it used to be bad headlines could torpedo a public figure. But today politicians appear to be armored in Teflon— nothing sticks. So scandals are less likely to end a career. Why is that? That shift is the focus of "Scandal: Why Politicians Survive Controversy in a Partisan Era" by University of Houston political scientist Brandon Rottinghaus.

Three drugs that are already approved for people and are on the market — rapamycin, semaglutide and dapagliflozi — could help pick the lock on living longer and healthier. The San Antonio Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies is, for the first time, looking at these drugs to evaluate their repurposing for delaying aging.

Katy Padilla Stout is the Democratic nominee for the 23rd Congressional District of Texas. This is a district that Republicans have held and has been considered a safe Red seat. But after current congressman Tony Gonzales dropped out of the race due to a scandal, and the GOP nomination moved to gun rights activist Brandon Herrera, Democrats are sensing an opportunity to flip the district.

Texas is slipping deeper into a prolonged drought, with the latest U.S. Drought Monitor showing nearly the entire state abnormally dry and about 81.8% in drought. Roughly half of Texas is now in severe drought or worse, and about one in five acres is in extreme to exceptional drought.

The United States and Israel are now at war with Iran. This direct conflict has grown out of decades of simmering hostility but is now erupting, reshaping the Middle East and rattling the global economy. FRONTLINE has produced and is streaming an updated presentation of Remaking the Middle East. From award-winning FRONTLINE filmmakers James Jacoby and Anya Bourg.

We are living in a time of extreme self surveillance. We carry with us devices that capture our every location, info about our health, and data about our private lives. This information can be saved, processed and used against us by the police, prosecutors and the political state. Digital technology exposes everyone, everywhere, all at once, and we have few laws to regulate it.

No other phenomenon has shaped human history as decisively as capitalism. It structures how we live and work, how we think about ourselves and others, how we organize our politics. But is capitalism what you think it is? It's rooted in the ideas of private property, self-interest and profit — but it is dependent on the rule of law and state support. We hear the story of capitalism.

Measles in South Carolina's outbreak grew to nearly a thousand cases last week. The outbreak is part of a wave of measles outbreaks across the country that began last year in Texas. There are other outbreaks now in California, Utah and North Dakota. The vast majority of cases have been among unvaccinated people. The surge in cases is pushing the U.S. dangerously close to losing its measles-free status. Why are we losing the battle against measles?

San Antonio City Council is looking to move forward after a week of internal rifts due to a confrontation between Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones and District 1 Councilwoman Sukh Kaur. The conflict escalated into an 8-1 City Council vote to censure the mayor on Friday.

San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones is looking to boost voter participation in the city, tighten oversight of area data centers, and push back against new immigration detention facilities.

Former San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg releases a memoir about his time leading City Hall as he seeks to win the Bexar County judge office as the Democratic nominee. “Nirenberg: The Education of a Texas Public Servant,” is published by Trinity University Press.

Texas voters delivered a primary night that mixed sharp surprises with familiar outcomes, underscoring both the volatility and the limits of the state's political map.

U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran have sharply escalated tensions in the Middle East, raising fears of a wider regional conflict and fresh questions about the legal and strategic case for military action.

There are significant changes to the H-1B visa program. The Trump administration is replacing the random lottery system with a process that will prioritize visas for higher-skilled and higher-paid individuals. There is an intensifying crackdown by the Trump administration on H-1B visas. Critics say the changes could hurt universities, hospitals, startups, and tech employers that rely on foreign talent.

Questions are being asked about possible drone activity on the U.S.-Mexico border after two recent incidents in the El Paso area shut down air space and a military laser was fired to accidentally take down a U.S. Customs and Border Protection drone.

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.

On The Source, District 6 Councilmember Ric Galvan said the VIA board vote leaves no immediate path forward for free fare. “I don't see a specific pathway forward in developing a program at this time,” he said.

The price of gold is hitting record highs. This could seem like a glittery situation, but it could foreshadow trouble for the global economy. Drivers of "gold fever" could be causing growing concerns about inflation, debt and geopolitical tensions.

Texas public school students could soon be required to read Bible passages in English language arts classes from kindergarten through 12th grade under a draft proposal before the Texas State Board of Education.

San Antonio mayor Gina Ortiz Jones is calling for transparency and accountability from U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which oversees Immigrations and Customs Enforcement regarding the March 2025 shooting death of San Antonio resident Ruben Ray Martinez, a U.S. citizen.

San Antonio leaders are weighing a major shift in public transportation policy after Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones asked VIA Metropolitan Transit to develop a plan for testing fare-free bus service on the city's busiest routes.

More than a dozen health and environmental groups are suing the Environmental Protection Agency over its rollback of a rule that fought climate change. The “endangerment finding”, states that the buildup of heat-trapping pollution in the atmosphere endangers public health. The rollback is widely seen as a major setback to efforts to combat the climate crisis.

How did PFAS chemicals, once used in popular stain-resistant carpets, end up in the water and environment in parts of Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina? FRONTLINE, The Associated Press, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Post and Courier and AL.com investigate what happened with these forever chemicals and the ongoing health impacts.

The current right-wing view is that DEI is bad for America. It's been banned from Texas and national public policy. Diversity, equity and inclusion make up an idea to promote the fair treatment and full participation of all people, particularly those from underrepresented or marginalized groups. So what does the evidence tell us about DEI? And how has it helped business, education, justice and democracy?

Early voting kicks off in Texas for the March 3 political primaries. The big races to watch are in both major parties for U.S. Senator. Who will the Republicans and the Democrats pick for their nominees? And what's happening down ballot? Is there a blue wave coming in November?

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.”

The race for the Democratic nomination for Bexar County judge is on. Former Mayor Ron Nirenberg joins us for the first half hour. He's followed by incumbent County Judge Peter Sakai. We'll hear from each candidate separately about his vision for Bexar County, Project Marvel, economic development and more.

The polls look grim for Republicans heading into the midterms — and recent special elections look even worse. President Trump has reacted by calling for the Republican party to take over the elections entirely. Advocates for free and fair elections are calling this a warning sign. What could happen and how can we protect our elections?

Conditions inside the family immigration detention facility in Dilley, Texas are drawing renewed scrutiny as detainees, attorneys and advocates describe shortages in medical attention, inadequate and substandard food and water, and serious mental-health strain — allegations that federal officials and the private operator dispute.

Texas state leaders are threatening sanctions against school districts and disciplinary action against educators after a wave of student walkouts protesting federal immigration enforcement.

A month after the U.S. raid and capture of then-President Nicolas Maduro upended Venezuela, the initial shock has given way to a mix of uncertainty, hope and disappointment. Maduro's government remains in power. Donald Trump said he's the acting president. There are no signs of new elections. The economic collapse continues. FRONTLINE PBS investigates what life is like now in Venezuela.

After U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement purchased a massive warehouse on the city's East Side for a migrant detention center, San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones said she is looking into how the city can push back.

Should San Antonio have a diversion center? It could allow people with mental illness or intellectual disabilities to avoid going to jail for low-level misdemeanors and instead get treatment. It would help with overcrowding at the Bexar County Jail and could help direct people away from the cycle of the criminal justice system and into getting the help they need.

As the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under President Donald Trump moves to unwind or delay a range of air- and climate-related rules, public-health and environmental advocates warn the shift could hit Texas especially hard.

Art Reinhardt is the director of the San Antonio Public Works Department. He'll discuss large-scale construction projects that will improve streets, drainage, parks and facilities.

New generations of Americans are taking to the street in protest, demanding change and accountability. And they are discovering what protestors of the 1960s and '70s found out— protesting is hard, frustrating and requires sacrifice. But protest songs can help. Songs demanding freedom and justice go back generations and are also being composed today. We hear from Stephen Stacks about his new book The Resounding Revolution: Freedom Song After 1968.

On Juneteenth we look back at the fight for civil rights in America. Historian Peniel E. Joseph discusses his new book Freedom Season: How 1963 Transformed America's Civil Rights Revolution." He reflects on the power of protest and community organizing and how segregationists and other bigots in power were pushed out of the way. And what this means today.

There's growing evidence of a great political shift in America. A record-high 45% of U.S. adults identified as political independents in 2025. Meanwhile an equal share of U.S. adults — 27% each — identified as either Democrats or Republicans. But this means a large share of voters are unrepresented in our two-party political system. As independents rise, how will they have a voice?

Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade — and the outlawing of abortion in Texas — Planned Parenthood in San Antonio has continued. Planned Parenthood South Texas continues to provide services — but not abortions. And Planned Parenthood in San Antonio is painting rainbow crosswalks at its health centers.

We've all marveled at the transformation of the caterpillar into the butterfly. We think of it as a singular mystery of nature, but nearly three-quarters of all animal species undergo some form of metamorphosis. In Oren Harman's new book, "Metamorphosis: a Natural and Human History," he explores the scientific, philosophical, and artistic aspects of transformation. How does it fit with the questions about individuality, struggle, and the life cycle?

The 2026 U.S. Dietary Guidelines introduced an up-side down food pyramid that prioritizes meat, fats, and full-fat dairy. How healthy is this new food framework? We're joined by Dr. Nate Wood, head of culinary medicine at the Yale School of Medicine and a former chef to talk about avoiding processed foods and eating healthy.

In recent months the United States has witnessed a resurgence of protesters taking to the streets calling for change on social, political and environmental issues. These marchers are walking in the footsteps of other protesters who fought for civil rights, labor and peace. What makes a protest successful? How can a mass demonstration lead to substantial and long-lasting change. We discuss "A Protest History of the United States" by Gloria J. Browne-Marshall.

As President Donald Trump renews calls for the United States to “claim” Greenland, international law is emerging as the central constraint. It's clear under international law and the UN treaty that military force and global intimidation cannot be used to change borders in the modern era.

According to a recent study many Latino communities are dealing with unsafe levels of microscopic airborne pollutants. These pollutants penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream and can contribute to asthma, lung cancer, strokes, and neurological disorders.

What does science tell us about aging and trying to improve our health? We know that exercise is one way to hold off the worst effects of aging, but how much exercise do we need and how much does exercise really help? What other anti-aging interventions are available? There is growing consensus on what reliably works, what is promising but unproven, and what remains hype.

Five years after a pro-Trump mob stormed the U.S. Capitol to halt certification of Joe Biden's 2020 victory, a political battle has intensified over how January 6, 2021, should be remembered — and what it means going forward.

The future of work is going to be about advanced manufacturing — cyber security and cyber control, A.I. — robotics, and space. Where will San Antonio fit into that world? Alamo Colleges District is preparing the local workforce for these jobs.

As buying a home has become out of reach for so many, some families are having to rent to maintain shelter. But in Texas it's become easier for tenant families to be evicted. A new law, SB 38, empowered property owners to expel “squatters” and also weakened rights of renters.

A new comprehensive history of Mexico argues the republic has been a major player in shaping the globe, from its silver fueling global trade to its progressive social positions. "Mexico: A 500-Year History," casts Mexico in a new light.

What's the future of San Antonio's Rainbow Crosswalk and the proposal for a rainbow sidewalk? Pride San Antonio joins "The Source" to explain the politics of expressions of inclusion.

Kathy Rogers is the former executive director of the Alamo Trust. She resigned in late 2025 under pressure from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Rogers advocated for a broader historical story of the Alamo. Now she is fighting back with a lawsuit claiming First Amendment violations to reclaim her job.