BREAKING NEWS
Commissioner Grant Moody endorses candidate for City Council District 9 race
Read full article: Commissioner Grant Moody endorses candidate for City Council District 9 raceBexar County’s lone conservative commissioner, Precinct 3′s Grant Moody, has issued his support — and assumed a spot in the campaign — for a candidate vying for the soon-to-be-open City Council District 9 seat.
City provides update to East Sonterra Boulevard extension project on North Side
Read full article: City provides update to East Sonterra Boulevard extension project on North SideThe City of San Antonio provided an update on construction efforts underway on the North Side to connect East Sonterra Boulevard to North Loop 1604.
Residents eager for solution to flooding on Encino Park street
Read full article: Residents eager for solution to flooding on Encino Park streetResidents have been dealing with the issue for more than six years, but now, city crews are constructing a solution for homes on Encino Crown and Encino Summit.
‘Unthinkable:’ Neighbors recount widespread flooding damage as city starts construction in Encino Park
Read full article: ‘Unthinkable:’ Neighbors recount widespread flooding damage as city starts construction in Encino ParkOne San Antonio resident on Encino Crown said her backyard turns into a waterfall almost every time it rains.
Former Texas Secretary of State Rolando Pablos announces run for San Antonio mayor
Read full article: Former Texas Secretary of State Rolando Pablos announces run for San Antonio mayorFormer Texas Secretary of State Rolando Pablos announced Tuesday that he is running for mayor of San Antonio in the 2025 election.
North Side construction project set to start as request waits in city to reduce construction delays
Read full article: North Side construction project set to start as request waits in city to reduce construction delaysEarly this summer, Councilwoman Sukh Kaur filed the CCR to invest in Subsurface Utility Engineering and create a system to maintain and document records.
FULL INTERVIEW: Mayoral candidate John Courage wants to ‘continue building’ on current initiatives
Read full article: FULL INTERVIEW: Mayoral candidate John Courage wants to ‘continue building’ on current initiativesCourage sat down with KSAT recently to discuss his vision for the city, which largely includes continuing current initiatives and his track record as a council member.
SAPD addresses audit findings on delayed processing of rape kits
Read full article: SAPD addresses audit findings on delayed processing of rape kitsOn Monday, the city council heard about an audit report finding that between October 2021 and September 2023, almost 10 percent, or 117 of SAPD's kits, went past that 30 days. Changes have already been made.
SAPD fires officer accused of taking guns, ammo from councilman’s gun buyback event
Read full article: SAPD fires officer accused of taking guns, ammo from councilman’s gun buyback eventThe San Antonio Police Department has fired an officer accused of taking weapons and ammunition during a city councilman-sponsored gun buyback event outside the Alamodome late last year, discipline records obtained by KSAT Investigates show.
Six-figure salaries for San Antonio City Council? Early pay raise talks raise eyebrows among council members
Read full article: Six-figure salaries for San Antonio City Council? Early pay raise talks raise eyebrows among council membersA Charter Review Commission is considering whether to adjust council members' salaries, though voters would have the final say.
Pro-Palestinian protestors take to publicly confronting San Antonio City Council members
Read full article: Pro-Palestinian protestors take to publicly confronting San Antonio City Council membersSome pro-Palestinian protestors have been turning up the heat on San Antonio City Council members with whom they are angry for not passing a ceasefire resolution regarding the Israel-Hamas War.
San Antonio councilmembers vote to censure District 10′s Marc Whyte after DWI arrest
Read full article: San Antonio councilmembers vote to censure District 10′s Marc Whyte after DWI arrestWhyte asked his fellow councilmembers to pass the censure; others spoke about holding council to a higher standard
San Antonio annexes more than 4,000 acres on South Side
Read full article: San Antonio annexes more than 4,000 acres on South SideSome property owners in South Bexar County were able to temporarily avoid being annexed into San Antonio when the city came calling a decade ago. But now, the agreements they signed are expiring.
More than 900 weapons exchanged for gift cards at city’s first voluntary gun buyback event
Read full article: More than 900 weapons exchanged for gift cards at city’s first voluntary gun buyback eventThe city's first-ever gun buyback event led to people exchanging more than 900 weapons for H-E-B gift cards, according to San Antonio Councilman John Courage.
‘We can do something’: San Antonio’s first gun buyback happening Sunday at the Alamodome
Read full article: ‘We can do something’: San Antonio’s first gun buyback happening Sunday at the AlamodomePeople will be able to exchange as many as 20 unloaded weapons for H-E-B gift cards at the drive-thru event at Alamodome Parking Lot B between 12-5 p.m. on Sunday.
Gun buyback event to be held by District 9 councilman
Read full article: Gun buyback event to be held by District 9 councilmanPeople can bring as many as 20 unloaded weapons to the Alamodome parking lot on Nov. 19 and, depending on the condition and type of firearm, receive between $50 and $300 worth of gift cards per weapon.
City Council passes $3.7B budget, including new fund that could help cover travel to out-of-state abortion clinics
Read full article: City Council passes $3.7B budget, including new fund that could help cover travel to out-of-state abortion clinicsThe city council passed the $3.7 billion spending plan for fiscal year 2024 Thursday morning in a 10-0-1 vote. It will take effect Oct. 1 at the beginning of the 2024 fiscal year.
San Antonio plans to take advantage of expanded Safe Haven law
Read full article: San Antonio plans to take advantage of expanded Safe Haven lawThe City of San Antonio plans to take advantage of a change to state law that will allow parents to surrender their newborn babies in special, alarmed boxes at fire stations and other designated spots.
City Council backs moving Brackenridge Project ahead in 6-4 vote
Read full article: City Council backs moving Brackenridge Project ahead in 6-4 voteThe San Antonio City Council awarded Amstar, Inc. a $3.5 million contract for repairing the historic retaining walls, stabilizing the pump house, and reconstructing the grand stair case. However, the city’s plans to cut down dozens of trees in the process has draw sharp criticism.
‘Consistent history of wrongdoing’: SA City Council spurns Wells Fargo over scandals, penalties
Read full article: ‘Consistent history of wrongdoing’: SA City Council spurns Wells Fargo over scandals, penaltiesThe San Antonio City Council declined Wells Fargo’s card Thursday as it voted 7-4 to drop the multinational banking giant from a proposed pool of underwriters.
San Antonio City Council split over whether to work with Wells Fargo
Read full article: San Antonio City Council split over whether to work with Wells FargoThe San Antonio City Council delayed a routine vote on Thursday after its members split on whether to do business with Wells Fargo because of its recent scandal and penalty-plagued record.
North Side councilmen leave chambers rather than put marijuana, abortion onto May 6 ballot
Read full article: North Side councilmen leave chambers rather than put marijuana, abortion onto May 6 ballotBecause the proposed charter amendment was the result of a successful petition, the city’s legal team said the city council had no choice but to put it on the ballot.Even so, three North Side councilmen made sure to leave council chambers rather than help pass it: Councilman Manny Pelaez (D8), Councilman John Courage (D9), and Councilman Clayton Perry (D10).
‘Baby box’ gives parents another option to surrender baby
Read full article: ‘Baby box’ gives parents another option to surrender babyCity leaders are pushing for “baby boxes”. Although similar to the Safe Haven or Baby Moses Law, this proposal would allow parents in crisis to give up their child anonymously.
Hate messages targeting Jewish community, transgender individuals found in District 9, councilman says
Read full article: Hate messages targeting Jewish community, transgender individuals found in District 9, councilman saysDistrict 9 Councilman John Courage said messages of hate targeting the Jewish community and transgender individuals were found in several neighborhoods in the last week.
San Antonio limits construction noise with ‘goodnight, goodnight construction site’ ordinance
Read full article: San Antonio limits construction noise with ‘goodnight, goodnight construction site’ ordinanceThe San Antonio City Council amended the city’s noise ordinances on Thursday to limit the hours during which construction crews can do any exterior building construction work, including demolition and excavation. The council also approved more stringent penalties for violations.
Voter-approved jobs program brings new hope after Train for Jobs SA delivers lackluster results
Read full article: Voter-approved jobs program brings new hope after Train for Jobs SA delivers lackluster resultsThe City of San Antonio’s Train for Jobs SA program has struggled to meet its promised results, but there’s hope for a voter-approved program set to begin in the spring.
‘I’m not anticipating changing anybody’s mind’: CPS Energy CEO says outreach on rate hike is about ‘education’
Read full article: ‘I’m not anticipating changing anybody’s mind’: CPS Energy CEO says outreach on rate hike is about ‘education’As CPS Energy pushes for city council approval of a new rate hike, the utility’s interim CEO doesn’t expect to win over many of its customers.
Council members fret about process for SAWS and CPS board appointees, but not enough to derail new trustees
Read full article: Council members fret about process for SAWS and CPS board appointees, but not enough to derail new trusteesCouncil members’ concerns over the process for appointing trustees to the city’s water and utilities spurred lengthy discussions Thursday, but ultimately weren’t enough to derail the newest SAWS and CPS Energy board appointments.
Will San Antonio mandate COVID-19 vaccine for city workers like in California, New York City?
Read full article: Will San Antonio mandate COVID-19 vaccine for city workers like in California, New York City?San Antonio and Bexar County officials are considering imposing a vaccine mandate on city and county employees after similar moves were taken in California and New York City.
Perry & Courage’s push for property tax relief a no-go for now
Read full article: Perry & Courage’s push for property tax relief a no-go for nowBecause there’s already a $5,000 minimum for its current exemption, city staff say boosting the homestead exemption to 5% would only save the average San Antonio homeowner with a $195,730 home an extra $27 each year.
Affordability concerns stall Friedrich Lofts complex housing development
Read full article: Affordability concerns stall Friedrich Lofts complex housing developmentThe council members on the San Antonio Housing Authority Public Facilities Corporation Board delayed a vote on financing during a Tuesday meeting that would have allowed the “Friedrich Lofts” project to move forward. The project would create 358 units of studio, single-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments in a non-historic portion of the Friedrich Complex on East Commerce and Olive Street.
Runoff Election Results: San Antonio City Council
Read full article: Runoff Election Results: San Antonio City CouncilWith all the votes counted, the following candidates have been declared winners in Districts 1, 2, 3, 5 and 9, respectively: Mario Bravo, Jalen McKee-Rodriguez, Phyllis Viagran, Teri Castillo and John Courage.
Courage vying to keep seat as Von Dohlen hopes the third time’s the charm in D9 runoff election
Read full article: Courage vying to keep seat as Von Dohlen hopes the third time’s the charm in D9 runoff electionJohn Courage and Patrick Von Dohlen will once again square off on Saturday in a runoff election for the District 9 council seat.
Vaccine waitlist expected to be discussed during city council committee Tuesday
Read full article: Vaccine waitlist expected to be discussed during city council committee TuesdaySAN ANTONIO – With all Texans 50 years old and over now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, the pool of people anxiously looking for appointments has grown larger. On Tuesday, one alternative will come up again - the creation of a vaccine registry or waitlist. The city council’s Community Health and Equity Committee is scheduled to meet at 3 p.m. Tuesday. While a vaccine waitlist is not on the official agenda, it is expected to be discussed. The District 9 councilman brought up the registry idea at least twice in February city council meetings.
City Council adds charter change for bond projects to May 1 ballot
Read full article: City Council adds charter change for bond projects to May 1 ballotSan Antonio – The San Antonio City Council has sent a proposed charter change to voters, which could offer more flexibility in what kind of projects the city can fund with bond money. The city council voted 10-1 Thursday to add the proposal onto the May 1 ballot for voter approval. Ad“There may be still other state laws or federal laws that govern what we can do on specific projects,” City Attorney Andy Segovia said. Perry also criticized the way the proposed amendment was brought to the city council. Amendments added to the ballot by the city council are typically considered by a mayor-appointed charter review commissionAdWhile there was no commission this year, a 2018 Charter Review Commission had previously considered changing the charter language surrounding the use of bond dollars, at Nirenberg’s request.
Metro Health director nixes central registry for vaccine sign-ups
Read full article: Metro Health director nixes central registry for vaccine sign-upsCourage used the opportunity to once again call for a citywide, central registry for which residents could sign up and be notified when it’s their turn to get the shot. Currently, residents must try to call or register online at each of the individual vaccine providers whenever new doses become available. A central registry, Courage argued, would help residents feel secure in the knowledge they’d eventually be in line to get vaccinated. Ad“We need to be able to reassure them that they will be contacted by call or email when their time comes to receive the vaccine. They’ll know where to go, they’ll know when to go and what to be prepared for when they get there,” Courage said.
San Antonio City Council discusses uncertain future of Alamo Plan
Read full article: San Antonio City Council discusses uncertain future of Alamo PlanSAN ANTONIO – With the Cenotaph relocation apparently off the table, San Antonio City Council members discussed options forward for the $400 million Alamo Plan. With the monument’s relocation a “crucial” part of the overall plan, city staff members say plans or timelines need to be changed. “We’re going to have to redo redesign because that Cenotaph is not moving,” City Manager Erik Walsh told council members. In its entirety, the Alamo Plan includes repairs to original structures, a redesign of the plaza and a museum. Following the nearly two-hour public discussion, council members spent close to another hour in a closed executive session but took no official action.
San Antonio City Council passes $2.9 billion budget, no ‘defunding’ of SAPD
Read full article: San Antonio City Council passes $2.9 billion budget, no ‘defunding’ of SAPDSAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio City Council passed a $2.9 billion budget Thursday that makes few changes to the San Antonio Police Department, over the strong objection of activists. The San Antonio Police Department’s general fund budget will increase more than $7 million over the FY 2020 budget to roughly $486.5 million, largely due to a scheduled 5% pay increase for officers. As police funding discussions take place in San Antonio and cities around the state, Gov. The San Antonio Police Officers' Association released a statement from its president Mike Helle in support of the budget vote, too. “The City Council, and the people of San Antonio, should make no mistake: this ‘repeal’ movement is just one more way to ‘defund police!’” Helle wrote in the statement.
City leaders face backlash over stance on Black Lives Matter movement
Read full article: City leaders face backlash over stance on Black Lives Matter movementSAN ANTONIO Two San Antonio City Council members were the recipients of anger for their positions over the Black Lives Matter movement and other recent controversial issues that have recently surfaced during city meetings. I believe that Black lives matter. I believed Black lives mattered before I ever heard the term Black lives matter. I will continue to believe Black lives matter. District 10 Councilman Clayton Perry also sparked some anger from people during that June meeting, when he did not raise his fist in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.
D9 Councilman John Courage shares his New Year’s resolution
Read full article: D9 Councilman John Courage shares his New Year’s resolutionSAN ANTONIO – As a new decade begins, City Hall reporter Garrett Brnger has been talking with members of the San Antonio City Council about their New Year's resolutions. District 9 Councilman John Courage said he has resolved to listen to his constituents. To see more resolutions from other San Antonio City Council members, click here.