The Source episodes

San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones is urging City Council to move the city’s municipal elections from their traditional Saturday in May to the November general election date.

It’s frequently been noted that the United States is the lone superpower in the world. But in the age of Trump and 'America First,' what does it mean for the U.S. to exit the world stage as a force for democracy, human rights and economic globalism? This creates a vacuum for China to fill but also increases suffering in many parts of the world. The Case for American Power, defends the necessity of U.S. global leadership.

In this the first comprehensive treatment of Pearl Harbor since the early 1990s, respected Pacific War naval historian Mark E. Stille traces the road to war and the Japanese attack itself. Stille challenges the conventional narrative that Japan's sneak attack was brilliantly planned and well executed.

A young Texan recently committed suicide after allegedly being encouraged to end his own life by an AI chat bot. Public safety advocates are calling for restrictions and common-sense AI safeguards on chatbots as this technology is being embraced by more and more people.

Texas’ massive new abortion law, HB7, is taking effect this week. This law is the most ambitious effort yet from abortion opponents to halt telehealth abortions, which have helped patients get around strict bans in Texas and other states after Roe v. Wade was overturned.

Texas Voters just overwhelmingly approved $20 billion to be spent on improving the state’s water supply, infrastructure and education over the next 20 years. But that funding is just the beginning — and it will only go so far in addressing a crisis that threatens the future of Texas, a state where the powers that be will not acknowledge the effects of climate change.

For many chronic migraines and brutal “cluster” headaches are inescapable. The new book The Headache looks for answers about why so many suffer from the jackhammer pounding attacks on the brain. From cutting-edge clinics to experimental treatments, we hear about the search for relief.

Humanity has never seen anything like artificial intelligence. This new transformation technology is already changing the economy, And as Big Tech pushes for Super AI there are many calling for government oversight, regulation and protections for workers and the environment. But Big Tech is also spending big on politics to lobby so that its growth will remain unchecked.

What can we expect now that Props A and B have passed with voter approval?

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?

A new FRONTLINE documentary examines Ecuador’s rapid descent from one of South America’s most peaceful nations into a country gripped by violent conflict driven by the international drug trade.

Stomach cancer is the fifth most common cancer worldwide. The impact of stomach cancer is disproportionate in South Texas, where Hispanic populations face higher incidence and earlier onset. Stomach cancer is difficult to detect early, when it’s most treatable.

After a high-profile multi-agency raid on a food truck court in San Antonio, Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones is calling for transparency and accountability for the Homeland Security agencies involved.

U.S. warships are patrolling off the coast of Venezuela. The stated purpose is to target drug-trafficking vessels and so-called “narco-terrorists.” President Trump has authorized the CIA to conduct lethal covert operations there. According to Venezuela’s government, these are acts of aggression — and could be a prelude to war. What would happen if the U.S. invaded Venezuela?

The Republican party’s effort to gerrymander Texas to give them five additional seats in Congress took a blow this week when a federal court threw out their map. A federal judge said there was substantial evidence that the map was drawn to hurt minority voters. Attorney General Ken Paxton said he would appeal.

Elon Musk’s outspoken support for Germany’s far-right Alternative for Deutschland (AfD) has intensified concerns among German officials and democracy advocates, and it features prominently in a new PBS FRONTLINE investigation into the rise of nationalist politics across Europe.

Like many parts of Texas, San Antonio is seeing a surge in the number of data centers being built in the area. These are computer warehouses used for servers, crypto mining and AI. They require a lot of electric power and water to operate. District 6 council member Ric Galvan is calling for checking in on the exponential growth of data centers in the region.

PBS’s Frontline returns this week with a new in-depth documentary examining the evolving course of the war in Ukraine, offering viewers a granular look at a conflict now nearing its fourth year.

The vast political divide in America has largely become a battle between folks who live in the cities and those who don’t. This was not always the case. Somehow rural voters have almost uniformly become Republican voters. How did the divide emerge and why does it pose a threat to democracy?

When the No Kings protests recently took place on streets across the nation, Trump administration officials said these were quote "hate America" rallies. But in fact, these were patriots using their constitutional right to dissent and voice their opposition to government policies — a practice that has been part of America since the founding.

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."

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