INSIDER
Long lines but few problems as Texas wraps the first week of early voting
Read full article: Long lines but few problems as Texas wraps the first week of early votingA Bexar County election worker was assaulted Thursday, officials said. In Tarrant County, officials encouraged voters to review their ballots before voting.
Judge tosses Ken Paxton’s lawsuit targeting Bexar County’s voter registration effort
Read full article: Judge tosses Ken Paxton’s lawsuit targeting Bexar County’s voter registration effortThe county told a state district court judge that the applications were already mailed out and any ruling would be moot.
Ken Paxton sues Bexar County over voter registration outreach effort
Read full article: Ken Paxton sues Bexar County over voter registration outreach effortThe move escalates Texas Republicans’ brewing fight with urban counties over initiatives to proactively send applications to unregistered voters.
Texas AG warns Harris, Bexar counties in letter over proposal to mail voter registration forms to unverified recipients
Read full article: Texas AG warns Harris, Bexar counties in letter over proposal to mail voter registration forms to unverified recipientsTexas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sent letters to both the Bexar and Harris County Commissioner’s Courts threatening to sue if proposed plans to mail voter registration forms to individuals regardless of their eligibility moves forward.
Warrants detail allegations that led to search of Democratic candidate for Texas House
Read full article: Warrants detail allegations that led to search of Democratic candidate for Texas HouseThe Texas attorney general’s office searched the home of Cecilia Castellano and a Democratic legislative aide. It said it’s investigating vote harvesting. Activists called it “intimidation.”
In competitive South Texas legislative race, a fight emerges over a candidate’s Hispanic surname
Read full article: In competitive South Texas legislative race, a fight emerges over a candidate’s Hispanic surnameThe Bexar County GOP accused Democrat Kristian Carranza of using a Hispanic surname to appeal to the district’s largely Hispanic population.
Security concerns raised as teenager smuggles gun into Texas jail and kills himself
Read full article: Security concerns raised as teenager smuggles gun into Texas jail and kills himselfAn unfortunate and unusual turn of events took place in the San Antonio area this weekend after someone was able to walk into an area jail with an unsuspecting weapon.
Missing San Antonio teen found dead in vehicle with boyfriend was ‘excited’ to be a mom: What we know about Savanah Soto
Read full article: Missing San Antonio teen found dead in vehicle with boyfriend was ‘excited’ to be a mom: What we know about Savanah SotoSan Antonio police are investigating after Savanah Soto, a pregnant teen whose disappearance prompted a CLEAR Alert, was reportedly found dead inside a vehicle with her boyfriend Tuesday.
‘Very perplexing crime scene’: Bodies found in car believed to be missing San Antonio pregnant teen and boyfriend
Read full article: ‘Very perplexing crime scene’: Bodies found in car believed to be missing San Antonio pregnant teen and boyfriendA missing pregnant woman who was the subject of a Texas Department of Public Safety CLEAR Alert was found alongside a man inside a parked vehicle near an apartment complex in San Antonio, KSAT News reports.
Suspect arrested after 6 killed, 2 officers hurt in attacks that spanned from Bexar County to Austin
Read full article: Suspect arrested after 6 killed, 2 officers hurt in attacks that spanned from Bexar County to AustinAuthorities have confirmed that six people are now dead and two officers were hurt in a shooting rampage that spanned from San Antonio to Austin.
More than two-thirds of Texas’ 30.3 million residents live in four largest metro areas
Read full article: More than two-thirds of Texas’ 30.3 million residents live in four largest metro areasAccording to new Texas Demographic Center figures, the Austin region continues to grow at the fastest rate, but Fort Worth was the city that attracted the most new residents between 2020 and 2023.
Texas is not prepared for Austin-San Antonio population boom, experts say
Read full article: Texas is not prepared for Austin-San Antonio population boom, experts sayThe neighboring regions are projected to collectively grow from 5.2 million to 8.3 million people by 2050. But the state still lacks an overarching plan to address critical housing and transportation issues, experts said.
Man accused of killing 15-year-old was beaten by teen’s family during melee in Texas courtroom
Read full article: Man accused of killing 15-year-old was beaten by teen’s family during melee in Texas courtroomAuthorities say a man accused of fatally shooting a 15-year-old last year was beaten by members of the teen’s family during a courtroom melee in San Antonio, Texas.
Texas murder suspect shot at Walmart after leading authorities on a chase across 2 counties
Read full article: Texas murder suspect shot at Walmart after leading authorities on a chase across 2 countiesA Texas murder suspect was shot at a Walmart on Saturday after leading authorities on a chase across two counties.
Texas Supreme Court says Gov. Greg Abbott’s COVID ban on local mask rules was lawful
Read full article: Texas Supreme Court says Gov. Greg Abbott’s COVID ban on local mask rules was lawfulSeveral of Texas’ largest cities sought to put in place mask requirements, which Gov. Greg Abbott overturned. The ruling is a legal win for Republicans in Austin their ongoing symbolic fight with cities, often run by Democrats.
DAY 8: Texas trial continues for ex-border patrol agent accused in murders of 4 women
Read full article: DAY 8: Texas trial continues for ex-border patrol agent accused in murders of 4 womenWednesday marks day eight of the trial for a former U.S. Border Patrol Agent accused of a murder spree that left four women dead is underway in Bexar County.
DAY 6: Watch the trial of ex-border patrol agent on trial in Texas for murders of four women
Read full article: DAY 6: Watch the trial of ex-border patrol agent on trial in Texas for murders of four womenFriday marks day five of the trial for a former U.S. Border Patrol Agent accused of a murder spree that left four women dead is underway in Bexar County.
Migrants sue Florida governor over Martha's Vineyard flights
Read full article: Migrants sue Florida governor over Martha's Vineyard flightsVenezuelan migrants flown from San Antonio to the upscale Massachusetts island of Martha’s Vineyard have sued Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and his transportation secretary for engaging in a “fraudulent and discriminatory scheme” to relocate them.
Bexar County sheriff launches investigation into Florida flying migrants to Martha’s Vineyard
Read full article: Bexar County sheriff launches investigation into Florida flying migrants to Martha’s VineyardFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis chartered two flights to send migrants recruited in San Antonio to the tony Massachusetts vacation spot, a move that drew outrage after some migrants later said they were misled into getting on the planes.
Cold case update: Man convicted in killing of 2 San Antonio-area women gets 2 life sentences, Texas DPS says
Read full article: Cold case update: Man convicted in killing of 2 San Antonio-area women gets 2 life sentences, Texas DPS saysA man who was convicted in the killing of two San Antonio-area women will serve two life sentences, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety in a release.
Voting 101: What you need to know about casting a ballot in Texas
Read full article: Voting 101: What you need to know about casting a ballot in TexasExercising your right to vote can be confusing or intimidating, regardless if you’re a first-time voter or a veteran. KPRC 2 News and KSAT, our San Antonio sister-station, worked to create a comprehensive resource to make sure every eligible Texan can vote and is counted.
San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg says state leaders, not locals, can prevent mass shootings
Read full article: San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg says state leaders, not locals, can prevent mass shootingsNirenberg said arming teachers with firearms, an approach pushed by Texas Republicans, is not the solution.
Gov. Abbott holds roundtable with law enforcement on how to keep communities safe
Read full article: Gov. Abbott holds roundtable with law enforcement on how to keep communities safeGovernor Greg Abbott is holding a roundtable in San Antonio to discuss law enforcement issues and ways the state can keep communities safe.
PHOTOS: Texas teen who posed with drugs, money and guns and posted pics on Instagram arrested, authorities say
Read full article: PHOTOS: Texas teen who posed with drugs, money and guns and posted pics on Instagram arrested, authorities sayPhotos posted to Instagram led police to two teenagers who had handguns, a high-powered pistol, cocaine, hash oil, marijuana, and thousands in cash, according to the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office.
At least 18,000 Texas mail-in votes were rejected in the first election under new GOP voting rules
Read full article: At least 18,000 Texas mail-in votes were rejected in the first election under new GOP voting rulesIn just 16 of the state’s largest counties, more than 18,000 mail-in ballots were rejected, most for failing to meet the new law’s ID requirements. A full statewide tally isn’t yet available.
Harris County pretrial services seeing caseloads and monitoring drop
Read full article: Harris County pretrial services seeing caseloads and monitoring dropIt was last November that KPRC 2 Investigates first examined how Pretrial Services operations were being conducted in Bexar County, which also includes San Antonio.
Vote-by-mail rejections are testing integrity of Texas Republicans’ voting law
Read full article: Vote-by-mail rejections are testing integrity of Texas Republicans’ voting lawWith less than a month left to vote by mail in the March primary election, hundreds of applications for mail-in ballots are being rejected as both Texas voters and local election officials decipher new ID requirements enacted by Republican lawmakers.
With hundreds of nurses out sick, San Antonio lawmakers of both parties ask for governor’s help staffing hospitals
Read full article: With hundreds of nurses out sick, San Antonio lawmakers of both parties ask for governor’s help staffing hospitalsOfficials in the state’s major metropolitan areas are increasingly scrambling to find health care workers to deal with a wave of patients with COVID-19.
Hundreds of mail-in ballot applications are being rejected under Texas’ new voting rules
Read full article: Hundreds of mail-in ballot applications are being rejected under Texas’ new voting rulesTexas Republicans last year enacted new identification requirements for voting by mail as part of sweeping legislation that further restricted the state’s voting process and narrowed local control of elections.
Republican John Lujan and Democrat Frank Ramirez advance to runoff for San Antonio-area Texas House seat
Read full article: Republican John Lujan and Democrat Frank Ramirez advance to runoff for San Antonio-area Texas House seatLujan is a Republican who previously held the seat and is hoping to help his party make inroads in South Texas. Ramirez is a former San Antonio City Council staffer.
Texas Republicans hope to flip San Antonio-area House seat in Tuesday special election
Read full article: Texas Republicans hope to flip San Antonio-area House seat in Tuesday special electionAfter upsets in previous special elections and President Joe Biden’s underperformance in South Texas last year, Democrats running for an open Texas House seat are taking the GOP threat seriously.
Full FDA approval of Pfizer vaccine opens door for vaccine mandates in Texas
Read full article: Full FDA approval of Pfizer vaccine opens door for vaccine mandates in TexasWith the U.S. Food and Drug administration’s full approval of the Pfizer vaccine, Texas is in uncharted territory when it comes to COVID-19 vaccinations.
Confusion reigns in Texas as legal fight over mask mandates rages between local officials and Gov. Greg Abbott
Read full article: Confusion reigns in Texas as legal fight over mask mandates rages between local officials and Gov. Greg AbbottBack-and-forth legal rulings have left some school districts with the choice of flouting Abbott and mandating masks — or waiting for the dust to settle.
Live COVID-19 updates: Texas sending more relief medical workers to hospitals, adding new antibody infusion centers
Read full article: Live COVID-19 updates: Texas sending more relief medical workers to hospitals, adding new antibody infusion centersCOVID-19 is surging again in Texas. Gov. Greg Abbott has tested positive. Hospitalizations are increasing faster than at any other time. Local officials and school leaders are rebelling against Abbott’s ban on mask mandates. Here’s the latest.
“The rebellion is spreading”: After local Texas officials defy his ban on mask mandates, Gov. Greg Abbott begins to clamp down
Read full article: “The rebellion is spreading”: After local Texas officials defy his ban on mask mandates, Gov. Greg Abbott begins to clamp downIn the face of skyrocketing hospitalizations, the heads of cities, counties and school districts have grown desperate for ways to contain the virus.
Texas sees most COVID-19 hospitalizations in 6 months
Read full article: Texas sees most COVID-19 hospitalizations in 6 monthsThe third wave of COVID-19 in Texas continues to tax the state's health care systems as health officials report 10,000 COVID-19 sufferers have been hospitalized for the first time since early February.
Texas judges temporarily allow officials in Bexar and Dallas counties to issue mask mandates, despite Gov. Greg Abbott’s ban
Read full article: Texas judges temporarily allow officials in Bexar and Dallas counties to issue mask mandates, despite Gov. Greg Abbott’s banThe rulings came in two separate lawsuits. A Bexar County health official quickly required masks in public schools. And Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins may soon issue a mandate.
Dallas County, Bexar County officials fight Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s ban on mask mandates in court
Read full article: Dallas County, Bexar County officials fight Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s ban on mask mandates in courtThe local officials are asking for courts to rule that Abbott’s ban on local mask mandates is unenforceable.
‘On a crash course’: Texas hospitals brace for another COVID-19 surge as delta variant burns through unvaccinated communities
Read full article: ‘On a crash course’: Texas hospitals brace for another COVID-19 surge as delta variant burns through unvaccinated communitiesHospital officials worry that "staggering and frightening" hospitalization rates will push facilities to capacity at a time when staffing is short and workers are exhausted.
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner responds to Thanksgiving weekend curfew orders in Texas
Read full article: Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner responds to Thanksgiving weekend curfew orders in TexasHOUSTON – Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner has issued a statement following the curfews issued in Bexar County and in San Antonio. The efforts are due to fears that the Thanksgiving weekend will end in a huge spike of COVID-19 cases, KSAT reported. At this present time, my primary concern is all the contacts that occurred yesterday during Thanksgiving and everything that happened today during Black Friday where everyone is out there shopping,” Dr. Varon said. Dr. Varon says our focus needs to be on educating others about the deadly virus. The establishments may continue to offer drive-thru, curbside or takeout service after 10 p.m. and resume dine-in service at 6 a.m. during the curfew period.
With hospitals full, El Paso extends business shutdown for three weeks
Read full article: With hospitals full, El Paso extends business shutdown for three weeksThe county has struggled to contain new infections, which have exceeded 1,000 daily several times during the last two weeks. Samaniego’s extension of the shutdown order until Dec. 1 comes despite the Texas Attorney General’s office’s ongoing efforts to have the county order squashed in court. A state district judge last week permitted the El Paso shutdown order to stand pending a final resolution of the case. The number of total cases recorded in El Paso County since the pandemic began is more than 65,000, about 8,000 greater than Bexar County, which includes San Antonio and has more than twice the population. Abbott on Wednesday said the state was also sending additional resources to El Paso to supplement the state's alternate care site set up at the convention center in late October.
Texas' ability to run accessible, efficient elections is being tested this year. Will Bexar County flunk?
Read full article: Texas' ability to run accessible, efficient elections is being tested this year. Will Bexar County flunk?“Here in Bexar County, because we’ve had things so stable for so long, it puts people’s minds at ease,” she said. Callanen and some other Bexar County officials, like Wolff, say the county is ready. 'A lot to be thankful for'Callanen is widely known and respected among Texas elections administrators. Although Bexar County elected officials have little direct control over Callanen's election decisions, leaders like Wolff defend the county’s elections record. But even that, he said, doesn't seem to be holding Bexar County voters down this cycle.
The wild reports from last month’s Texas Game Warden Field Notes
Read full article: The wild reports from last month’s Texas Game Warden Field NotesHere are some of the wildest reports from September 2020:Familiar FacesA Titus County game warden caught three men fishing on Lake Welsh without fishing licenses. The warden called for backup and a second Bexar County game warden came to assist in the search for the other trespasser. Axis DeniedAn Edwards County game warden and a Real County game warden had been investigating an individual for several weeks for hunting from a public roadway. Upon further investigation, the game wardens found both groups in possession of multiple game fish including bass and crappie. Shrimpin' Ain’t EasyA Calhoun County game warden was patrolling Matagorda Bay in the early morning hours when he saw numerous commercial shrimp boats traveling into the bay.
Two major Texas counties are trimming polling locations as workers pull out over coronavirus
Read full article: Two major Texas counties are trimming polling locations as workers pull out over coronavirusTexas voters are not required to wear masks while casting their ballots in-person for the primary runoffs, the first statewide election during the coronavirus pandemic. Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas TribuneA lack of workers willing to run polling sites as Texas continues to report record coronavirus infections is forcing election officials in two major counties to scale back plans for the July 14 primary runoff elections. Although poll workers are generally being provided with protective gear, Gov. Greg Abbott's decision to not require voters to wear masks when they show up at polling locations is driving some poll workers away, Wolff said. Poll workers tend to be older and at higher risk for complications from the coronavirus.
High school coaches convention will draw thousands to San Antonio as pandemic rages across Texas
Read full article: High school coaches convention will draw thousands to San Antonio as pandemic rages across TexasThe NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, planned for March at the Albuquerque Convention Center in New Mexico, were canceled because of the new coronavirus. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports via REUTERSLater this month, thousands of people from across Texas are expected to gather in San Antonio for the states premier annual high school coaching convention. San Antonio is in Bexar County, which has the fourth-highest number of coronavirus cases and deaths in the state. The pandemic situation continues to evolve and so does San Antonio and its businesses, she said in an email. San Antonio is known to Texans as a safe and comfortable destination and we are all doing everything possible to keep it so.
San Antonio man cited after he allegedly smacked the hand of Bexar County judge during mask dispute
Read full article: San Antonio man cited after he allegedly smacked the hand of Bexar County judge during mask disputeSAN ANTONIO A 47-year-old Texas man was cited for disorderly conduct Thursday after he allegedly smacked the hand of a San Antonio-area official who was trying to persuade him to put on a face covering, officials said. Nico LaHood, Toller's lawyer, said his client was not yelling at the cashier and never touched Wolff. Toller's confrontation with Wolff, the county's top executive, came after the judge ordered businesses to require face coverings to slow the spread of COVID-19. Security camera footage of the Wednesday incident shows Toller swat a proffered business card out of Wolff's hand as the two men are at the store's checkout. Texas has reported more than 17,000 new cases in the last three days with a record high 5,996 on Thursday.
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo hopes to finalize a mask order by Friday, office says
Read full article: Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo hopes to finalize a mask order by Friday, office saysJudge Lina Hidalgos office told KPRC 2 Hidalgo hopes to finalize the mask order by Friday. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said Wednesday that he and Hidalgo had reviewed the order first issued by Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff. Greg Abbott was not supportive of issuing a mask mandate, he told KWTX in Waco that the Bexar County order was in line with his own executive order. Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins is reportedly mulling a mask order as well. Dr. Laila Woc-Colburn, associate professor of infectious diseases at Baylor College of Medicine supports the idea of issuing a mask order.
Bexar County requires face masks in businesses as coronavirus surges, despite Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's order that masks can't be mandatory
Read full article: Bexar County requires face masks in businesses as coronavirus surges, despite Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's order that masks can't be mandatoryChristopher Lee for The Texas TribuneBexar County Judge Nelson Wolff issued an order Wednesday directing businesses to require employees and customers to wear face masks when social distancing is not possible. Greg Abbott issued an executive order on June 3 banning local governments from imposing fines or criminal penalties on people who don't wear masks in public. Wolff's order states that, through the end of the month, businesses in Bexar County have until Monday to start requiring face masks "where six feet of separation is not feasible" before the business risks facing a fine of up to $1,000. The order also states that, consistent with Abbott's executive order, "no civil or criminal penalty will be imposed on individuals for failure to wear a face covering." On Tuesday, nine mayors from Texas' biggest cities wrote a letter to Abbott, urging him to grant them the authority to mandate face masks in their own cities in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Gov. Greg Abbott calls for resignation of Bexar County GOP chair after she floats racist George Floyd conspiracy theory
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott calls for resignation of Bexar County GOP chair after she floats racist George Floyd conspiracy theoryRepublican Party of Bexar County Chairman Cynthia Brehm. Greg Abbott is calling for the resignation of the Republican Party chair in one of the state's biggest counties after she floated a conspiracy theory about the death of George Floyd. "Cynthia Brehm should immediately resign her position as Chair of the Bexar County Republican Party." Garcia's tweet prompted U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Austin, whose district includes Bexar County, to call for Brehm to step down immediately. The Bexar County Republican Party chair has a new conspiracy theory.
Is El Paso ready to reopen? Not all Texas officials agree.
Read full article: Is El Paso ready to reopen? Not all Texas officials agree.PASO Shuttered store fronts in downtown El Paso during the the coronavirus pandemic. On May 1, when some state restrictions were lifted, El Paso County had 961 positive coronavirus cases. Abbott granted the county a one-week delay, and sent several state response teams comprised of National Guard members to increase testing in El Paso. Margo said the situation in El Paso is more manageable now and he's encouraged that the county's positivity rate has dropped to 8 percent. "The people of El Paso and the workers on the front lines should be incredibly proud of these results.Dr. Hector Ocaranza, El Paso's City/County Local Health Authority, urged caution as El Paso expands business operations.
Genene Jones, once dubbed ‘Angel of Death,’ pleads guilty in 1981 death of 11-month-old
Read full article: Genene Jones, once dubbed ‘Angel of Death,’ pleads guilty in 1981 death of 11-month-oldGenene Jones, 69, once dubbed the “Angel of Death” faced a Bexar County judge Thursday and pled guilty to the 1981 murder of Joshua Sawyer, an infant under her care.