Like chapters of a book, each episode of the “San Antonio Storybook” will tell a different tale about the city we call home. The stories likely are ones you haven’t heard before – narratives about the lives of the people behind the headlines, the sounds you hear, and the places you see as you drive around San Antonio.   Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts

Like chapters of a book, each episode of the “San Antonio Storybook” will tell a different tale about the city we call home. The stories likely are ones you haven’t heard before – narratives about the lives of the people behind the headlines, the sounds you hear, and the places you see as you drive around San Antonio. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts

Premiering March 4th: San Antonio Storybook 

“Finding Medina” weaves together the events surrounding the Battle of Medina with the modern-day search for the battlefield itself. Despite being the largest, bloodiest battle in Texas history, the Medina battlefield has eluded archaeologists for more than a century. By the end of this podcast series, we hope to change that.   Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

“Finding Medina” weaves together the events surrounding the Battle of Medina with the modern-day search for the battlefield itself. Despite being the largest, bloodiest battle in Texas history, the Medina battlefield has eluded archaeologists for more than a century. By the end of this podcast series, we hope to change that. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

Premiering March 4th: Finding Medina

We may have been naive to be surprised that a San Antonio resort named La Cantera would be sued in 2018 for enforcing an "English-only" policy among Latino employees, but the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) this week filed just that lawsuit. Helping us understand the lawsuit and the procedures the EEOC goes through before filing such a lawsuit is veteran San Antonio employment attorney Chris Pittard, whose background includes four years as an EEOC lawyer. We also have a special announcement following our conversation.

We may have been naive to be surprised that a San Antonio resort named La Cantera would be sued in 2018 for enforcing an "English-only" policy among Latino employees, but the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) this week filed just that lawsuit. Helping us understand the lawsuit and the procedures the EEOC goes through before filing such a lawsuit is veteran San Antonio employment attorney Chris Pittard, whose background includes four years as an EEOC lawyer. We also have a special announcement following our conversation.

El Problema Con La Cantera

What did you do on summer vacation? Some San Antonio high school students from the International School of the Americas magnet program spent it diving deep into the horrors of the Holocaust. Rick Casey talks to two of them, Sofia Fortuno and Claire Ferrell.

What did you do on summer vacation? Some San Antonio high school students from the International School of the Americas magnet program spent it diving deep into the horrors of the Holocaust. Rick Casey talks to two of them, Sofia Fortuno and Claire Ferrell.

A Summer of Somber Learning

The firefighters' union will have three controversial charter amendmentson the Nov. 6 ballot and each could have a significant effect on political decision making in San Antonio. This week, Iris Dimmick, who has been covering the firefighters' union contract negotiations for years, joins the podcast to discuss each of the three city charter changes, and Rick explains why he thinks if the amendments pass, the union will be the most powerful political force in San Antonio since the police union of the 1980s.

The firefighters' union will have <a href="https://therivardreport.com/control-issues-at-the-heart-of-citys-fight-with-fire-union/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">three controversial charter amendments</a>on the Nov. 6 ballot and each could have a significant effect on political decision making in San Antonio. This week, Iris Dimmick, who has been covering the firefighters' union contract negotiations for years, joins the podcast to discuss each of the three city charter changes, and Rick explains why he thinks if the amendments pass, the union will be the most powerful political force in San Antonio since the police union of the 1980s.

Charter Chit Chat

We talk with Gerry Schwabel, long-time head of international affairs for IBC Bank, which specializes in U.S. companies doing business in Mexico and Mexican companies doing business in the United States. Schwabel was present at the creation of NAFTA here in San Antonio and has closely monitored the current negotiations over updating the treaty. He just returned from Mexico City where he was one of the invited industry representatives who literally wait outside the doors behind which negotiations take place and offer instant responses to negotiators about proposed changes. 

We talk with Gerry Schwabel, long-time head of international affairs for IBC Bank, which specializes in U.S. companies doing business in Mexico and Mexican companies doing business in the United States. Schwabel was present at the creation of NAFTA here in San Antonio and has closely monitored the current negotiations over updating the treaty. He just returned from Mexico City where he was one of the invited industry representatives who literally wait outside the doors behind which negotiations take place and offer instant responses to negotiators about proposed changes.

A Deep Dive Into NAFTA 2.0

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton asked a federal court this week to void an Environmental Protection Agency finding that San Antonio has – like every other United States city of its size or larger – exceeded federal standards for ozone in its air. Paxton argued the finding would seriously hurt the city’s economy. Will it? And why hasn’t the City of San Antonio joined Paxton in the filing? Brendan Gibbons, the Rivard Report's environmental reporter, explains.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton asked a federal court this week to void an Environmental Protection Agency finding that San Antonio has – like every other United States city of its size or larger – exceeded federal standards for ozone in its air. Paxton argued the finding would seriously hurt the city’s economy. Will it? And why hasn’t the City of San Antonio joined Paxton in the filing? Brendan Gibbons, the Rivard Report's environmental reporter, explains.

Paxton Takes Issue with EPA's Ozone Finding

San Antonio City Councilman Manny Pelaez (D8) this week called for Bexar County District Attorney Nico LaHood to investigate the North Texas developer whose crews recently clearcut most of 38 acres of dense, brushy forest near La Cantera Parkway on the city's far North Side. LaHood called the move grandstanding. Pelaez joins me to discuss the crimes he has in mind.

San Antonio City Councilman Manny Pelaez (D8) this week called for Bexar County District Attorney Nico LaHood to investigate the North Texas developer whose crews recently clearcut most of 38 acres of dense, brushy forest near La Cantera Parkway on the city's far North Side. LaHood called the move grandstanding. Pelaez joins me to discuss the crimes he has in mind.

Pelaez Condemns Bulldozing Developer

This week the most comprehensive study of San Antonio’s housing needs produced a detailed proposal to address a severe and growing problem. The Housing Policy Task Force Calls for 10-Year, $3.9 Billion Plan One statistic is particularly powerful: Paying the median rent for an apartment requires a wage of $18 an hour, yet 60 percent of San Antonio workers make less than $15. Owning a house is even tougher: The median price of a home has soared 40 percent in the last six years, and the trend is likely to continue. Addressing the issue, the report says, will require considerable resources and a novel approach to affordable housing. A city’s housing stock is part of its infrastructure, just like water, streets, drainage. and sewage. If the free market can’t provide affordable housing, we need to address the problem collectively as a city – just as we do our other infrastructure needs. Lourdes Castro Ramírez, who chaired Mayor Ron Nirenberg's Housing Policy Task Force that produced the study, joins us to discuss its findings.

This week the most comprehensive study of San Antonio’s housing needs produced a detailed proposal to address a severe and growing problem. The Housing Policy Task Force Calls for 10-Year, $3.9 Billion Plan One statistic is particularly powerful: Paying the median rent for an apartment requires a wage of $18 an hour, yet 60 percent of San Antonio workers make less than $15. Owning a house is even tougher: The median price of a home has soared 40 percent in the last six years, and the trend is likely to continue. Addressing the issue, the report says, will require considerable resources and a novel approach to affordable housing. A city’s housing stock is part of its infrastructure, just like water, streets, drainage. and sewage. If the free market can’t provide affordable housing, we need to address the problem collectively as a city – just as we do our other infrastructure needs. Lourdes Castro Ramírez, who chaired Mayor Ron Nirenberg's Housing Policy Task Force that produced the study, joins us to discuss its findings.

Taking Housing to Task

Diego Bernal

There is a growing consensus that Texas’ school funding system is broken – especially when well-run suburban districts such as San Antonio’s North East Independent School District are on the mat. San Antonio Democratic State Rep. Diego Bernal, who is vice chairman of the House Committee on Education, has recently expressed optimism that the Legislature is ready to address the problem. It turns out it is cautious and rather limited optimism, but optimism nonetheless. Give a listen.

There is a growing consensus that Texas’ school funding system is broken – especially when well-run suburban districts such as San Antonio’s North East Independent School District are on the mat. San Antonio Democratic State Rep. Diego Bernal, who is vice chairman of the House Committee on Education, has recently expressed optimism that the Legislature is ready to address the problem. It turns out it is cautious and rather limited optimism, but optimism nonetheless. Give a listen.

State Rep. Diego Bernal Talks School Finance

A weekly conversation about the people and stories shaping San Antonio. Hosted by Rivard Report Editor in Chief Beth Frerking along with longtime columnist and newsman Rick Casey. Expect the show weekly every Friday and never over 20 minutes long.

Tried earlier, so this might be post 2!
Enjoyed and learned from this podcast as always
And will look forward to the weekly column

Sorry to see this end

Keep up the good work. One minor criticism:  when compared to other popular podcasts, this one is not loud enough. Compare overall volume to The Daily and Things To You Know.

You guys rock

Just This.

Frost Tower, the first downtown office high-rise to join San Antonio's skyline in three decades, has reached its full height and will open for business next year. Weston Urban CEO Randy Smith played a central role in negotiating the deal and selecting the world-renowned architectural firm Pelli Clarke Pelli and is overseeing construction. In today's episode, he explains what went into the deal, what Frost wanted out of it, and how the architects – including one who was born a few blocks away at the Nix Hospital – approached it.

Frost Tower, the first downtown office high-rise to join San Antonio's skyline in three decades, has reached its full height and will open for business next year. Weston Urban CEO Randy Smith played a central role in negotiating the deal and selecting the world-renowned architectural firm Pelli Clarke Pelli and is overseeing construction. In today's episode, he explains what went into the deal, what Frost wanted out of it, and how the architects – including one who was born a few blocks away at the Nix Hospital – approached it.

Frost Tower Takes Its Place on San Antonio Skyline

Should San Antonio chase a bid to host the 2020 Republican National Convention? This week on Just This, Rick and I discuss an intense debate on the subject that took place in a March meeting between City and Bexar County officials, business and civic leaders, and RNC representatives. We also examine San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg’s decision earlier this week to take the matter to City Council, and charges that he misrepresented the Republican National Committee’s interest in a bid from the city. Nirenberg’s move came in the wake of an email and, then, a series of taunting tweets by former San Antonio businessman Brad Parscale, who ran President Donald Trump’s digital media operations in the 2016 election and is now manager of Trump’s 2020 reelection campaign. Parscale is pushing for San Antonio to submit a bid for the convention. We examine claims of economic benefits, as well the potential costs of hosting a national political party’s nominating convention – including potential protests and civic backlash from Trump opponents. Join us every Friday for Just This. Listen in, and send us your feedback. Just This, produced by Photo Editor Scott Ball.

Should San Antonio chase a bid to host the 2020 Republican National Convention? This week on Just This, Rick and I discuss an intense debate on the subject that took place in a March meeting between City and Bexar County officials, business and civic leaders, and RNC representatives. We also examine San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg’s decision earlier this week to take the matter to City Council, and charges that he misrepresented the Republican National Committee’s interest in a bid from the city. Nirenberg’s move came in the wake of an email and, then, a series of <a href="https://twitter.com/parscale" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">taunting tweets</a> by former San Antonio businessman Brad Parscale, who ran President Donald Trump’s digital media operations in the 2016 election and is now manager of Trump’s 2020 reelection campaign. <a href="https://therivardreport.com/trump-taps-brad-parscale-as-his-2020-re-election-campaign-manager/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Parscale</a> is pushing for San Antonio to submit a bid for the convention. We examine claims of economic benefits, as well the potential costs of hosting a national political party’s nominating convention – including potential protests and civic backlash from Trump opponents. Join us every Friday for <a href="https://therivardreport.com/author/beth-frerking/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Just This</a>. Listen in, and send us your feedback. Just This, produced by Photo Editor Scott Ball.

Parscale vs. Nirenberg

A primer on the upcoming Mexican election. Sure “Amlo,” Just the likely winner, is a leftist. But he’s not the next Hugo Chavez. 

A primer on the upcoming Mexican election. Sure “Amlo,” Just the likely winner, is a leftist. But he’s not the next Hugo Chavez.

A Primer on Mexico's Upcoming Election

This week in our Just This podcast, Rivard Report Editor-in-Chief Beth Frerking and former San Antonio news columnist Rick Casey discuss the latest skirmish in an ongoing war between City Hall and the San Antonio Professional Firefighters Association. This round, the union is working to place propositions on the ballot that would give voters the right to consider capping the city manager’s tenure and salary; negotiate contracts through binding arbitration (if other avenues fail); and to make it easier to have citizen-led referendums that could impact City finances. City officials, including Mayor Ron Nirenberg, have drawn hard lines against the effort led by firefighters’ union chief Chris Steele.

This week in our Just This podcast, Rivard Report Editor-in-Chief Beth Frerking and former San Antonio news columnist Rick Casey discuss the latest skirmish in an ongoing war between City Hall and the San Antonio Professional Firefighters Association. This round, the union is working to place propositions on the ballot that would give voters the right to consider capping the city manager’s tenure and salary; negotiate contracts through binding arbitration (if other avenues fail); and to make it easier to have citizen-led referendums that could impact City finances. City officials, including Mayor Ron Nirenberg, have drawn hard lines against the effort led by firefighters’ union chief Chris Steele.

City Hall vs. San Antonio Firefighters Union

This week in Just This Rick Casey talks with Iris Dimmick, Rivard Report managing editor and City Hall reporter, about the latest draft of plans for remaking Alamo Plaza. A team of national experts, under direction from the City of San Antonio, the Texas Land Office and the Alamo Endowment, took steps toward addressing issues passionately raised by community critics when the first draft was released last year. But critics remain, arguing that the plan overreacts to adjacent tasteless tourist traps by turning Alamo Plaza  into a shrine and killing it as a vibrant center for locals. The new battle of the Alamo isn’t over.

This week in Just This Rick Casey talks with Iris Dimmick, Rivard Report managing editor and City Hall reporter, about the latest draft of plans for remaking Alamo Plaza. A team of national experts, under direction from the City of San Antonio, the Texas Land Office and the Alamo Endowment, took steps toward addressing issues passionately raised by community critics when the first draft was released last year. But critics remain, arguing that the plan overreacts to adjacent tasteless tourist traps by turning Alamo Plaza  into a shrine and killing it as a vibrant center for locals. The new battle of the Alamo isn’t over.

The New Battle of the Alamo

This week in Just This, Rick and I discuss the San Antonio Independent School District board's controversial vote to turn over operations of a chronically failing Southeast side school, Stewart Elementary, to Democracy Prep, a New York-based charter school operator. SAISD trustees said the charter company's record at rehabilitating beleaguered, low-performing schools provided the last, best hope before they shut Stewart's doors for good. But not everyone was happy with the move, especially teachers – who have to reapply for their positions if they want to stay at Stewart – and their union, the San Antonio Alliance for Teachers and Support Personnel. We look at the history of this troubled school, the teachers' association's complaints about the board's process to address Stewart's problems, and what Democracy Prep faces as it begins its arduous work next fall. We also examine an "emergency press conference" called by Bexar County Probate Judge Tom Rickhoff, a Republican running on to unseat Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, and offer a couple other must-reads by our journalists.

This week in Just This, Rick and I discuss the San Antonio Independent School District board's <a href="https://therivardreport.com/approved-democracy-prep-will-take-over-saisds-stewart-elementary-this-fall/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">controversial vote</a> to turn over operations of a chronically failing Southeast side school, Stewart Elementary, to Democracy Prep, a New York-based charter school operator. SAISD trustees said the charter company's record at rehabilitating beleaguered, low-performing schools provided the last, best hope before they shut Stewart's doors for good. But not everyone was happy with the move, especially <a href="https://therivardreport.com/sa-teachers-union-fighting-for-the-soul-of-public-education/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">teachers</a> – who have to reapply for their positions if they want to stay at Stewart – and <a href="https://therivardreport.com/san-antonio-teachers-union-cries-foul-over-saisd-charter-deal/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">their union</a>, the San Antonio Alliance for Teachers and Support Personnel. We look at the history of this troubled school, the teachers' association's complaints about the board's process to address Stewart's problems, and what Democracy Prep faces as it begins its arduous work next fall. We also examine an <a href="https://therivardreport.com/rickhoff-blasts-bexar-countys-spending-under-judge-wolff/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">"emergency press conference"</a> called by Bexar County Probate Judge Tom Rickhoff, a Republican running on to unseat Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, and offer a couple other must-reads by our journalists.

SAISD Turns Stewart Into A Charter, Rickhoff Roars

This week in Just This, Rick and I discuss the more than century-long history of San Antonio's annual Fiesta, including the founding of the exclusive Order of the Alamo by a Virginia transplant, John Baron Carrington, the Cavaliers, the annual selection of King Antonio, the establishment of a separate but equal Latino king, El Rey Feo, and celebrations from La Villita to Market Square to the Alamodome. And Rick recalls his own experience with Fiesta royalty. We also point out more Rivard Report coverage of Fiesta and invite our listeners (and readers) to comment on this story. Please share your favorite Fiesta events, must-go celebrations, and tips on how best to navigate San Antonio's annual 11-day citywide carnival.

This week in Just This, Rick and I discuss the more than century-long history of San Antonio's annual <a href="https://www.fiesta-sa.org/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Fiesta</a>, including the founding of the exclusive Order of the Alamo by a Virginia transplant, John Baron Carrington, the Cavaliers, the annual selection of King Antonio, the establishment of a separate but equal Latino king, El Rey Feo, and celebrations from La Villita to Market Square to the Alamodome. And Rick recalls his own experience with Fiesta royalty. We also point out more Rivard Report <a href="https://therivardreport.com/fiesta-organizers-and-local-law-enforcement-serious-about-security/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">coverage of Fiesta</a> and invite our listeners (and readers) to comment on this story. Please share your favorite Fiesta events, must-go celebrations, and tips on how best to navigate San Antonio's annual 11-day citywide carnival.

Fiesta! Of Kings, Queens, Charreada and Cornyation

When prominent San Antonio restaurateur Viola Barrios of Los Barrios Restaurant was murdered a decade ago, her family’s passionate response was immediate and stunning. Literally listening to their mother, they obeyed the instructions she had given them over the years to forgive. Throughout her life, Barrios had not only preached compassion and forgiveness, she had practiced them herself within her community and in response to an earlier tragedy, the loss of her husband José. Today, Barrios' children contribute to and carry on Viola's legacy, honoring their mother with the enduring gift of generosity she instilled in them. Rivard Reporter Ken Rodriguez, who covered the murder from its beginning in 2008, tells the story.

When prominent San Antonio restaurateur Viola Barrios of Los Barrios Restaurant was murdered a decade ago, her family’s passionate response was immediate and stunning. Literally listening to their mother, they obeyed the instructions she had given them over the years to forgive. Throughout her life, Barrios had not only preached compassion and forgiveness, she had practiced them herself within her community and in response to an earlier tragedy, the loss of her husband José. Today, Barrios' children contribute to and carry on Viola's legacy, honoring their mother with the enduring gift of generosity she instilled in them. Rivard Reporter Ken Rodriguez, who covered the murder from its beginning in 2008, tells the story.

A San Antonio Family's Remarkable Response to a Bizarre Murder

One year ago, just weeks after President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the Paris climate accord, San Antonio’s brand new City Council and its new mayor voted 9-1 to join a coalition of cities determined to meet the accord’s goals for reducing the greenhouse gases that are causing climate change. The first step of the ambitious commitment was for the City-owned CPS Energy to give the University of Texas at San Antonio a $500,000 grant to study the area’s sources of greenhouse gases and come up with a plan to reduce them. This week, the Rivard Report’s environmental reporter, Brendan Gibbons, broke the story that UTSA has been replaced by a private consulting firm. Listen to the background.

One year ago, just weeks after President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the Paris climate accord, San Antonio’s brand new City Council and its new mayor voted 9-1 to join a coalition of cities determined to meet the accord’s goals for reducing the greenhouse gases that are causing climate change. The first step of the ambitious commitment was for the City-owned CPS Energy to give the University of Texas at San Antonio a $500,000 grant to study the area’s sources of greenhouse gases and come up with a plan to reduce them. This week, the Rivard Report’s environmental reporter, Brendan Gibbons, broke the story that UTSA has been <a href="https://therivardreport.com/navigant-consulting-takes-over-most-utsas-role-in-citys-climate-plan/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">replaced by a private consulting firm</a>. Listen to the background.

Private Firm Replaces UTSA in SA’s Climate Action Effort

This week on Just This, Rick and I discuss the upcoming May 22nd runoff election between two Democratic candidates for Bexar County Commissioners Court – veteran commissioner Paul Elizondo and County Veterans Service Officer Queta Rodriguez. Elizondo, who has served on the Commission for three decades, likely was surprised have to defend the seat he’s held for 30 years. But as our reporter Jeffrey Sullivan wrote this week, “a determined challenge from a political newcomer campaigning to bring new priorities and perspectives to the court has Elizondo defending his tenure and even his military service record.” We look at the issues at play in the race, including Elizondo’s longtime support from Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, with whom he has worked over the years on a number of major projects. Rick provides a telling history about how Wolff has taken the county judge role beyond its traditional limitations – and how he has acted more like a city mayor. Listen in for several interesting examples. We also provide an update on last week’s podcast about the San Antonio City Council’s decision in a closed-door session not to bid on the 2020 Republican National Convention. Council Greg Brockhouse has asked Bexar County District Attorney Nico LaHood to investigate whether the executive session was legal under the Texas Open Records Act, and Rick deconstructs his request.

This week on Just This, Rick and I discuss the upcoming May 22nd runoff election between two Democratic candidates for Bexar County Commissioners Court – veteran commissioner Paul Elizondo and County Veterans Service Officer Queta Rodriguez. Elizondo, who has served on the Commission for three decades, likely was surprised have to defend the seat he’s held for 30 years. But as our reporter Jeffrey Sullivan wrote this week, “a determined challenge from a political newcomer campaigning to bring new priorities and perspectives to the court has Elizondo defending his tenure and even his military service record.” We look at the issues at play in the race, including Elizondo’s longtime support from Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, with whom he has worked over the years on a number of major projects. Rick provides a telling history about how Wolff has taken the county judge role beyond its traditional limitations – and how he has acted more like a city mayor. Listen in for several interesting examples. We also provide an update on last week’s podcast about the San Antonio City Council’s decision in a closed-door session not to bid on the 2020 Republican National Convention. Council Greg Brockhouse has asked Bexar County District Attorney Nico LaHood to investigate whether the executive session was legal under the Texas Open Records Act, and Rick deconstructs his request.

An Upstart’s Bid to Oust an Old Lion on Commissioners Court

This week in Just This, Rick and I discuss a groundbreaking story by Rivard Reporteducation reporter Emily Donaldson about the paucity of women superintendents in Bexar County’s 15 public school systems. The lead photo on Donaldson’s story illustrates the startling reality: Although women comprise 70 percent of the teachers and principals in the county’s 15 public school districts, only one woman holds a superintendent’s job. Men exclusively occupy the top jobs running districts with tens of thousands of students and, predictably, earn the most lucrative salaries doing so. We discuss the numbers – superintendencies and principalships by gender, and superintendent salaries, among others – with telling data visualizations provided by Emily Royall, our data editor. We also examine the social, cultural, and political trends behind the numbers.

This week in Just This, Rick and I discuss a groundbreaking <a href="https://therivardreport.com/a-seat-at-the-table-where-are-all-the-female-superintendents/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">story</a> by Rivard Reporteducation reporter <a href="https://therivardreport.com/author/emily-donaldson/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Emily Donaldson</a> about the paucity of women superintendents in Bexar County’s 15 public school systems. The <a href="https://therivardreport.com/a-seat-at-the-table-where-are-all-the-female-superintendents/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">lead photo</a> on Donaldson’s story illustrates the startling reality: Although women comprise 70 percent of the teachers and principals in the county’s 15 public school districts, only one woman holds a superintendent’s job. Men exclusively occupy the top jobs running districts with tens of thousands of students and, predictably, earn the most lucrative salaries doing so. We discuss the numbers – superintendencies and principalships by gender, and superintendent salaries, among others – with telling data visualizations provided by <a href="https://therivardreport.com/author/emily-royall/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Emily Royall</a>, our data editor. We also examine the social, cultural, and political trends behind the numbers.

Few Seats At The Table For Female School Superintendents

This week on Just This, Rick and I discuss the controversy surrounding Mayor Ron Nirenberg's, and ultimately City Council's, decision not to submit a bid for San Antonio to host the 2020 Republican National Convention. Rather than air the issue publicly in an open session of Council, Nirenberg chose to take it behind closed doors in "executive session," excluding the public and reporters. Texas has strong open meeting laws, although there are a few topics that officials legally can talk about in private including personnel matters, litigation, and the so-called "economic development exception." San Antonio City Attorney Andrew Segovia said Council members could discuss a potential bid behind closed doors under that exception, but could not talk about the politics of a bid. However, Rick cites a longtime media lawyer who says that unless there was a specific proposal or bid being negotiated, the discussions likely were not allowed under the law. We deconstruct the politics behind the mayor's choice as well as the other considerations in play. We also highlight the Rivard Report's Fiesta and Commemorative Week coverage. And Beth touches on a video interview published today between our arts and culture writer Nicholas Frank and San Antonio Spurs forward Pau Gasol, who recently joined the San Antonio Symphony's board of trustees.

This week on Just This, Rick and I discuss the controversy surrounding Mayor Ron Nirenberg's, and ultimately City Council's, decision not to submit a bid for San Antonio to host the 2020 Republican National Convention. Rather than air the issue publicly in an open session of Council, Nirenberg chose to take it behind closed doors in "executive session," excluding the public and reporters. Texas has strong open meeting laws, although there are a few topics that officials legally can talk about in private including personnel matters, litigation, and the so-called "economic development exception." San Antonio City Attorney Andrew Segovia said Council members could discuss a potential bid behind closed doors under that exception, but could not talk about the politics of a bid. However, Rick cites a longtime media lawyer who says that unless there was a specific proposal or bid being negotiated, the discussions likely were not allowed under the law. We deconstruct the politics behind the mayor's choice as well as the other considerations in play. We also highlight the Rivard Report's Fiesta and Commemorative Week coverage. And Beth touches on a video interview published today between our arts and culture writer Nicholas Frank and San Antonio Spurs forward Pau Gasol, who recently joined the San Antonio Symphony's board of trustees.

How City Council Ducked a Public Debate on Whether to Bid to Host the 2020 GOP Convention

Bryce Milligan

In today's episode of Just This, Rick and I discuss a storythat has rocked the San Antonio literary scene. Hailey Laine Johnson, now 31 years old, on May 9 posted on Facebooka description of a situation that she says happened to her when she was a 14-year-old creative writing student at the North East School of the Arts. In that posting, Johnson alleges that Bryce Milligan, who over decades became one of San Antonio's leading literary figures, engaged in inappropriate conduct with her when she was his student, beginning in the fall of 2001. She and her mother took her complaints in March of 2002 to school administrators, who, after an investigation, recommended that Milligan be terminated. He resigned before school officials fired him, claiming to do so to "protect" the creative writing program there. Milligan has denied Johnson's allegations. Johnson's disclosures have brought her overwhelming support, both from people who were her classmates at the time, and from women who claim to have had similar experiences. But they also have prompted a number of the city's literary organizationsto decry the alleged behavior and to distance themselves swiftly from Milligan. We discuss the ramifications of Johnson's story, both personally to her, and in its larger impact in the context of the national #MeToo movement. And we examine what is, unfortunately, an old story regarding men in power and the predatory behavior in which they sometimes engage.

In today's episode of Just This, Rick and I discuss <a href="https://therivardreport.com/san-antonio-author-bryce-milligan-accused-of-inappropriate-conduct-by-his-former-high-school-student/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">a story</a>that has rocked the San Antonio literary scene. Hailey Laine Johnson, now 31 years old, on May 9 <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hailey.johnson666/posts/1158684594284690" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">posted on Facebook</a>a description of a situation that she says happened to her when she was a 14-year-old creative writing student at the North East School of the Arts. In that posting, Johnson alleges that Bryce Milligan, who over decades became one of San Antonio's leading literary figures, engaged in inappropriate conduct with her when she was his student, beginning in the fall of 2001. She and her mother took her complaints in March of 2002 to school administrators, who, after an investigation, recommended that Milligan be terminated. He resigned before school officials fired him, claiming to do so to "protect" the creative writing program there. Milligan has denied Johnson's allegations. Johnson's disclosures have brought her overwhelming support, both from people who were her classmates at the time, and from women who claim to have had similar experiences. But they also have prompted a number of the <a href="https://therivardreport.com/san-antonio-arts-community-reacts-to-allegations-against-bryce-milligan-with-condemnations-cancellations/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">city's literary organizations</a>to decry the alleged behavior and to distance themselves swiftly from Milligan. We discuss the ramifications of Johnson's story, both personally to her, and in its larger impact in the context of the national #MeToo movement. And we examine what is, unfortunately, an old story regarding men in power and the predatory behavior in which they sometimes engage.

The Story of the Woman Who Took on Bryce Milligan

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