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Voters Undecided on Mayor — And Skeptical About Stadiums Too

Voters Still Undecided UTSA Poll Shows as San Antonio Gears Up for a Big Local Election

Early voting has begun and a new poll by the University of Texas at San Antonio, released last week, is shedding light on how voters are feeling about the upcoming mayoral election—and the results point to a race that’s still wide open.

The UTSA Center for Public Opinion Research (CPOR) surveyed 685 likely voters from April 7 to 9 and found that 30% of them are still undecided. That’s down slightly from 35% in February, but it means nearly a third of voters haven’t picked a candidate—just weeks before they head to the polls.

Ortiz Jones Leads, But It’s Still Anyone’s Game

Out of a crowded field of 27 candidates vying to replace outgoing Mayor Ron Nirenberg, Gina Ortiz Jones is currently leading with 12.8% support. That’s up from 9.3% in February.

Following her is former Councilman John Courage, who holds steady with just over 7%. Beto Altamirano made a strong climb to 6.6%, while Rolando Pablos made the biggest leap—up from less than 1% in February to 5% in April.

Manny Pelaez, Melissa Cabello Havrda, Adriana Rocha Garcia, Clayton Perry, and Tim Westley are all polling between 3% and 5%. None of the remaining 18 candidates polled above 1%.

Still, 15% of voters said they’re unfamiliar with any of the candidates.

To find out who’s on your district’s ballot visit the city’s elections page.

Skepticism Towards New Sports Projects, Optimism for City Leadership

The CPOR poll shows San Antonio voters are divided on major development proposals. Support for Project Marvel, the plan to redevelop Hemisfair into a sports and entertainment district, dropped to 34%, while opposition rose to 44%. A similar split appears on using a venue tax to help fund a new Spurs arena, with 44% against and 40% in favor. Support for a new Missions baseball stadium also fell to 34%.

Despite this uncertainty, voters remain more optimistic about local government—48% say the city is headed in the right direction, compared to 53% who feel Texas is off track and 62% for the country.

Early Voting Starts April 22; Election Day Is May 3

Voters will soon have their say in this high-stakes race. Early voting runs from April 22 to April 29, and Election Day is Saturday, May 3. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

To get ready, visit the Bexar County Elections Department website where you can check your registration status, view a personalized sample ballot, and find early voting or Election Day polling locations.

San Antonio Mayoral Election

From Galveston to Greatness: Tina’s Story

Tina Knowles releases latest memoir, “Matriarch: A Memoir”

Tina Knowles released her latest memoir, Matriarch: A Memoir, yesterday on April 22nd. The mother of global superstars Beyonce and Solange Knowles, announced last October that she was gearing up to release a new book. “What inspires me is the wisdom that women pass on to each other…” she says, “and the inner wisdom we long to uncover in ourselves.”

Guiding Stars: Tina’s Role Beyond the Stage

Knowles is best known as the matriarch of the Knowles family. Her voice and life lessons have inspired and been featured in both of her daughter’s 2016 seminal works, A Seat At The Table and Lemonade. She served as a surrogate mother to fellow global superstar and Beyonce’s ‘Destiny’s Child’ groupmate Kelly Rowland. She has established quite the media personality, having just been recently honored as Mother of The Year at the 2025 Billboard Women In Music Awards.

​The in depth memoir will trace  the origins of Knowles’ matriarchal traditions. Her days when she was born Celestine Beyonce in Galveston, Texas. The story will profile Knowles’ transition from vivacious young woman and then member of high school girl group The Veltones, to wife of Xerox businessman Matthew Knowles, to owner of Headliner’s Hair Salon, a space largely memorialized in Beyonce and Solange’s many artistic works. Knowles and eldest daughter Beyonce together founded ‘Cecred”, a hair care brand line that also pays homage to Knowles’s days as a hairdresser.

Before the Grammys, There Was Her Needle and Thread

​Perhaps the centerpiece of the Knowles family folklore is the role Tina Knowles played in the early days of Beyonce’s career as stylist and clothing designer of many of the iconic looks of her daughter’s girl group Destiny’s Child. In her acceptance speech for the 2016 Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Fashion Icon Award, Beyonce says, “ when we were first starting out in Destiny’s Child, high end labels didn’t really want to dress four Black country curvy girls and we couldn’t afford designer dresses in couture. My mother was rejected from every showroom in New York but like my grandmother, she used her talents to give her children their dreams. My mom actually designed my wedding dress, my prom dress, my first CFDA Awards dress, my first Grammy dress, and the list goes on.”

Building Her Own House of Style

​Knowles has established a brand that was all her own. She continued working alongside both her daughters by founding House of Dereon, a fashion line whose name is inspired by Knowles’s own mother, Agnes Dereon. She continued her work as a hair stylist and a fashion designer, with many of her looks being featured in Essence and Ebony magazine alongside countless fashion magazines.

​Limited-edition signed copies of the book are available at Barnes & Noble and the book is available on Amazon. Purchase today in time for Mother’s Day.

St. Philip’s College 30th Annual CultureFest & Rib Cook-Off

St. Philip’s College Gears Up for 30th Annual CultureFest & Rib Cook-Off—An East Side Fiesta Staple

Mark your calendars for one of the East Side’s most anticipated Fiesta events! St. Philip’s College is set to host its 30th Annual CultureFest & Rib Cook-Off on Thursday, May 1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the college’s MLK campus—1801 Martin Luther King Drive.

As the largest free official Fiesta® San Antonio event on the East Side, CultureFest is all about celebrating community, culture, and connection. This family-friendly festival has something for everyone—from mouth-watering ribs and pies to live music, a car show, and interactive college open house events.

Here’s what to expect:

• Rib Cook-Off & Pie Competition
• Non-Alcoholic Drink Competition
• Food & Non-Food Vendors
• Live Entertainment, Dance, and Music
• Car Show
• Open House Tours showcasing student services and academic programs

Schedule Highlights:

10 a.m. – Open House in the William Allen Hudgins Health and Wellness Facility Welcome remarks with over 600 high school students in attendance
Pearls of Distinction Dance Presentation
11 a.m. – Main Stage Opening Ceremony featuring the Sam Houston High School Marching Band
2 p.m. – Valero Signage Unveiling at the Cybersecurity Innovations Center

Attendees will also have the chance to meet St. Philip’s College President Dr. Adena Williams Loston and college mascot Phil the Tiger.

Come hungry, bring your family, and celebrate culture, education, and community on the East Side—Fiesta-style!

SAC’s “Fredstock” 2025

Fredstock 2025 Brings Music, Food, and Fiesta Fun to San Antonio College

Fredstock 2025 is back and ready to take over San Antonio College on Thursday, May 1, with a full day of live music, food, and community. The student-run music festival is now in its 16th year and continues to grow bigger each time.

The free, family-friendly event runs from 2:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at Lot 13, on the corner of N. Main Ave. and W. Dewey, right on the SAC campus.

Live Music from Local Favorites

This year’s lineup includes a mix of rock, cumbia, fusion, and more, featuring:

  • Grupo Metal ft. Chris Perez
  • El Dusty
  • Los #3 Dinners
  • Jason Kane & The Jive
  • The Wizard
  • Powdered Wig Machine

More Than a Concert

Fredstock is also a hands-on project for students in SAC’s Music Business Program. They organize everything—booking talent, handling promotions, and managing the show—giving them real-world experience in the music industry.

The festival will also have food trucks, drinks, local vendors, and official Fredstock merchandise.

A Fiesta Tradition with Purpose

“Fredstock isn’t just a festival—it’s a legacy,” said Ruben C. Rodriguez, Ph.D., music business program coordinator. “It honors our founder Fred Weiss and shows off the hard work of our students while bringing the community together.”

Follow @fredstockmusicfest on Facebook and Instagram or visit www.FredstockMusicFest.org for updates.

How Do You Stop History From Repeating If You Don’t Know About It?

Why They Don’t Want People to Learn Black History

Why is it important to preserve Black history, and how can it shape future generations? If the White House has its way, they will end Black History even though it is American History. Black History has not been taught like it should be, and where and when it has been taught much of it has been told as half-truths, omissions, lies, distortions, or erasures. Future generations will be able to study the past and connect it to the present and the future. gain a greater understanding of the important of understanding the legacy of slavery, its child white supremacy, and how it shaped national policies and the fight against Jim Crow Law, slavery by another name, lynching, and white supremacist terror.

Expanding Black History No Matter Who Likes It

How can digital technology be used to preserve oral histories and cultural traditions within the Black community? Archives of all types allow for wide accessibility to history across all modalities including recorded interviews, research papers, oral histories, music and culture through online platforms, enabling easier reviewing, preservation, and sharing with online friends. The community can benefit and get educated with the same material that is taught at universities. People can learn how to share their historical records with online platforms and develop a family ancestry of how it relates to slavery, the fight against slavery, and the present legacy of slavery. Social media platforms are already exposing the truth about racism in American history. We are going to expand Black History even if the current state and national administrations do not like it.

Dignity in the Face of White Supremacy

In the past, maintaining dignity in the face of white supremacy was done with oral histories and notes in a Bible, but now we can publish those Bible notes and oral histories for the world to understand the horrors of racism and how people fought back. What roles do museums, cultural institutions, classrooms, and public monuments play in safeguarding Black history? There is a growing trend in Black communities to create their own museums. In San Antonio, there will be a ground breaking of the San Antonio African American Community Archives and Museum (SAAACAM) in 2026. In this way, the truth can finally be told about many things including slavery in Texas, slavery of the Alamo defenders, and a list of the slave plantations in San Antonio and many other issues.

Offsetting Lies and Omissions

There are over 100 Black museums across the country and many feel this is one way to offset the lies and omissions that are used in typical classes of American history, Political Science, Sociology, and even other disciplines like Math. University professors can take students on tours that offer a true rendition of Black life across disciplines and develop research ideas for those seeking various degrees. Real Black heroes can be researched rather than the ones that white society wants everyone to accept. There is no statue of W.E.B Dubois or John Brown in San Antonio and these symbols would speak volumes of a hidden history.

What impact can Black history have on individuals who are not of African descent? The teaching of Black history should not be a source of contention across the nation as extremist groups push school boards and state political bodies to eliminate or whitewash Black history. In teaching Black history, the ideas of justice and resistance surface against all forms of ethnic hatreds and thus contributes to the overall ideas about human rights for all people. This is why they oppose it, for it sends a clear message that racism and intolerance has to be fought against.

2025 NFL Draft Kicks Off Tomorrow, Here Are The Players To Watch

2025 NFL Draft Begins Tomorrow in Green Bay– How to Watch, Who’s Picking First, and the Players to Know

The 2025 NFL Draft officially begins tomorrow, Thursday, April 24, and this year’s spectacle is taking place in a city rich with football history: Green Bay, Wisconsin. The draft will unfold over three days in and around the iconic Lambeau Field and the Titletown District, where fans and teams will witness the next generation of NFL talent take center stage.

Here’s the full schedule:

  • Round 1: Thursday, April 24 at 8 p.m. ET
  • Rounds 2–3: Friday, April 25 at 7 p.m. ET
  • Rounds 4–7: Saturday, April 26 at 12 p.m. ET

Where to Watch and Stream the NFL Draft

Coverage will air on NFL Network, ESPN, ABC, and ESPN Deportes. For cord-cutters, streaming options include YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, FuboTV, and Sling TV.

Want to catch the action for free? If you have an over-the-air antenna, you can tune into ABC all three days of the draft.

Draft highlights, player interviews, and post-pick coverage will also be available on the FOX Sports NFL Draft page throughout the weekend.

Who’s Holding the Top Picks?

After a wild Week 18 to close the regular season, the Tennessee Titans secured the No. 1 overall pick, marking their first top selection since 1978—when they drafted Hall of Fame running back Earl Campbell. The Cleveland Browns and New York Giants follow close behind.

Here’s the top five draft order as it stands:

  1. Tennessee Titans (3-14)
  2. Cleveland Browns (3-14)
  3. New York Giants (3-14)
  4. New England Patriots (4-13)
  5. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-13)

The Dallas Cowboys are reportedly exploring a unique strategy: drafting three University of Texas players within the first three rounds—an in-state draft trifecta that could bring chemistry and homegrown talent straight to Arlington.

Players to Watch: All-Pro Potential and First-Round Buzz

All-Pro Talent in the Making

These players are projected to become top-five at their positions in just a few years:

  • Travis Hunter (Colorado, CB/WR)
  • Abdul Carter (Penn State, Edge)
  • Ashton Jeanty (Boise State, RB)
  • Tyler Warren (Penn State, TE)
  • Jalon Walker (Georgia, LB)

Day-One Game Changers

These prospects are expected to make an immediate impact:

  • Mason Graham (Michigan, DT)
  • Colston Loveland (Michigan, TE)
  • Will Campbell (LSU, OT)
  • Shedeur Sanders (Colorado, QB)
  • Jahdae Barron (Texas, CB)
  • Cam Ward (Miami, QB)
  • Walter Nolen (Mississippi, DT)

What Fans Should Expect

With free agency in the rearview, teams are locked in on building out their rosters—and many have major holes to fill. This year’s draft class features a strong mix of explosive defenders, versatile offensive weapons, and potential franchise quarterbacks.

Whether you’re following for your favorite team, your fantasy roster, or just the drama, the 2025 NFL Draft is set to deliver the excitement football fans have been waiting for. The countdown is officially on—Round 1 starts tomorrow night.

Universal’s Multibillion-Dollar Power Play

Inside Universal’s Epic Universe: Florida’s Biggest New Theme Park in 25 Years Drops This May

Universal Orlando is about to shake up the theme park game with its boldest project yet: Epic Universe. Set to open on May 22, the all-new park is the first traditional theme park to debut in Florida in over two decades. Boasting five massive themed worlds, a 500-room hotel, and cutting-edge tech like facial recognition entry for rides, Epic Universe isn’t just another addition — it’s a direct challenge to Walt Disney World’s long-standing reign.

Owned by Comcast NBCUniversal, the park’s launch comes as the company expands globally with projects in London, Las Vegas, and Dallas, making it clear Universal isn’t playing small ball anymore.

Economic Hype Meets Real-World Uncertainty

Single-day tickets for Epic Universe start at $139 for adults and climb to $199 during peak times, just as many American families are tightening budgets amid Trump-era tariffs and growing concerns over travel costs.

International travel is also at risk, with rising boycotts from Canadian tourists and tougher border experiences deterring some visitors. Still, Orlando’s tourism showed no signs of slowing down last year — $359 million in tourist tax revenue proves the city’s still pulling crowds.

A Tour Through the Five Worlds of Epic Universe

Celestial Park: The Heartbeat of Epic Universe

As the park’s central hub, Celestial Park is full of lush gardens, water features, and original Universal-created characters. It’s home to the Stardust Racers, a high-speed double-launch coaster, and a massive carousel, making it the calm but captivating core of the entire park.

Super Nintendo World: Game On

This electric, immersive world is straight out of a gamer’s dream. Towering walls hide the outside world as guests step into Princess Peach’s Castle, Mt. Beanpole, and multi-level chaos. Rides include an augmented reality dark ride, a Donkey Kong coaster, and colorful walk-around characters like Mario and Luigi.

Dark Universe: Welcome to the Shadows

Universal’s horror roots come to life in Dark Universe. Think Dracula, Frankenstein, and the Invisible Man in a full-scale European village gone mad. A fiery windmill tavern, a dark castle ride, and a spooky werewolf-themed coaster bring the screams — without needing Halloween.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic

Step into 1920s Paris straight from the Fantastic Beasts movies. This magical land features cobblestone streets, iron balconies, and a massive omnidirectional lift ride through the Ministry. It’s the third Potter-themed world in Orlando — and possibly the most ambitious yet.

How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk

Viking life meets next-gen tech in this dragon-filled land. Anchored by a central lagoon and towering Viking statues, Berk features animatronic dragons, a family-friendly coaster, a boat ride, and live character encounters that bring the franchise to fire-breathing life.

Universal Levels Up During Uncertain Economic Times

With the arrival of Epic Universe, Universal isn’t just expanding — it’s rewriting the rules of the theme park game. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker, Potterhead, horror fan, or Nintendo junkie, Epic Universe promises a next-level experience.

And as international tourism wobbles and economic uncertainties loom, Universal’s bet is bold: build it big enough, and they’ll still come.

Badillo Named New Head Coach at Jefferson High

Jefferson High Welcomes New Head Coach with Deep SA Roots

Randy Badillo is taking the reins as the new head football coach at Jefferson High School, marking his first time in a varsity head coaching role.

Badillo brings nearly two decades of experience to the job. Over the years, he’s served as offensive coordinator at South San High School and assistant head coach at West Campus High School since 2021. His coaching resume also includes eight trips to the UIL state football playoffs—something he’ll now aim to replicate with the Jefferson Mustangs.

A San Antonio native and McCollum High School graduate, Badillo is no stranger to SAISD. He started his coaching career as an offensive line coach at Edison High School from 2006 to 2008. Now, he’s returning to where it all began.

“I am excited for the opportunity,” said Badillo in a SAISD News Release. “I can’t wait to get started. It is late in the year, so I am ready to hit the ground running. There is a lot of pride in the community. There is a lot of support. It’s a great opportunity to build on the traditions of the past and leave a legacy for these players going forward.”

Badillo, a graduate of St. Mary’s University, takes over a Mustangs program that reached the state playoffs this past season. He steps into the role following the retirement of longtime head coach Edward Cardenas.

“Coach Badillo is a great fit for Jefferson,” said Fred Anthony, SAISD’s senior executive director of athletics. “He is aware of the school’s deep roots in the community and I have no doubt that he and his staff will rise to the occasion.”

What Would Donald Trump Do If He Lost Everything? He’d Run for President.

Trump Is Using the Presidency as a Side Hustle

Since returning to office, the Trump family has reportedly made nearly $80 million since the election through a documentary deal with Amazon and multi-million-dollar legal settlements with media and tech companies. That’s not even counting profits from the Trump Store or other undisclosed business dealings.

From gutting DEI initiatives and federal programs to hawking a $5 million golden Trump card, selling endless merch, and turning White House events into corporate branding ops—his presidency is as much about making money as it is about wielding power.

A resurfaced 1980 interview from Rona Barrett Looks at Today’s $uperRich went viral last year. Asked what he’d do if he lost everything, a young Trump replied, “Maybe I’d run for president. I don’t know.” He claimed he was joking, but the moment reveals a deeper truth: even then, Trump saw the presidency not as public service, but as a business opportunity. The industry just happens to be politics.

Sponsorship Events? Lunch with FLOTUS Included??

The White House Easter Egg Roll used to be a wholesome, nonpartisan tradition dating back to 1878. But under Trump, it’s become something else entirely: a branded, corporate-backed spectacle.

This year’s event, once solely sponsored by the American Egg Board to keep commercial influence off White House grounds, is now a full-blown marketing affair. Amazon, YouTube, Meta, and others are sponsoring stations, while high-dollar donors can choose from tiered corporate packages—$75,000, $125,000, or $200,000—to get perks like a “custom 30’x30′ branded activation,” media coverage on the South Lawn, and four tickets to brunch with First Lady Melania Trump. Some even include meet-and-greets or White House tours.

Guests sit at a station hosted by Amazon on the South Lawn of the White House before President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump participate in the White House Easter Egg Roll. Alex Brandon/AP
Guests sit at a station hosted by Amazon on the South Lawn of the White House before President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump participate in the White House Easter Egg Roll. Alex Brandon/AP

Proceeds will go toward the nonprofit White House Historical Association and future White House holiday events like Halloween and the Fourth of July. But ethics experts from both sides of the aisle have sounded the alarm. Soliciting private sponsorships tied to exclusive White House access blurs longstanding lines and violates the spirit—if not the letter—of federal regulations prohibiting the use of public office for private gain.

Trump Merch for Sale

No president has monetized the office quite like Donald Trump. Between Election Day and Inauguration, the Trump Store rolled out 168 new products totaling nearly $14,000—an unprecedented merch drop during a presidential transition. Unlike campaign gear, these items are sold through the Trump Organization, a for-profit business that funnels money directly to the Trump family.

The store’s current lineup is even bolder: MAGA hats front and center, along with the “TRUMP45,” “45-47,” and “Inauguration” collections featuring everything from $200 victory blankets to $550 crystal-studded clutches.

Public Office, Private Gains

What’s perhaps most unsettling isn’t just the commercialization of the presidency—it’s the normalization of it. Trump has tested how far a leader can go in treating public office like a personal fiefdom, and much of it has gone unchecked– except for SCOTUS.

Trump may not be the first president to mix politics and profit—but he’s the first to turn it into a lifestyle brand. And when the presidency is up for sale, democracy isn’t far behind.

$500M Says: Texas Is Open for Filmmaking

Texas Senate Approves Bill for $500 Million in Film Incentives

Last week, the Texas senate met to discuss a proposed bill aimed at incentivizing filmmaking within the state’s borders, effectively doubling the current funding for Texas filmmakers and eligible movies shot in-state. The bill ended up passing with a 23-8 vote, so now a whole new world of opportunities for filmmaking will be opening up to Texas.

Filming “Texas” in Georgia? Not for Long

There are tons of movies and TV shows out there either about Texas or that supposedly take place in Texas, but for years most of these productions have been shot primarily outside the Lone Star State in favor of places like Louisiana or Georgia or New Mexico because of their more attractive film incentive programs. This both robs the Texas economy of vital opportunities, and also paints an inauthentic portrait of the state and how it actually looks and comes across to outsiders who may be unfamiliar with Texas aside from what they see on TV. Well, thanks to Senate Bill 22 and the efforts of many well-known Texas actors, this may all begin to change.

A Blockbuster Budget to Bring Filmmaking Home

SB 22, which takes effect on September 1st of this year, will allocate $500 million to the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program every two years until 2035. The half-a-billion-dollar investment rivals the various incentive programs of other states, and will finally put Texas in a place to compete for big-time TV and movie projects. This means that filmmakers shooting productions in or about Texas now have the opportunity to receive substantial grant-based funding – opportunities which were formerly unobtainable, or at least lacking in effect.

The push for this level of funding comes at the heels of a highly publicized movement called ‘True to Texas,’ which featured ad-campaigns from many prominent actors (including Mathew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson, Renee Zellweger, etc.) who expressed their desire to tell Texas stories in their hometowns, and needing support from the state to do so.

It is estimated that every dollar the state spends on film and TV will feed nearly five dollars back into the economy, resulting from expenses like lumber, food (restaurants), housing, etc. – thousands of jobs are made available to Texas citizens with the presence of film productions. 189,000 jobs have already been created in the state by the film industry, boosting the economy and directly benefiting Texas residents. From the tiny Texas towns to the larger metropolitan areas like San Antonio, whether tied directly to film production or not, the anticipated growth of the film industry will help support all branches of business in the state, and Texas can likely expect a substantial boom following the rollout of SB 22.

Lights, Camera, Local Paychecks

The future of Texas moviemaking is brighter than ever before, and the state is now well on its way to becoming a major player in the film industry – a development that will bring new life to the Texas economy and inspire authentic visual storytelling within the state’s borders.

Let’s ‘Keep Texas Films in Texas!’