Express Briefing

The San Antonio City Council has serious business on its plate today regarding the long-discussed, often-stalled makeover of Alamo Plaza. Here's a primer to explain the significance of the decision facing the council. The Texas Department of Transportation will host a virtual public hearing from today until May 1 on the proposed expansion of FM 1560 from two lanes to four lanes between Bandera and Culebra Roads. Here's how to make your voice heard.

President Joe Biden will withdraw all U.S. troops from Afghanistan by Sept. 11, the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on America that were coordinated from that country, several U.S. officials said Tuesday. That's later than an agreement under the Trump administration, but leaves no room for additional extensions. Gov. Greg Abbott's news conference in front of Freeman Coliseum was a prime topic of conversation on this week's episode of the Express-News' Puro Politics podcast. Reporter Brian Chasnoff joined Gilbert Garcia to talk about it. Express-News subscribers, you can have a ball at a future game at the AT&T Center! Enter for a chance to win tickets to the San Antonio basketball game on May 2.

The police officer who fatally shot 20-year-old Daunte Wright, a Black man, during a traffic stop in a Minneapolis suburb on Sunday, apparently intended to fire a Taser, not a handgun, as the man struggled with police, the city's police chief said. Family, friends and admirers of Ron Snider, credited with bringing new energy to downtown New Braunfels with the reinvigorated Krause's Cafe, will gather at Krause's tonight for a memorial to toast Snider, who died April 2 at age 70. Express-News subscribers, the ball's in your court! Enter for a chance to win tickets to the San Antonio home team basketball team on May 2.

Over the weekend, San Antonio kids who have a parent in prison got to learn from former Dallas Cowboys and college stars at a one-day football camp. Read more about the event organized by Prison Fellowship here. On today's date in 1981, NASA launched its first space shuttle. 40 years later, the program leaves a "mixed legacy." Was it worth it? Like every Monday, we have more from this week in history below.

The civil trial between survivors and families of the 2017 Sutherland Springs shooting and the federal government continues today, following emotional testimony from his parents. Reporter Guillermo Contreras has the latest below. And in another step toward normalcy, the city announced many facilities will re-open to in-person services starting next week.

The massive loss in power generation during the Texas blackout in February was caused primarily by power plants freezing up under historically cold conditions, according to a new report by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas. Texas counties that are poorer, whiter, less-educated and where former President Donald Trump won a larger share of the vote have vaccinated a fewer people than the state average, a new analysis found. Here's what that means for Texas' ability to quickly reach herd immunity for COVID-19.

Yesterday, Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo testified on Day Six of the Derek Chauvin murder trial that the now-fired officer violated departmental policy in pressing his knee on George Floyd's neck and keeping him down. Today, Bexar County commissioners will take up issues related to COVID-19 testing in schools, pandemic recovery, and a lawsuit involving the 2019 death of a jail inmate.

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As the coronavirus pandemic eases its grip on San Antonio, hunger persists in the city. That was evident at a special food distribution event for the holiday weekend. In the Texas Legislature, a bill on the fast track to approval has civil rights groups saying Black and Hispanic voters will be disproportionately affected. Here's what you need to know about the debate surrounding Senate Bill 7. The NCAA women's basketball tournament in San Antonio wrapped up last night, and the championship game of the men's tournament is tonight. The matchup between Baylor and Gonzaga is one made in hoops heaven.

The recent influx of Central American migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border was a prime topic of conversation on the latest episode of our Puro Politics podcast. The podcast featured U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, a veteran centrist Democrat whose district includes eastern San Antonio and much of the South Texas border region. Keep an eye on our Taste team's page this morning for our latest stop on our tour of San Antonio food trucks. This week's review features one of San Antonio's best Philly cheesesteaks. Is it time for lunch yet?

Listen to today's Express Briefing for a full roundup of San Antonio's top headlines.

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With the easing of coronavirus restrictions, more people will have access to in-person church services on Easter Sunday, but the traditional Good Friday passion play will be virtual for one more year. The Derek Chauvin murder trial continued Wednesday in Minneapolis. Witnesses saw video of the arrest of George Floyd last spring. Here's a report from the courtroom.

Listen to today's Express Briefing for a full roundup of San Antonio's top headlines.

Subscribe to the San Antonio Express-News to support quality local journalism.