EN Depth

In the past 10 years alone, 45 public schools closed in Bexar County. With enrollment expected to continue declining in area school systems, district leaders project more may be on the way. In San Antonio ISD, district officials have pitched a future plan for the district that would reduce the number of campuses by more than 40%. Northside ISD Superintendent John Craft said closures may be part of a district-wide "optimization plan." Judson ISD school board members voted this semester to close four campuses next academic year. San Antonio is not alone in this pattern — districts across Texas and the rest of the country are facing the same reality. There are many reasons for the closures. Public school enrollment has declined in recent years as school systems deal with a more competitive education landscape, stricter accountability laws and a falling birth rate. Education editor Emily Donaldson talks with reporters Scott Huddleston and Noah Alcala Bach about a series of stories produced by the Express-News delving into the enrollment crisis and how school districts are dealing with the shifting landscape. *Suggested reading:* Why San Antonio public schools are closing — and it’s not just enrollment Charter school growth reshapes San Antonio's largest districts Are birth rate declines to blame for San Antonio school closures? Not entirely. *Stay up to date with the latest education news:* https://www.expressnews.com/newsletters/education-alerts/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Express-News sports editor Nick Talbot talks with WWE legend and San Antonio native Shawn Michaels ahead of WWE bringing its NXT brand to San Antonio for one of it premier live events, Deadline. Suggested reading: NXT, WWE legend Shawn Michaels coming back to San Antonio: WWE’s Shawn Michaels discusses career, Royal Rumbles in San Antonio Retired WWE superstar and San Antonio native Shawn Michaels enjoying new roles in film, NXT WWE legend Shawn Michaels is a huge Tim Duncan fan, says the Spurs are "the classiest organization" Sign up here for our ENside Politics newsletter: https://www.expressnews.com/newsletters/ensidepolitics/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Express-News sports editor Nick Talbot interviews TNA champion Joe Hendry ahead of a live edition of TNA iMPACT! in San Antonio on Jan. 23 and 24. Hendry discusses the hard work it takes into going viral.    Suggested reading: Jeff and Matt Hardy reflect on wrestling careers ahead of TNA show in San Antonio Why you should believe in TNA wrestler (and musician) Joe Hendry Different paths all lead to same ‘Victory Road’ for TNA stars Brothers vow to make Von Erich a household name again, win tag team gold for their father Catch us everywhere:  More episodes: https://www.expressnews.com/projects/podcasts/ /  Nick Talbot on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/NicholasRTalbot Become a subscriber: exne.ws/sub Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Express-News sports editor Nick Talbot interviews the Hardy Boyz, Jeff and Matt Hardy as they reflect on their careers ahead of a live edition of TNA iMPACT! in San Antonio on Jan. 23 and 24.    Suggested reading: Why you should believe in TNA wrestler (and musician) Joe Hendry Different paths all lead to same ‘Victory Road’ for TNA stars Brothers vow to make Von Erich a household name again, win tag team gold for their father   Catch us everywhere:  More episodes: https://www.expressnews.com/projects/podcasts/spurs-insider/  Spurs Nation Newsletter: https://www.expressnews.com/newsletters/spurs-nation/ Finger on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/mikefinger  Become a subscriber: exne.ws/sub Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Barton Simpson, the brother of Brad Simpson, and Marta Prada Peláez, CEO of Family Violence Prevention Services, Inc., which operates the Battered Women and Children’s Shelter in San Antonio, discuss the importance of raising awareness about domestic violence in San Antonio, especially during the holiday season.    Suggested reading: Olmos Park police are searching for a missing San Antonio area real estate agent A neighbor heard screams. Then San Antonio real estate agent Suzanne Simpson disappeared. ATF affidavit: Missing Realtor Suzanne Simpson’s husband Brad owns unregistered gun Search ends for missing real estate agent Suzanne Simpson at East Side San Antonio landfill Brad Simpson, whose wife Suzanne remains missing, faces two new charges. Here's why. Brad Simpson indicted by grand jury on murder charge in connection with his wife's disappearance Suzanne Simpson's DNA found on her husband Brad Simpson's saw, police said Produced by: Monte Bach, senior multimedia producer Angela Alcala-Bach, deputy audience editor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

TNA world champion Nic Nemeth, Moose and the Laredo kid discuss why they became wrestlers, TNA’s partnership with WWE and NXT, colleague Joe Hendry's viral success, and the promotion’s upcoming show in San Antonio, Victory Road.    Suggested reading and viewing: Why you should believe in TNA’s Joe Hendry AEW, Thunder Rosa on Collision course Brothers vow to make Von Erich a household name again, win tag team gold for their father   Catch us everywhere:  More episodes: https://www.expressnews.com/projects/podcasts Nicholas Talbot on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/NicholasRTalobot  Become a subscriber: exne.ws/sub Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

San Antonio Sports President and CEO Jenny Carnes talks with members of our editorial board about this year's brackets, next year's Final Four in the Alamo City and a milestone for nonprofit. Suggested reading: Pasley: It's 'Women Making History Month' in college basketball Jenny Carnes selected to succeed Russ Bookbinder as San Antonio Sports head Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Three female athletic directors, Triva Corrales (Judson ISD), Suzette Arriola (East Central ISD) and Rose Ann Martinez (Harlandale ISD), join high school sports reporter David Hinojosa for a San Antonio Express-News High School Roundtable discussion on how they became athletic directors, how they manage in a male-dominated field and issues they have faced in their ascension to their schools’ top athletic position. The roundtable, in conjunction with Women’s History Month, is part of an ongoing series examining off the field issues for high school sports throughout the San Antonio community.    Suggested Reading:    Beyond the Game: How Black high school coaches impact San Antonio sports Beyond the Game: How Kellen Mond, Ramon Richards and others navigate stigmas facing Black athletes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Three student-athletes in our local sports community join high school sports reporter Ronald Harrod for the first San Antonio Express-News Athletes Roundtable. UTSA’s Elijah Frizell and Isaiah Walker, and former East Central girls basketball player Asia Prudhomme discuss their experiences as Black athletes.  Suggested reading: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

UTSA Head Football Coach Jeff Traylor sits down with members of the Express-News editorial board for a wide-ranging interview to discuss the future of the program, NIL money and what it takes to compete at the highest levels of Division I college football. Suggested reading: UTSA's Jeff Traylor makes adjustments, additions to coaching staff Transfer portal, NIL prompt UTSA to alter approach to early signing period Frank Harris set to aid UTSA's NIL effort, stepping in as vice president of City Fans 210 collective Major moments in UTSA football history Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Three leaders in our local sports community join high school sports reporter Ronald Harrod for the first San Antonio Express-News Coaches Roundtable. Wagner girl basketball coach Annissa Jackson, Roosevelt football coach/athletic coordinator Matt Carroll, and Sam Houston football coach Jeremy Williams delve deep into their experiences as Black coaches, exploring the unique challenges and triumphs that have shaped their coaching journeys. This Coaches Roundtable is not just about the game; it's a platform for understanding, fostering dialogue, and inspiring meaningful change. Be part of the conversation as we discuss the intersection of race and coaching, providing insights that extend far beyond the sports arena. Suggested reading: Beyond the Game: How Black high school coaches impact San Antonio sports Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Express-News sports editor Nick Talbot interviews Thunder Rosa about her possible return at AEW’s Collison on Dec. 23 at the Frost Bank Center. The two discuss her injury, her championship win in San Antonio, her ventures outside of wrestling and the state of AEW’s women’s division.   Suggested reading: San Antonio pro wrestler Thunder Rosa may make history in her hometown during AEW Dynamite on March 16 AEW women’s champion Thunder Rosa raising funds for Uvalde Catch us everywhere:  Nick Talbot on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/NicholasRTalbot Thunder Rose on X (Twitter)  https://twitter.com/ThunderRosa22 Become a subscriber: exne.ws/sub Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg, Edinburg Mayor Ramiro Garza Jr. and South Texas Business Partnership President and CEO Rebecca Viagran discuss how to work regionally to address infrastructure needs and cultivate economic development. SUGGESTED READING: Viagran: To pave way for prosperity, upgrade South Bexar's infrastructure More about the San Antonio Forward series Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Beto Altamirano, CEO and co-founder of Irys, and chairman and co-founder of the Better Futures Institute, talks about the potential to develop a dynamic workforce in San Antonio and the South Triangle region. REQUIRED READING: The San Antonio Forward project Powerhouse potential: Why San Antonio should care about a different Texas Triangle Why the I-35 corridor is the unsung hero of the American household Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Beto Gomez and David Robinson Jr., guest scholars with University of Texas at San Antonio’s Urban Future Lab, explain why San Antonio’s future is interwoven with the Rio Grande Valley and Monterrey, Mexico through our cultural, demographic and economic ties. REQUIRED READING: Powerhouse potential: Why San Antonio should care about a different Texas Triangle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

San Antonio Express-News sports writers David Hinojosa and Ronald Harrod discuss the start of high school football season. This preview dives into San Antonio area high schools such as Steele, Judson Boerne, Brennan, Raegan, Smithson Valley, and Brandeis. The duo also discusses top area players such as Chad Warner, James Peoples, Antonio Meza, Freddie Dubose, Ty Hawkins, and Michael Terry III. Required reading: Steele’s 2023 season outlook: https://www.expressnews.com/sports/high-school San Antonio high school football preview: https://www.expressnews.com/sports/high-school The Elite 11 preseason football team: https://www.expressnews.com/sports/high-school More Articles: https://www.expressnews.com/sports/high-school/  Become a subscriber: https://subscription.expressnews.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former Councilman and Chamber of Commerce President Joe Krier and developer Marty Wender talk about their mentor Red McCombs, who passed away this week at 95. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Express-News Taste Team joins the show to discuss their latest project. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Express-News taste team hosts Hayden owner Adam Lampinstein and executive chef Bill Corbett to talk about their popular Pastrami, expansion plans, and their philosophy when developing a menu. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Five years in the making, “The Wiz” was the first musical to be produced at Sam Houston in at least three decades, They faced technical and financial challenges, delays in set construction and costume design, and competing demands on students, many of whom had little or no experience in live theater. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sports editor Nick Talbot hosts UT beat writer Nick Moyle and UTSA beat writer Greg Luca to talk championships and bowl games! https://www.expressnews.com/sports/high-school/u-pick-em/?contestid=834405#registration/login Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Express-News taste team joins the show to bring you what a "Best Day Ever" looks like at the Pearl! These are the best places to eat, drink and have a good time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sports editor Nick Talbot and Greg Luca bring discuss the latest in the world of minor league sports teams in San Antonio like the new XFL team, SAFC's success, and the ownership shakeup of the Missions baseball team.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Express-News columnist Elaine Ayala is joined by UTSA Professor Emerita Ellen Riojas Clark. Together, they discuss the history of Dia de Muertos and give some do's and don'ts to help celebrate the holiday respectfully. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Express-News metro editor Greg Jefferson and reporter Michelle Del Rey discuss the shooting of 17-year-old Erik Cantu at the hands of a now-former SAPD officer." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Express news UPickEM college football show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on EN Depth Express-News publisher Mark Medici and Hearstlab Scout Lisa Gillespie join the show to discuss Hearstlab and its mission to provide cash investments and and services to early-stage women-led start-ups! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Taste Team members Chuck Blount and Paul Stephen join the show to talk churros, "authenticity" in food and food trends that need to go away! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We sat down with our Investment Guide partners to chat about the market, financial advice and more. Listen to the special episode of EN Depth, sponsored by Federal Employee Benefits, here: www.mysa.com/investmentguide Sponsor disclaimer: https://bit.ly/3Bv7WB8 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rosario Neaves is a 42-year-old San Antonio woman who became severely ill with long COVID 2 1/2 years ago, early in the pandemic. Since then, she’s made 16 emergency room visits and been hospitalized twice. She’s battled shortness of breath, pulse rates so high she feared a heart attack, intolerance to heat, and profound weakness that some days left her unable to get out of bed.   'Beyond my control': A San Antonio woman's two-year battle with long COVID Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Express News courthouse reporter Elizabeth Zavala joins the show to break down how a Bexar County judge was stripped of most of the cases in her docket. Read: Embattled judge in Bexar County stripped of most of her court cases Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A San Antonio police officer shot and killed a 13-year-old boy, who crashed a stolen car into the police car. Crime journalist Jacob Beltran reports on the incident and ensuing outrage.  Read More San Antonio boy killed by police was not a threat, attorney Lee Merritt says Family remembers 13-year-old boy killed by police, demands release of bodycam footage   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An increasingly tense dynamic is developing between Texas police and the media. In recent days, law enforcement officers in Uvalde have blocked reporters from engaging with residents and covering the aftermath of the horrific May 24 mass shooting at Robb Elementary. Read: ‘That seems overboard’: Out-of-town police in Uvalde block cameras, disrupt coverage of tragedy’s aftermath Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde has devastated a community and shocked the nation. Columnist Cary Clack, who visited Uvalde the day after the massacre, believes something about the response to this shooting feels different. Morning of chaos: A reconstruction of how the Uvalde massacre unfolded Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Express News metro columnist and host of the Puro Politics podcast joins the show to discuss the Lieutenants Governors race, Bexar county judges race, attorney general race, and district 28 race.    Check out the Express-News voters guide for more information on all the primary races Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the first to write about the baby formula shortage, reporter  Annie Blanks explains why San Antonio has the highest out-of-stock rate for baby formula of any U.S. metro area — and what this means for local families. Read: ‘How am I going to feed her?’: Baby formula shortage peaks in San Antonio, leaving moms scrambling Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Military reporter Sig Christenson breaks down the ongoing controversy of military personnel refusing to obey vaccine orders. Read: Following orders is an absolute in the military — but with vaxx orders, it absolutely depends Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Express News education reporter Danya Perez Express elaborates on the firing of a longtime San Antonio College professor due to a his involvement with the Texas Academic Decathalon.  Read more: After 25 years, San Antonio College lost a valuable tradition, ousted professor says Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Express News restaurant critic Mike Sutter joins the show to break down his list of the top 10 restaurants in San Antonio! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Express-News business columnist Micheal Taylor breaks down common myths about the Texas tax system and explains how taxes affect people differently at various income levels. Read: Low-tax Texas? That’s a tall tale, and state’s tax structure leads to fiscal distortions Taxes on wealth don’t impact the rich the way they do the rest of us Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Health care journalist Laura Garcia explains the work behind her special report on the health inequities that have plagued San Antonio and were made worse by the COVID 19 pandemic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Business journalist Richard Webner discusses the rise in property tax values, who is responsible for them and how homeowners can fight back. We also talk bout his conversation with Hotel Contessa GM Dan Waters and the future of the hospitality industry downtown. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Express News reporter Emilie Eaton breaks down changes to a drone law that restricted San Antonio area journalists and photographers from doing their jobs. Plus, she follows up on last year's report on domestic violence and how a program designed to help domestic violence victims is lacking resources.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MySA Food and Culture Editor Madalyn Mendoza discusses her groundbreaking work on the continued grip of San Antonio's history of redlining neighborhoods.  Read: ‘Tentacles’ of redlining continue to grip upward mobility in San Antonio   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Express-News staff writers Rene Guzman and Deborah Martin join the show to talk about Fiesta 2022! We have your guide to the best Fiesta experience  There are new routes for parades, and we also discuss the tragic loss of Hispanic Elvis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Express news reporter Guillermo Contreras joins the show to discuss the recent jury verdict regarding the 2015 death of a man shot by Bexar County deputies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Water and environment reporter Elena Bruess joins the show to discuss the federal conservation effort over at Camp Bullis, the fight for who controls water regulation in the area surrounding Medina Lake and when stage one water restrictions will be lifted in San Antonio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Express-News columnist Gilbert Garcia joins the show to preview the Texas primary elections on March 1st  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Features reporter Richard Marini and staff photographer Josie Norris join the show and bring us into the process of covering the Ukrainian protest in San Antonio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Express news staff writer Sig Christiansen joins the show to discuss the ongoing clemency bid for soldiers executed in 1917. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices