🌱 Local Strives To Tell Unheard Stories + Reporter Visits White House

Ahhh...Good morning, neighbors! It's going to be a lovely Saturday and I hope you've all got plans to enjoy this enjoyable weather. Let's get into everything you need to know that's going on around town. In this issue, we'll touch on:

• News station pays it forward to local nonprofit.
• KENS 5 anchor visited the White House with Hispanic journalists' organization.
• New travel magazine takes initiative to tell unheard stories.

But first, today's weather:

Low clouds may break; warmer. High: 76 Low: 66.

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Here are the top stories today in San Antonio:

1. Local nonprofit The AM Project was awarded a $1,000 check by News 4 San Antonio this month. The news station's "Pay It 4-Ward" program spotlights and donates to nonprofits in the area. Founder and creative director of The AM Project, Louis Cardenas, started off with learning to DJ, and wanted to share musical experiences like his with youths. “Our kids are creative thinkers and so to see kids in our program flourish in school, in life, personality, confidence, that’s what it’s all about,” explained Cardenas. Stop by FOX 29 for more on this story.
2. Local news anchor Isis Romero visited the White House to talk about issues that are important to Latinos in San Antonio and beyond. She was proud to represent the South Texas community alongside other members of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. Romero asked about President Biden's anti-smuggling initiatives and received the following feedback from Julia Chavez Rodriguez: The Biden administration "is surging resources and increasing prosecution of individuals involved in smuggling." Check mySA for more details.
3. A new San Antonio travel magazine's mission is to share the Black American experiences of domestic and international travel. Founder Leroy Adams first developed "The Buddy Pass" podcast to document his journey encountering different countries and cultures, and their responses to his racial appearance. He decided to publish his own work, as he was met with comments like this when applying for work: "the school's administration is looking for Caucasian people...hope you understand. It's China." Visit KENS5 to explore more of Adam's story.
4. Car thieves' methods are evolving! A single mother's car was stolen not once, but twice from the same apartment complex off Vance Jackson near Huebner, where she and her children live. Police said thieves used a USB cord to turn the ignition on and drive away. Despite her car company's aid in providing free steering wheel locks to better secure her car, Cynthia Cruz's Hyundai is nowhere to be found. Cruz is frustrated by out-of-pocket costs for reasons not her fault. No arrests were made on this case. (KENS5)
5. With warmer weather, typically more people are out and about, and resident JoAnn Rivera voiced her concern about the homeless population at Tobin Park along the Salado Creek. Rivera believes that not only park-goers deserve to feel safe, but the homeless are "entitled to have some security as well." She thinks it would be helpful if meetings were held to teach how to be safe on park trails. District 10 Councilman Clayton Perry said any incidents should be reported to police dispatch, so that those accounts can be reviewed and actions can be taken. More details at FOX 29.

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Today in San Antonio:

• Hot Rod and Muscle Car Cruise In at Whataburger 4050 N. Loop 1604 (5 PM)
• D.L. Hughley at Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club (6 PM)
• SWING 525 - Beethoven Big Band at Hermann Sons Dancehall at (7:15 PM)
• August Burns Red 20 year Anniversary Tour with The Devil Wears Prada & Bleed From Within at Vibes Event Center (7:30 PM)
• Agarita + Pablo Sáinz Villegas at Botanical Garden in The Betty Kelso Center (7:30 PM)
• Pops 2: David Cho at the Movies! at First Baptist Church San Antonio (7:30 PM)
• R&B Only at The Aztec Theatre (8 PM)
• Bongo Katz at Sanchos Cantina Y Mas (8 PM)
• Funny Fridays Variety Show at BallHoggs BBQ (8:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Southern fried chicken joint coming to SA: "San Antonio will soon get to see what all the hype is about when Bojangles, the 45-year-old chicken and biscuits chain out of North Carolina, opens this year." (Laredo Morning Times)
• Watch this bull rider do something unorthodox! "Trevor Reist out of Iowa rides with his hand backwards after a series of wrist injuries. It's harder, but hasn't stopped him from finding success." (KENS5)
• 2 AM EZPAWN fire collapses parts of shop: "A pawn shop went up in flames on the city's southeast side. Crews had a difficult time battling the fire as it continued to spread, the San Antonio Fire Department said." (KENS5)
• Women targeted in car robberies: "Carjackers have a new target, and it is women driving alone in the early morning hours. The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office says these criminals are armed and dangerous." Officers say to continue driving and call 911 if you believe you're being followed. (WOAI)
• Current art exhibits to check out in the city: "Spring is here and there is so much going on at our museums: 🖼️ Womanish: Audacious, Courageous, Willful Art at the McNay Art Museum 🖼️ Antarctic Dinosaurs: A Forest Frozen in Time at Witte Museum 🖼️ Roman Landscapes: Visions of Nature." (Visit San Antonio Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Saturday. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow morning with your next update!

— Elaine Thompson

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming San Antonio Patch newsletter? Contact me at sanantonio@patch.com