News

Each week on World Music (Saturday nights from 8-10 on KSTX 89.1 FM), I take a look at celebrations happening around the world. This week, Poland celebrates "Greasy Thursday," and there's a Devil's Carnival in Bolivia. Read more about these unique festivals below, and see video of the celebrations!

TŁUSTY CZWARTEK

On the heels of President Obama’s statements on immigration and a plan from the Gang of Eight bi-partisan Senate committee, two national lawmakers from Texas are offering their input on what immigration should look like over the coming years.

This week the president introduced his plans for what could become comprehensive immigration reform, which include:

The organizers of the San Antonio Rock and Roll Marathon had thought they fixed their hot weather issues when they moved the race date from November to December.

Now they are racing to return date back to November after a contract dispute with the Dallas Marathon which would have been run on the same date. This is the second time the footrace organizers have moved the date of the popular running event.

The Rock and Roll Marathon has been running the streets of San Antonio for the last five years and has been transformational for the city’s get-fit efforts.

Governor Rick Perry addressed the State Board of Education on Friday, urging the education leaders to expand technical classes and charter schools.

During his State-of-the-State address earlier in the week, Perry trumpeted evidence of improvements in public education and did so again when speaking to the State Board of Education.

Texas Matters: Gov. Rick Perry uses the State-of-the-State address to propose giving tax breaks, but should the state use the extra money to restore education funding instead? A new poll shows that a majority of Texans disapprove of the job he is doing and 62 percent think he should not run for re-election. Since he is a primary torch-bearer for the conservatives in the state, what will he do next?

We continue working our way through the preliminary rounds of last years contest. This Sunday, the music of Italian Domenico Scarlatti, a man who won a harpsichord "play-off" against G.F. Handel, and was so impressed by Handel's abilities that he always crossed himself when mentioning the composers name.

Scarlatti left Rome and moved to the courts of Spain and Portugal where he taught Queen Barbara to play harpsichord. Our "concert" starts with three of Scarlatti's sonatas.

Carrying Scarlatti's style

San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro is frequently mentioned as a possible Democratic candidate for governor or other statewide elected office, but a new poll shows that Texas voters still aren’t ready to vote for Castro. 

San Antonio Independent School District is testing out technology to increase student performance.

This semester, 22 students at Fox Tech high school will do their reading, check assignments and conduct lab experiments using a Kindle tablet.

Senior Marina Garcia is one of the students taking part in the pilot program in one of the school’s advanced placement biology classes.

City leaders, area chamber presidents and Walmart officials officially broke ground at the site of a new store to be built on the city’s south side. The 180,000 foot store will be located at I-35 and Palo Alto Road, where Palo Alto meets Patron Street.

Daniel Morales with Walmart said opening stores in communities often sparks economic growth.

State Senator Leticia Van de Putte has introduced a bill to extend homeowner tax exemptions to spouses of military members killed in action.

If it is approved and becomes a law, it would be considered a constitutional amendment for voters to decide.

In 2009, legislation was passed allowing veterans who are fully disabled to get a property tax exemption. In 2011, legislation was passed allowing that exemption to be passed on to surviving spouses if that veteran passed away.