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Ryan Loyd

Ryan Loyd
Credit Dan Skinner / Texas Public Radio
News Reporter

Ryan Loyd is Texas Public Radio's city beat and political reporter who brings more than a decade of news experience back to his hometown.

Ryan began reporting at KGNB radio in New Braunfels, followed by KTSA. He worked in television news in Joplin, MO, San Antonio, Sherman, Texas, and Austin.

Since joining TPR in October 2011, Ryan has covered stories of local, state and national interest including the 2012 Democratic National Convention, where San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro delivered the keynote address.

Ryan especially enjoys reporting on in-depth issues like the Eagle Ford Shale oil and natural gas boom, the ongoing conversation into redeveloping Alamo Plaza, the Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland sex scandal, and numerous city issues. Ryan is a regular contributor to NPR News.

For his coverage in 2012, Ryan won a Michael E. DeBakey Journalism award for his feature on a story about Canine PTSD, which ran locally and on NPR's "All Things Considered." The story explored the possibilities that combat dogs exhibit symptoms of a post-traumatic stress disorder, similar to the same disorder human soldiers experience.

The Michael E. DeBakey Journalism Award honors professional journalists whose reporting has enhanced public understanding of how the humane and responsible use of animal models leads to medical and scientific discoveries. Loyd accepted the award May 14 at a ceremony in Washington, D.C.

He also won the Reporting on Open Government award from the Society of Professional Journalists, Ft. Worth Chapter, for his stories relating to the sex scandal at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. The stories contributed to the Air Force's increased transparency to the media and to the public. 

In 2011 he won first place in the Ft. Worth Society of Professional Journalist's First Amendment Awards in the Green News category for his work on an environmental story while in Austin. He won a second place Associated Press Broadcasters award for beat reporting for his coverage of San Antonio city government at TPR.

Ryan is trying to become a more avid cyclist, but in the meantime he chases around a vibrant pre-schooler and a red-nosed dog with his wife, Sarah.

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Community Giving
4:11 pm
Tue November 20, 2012

Historic Pictures Help Rekindle Fire Department Toy Day Drive Of 1930's

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Credit San Antonio Light Collection - UTSA Libraries Special Collections
Firefighters from the 1930's held Toy Day to collect presents for the children of San Antonio
Credit San Antonio Light Collection - UTSA Libraries Special Collections
Firefighters from the 1930's held Toy Day to collect presents for the children of San Antonio
Credit San Antonio Light Collection - UTSA Libraries Special Collections
Firefighters from the 1930's held Toy Day to collect presents for the children of San Antonio
Credit San Antonio Light Collection - UTSA Libraries Special Collections
Firefighters would fix and paint toys to give to children
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Once upon a time, San Antonio firefighters collected toys for children of the city; they even painted and fixed them. They called their drive Toy Day, and gave children who brought toys free movie tickets.

Researchers at the Institute of Texan Cultures found pictures of Toy Day tucked away in archives, and leaders decided to rekindle the old tradition, but give it a new spin. Now in its second year, history has proven to bring back what once was a thriving act of kindness: providing children with happiness.

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Business
2:51 pm
Mon November 19, 2012

Grant Awarded to Community Colleges Will Train Students for Eagle Ford Shale Work

Credit Dan Melgoza
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Commissioner Raymund Paredes, left holding check, with members of the Eagle Ford Shale Consortium
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The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has awarded $1.3 million to the Alamo, Coastal Bend, Laredo, South Texas Junior and Victoria Colleges to train and educate workers for the Eagle Ford Shale oil and natural gas boom.

"It's going to train up to 800 individuals to go to work very quickly and be able to make a living wage and be able to make a living wage and support their families and help improve the Texas economy,” said THECB Commissioner Raymund Paredes.

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West Side Revitalization
2:12 pm
Fri November 16, 2012

For West Side To Thrive, Councilman Lopez Says Area Needs To Attract New Businesses

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Credit Ryan Loyd / Texas Public Radio
Councilman Ray Lopez tours his district to talk to residents about their needs and opportunities for a successful future.
Credit Ryan Loyd / Texas Public Radio
Volunteers paint a home during work day for Rebuilding Together San Antonio. It's one way people are coming together to reinvigorate the west side of town.
Credit Ryan Loyd / Texas Public Radio
Councilman Ray Lopez speaks with residents during a recent work day by Rebuilding Together San Antonio
Credit Ryan Loyd / Texas Public Radio
Councilman Ray Lopez's GPS system guides him toward homes where volunteers worked.
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During a recent tour of district 6, Councilman Ray Lopez stopped by several homes where volunteers were helping Rebuilding Together San Antonio, a local non-profit. Disabled and impoverished residents qualify for the work because they can’t do it themselves, and the organization attempts to work on 10 houses each year.

“I think we all recognize that there is a lot of work to be done in this community,” Lopez said to them.

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Texas Historic Documents
1:17 pm
Fri November 16, 2012

Mystery At The Alamo: Texas Declaration Of Independence Reported Missing

Credit Wikipedia Commons
Photograph of the Texas Declaration of Independence taken in 2003 by J. Williams
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The Daughters of the Republic of Texas are responding to the bizarre incident that called San Antonio Police to the shrine Thursday morning. DRT President Karen Thompson said there will be a full investigation; the Texas Declaration of Independence is apparently missing from the Alamo.

Following a report that artifacts were missing, Thompson assured people there would be a formal inquiry and the DRT would fully cooperate with law enforcement officials.

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International Investment
12:30 pm
Fri November 16, 2012

Mayor Castro And SA Business Leaders Make Economic Development Trip To U.K.

Credit Ryan Loyd / TPR
Mayor Castro was a hit at the Democratic National Convention this year, and looks to extend his reach by developing economic interests in the U.K. following the election.
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San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro is not finished jet-setting following the elections. He will now head to Great Britain to talk to politicians, business leaders and top government officials in hopes of strengthening business relationships.

As an invited guest of the British government, Castro’s main mission is economic development.

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Pre-K 4 SA Implementation
4:09 pm
Thu November 15, 2012

City Council Members Now Considering Pre-K 4 SA Board Members

Credit Ryan Loyd / Texas Public Radio
Dist. 6 Councilman Ray Lopez has named his pick for the Pre-K 4 SA board while others mull over the decision.
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City staff members are busy putting together the program that will offer full day pre-kindergarten to thousands of four year olds next year.

The building selections are underway that will serve as the model education centers, the finances are being worked out, and perhaps the most important task is assembling the board that will oversee the program.

At Thursday’s city council meeting, Mayor Julián Castro said San Antonio is doing something it has never done before.

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EPA Regulations
12:58 pm
Thu November 15, 2012

EPA Pushing Compliance With Clean Water Act - SAWS May Increase Rates

Credit SAWS
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San Antonio Water System customers could be facing a rate increase of nearly 10 percent in 2013. An aging infrastructure is one reason, but another is pressure from the Environmental Protection Agency.

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Pre-K 4 SA Implementation
2:54 pm
Wed November 14, 2012

First Two Model Education Centers Being Considered For Pre-K 4 SA Program

Credit Ryan Loyd / Texas Public Radio
Assistant City Manager Peter Zanoni addresses the city's education committee on the first of four model education centers being identified.
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City leaders are moving quickly on the plan proposed by Mayor Julián Castro that will provide full day pre-K to thousands of the city’s four year olds.

Just one week after the election, the first two model education centers for Pre-K 4 SA have been identified for consideration.

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Community Giving
10:27 am
Wed November 14, 2012

Blankets A Source Of Warmth For Grieving Family And Those In Need

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Credit Ryan Loyd / Texas Public Radio
Sgt. Nicolas Esparza and soldiers from JBSA-Lackland load blankets into trailer for "Nicci Covers the Cold" drive
Credit Ryan Loyd / Texas Public Radio
JBSA-Lackland technical school graduates and charity football game efforts resulted in 600 blankets being donated to "Nicci Covers the Cold"
Credit Ryan Loyd / Texas Public Radio
Soldiers pose with the Carlsons who collected blankets from JBSA-Lackland
Credit Ryan Loyd / Texas Public Radio
Maurice Johnson, Sandi and Owen Carlson near trailer where 600 blankets barely squeezed in
Credit Ryan Loyd / Texas Public Radio
Photo button of Nicci that Sandi wears during all collections and distributions of blankets
Credit Ryan Loyd / Texas Public Radio
Maurice Johnson (left), Sandi Carlson and husband Owen carry in blanket donations to San Antonio's Christian Senior Services
Credit Ryan Loyd / Texas Public Radio
Jerry Arellano (left) with the Carlsons and Maurice Johnson after donating blankets
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It’s been nearly three years since Sandi and Owen Carlson lost their daughter, Nicci, in a tragedy that can only be described as unthinkable; their daughter, who was in her twenties, suffered carbon monoxide poisoning in her Austin apartment.

Nicci always wanted to do good deeds for others, and especially when the typical blistering weather turned cold. Before her death, she talked about a blanket drive that would “cover the cold.” Since her passing, her parents have collected blankets for distribution throughout the state in honor of their late daughter’s memory.

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Joint Base Economic Impact
4:23 pm
Mon November 12, 2012

Economic Study Finds Joint Base San Antonio Accounts For $27.7 Billion

Credit SABÉR Research Institute
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The Deputy Commander for the Joint Base San Antonio network of installations said the city and military are connected in ways that cannot be counted. A recently released study showed the military had an economic impact of $27.7 billion in 2011.

Leaders say it’s only the statistical side of the equation, and when examining the social side of the issue, Dr. Steve Nivin of the SABÉR Research Institute, who studied the fiscal impact, said the overall impact seems immeasurable.

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