Tagged: local news

The San Antonio Conservation Society is hard at work putting together the final touches in La Villita for Night in Old San Antonio, a tradition dating back nearly 100 years.

"We started back in the 1920’s when the city wanted to do an Indian festival, and so we stepped forward and put on a very short one night festival for that," said NIOSA treasurer Barb Machado. "Then it grew and they tried a couple of things along the banks of the Riverwalk and then after that they decided to turn it into this."

Proposals were made by both the Republicans and Democrats in the House, but it is House Bill 3791, the Republican "Texas-ccentric" plan, that is heading to the House floor for a vote. 

The plan is to get federal dollars in the form of a block grant that is used to create a state alternative to Medicaid expansion, though the federal government has not said if such a grant will be given.

The so-called Gang-of-Eight are still working to hammer out an immigration reform bill, despite criticism from conservatives who call it a "bad bill."

San Antonio Congressman Joaquín Castro is looking forward to seeing a comprehensive immigration package this year. He said he believes the bi-partisan group will be able to meet the standards that constituents expect.

Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, said SB 645 will add a redeemable 5 cents on every beverage bottle sold in Texas - glass, aluminum or plastic. If the bill passes, Texas would join 10 other states who have such a program.