A weekly podcast that breaks down how politics works, and often doesn't work, in San Antonio. Metro Editor Greg Jefferson and Express-News reporters question politicians and other newsmakers about what they're up to in our name.
COPS/Metro sees ball bouncing its way in Spurs ...
COPS/Metro leaders Adrian Castro and Sonia Rodriguez make their case against spending any tax dollars on a new Spurs. Their bottom line in a conversation with reporter Molly Smith and host Greg Jefferson: billionaire team investors would benefit, not taxpayers.
54 min
2
Spurs exec makes case for Prop B arena funding ...
Bobby Perez, Spurs Sports & Entertainment's general counsel, talks public financing for a downtown arena and addresses relocation fears in a wide-ranging conversation with reporter Madison Iszler and host Greg Jefferson.
46 min
3
Keeping up with Mayor Jones | ENside Politics
City Hall reporters Megan Rodriguez and Molly Smith and host Greg Jefferson discuss Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones' ups and downs since taking office in June -- her strained relationship with some City Council members, how she's doing on her agenda and the losing votes she's racked up so far.
34 min
4
Spilling the cowboy beans on the rodeo tax elec...
San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo CEO Cody Davenport talks with reporter Madison Iszler and host Greg Jefferson about the $192 million tax proposition on the Nov. 4 ballot and the huge rodeo expansion plan it would pay for.
Pollster Brannon Miller, City Hall reporter Molly Smith and host Greg Jefferson discuss the campaign for tax dollars for a Spurs arena, why Gov. Greg Abbott has spooked big-name Democratic challengers and Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones' first 100 days.
52 min
6
San Antonio council OKs a super confusing anima...
City Hall reporters Megan Rodriguez and Molly Smith join host Greg Jefferson to talk about the confusion that is the city's new animal abandonment law, the on and on and ongoing fight between Mayor Jones and City Council, and Ron Nirenberg's political future.
33 min
7
Excuse me? How an anti-pet abandonment vote at ...
City Councilwoman Marina Alderete Gavito, City Hall reporter Megan Rodriguez and host Greg Jefferson talk about an ordinance to penalize the abandonment of unwanted pets, council members' tense relationship with Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones, and more.
41 min
8
A San Antonio Councilman's case for voting yes ...
District 4 Councilman Edward Mungia, City Hall reporter Molly Smith and host Greg Jefferson talk about the opposition to public financing for a Spurs arena, Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones' hard-edged tactics and what comes next for Project Marvel.
43 min
9
Breaking down Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones’ very roug...
Political consultant Laura Barberena, reporter Megan Rodriguez and host Greg Jefferson discuss the highs and lows of Jones' handling of a looming vote on a Spurs arena and her push to unilaterally change how City Council makes policy.
48 min
10
District 5's Teri Castillo asks what's the rush...
The West Side councilwoman thinks a city-ordered economic analysis of Project Marvel is tainted — the consultant is owned by a company whose main backer is Spurs investor Sixth Street Partners — and has to be redone before the City Council decides whether to make a deal the NBA franchise and Bexar County.
49 min
11
Mayor Jones slows city's Spurs arena roll | ENs...
Political consultant Andrew Solano, reporter Madison Iszler and host Greg Jefferson talk about Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones' push to drive a harder bargain with the Spurs. Also, will the team's commitment to spend $500M on arena construction make public financing to pay the rest of the bill an easier sell at the polls?
42 min
12
A way-too-early take on Gina Ortiz Jones as may...
51 min
13
Air Force One troubles in SA, Elon Musk's new c...
Tech reporter Brandon Lingle and host Greg Jefferson discuss Port San Antonio's plan to land the Air Force cyber command, the Air Force One debacle in San Antonio and SpaceX's new company town in South Texas.
18 min
14
The fights for Cornyn's Senate seat and tax dol...
Democratic pollster Brannon Miller, City Hall reporter Molly Smith and host Greg Jefferson discuss next year's race for the U.S. Senate, the upcoming campaign for public dollars for a Spurs arena, and more.
41 min
15
The lowdown on Bexar County's likely Spurs aren...
Bexar County Commissioner Just in Rodriguez talks with host Greg Jefferson and reporters Madison Iszler and Brooke Park about the likelihood of a November venue tax election, political jockeying at the Bexar County Courthouse, and more.
56 min
16
Gina Ortiz Jones for the win. Now what? | ENsid...
Host Greg Jefferson and City Hall reporters Megan Rodriguez and Molly Smith discuss how Jones skated past Rolando Pablos on election night and the several big problems she'll have to confront as soon as she takes office — including a $31 million budget deficit.
33 min
17
Has Gina Ortiz Jones lost her advantage in San ...
Host Greg Jefferson, City Hall reporter Molly Smith and Andrew Solano, campaign manager for Beto Altamirano, discuss the Gina Ortiz Jones campaign's missteps, why Altamirano (who placed third in the May 3 mayor's race) hasn't made an endorsement in the race, and more.
40 min
18
City Council's odd couple bicker about Jones v....
Host Greg Jefferson and City Hall reporter Megan Rodriguez talk with councilmen Jalen McKee-Rodriguez and Marc Whyte about their favorites for mayor, red vs. blue politics on City Council and what to do about San Antonio's projected $31 million deficit.
58 min
19
Police and fire union chiefs' reads on the runo...
The city’s police and firefighters’ unions both sat out the first round of voting, waiting until the field of 27 candidates for mayor in the May 3 city election was whittled to Gina Ortiz Jones and Rolando Pablos. The San Antonio Police Officers' Association backed Pablos ahead of the June 7 runoff while the San Antonio Professional Firefighters Association is not endorsing.
40 min
20
Reintroducing Ana Sandoval | ¡Nosotros!
The former councilwoman stepped down in 2023 to focus on a daughter who’s now 3, and Sandoval is back to her roots grounded in the environment.
47 min
21
How we got to Gina Ortiz Jones vs. Rolando Pabl...
Host Greg Jefferson and City Hall reporters Megan Rodriguez and Molly Smith talk about voters' rejection of City Council members running for the top job, the Year of the Outsider and what's ahead in the June 7 runoff.
32 min
22
The latest on the mayor’s race as Election Day ...
Host Greg Jefferson and opinion editor Josh Brodesky discuss why early voting numbers are so weak and what went into the San Antonio Express-News Editorial Board's endorsements in the mayor's race.
29 min
23
Are voters shocked by sheer number of mayoral c...
Host Greg Jefferson and City Hall reporters Megan Rodriguez and Molly Smith talk about who's up and who's down in the race for mayor and City Council.
32 min
24
Pelaez's big move in mayor's race — and what i...
Host Greg Jefferson and City Hall reporters Megan Rodriguez and Molly Smith talk about who's up and who's down in the race for mayor and City Council.
38 min
25
Turbulent times for public schools. This nonpro...
Host Greg Jefferson and Daiana Lambrecht, executive director of Futuro San Antonio, discuss how the potential dissolution of the U.S. Department of Education and a school voucher program could affect public education in the Alamo City.