Express Briefing

On Friday, President Joe Biden visited Texas for the first time since taking office. Here are the biggest takeaways from his trip to Houston. Early Saturday, the House approved a $1.9 trillion pandemic relief bill. That ships the massive measure to the Senate, where Democrats seem bent on resuscitating their minimum wage push and fights could erupt over state aid and other issues. Listen to today's Express Briefing for a full roundup of San Antonio's top headlines. Subscribe to the San Antonio Express-News to support quality local journalism.

Gov. Greg Abbott is assessing when he may lift the statewide mask mandate he implemented last July to slow the spread of COVID-19. Here's what you need to know about vaccine distribution in Texas and what it means for safety precautions. This morning, the Express-News Editorial Board will meet with Mayor Ron Nirenberg, County Judge Nelson Wolff and U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro to talk about the historic winter storm, power outages and what should happen next. Join us live at 10 a.m.

You're invited to our Talking San Antonio webinar today! Join the conversation with Columnist Gilbert Garcia and VIA's Chief Strategic Officer Marisa Bono at noon by signing up here. We are also inviting our readers to watch live as the Express-News Editorial Board interviews leaders from SAWS and CPS Energy in the wake of last week's devastating winter storm. You can watch those meetings here at 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Listen to today's Express Briefing for a full roundup of San Antonio's top headlines. Subscribe to the San Antonio Express-News to support quality local journalism.

The Bexar County Commissioners Court will meet Tuesday morning, returning to an in-person gathering after holding its last two regular meetings virtually. Here's a look at what's on the agenda. The Supreme Court has rejected a last-ditch attempt by former President Donald Trump to shield his financial records,  Listen to today's Express Briefing for a full roundup of San Antonio's top headlines. Subscribe to the San Antonio Express-News to support quality local journalism.

In the aftermath of this week’s winter storm, San Antonio plumbers say they are overwhelmed with thousands of calls from desperate homeowners. And the backlog of repairs is likely to get much worse. In a news conference Friday, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in a news conference laid out his top four priorities as the state begins its recovery process after the winter storm that knocked out millions of Texans’ power and water supplies

San Antonians have one more chance to make their voices heard publicly about what they think is the best way to preserve and promote historical finds at San Pedro Creek, including what’s left of one of the oldest Black churches in Texas. Monday is a federal holiday, some schools will still have classes. Some may choose to go virtual or even cancel classes as the area deals with wintry weather San Antonio is expecting a high of just 26 degrees with possible flurries Listen to today's Express Briefing for a full roundup of San Antonio's top headlines. Subscribe to the San Antonio Express-News to support quality local journalism.

From last year’s recession to a soaring stock market, enhanced unemployment benefits and economic stimulus payments, even ordinary tax filers face changes. Here's what you need to know.  In San Antonio today, expect a high of 42 cloudy skies. Although the forecast calls for highs in the low 40s again Saturday, an arctic blast arriving Sunday night will bring cold that could break records.   Listen to today's Express Briefing for a full roundup of San Antonio's top headlines. Subscribe to the San Antonio Express-News to support quality local journalism.

Key members of the Texas Senate chided Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton yesterday for handing out $40 million in pay raises to members of his staff without approval of the Texas Legislature. In San Antonio today, expect a high of 42 with possible thunderstorms. Make sure to keep coats and mittens handy this weekend. The region is about to get hit with an arctic air mass that may produce snow for the area. Listen to today's Express Briefing for a full roundup of San Antonio's top headlines. Subscribe to the San Antonio Express-News to support quality local journalism.  

As the city's coronavirus positivity rate continues to show signs of improvement, officials have detected the first known cases of the more contagious U.K. strain of COVID-19 in two local residents. Mayor Ron Nirenberg called it "a wake-up call." The Spurs took on the Golden State Warriors again after an epic game-winning shot Tuesday night. Here are highlights from last night.   Listen to today's Express Briefing for a full roundup of San Antonio's top headlines. Subscribe to the San Antonio Express-News to support quality local journalism.

The Senate launches Donald Trump’s historic second impeachment trial today, with lawyers for the former president insisting he is not guilty of inciting mob violence at the Capitol. Also today, Bexar County Commissioners Court is set to discuss workforce training and the county’s federal and state legislative agendas in a virtual meeting set to start at 9 a.m. Listen to today's Express Briefing for a full roundup of San Antonio's top headlines. Subscribe to the San Antonio Express-News to support quality local journalism.

Tomorrow, the U.S. Senate is set to launch the impeachment trial of Donald Trump. Tonight, the Spurs host the Golden State Warriors in the first game of a back-to-back. The challenge for the Spurs during the next two nights will be to somehow find a way to slow Stephen Curry.  Listen to today's Express Briefing for a full roundup of San Antonio's top headlines. Subscribe to the San Antonio Express-News to support quality local journalism.

Two days after city crews removed dozens of homeless who had been living in tents under Interstate 37 in downtown San Antonio, crews are planning to descend on the parking lot of District 1 Councilman Robert Treviño’s field office Friday to clear out a few more people who are without shelter. The NCAA is expected to announce soon that San Antonio will host all 63 games of the 2021 women’s basketball tournament, giving the city’s depressed hospitality industry a temporary lift.   Listen to today's Express Briefing for a full roundup of San Antonio's top headlines. Subscribe to the San Antonio Express-News to support quality local journalism.

Public input from virtual meetings for Bexar County residents will identify the most intense needs in the county and guide use of federal programs administered through HUD. Precinct 2 meets tonight at 6:30 p.m. Here's what you need to know. Spurs forward Drew Eubanks is over his bout with coronavirus, but the experience was no fun. Having returned from the NBA’s health and safety protocols.   Listen to today's Express Briefing for a full roundup of San Antonio's top headlines. Subscribe to the San Antonio Express-News to support quality local journalism.

President Joe Biden has signed a second spate of orders to undo his predecessor’s policies, demonstrating the powers of the White House and its limitations without support from Congress. Here's what you need to know about his orders on family separation, border security and legal immigration.  Listen to today's Express Briefing for a full roundup of San Antonio's top headlines. Subscribe to the San Antonio Express-News to support quality local journalism.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott delivered his annual State of the State address last night, boasting of a state rising again after a year of unparalleled loss. Here are the biggest takeaways from the speech. A military coup in Myanmar and a mass crackdown on dissidents in Russia are presenting early tests for the Biden administration as it tries to reestablish American primacy as a worldwide pro-democracy leader. Listen to today's Express Briefing for a full roundup of San Antonio's top headlines. Subscribe to the San Antonio Express-News to support quality local journalism.

Gov. Greg Abbott will deliver his annual State of the State address tonight, likely highlighting the state’s resilience amid a devastating pandemic and pressing for an aggressively conservative legislative agenda. San Antonio representatives were watching the volatility pf the Gamestop stock saga closely. Here's what they said about it. Listen to today's Express Briefing for a full roundup of San Antonio's top headlines. Subscribe to the San Antonio Express-News to support quality local journalism.

 President Joe Biden ordered government health insurance markets to reopen for a special sign-up window, offering uninsured Americans a haven as the spread of COVID-19 remains high and vaccines aren't yet widely available. The latest entry in our 52 Weeks of Food Trucks series brings us to the Bulverde area for a full review of a new food truck from a James Beard-tapped chef   Listen to today's Express Briefing for a full roundup of San Antonio's top headlines. Subscribe to the San Antonio Express-News to support quality local journalism.

A team of scientists has identified an anti-cancer drug that kills the coronavirus in lab studies and is almost 30 times more potent than remdesivir, one of the few antiviral drugs available to treat the disease. President Joe Biden on Tuesday announced a "wartime effort" to boost vaccine deliveries and vaccinate 300 million Americans by the end of the summer or early fall.   Listen to today's Express Briefing for a full roundup of San Antonio's top headlines. Subscribe to the San Antonio Express-News to support quality local journalism.

Vaccine maker Moderna said Monday that its vaccine is effective against new variants of the coronavirus that have emerged in Britain and South Africa. Keep an eye on expressnews.com today, where we'll have coverage of the Commissioners Court meeting, and a report from our Taste team about a new kolache shop in San Antonio. Listen to today's Express Briefing for a full roundup of San Antonio's top headlines. Subscribe to the San Antonio Express-News to support quality local journalism.