This is TPR's roundup of the latest headlines and news developments. It provides a succinct and clear summary of the stories TPR is following.
Today's weather: Expect a high today of 91 and a low of 69. Skies will remain sunny and clear through the weekend. Evenings will grow cooler and much more pleasant.
The tropics: The National Hurricane Center continues to monitor a growing system in the Caribbean that may strengthen and move into the Gulf of Mexico later this week. Thus far, development has been slow, and it appeared weaker today. The Atlantic hurricane season ends on Nov. 30.
Election 2024: The deadline to register to vote in the November elections is Monday, Oct. 7. Voter registration forms are available at all San Antonio Public Library branches, and people can also print a form online from the Texas Secretary of State website. For more information on how to register to vote, visit VoteTexas.gov.
Father found not guilty in starvation case
In a surprise verdict, a Bexar County jury found Brandon Cervera not guilty in the starvation death of his 4-year-old son Benji.
After deliberating for six hours, the jury delivered a not guilty verdict in 186th District Court late Wednesday night.
Brandon Cervera nearly collapsed, hunching over the defendants table shaking and shielding his face and eyes as he wept. His son died in 2021, and the state and medical examiner said it was from starvation. The boy had lost weight the last months of his life and was seen on videos begging for food.
The defense said they tried to feed him other things, but the boy was obsessed with bread. They said they took him to doctors after the family voiced concern, with some even calling Child Protective Services.
Benji's stepmother, Miranda Casarez, was found guilty of injury to a child in April and is serving 25 years in prison.
H-E-B: Strike won't affect most products
H-E-B said the ongoing strike from dock workers in Texas and across the country was not expected to impact most of its products.
H-E-B explained in a statement that it has been working with suppliers for weeks to serve Texans.
Stores have continued to receive shipments, and the company said shelves have continued to be restocked throughout the day.
Longshoreman from Texas to Maine have gone on strike over wages and to fight against the use of automation.
— H-E-B Newsroom (@HEBNewsroom) October 1, 2024
More car burglaries at hotels near UTSA
San Antonio police report an uptick in thefts from vehicles at some hotels near UTSA.
It's not uncommon for thieves to break into vehicles at hotels located on or near a major freeway. They can break-in and then make a quick getaway.
Police have seen a little of that in the UTSA area. One hotel on UTSA Boulevard saw six vehicle break-ins in July and five in August.
Police point out thefts from vehicles are a problem citywide. Guns are a common item stolen from vehicles. Police advised drivers to keep car doors locked and valuable items out of sight. Park in a visible and well lit area too.
TxDOT offers Saturday appointments this month
The Texas Department of Transportation is offering Saturday appointments at select driver license offices statewide this month.
Participating offices will be open for half days for driver license or ID card services by appointment ONLY.
Saturday appointments will be available Oct. 5, 12, 19, and 26.
Book an appointment online at dps.texas.gov.
Philharmonic pushes October concerts into next spring
The San Antonio Philharmonic’s season has suffered a postponement. But Executive Director Roberto Treviño said the Oct. 18 and 19 concerts are not cancelled. “We decided that logistically moving it into the spring would give us the best chances for all our conscience,” he explained.
Cash flow was a factor, and Philharmonic management said an upcoming Majestic Theater Beethoven concert has priority. The Philharmonic has had a rocky transition from its days as the San Antonio Symphony, with difficulty in most seasons just staying in the black.
But Treviño was optimistic. "Let's not forget that we are in the midst of finalizing our agreement with the Scottish Rite to make that our permanent home, so that the San Antonio Philharmonic, once the San Antonio symphony, in all its history, will finally have a home of its own.”
Music lovers may purchase tickets at saphil.org.
More NCAA Division One games coming to San Antonio
San Antonio will be the site for the 2026 NCAA Division One Women's Volleyball Championship and the 2027 Division One Men's Basketball Regional. That announcement was made on Wednesday by the NCAA.
San Antonio was chosen from among more than 1,200 member schools, conferences, cities, and sports commissions across 47 states and Washington, D.C.
The Alamo City has hosted two volleyball championships and 11 Men's Basketball Regionals.
The announcement comes as the San Antonio Local Organizing Committee prepares to host the 2025 Men’s Final Four in the Alamodome on April 5 and 7.