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 87 and a low of 70. Expect similar pleasant weather for Halloween activities. The coming days will continue to see highs in the upper 80s. There are slight rain chances for the region through the week.
The tropics: There is no significant tropical activity in the Gulf or Caribbean regions. The Atlantic hurricane season ends on Nov. 30.
Elected leaders rally to support Prop D
Charter amendment Proposition D on the San Antonio ballot would overturn a 72-year ban on a wide range of political speech and activities related to municipal elections.
City employees rallied with Councilmember Melissa Cabello Havrda and Congressmember Greg Casar on Monday in support of the proposition.
City employees would not be allowed to engage in municipal politics while on the job or in uniform even if Prop D passes. It is one of six city charter amendments on the ballot for San Antonio voters to decide right now.
Early voting continues this week across Bexar County. Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Castro slams Trump campaign over racist comments
Former president Donald Trump and his campaign are under fire after several racist remarks were made against Latinos and other minority groups during a rally in New York City on Sunday.
At the rally, a comedian made a racist and vulgar joke about Latinos having too many children, and he called Puerto Rico a "floating island of garbage." The Trump campaign said in a statement that the comedian's views did not reflect the views of Trump.
Congressman Joaquin Castro said that “it wasn’t just that one speaker. It was a lot of the different speakers who were very angry, very hostile and very divisive -- often targeting different minority communities. And so it really is a frightening preview of what a Donald Trump administration would look like if he gets another term as president.”
Trump also said if he were reelected, he would conduct the biggest mass deportation in American history.
ITC enjoys new protection as state antiques landmark
A new designation may slow down plans to demolish San Antonio's Institute of Texan Cultures.
The University of Texas at San Antonio planned to raze the building in the summer of 2025 for the possible construction of a downtown Spurs stadium.
The Texas Historical Commission named the ITC a state antiques landmark during a hearing on Friday.
The Express-News reported UTSA must now consult with the Texas Historical Commission and get approval before making any changes to the structure. Officials with UTSA say they plan to proceed with demolishment.
The ITC building is one of the last surviving of the city's 1968 Hemisfair.
Experts see oligarchies forming in the U.S.
Oligarchies are formed when a small group of wealthy elites or corporations control a country.
Some experts, including Jeffrey Winters, said that's what happening in the U.S. He is author of the book Oligarchy.
He explained to TPR's "The Source" on Monday that what’s happening now is “in your face oligarchy” because the ultra wealthy like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos aren’t even hiding how they are using their riches in politics.
“Pretty much everything that matters is determined by very very big concentrated powerful money," Winters said. "It’s interesting to start out with that question: Do we actually have oligarchs in the United States? My simple answer would be, 'yes.' It describes people who have way more power than the average citizen.”
Federal funds for bus transit and electric vehicles now available
The advanced rapid transit Green Line, to be operated by VIA, and new electric vehicle charging stations at Brooks are closer to reality thanks to $272 million in federal transportation funding.
The Green Line will run north and south, from the airport to the Missions, through downtown. Construction may be completed as early as 2027. Buses will move people faster with pre-pay fares, faster wheelchair access, and bus friendly lanes and lights.
A Silver Line will do the same and run east and west through downtown. It should open in 2028.
Meanwhile, federal funds will also be used to install 24 electric vehicle charging stations at three sites across Brooks on the South Side.

Former mayors discuss San Antonio's future at CityFest today
The San Antonio Report's CityFest kicked off Monday with a discussion on the future of downtown.
David Robinson Jr., development manager with real estate firm Weston Urban, made his argument for purchasing a plot of land from San Antonio Independent School District for a new downtown ballpark for the San Antonio Missions baseball team.
“It is a parking lot, a dirt parking lot, that is not the highest and best use of that site," he said. "I think we'd all hope that our downtown is better activated and better developed than what its current use is. So, so yes, it's absolutely critical. If that didn't happen, we'd be back to the drawing board, back to square one.”
Many in the community have criticized the project over the potential displacement of more than 300 people from the affordable Soap Factory Apartments to make way for new development. SAISD has not said when it will vote on the proposed sale.
San Antonio CityFest continues today at 11:30 a.m. at the Witte Museum with a panel discussion featuring four former San Antonio mayors. Learn more at CityFestSA.org.