This week on bigcitysmalltown, host Bob Rivard is joined by Elena Wells and Jenny Carnes from San Antonio Sports to discuss the upcoming 2025 NCAA Men's Final Four hosted in San Antonio. With the city on the brink of this prestigious event, what can residents and visitors expect? The conversation delves into the preparations for the Final Four, the events surrounding it, and its anticipated economic impact on San Antonio. As the city gears up for this major event, Bob, Jenny, and Elena offer ins...
Mar 21, 2025•38 min
This week’s Last Word examines Texas’ growing education funding crisis. Despite a record state budget surplus, public schools—especially in San Antonio—are being left behind. Lawmakers continue to prioritize political battles over solutions, and the result? Underfunded classrooms, underpaid teachers, and increasing pressure on local school districts to do more with less. Bob breaks down the legal and moral responsibility Texas has to fund its schools, the ongoing standoff in Austin, and what it ...
Mar 15, 2025•6 min
This week on bigcitysmalltown, we delve into the unexpected legacy of Tom Slick and his enduring influence on San Antonio’s scientific community. Though known as an oil wildcatter, Slick’s curiosity and visionary investments laid the groundwork for significant advancements in neuroscience and consciousness research. Our focus is the Mind Science Foundation—a San Antonio-based institution exploring the mysteries of the human mind, largely unnoticed by the local community. Bob Rivard is joined by ...
Mar 14, 2025•45 min
San Antonio has finally secured a long-awaited nonstop flight to Washington, D.C. But will it last? In this Last Word, Bob discusses the significance of the new direct route, why it took decades to become a reality, and what it will take to keep it. Tune in for insights on how air travel shapes San Antonio’s business, civic, and military connections. -- -- 📩 Subscribe to Bob’s Monday Newsletter 🎧 Don't miss the Last Word - You can find the full archive of Bob's commentaries on life and work in...
Mar 08, 2025•3 min
This week on bigcitysmalltown , we take a deep dive into UTSA Honors College—one of the most unique and rapidly evolving honors programs in Texas. Unlike traditional programs, UTSA Honors College is built around real-world experience, preparing students for competitive careers, top graduate programs, and leadership roles. But what makes this program different? Bob sits down with Dr. Jill Fleuriet, Vice Provost for Honors Education at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), to explore the ...
Mar 07, 2025•43 min
This week’s Last Word examines the Texas Lottery—where billions are wagered each year, and the promise of funding public education continues to spark debate. Bob takes a deep dive into how the lottery works, who benefits most, and whether Texas taxpayers are getting a fair deal. For decades, state officials have promoted the lottery as a way to support Texas schools, but the reality is more complicated. Bob explores the actual impact on education funding, the financial burden placed on lower-inc...
Mar 01, 2025•3 min
This week’s episode of bigcitysmalltown takes a deep dive into the state of local journalism and its future in San Antonio. As traditional news models struggle nationwide, nonprofit newsrooms like San Antonio Report are working to reshape how communities stay informed. But what does it take to sustain independent journalism in a rapidly changing media landscape? Bob sits down with San Antonio Report leadership to discuss the organization’s 13-year journey, the challenges of nonprofit news, and w...
Feb 28, 2025•44 min
This week’s Last Word is a special one: bigcitysmalltown has hit 100 episodes. Host Bob Rivard reflects on this milestone, the journey so far, and what’s ahead for the podcast that tells the stories of the people shaping San Antonio’s future. From decades in journalism to launching bigcitysmalltown , Bob shares his perspective on how the media landscape has evolved, why local storytelling matters more than ever, and what’s next for the show as it continues to grow. With San Antonio at the heart ...
Feb 22, 2025•5 min
This week’s episode of bigcitysmalltown explores how UTSA is rapidly evolving into a top public research university—and what this means for San Antonio’s future. With its confirmed merger with UT Health San Antonio now in progress, UTSA is making bold moves to expand its research capabilities, attract top-tier faculty, and position itself among the nation’s leading public universities. But what does this transformation mean for students, the local economy, and the broader San Antonio community? ...
Feb 21, 2025•49 min
This week’s Last Word commentary examines the growing demand for mental health services in Bexar County—and whether the state will provide the funding needed to meet it. Bob Rivard unpacks the county’s plan to expand in-patient mental health services , why the need for more capacity has been a long-standing issue, and what it will take for Texas lawmakers to support these efforts. With statewide hospital bed shortages and increasing pressure on emergency rooms and law enforcement , how will Bexa...
Feb 15, 2025•4 min
This week’s episode of bigcitysmalltown dives into the urgent conversation surrounding public school funding in Texas. With schools in the San Antonio region reaching a financial breaking point, business leaders are stepping in to advocate for change. Host Bob Rivard is joined by Mario Barrera, a San Antonio attorney and former chairman of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, and Luis Rodriguez, president and CEO of the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Together, they break down ...
Feb 14, 2025•36 min
This week’s Last Word commentary examines the future of FEMA and what it means for Texas as disaster relief policies face increasing political scrutiny. Bob Rivard unpacks the growing debate over federal disaster aid , how FEMA’s role could change under this next administration, and why Texas—prone to hurricanes, wildfires, and extreme weather—has so much at stake. With climate-driven disasters on the rise , will Texas be prepared if federal support dwindles? And what happens if states are force...
Feb 08, 2025•4 min
This week’s episode of bigcitysmalltown takes a look at the humor, storytelling, and resilience behind one of San Antonio’s most recognizable public artists: Gary Sweeney. We’re joined by Gary Sweeney, a visual artist known for his bold, text-based public art, wit-infused commentary, and unconventional career path. From working as a baggage handler at an airline to creating public art installations across San Antonio, Denver, and beyond, Sweeney’s work blends humor with sharp social observations...
Feb 07, 2025•44 min
This week’s Last Word commentary examines the San Antonio City Council’s failed vote on funding abortion travel , a decision that reflects both the city’s political divide and the larger struggle between state and local governance in Texas. Bob Rivard breaks down what happened in the council chambers, why the vote failed, and what it signals for San Antonio’s upcoming elections . With abortion access increasingly restricted statewide, this debate raises broader questions: Should cities step in w...
Feb 01, 2025•5 min
This week’s episode of bigcitysmalltown dives into one of the most pressing issues facing San Antonio: the future of immigration policy and how it will impact our community. We’re joined by Claudia Hernandez , an immigration attorney at San Antonio-based firm De Mott, Curtright and Armendáriz (DMCA), to discuss the real consequences of shifting immigration policies—what’s at stake for families, businesses, and the broader South Central Texas community. With new challenges emerging under the next...
Jan 31, 2025•41 min
This week’s Last Word commentary reflects on the enduring connections between Texas and Mexico through the Gulf of Mexico—a shared space of culture, trade, and history. As the relationship between these neighbors faces new challenges in the next Trump presidency, Bob Rivard explores how the Gulf symbolizes both unity and division. With proposals like renaming the Gulf to the “Gulf of America” floating in political discourse, this commentary examines what’s at stake for the communities and econom...
Jan 25, 2025•4 min
This week’s episode of bigcitysmalltown spotlights something new in San Antonio’s arts community: a residency program tailored to support artists who are also caregivers. We’re joined by Liz Stehl Kleberg & Meaghan Mitts, the founders of the Parts & Labor Residency, a nonprofit organization in Southtown San Antonio that provides mid-career artists with the time, space, and resources they need to pursue their creative work. Designed to meet the unique needs of caregivers, the residency of...
Jan 24, 2025•38 min
In this week’s Last Word, Bob Rivard explores the opening of the Texas Legislature’s 89th biennial session, unpacking the pressing issues and political dynamics shaping the state’s future. From the ongoing school voucher debate and public education funding crisis to the challenges of housing, transportation, and water conservation, Bob offers sharp insights on what’s at stake for Texans. He also reflects on the broader implications of one-party rule and its impact on transformative policymaking....
Jan 18, 2025•7 min
This week’s episode of bigcitysmalltown takes you behind the scenes of one of San Antonio’s most critical infrastructure hubs: the San Antonio International Airport (SAT). We’re joined by Jesus Saenz, Director of Airports for the San Antonio Airport System, to discuss the airport’s record-breaking growth, its expansion plans, and how it’s adapting to serve the nation’s fastest-growing city. Listen as we explore how SAT is adding nonstop destinations, improving passenger experiences, and competin...
Jan 17, 2025•42 min
Welcome to the first Last Word in its new standalone format. Every Saturday, Bob delivers his sharp, insightful commentary on life and politics in San Antonio, Texas, and beyond. In this inaugural episode, he dives into what 2025 has in store—from the impact of a second Trump presidency on local immigration and trade to the high-stakes debates unfolding in Texas politics, including public school funding and San Antonio’s billion-dollar arena proposal. Fasten your seatbelts—it’s going to be quite...
Jan 11, 2025•7 min
This week’s episode is a special one as we introduce Cory Ames, the new producer of bigcitysmalltown . Cory is also the founder of Ensemble Texas , a media platform focused on San Antonio’s environment, economy, and culture. Listen as we discuss what’s next for bigcitysmalltown , how local storytelling can help shape the city’s future, and why understanding where you live might be the first step to making a lasting impact. -- -- ✉️ Subscribe to Bob's Newsletter 📝 Resources & Show Notes 📌 C...
Jan 10, 2025•24 min
This week’s guest is Jeff Arndt, who has served for 13 years as president and CEO of VIA Metropolitan Transit, San Antonio and Bexar County’s public bus system. Listen as Arndt discusses his career at VIA ahead of his retirement, the challenges and victories of public transportation in San Antonio. In this episode of Big City Small Town , we sit down with Jeff Arndt , who recently retired after 13 years as CEO of VIA Metropolitan Transit and a 40-year career in public transportation . Jeff refle...
Jan 03, 2025•53 min
This week’s guests are Jeffrey Moore, an analyst with the city’s Office of Emergency Management and the founderof the SATX Social Ride held every Tuesday in the city’s urban core, routinely attracting hundreds of local cyclists for an evening ride and social gathering; and Mitchell Keogh, an avid cyclist who leads a community of riders who track their rides and performance on the Strava app. Listen as we discuss the cycling community in San Antonio.
Dec 27, 2024•49 min•Ep. 86
This week’s guest is David Marquez, executive director of Economic and Community Development for Bexar County, a longtime leader in economic development and advanced manufacturing, including cross-border auto manufacturing, for the county. Marquez oversaw the building and funding of the AT&T Arena, now renamed as the Frost Bank Center. Listen as Marquez discusses his role with the county and his own journey from machinist at Kelly Airforce Base to a leading voice in the direction of Bexar co...
Dec 20, 2024•51 min•Ep. 85
This week’s guest is Craig Garnett, the longtime publisher and owner of the Uvalde Leader-News, the daily newspaper in Uvalde, a South Texas town of 15,000 that became national news on May 24, 2022, when 18-year-old Salvador Ramos opened fire in Robb Elementary School, killing 19 young children and two of their teachers, and injuring 17 others. Garnett and the Leader-News should serve as the model publisher and newspaper for how to show responsible leadership in the wake of such tragedy. Last mo...
Dec 13, 2024•41 min•Ep. 84
This week’s guest is Chris Cullum, the chef-owner of Cullum’s Attaboy, the small but heavy hitting Tobin Hill restaurant founded by the James Beard finalist a stone’s throw from Cullum’s Attagirl, the tiny fried chicken shack he’s run for more than eight years. Cullum was a 2024 finalist for Best Chef: Texas from the James Beard Foundation. Cullum, however, is all about his team and the people he feeds, not industry awards that nonetheless can make a career. Listen as Cullum discusses his unique...
Dec 06, 2024•39 min•Ep. 83
This week’s guest is San Antonio artist Oscar Alvarado. There is no mistaking his distinctive sculptures, many larger than life, covered with thousands of mosaic pieces of glass and tile that are seemingly everywhere in the city: murals, sculptures, benches, bollards, columns, walls and floors with mosaics in Alvarado’s signature style. Listen to the story behind these huge installations and how they are fabricated.
Nov 29, 2024•40 min•Ep. 82
This week’s guest is Ronald Davis, curator of American History at the Witte Museum, a position he has held since January 2023. Davis is the co-curator of Black Cowboys: An American Story currently at the Witte Museum and running through February 2025, after which it will go on a national tour including the famed Autry Museum of the American West in Los Angeles. In tandem with the exhibit, the Witte will host a first-of-its kind conference on December 5th & 6th called "Ode to Juneteenth: Slav...
Nov 22, 2024•36 min•Ep. 81
This week’s guest is UTSA’s Dr. Bryan Gervais. He is an associate professor in the Department of Political Science & Geography, and he's in the studio because he is the inaugural director of the UTSA Center for Public Opinion Research (CPOR), the new poll launched in advance of the national elections. His areas of specialization are political communication and political psychology. Listen as Dr. Gervais discusses how accurate their polling proved in the recent national election, and what CPO...
Nov 15, 2024•51 min•Ep. 80
This week’s guest is Meredith Walker, executive director of the Texas Business Hall of Fame, a position she has held for nearly seven years. The TBHF was founded in 1982 to celebrate the state’s most successful and community-minded business leaders. Bottom line success is not enough for someone to gain entry. Philanthropy, giving back, and community engagement are essential factors in each year’s class of inductees. On November 13th, and the Admiral, NBA Hall of Famer and legendary San Antonio S...
Nov 08, 2024•44 min•Ep. 79
