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bigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard

Episodes

April 21, 2025

119. The Mayor’s Race: Rolando Pablos on Economic Competitiveness, Po…

We conclude our April series of conversations with San Antonio’s leading mayoral candidates as Bob sits down with Rolando Pablos—a businessman, attorney, and former republican Texas Secretary of State—to discuss his campaign, priorities, and...

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April 20, 2025

118. The Mayor’s Race: Manny Pelaez on Ferocious Advocacy, Economic G…

We continue our series of interviews with leading candidates for San Antonio mayor. Bob is joined by District 8 City Councilman Manny Pelaez, an attorney with deep roots in both public service and economic development, as he seeks to become the next...

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April 19, 2025

117. The Mayor’s Race: Gina Ortiz Jones on Public Service, Equity, an…

We continue our series of interviews with leading candidates for San Antonio mayor ahead of the May 3 election. Bob welcomes Gina Ortiz Jones, an Air Force veteran and former Undersecretary of the Air Force under the Biden administration, for a...

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April 18, 2025

116. The Mayor’s Race: Melissa Cabello Havrda on Community, Accountab…

In this episode, Councilwoman Melissa Cabello Havrda shares her personal background growing up on the West Side, her legal and public service career, and her early influences—including time spent working under former mayors Ed Garza and Lila...

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April 14, 2025

115. The Mayor’s Race: Adriana Rocha Garcia on Housing, Opportunity, …

In this episode, Bob continues our coverage of San Antonio’s crowded mayoral race with Councilwoman Dr. Adriana Rocha Garcia of District 4. A professor of marketing at Our Lady of the Lake University and former president of the San Antonio Housing...

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April 11, 2025

114. The Mayor’s Race: Beto Altamirano on Infrastructure, Innovation,…

This week on bigcitysmalltown, we delve into San Antonio's dynamic political landscape as our city prepares for its first mayoral race without an incumbent in sixteen years. With Mayor Ron Nirenberg's term concluding, the upcoming election on May 3...

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April 5, 2025

113. The Last Word - Tariffs Hit Home in San Antonio

This week’s Last Word delves into the ominous impact of President Trump’s tariffs on San Antonio and Texas. As the trade war with Canada and Mexico intensifies, the city braces for economic repercussions. Politicians have transformed tariffs into...

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April 4, 2025

112. San Antonio's Culinary Legacy: 25 Years of Biga on the Banks

This week on bigcitysmalltown, we explore the vibrant culinary landscape of San Antonio, with a spotlight on one of the city's longstanding culinary institutions, Biga on the Banks. Celebrating its 25th anniversary at its iconic location on the...

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March 29, 2025

111. The Last Word - Leave the City Bond Elections Alone

This week's Last Word dives into the ongoing battle between local and state government in Texas, focusing on San Antonio's fight to retain control over its financial future. With Republican lawmakers seeking to tighten their grip on predominantly...

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March 28, 2025

110. San Antonio’s Model for Homelessness: Why Other Cities Look to H…

This week on bigcitysmalltown we delve into the evolving landscape of homelessness support and services in San Antonio. As Kim Jeffries, the CEO of Haven for Hope, prepares to depart her role to take on the establishment of a comprehensive homeless...

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March 22, 2025

109. The Last Word - The City of San Antonio Can’t Hire Everyone

This week’s Last Word addresses a pressing local decision San Antonio faces amidst national upheaval. With jobs at risk due to political chaos in Washington, city leaders are contemplating hiring displaced federal workers. While the intention is...

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March 21, 2025

108. What It Takes to Host the Final Four—Inside San Antonio’s Big Mo…

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...

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March 15, 2025

107. The Last Word - A Legal and Moral Crisis: Texas Public Schools D…

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,...

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March 14, 2025

106. Tom Slick’s Legacy: The San Antonio Institution Studying Conscio…

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...

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March 8, 2025

105. The Last Word - Nonstop: San Antonio’s New Direct Flight to DC

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....

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March 7, 2025

104. Inside UTSA Honors College: A Different Kind of Higher Education

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...

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March 1, 2025

103. The Last Word - The Texas Lottery Controversy: Who Wins & Who Lo…

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...

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Feb. 28, 2025

102. The San Antonio Report at 13: Local News, Elections, & The Futur…

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...

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Feb. 22, 2025

101. The Last Word - Bigcitysmalltown is Growing: 100 Episodes & What…

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....

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Feb. 21, 2025

100. The Future of UTSA with President Taylor Eighmy: Merger, Expansi…

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...

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Feb. 15, 2025

99. The Last Word - Bexar County Seeks to Expand Mental Health Servic…

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...

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Feb. 14, 2025

98. Public School Funding in Texas: What San Antonio’s Business Leade…

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...

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Feb. 8, 2025

97. The Last Word - Will Texas Be Ready for the Next Disaster? The Fi…

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...

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Feb. 7, 2025

96. How a Baggage Handler Became One of San Antonio’s Most Iconic Art…

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,...

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