The Source

"Crime and Punishment in America" is a PBS four-part series that tells the story of criminal justice in America from the colonial era to today, and explores how for more than 250 years, Americans have wrestled with the problem of crime, the purpose of punishment and the meaning of justice.

Throughout this political season, we’ve been subjected to politicians muddying the facts to get what they want — often without having to answer for it. Twenty years ago, philosopher Harry G. Frankfurt published the definitive book on the subject of B.S. But what exactly is that? And is it even more damaging than an outright lie? We talk with an expert on B.S. who says it’s time we learned to recognize it — and stop putting up with it.

The Trump administration’s mass deportation enforcement is creating a new family-separation crisis. Frequently parents are being detained or deported while their children remain in the United States, often with relatives, friends, neighbors or temporary caregivers. What does the future look like for this children who were left behind?

The Trump administration is deporting hundreds of thousands of Haitian immigrants who had Temporary Protected Status. But a new PBS FRONTLINE documentary reveals they are being sent back to Haiti which is overwhelmed by gang violence, kidnappings and killings.

Early voting turnout for the current midterm election is trending at historic levels. Bexar County is on track to surpass voter participation during the 2024 presidential election.But with heavy turnout comes challenges – including long lines, isolated reports of toutch screen vote flipping and suspended voter registrations. We are joined by Bexar County Elections Administrator Michele Carew.

From the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol to the public fascination with accused killer Luigi Mangione, a troubling question is emerging in American politics: Are more Americans becoming willing to justify violence when it serves a cause they believe in?

Billionaires like Elon Musk, Peter Thiel and Mark Zuckerberg are using their tremendous wealth, influence and A.I to undermine democracy. They are able to control essential public communication, information and government operations. As mass surveillance goes mainstream with algorithms designed to quash descent, a warning about what the future holds is emerging. Jill Lepore, Harvard historian and staff writer with The New Yorker, joins us to discuss "The Rise and Fall of the Artificial State."

Yale's Health Care Affordability Lab is launching a new project aimed at bringing down healthcare costs. They have identified $450 billion in savings that could happen without a complete overhaul of the health care system.

As the city of San Antonio is developing a bond package of city improvements, Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones has been challenged by City Council on being able to pick the three chairpersons to lead the 2027 bond process. Council members passed an ordinance to give themselves that authority. Mayor Jones joins us to give us an update on bonds and discuss whether this move could delay moving forward.

The San Antonio Food Bank is pursuing a new revenue source to rescue more surplus food as high grocery prices and reduced access to federal food assistance put additional pressure on South Texas families.

Texans are casting ballots as early voting in underway in what could be a historic election. A battery of polls have shown Democrats including Senate nominee James Talarico with a lead. But how reliable are those polls? And what does the trend in early voting tells us about what to expect on Nov. 3?

There are seven women on Texas' death row. And they are being ministered to by an order of Catholic nuns. The two groups found a bond and connection. The story is told by Lawrence Wright in his book, "Redemption: Faith, Justice, and Sisterhood on Death Row." The book challenges perceptions of crime and punishment.

Diesel fuel prices have surged across the United States, threatening to increase consumer prices and intensify inflation as the country struggles with global energy disruptions. What are the factors that have created a national diesel emergency?

Heading into what could be a historic midterm election, a new PBS FRONTLINE documentary returns to ordinary Americans to explore how their lives, political views and hopes for the country's future have changed over the last six years.

San Antonio City Council unanimously confirmed the selection of 27-year SAPD veteran Jesse Salame as the department's next police chief. The selection lays the foundation for the next era of the San Antonio Police Department, which for more than 20 years had been led by William McManus before his retirement this summer.

In “American Pope: Leo XIV’s Road from the South Side of Chicago to Vatican City,” NPR journalists, Daniel Burke and Scott Detrow present the first comprehensive, impressively sourced biography of the new pontiff. The two journalists spent the year after Leo’s election reporting in Peru, Chicago, and Rome. As a result, readers are introduced to a man at varying stages of his life and now leader of the Catholic Church.

Democrat Nathan Johnson of Dallas faces Republican Mayes Middleton of Galveston and Libertarian Tom Oxford in the election for Texas Attorney General. Johnson joins "The Source" to take listener questions. Middleton declined TPR's invitation to come on the air.

Southern Bexar County is home to one of the most competitive Texas House races, with Democrat Kristian Carranza and Republican Jorge Borrego vying for House District 118.

Bexar County voters will choose a new district attorney Nov. 3, with prosecution priorities, staffing and alternatives to incarceration shaping the race to succeed retiring Democrat Joe Gonzales. Democrat Luz Elena Chapa faces Republican Ashley Foster and independent Jason Wolff,