THE PAISANO
Texas House debates banning THC products
By Johnpaul Buwule Staff Writer
Texas House Bill 28 seeks to ban tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, a psychoactive compound found in recreational cannabis products responsible for the “high” feeling. Although the bill bans THC from a majority of products, HB 28 grants a special exemption for medicinal products and drinks with a low THC concentration.
In 2019, the Texas’s farm bill legalized a concentration of less than .3% of THC in Texas, with anything higher being categorized as marijuana. Since then, the hemp industry, an estimated $3$4 billion business, has sold products ranging from medical to recreational to consumers.
On March 14, HB 28 was introduced, threatening the future profitability of the hemp industry in Texas. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, a proponent of the bill, argues that hemp producers have taken advantage of the 2019 farm bill and sold “life-threatening, unregulated forms of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to Texans, including children.”
The bill not only constrains the usage of THC but also raises the age of consumption to 21 and older, requires in-state product testing of hemp and for hemp producers to register with the Department of Public Safety.
However, Texas lawmakers have already started raising concerns about the future of the industry and the viability of banning hemp for public health.
Senator Jose Menendez states that “all [banning THC is] going to do is encourage the bad actors to fill the vacuum,” allowing for production and distribution of hemp to shift back into off-market exchanges.
Lt. Gov. Patrick has pushed a similar bill in the Senate, Senate Bill 3, which passed with a 27-4 vote on March 19th. SB 3 is less lenient than HB 28 because the Senate bill seeks to ban all recreational forms of THC, including low-THC concentrated beverages. Just like HB 28, SB 3 allows for the exemption of medical products containing THC.
Hemp business owner Katie Frazier, like many other producers, acknowledged that HB 28 offers muchneeded oversight but voiced her concern about the threat of hemp businesses being shut down because of the bill.
“I want bad actors removed from this space, but you don’t clean up a room by setting it on fire,” Frazier explained in an article by the Texas Observer. “House Bill 28 may appear more reasonable [than SB 3], but it remains deeply harmful.”
In March, the Texas Senate passed SB 3; however, HB 28 and SB 3 are still pending in the Texas House of Representatives.
Mayoral candidates clash in heated debate at Carver Community Cultural Center
By Kara Lee Graphic Editor
San Antonio’s 2025 mayoral race has become one of the city’s most crowded in recent years, with 27 individuals gunning for the position. The final debate occurred on April 8 at the Carver Community Cultural Center. Eight candidates were invited to participate in a debate hosted and moderated by the San Antonio Report alongside San Antonio Chamber of Commerce.
The candidates were selected based on local polling, fundraising data from 2024 and 2025 and major endorsements. The panel included City Council members Adriana Rocha Garcia (District 4), Melissa Cabello Havrda (District 6), Manny Pelaez (District 8),John Courage (District 9), former council member Clayton Perry (District 10), tech entrepreneur Beto Altamirano, former Air Force Under Secretary Gina Ortiz Jones and former Texas Secretary of State Rolando Pablos.
Moderated by San Antonio Report Government and Politics Reporter Andrea Drusch, the 90-minute debate featured tense exchanges, particularly between candidates with City Hall experience and those new to the political scene. Council members defended their experience in city management, often questioning the readiness of their lessexperienced opponents.
Cabello Havrda, Rocha Garcia, Pelaez and Courage emphasized their understanding of municipal operations and suggested that those without city experience should have first pursued smaller offices. In response, opponents accused incumbents of failing to adequately address long-standing issues, such as poverty, crime and housing affordability.
Cabello Havrda took aim at her opponents, specifically Pelaez and others who she claimed lacked “real” experience.
“What you’re going to hear from our friend named La Chancla,” she said, referencing Pelaez, “is that he spent
$300,000 with no money to buy your vote. Ms. Jones is going to tell you that there’s no time to waste, and I absolutely agree with you. There’s no time to waste on any candidate that doesn’t have city experience, that doesn’t know the first thing about running a city.”
Courage added, “I’m here to convince you not to vote for somebody who shouldn’t be mayor,” reiterating a common theme from the incumbents.
Top fundraisers in the race include Ortiz Jones, Altamirano, Pablos and Pelaez, who recently loaned his campaign $324,000 in time to appear on campaign finance reports.
Ortiz Jones highlighted her leadership experience as Under Secretary of the Air Force. She assisted and oversaw the Air Force and Space Force while managing an annual budget of more than $173 billion. Altamirano, founder of the San Antonio-based tech startup Irys, cited his business background and early career in Democratic politics as preparation for leading strategic economic development in the city.
Pablos, backed by a multimillion-dollar political action committee aligned with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, sparred with Pelaez over job creation. When Pelaez took credit for economic gains, Pablos responded that the governor’s office was responsible for bringing those jobs to San Antonio.
Candidates without City Council experience pressed the incumbents on a lack of progress on housing, transportation and public health. Pablos called out persistent economic inequality, saying, “I think it’s time to address the elephant in the room, and that’s pervasive poverty, generational poverty, systemic poverty. Sixty years ago, the poverty rate in San Antonio was 18%. Today it’s 18% — nothing has changed. Broken promises. We haven’t moved the needle.”
During a lightning round, candidates were asked to share their positions on the plan quickly. One of the night’s most controversial topics was Project Marvel, a proposed $4 billion downtown entertainment district in District 1
that would relocate the San Antonio Spurs from the East Side.
Altamirano expressed support for the project but not with the use of public funds, a sentiment Cabello Havrda and Perry echoed. Cabello Havrda emphasized that the initiative must be community-led, while Perry opposed any use of taxpayer dollars. Rocha Garcia said she would support a publicprivate partnership, and Courage expressed support for the project’s original intent — improving the Alamodome, Hemisfair and the convention center.
Pelaez expressed skepticism, stating, “I’m going to be a champion of neighborhoods. If this stadium doesn’t benefit every neighborhood in San Antonio, then I’m not going to support it. If it doesn’t help schools and child care and learning, I’m not going to support it.”
Ortiz Jones said she is committed to getting more answers about the project, and Pablos reiterated his focus on uplifting neighborhoods citywide.
Public safety was also a crucial topic, with Rocha Garcia, Cabello Havrda, Pelaez and Courage highlighting their records on crime reduction and plans to continue working with law enforcement. Political newcomers questioned whether existing policies were effective enough and raised concerns about public trust in policing.
Most candidates agreed that the city must take more aggressive steps to address the affordability gap for housing. Proposals included revisiting zoning policies, creating more affordable housing units and implementing measures to prevent gentrification.
As the campaign continues, voters can weigh experience against fresh perspectives and debate whether the city needs steady leadership or bold change. With high-stakes issues like crime, housing and Project Marvel at the forefront, San Antonio’s crowded mayoral race is far from settled.
Erick Henriquez Camargo/The Paisano
Courtesy/SA Report
From left to right: Mayoral canidates Beto Altamirano, John Courage, Rolando Pablos, Manny Pelaez, Gina Ortiz Jones, Melissa Cabello Havrda, Clayton Perry, Adriana Rocha Garcia.
CourtesyofFreepik
House Bill 28 threatens distribution of cannabis plants grown by Sweet Sensi in Austin, Texas
Towne Twin Village celebrates home expansions with mayor
By Marisela Cruz Assistant News Editor
To commemorate the second phase of completion of permanent supportive housing development Towne Twin Village, city officials attended the ribbon cutting ceremony in collaboration with Housing First Community Coalition.
On April 14, Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Director of Neighborhood and Housing Services Department Veronica Garcia spoke amongst the attendees, thanking them for their support and reflecting on their journey completing this project.
A milestone was reached with 41 new homes readily available to support unhoused individuals going through a transitional period in their lives. This expansion represented the first Permanent Supportive Housing Project completed from the funding of the cities 2022-2027 Affordable Housing Bond.
According to a press release, the bond was approved by voters in 2022, granting $150 million towards creating affordable housing in San Antonio. From the bond, $9.9 million was directed to Towne Twin Village to support the construction of the 41 newly built homes.
Housing First Community Coalition Executive Director Edward Gonzales spoke of his gratitude while reflecting on the trials and tribulations he faced throughout the completion of the project.
“I want to thank the Board of Directors. I want to thank Mark and his leadership and the HFCC board for having the confidence and the vision that we’re going to get this done,” said Gonzales. “One of the expectations early on was this is something that hasn’t been done before and this is also something that needs to not fail. I’m like, okay, starting to get a little more pressure here. They also said we need to get it done right away because people have been waiting already.
“I also want to thank the city of San Antonio, the neighborhood housing services department and the mayor. When we first had the initial grand opening, he told me his vision. He said, ‘I think we’re going to get this done.’ And through his leadership, we were able to move mountains along the way.”
Christina Stancombe, a resident at Towne Village who has been living in one of the newly established homes for over a month, shared her
experience living in the community.
“We know what a wonderful place this is. For myself, it means I’m no longer homeless. I also have the opportunity to live in a tiny home, something I’ve aspired to for over 20 years. I’m grateful for the way we are treated with dignity and respect, not as lesser than, which happens quite often with the poor, elderly and homeless populations. Here, we are treated as individuals and have access to assistance as needed on a personal level. Thank you for making this community available to people like me,” Stancombe said.
Before the ribbon cutting ceremony, Nirenberg reflected on his remaining time in office and spoke upon the day’s event and what it signified with his actions as mayor.
“Well, it’s proof that our words are matched with action in terms of the importance of affordable housing at all levels,” said Nirenberg.
”When we identified permanent supportive housing as a gap in our services to address homelessness and our housing ecosystem, we knew we had to get to work, and it required a lot of effort, both in terms of policy but also putting together funding strategies. This is proof that all that effort is worth it.
“Everyone in San Antonio, every resident, regardless of circumstance, deserves a place to live with dignity and respect.”
The Department of Neighborhood and Housing Services has been granted $35 million in housing bond funds and is looking for more projects to fund to continue to support communities like Towne Twin Village.
International researcher fears funding cuts, deportation
By Jasmine Williams Managing Editor
An international student researcher who requested to remain anonymous faces uncertainty about opportunities to further research at UTSA and how much longer they can stay in the country.
“I don’t want to be in the U.S. any longer than I have to,” the student said. “I am constantly under the danger of just getting deported out of nowhere.”
The student is part of the Maximizing Access to Research Careers Program but has not been informed if the program will continue to be funded past this spring. The program directors should have been notified in February.
“We’re basically walking around blind hoping that we do, in fact, have the resources to continue doing research, and it feels like that for everything related to research right now, especially for the MARC programs.
“This is my last year here at UTSA, [and] it is not looking good.”
The researcher provided further details on difficulties in finding research experiences for undergraduates.
“Every single summer REU that was involved partially or fully by the NIH got canceled or has been indefinitely stalled, and we’re talking dozens of programs all across the nation,” the student said. “So, we are kind of at an impasse where we don’t have the political capital to incite a change that would be beneficial to the greater populace of researchers.”
However, the student’s troubles continued in finding PhD opportunities, as well, due to holding an international status.
“There were places that I applied to for graduate school that straight up told me that they don’t even have availability for international
students anymore because international students are slightly more expensive to maintain than your average PhD student, [and] you have to sponsor their work visa. So, I’ve been rejected from every single grad school that I applied to.”
Upon arriving in the U.S., the researcher intended to stay to complete an education and continue a career. However, their plans have since changed.
“I thought I would stay in the U.S. I thought I would graduate here as an undergrad, go to grad school, do my PhD, do my post-doc and potentially become a faculty member, again, somewhere in the United States,” the researcher shared. “There [weren’t] hard plans of what university I wanted to go to, but that was planned.
“I’ve started to look elsewhere. I’ve been applying to graduate programs in Europe, namely Spain, Germany, Sweden, Norway [and] Switzerland.
“If worse comes to worst, I just go back home to my country of origin, and honestly, this is kind of what hurts the most for me. I have made what I consider to be lifelong bonds with people that I probably wouldn’t have ever met if it wasn’t for the program,” the student said.
While the researcher cannot receive any funding from MARC due to an international background, the student acknowledged the necessity of the funding for peers.
“These people, all my friends, are economically dependent on this research program. The lack of funding would change their lives drastically, reduce their opportunities to be researchers [and] reduce their opportunity to leave an impact in their respective fields,” the student said.
Additional student researchers have come forward with their concerns and efforts to combat the possible funding cuts to their programs. Their stories will be published in the following weeks at paisano-online.com.
“I don’t want to be in the U.S. any longer than I have to...I am constantly under the danger of just getting deported out of nowhere.”
Game design program offers new courses
By Jaylee Paredes Contributor
UTSA’s Game Design program is rapidly expanding with new courses, industry partners and community members. Game design is one of the cyber degrees offered under the university’s Multidisciplinary Studies Program. The degree plan, first introduced during fall 2024, includes three focus areas: digital art and media, game programming and game studies.
The game design program assists students in creating their portfolios with hands-on experience while providing professional networking skills outside of the classroom. University College Program Manager Reyna Tostado formed a partnership with UTSA’s Student Success Center and local organizations, including Dev San Antonio and Greater Gaming Society of San Antonio.
“Right now within our Student Success Center, we have provided speakers to show the work-life balance for game developers, so they can get an inside scoop of what life will be like,” Tostado said. “They also talk about what skill sets they need within those speaking events.”
Recently, the game design program collaborated with GGSSA to host a “Global Game Jam” at the UTSA Main Campus. In this annual game development competition, teams and individuals create a video game from scratch in 48 hours.
The event allows students to compete against people from over
100 countries.
“It’s a tough process,” said Diego Barron, a junior in the game design program. “And under 48 hours, it really challenges you to think and overcome barriers, especially when you’re creating a new game, to make it intriguing.”
The Global Game Jam opened a door for more collaborations with developers and the possibility of expanding the program to online modules and graduate programs.
“The San Antonio Tech Ecosystem and Tech Block are all very excited about the program, so seeing their excitement shows us how maybe we should have some graduate offerings or certificates,” Tostado said.
New courses are being added every semester and will explore a variety of topics, such as the history of the video game industry and how gameplays affect the users.
“I think it’s all about getting your foot in the door, whether it’s a game jam or networking at an event,” Tostado said. “I know the greater gaming Society they host and collaborate with a ton of other partners on events. So, getting connected, but also with programs and companies outside of UTSA while you’re still early in your career, so you have a full four years to really build on those relationships, so you’re ready to have a career when you graduate.”
Texas is one of the top 5 states for jobs in the industry and had an economic impact of $6.5 billion in 2023, which is encouraging UTSA to create and build a pipeline for this industry.
State of the City
Week of 4/15
By Alejandra Garza Staff Writer
Not subscribed to local news but still want to stay up-to-date on the happenings around town? Look no further. Highlighting notable stories from external San Antonio news sources, State of the City summarizes the most captivating news headlines of the week. This week’s topics range from a missing cancer patient with dementia to the 13th annual San Antonio Book Festival and, lastly, a man being killed in the early morning hours.
69-year-old cancer patient missing
Jose Luis Martinez, a 69-year-old cancer patient, went missing under the care of the Heavenly Hands Adult Day Center. Luis Martinez has been missing since April 7. Nelida Acevado, the daughter of the missing patient, said her father was gone when she tried to visit him at the Day Center at 4 p.m.
“I walked in, and she looked at me and she said, ‘Didn’t you pick him up?’” Acevedo said. “I was like, ‘What do you mean? He’s not here?’ He was nowhere to be found. I said, ‘If he’s not here and y’all don’t know where he is, I need to start searching now.’”
Acevado has passed out flyers to people on the Northeast Side and has been unsuccessful in locating her father.
13th annual San Antonio Book Festival
Central Library and UTSA South Campus held the annual San Antonio Book Festival free for the public. The lineup of authors included Nate DiMeo, Stephen Graham Jones, Erin Entrada Kelly, Nita Prose and Cristina Rivera Garza. Festivities occurring around the event featured book sales by Nowhere Bookshop, signings and panel discussions on Saturday, April 12, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Man killed in early morning hours, suspect still at large
Ardise Ford, a 34-year-old, was identified by Bexar County Medical Examiner on Saturday, April 12, after suffering multiple gunshot wounds. The shooting occurred on Thursday, April 10, at about 7 a.m. at the Qubed Living Hotel on the 4600 block of Rittiman Road. According to the San Antonio Police Department, Ford was in the room with someone when he was shot, but the unidentified individual ran away. Ford suffered severe injuries and was taken to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries in surgery. The suspect has not been identified and is still on the run.
Mayor and city officials cut the ceremonial ribbon, officially opening the new Towne Twin villages
Diego Cisneros/The Paisano
OpiNION
The quiet response to a loud problem
Seven Roadrunners so far caught in nationwide visa revocations without justification
Editorial
From California to North Carolina to Texas, no state is safe from the nationwide revocation of student visas. As of April 9, authorities have revoked international students’ visas in at least 29 states. No reason has been given for this widespread deportation. It is concerning that international services at UTSA did not notify the student body directly, given that four UTSA students have had their visas revoked. Four current and three post-graduate UTSA students have been informed that their visas were terminated. While some students at other colleges have received vague statements about this new development, it is unknown why the seven Roadrunners had their visas revoked. Little to no information about these cases is available online, and there has not been enough communication with the student body addressing what is currently happening and how the university’s international students can stay safe. The deficiency of communication
between the administration and universities is creating an environment of fear and uncertainty among students. Visas can be canceled for several reasons, but college leaders say the government has been quietly terminating students’ legal residency status with little notice to students or schools. Historically, students who had their visas revoked were allowed to keep their residency and complete their education; an invalid visa only inhibits
students’ ability to leave the U.S. and return. These recent actions are alarming as they go against precedent and leave students vulnerable to detention and deportation. Nationwide, more than 600 students and recent graduates at over 100 colleges have had their legal status changed by the State Department. They stated they could not comment on specific cases but “will continue to work closely with the Department of Homeland Security to enforce a zero-tolerance approach for foreigners who violate U.S. laws or threaten public safety,” heavily implying the Trump administration is yet again trying to silence people exercising their freedom of speech.
As of April 10, the State Department has revoked at least 72 other students’ visas across Texas. It is unsettling that UTSA has not publicly commented on this situation, as students must resort to learning about this situation through other sources and not the institutions. If students can simply have their status stripped from them without rhyme or reason, then this is not just bureaucracy — it is betrayal.
El Salvador special: Serving time for no crime
Commentary
By Selasie Gifa-Johnson Staff Writer
For decades, the U.S. has been regarded by most of the world as a haven for persecuted and oppressed individuals. While discussing refugees’ status in the U.S. is controversial, people from other countries have successfully made use of legal pathways to gain asylum in the U.S. Two pathways are the humanitarian parole program and the Temporary Protected Status program. Both programs were repealed by President Donald Trump shortly before he sent 238 Venezuelan migrants to the Salvadoran mega prison CECOT, the terrorist confinement center, without any form of due process. Incarcerating legal residents of the U.S. in Salvadoran mega prisons is a concerning misuse of executive power by the current administration.
The Trump administration used the
1798 Alien Enemies Act to deny migrants due process to establish a legal basis regarding their deportation. This law grants the president the ability to detain or deport non-U.S. citizens who have been classified as threats to the U.S. However, this law is only meant to be used during an active war between the U.S. and another country or in the event of an invasion. The administration’s overreach of authority is exacerbated by the fact that most of the migrants deported were not gang members. Given that neither of the necessary conditions were met to invoke this act, there is no doubt that the Trump administration overstepped its legal power.
The main features of the TPS program are work authorization and protection against deportation from the country. Although the program was set to be terminated in April, it was extended until Oct. 2 for Venezuelan citizens by a U.S. district court. The fact that TPS is still
Sex work is no work for fresh-faced adults
Commentary
By Luna Infante
Assistant Magazine Editor
Sex work is an occupation perceived by judging eyes, stigmas and curiosity. Sex work can be defined as the exchange of sexual services for money or valuable things, such as exotic dancing, adult film acting, prostitution and more, according to the Human Rights Campaign. Although these jobs are constantly judged and the reasons people pursue them are often misunderstood, it should not matter to the masses what one person consensually does with their body — until the body in question is a minor’s.
making it a safe space for them and new adults. This subtle grooming needs to stop. Posting content in onesies and making jokes about inviting 17-yearold Rockelle into their adult content is nothing short of child exploitation.
in effect despite the deportation of the Venezuelan migrants highlights another disturbing violation of U.S. legislation.
The pretense for the use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport the migrants was that they were gang members. The only evidence of their gang affiliation is their possession of tattoos featuring crowns, despite them not explicitly being gang tattoos. This pretense is further shown to be superficial because the individuals eligible for the TPS program do not have any criminal history.
The haphazard deportation resulted in innocent people like Kilmar Abrego Garcia and José Hernández Romero being incarcerated in extremely poor conditions.
In response to fears of gang violence, Garcia fled El Salvador years ago. Still, he was sent to the CECOT mega prison due to an administrative error by the Trump administration. Despite a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that he must be repatriated, the
Trump administration claims “sovereign authority” and a lack of cooperation from Salvadoran president Nayib Bukele are the barriers preventing this from happening. Romero is a gay man who fled persecution in Venezuela by entering the U.S. as an asylum seeker; he was deported to CECOT over his misinterpreted tattoos, which symbolize the three kings present at the birth of Jesus. Regardless of this mistake, the federal government has taken no definitive action to return him to the U.S. This explicit overreach of authority is deeply concerning because it sets the precedent that, despite legal presence in the country, a non-citizen can still be deported to a foreign prison well known for its poor conditions and human-rights abuses. If there are no repercussions for the irresponsible actions taken by the current administration, there is no guarantee that this will not happen again on a larger scale.
Racial double standard
Commentary
By Jackie Cardona Staff Writer
Many Americans have endured doublestandard racism in which a principle is applied differently to certain groups of people. Whether at work, school or on national television, the double standards many minorities face are an issue plaguing individuals in their day-to-day lives.
Whether someone does sex work for survival, money, fame or enjoyment, the public should not shame or question why they do it. Many sex workers, especially those on the platform OnlyFans, earn millions from their explicit content. Iggy Azalea, a rapper and OnlyFans creator, makes an estimated $48 million annually on the platform. Sophie Rain, a social media personality, made approximately $43 million in her first year.
The revenue of the pornography industry is between $97 billion and $100 billion. If a consenting adult chooses to make money from the industry, the public is in no place to ridicule them for it, especially in this economy. However, once a minor becomes involved, one must question what society is doing to make them believe it is a good thing.
Everyone has the right to feel empowered, and sex workers — like all humans — have a right to be supported and protected; however, that does not mean sex work is an industry to push and pressure minors into.
A group of OnlyFans creators under the name of “Bop House” has demonstrated questionable behavior surrounding their marketing. Rain is one of the members, and she has been outspoken about the money she makes and the glamorous life it has created for her. While glamorizing the
As a society, there must be a balance when discussing sex work. Its narrative has changed vastly over the years, and with time, there is less stigma and shame around it. That does not mean adults should encourage minors or “barely legal” adults to experiment with adult content.
Adults have the responsibility to protect children, and they must remember that 17 is still a child. The internet can be a dark place, and the eyes and hands of predators continue to do harm from behind the screen. For content creators who have been in the public eye as minors, stepping into the sex world at 18 is sad to see. It is concerning to see someone go from making lighthearted YouTube and TikTok content at 16 to adult content at 18.
People grow up, explore their sexuality and choose the path they want to take; however, an 18 year olds should not be able to make such a drastic choice, especially if they have grown up in a sexually exploitative environment or have been groomed. Whether or not it is possible to raise the minimum age of adult content creation to 21, society is responsible for protecting its children. Sex work should never be pushed onto anyone, much less impressionable minors and newly turned adults.
While at Hamilton College in upstate New York, Barack Obama spoke out against the current administration and the current state of America stating, “Imagine if I had done any of this” referring to all of the executive orders that President Donald Trump passed and all of the chaos that has unleashed since Jan. 20. He later stated, “It’s unimaginable that the same parties that are silent now would have tolerated behavior like that from me, or a whole bunch of my predecessors.” He criticized the silence that Americans have witnessed while the federal government and Trump’s threats against individuals’ rights.
way Trump acts now, people all over the country would be throwing a fit, and there would be no justifying his behavior. He might even be impeached already. There is no denying that people in power who are considered a racial minority face more adversary, and getting to the top — whether in politics, STEM careers, medicine or the law — is more challenging. Regarding politics, only 38% of elected officials are people of color.
The progress and equality Americans have fought for regarding racism and basic human rights have been discarded, and the same issues Americans were fighting for during the U.S. Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s continue to antagonize minorities.
Constitutional threats toward Americans should not be tolerated, especially when they come from someone who has never known a hard day’s work.
The silence and blatant ignorance from so many people in power is disheartening. As Obama and many other POC’s in power voice their opinion about the current administration’s actions, it is essential to rally together and fight for the constitutional rights all Americans are given — no matter where they come from or what they
OpiNION
Nintendo’s biggest scam yet
By Audrey Villar Contributor
Nintendo is undoubtedly one of the most well-known and influential names in the digital entertainment world. In the 1970s, it was one of the first companies to enter the videogame industry and has since built its empire with innovative consoles and lasting game franchises. Beloved by many, Nintendo had a profound effect on the gaming world, but being a multibilliondollar company comes with an ethical responsibility to consumers that it has failed miserably at.
Nintendo announced its newest console — the Nintendo Switch 2 — at its Nintendo Direct showcase on April 2. Excitement for new games and reboots was high until the price was revealed. $449.99 for a console is not unheard of, but the hidden prices reveal Nintendo’s exploitative and corrupt purpose with this release.
Many of the new features Nintendo boasts about are not included without extra costs. The new “C” button on the right Joy-Con is painfully obsolete without a Nintendo Online membership, costing
$19.99 annually. Pressing this button enables “gamechat” — a glorified voice chat with screen sharing. An additional purchase of their new $50 camera is required to enable video. The price along with the horrid video and audio quality highlighted at Nintendo Direct left customers rightfully
Switch 2’s added features has been priced at $10. Any price tag for a tutorial is ridiculous. Users deserve to know how their new hundreds-of-dollar product works. Games have received price spikes too, with many costing at least $70. If users wish to play their old Switch games with
appalled. Platforms such as Discord are the apparent alternative, providing the same services for free and at a higher quality. The “Welcome Tour” game that walks users through
enhanced graphics, purchasing an “upgrade pack” or the Nintendo Online membership is required. Nintendo’s greedy profit keeps piling up, and with it, gamers’ frustrations everywhere.
On top of all these costs, Nintendo has already paved the way for their next products, which will surely be priced just as absurdly. They went back to an LED screen after upgrading the Nintendo Switch to an OLED, suggesting the possibility of the same upgrade with the Switch 2 at a higher price point. Colorful JoyCons were also left in the past in favor of grey and barely visible colored accents. The unique color combos were a staple, and just like before, various colored Joy-Cons will likely be sold to lure gamers into spending even more.
Multibillion-dollar companies like Nintendo have no reason to charge so much. Its corrupt capitalistic ways grossly exploit consumers who they know will dish out the money, thanks to Nintendo’s elite status in the gaming world. Instead of the new features, users should turn to free apps like Discord, where they will have a higher-quality experience. It would be better to stick with the perfectly fine original Nintendo Switch instead of supporting a company that does not care for its supporters and prioritises excessive profit.
A dire need for clarification
Commentary
By Sofia Mejia Magazine Editor
Many people consider the de-extinction of a longlost animal science fiction, but on April 7, Colossal Laboratories & Biosciences — a biotechnology company — shocked the internet with their announcement of the dire wolf’s return. Despite claims of deextinction, the return of long-dead animals may look different from what the public expected. Scientists at Colossal Labs modified a grey wolf’s genes to be more closely related to those of a dire wolf. In total, 20 grey wolf genes out of 20,000 were changed. So, it is less of a de-extinction and more of creating a brand new species, which is just as novel. Online Colossal Labs is facing backlash from all sidesthose that believe they should not play god and those upset at their claim to have. While it is clear the claim of de-extinction of an animal is a ploy for attention, it begs the question, would the world have paid attention to this news if it had been a reading of facts. Genes changed has less of a ring to it than “we brought an animal back.” It is important that the world
follows this story because Colossal Labs’ development is hugely significant. It leads to important discussions that will help plan for the future. For example, where do these animals go now that the ecosystem in which they lived is gone? Having these discussions now will help advise future scientists as these advancements develop.
Colossal Labs research is particularly exciting in the cases of animals that are not yet extinct but are endangered.
The Paisano
Editorial Board
Jake Mireles | Editor-in-Chief Editor@paisano-online.com
Jasmine Williams | Managing Editor Manager@paisano-online.com
Alessandra Avila | News Editor News@paisano-online.com
Marcela Montufar Soria | Opinion Editor Opinion@paisano-online.com
Malaki Lingg | Arts & Life Editor Arts@paisano-online.com
Haley Aguayo | Sports Editor Sports@paisano-online.com
Raul Martinez | Web Editor Web@paisano-online.com
Armin Suljovic | Photo Editor Photo@paisano-online.com
Kara
Regan
Sofia
Jaclyn
Commentary
By Jackie Cardona Staff Writer
As Chief Animal Officer Matt James explained in the press release, “As we lose species within an ecosystem, if you think of a Jenga puzzle, you’re sort of pulling blocks out of there. The ecosystem’s blocks that create instability are the functions that animals play. If we can find ways to restore animals that provide that specific function, we can create more stability within an ecosystem.” Through this process, Colossal Labs hopes to
place their lab species into dying existing ecosystems to maintain the population. According to a United Nations report, an estimated one million species are in danger of becoming extinct, with more than half of all species becoming extinct by 2050. Colossal Labs is doing exciting work and is leading the worldwide discussion on preventing the loss of biodiversity.
The Editorial is the official opinion of The Paisano editorial board. Commentaries are the opinion of the individual writer.
The Paisano is published by the Paisano Educational Trust, a non-profit, tax exempt, educational organization.The Paisano is operated by members of the Student Newspaper Association, a registered student organization. The Paisano is NOT sponsored, financed or endorsed by UTSA. New issues are published every Tuesday during the fall and spring semesters, excluding holidays and exam periods.The Paisano is distributed on the UTSA Main Campus. Additionally, Paisano publications are distributed at a variety of off-campus locations, including Tripoint and a variety of apartment complexes near the UTSA Main Campus. All revenues are generated through advertising and donations. Advertising inquiries and donations should be directed to: 14526 Roadrunner Way Suite 101 San Antonio, TX 78249 Phone: (210) 690-9301 © 2025 The Paisano
The University of Texas at San Antonio’s Handbook of Operating Procedures states in 5.03 that: The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) will not exercise control over the format or content of Student Publications, but will regulate distribution on campus. Student Publications will be free of censorship and advance approval of copy, and their editors and managers are solely responsible for editorial and content policies and decisions. Editors and managers of Student Publications will not be subject to arbitrary suspension/expulsion or removal from their positions within a Registered or Sponsored Student Organization (Student Organization) by the University because of student, faculty, administrative, or public disapproval of editorial policy or content. Student Organizations that distribute Student Publications are afforded the same rights and privileges as Student Organizations that do not distribute Student Publications.
Commentary
Kara Lee /The Paisano
Eden Anciano/The Paisano
Catherine Salonga/The Paisano
arts & life
breaking the boundaries through comic books
By Christopher Delgado
Copyediting Coordinator
Miles Morales, Laura Kinney and Jamie Reyes have redefined iconic superhero mantles by infusing their masks with the nuances of Latinidad. Gabe Garcia and Micha Bornstein’s “Borders, Bleeds, Margins and Gutters” explores the dynamic between Latino identities and the comic book form. The exhibit is on display at the San Antonio Centro De Artes, located at 101 S. Santa Rosa, until Aug. 17, free of charge to the public.
The title is a double entendre. It refers to aspects of immigrant stories and technical terms for the layout of a comic book. Throughout the exhibit, panels connotate each word with its comic-book and immigrant-narrative definition.
“Borders, Bleeds, Margins and Gutters” offers a space to artists and works that may otherwise be overlooked in the mainstream art scene. The exhibit shares work that goes against the grain and hopes to inspire a new generation of artists and storytellers.
“I’m starting to see more and more of those voices kind of represented in the gallery space — in public space,” exhibit curator Gabe Garcia says. “Being able to see work by artists that represent themselves, their city, their culture and their heritage and to have
other people exposed because it’s more available is a wonderful thing to see. It’s also very motivational for other people to see the artists that are here now.”
A splash from Frederick Luis Aldama’s “Steampunkera Chronicles” lines the back wall. A diverse group of Latina women fill the panel. Many are aided with a steampunk arsenal, distorting technology of the past, present and future to form something entirely new. One character, notably, rides through the sky using crutches equipped with jetpack technology. Below the splash, lie four pages from Aldama’s series. The characters bleed outside of the panel onto the gutters of the page. The initial pages set the story in San Antonio, with a slave auction occurring in front of the Alamo. The other three pages tell the story of a friendship ending and its reconciliation for the greater good.
“I imagined this whole story and adventure taking place in the middle of the 19th century in Mexico, but it would be hemispheric,” says Aldama. “The adventures would take place in all of these different spaces, and each would pivot around a piece of history that happened and was either subdued or the history of it was told from a white or very masculine point of view.”
The stories told in “Borders, Bleeds, Margins and Gutters” do not center an Anglo narrative. Instead, they cater to the reemerging and rediscovered Latino voice in comics and art.
Latinidad consists of intersectional stories. There is no singular narrative or identity marker. Instead, the Latino is at a crossroads. Aldama explores the borderlands through his combination of history and the speculative. “So with ‘Steampunkeras,’ I’m going to go back into history,” comments Aldama. “I’m going to take my science fiction brain, and I’m going to plug that — going back in time — and bring in this really cool steampunk technology that’s also based on Mesoamerican design and innovative technologies.” Mesoamerican folklore is a through-line in “Borders, Bleeds, Margins and Gutters.” Gonzalo Alvarez displays his “NAWALLI: The Aztec Card Game.” The card game is akin to Pokemon; however, the characters depicted on the cards are all based on Aztec mythology and are taken from the Codex Borgia. Alvarez hopes to release expansion packs and eventually include every character from the codex in his card game.
The exhibition will continue to be on display at the Centro De Artes until Aug. 17. The gallery is open Wednesday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed on Monday and Tuesday. On July 10 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., the gallery will host an artist talk on “Borders, Bleeds, Margins and Gutters.”
The rising ‘ Star’ of the underground scene
By Cora White Assistant Arts & Life Editor
Recent internet phenomenon and genre-hopping artist 2hollis subverts expectations and breathes life into the rap-hyperpop scene with his newest album.“Star” has a run time of thirty-eight minutes and features fifteen songs. Released on April 4, this is 2hollis’ fourth album, after “White Tiger,” “2” and “boy.” In “star,” 2hollis blends his previous underground EDM and hyperpop sound with a cleaner, focused style of lyricism and beats. He explores his fame and recent rise to stardom while incorporating various electronic genres and unusual soundscapes.
The album starts with a track titled “beginning,” where 2hollis talks to the listener directly. He asks the listener if they are ready and tells them they are about to witness something great. He repeats the word flash at the ends and beginnings of his sentences. The song feels like a rushed moment with 2hollis as the paparazzi photographs him; it is intense and leaves the listener wanting more.
“Flash” is the second track and talks about 2hollis’ rise to fame and how far he has come. The beat is reminiscent of early 2000s club music and feels sleazy yet danceable. It seems like 2hollis is straying further away from his signature sound and moving closer to beats like those featured in his recent single “Style,” but with a cleaner outcome.
Two of the most notable tracks are “tell me” and “eldest child” for very different and distinctive reasons. “Tell me” is without a doubt the best track of the entire album. The beat is phenomenally funky and combines harsh
clappings with unique noise, yet it does not overpower 2hollis’ vocals. 2hollis once again, is talking to the listeners on this track, asking the listeners if they are
looking at him. He also talks about shaking fake hands and getting out, detailing what is likely a reference to the
stress and paranoia of being under such a harsh spotlight.
“Eldest child” on the other hand is the complete opposite sound-wise. 2hollis is extremely vulnerable on this track; his voice only backed up by a single acoustic guitar. It is incredibly refreshing and beautiful. His voice is airy and light yet so full of emotion. He recounts his experience of being the eldest child in his family along with the feeling of needing to make his family proud and put on a smile while feeling misunderstood or unknown. Some songs on this album are a bit forgettable compared to the better tracks, but are still worth listening to for the distinctive rhythms and beats. 2hollis started out constantly being compared to fellow “underground” rappers, like Nettspend and Xaviersobased, but has really made a name and sound for himself. His new sound combines a mix of Swedish artists, like Bladee and Ecco2k, with early electronic-pop-club music, like Skrillex and Crystal Castles. The result is new yet nostalgic, and 2hollis has the perfect voice and vision to pull it off.
The entire album is a fun listen reminiscent of Charli XCX’s “Brat.” Hopefully, like “Brat,” this album will gain traction, being played in clubs all summer. If not, “Star” holds its own, being deserving of much more attention than it has received thus far.
2hollis, like Nettspend and Xaviersobased, only seem to keep breaking the boundaries of music and rising through the ranks, some call their songs an acquired taste, but their talent is exigent, and the music industry will only see more of them.
Retro Reviews: How freaky is ‘Fritz the Cat?’
By Malaki Lingg Arts & Life Editor
In the 21st century, adult animated media has been dominated by shows like “Big Mouth,” “Rick and Morty” and various anime from overseas. Jump back 50 years, while the genre was dominated by writer and director Ralph Bakshi’s 1972 box office hit “Fritz the Cat.”
The film was inspired by the comics of the same name written and illustrated by Robert Crumb, first published in 1952.
The story follows the titular anthropomorphic cat, Fritz, as he navigates life in New York City during the mid-late 1960s. The film opens in Central Park as Fritz and his buddies play guitars in an unsuccessful attempt to attract passing women. After seeing a lack of success, Fritz notices a man reading poetry to a group of girls, snatching their gaze. Fritz is inspired to mimic man’s success by citing poetry to the group of girls. Finally getting the attention he wants from three girls. After he catches their eyes, they follow him back to an apartment party — here, he quickly takes them to the bathroom to
smoke a joint and have a foursome. Following this, Fritz, friends and partygoers enter the room and join them before police — portrayed as pigs — bust the party. These first few minutes are the least shocking bit of the film.
“Frtiz the Cat” serves as a social commentary of 1960s and 1970s’ college students, the Free Love Movement and politics of the time. Bakshi’s vision critiques leftist politics and disingenuous political activists. These views differ from the ideologies of Crumb, who ultimately killed Fritz in his final book in response.
Throughout the film, Fritz consistently swindles his way out of trouble and lies his way into bed with women. Further in the film, Fritz inspires a riot while on the side of town where the ravens live — an obvious characterization of Black New Yorkers. This act pushes him to join an anarcho-extremist group by the end of the film, though he shows he does not really care for their cause. Through the risque acts and psychedelic imagery is a genuine, complex film with complex racial commentary.
And, while the racial imagery may be dated or seen as offensive today — none of the physical portrayals go too far into the land of obscenity, except for a side scene featuring caricatured rabbis, though Bakshi is Jewish.
“Fritz the Cat” is a phenomenal animated film and something long forgotten by college students. While the contents of the film can be shocking, the socio-political commentary is engaging and the art direction is phenomenal. Though the watcher may loathe Fritz as a person — as he is disingenuous, controversial and a womanizer — one cannot help but be entranced by his actions. Some of the topics covered in this black comedy may be dated, but many stay culturally relevant and make a great watch.
The “Borders, Bleeds, Margins and Gutters” exhibit featured at the Centro de Artes.
Frederick Luis Aldama’s booth featuring his works such as “Through Fences.”
Miles Jones/The Paisano
We all listen to G>I>N>K>G>O
By Olivia Lliteras Contributor
Longtime British indie band Panchiko, which has gained newfound popularity in recent years, ventures into many different genres in their newest album “Ginkgo.” Released on April 4, this is Panchiko’s second studio album release since their underground masterpiece “D>E>A>T>H>M>E>T>A>L,” which came out in 2000 and was rediscovered by an internet user in 2016.
The fame from this discovery led to the band regrouping to release new tracks and perform songs created over 20 years ago. The album “Ginkgo” embraces the calming, spring-like feel of the East Asian tree it is named after, leaving Panchiko’s usual mysterious grungy instrumentality in the past. Featuring 13 songs, “Ginkgo” offers 39 minutes of heartfelt psychedelic ambiance.
“Ginkgo,” the second track on this album, heavily resembles Radiohead with a whinysinging style and breathy falsetto climax in the song. An almost movie-like piano sequence along with the haiku lyric style set the tone for this album. The lyrics, “You command the leaves to fall / The Ginkgo bends at will,” references the tree the record is based on, introducing the nature emanation “Ginkgo” brings to the table.
“Shady in the Graveyard,” the third track on this album, begins similari to digital aspects and guitar chords similar to the band’s “Kicking Cars” and “CUT.” The track digs into a sense of nostalgia as it is filled with sublime spoken-singing. The vocalist, Owain Davies, gently reminisces about the past and is suddenly interrupted by the featured artist, Billy Woods. The transition between Davies’ angelic tributes to Woods’ unexpected key change of hiphop beats and aggressive rapping style highlights the different ways sentimentality is dealt with.
The fourth song, “Honeycomb,” depicts a couple tending to each other even if they are not on good terms. This song is based on a pure psychedelic soundscape, following the theme of minimalist poetic lyrics. The sound and brightness of “Honeycomb” are similar to the fun tunes and stories by Tally Hall, another rock band that incorporates inanimate objects into the story of the song.
“Lifestyle Trainers,” the sixth song on this album, dives into melancholic, straightforward lyrics. This song is louder and far more outspoken vocally, following a steady drumbeat and guitar duo with occasional digital glitch effects. Resembling a bitter note to a significant other, this song specifically references one person using “you” throughout the whole song. As Davies’ vocals grow louder through the song, he incorporates common thoughts during breakups like “Did you regret?” “Did you want to love some more?” “If I take you back.” The raw emotion in this song is fascinating and real.
“Formula,” the eleventh track on this album, is a rerecording of the demo “Formula” from Panchiko’s album of demos, “Ferric Oxide.”
Contrary to the demo’s original muffled garageband sound, this version of “Formula” is much more in tune with Panchiko’s electronic staple sound. The beauty of the original demo is still held close in this song, and being accompanied by an electric guitar solo and futuristic touch to usual indie stereotypes, this recording is a wondrous addition.
“Ginkgo” finishes off strong with the thirteenth and final track of the record “Innocent.” Starting with a quirky beat in tune with Brit-pop culture, the track is another message to a loved one in response to their hurtful lifestyle. Switching from sweet to demanding vocals, the acrostic poetic style in this song allows these ideas to flow undoubtedly. The track’s vivid atmosphere is beautifully crafted, so Panchikos’ aggression can be seen without hardcore beats.
Although some tracks on this album are less memorable than others, “Ginkgo” is a powerful testament to Panchiko’s evolution as a band — bridging their indie rock, grunge-tinged roots with a newfound sense of clarity, emotional maturity and sonic reincarnation. This album showcases the band’s ability to craft immersive soundscapes that blend dream pop, neo-psychedelia and electronic textures while maintaining lyrical subtlety and poetic depth. “Ginkgo” is not just a return — it is a reinvention, and one that firmly places Panchiko in the conversation as a compelling act in modern indie music.
Arts & Life
Lyric Theatre brings back ‘Compa ny’
By Jackie Cardona Staff Writer
Marriage may be daunting to some, but the UTSA Lyric Theatre’s matrimony interpretation felt more like a show-tune panic attack with hats and jazz hands. The cast brought a musical out of retirement and made it their own.
From April 10 to 13, UTSA’s Lyric Theatre hosted a production of Stephen Sondheim’s “Company” at the Wonder Theatre, starring some of UTSA’s most talented students.
The cast includes Dylan Ramirez as Robert — the lead character — Ally Bermea as Sarah, Aiden Milliron as Harry, Zada McElroy as Susan, Luis Sanchez as Peter, Bernadette Fernandez as Jenny, Michael Reyes as David, Alex Sanchez as Amy, Dorian Speights as Paul, Marlina Gamez as Joanna and Justin Chappel as Larry. The creative team for the production includes Troy Peters as the conductor, William McCrary as the director and Michelle Pietri as the choreographer and costume designer.
Set in the 1970s, Company brings comedy, romance, vulnerability and New York to a resonant level. It seeks to show mature relationships through a quirky and frail lens.
On the night of Robert’s 35th
birthday, he struggles to think of something to wish for while blowing out his candles. Robert’s supportive married friends surround him, and as he observes their relationships, he questions whether he should be content living vicariously through them or if he should have a wife of his own.
The show features dinner parties, first dates and deep conversations as Robert interacts with his hilarious and honest friends to try to understand the advantages and disadvantages of marriage. As Robert contemplates what he thinks marriage should look like, he discovers what it means to feel alive.
The audience is captivated as soon as the opening act starts, and the lights turn on. The set is astonishing; the design is well put together from various living room, bedroom and bar scenes. The orchestra entertains, and it makes the performances all the more enjoyable. The costumes, designed by Pietri, are accurate to the 70s time period, adding to the play’s overall atmosphere.
One of the best performances is when Amy overthinks her wedding day and feels as if it is not the right next step for her. The song “Getting Married Today” is spectacular. It shows a parallel of what Paulv is feeling compared to Amy. Sanchez sings and
talks very fast as she explains her inner thoughts. Alex impressively sings, and the crowd is in awe at her quick and controlled voice. The performance includes the other characters as church singers ready to bless the bride on her wedding day. The entire comedic performance is full of talent.
Along with “Getting Married Today,” another performance that just wows the crowd is Ramirez’s performance of “Marry Me a Little.” The performance portrays the desperate need to have someone in life to share the little things with. The emotion is raw, and Ramirez does an amazing part of showing the audience what the character is feeling. Another performance full of emotion and vulnerability is the final song “Being Alive.” Robert’s friends surround him, and they ask him to wish for something. The portrayal has a sense of yearning from Robert’s part and is a perfect way to end the show. The emotion sends chills down the audience’s spines, representing reasoning from Robert’s friends. With humor, heart and vulnerability, UTSA’s Lyric Theatre production of “Company” brings a sense of relatability to a wonderful show and brings a new meaning to “alone is alone, not alive.”
House of Monsters is a shrine to all
By Kara Lee Graphic Editor
House of Monsters has quickly become San Antonio’s go-to destination for horror enthusiasts. As the official home of Famous Monsters of Filmland, the shop offers an extensive selection of horror-inspired goods — including apparel, toys, VHS tapes, vinyl records, patches and stickers. A curated assortment of band collectibles and rare accessories adds to the immersive experience.
Opened in September 2023 by Chris Ott, House of Monsters serves as San Antonio’s home of the thriving horror, metal and punk communities. Ott has had a running horror-themed clothing line for over a decade, and he launched the store after relocating to the city in 2021. The shop features designs from his collection as well as merchandise from independent artists discovered at horror and pop culture conventions across the country.
“I’ve had a horror-themed clothing line for about 16 years, and I mostly travel the country doing conventions,
horror conventions and stuff,” Ott said. “After I moved to San Antonio in 2021, I just wanted to open up a shop here because there’s a good horror scene here in San Antonio, a lot of fans of horror, metal and punk and all the stuff that I’m into. So, we open up a store here with a bunch of our clothes that we create. But then I also curate some stuff from other independent artists from around the country that I do other conventions with, and I bring some of their merchandise here for people who may not catch it otherwise, kind of giving representation.”
Upon entering the store, visitors are greeted by an array of band T-shirts spanning multiple genres.
Adjacent displays feature apparel dedicated to classic horror cinema, including designs inspired by “The Exorcist,” “The Crow,” and “Scream.”
The store is laid out across several themed rooms — one dedicated to horror fashion brands and another glowing with neon lights and lined wall-to-wall with retro VHS tapes. House of Monsters also offers rare memorabilia, such as
vintage metal magazines signed by Slipknot’s Corey Taylor and collectible items autographed by Black Sabbath’s Ozzy Osbourne. In addition to retail offerings, the store actively supports local art and culture. Events are frequently held in collaboration with local businesses like Robot Monster, often featuring vendor pop-ups and showcases by San Antonio-based artists.
“We do stuff with like Robot Monster, where we’ll hold events and sometimes have other local artists set up out front on the patio and have vendors.” Ott has strongly supported independent businesses, noting the long-term benefits of communitybased spending. “I personally try to shop locally every chance I get because corporations aren’t looking out for us. You put the money back in your community, and they’re going to spend it back with you, and we keep everybody moving.”
House of Monsters is located at 517 E Woodlawn Ave just off St. Mary’s Strip, approximately 20 minutes from the Main Campus.
House of Monsters boasts
Paul played by Dorian Speights and Amy played by Alexandra Sanchez during performance (Pictured left stage). Harry played by Aiden Milliro and Sarah played Ally Bermea during performance (Pictured right stage).
Jackie Cardona/The Paisano
Rating
Sofia Mejia/The Paisano
Victoria Leal/The Paisano
Jordyn Jenkins declares for the 2025 WNBA Draft
By Rylan Renteria Staff Writer
Before Jordyn Jenkins was a two-time Conference Player of the Year for UTSA, she was a three-time All-State First-Team honoree for Kentridge High School in Washington State. Jenkins continued to make her mark on the West Coast when she committed to the University of Southern California. Jenkins racked up even more accolades with the Trojans, including CoMost Improved Player of the Year and First-Team All-Pac 12 honors.
Jenkins entered the transfer portal following the conclusion of her starstudded 2021 campaign and found her way to the Alamo City.
“That leap of faith was easy for me. It was like a no-brainer,” Jenkins said in an interview with KENS5. “Karen Aston was the one telling me the vision, telling me what could happen if I’m here and we’re doing this together. I wanted to be the player that was gonna change the team and be the face [of the program].”
Aston, who was entering her second season with the Roadrunners when Jenkins arrived at UTSA, was only mildly enthused by how the acquisition of Jenkins had turned out.
“It was [divine] intervention, for sure,” Aston told KENS5.
Now, following the conclusion of her illustrious career for the Roadrunners, Jenkins is taking her talents to the next level.
“My college career has come to a close,” Jenkins said on social media. “I am inexplicably grateful for the experience at both USC and UTSA. The bonds and lifelong friendships I’ve formed throughout the past five years made my challenging days worth every minute. Playing professionally has always been a goal of mine, and for that reason, I have entered my name in the 2025 WNBA Draft. Playing in both Los Angeles and San Antonio has allowed me to grow as a player and a person — and because of this, I hope to continue my journey to playing at the highest level. Thank you to my coaches and teammates for an epic college journey.”
Since Aston took over the reins of the women’s basketball program, the team has seen many talented players dominate the hardwood. Elyssa Coleman, Sidney Love, Idara Udo, Hailey Atwood and Kyra White are all standout pieces in a masterful display of roster curation by the former University of Texas at Austin
No shock in Wichita
UTSA handles Wichita State on the road, picks up second conference-series sweep
By Rylan Renteria Staff Writer
UTSA baseball swept Wichita State University 9-2, 16-8, 5-1, over the weekend at Eck Stadium.
While they still have matchups against conference heavyweights looming, the Roadrunners (28-9, 10-2 AAC) have been quietly taking care of business.
UTSA embarked on a two-week road stretch that concluded with a sweep of the hosting Shockers (12-22, 4-8 AAC). Wichita State led for three innings across the entire weekend, beyond that, it was all ‘Runners.
Game one
UTSA took its first lead of the series off a bases-clearing RBI double from senior infielder Norris McClure. The Shockers cut into their deficit with scattered runs in the fifth and sixth innings, before the Roadrunners extended their lead to 5-2 off RBIs from senior outfield James Taussig and freshman infielder Jordan Ballin. The ‘Runners sealed the victory with a four-run ninth inning.
Junior ace Zach Royse and sophomore stopper Robert Orloski took to the mound for UTSA and allowed zero runs in seven of the nine innings played.
Game two
Senior outfielder Mason Lytle opened game two with a bang — literally. The team’s leader in hits smashed a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning and set the tone for the rest of the game. Five different Roadrunners recorded RBIs in the team’s Saturday win, tying the ‘Runners’ highest run total of the season.
Senior pitcher Braylon Owens got the start on the bump for UTSA and earned his fifth win of the season.
This is the third consecutive week the Roadrunners have locked up a series win in the second game of a conference series.
Game three
After letting the sweep slip through their hands last weekend, the Roadrunners weren’t going to let it happen again. The Shockers took their first lead of the series in the opening inning before UTSA tied the game 1-1 with an RBI single from junior catcher Broc Parmer in the fourth. The ‘Runners teed off on Shockers’ starting pitcher Brady Hamilton in the sixth frame, increasing their lead by two runs. After a pitching change, the result remained the same. Freshman utility Caden Miller and Taussig tacked on two more runs on the Shockers’ reliever and exited the inning with a firm lead.
Senior pitcher Conor Myles enjoyed perhaps his best performance of the season, lasting a career-long seven innings on the mound. Junior pitcher Connor Kelley shut down Wichita State the rest of the way and secured the series sweep for UTSA.
It’s easy to get excited about the trajectory of this Roadrunner baseball club, considering the team’s RPI is the highest it has been in coach Pat Hallmark’s tenure. UTSA has beaten both good and bad teams; they’ve won at home and on the road. The pitching rotation is deep, with quality relievers on deck if teams are able to get past their starters. Oh, and the ‘Runners outfielders alone have registered 130 RBIs at the plate. The question that persists is if the team can continue their stellar play in postseason play. A conference championship has eluded the club despite quality regularseason records under Hallmark. Maybe 2025 is different, maybe it’s not, either way, Hallmark is trying to “live in the moment” and that entails focusing on whoever is up next on the schedule.
UTSA will host Tulane University for the fifth conference series. Game one is set for 6 p.m. Friday at Roadrunner Field.
coach. However, Jenkins is the engine that has powered the women’s basketball program for the last three years. This year, the superstar forward averaged 18.7 points and 6.9 rebounds per game while leading the team to 26 wins — a program record. Though the American Athletic Conference tournament did not go the way the team wanted, bowing out in the quarterfinals to Rice University, there was still a lot to be proud of in her final season.
A regular season conference title is nothing to scoff at, and when you tack on conference Player of the Year and FirstTeam All-Conference honors, Jenkins has
done more than Aston could’ve asked of when she lured her to San Antonio. The Renton, Washington native smashed UTSA Athletics Hall of Fame member Monica Gibbs’ all-time scoring record during her time with the ‘Runners. That, paired with the historic 2025 season, is more than enough to warrant the hanging of her jersey in the rafters of the Historic Convocation Center. Her story doesn’t end here though; Jenkins will get her shot in the pros, and there is every reason to believe that she will continue to be what she has been in every phase of her career — a superstar.
Roadrunners burned by Blazers in series finale
UTSA once again continues to struggle against conference opponents
By Michael Rios Staff Writer
UTSA softball lost 8-0 to the University of Alabama at Birmingham on Sunday at Roadrunner Field.
The Roadrunners (16-25, 3-15 AAC) were unable to extinguish the Blazers (1923, 8-10 AAC) in their weekend series finale. After UTSA allowed seven runs in the top of the third inning, the ‘Runners struggled to fight back, resulting in the eventual blowout.
Following their comeback victory on Saturday, the ‘Runners looked to secure the series win but could not get their offense up and running past the first inning. The opening frame was the only inning where UTSA had a runner in scoring position and multiple runners on base.
UTSA looked to get things going in the bottom of the second when sophomore outfielder Taryn Madlock hit a triple that would have allowed junior utility Madison Hornback to score. Unfortunately, the play was called back as Hornback left first base early.
This was not the only instance where the Roadrunners displayed poor baserunning.
In the fourth frame, freshman infielder Sabrina Wick hit a fly ball to left field, and the Blazers doubled up on senior utility Crislyne Moreno, who forgot to run back to first base.
The Blazers took advantage of the call in the top of the third. Outfielder Bella Wiggins hit an RBI infield single that allowed utility Hannah Dorsett to score
unearned thanks to a Hornback throwing error.
There were multiple innings where the Blazers hit the ball in the direction of UTSA defenders and could not get their glove on the ball. Even when the Roadrunners had the opportunity to make a play defensively, it resulted in an error.
Consecutive RBI singles from outfielder Hope Tucker and infielder Lindsey Smith increased the lead. Shortly after, UTSA freshman pitcher Ava Eldridge allowed a grand slam to infielder Alyssa Aguilar, putting the Roadrunners in a seven-run hole.
Alabama-Birmingham added an insurance run in the top of the seventh thanks to a solo home run by Aguilar that bounced off the scoreboard, extending the lead to 8-0.
UTSA had more hits than runs scored, with three in 23 at-bats compared to Alabama-Birmingham’s 13 hits in 32 at-bats. The ‘Runners rotation allowed eight runs on 13 hits while walking three batters and striking out three. The Blazers allowed three hits as they struck out four batters and walked two. Each team committed one error each.
The ‘Runners have struggled to defeat conference opponents all season, hence the 3-15 record. If they want to improve going forward under coach Vann Stuedeman, they have to beat teams that are better than them because that’s what the best teams do: they beat good teams.
UTSA will next face I-35 rival Texas State University at 4 p.m. Tuesday at Roadrunner Field.
From San Antonio to San Francisco
By Rylan Renteria Staff Writer
Freshman utility Caden Miller celebrates the Roadrunners’ defensive victory.
Rylan Renteria/The Paisano
Rylan Renteria/The Paisano
Muminovic
roadrunners wrap up the regular season with A WIN over ANTELOPES
Seniors close out UTSA chapter by topping previous season with an 11th win
By Haley Aguayo Sports Editor
In their final game of the regular season, the men’s tennis team beat Grand Canyon University 5-2 on Sunday at the UTSA Tennis Center.
The Roadrunners (11-10) concluded their winning season with a triumph over the Antelopes (12-5). Following a dominant doubles victory, the seniors paused play to celebrate their many accomplishments over four years at UTSA, then returned to the courts and showed exactly how they earned them, each going on to win their singles match.
“The three words I would use to describe this team are: grit, perseverance and passion. These three guys really represent that,” coach Sasha Gozun said.
“We all came here today into the facility with the right mentality — to compete for
each other,” senior Miguel Alonso said.
“This all started in doubles. We had great energy.”
During doubles, freshmen Oskar Grzegorzewski and Ben Chetewy Ungar led the charge against the Antelopes when they switched from underhand returns to aggressive overheads, leading to their 6-1 win. This tactic translated from court one to court three as Alonso and senior Danijal Muminovic began to mimic Grzegorzewski and Chetewy Ungar’s efforts. The two held the Antelopes scoreless for the duration of two game points and the seniors brought home their third win as a pair this season.
“Danny and I understand each other on the court so we play really good with each other,” Alonso said. “I am happy to share the court with him.”
“When it comes to doubles, it’s always
good to play with Miguel. I enjoy it, we have really good chemistry on the court” Muminovic said.
Bookends to his senior year, the first and last home matches shared a striking resemblance for Muminovic, who earned the first singles point for the ‘Runners in both games. The Bosnian won in two sets with a final score of 7-5, 6-3.
“It’s always good to win. To be honest, the only goal I had for today was just to play well, and I played better than I wanted,” Muminovic enthusiastically said.
No. 108 senior Tiago Torres was the second senior to close out his match, winning 6-4, 6-3. Torres will be leaving UTSA as the winningest senior out of the trio, claiming a total of 62 singles and 45 doubles victories.
“It feels great to finish with those two guys,” Torres said of Alonso and
Muminovic. “Danny is a special guy, he’s so kind. He’s a calm guy and you need those guys on the team, you can’t just have crazies like me, but he works so hard. Miguel has been my roommate for four years. I love him, he is my best friend.”
With one additional win thanks to an additional game that the Roadrunners played this year, they can now claim a winning season with the 11th win that the Antelopes gave them.
Alonso was the last senior to close out his singles, but with a 6-2, 7-6 win no less and Grzegorzewski was the only freshman to leave the courts with both a doubles and singles win.
The men’s tennis team will travel to Memphis, alongside the women’s team, to compete in the American Athletic Championships Thursday at Leftwich Tennis Center.
Roadrunners finish top 3 at outdoor invitational
By Haley Aguayo Sports Editor
Track & field competed in the 44 Farms Team Invitational at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Friday and Saturday.
20 Roadrunners earned both personal and season bests at College Station, though none shone brighter than freshman Mia Lien and junior O.J. Ruiz. The pair earned top-three marks in their respective events and broke both season and personal best records in the process.
Lien was one of three ‘Runners to compete in the heptathlon but raking in top-10 finishes in four of the seven events is how she earned a third-place finish. Her finishes in high and long jumps as well as her efforts in both the 200m and 800m races is how she earned a third-place finish for the heptathlon.
During her final attempt in long-jump, Lien launched herself 6.30m for a season best distance and leaped from third place to second. Lien also finished first in the high-jump with a height of 1.83m for a new personal best distance.
“Honestly, I didn’t even know,” Lien said after beating Team USA athlete Timara Chapman in the long jump. “It was a lot of wind so that helped. The conditions were there, I just needed to hit the right position. When you have one more jump, it’s like, ‘I’ve gotta do this.’” Ruiz competed in a single event: the men’s 3000m steeplechase. Ruiz reached
a personal best time of 9-minutes and 30.93-seconds as he held onto his lead. He finished four seconds behind firstplace finisher Nicholas Deutsch from East Texas A&M University and seven seconds before Texas State University’s Elias Palmer, who also recorded a personal best. Freshman Diego Ramirez trailed Ruiz by 19 seconds to claim fifth place in the same race, and a new personal best time of 9-minutes and 49.01 seconds.
Sophomore to mark her first place victory in the long-jump stand alone event and senior Oreoluwa Adamson finished in sixth place with a distance of 5.98m in the same event.
Freshman ‘Runner to compete in the men’s decathlon — where he fell to 14th place — but his top finish includes landing second place in the men’s 1500m race. Sophomore Nyaluet Diew, who specializes in shot put, claimed ninth place but recorded a personal best distance in women’s hammer throw with a distance of 42.58m.
As a unit, the Roadrunners notched nine season records and 19 personal UTSA will head to Walnut, California to in the 65th Annual Mt. Relays. The event will Wednesday and will Saturday.
From left to right: Freshman Mia Lien making her final long-jump attempt, sophomore Edlin Laur taking off from the pad and junior Madelen Sveinungsen lands in the pit.
Danijal
Haley Aguayo/The Paisano
Sarah Quintanilla/ The Paisano