The Newsmaker Hour
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The Newsmaker Hour features speakers addressing local and national organizations on a variety of topics and current events.  Local organizations regularly featured include the World Affairs Council of San Antonio, the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Free Trade Alliance San Antoino.  Speakers addressing students and the community at local colleges and universities are also featured.  The Newsmaker Hour is produced by Texas Public Radio's Ernie Villarreal.

Airs:  Fridays at 7 p.m. on KSTX 89.1 FM


Mayor Julian Castro: China Expo 2010 Update

September 3, 2010 · San Antonio mayor Julian Castro addressed the World Affairs Council of San Antonio on August 31, 2010 with an update of the trip he and a San Antonio delegation made to China for Expo 2010.  Introducing Mayor Castro is Nancy Shivers, Vice-President of Programs of the World Affairs Council of San Antonio.


Economic Impact of Immigration

September 3, 2010 · Steven Roberts, professor, columnist, television and radio analyst and best selling author speaks to the City Club of Cleveland on "The Economic Impact of Immigration". He spoke on February 26, 2010.


August 27, 2010 · Information not available


The War on Terror: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

August 20, 2010 ·From Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas, the featured speaker for this Newsmaker Hour is Dr. Ronald L. Hatchett. He is the Director of the Center for Global Studies. He is the invited guest speaker of the World Affairs Council of San Antonio as it begins its 2010/11 Distinguished Speaker Series. The title of Dr. Hatchett's presentation is "The War on Terror: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly." He spoke to members and guests of the World Affairs Council of San Antonio on August 18, 2010 at the Petroleum Club. Introducing Dr. Hatchett, is Nancy Shivers, Vice President of Programs of the World Affairs Council of San Antonio.


Medicine and Public Health - Can They Get Together?

August 13, 2010 ·Dr. Kenneth Shine, University of Texas system vice chancellor for health affairs, was the keynote speaker of the MD/MPH lecture program at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.  The title of his presentation is "Medicine and Public Health - Can They Get Together?" He spoke on August 4, 2010.  Opening the program is Dr. Claudia Miller, assistant dean for the MD/MPH program.


Sam Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce - Mid-Year Economic Outlook

August 6, 2010 · The San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce held its 2010 Mid-Year Economic Update breakfast on July 27, 2010. The invited guest speakers are two San Antonio economists, Keith Phillips, Ph.D., Senior Economist and Policy advisor with the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, San Antonio branch and Steve Nivin, Ph.D., Director and Chief Economist with the SABER Research Institute. Ramiro Cavazos, President and CEO of the SA Hispanic Chamber of Commerce makes some opening remarks before introducing the guest speakers.

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Graham Weston, Chairman of Rackspace

July 30, 2010 · Rackspace Chairman, Graham Weston. Rackspace is the world's largest IT hosting company and is based in San Antonio.  Weston spoke on March 3, 2010 to SA100, a group of professional San Antonio women.  He talks about how Rackspace started and how giving their clients the best service they can provide as they strive to be one of the best companies, not only to do business with, but to be a place where people want to work.  Introducing Graham Weston is Mary Fisher, President of the SA100.  This program originally aired on April 30, 2010.


NPR Remembers Daniel Schorr, 1916-2010

July 23, 2010 · NPR's senior news analyst and elder statesman of journalism Daniel Schorr died Friday, July 23, 2010.  The last of Edward R. Murrow's legendary CBS reporting team, Schorr enjoyed a career that spanned over 60 years, from covering post-World War II reconstruction to most recently analyzing the U.S.-Russia spy swap.  The Newsmaker Hour remembers Schorr with a one-hour NPR News special hosted by Robert Siegel.


July 16, 2010 · Information not available


KSTX Town Hall: Water

July 9, 2010 · The KSTX Town Hall on Water was held June 30, 2010 at Trinity University's Chapman Auditorium where we held a solutions-based conversation on water policy and conservation throughout the region.  We gathered a panel of water experts to discuss measures we can all take to ensure that we are responsible in our water use as as individuals and as a community.

Panelists
Karen Guz - Conservation Director, San Antonio Water System
Annalisa Peace - Executive Director, Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance
Suzanne Scott - General Manager, San Antonio River Authority
John Donahue - Professor Emeritus, Anthropology, Trinity University


Richard Trumka, President, AFL-CIO

July 2, 2010 · The president of the AFL-CIO, Richard Trumka, addresses members and guests of the City Club of Cleveland. He spoke on June 18, 2010. Introducing Mr. Trumka is City Club president Jan Roller.


The State of the County

June 25, 2010 · This edition of The Newsmaker Hour features Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff as he delivers the 2010 State of the County address.  He spoke to a sold out audience at the AT&T Center in San Antonioat the State of the County luncheon hosted by the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce.  Opening the program is 2010 Board Chair of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, Carrie Baker.


Water and Our Shared Future: A Local, Regional and State Report

June 18, 2010 · Today’s Newsmaker Hour features a panel discussion on water hosted by the San Antonio Clean Technology Forum. It was held on March 9, 2010 at the Pearl Stable. Moderating the panel discussion is Robert Rivard, editor for the San Antonio Express-News. The title of the forum is “Water and Our Shared Future: A Local, Regional and State Report”. On the panel are Dr. Robert Gulley, Coordinator of the Edwards Aquifer Recovery Implementation Program; Weir Labatt, with the Texas Water Development Board and Robert Puente Jr., CEO of the San Antonio Water System. Prior to the panel discussion, Bob Rivard introduces San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro and Speaker of the Texas House of Representative, Joe Strauss who make some opening remarks about the forum and the topic of discussion.


Opportunities and Challenges for the United States in the Western Hemisphere

June 11, 2010 · Ambassador Craig Kelly is the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs.  He spoke to members and guests of the World Affairs Council of San Antonio on May 20, 2010. The title of his presentation is "Opportunities and Challenges for the United States in the Western Hemisphere".  He is a career member of the Foreign Service and has served in a number of posts.  Opening the program is Edward Steves, Chair of the World Affairs Council of San Antonio. 


Lessons from a Long War: The United States in the Middle East

June 4, 2010 · Former Ambassador to Iraq, Pakistan, Syria, Kuwait and Lebanon, Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker was the invited guest speaker of the World Affairs Council of San Antonio. He spoke to members and guests of the World Affairs Council of San Antonio on April 29, 2010. He is currently Dean of the George Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University. The title of his presentation is "Lessons from a Long War: The United States in the Middle East". Charles Lutz, chair-elect of the World Affairs Council of San Antonio opens the program.


Mexico in its Bicentennial: Still a Distant Neighbor? An Outlook on U.S.-Mexico Relations

May 28, 2010 ·The World Affairs Council of San Antonio's annual Mexico panel featured Mexico's ambassador to the United Nations, Ambassador Enrique Berruga; Dr. Mario Melgar-Adalid with Cacheux, Cavazos and Newton and Raul Rodriguez, Distinguished Professor of the Benson Chair in Banking and Finance at the University of the Incarnate Word.  The title of the panel discussion is "Mexico in its Bicentennial: Still a distant neighbor?  An Outlook on U.S. -Mexico Relations".  The event was held on May 6, 2010 in the Sky Room on the campus of the University of the Incarnate Word.  Nancy Shivers, Vice-Chair of Programming for the World Affairs Council of San Antonio opens the program.


The Twentieth Century: A View from the Middle East

May 21, 2010 · Dr. Rashid Khalidi spoke at Trinity University in San Antonio on April 12, 2010. He was the invited guest speaker of Trinity's Maverick's Lecture series. Dr. Khalidi is the Edward Said Professor of Arab Studies at Columbia University. He is also the editor of the Journal of Palestine Studies and was president of the Middle East Studies Association and an advisor to the Palestinian delegation to the Madrid and Washington Arab-Israeli peace negotiations from October 1991 until June 1993. The title of Dr. Khalidi's presentation is "The Twentieth Century: A View from the Middle East." Professor Allan Kownslar of Trinity University's History Department opens the program.


Adventures in Economic Disaster: What the Financial Crisis Means for Justice and Jobs in the Next Generation

May 14, 2010 · The host of the PBS program "NOW", David Brancaccio, is the featured guest speaker of The Newsmaker Hour. He spoke on February 16, 2010 at St. Mary's University in San Antonio as part of their Lin Great Speakers series.The title of his presentation is "Adventures in Economic Disaster: What the Financial Crisis Means for Justice and Jobs in the Next Generation". Introducing David Brancaccio is Andre Hampton, Vice-President of Academic Affairs at St. Mary's University.


Rebecca Ryan, Author of Live First, Work Second

May 7, 2010 · Rebecca Ryan is the founder of Next Generation Consulting, a market research firm committed to engaging the next generation. She was the invited guest speaker of the Downtown Alliance of San Antonio as part of their Urban Renaissance speaker series. Ryan is also the author of the book Live First, Work Second, in which she talks about her research of the next generation. For the next generation, she writes, it's not about the job as the first priority, the community where they live is just as important if not more so. She spoke in San Antonio to members and guest of the Downtown Alliance on March 5, 2010. Ben Brewer, President of the Downtown Alliance introduces San Antonio mayor Juli´n Castro who addresses the audience about making San Antonio a city that the next generation chooses to live first and work second. Mayor Castro then introduces Rebecca Ryan.


Graham Weston, Chairman of Rackspace

April 30, 2010 · Rackspace Chairman, Graham Weston. Rackspace is the world's largest IT hosting company and is based in San Antonio. Weston spoke on March 3, 2010 to SA100, a group of professional San Antonio women. He talks about how Rackspace started and how giving their clients the best service they can provide as they strive to be one of the best companies, not only to do business with, but to be a place where people want to work. Introducing Graham Weston is Mary Fisher, President of the SA100.


British Ambassador to the United States Nigel Sheinwald

April 23, 2010 · The British ambassador to the United States, Nigel Sheinwald, was the invited guest speaker of the World Affairs Council of San Antonio. He was appointed to that position in October 2007. He leads the Embassy in Washington D.C. as well as nine Consulates-General around the United States. Sheinwald spoke in San Antonio on February 11, 2010 to members and guests of the World Affairs Council of San Antonio on the relationship of the United States and Great Britian. Introducing Ambassador Sheinwald is Nancy Shivers, Vice President of Programs for the World Affairs Council of San Antonio.


Mexico: What Went Wrong?

April 16, 2010 · Alejandro Junco, President and Chief Executive Officer of Grupo Reforma, a seven daily newspaper publishing group.  Junco spoke on March 25, 2010 to members and guests of the World Affairs Council of San Antonio.  The title of his presentation is "Mexico: What Went Wrong?" Introducing Alejandro Junco is Raul Rodriguez, the Benson Chair in Banking and Finance and a distinguished professor at the H-E-B School of Business and Administration at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio.


KSTX Town Hall: Base Realignment and Closure

April 9, 2010 ·On April 6, we hosted a KSTX Town Hall at St. Philip's College, and had a solutions-based conversation on how BRAC implementation truly impacts our city. TPR reporter Terry Gildea will moderated a panel of military representatives, city officials and community leaders to answer your questions on BRAC and it's community impact.

Panelists

Juan A. Garcia— President, Dignowity Hill Neighborhood Association, Member of the Fort Sam Houston Community Advisory Board
Councilwoman Ivy R. Taylor — San Antonio City Council, District 2
Colonel Mary Garr — Garrison Commander, Ft. Sam Houston
James Henderson — Deputy Director, Office of Military Affairs, City of San Antonio


The Texas Water Symposium - "Kids, Water, and Science: Perspectives from Our Future"

April 2, 2010 · The last of the 2009-10 Texas Water Symposium series took place at Schriener University on March 25, 2010. The topic under discussion was "Kids, Water, and Science: Perspective from Our Future." Speakers included

  • Cindy Loeffler, water resources branch chief for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, will introduce the winners and award prizes.
  • Linda Ruiz McCall, an educationand outreach specialist in water science and conservation at the Texas Water Development Board, will introduce the winners and award prizes.
  • Irene Pickhardt, assistant director of Science for the Texas Education Agency, also will be on the program. She provides leadership of K-12 science programs in Texas public schools.


Global Challenges of the 21st Century and the U.S. - China Relationship

March 26, 2010 · This edition of The Newsmaker Hour features Dr. Banning Garrett, director of the Asia Programs of the Atlantic Council.  He spoke as part of the World Affairs Council of San Antonio's distinguished speaker series on January 20, 2010.  The title of his presentation is "Global Challenges of the 21st Century and the U.S. - China Relationship."  Dr. Garrett has written extensively on a wide range of issues, including U.S. strategies toward China, Chinese foreign policy and views of the strategic arms control.  He has made more that 50 visits to China since 1981 for dialogue with Chinese officials and experts.  Nancy Shivers, Vice President of Programming for the World Affairs Council of San Antonio introduces Dr. Banning Garrett. 


Kids Count Report,The Center for Public Policy Priorities

March 19, 2010 · The children in the state of Texas aren't faring well compared to children in other states according to the Kids Count report of the Center for Public Policy Priorities. Dr. Frances Deviney is the director of the Texas Kids Count of the CPPP. She presented the report to an audience at the downtown campus of the University of Texas at San Antonio's CAPRI/Mexico Center. She spoke on February 12, 2010 about the nutrition, health, affect of poverty and on the budget as proposed by the Texas legislature. Introducing Dr. Deviney is UTSA's CAPRI/Mexico Center director Dr. Harriett Romo.  

Related Link:
Center for Public Policy Priorities


Peter Rogers on International Coffee Production

March 12, 2010 · Peter Rogers, is the coffee buyer for the Rogers Family Company. He was invited to speak at the University of the Incarnate Word H-E-B School of Business lecture series. He spoke on February 1, 2010. The Cafe Ole and Central Market coffee lines sold at H-E-B are produced by the Rogers company. Mr. Rogers during his presentation talks about the company's mission and international coffee production. He also talks about sustainability, organic and biodynamic farming. Introducing Mr. Rogers is Dr. Pat Burr, Distinguished Chair, in International Business at the University of the Incarnate Word.  


¡Adelante U.S. Education Leadership Fund!

March 5, 2010 · Education is high on President Obama's priority list.  That according to Juan Sepulveda, Director of the White House Initiative for Excellence in Hispanic Education who was the invited guest speaker at the ¡Adelante U.S. Education Leadership Fund! luncheon held on February 19, 2010 on the campus of St. Mary's University.  He's responsible for engaging Hispanic students, parents, families, organizations and anyone who is involved with the education system as director of the White House initiative.  In his remarks, Sepulveda spoke about an education crisis in the Hispanic community, how the future of the United States is tied to the success of Hispanics and the importance the Obama administration is placing on education.  Introducing Sepulveda is Richard Perez, President of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. 


Community Conversation on Education

February 26, 2010 ·The Newsmaker Hour for February 26 focuses on education and a community's involvement to help our children stay in school.  The discussion was held at a "Community Conversation on Education" presented by the African-American Reflections newspaper and held at the Second Baptist Church in San Antonio.  The invited keynote speaker is Dr. Otis Johnson, mayor of Savannah, Georgia.  Dr. Johnson is only the second African-American to hold that office.  He is nationally known in the field of community building and youth development and currently serves as the Chair of the National League of Cities Council of Youth, Education and Families.  Making some opening remarks and introducing Dr. Otis Johnson is Kathy Clay-Little, publisher of the African-American Reflections Newspaper.


KSTX Town Hall: Race

February 19, 2010 ·As San Antonio's population rapidly increases, it is also becoming more racially diverse. Each group contributes to the vibrancy of the community, but what are we doing to strengthen community ties across racial lines and embracing cultural differences to help move San Antonio forward? KSTX held a Town Hall on race and cultural diversity on February 9, 2010 at St. Philip's College. Moderating the discussion was TPR's Terry Gildea. Panelists included Matthew Anderson, Education Specialist, UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures;Gloria Pimentel; Chair, Department of Sociology, San Antonio College; Dr. Carey Latimore; Department of History, Trinity Univeristy; Dr. Mansour El-Kikhia — Political Science and Geography, UTSA.


Mayor Castro's State of the City Address

February 12, 2010 ·This edition of The Newsmaker Hour is the "State of the City" address by San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro. The event is hosted by the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, and held at the Marriott Rivercenter.More than 900 folks attended, making it one of the Chamber's largest State of the City luncheons. The Mayor touched on reinvestment of the downtown and city's core, job opportunities, the green economy and managing the city's issues including budget cuts. San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro made his remarks on January 28, 2010.


Texas Water Symposium

February 5, 2010 ·The 2009–10 Texas Water Symposium, created through the partnership of Schreiner University, Texas Tech University, Texas Public Radio, and Hill Country Alliance is a series of four free lectures and forums designed to inform and engage Texas citizens. The lastest Texas Water Symposium took place at Texas Tech University @ Junction. The topic was "Climate Change and Impacts on Floods, Weather and Drought in Texas:What Controversy?" On the panel was Robert E. Mace of the Texas Water Development Board, Todd Votteler of the Guadalupe River Authority and Katherine Hayhoe of Texas Tech University.


Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Citywide Interfaith Worship Service

January 22, 2010 ·A number of events honouring Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was held across the United States and San Antonio, February 17 and 18, 2010.  One of the events in San Antonio was the twenty-third annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Citywide Interfaith Worship Service.  The worship service was held on January 17, 2010 at the Second Baptist Church.  Rabbi Barry Block of Temple Beth-El and Rev. Otis Mitchell, pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church and Chair of the City of San Antonio's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission were members of two of the faiths represented at the event.  Delivering the commemorative message was Valerie Dana, an attorney and business owner in Denver, Colorado and a member of the governing body of the Baha'i National Spiritual Assembly.

Rabbi Barry Block, Temple Beth-El

Rev. Otis Mitchell, Mt. Zion Baptist Church

Valerie Dana, Baha'i National Spiritual Assembly


Dr. Vincent Fonseca, Chair of the Hispanic Chamber's Health Disparity Task Force

January 15, 2010 · Dr. Vincent Fonseca spoke at the 4th annual San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Healthcare luncheon.  Dr. Fonseca is the former Texas state epidemiologist and is now chair of the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce's Health Disparity Task Force committee.  Introducing Dr. Fonseca is Chamber president Ramiro Cavazos.  The luncheon was held on December 4, 2009 on the campus of St. Mary's University.


Dr. Richard Carmona, former U.S. Surgeon General

January 15, 2010 · Former U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Richard Carmona, was the keynote speaker at the 4th annual San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Healthcare luncheon, which was held on December 4, 2009 on the campus of St. Mary's University.  Dr. Carmona, who served as the nation's 17th surgeon general from 2002 until 2006, is introduced by Linda Hummel-Alpin, Chief Executive Officer of Humana of Central and South Texas.


Michael Kaiser, President of the Kennedy Center

January 8, 2010 · San Antonio nonprofit arts organizations were able to hear from Kennedy Center's President Michael Kaiser about the challenges facing nonprofit organizations today in fundraising, building a more effective board of trustees, budgeting, ticket sales, marketing and audience development.  He spoke at San Antonio's San Pedro Playhouse on December 2, 2009 as part of the Kennedy Center's "Arts in Crisis: A Kennedy Center Initiative" project.  The program is in response to the emergency facing arts organizations across the United States.  Mr. Kaiser will have travelled to all 50 states and have visited approximately 500 arts organizations by the end of the Kennedy Initiative tour.  Opening the program is Felix Padron, Executive Director of the Arts and Cultural Affairs Department of the City of San Antonio.


The Man on Mao's Right
January 1, 2010 · Ambassador Ji Chaozhu spoke to members and guests of the City Club of Cleveland on June 24, 2009.  Ambassador Chaozhu was a foreign diplomat and is the author of the book titled The Man on Mao's Right.


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