Last day to join the 515,000 early voters; Diwali starts tomorrow; Vapes added to San Antonio’s smoking ban

This is TPR’s round-up of the latest headlines and news developments. It provides a concise and clear summary of the stories TPR follows.

Today’s weather: Today, expect a high of 83 and a low of 69. A cold front next week will bring highs into the 70s.

The tropics: There is no significant tropical activity in the Gulf or Caribbean regions. The Atlantic hurricane season ends on November 30.

Don’t forget to fall back: On Saturday evening, turn all the clocks back one hour. Daylight saving time ends on Sunday at 2 a.m. The San Antonio Fire Department says this is also a good time of year to make sure all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are working. Most of the US will spring forward again on March 9.

One last day to join the 515,000 early voters in Bexar County

Today is the last day to vote early for the November 5 election. The Elections Department reported that 515,207 people have cast ballots in the county since early voting began last week. The province’s 51 polling stations are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Voters expressed a variety of political opinions in interviews with TPR during this early voting period.

Many of Donald Trump’s supporters said they trust him more than Democrat Kamala Harris on economic issues.

Many female voters continued to cite the restoration of abortion rights as a key reason to support Harris. Lifelong Democrat Dianne Montalvo says she turned out to support candidates who support public schools by opposing vouchers and blocking Trump from returning to the White House.

Straight ticket Democratic voter Ernest Barrientos had high hopes that these elections would give Texas a different color on the electoral maps. Some polls show some tight races that could make that possible, including the Senate race between Republican Ted Cruz and Democrat Colin Allred.

The Puerto Rican insult at the Trump rally still resonates

An ugly joke told at Puerto Rico’s expense at a recent Donald Trump rally continues to resonate among Latino voters, especially Puerto Ricans.

Since that meeting, Trump has tried to explain that the joke did not reflect his views on Puerto Rico.

Christina Ponsa-Kraus, a professor of legal history at Columbia Law School, explained to TPR’s “The Source” that Trump’s history shows otherwise.

“We’ve seen from Trump and his response to Hurricane Maria and his resistance to sending money to Puerto Rico and that scene where he threw paper towels at Puerto Ricans as if that was somehow helpful — and his comments about the sale of Puerto Rico.”

The backlash against the joke could hurt Trump’s chances of winning the key swing state of Pennsylvania. More than 90,000 Puerto Ricans live in Philadelphia and were able to express their outrage through the ballot box.

Vapes added to San Antonio’s no-smoking policy

The San Antonio City Council voted Thursday to add e-cigarettes, often called vapes, to the definition of smoking.

That means vaping will now be banned in all city-designated smoke-free areas.

District 9 Councilman John Courage says the update to the no-smoking ordinance is the first of several steps the council must take to get vaping use under control.

Non-smoking areas include any area within 6 meters of outdoor public transport stations, all enclosed public areas and stadiums.

Council members and public speakers pointed to growing research pointing to the negative health effects of e-cigarettes and their use by children as key reasons for adding it to the definition of smoking.

The head of Bexar County’s civil rights division is resigning

The director of the Bexar County District Attorney’s Civil Rights Division announced his resignation Thursday. Assistant District Attorney Jeffery Mulliner will resign on November 14.

At the beginning of this year he was appointed division director. The unit handles officer-involved shootings, inmate deaths and allegations of excessive use of force by law enforcement.

The district attorney’s office said it will immediately begin the search for Mulliner’s replacement.

It added that it will work to avoid disruption or delay of cases pending before its division.

Ongoing pneumonia now in San Antonio

Spikes in walking pneumonia have been reported nationally. Experts say the wave has also hit San Antonio.

Dr. Tess Barton, associate professor of pediatric infectious diseases at UT Health San Antonio, said atypical pneumonia, or walking pneumonia, is a mild case of the disease and can sometimes initially look like a cold.

“One of the best ways we can prevent outbreaks of viral or respiratory infections, whether it’s a virus or mycoplasma,” she explained, “is to have the person who is sick stay home and not go to school or work . spread it to everyone.”

Barton said an outbreak of mycoplasma pneumonia occurs every few years, and this year there is a high trend of low immunity and a greater risk of getting sick. The bacteria is transmitted through coughing and contact with others. People should stay home if they are sick.

Diwali starts tomorrow

This weekend’s celebration celebrates the victory of good over evil and the rise of light over darkness. One of the main attractions at the festival, along with music and culture, is the food of India.

“Representing both the northern and southern parts of India,” explains Pallavi Nemani of Anuja SA, organizers of the festival. “We also have fusion offerings that combine the traditions and flavors of Texas with Indian flavors.”

Diwali starts at the Arneson River Theater, then at Hemisfair Park and Civic Park downtown. It starts at 4:30 PM and lasts until midnight.

Dogtober sees 176 adoptions

Nearly 200 dogs and cats now have new families thanks to last weekend’s Dogtober Fall Festival, hosted by San Antonio’s Animal Care Services.

The festival set an ACS chapter record with 176 adoptions in one event.

Weeks leading up to the festival, shelter staff and volunteers finalized preparations, including building agility and entertainment areas, creating meeting and greeting areas for pets complete with selfie stations, and installing colorful signage throughout the shelter.