Trust Index | KSAT12

Will Texas students be required to get COVID vaccinations to attend school?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not mandate immunization requirements for vaccines in schools despite recent reports that suggest otherwise.

Why TV stations don’t censor political ads

Federally licensed broadcasters must follow certain requirements laid out by the FCC

The Farmers’ Almanac calls for a ‘chillier’ than normal winter. Should you believe this?

What exactly is the Farmers’ Almanac? What’s its track record for long-term forecasting? And what’s in store for this winter?

TRUST INDEX: COVID-19 reinfection happening sooner in many cases with new subvariants, doctor says

The primary COVID-19 strain right now is BA.5, an Omicron subvariant present in 88% of current cases -- the most infectious strain yet. KSAT viewers sent in questions asking about how soon you can be reinfected with COVID-19.

TRUST INDEX: Which expiration date should you use on the COVID-19 home tests?

When you open an at home COVID-19 test kit, there are several components inside: the swab, the solution, and the test strip. A KSAT viewer brought it to our attention that there are different expiration dates on each piece.

Greg Abbott defends century-old law that allowed 18-year-olds to buy muskets in wake of Uvalde shooting

The rise in mass shootings and victims per mass shooting happened when the federal assault weapons ban expired in 2004.

Gov. Abbott attributes mass shootings to mental health issues a month after cutting $211 million from mental health commission

Abbott diverted the funds to add to his effort to send National Guard to the Texas-Mexico border, currently known as Operation Lone Star.

What is a special session and why are some Texas lawmakers urging Gov. Greg Abbott to call one?

The only way laws can be changed in Texas right now is through a special legislative session. The only person with the authority to call a special session is Gov. Greg Abbott.

Can Texas voters switch political parties in primary runoff elections?

Though you can vote in either party's primary election, election law states you have to stick with that party when you vote in the runoff.

TRUST INDEX: Comirnaty vaccine, Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine are the same shot with different names

The latest question into the KSAT Trust Index has to do with the COVID-19 vaccines that have now been fully approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which include the Pfizer and Moderna shots.

TRUST INDEX: Are federal dollars funding clean crack pipes for people with addiction?

While some safe smoke kits do include drug pipes as a way to reduce harm, HHS issued a statement this week saying “no federal funding will be used directly or through subsequent reimbursement of grantees to put pipes in safe smoking kits.”

TRUST INDEX: COVID-19 infection can cause infertility, erectile dysfunction in men, studies show

The KSAT Trust Index team was asked to verify the claim that getting COVID could affect a man's sexual health, so we dove into some recent studies to find out.

TRUST INDEX: If you’ve had COVID from multiple variants, you should still get the vaccine

The KSAT Trust Index team answers the viewer question: "If I got COVID from the Delta and Omicron variants, should I still get vaccinated?"

How do COVID-19 vaccines affect fertility?

University Health Epidemiologist Dr. Jason Bowling answers questions about whether COVID and the COVID-19 vaccine affects fertility.

Your questions answered about differences, effectiveness of N95, K95, surgical and cloth masks

University Health Epidemiologist Dr. Jason Bowling answered some frequently asked questions about the effectiveness of different kinds of masks.

Texas GOP candidate falsely claims school cafeteria tables are being lowered for ‘furries’

A shocking claim made by a Texas GOP candidate on social media has turned out to be categorically false.

You can wear your N95 mask more than once. Here’s how health experts say to do it safely.

The CDC has outlined some guidelines about reusing masks in emergency situations. It’s directed at medical professionals, but some of the advice can also be applied for home use.

TRUST INDEX: You can be infected with a COVID variant more than once

With new COVID variants and constant recommendation updates, it can be tough to wade through the information, so our KSAT Trust Index team is doing your fact checking for you.

5 charts show COVID-19 surge in San Antonio

The surge of the omicron variant has fueled the growth of COVID-19 infections across the globe, disrupting daily operations once again.

No stop to red light camera tickets in Balcones Heights, Leon Valley

Which tests work best? Doctors address COVID-19 testing questions amid surging omicron cases in Bexar County

Doctors weigh in on the different COVID-19 tests and their ability to detect all variants.

Data: The number of migrants apprehended at U.S.-Mexico border in 2021 was highest in 20 years

From October 2020 through September 2021, agents encountered roughly 1,733,652 million migrants, surpassing fiscal year 2000, when 1,643,679 border encounters were logged.

Fact checking Abbott’s tweet on South African border crossings

Though South African nationals have been arrested crossing the United States border in past years, a KSAT analysis showed how rarely it has occurred.

Gov. Greg Abbott says he ‘can guarantee the lights will stay on’ this winter

Gov. Greg Abbott is guaranteeing Texans won’t have issues keeping the power on this winter.

Data: Apprehensions at the U.S.-Mexico border could reach 20-year high

As the fiscal year comes to a close at the end of September, Border Patrol agents are on track to encounter more migrants than they have in the last 20 years, according to the latest numbers provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

No, COVID-19 vaccines do not violate the Nuremberg Code

Several viral posts on social media claim mandating COVID-19 vaccinations is a violate of “the Nuremberg Code.”

Donald Trump claims US left $85 billion of military equipment behind. Officials say those figures are inflated

As the U.S. completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan, many social media users had viral posts claiming the Taliban’s arsenal was worth as much as $85 billion, suggesting they had taken over U.S. military equipment.

Contrary to viral claims, military did not leave service dogs behind in Afghanistan

A viral photo on Twitter led to a misleading claim that the U.S. military left service dogs in Kabul while evacuating Afghanistan.

Tweet falsely claims video shows Taliban hanging someone from helicopter

Photos and videos went viral on social media this week, showing what appeared to be a man dangling from a helicopter in Afghanistan. Several pundits, and even Sen. Ted Cruz, claimed it showed a man being hanged by the Taliban.

Did the Farmers’ Almanac really predict the February 2021 winter storm?

And a brief history of the whimsical publication

Trust Index: No, San Antonio is not forcing people into quarantine detention centers

A Facebook post incorrectly claimed that city officials have forced people into quarantine centers amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Texans are calling poison control in record numbers after ingesting horse and cow dewormer

People are taking horse and cow dewormer as a way to prevent and treat COVID-19 despite doctors and other health officials strongly advising against it.

San Antonio health professionals debunk 3 myths about COVID-19 and kids

This video circulating on Twitter is not Kabul airport chaos, but video from Dallas Cowboys game

There is a video circulating on Twitter is not Kabul airport chaos, but video from Dallas Cowboys game.

How to spot and verify misinformation you find on the internet

Misinformation has spread as fast as the coronavirus and can be as dangerous. Here’s how to fight it.

Metro Health: 60% of Latinos in San Antonio remain unvaccinated

A distressing figure compiled by the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District shows of the city’s 1.2 million Latinos, 60% of them are not vaccinated.

Are the cardboard beds in the Olympic Village really ‘anti-sex’?

Beds made out of cardboard may sound like they’d be flimsy and less than comfortable, but they serve a surprisingly sustainable purpose and Olympic officials think they’re good enough for the world’s best athletes.

4 truths about the Texas-Mexico border ahead of Greg Abbott, Donald Trump visit on Wednesday

Gov. Greg Abbott will visit the Texas border with former President Donald Trump. Here's what you need to know.

TRUST INDEX: Web article falsely claims ‘third wave’ of COVID-19 will be dominated by vaccinated people

The article claims that the next big wave of COVID-19 infections is already hitting some parts of the U.S. As part of our Trust Index initiative, KSAT spoke with San Antonio doctors who explained why the report is inaccurate.

TRUST INDEX: Yes, photo ID cards are required to vote in Mexico

A widely-shared Facebook meme suggest that voters in Mexico must undergo a more rigorous standard to be able to vote.

2 air quality alerts in effect for 10 regions in the area