Performing arts and fine art provide plenty of reason to explore the museums and theaters the Alamo City has to offer over the next few days. See Broadway hit Hamilton during its brief residency at the Majestic Theatre or check out the latest works by South Texas-based artists at Presa House Gallery. Check out the top five things to do in San Antonio this weekend. Thursday, January 6 McNay Art Museum presents “Wayne Thiebaud 100:…

City leaders announced this week that they’ve contracted with Community Labs to open new COVID-19 testing sites amid a surge in cases, mostly due to the omicron variant.

Mayor Ron Nirenberg, Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff and other community leaders held a press conference at 9 a.m. on Thursday to discuss the new resources aimed at dealing with the influx of cases.

You can watch the press conference in the video player at the top of this article.

The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District said the omicron variant has led to a three-fold increase in daily cases of COVID-19 with the seven-day moving average of new daily cases now at 2,875.

“The rise in the number of cases, the incredible jump of 11,000 cases in three days to start the new year here is actually how fast this thing has risen. Remember, two weeks ago here in the city, we were at a 2% positivity rate. That’s jumped to 27% in two weeks,” Nirenberg said during a KSAT Q&A on Wednesday.

The sharp uptick in cases has created a need for additional testing facilities.

Metro Health has announced the locations of three new no-cost testing sites:

Alamo Colleges District Support Operations Building, 2222 N. Alamo St. 78215 – Opens Thursday, January 6 at 8 a.m. and will operate Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.Palo Alto College Building 20 (Performing Arts Center), 1400 W. Villaret Blvd. 78224 – Opens Friday, January 7 at 8 a.m. and will operate Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.St. Philip’s College, 1801 Martin Luther King Dr. San Antonio, TX 78203 – Opens Monday, January 10 at 8 a.m. and will operate Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Metro Health says three more sites will be announced as the locations are confirmed, and it will notify the public when they are expected to open.

No appointments are necessary for testing at the new walk-up sites. Results are expected to be provided to patients within 24 hours.

Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff said new omicron cases are driving up hospitalizations in our area and he is urging the community to do what it can to ease the stress on the local hospitals.

“This burden on hospitals is affecting doctors, nurses, and other key medical staff, who are also getting sick and are having to miss work, unable to care for patients in our hospitals,” Wolff said in a written statement. “If you haven’t already, get vaccinated.”

City health officials also offer the following testing guidelines:

Consider using a self-test before joining indoor gatherings with others who are not in your household.A positive self-test result means that you have an infection and should avoid indoor gatherings to reduce the risk of spreading the disease to someone else.A negative self-test result means that you may not have an infection. Repeating the test with at least 24 hours between tests will increase the confidence that you are not infected.Ask your healthcare provider if you need help interpreting your test results.

“We encourage anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 to get tested, so they don’t spread the virus to others if they are positive. We hope these additional testing sites will help meet and alleviate current demand,” Metro Health Director Claude A. Jacob said in a written statement. “Remember that we have the tools we need to contain this virus. Please mask up, get vaccinated and get your booster shot if you’re eligible. Please do your part to protect San Antonio by staying home if you are sick.”

Click here to access more information about other city no-cost testing sites.

Also on KSAT:

Here are the COVID-19 vaccine pop-up clinics taking place around San AntonioWhere to get tested for COVID-19 in San Antonio, Bexar CountyWhere to get a COVID-19 vaccine in San AntonioFlooding emergency rooms, calling 911: Texans are going to great lengths to find COVID-19 testsUS hospitals seeing different kind of COVID surge this timeRestaurant staffing shortage in San Antonio compounded by latest Covid-19 surge

A Business Journals analysis of 52 private colleges’ audited financial reports found that three-quarters of the schools reported lower net student revenue (which typically includes tuition, fees, room and board after scholarships and financial aid), in the 2021 academic year, compared to the year prior.

It’s the time of year for sneezing, coughing, and blowing your nose. But what actually works when it comes to easing symptoms of the common cold?

Australian researchers reviewed dozens of studies and found that zinc supplements may prevent a runny nose, high temperature, and headaches. It may also help clear up colds two days earlier.

The staff from the Mayo Clinic released the list of things they think works.

First, water, juice, clear broth or warm lemon water with honey helps loosen congestion and prevents dehydration.

Gargling salt water does help to soothe a sore throat. Saline nasal drops and sprays work to combat stuffiness.

For achy muscles, take acetaminophen, ibuprofen or aspirin. Vitamin C won’t help once cold symptoms appear, but if you take C regularly, it may help shorten the length of time you have symptoms.

And some studies show echinacea may help reduce the severity of symptoms. Echinacea is most effective if you take it when you notice cold symptoms and continue it for seven to ten days. Most importantly, the number one thing you should do is rest!

The Mayo Clinic also released the list of cold remedies that don’t work.

First, forget about antibiotics. These attack bacteria, but they’re no help against cold viruses.

Avoid asking your doctor for antibiotics for a cold or using old antibiotics you have on hand. You won’t get well any faster, and inappropriate use of antibiotics contributes to the serious and growing problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

San Antonio police have arrested a man wanted in connection with a deadly New Year’s Eve shooting on the Northeast Side.

Deundray Thomas, 42, was arrested Wednesday and charged with murder, records with the Bexar County Jail show.

An arrest warrant affidavit states that Thomas and another suspect shot and killed a man just before 10:15 p.m. Friday outside the Siegel Suites in the 3800 block of N PanAm Expy.

The victim was eating inside his vehicle, which was parked outside his hotel room, when the suspects approached him, police said.

The suspects then fled in a dark-colored sedan after opening fire, and the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police did not say the motive for the shooting. As of Thursday morning, the victim has not been identified by the Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office.

The affidavit states that a witness was able to identify the two gunmen. The second suspect has not been apprehended.

Thomas’ bond is set at $150,000.

More on KSAT:

2 teens on the run after ramming patrol car with stolen pickup, 3 others in custody, police sayRecognize him? Police, Crime Stoppers seek suspect in robbery of SW Side Dollar General

ABC News will be providing full coverage Thursday of the one-year anniversary of the attack on the US Capitol by Donald Trump supporters who wanted to upend the election of Joe Biden as president. Five people died in the violent incident.

The network is planning to air at least two special reports.

The first special report is scheduled at approximately 8 a.m. CT with President Joe Biden’s remarks on the anniversary.

The second special report will be at approximately 11 a.m. CT with a moment of silence on the House Floor and remarks by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other members of Congress. There may be additional special reports throughout the day for other events.

You can watch continuous coverage of the live events beginning at 7 a.m. CT in the video player below. ABC News Live will be airing coverage of all the live events and analysis throughout the day.

Related Stories:

Recalling Jan. 6: A national day of infamy, half rememberedCapitol Police Chief says force sure ‘to get tested again’‘We have to be there’: AP photographer recalls Capitol siege

In an exclusive partnership with Bank of America, the Austin, Dallas and San Antonio Business Journals are presenting a series that will help participants uncover the historical foundations of systemic racism in each city, how that system is intertwined with the business community and what Texas leaders are doing to create a more equitable future. This final installment of this series examines what businesses can do to be true allies in achieving racial equity.

San Antonio police and Crime Stoppers are looking for the suspect in the robbery of a Southwest Side Dollar General store.

The incident occurred Wednesday, Dec. 22 around 4 p.m. at a store in the 5800 block of Old Pearsall Road.

According to police, the suspect (seen above) walked into the store and began taking several items without paying. That’s when, police say, during the theft, the suspect threatened to hurt someone.

Police said the suspect stole the items and fled the store. SAPD searched the area, but he was not found.

Anyone with any knowledge of the incident is urged to call Crime Stoppers at (210) 224-STOP.

Tips can also be texted to CRIMES (274637) or by visiting the Crime Stoppers website.

Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest.

CPS energy wants to raise rates. They say it’s needed to better weatherize equipment, get new equipment, to cover debt from the winter storm and for staff. They have proposed a 3.85 percent increase.

People have mixed emotions on the idea. Residents say they don’t want to pay more, but they have concerns of another potential February freeze that overwhelmed the systems.

“It was pretty cold, it was pretty cold in the house but we got through it. I think it’s way too high. Yes, I would be against it,” resident Laura Hernandez said.

“To help others to do a good job for the citizens that’s okay, I practically am left with almost nothing after paying all my bills. They’ve never cut off my lights, but I do begin to think where am I going to get that extra $10,″ Carolina Chavez said.

City council will vote on the proposition next Thursday, Jan. 13. District 1 Councilman Mario Bravo said he wants CPS Energy to operate the best they can, but he’s not sold on the increased rates just yet.

“First and foremost, we need to stabilize the organization. We’ve had so many people leave, we lost a CEO, and two chief operating officers,” Bravo said.

Last month, KSAT12′s Defenders team discovered that CPS executives had wasteful spending. It included limo rides as well as steak dinners. That spending was linked to executive Fred Bonniewell and former president and CEO Paula Gold Williams.

Councilman Bravo said he doesn’t think the increase rates are unreasonable. He just wants an outside study to be done before giving a green light. It’s not a no forever, but it’s a no for right now, he said.

“I’m reserving that decision until I can get firm details on a commitment to an outside study that can look at cost saving measures,” Bravo said.

San Antonio police are asking for the public’s help to identify a suspect accused of robbing a Best Buy on the North Side.

The robbery happened at the Best Buy in the 100 block of Northwest Loop 410.

Police say the man in his mid-to-late-20s was seen taking unpaid merchandise and approached by someone.

The person who approached the man attempted to make contact with him, and the man pulled out a weapon to threaten them, police said.

The robber then exited the store with the stolen merchandise.

Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to call Crime Stoppers at (210) 224-STOP. Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest.