From the Otis McKane death penalty trial to the retirement of Paul Venema, 2021 was a memorable one.

Convicted baby killer Genene Jones has been an infamous part of San Antonio’s history for decades.

"I am honored by your loyalty as I move on with wonderful memories of a career that I truly loved. And friends that I’ll never forget."

On Friday, veteran reporter Paul Venema gave his final sig-out after a 47-year career with KSAT.

This week, the first in-person jury trial is expected to take place since early 2020.

Paul’s KSAT colleagues have already started wishing him farewell, but no send-off would be complete without messages from the most important people of all: KSAT viewers.

SAN ANTONIO – From the courtroom to Willie Nelson’s tour bus, for almost five decades Paul Venema has been capturing KSAT viewers with his stories. “I fell in love with the legal system and that’s what I enjoy most,” Venema said. Willie Nelson and KSAT Reporter Paul VenemaWhile viewers will miss seeing him on-air, his KSAT colleagues will miss him, too. KSAT viewers have witnessed his professionalism and journalistic excellence, but I also appreciate his friendship. Paul Venema, Isis Romero and Steve Spriester (KSAT)“In a world where it’s all about relationships, Paul has been able to develop great relationships inside the station and across the community.

SAN ANTONIO – Editor’s note: this content was created specifically for the KSAT-TV streaming app available on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon fire stick, Samsung smart TV and smartphones. Download it today for more exclusive content featuring extended interviews and bonus footage. The trial of Otis Tyrone McKane, 35, is the first death penalty case in the Bexar County Courthouse in five years. McKane is accused of shooting and killing San Antonio Police Detective Benjamin Marconi in 2016. This KSAT exclusive features never before seen footage from the courtroom, Katrina Webber’s extended jailhouse interview with McKane and a Q&A with experienced local defense attorneys and a judge.

“This afternoon, I met with the family of Marquise Jones and some of their representatives. I know the Jones family has waited a long time to get answers from the District Attorney’s Office. I have promised the family that we will communicate with them as we work on the new review of this case. Jones' family sued Encina and the city for damages in federal court, claiming Encina used excessive and unreasonable force and violated Jones' constitutional rights. However, a jury later ruled against Jones' family, claiming Encina didn’t use excessive and unnecessary deadly force.

High school senior Xayla Venema, daughter of KSAT’s Paul Venema, learned how to make face masks amid the COVID-19 pandemic. On Monday, she took 20 of the ones she made to North Central Urgent Care Center, and she plans to donate more. COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the new virus, stands for coronavirus disease 2019. The disease first appeared in late 2019 in Wuhan, China, but spread around the world in early 2020, causing the World Health Organization to declare a pandemic in March. MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE FROM KSAT:

To download the app, just search KSAT on your streaming devices like Roku and Apple. Former John Marshall High School student and basketball player, Anton Harris, 20, was recently found guilty for Aggravated Sexual Assault and Aggravated Robbery. This is just one of five sexual assault cases he’s accused of at apartments in the medical center. The case concludes in court with extended testimony from witnesses in both the guilt/innocence phase and the punishment phase. Plus a Q&A with Venema about some of the unique elements that made this case unique in the courtroom.