Yolanda ‘Yolie’ Arellano

Yolanda “Yolie” Arellano started her radio career in 1971 as a secretary at KTSA-KTFM. She was soon promoted to Public Affairs and Promotions Director, bridging the stations with community and city leaders. If there was a major event happening in San Antonio, Yolie made sure that KTSA and KTFM were involved.

She helped plan and organize major community events like the citywide New Year’s Eve parties, 4th of July celebrations and the first Holiday River Parade, now an annual tradition. She involved the stations in many charity projects like Telethon Navideño, the MDA Labor Day Telethon and the Tower Climb for Cystic Fibrosis. She also served on the Host Committee for Pope John Paul the Second’s visit in 1987.

Yolie hosted a weekly public affairs program on KTSA-KTFM for 20 years where she interviewed high-profile city, state and federal lawmakers and newsmakers. In 1980, she helped KTSA newsman Logan Stewart become Rey Feo the 23rd which resulted in Rey Feo becoming an official part of Fiesta San Antonio. And it was Yolie who brought Sam Walton’s daughter to the City Clerk’s office to get the permits and assistance needed to open the first Sam’s Club in San Antonio.

Yolie always went above and beyond because of her love for this city. She contributed thousands of hours of community service and did what she could to make San Antonio a better place. There is not enough time nor space here to list her many, many volunteer positions, titles, honors, awards and civic accomplishments.

While working at KTSA/KTFM, Yolie also studied Radio-TV-Film at San Antonio College. A mentor to many, Yolie saw potential in others when they couldn’t see it in themselves. She made introductions. She opened doors. She enjoyed helping others succeed while asking for nothing in return.

For so many, Yolie was the ‘favorite daughter’ of San Antonio. She passed away in July 2022.

The San Antonio Radio Hall of Fame welcomes 2022 Inductee…

Yolanda Arellano.