Gas and coal power plants consumed more water than data centers across Texas in 2024, per a new Sierra Club analysis of federal data.

Why it matters: Data center water use is in the spotlight in drought-stricken Texas. Environmental advocates say transitioning to renewable energy sources wouldn't just reduce carbon emissions, it would save the state billions of gallons of water.

What they did: The Sierra Club, an environmental advocacy organization, analyzed a decade's worth of data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) to compile its report, released last week.

By the numbers: It found that in 2024, gas plants consumed 56 billion gallons of water, coal plants consumed 34 billion gallons and nuclear plants consumed 26 billion gallons across Texas.

• Data centers used 8 billion gallons of water in 2024 in direct operations.

Reality check: Data center water use is rising, and the energy generation that powers data centers could indirectly consume a lot more water.

• A recent UT Austin report found Texas data centers used 25 billion gallons of water in 2025 in direct operations and indirect energy generation, or about 0.4% of the state's total water use.
• Data centers could make up 3–9% of Texas' total water use by 2040, per the report.

Caveat: Renewable energy sources like wind and solar use a "negligible" amount of water, per Noah Ver Beek, lead analyst for the project. The EIA doesn't track it.

What they're saying: "Affordable, clean, low-water options exist," Ver Beek said in a statement.

The other side: "Coal plants provide reliable electricity that supports homes, hospitals, manufacturing, and Texas' growing economy while operating under extensive environmental and water management requirements," Krissy Lilljedahl, administrative director for the Texas Mining and Reclamation Association, tells Axios in a statement.

Zoom in: CPS Energy's J.K. Spruce coal plant consumed 6.7 billion gallons of water in 2024 — more than any other coal plant in the state that year, per a Sierra Club dashboard.

• CPS is on track to shutter the Spruce 1 plant by the end of 2028 and convert the Spruce 2 coal plant to run on natural gas.

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San Antonio homicides rose in the first quarter of 2026 compared to 2025, new data shows.

Why it matters: The increase comes after several years of annual declines in the city's homicides, and makes San Antonio an outlier in national trends.

How it works: Data from 67 major U.S. law enforcement agencies shows how much violent crime fell across major categories during the first quarter compared with the same period in 2025.

• The quarterly reports collected by the Major Cities Chiefs Association have been a good measure of trends that are reflected in the annual FBI crime data released in the fall.

Zoom in: In San Antonio, homicides rose from 18 in the first quarter of 2025 to 21 in Q1 this year, or a nearly 17% difference.

Yes, but: The city continued to see declines in other major categories of violent crime.

• The number of reported rapes fell 24%, robberies dropped 20% and aggravated assaults fell 15%.

The big picture: Nationally, violent crime fell sharply across the largest U.S. cities in early 2026, led by declines in robberies (20%), homicides (18%), rapes (7%) and aggravated assaults (5%).

Context: Violent crime categories, including homicides, decreased in San Antonio in 2025 and 2024.

What we're watching: Violence historically rises in the summer months, national police leaders caution.

🤖 Waymo recalled its U.S. autonomous vehicle fleet for a software issue after a car drove into San Antonio floodwaters last month — though the cars are still operating. (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)

• In San Antonio, they remain on city streets but are not serving riders, the company said in a statement to Axios. Waymo is now limiting vehicle access in areas where flash flooding might occur.

🤝 Texas Public Radio and the San Antonio Report will merge on July 1. The two will initially keep their own websites as they work out a longer-term integration plan. (SA Report)

🍽️ Local restaurant Soluna Cocina Mexicana will take over the former home of The Barn Door in 2028. (SA Business Journal 🔑)

👋 It's Madalyn with a caffeine option to put on your radar: Downtowner Coffee.

Catch up quick: The coffee truck opened outside Tony's Siesta last month and is already tapping into the city's Spurs fever with a themed menu.

• The lineup includes El Coyote (iced latte), El Alien (matcha) and Crazy Hispanic Fan (iced green tea). All are $6.50.

What to try: I opted for El Coyote, which comes with Mexican mocha sauce and agave, then is topped with cold foam, cinnamon and chocolate powder.

• It tastes like a Mexican hot chocolate-inspired iced coffee with a strong espresso finish.

The bottom line: Downtowner Coffee is already making a point to offer thoughtful specials. On Mother's Day, they served $3 lattes to anyone who has ever mothered in any capacity.

• They also always offer free syrups. And if you've got kids in tow, complimentary Babychinos (steamed milk) are on the menu.

The Rock at La Cantera will host seven official watch parties for FIFA World Cup matches this summer.

Why it matters: Heading to Houston or Dallas for the World Cup will be expensive. But you can enjoy the sport's biggest tournament without leaving San Antonio.

The big picture: The World Cup is the largest sporting event in the world, and will be on U.S. soil this year for the first time since 1994.

The watch party schedule at The Rock is:

• June 11: TBD
• June 12, 8pm: USA vs. Paraguay
• June 19, 2pm: USA vs. Australia
• June 28, 2pm: 32-team knockout bracket
• July 14, 2pm: Semi-finals
• July 15, 2pm: Semi-finals
• July 19, 2pm: Final

What they're saying: "San Antonio has always had a strong soccer fanbase, bringing incredible energy and passion to the sport," Duane Randall, general manager of The Rock, said in a statement.

If you go: The watch parties are free, but you must RSVP online.