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Data: USDA Economic Research Service; Chart: Axios Visuals

As Texans prepare to celebrate the holidays, some San Antonians are still struggling to put food on the table.

What's happening: The San Antonio Food Bank has seen pandemic-level demand over the last year, president and CEO Eric Cooper tells Axios.

Zoom in: As home values rose, property taxes increased. That's led to soaring housing costs for both Texas homeowners and tenants, whose rent likely increased as a result, Cooper says.

Record-setting heat this summer also led to higher utility bills for many in San Antonio.

And the state is experiencing months-long delays in distributing food benefits to low-income Texans.

By the numbers: The San Antonio Food Bank is serving anywhere from 105,000 to 120,000 people each week now, Cooper says. That's approaching the 120,000 to 160,000 people they served per week in 2020.

As COVID-19 vaccines came out and the economy re-opened, demand at the food bank dipped to about 90,000 people per week.

In 2019, the San Antonio Food Bank was feeding about 60,000 people per week, Cooper says.

The big picture: Many people seeking help from the food bank are employed parents who just don't make enough money to cover all their household bills.

What they're saying: "Rent eats first, and it takes such a big bite of a household budget," Cooper tells Axios.

Zoom out: On average, 15.5% of Texas households were food insecure between 2020 and 2022, per a recent federal report — the highest percentage of any state except Arkansas.

That's compared to 11.2% of American households over the same period.

Details: Food insecurity means that at times, a given household couldn't get enough food for one or more of its members because they didn't have enough money or resources.

State of play: The economy might've looked great in 2022 by some metrics, like the low unemployment rate, but not this one.

"The economy just feels like it's fluttering a little bit," Cooper says.

Food insecurity spiked to a level not seen since the U.S. economy was slowly recovering from the financial crisis in 2007-08, Axios' Emily Peck reports.

Context: The disappearance of pandemic-era support programs like the child tax credit, which was used by many families with children to buy food and lowered food insecurity rates in 2021, played a role here.

Plus: When times are tight, it can often be easiest to cut back on food, says Lisa Davis, a senior vice president at Share Our Strength, an anti-poverty nonprofit.

"If you don't pay the rent or your mortgage, you don't have a place to live. If you don't put gas in the car, you can't get to work," Davis tells Axios.

"Food is the place that folks turn when they have to tighten the belt even more."

How to help: You can donate to or volunteer at the San Antonio Food Bank, Meals on Wheels San Antonio or Community First Food Pantries.

San Antonio, Texas face some of highest food insecurity in the nation

The San Antonio Food Bank is seeing pandemic-level demand.

Food

As Texans prepare to celebrate the holidays, some San Antonians are still struggling to put food on the table.What&#x27;s happening: The San Antonio Food Bank has seen pandemic-level demand over the last year, president and CEO Eric Cooper tells Axios.

News

Health

Data: Climate Central; Note: A CSI of 3 or higher means human-caused climate change made the average daily temperature at least three times more likely; Map: Kavya Beheraj/Axios

Texas' record-breaking heat this summer would have been "virtually impossible" without human-caused climate change, per recent climate analyses.

Why it matters: Prolonged exposure to heat can make us ill, physically and mentally. And it can quickly turn deadly for vulnerable residents.

By the numbers: 65% of summer days in San Antonio this year had heat made three times more likely by climate change, per a new Climate Central report.

How it works: Climate Central's analysis is based on the group's Climate Shift Index (CSI), which compares observed or forecast temperatures with simulations of the same weather conditions minus excess atmospheric greenhouse gases, Axios' Alex Fitzpatrick reports.

A CSI of 3, for example, means human-caused climate change made a given daily average temperature three times more likely.

Of note: While the analysis wasn't peer-reviewed, the methodology was.

Zoom in: Metro Health reported 729 cases of heat-related illnesses in San Antonio from mid-March to mid-September this year, a record since the city began tracking heat-related illnesses in 2018.

State of play: The city has taken steps to reduce the effects of climate change and adapt to extreme heat.

That includes installing "cool pavement," a water-based asphalt treatment that better reflects sunlight and absorbs less heat, in an effort to cool down neighborhoods.

The city kept some facilities open as cooling centers when temperatures soared this summer.

Plus: A city rule passed in November requires Level 2 electric vehicle chargers in new single-family homes and apartment complexes, to encourage and prepare for broader EV use.

The big picture: In 45 of the 244 U.S. cities the group analyzed, at least half of all summer days had temperatures made at least twice as likely by climate change.

Victoria, southeast of San Antonio, had 80 days with heat made twice as likely by climate change.

San Juan, Puerto Rico, had the most with 90.

What's next: Highs in the 90s are forecast to continue this week, and October temperatures are leaning above normal.

Climate change made San Antonio summer heat more likely

Prolonged exposure to heat can make us both sick and sad.

Climate change

Texas&#x27; record-breaking heat this summer would have been &quot;virtually impossible&quot; without human-caused climate change, per recent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="climate analyses" data-vars-click-url="https://www.worldweatherattribution.org/extreme-heat-in-north-america-europe-and-china-in-july-2023-made-much-more-likely-by-climate-change/" data-vars-content-id="3d0286d9-726f-4357-86d4-2bf25952a53c" data-vars-headline="Climate change made San Antonio summer heat more likely" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.worldweatherattribution.org/extreme-heat-in-north-america-europe-and-china-in-july-2023-made-much-more-likely-by-climate-change/" target="_blank">climate analyses</a>.Why it matters: Prolonged exposure to heat can make us ill, physically <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="and mentally" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2023/08/30/summer-seasonal-affective-disorder" data-vars-content-id="3d0286d9-726f-4357-86d4-2bf25952a53c" data-vars-headline="Climate change made San Antonio summer heat more likely" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2023/08/30/summer-seasonal-affective-disorder" target="_self">and mentally</a>. And it can <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="quickly turn deadly" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2023/07/20/seniors-children-vulnerable-san-antonio-heat-illness" data-vars-content-id="3d0286d9-726f-4357-86d4-2bf25952a53c" data-vars-headline="Climate change made San Antonio summer heat more likely" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2023/07/20/seniors-children-vulnerable-san-antonio-heat-illness" target="_self">quickly turn deadly</a> for vulnerable residents.

Climate

Data: NOAA; Map: Erin Davis/Axios Visuals

There's a heightened chance of a wetter-than-normal winter season in San Antonio this year, per a new National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration seasonal outlook.

The big picture: The combination of a strong El Niño in the tropical Pacific Ocean and record high global ocean temperatures are likely to shape the upcoming winter season in potentially unexpected ways, Axios Generate's Andrew Freedman reports.

Why it matters: This summer was the fifth driest on record in San Antonio. We've had restrictions on water use for more than a year.

As the region's drought has dragged on, we've seen more water main breaks and wildfires, and the state's agricultural economy has taken a hit.

Zoom in: San Antonio has a 40% chance of a wetter-than-average winter, per NOAA.

By the numbers: Our rainfall to date this year totals nearly 16 inches — more than 11 inches below our normal rainfall for the year at this time, per the San Antonio Water System.

How it works: El Niño winters in the U.S. tend to feature a split jet stream flow across the country.

A southern branch carries storms from California and across the southern tier of the country, bringing above-average precipitation to areas from central California to Florida.

The intrigue: It's not yet clear how record warm global average temperatures will tip the scales in terms of U.S. air temperature and precipitation trends this winter.

But they do raise the threat for some surprises, potentially in the form of extreme weather events.

San Antonio could finally get rain this winter

Amid prolonged drought, we could really use some rain.

Weather

There&#x27;s a heightened chance of a wetter-than-normal winter season in San Antonio this year, per a new National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="seasonal outlook" data-vars-click-url="https://www.noaa.gov/news-release/us-winter-outlook-wetter-south-warmer-north" data-vars-content-id="5b5032ba-2532-4c75-b1ad-6ed9f4776a18" data-vars-headline="San Antonio could finally get rain this winter" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.noaa.gov/news-release/us-winter-outlook-wetter-south-warmer-north" target="_blank">seasonal outlook</a>.The big picture: The combination of a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="strong El Niño" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/el-nino-weather-years-world-climate-impacts" data-vars-content-id="5b5032ba-2532-4c75-b1ad-6ed9f4776a18" data-vars-headline="San Antonio could finally get rain this winter" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/el-nino-weather-years-world-climate-impacts" target="_self">strong El Niño</a> in the tropical Pacific Ocean and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="record high global ocean temperatures" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/13/climate-heat-september-noaa-nasa" data-vars-content-id="5b5032ba-2532-4c75-b1ad-6ed9f4776a18" data-vars-headline="San Antonio could finally get rain this winter" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/13/climate-heat-september-noaa-nasa" target="_self">record high global ocean temperatures</a> are likely to shape the upcoming winter season in potentially unexpected ways, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios Generate&#x27;s Andrew Freedman reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/19/turbulent-el-nino-winter-east-coast-snow" data-vars-content-id="5b5032ba-2532-4c75-b1ad-6ed9f4776a18" data-vars-headline="San Antonio could finally get rain this winter" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/19/turbulent-el-nino-winter-east-coast-snow" target="_self">Axios Generate&#x27;s Andrew Freedman reports</a>.

Data: U.S. Census; Note: Includes women ages 16 to 50; Chart: Kavya Beheraj/Axios

More mothers across the country are returning to the workforce within a year of giving birth. But not in San Antonio.

Driving the news: The percentage of San Antonio metro area women who recently gave birth and are participating in the workforce has dropped in recent years, per recent Census Bureau data.

Why it matters: Motherhood often knocks women out of the labor force, at least temporarily — often slowing their career and earnings growth and contributing to the gender pay gap.

By the numbers: 56.8% of San Antonio-area women who gave birth in the previous 12 months participated in the labor force in 2022, per the latest American Community Survey data.

The rate was 60.5% in 2021, and 61.7% in 2019.

The intrigue: Among major Texas metros, San Antonio has the lowest percentage of women who recently gave birth and are in the workforce.

Zoom out: Nationally, the percentage of women who recently gave birth and are participating in the workforce reached a decade-plus high mark last year.

66.6% of U.S. women who gave birth in the previous 12 months were participating in the labor force as of 2022.

The big picture: Remote and flexible work is making it easier for new moms to juggle parenting and their careers, Axios' Emily Peck reports.

Between the lines: One complicating factor in all this: The skyrocketing cost of child care, driven in part by a lack of supply and low caretaker pay.

More and more families are put in the difficult position of deciding whether it makes sense for both parents to work, or for one to stay home and watch the kids.

Often, it's mothers who wind up staying home — in part because of the gender pay gap.

Zoom in: Since San Antonio's median household income tends to be lower than that of other areas, a lack of affordable child care likely contributes to fewer new moms in the workforce, Lloyd Potter, Texas state demographer and professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio, tells Axios.

It might not make sense for women earning at or near minimum wage to return to work if child care will cost as much as their earnings.

San Antonio is also a young city, Potter says. New mothers who are early in their careers might not have the same benefits or flexibility at work as those who have been in the workforce longer.

In addition, San Antonio lacks a large remote workforce that other cities like Austin have.

What they're saying: An increase in new working mothers would lead to higher household income in San Antonio, Potter tells Axios.

"Most economists would think that having women return to the labor force and working would be a net economic benefit for the region," Potter says.

San Antonio has fewer new moms in the workforce

The Alamo City is going against the national trend.

Hub Data - All

More mothers across the country are returning to the workforce within a year of giving birth. But not in San Antonio.Driving the news: The percentage of San Antonio metro area women who recently gave birth and are participating in the workforce has dropped in recent years, per recent Census Bureau data.

Data: U.S. Census Bureau; Chart: Axios Visuals

The share of people working from home in San Antonio has decreased slightly from a pandemic-era high, but it is still far above what it was before COVID-19 hit.

Why it matters: Remote work is affecting San Antonio's cityscape as local companies have pulled out of downtown office space, leaving fewer employees to support a daytime economy downtown.

By the numbers: 14.8% of San Antonio metro area workers were working from home as of 2022, compared with 15.8% in 2021, per new Census Bureau figures released this month.

Just 4.8% of San Antonio workers were working from home in 2019.

The big picture: Workers in America's biggest, most competitive cities aren't giving up the flexibility and savings — in both time and gas money — of working from home, Axios' Sam Baker and Simran Parwani report.

What's happening: Every state has more remote workers now than in 2019, before the pandemic.

Even after two years, the trend line is barely moving, according to the Census figures.

Zoom out: Overall, 15% of the U.S. worked from home last year — but the numbers are generally much higher on both the East and West coasts.

Austin had the second highest share of remote workers of any metro last year, at 28%. It fell behind Boulder, Colorado.

The bottom line: Companies are trying to find a balance between remote and in-person work.

What we're watching: How remote work could change our downtowns.

San Antonio still has more remote workers than before COVID

Remote work is affecting San Antonio's cityscape.

Remote work

The share of people working from home in San Antonio has decreased slightly from a pandemic-era high, but it is still far above what it was before COVID-19 hit.Why it matters: Remote work is affecting San Antonio&#x27;s cityscape as local companies have <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pulled out of downtown office space" data-vars-click-url="https://sanantonioreport.org/usaa-downtown-san-antonio-office-towers/" data-vars-content-id="8ec0c965-9e28-4308-b10d-b3fb2b17dba7" data-vars-headline="San Antonio still has more remote workers than before COVID" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://sanantonioreport.org/usaa-downtown-san-antonio-office-towers/" target="_blank">pulled out of downtown office space</a>, leaving fewer employees to support a daytime economy downtown.

Alex Fitzpatrick

Featured stories

San Antonio, Texas face some of highest food insecurity in the nation

San Antonio has fewer new moms in the workforce

San Antonio could finally get rain this winter

San Antonio still has more remote workers than before COVID

Climate change made San Antonio summer heat more likely