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New San Antonio thrift store is all about saving pets

San Antonio animal lovers can now help pets by thrifting.

News

San Antonio Pets Alive! is turning secondhand shopping into a lifeline for its shelters.The latest: The nonprofit opened <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="SAPA! Second Chance Thrift Store" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/sapetsalive_scthriftstore/" data-vars-content-id="7d917e30-b0d6-432e-b1e6-e0f1f6ea4798" data-vars-headline="New San Antonio thrift store is all about saving pets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/sapetsalive_scthriftstore/" target="_blank">SAPA! Second Chance Thrift Store</a> on Marbach Road on Thursday, creating a new revenue stream to support its no-kill operations.

Texas businesses could be up for a tariff refund

The Friday ruling could lead to a chaotic refund process.

Texas businesses were some of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hardest hit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2025/03/05/trade-war-escalation-texas-trump-tariffs-dallas" data-vars-content-id="fc83efe4-2f71-4c4a-b229-c8ce5433b190" data-vars-headline="Texas businesses could be up for a tariff refund" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2025/03/05/trade-war-escalation-texas-trump-tariffs-dallas" target="_self">hardest hit</a> under President Trump&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tariffs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/economy/tariffs" data-vars-content-id="fc83efe4-2f71-4c4a-b229-c8ce5433b190" data-vars-headline="Texas businesses could be up for a tariff refund" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/economy/tariffs" target="_self">tariffs</a>, but now they could be among the biggest winners after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a swath of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tariffs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/03/31/san-antonio-texas-trump-tariffs-trade-auto-cars" data-vars-content-id="fc83efe4-2f71-4c4a-b229-c8ce5433b190" data-vars-headline="Texas businesses could be up for a tariff refund" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/03/31/san-antonio-texas-trump-tariffs-trade-auto-cars" target="_self">tariffs</a> on Friday.Why it matters: Roughly $126 billion is now potentially <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="up for grabs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/20/trump-tariffs-states-refunds" data-vars-content-id="fc83efe4-2f71-4c4a-b229-c8ce5433b190" data-vars-headline="Texas businesses could be up for a tariff refund" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/20/trump-tariffs-states-refunds" target="_self">up for grabs</a> nationwide. But the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ruling" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/20/trump-tariffs-supreme-court-illegal" data-vars-content-id="fc83efe4-2f71-4c4a-b229-c8ce5433b190" data-vars-headline="Texas businesses could be up for a tariff refund" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/20/trump-tariffs-supreme-court-illegal" target="_self">ruling</a> could lead to a chaotic refund process — and it&#x27;s unclear who gets to pocket that cash.

Bexar County early voting: Dems outpace GOP

More Bexar County voters are turning out to cast ballots in the Democratic primary than the Republican primary during early voting.

Turnout in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bexar County" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/02/17/san-antonio-texas-election-2026-primary-guide" data-vars-content-id="700d6a8a-055a-4eb5-aaf6-109b360dc41c" data-vars-headline="Bexar County early voting: Dems outpace GOP" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/02/17/san-antonio-texas-election-2026-primary-guide" target="_self">Bexar County</a> was up 48% in the first five days of early voting compared to the same timeframe in the 2022 primary — with more voters casting <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Democratic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/12/08/texas-primary-election-paxton-cornyn-crockett-talarico" data-vars-content-id="700d6a8a-055a-4eb5-aaf6-109b360dc41c" data-vars-headline="Bexar County early voting: Dems outpace GOP" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/12/08/texas-primary-election-paxton-cornyn-crockett-talarico" target="_self">Democratic</a> ballots than Republican ones so far.Why it matters: Primaries tend to attract the most dedicated voters. High Democratic turnout in March could signal momentum heading into the November midterm election.

Waymo launches driverless car service in San Antonio

Waymo's San Antonio debut turns futuristic tech into a commuting option.

Driverless rides have arrived in San Antonio, starting with a limited rollout.Why it matters: Waymo&#x27;s debut turns futuristic tech into a commuting option, moving the technology past its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="testing phase" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/11/18/waymo-san-antonio-launch-date" data-vars-content-id="c79ba372-0703-4187-9c35-4ecdddcaa5d1" data-vars-headline="Waymo launches driverless car service in San Antonio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/11/18/waymo-san-antonio-launch-date" target="_self">testing phase</a> and into daily life.

Texas school vouchers boost demand at Catholic schools

Texas' new voucher program doesn't guarantee a Catholic school seat.

Education

Catholic schools across the Archdiocese of San Antonio are seeing increased interest from families as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Texas&#x27; voucher program" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2026/02/03/apply-texas-school-vouchers" data-vars-content-id="40042b8a-3994-44f1-814f-bb824802b8f6" data-vars-headline="Texas school vouchers boost demand at Catholic schools" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2026/02/03/apply-texas-school-vouchers" target="_self">Texas&#x27; voucher program</a> gets underway — but funding doesn&#x27;t mean unlimited seats.Why it matters: The new Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) could reshape who can afford private schooling, but access ultimately depends on school capacity.

The San Antonio news we're watching in 2026

Big stories include elections and the new Spurs arena.

A new year brings new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="news" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/news" data-vars-content-id="bb84d636-a4c2-4691-999c-24a8ca96e43b" data-vars-headline="The San Antonio news we&#x27;re watching in 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/news" target="_self">news</a>.The big picture: Here are three major stories we&#x27;ll be watching in 2026.

San Antonio voter guide: Spurs arena, rodeo expansion

We break down Props. A and B and school and state issues.

Election Day is Nov. 4, and early voting kicks off Oct. 20. Here&#x27;s what you need to know about how to vote and key races around <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="San Antonio" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio" data-vars-content-id="0aa81928-ace1-49ee-80fb-6adde5ba38ca" data-vars-headline="San Antonio voter guide: Spurs arena, rodeo expansion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio" target="_self">San Antonio</a>.Why it matters: Bexar County voters will have their say in a pivotal election on whether to give the Spurs public money for a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new downtown arena" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/09/02/san-antonio-spurs-relocation-austin-new-arena" data-vars-content-id="0aa81928-ace1-49ee-80fb-6adde5ba38ca" data-vars-headline="San Antonio voter guide: Spurs arena, rodeo expansion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/09/02/san-antonio-spurs-relocation-austin-new-arena" target="_self">new downtown arena</a>.

Student rents are rising quicker than everyone else's in San Antonio

Student rents grew a little faster, on average, than market-rate rents in San Antonio since 2020.

Student rents grew a little faster, on average, than market-rate rents in San Antonio over the past five years, according to Moody&#x27;s data shared with Axios.Why it matters: Expensive student housing adds to the already high <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cost of college" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/41591333.29/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjQvMDQvMTcvY29sbGVnZS1jb3N0LXN1cnZleT91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/633dcc04d70fb9875101ab66B06cc07d2" data-vars-content-id="8dc97183-542a-49fc-9840-20dc6387ea9d" data-vars-headline="Student rents are rising quicker than everyone else&#x27;s in San Antonio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/41591333.29/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjQvMDQvMTcvY29sbGVnZS1jb3N0LXN1cnZleT91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/633dcc04d70fb9875101ab66B06cc07d2" target="_self">cost of college</a>.

Applying to Texas colleges is free next week — here's how it works

Here's how Texas college hopefuls can apply to any public school in the state for free.

Texas college hopefuls can apply for undergraduate programs at any public university or <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="college in the state" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2025/09/23/where-texas-colleges-rank-in-the-latest-u-s-news-list" data-vars-content-id="851e0de5-677a-4232-9d11-9095016a35da" data-vars-headline="Applying to Texas colleges is free next week — here&#x27;s how it works" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2025/09/23/where-texas-colleges-rank-in-the-latest-u-s-news-list" target="_self">college in the state</a> for free next week.Why it matters: Application costs can add up, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="becoming a barrier" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/03/07/hispanic-college-students-drop-out" data-vars-content-id="851e0de5-677a-4232-9d11-9095016a35da" data-vars-headline="Applying to Texas colleges is free next week — here&#x27;s how it works" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/03/07/hispanic-college-students-drop-out" target="_self">becoming a barrier</a> for those seeking higher education.

New Selena exhibit at Texas State includes rare treasures

"The Selena Effect" offers a behind-the-scenes look at the cultural icon's creative world.

Culture

A new exhibit at The Wittliff Collections at Texas State University spotlights <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Selena Quintanilla-Pérez&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2024/06/27/selena-lgbtq-pride-month-drag" data-vars-content-id="cefe981d-f2d2-46a9-95fe-29a50199f59f" data-vars-headline="New Selena exhibit at Texas State includes rare treasures" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2024/06/27/selena-lgbtq-pride-month-drag" target="_self">Selena Quintanilla-Pérez&#x27;s</a> enduring legacy, three decades after her death. Why it matters: &quot;The Selena Effect&quot; offers a behind-the-scenes look at the cultural icon&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="creative world" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/03/31/selena-tribute-boutique-broadway" data-vars-content-id="cefe981d-f2d2-46a9-95fe-29a50199f59f" data-vars-headline="New Selena exhibit at Texas State includes rare treasures" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/03/31/selena-tribute-boutique-broadway" target="_self">creative world</a>, blending sketches, design tools, photos and art to reveal the process and people who shaped her rise.

UT San Antonio emerges as Texas' third-largest research university after merger

UT San Antonio now has 40,000 students and 17,000 employees.

The merger between UTSA and the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio is official, launching a new era for the newly named UT San Antonio.Why it matters: The combined university is now the third-largest public research university in Texas, behind only Texas A&amp;M and UT Austin.

Texas law requiring Ten Commandments temporarily halted in some schools

The ruling slows one of the nation's most aggressive pushes to mandate religious displays in public schools.

Politics & Policy

A federal judge in San Antonio temporarily barred some school districts from implementing a Texas law requiring every public school classroom to display the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ten Commandments" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/05/19/texas-religion-public-schools" data-vars-content-id="6b54a059-47d0-4733-9a53-d00a3f814455" data-vars-headline="Texas law requiring Ten Commandments temporarily halted in some schools" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/05/19/texas-religion-public-schools" target="_self">Ten Commandments</a>.Why it matters: The ruling slows one of the nation&#x27;s most aggressive pushes to mandate <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="religious displays in public schools" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/06/20/louisiana-10-commandments-unconstitutional-poster" data-vars-content-id="6b54a059-47d0-4733-9a53-d00a3f814455" data-vars-headline="Texas law requiring Ten Commandments temporarily halted in some schools" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/06/20/louisiana-10-commandments-unconstitutional-poster" target="_self">religious displays in public schools</a> — setting up a likely First Amendment fight that could reach the Supreme Court.

91% of San Antonio students learning in urban heat zones

The zones could have outsized effects on kids' health and learning in already vulnerable communities.

More than 90% of San Antonio students attend school in areas considered extreme urban heat zones, well above the national average of 76%, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Climate Central analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/schools-and-urban-heat-2025" data-vars-content-id="7937c499-1eaf-48cd-a7ea-099d6041db49" data-vars-headline="91% of San Antonio students learning in urban heat zones" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/schools-and-urban-heat-2025" target="_blank">Climate Central analysis</a>. Why it matters: These &quot;heat islands&quot; can push temperatures dangerously high — with outsized effects on kids&#x27; health and learning in already vulnerable neighborhoods, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="researchers have found" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/07/26/heat-islands-cities-heat-wave-climate?" data-vars-content-id="7937c499-1eaf-48cd-a7ea-099d6041db49" data-vars-headline="91% of San Antonio students learning in urban heat zones" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/07/26/heat-islands-cities-heat-wave-climate?" target="_self">researchers have found</a>.

Texas bans phone use in classrooms

Lawmakers say the crackdown will cut distractions and boost mental health, but students are pushing back.

A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new state law" data-vars-click-url="https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/news-and-multimedia/correspondence/taa-letters/implementation-of-texas-house-bill-1481-student-use-of-personal-communication-devices-on-school-property#:~:text=Prohibiting%20students%20from%20bringing%20devices,the%20school%20system&#x27;s%20safety%20protocols." data-vars-content-id="dc4291de-be78-4fc9-8800-919c5fdd1920" data-vars-headline="Texas bans phone use in classrooms" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/news-and-multimedia/correspondence/taa-letters/implementation-of-texas-house-bill-1481-student-use-of-personal-communication-devices-on-school-property#:~:text=Prohibiting%20students%20from%20bringing%20devices,the%20school%20system&#x27;s%20safety%20protocols." target="_blank">new state law</a> mandates that districts ban students from using personal communication devices — like cellphones and smartwatches — during school hours, with some exceptions for disabilities, medical needs or safety protocols.Why it matters: Lawmakers say the crackdown will cut distractions and boost <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mental health" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/27/social-media-threatens-teen-mental-health" data-vars-content-id="dc4291de-be78-4fc9-8800-919c5fdd1920" data-vars-headline="Texas bans phone use in classrooms" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/27/social-media-threatens-teen-mental-health" target="_self">mental health</a>, but students are pushing back.

Axios Houston

Abbott orders Texas agencies, public universities to freeze new H-1B visas

Houston

A degree still pays in S.A.

College degrees still pay off in San Antonio

A line chart showing median earnings by educational attainment for residents of the San Antonio metro area. In 2024, residents aged 25 and older with a college degree earned about $30k more than those with just a high school diploma. The median income was $34k in 2015 and $49k in 2024.

Education 📚

Texas school vouchers boost demand at Catholic schools

Abbott orders Texas agencies, public universities to freeze new H-1B visas

The San Antonio news we're watching in 2026

College degrees still pay off in San Antonio

Why UT San Antonio applications surged in October