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Waymo launches driverless car service in San Antonio

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

News

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 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.

Speed puzzling is gaining traction in San Antonio as the new bar trivia

Jigsaw puzzling isn't just a solitary bad-weather activity anymore — it's snapping into place as a social sport across the U.S.

Culture

Jigsaw puzzling isn&#x27;t just a solitary bad-weather activity anymore — it&#x27;s snapping into place as a social sport in cities across the U.S., including San Antonio.Why it matters: Puzzling&#x27;s shift from solo to social mirrors a bigger trend: People are turning <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="analog" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/23/analog-bag-screen-free-wellness" data-vars-content-id="cf2006fb-205c-4dbf-9be6-912a2eee9ea9" data-vars-headline="Speed puzzling is gaining traction in San Antonio as the new bar trivia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/23/analog-bag-screen-free-wellness" target="_self">analog</a> or <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;grandma&quot; hobbies" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/07/needlepoint-grandma-hobbies-tiktok" data-vars-content-id="cf2006fb-205c-4dbf-9be6-912a2eee9ea9" data-vars-headline="Speed puzzling is gaining traction in San Antonio as the new bar trivia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/07/needlepoint-grandma-hobbies-tiktok" target="_self">&quot;grandma&quot; hobbies</a> into in-person communities.

What ChatGPT secretly thinks about San Antonio

San Antonio landed in the top 10 U.S. cities for plenty of cultural attributes.

Researchers have found that large language models (LLMs), such as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ChatGPT" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/09/chatgpt-ads-testing-go-free" data-vars-content-id="79da5904-f4a8-442c-8538-f637e593fed5" data-vars-headline="What ChatGPT secretly thinks about San Antonio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/09/chatgpt-ads-testing-go-free" target="_self">ChatGPT</a>, are just as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="biased" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/02/13/study-chatgpt-bias-chicago-oxford-kentucky-llm-city-stereotypes-ranking" data-vars-content-id="79da5904-f4a8-442c-8538-f637e593fed5" data-vars-headline="What ChatGPT secretly thinks about San Antonio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/02/13/study-chatgpt-bias-chicago-oxford-kentucky-llm-city-stereotypes-ranking" target="_self">biased</a> as the rest of the world, including in their perception of San Antonio.The big picture: To gauge AI inequality and bias, internet scholars at the University of Oxford and the University of Kentucky <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recently compared" data-vars-click-url="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/29768624251408919" data-vars-content-id="79da5904-f4a8-442c-8538-f637e593fed5" data-vars-headline="What ChatGPT secretly thinks about San Antonio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/29768624251408919" target="_blank">recently compared</a> 91 U.S. cities with populations over 250,000 across a range of categories, including social and physical attributes, food quality, governance, politics, and business climate.

San Antonio's top songs of 2025 on Spotify

San Antonio continues to show its love for Latino artists.

Kendrick Lamar&#x27;s &quot;Luther&quot; (with SZA) was the most-streamed song on Spotify in San Antonio this year.The big picture: San Antonians mixed things up from their <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="top songs in 2024" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2024/12/04/san-antonio-spotify-wrapped-2024-artists" data-vars-content-id="c6a97eee-ae62-4553-9a50-84f86beb1afa" data-vars-headline="San Antonio&#x27;s top songs of 2025 on Spotify" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2024/12/04/san-antonio-spotify-wrapped-2024-artists" target="_self">top songs in 2024</a>, as Lamar was the only repeat artist on our list.

The true Selena shines in new Netflix doc

Selena fans will get an intimate look at who the Tejano star was beyond the iconic performances.

Selena fans will get an intimate look at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tejano star" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2024/06/27/selena-lgbtq-pride-month-drag" data-vars-content-id="5977dc88-a10c-4ebd-9880-9942c5e66026" data-vars-headline="The true Selena shines in new Netflix doc" 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">Tejano star</a> beyond her iconic costumes, dance moves and powerhouse voice next Monday with the release of Netflix&#x27;s &quot;Selena y Los Dinos.&quot;Why it matters: Directed by Isabel Castro, the film is packed with never-before-seen home videos shared by Selena&#x27;s family.

Report: Indie music venues bring billions to Texas economy

But those venues are struggling; in 2024, 64% of the nation's independent venues weren't profitable.

Independent music venues in Texas generated $5.9 billion in economic output and added $3.1 billion to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="state GDP" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/10/20/texas-workforce-growth-post-pandemic" data-vars-content-id="bd0c2435-a001-4e41-ab30-e1de15ce40fd" data-vars-headline="Report: Indie music venues bring billions to Texas economy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/10/20/texas-workforce-growth-post-pandemic" target="_self">state GDP</a>, per a first-of-its-kind <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5e91157c96fe495a4baf48f2/t/68e5b93fbdf678294e0319e4/1759885631964/2025-NIVA-State-of-Live-Report-TX.pdf" data-vars-content-id="bd0c2435-a001-4e41-ab30-e1de15ce40fd" data-vars-headline="Report: Indie music venues bring billions to Texas economy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5e91157c96fe495a4baf48f2/t/68e5b93fbdf678294e0319e4/1759885631964/2025-NIVA-State-of-Live-Report-TX.pdf" target="_blank">report</a>.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nivassoc.org/stateoflive/state-reports" data-vars-content-id="bd0c2435-a001-4e41-ab30-e1de15ce40fd" data-vars-headline="Report: Indie music venues bring billions to Texas economy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nivassoc.org/stateoflive/state-reports" target="_blank">report</a> was produced by the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) to inform policymakers and music industry stakeholders about the importance of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="independent venues" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/03/14/contemporary-at-blue-star-art-music-san-antonio" data-vars-content-id="bd0c2435-a001-4e41-ab30-e1de15ce40fd" data-vars-headline="Report: Indie music venues bring billions to Texas economy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/03/14/contemporary-at-blue-star-art-music-san-antonio" target="_self">independent venues</a>.

How to win a year of free concerts at Gruene Hall

The contest celebrates five decades of local ownership.

To celebrate five decades of local ownership, Gruene Hall will give five people a year of free concerts in 2026.Context: Gruene Hall takes its name from the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Braunfels" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/07/15/new-braunfels-city-hall-restaurant-opening" data-vars-content-id="1e4a0c0b-a17c-48a2-8737-3eaf1bc76c2d" data-vars-headline="How to win a year of free concerts at Gruene Hall" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/07/15/new-braunfels-city-hall-restaurant-opening" target="_self">New Braunfels</a> historic district where it&#x27;s located off the Guadalupe River. Established in 1878, it claims to be Texas&#x27; oldest continually operating dance hall.

Fiesta San Antonio's playlist: Gritos and cumbias

The music is what makes Fiesta feel like a citywide family party.

Local Brief

Hair-raising gritos and &quot;ay ay ay&quot; chants from the cumbia circle aren&#x27;t just background noise. They&#x27;re part of what makes Fiesta, San Antonio&#x27;s 11-day annual party, feel like a citywide family party.The vibe: Anthony Medrano, a violinist with the mariachi group Campanas de America, tells Axios that music is woven into Fiesta&#x27;s fabric — just as Fiesta is into the city&#x27;s multicultural identity.

Vicente Fernández's "El Rey" among Latino additions to Library of Congress

Latino musicians currently account for less than 5% of the registry's titles.

The Library of Congress announced Wednesday that it will induct Vicente Fernández&#x27;s &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="El Rey" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6qMQnNst9U" data-vars-content-id="75556950-8f11-41c6-abca-2883f8f284c0" data-vars-headline="Vicente Fernández&#x27;s &quot;El Rey&quot; among Latino additions to Library of Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6qMQnNst9U" target="_blank">El Rey</a>,&quot; Freddy Fender&#x27;s &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Before the Next Teardrop Falls" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRdWEpCF5L4" data-vars-content-id="75556950-8f11-41c6-abca-2883f8f284c0" data-vars-headline="Vicente Fernández&#x27;s &quot;El Rey&quot; among Latino additions to Library of Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRdWEpCF5L4" target="_blank">Before the Next Teardrop Falls</a>&quot; and the &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hamilton" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuyMAneJqms&amp;list=PLK1wqzZ8S6Rxh4Lird7421tcLNvtpD8uQ" data-vars-content-id="75556950-8f11-41c6-abca-2883f8f284c0" data-vars-headline="Vicente Fernández&#x27;s &quot;El Rey&quot; among Latino additions to Library of Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuyMAneJqms&amp;list=PLK1wqzZ8S6Rxh4Lird7421tcLNvtpD8uQ" target="_blank">Hamilton</a>&quot; soundtrack, by Lin-Manuel Miranda, into the National Recording Registry.Why it matters: Latino musicians currently account for less than 5% of the registry&#x27;s titles, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2024/08/14/latino-music-national-recording-registry-nominations" data-vars-content-id="75556950-8f11-41c6-abca-2883f8f284c0" data-vars-headline="Vicente Fernández&#x27;s &quot;El Rey&quot; among Latino additions to Library of Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2024/08/14/latino-music-national-recording-registry-nominations" target="_self">U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro</a> (D-San Antonio).

Selena's killer Yolanda Saldívar is up for parole after 30 years in prison

Her parole eligibility date is on Sunday, one day shy of the 30th anniversary of Selena's death.

World

Yolanda Saldívar, the San Antonio woman convicted of murdering Tejano superstar <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Selena Quintanilla" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2024/12/12/selena-sundance-film-festival-documentary" data-vars-content-id="083f9d3c-5cfe-478a-875f-6ac765859b2f" data-vars-headline="Selena&#x27;s killer Yolanda Saldívar is up for parole after 30 years in prison" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2024/12/12/selena-sundance-film-festival-documentary" target="_self">Selena Quintanilla</a> in 1995, is nearing her parole eligibility date after 30 years behind bars.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Selena&#x27;s murder" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2023/10/17/selena-mural-history-story-lermas-nite-club-texas" data-vars-content-id="083f9d3c-5cfe-478a-875f-6ac765859b2f" data-vars-headline="Selena&#x27;s killer Yolanda Saldívar is up for parole after 30 years in prison" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2023/10/17/selena-mural-history-story-lermas-nite-club-texas" target="_self">Selena&#x27;s murder</a> remains one of the highest-profile cases in Texas history, and any parole decision for Saldívar is expected to draw significant public interest.

Coffeehouse DJ sets: San Antonio's next big trend

Coffeehouse DJ sets combine a relaxed atmosphere with the energy of a dance party — except during the day.

Things to Do

Local DJs are putting the &quot;house&quot; in coffeehouse.Why it matters: As nightlife habits shift, these daytime DJ pop-ups in coffee shops offer an alternative for music lovers — especially younger generations — who prefer daytime socializing.

Chris Stapleton, Jelly Roll, Benson Boone and more to play free shows

It's a rare opportunity to see some of music's biggest stars for free and in the heart of the city.

A powerhouse list of Grammy Award-winning singers and chart toppers will descend on downtown San Antonio for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2025 NCAA March Madness Music Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ncaa.com/marchmadness/musicfest" data-vars-content-id="3c6d6b67-ae1e-4901-be82-13a263590416" data-vars-headline="Chris Stapleton, Jelly Roll, Benson Boone and more to play free shows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ncaa.com/marchmadness/musicfest" target="_blank">2025 NCAA March Madness Music Festival</a> April 4-6.Why it matters: It&#x27;s a rare opportunity to see some of music&#x27;s biggest stars for free and in the heart of the city.

Selena documentary selected for Sundance Film Festival

The film includes never-before-seen footage.

Music

&quot;Selena y Los Dinos,&quot; a documentary featuring never-before-seen footage from the Quintanilla family archives, will premiere at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sundance Film Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/12/11/sundance-film-festival-2025-festival-lineup" data-vars-content-id="989afe57-c48b-414a-ae4e-40ca0497e5d8" data-vars-headline="Selena documentary selected for Sundance Film Festival" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/12/11/sundance-film-festival-2025-festival-lineup" target="_self">Sundance Film Festival</a>.Why it matters: Selena&#x27;s story, a heralded chapter in Latino representation, will reach broader audiences through its debut at the prestigious festival.