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How a San Antonio restaurant is leaning into AI

The eatery is leaning on AI amid labor shortages, bucking a broader industry trend of slow adoption.

Food and Drink

San Antonio <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="restaurants" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/01/07/san-antonio-restaurants-2026-food-trends" data-vars-content-id="9fb83d9f-977a-47ab-9a1f-cdb1aa9816d3" data-vars-headline="How a San Antonio restaurant is leaning into AI" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/01/07/san-antonio-restaurants-2026-food-trends" target="_self">restaurants</a> are starting to embrace artificial intelligence.Why it matters: The restaurant industry is one of the nation&#x27;s largest employers, yet one of the slowest sectors to adopt AI tools, Ben Knorr, Texas Restaurant Association&#x27;s (TRA) vice president of strategic initiatives, tells Axios.

Why plant-based dining is struggling in San Antonio

Consumers are focusing on protein and comfort food.

News

San Antonio&#x27;s vegan and vegetarian dining scene is faltering in a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tough economy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/20/gas-prices-us-iran-war-4-dollars-50-states" data-vars-content-id="5cf9d5a1-21f7-4d36-be9a-4fc9faed069a" data-vars-headline="Why plant-based dining is struggling in San Antonio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/20/gas-prices-us-iran-war-4-dollars-50-states" target="_self">tough economy</a> and as consumers <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="focus on protein" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/24/chicken-protein-deals" data-vars-content-id="5cf9d5a1-21f7-4d36-be9a-4fc9faed069a" data-vars-headline="Why plant-based dining is struggling in San Antonio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/24/chicken-protein-deals" target="_self">focus on protein</a>, but experts say <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="plant-forward dining" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2024/10/16/san-antonio-restaurants-vegan-food-plant-based" data-vars-content-id="5cf9d5a1-21f7-4d36-be9a-4fc9faed069a" data-vars-headline="Why plant-based dining is struggling 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/2024/10/16/san-antonio-restaurants-vegan-food-plant-based" target="_self">plant-forward dining</a> isn&#x27;t going anywhere in the long term.Why it matters: Research <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="consistently" data-vars-click-url="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6855976/" data-vars-content-id="5cf9d5a1-21f7-4d36-be9a-4fc9faed069a" data-vars-headline="Why plant-based dining is struggling in San Antonio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6855976/" target="_blank">consistently</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shows" data-vars-click-url="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7184671/" data-vars-content-id="5cf9d5a1-21f7-4d36-be9a-4fc9faed069a" data-vars-headline="Why plant-based dining is struggling in San Antonio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7184671/" target="_blank">shows</a> that eating less meat is one of the most impactful personal ways to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="combat climate change" data-vars-click-url="https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/climate-issues/food" data-vars-content-id="5cf9d5a1-21f7-4d36-be9a-4fc9faed069a" data-vars-headline="Why plant-based dining is struggling in San Antonio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/climate-issues/food" target="_blank">combat climate change</a> and improve health.

Why so many San Antonio businesses are selling shirts

The pandemic forced small businesses to get more creative.

Business

San Antonio <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="restaurants" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/05/18/san-antonio-best-new-taquerias-tacos-2026" data-vars-content-id="83d1f935-4dd8-40bc-8769-4c99d407b3b9" data-vars-headline="Why so many San Antonio businesses are selling shirts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/05/18/san-antonio-best-new-taquerias-tacos-2026" target="_self">restaurants</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="coffee shops" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/05/13/san-antonio-coffee-truck-serves-spurs-specials" data-vars-content-id="83d1f935-4dd8-40bc-8769-4c99d407b3b9" data-vars-headline="Why so many San Antonio businesses are selling shirts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/05/13/san-antonio-coffee-truck-serves-spurs-specials" target="_self">coffee shops</a> aren&#x27;t just selling food and beverages anymore — they&#x27;re building a fanbase.Why it matters: The pandemic forced small businesses to get more creative online about reaching customers. The loyalty forged during that period has stuck around and evolved.

Spurs explain why ticket sales are limited to local fans

The policy aims to prioritize local fans and deter outside brokers.

Sports

As the Western Conference finals head to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="San Antonio" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/05/13/san-antonio-spurs-honking-playoffs-tradition" data-vars-content-id="bd8cec22-4a55-41b2-9458-95b470575374" data-vars-headline="Spurs explain why ticket sales are limited to local fans" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/05/13/san-antonio-spurs-honking-playoffs-tradition" target="_self">San Antonio</a> for Game 3 on Friday, you won&#x27;t see too many Thunder fans who made the trip down I-35 — at least not if the Spurs can help it.Why it matters: For playoff games, the Spurs block ticket purchases from more than 150 miles outside the Frost Bank Center — meant to prioritize local fans, Spurs Sports &amp; Entertainment spokesperson Lucy Kaneb tells Axios.

These San Antonio roads see the most flood rescues

San Antonio is marking Flood Awareness Week by warning residents about the city&#x27;s most dangerous low-water crossings and urging drivers to &quot;Turn Around, Don&#x27;t Drown&quot; during <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="heavy rain" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/04/30/san-antonio-flooding-rain-drought-forecast" data-vars-content-id="54dbd568-5429-4006-9633-d9351bb58d95" data-vars-headline="These San Antonio roads see the most flood rescues" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/04/30/san-antonio-flooding-rain-drought-forecast" target="_self">heavy rain</a>.Why it matters: South Central Texas is among the nation&#x27;s most flood-prone regions.

San Antonio is considering a tax increase for 2027 bond

2027 could be the first time the city's five-year bond program does not grow.

The San Antonio City Council is mulling whether to raise taxes to avoid cutting the next <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bond program" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2023/06/09/san-antonio-texas-affordable-housing-bond-more-money" data-vars-content-id="0f0dedd2-95cf-47a1-a0cf-4e98bb91d6a9" data-vars-headline="San Antonio is considering a tax increase for 2027 bond" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2023/06/09/san-antonio-texas-affordable-housing-bond-more-money" target="_self">bond program</a> in half amid a tight budget.Why it matters: Locals are already feeling the squeeze from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="high gas prices" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/05/06/houston-gas-prices-4-dollars-tax-holiday" data-vars-content-id="0f0dedd2-95cf-47a1-a0cf-4e98bb91d6a9" data-vars-headline="San Antonio is considering a tax increase for 2027 bond" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/05/06/houston-gas-prices-4-dollars-tax-holiday" target="_self">high gas prices</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="inflation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/13/ppi-iran-inflation" data-vars-content-id="0f0dedd2-95cf-47a1-a0cf-4e98bb91d6a9" data-vars-headline="San Antonio is considering a tax increase for 2027 bond" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/13/ppi-iran-inflation" target="_self">inflation</a>. Elected officials have to either raise rates to continue delivering big infrastructure improvements — or decide to do fewer city upgrades.

San Antonio begins tracking heat-related deaths

Even with more data, the deaths are likely an undercount.

San Antonio&#x27;s Metro Health is now tracking <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="heat-related deaths" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/02/10/jessica-witzel-bexar-county-texas-heat-deaths" data-vars-content-id="6cb9c408-fd74-40e2-a1e1-bf3640f9d670" data-vars-headline="San Antonio begins tracking heat-related deaths" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/02/10/jessica-witzel-bexar-county-texas-heat-deaths" target="_self">heat-related deaths</a> on its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="online dashboard" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2024/06/10/heat-illness-dashboard-san-antonio" data-vars-content-id="6cb9c408-fd74-40e2-a1e1-bf3640f9d670" data-vars-headline="San Antonio begins tracking heat-related deaths" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2024/06/10/heat-illness-dashboard-san-antonio" target="_self">online dashboard</a>, giving the public its strongest view yet into the fatal impacts of extreme heat in Texas.Why it matters: Texas has recorded <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="more heat-related deaths" data-vars-click-url="https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/12/texas-heat-deaths-2023-record-climate-change/" data-vars-content-id="6cb9c408-fd74-40e2-a1e1-bf3640f9d670" data-vars-headline="San Antonio begins tracking heat-related deaths" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/12/texas-heat-deaths-2023-record-climate-change/" target="_blank">more heat-related deaths</a> in recent years that correlate with record-high temperatures — but Bexar County residents <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="haven&#x27;t had access" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2023/08/07/san-antonio-heat-wave-deaths" data-vars-content-id="6cb9c408-fd74-40e2-a1e1-bf3640f9d670" data-vars-headline="San Antonio begins tracking heat-related deaths" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2023/08/07/san-antonio-heat-wave-deaths" target="_self">haven&#x27;t had access</a> to local data before.

Texas power plants use more water than data centers

One coal plant alone consumed 6.7 billion gallons of water in 2024.

Gas and coal power plants consumed more water than <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data centers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/17/ai-data-centers-best-worst" data-vars-content-id="c5da0516-54b8-4299-a974-d3b91e7a6d29" data-vars-headline="Texas power plants use more water than data centers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/17/ai-data-centers-best-worst" target="_self">data centers</a> across Texas in 2024, per a new Sierra Club analysis of federal data.Why it matters: Data center <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="water use" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/02/24/labor-shortage-texas-water-supply-saws" data-vars-content-id="c5da0516-54b8-4299-a974-d3b91e7a6d29" data-vars-headline="Texas power plants use more water than data centers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/02/24/labor-shortage-texas-water-supply-saws" target="_self">water use</a> is in the spotlight in drought-stricken Texas. Environmental advocates say transitioning to renewable energy sources wouldn&#x27;t just reduce carbon emissions, it would save the state billions of gallons of water.

San Antonio homicides rise for first time in years

San Antonio homicides rose but other violent crime fell.

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 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="annual declines" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/08/14/san-antonio-homicides-down-rates" data-vars-content-id="f4d9ff60-4cfc-4619-9da4-2c455122ec2b" data-vars-headline="San Antonio homicides rise for first time in years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/08/14/san-antonio-homicides-down-rates" target="_self">annual declines</a> in the city&#x27;s homicides, and makes San Antonio an outlier in national trends.

CPS Energy eyes more natural gas as demand soars

The utility must keep up with growth and climate goals.

CPS Energy is looking to rely more on natural gas and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="solar power" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/12/02/texas-renewables-trump" data-vars-content-id="671a09d8-2168-4f69-9843-f314e8cbe5f0" data-vars-headline="CPS Energy eyes more natural gas as demand soars" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/12/02/texas-renewables-trump" target="_self">solar power</a>, but less on wind, as San Antonio&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="electricity needs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/08/13/texas-power-prices-ai-data-centers" data-vars-content-id="671a09d8-2168-4f69-9843-f314e8cbe5f0" data-vars-headline="CPS Energy eyes more natural gas as demand soars" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/08/13/texas-power-prices-ai-data-centers" target="_self">electricity needs</a> surge past what the utility forecast just three years ago.Why it matters: Without changes, capacity will begin to fall short of demand by the early part of the next decade, which could mean higher costs for consumers — though CPS officials say they are working to prevent that.

Construction begins on Brackenridge Park playscape

The nature-based playscape is a first for San Antonio.

Construction on a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unique play area" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2024/08/23/brackenridge-park-playground-nature-kids-birds" data-vars-content-id="1e6f7f45-2a58-4e6e-a73a-a9831d4fb44e" data-vars-headline="Construction begins on Brackenridge Park playscape" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2024/08/23/brackenridge-park-playground-nature-kids-birds" target="_self">unique play area</a> for children is underway at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Brackenridge Park" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2024/11/13/brackenridge-park-san-antonio-trees-bond-history" data-vars-content-id="1e6f7f45-2a58-4e6e-a73a-a9831d4fb44e" data-vars-headline="Construction begins on Brackenridge Park playscape" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2024/11/13/brackenridge-park-san-antonio-trees-bond-history" target="_self">Brackenridge Park</a>.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nature-based playscape" data-vars-click-url="https://brackenridgepark.org/projects/nature-playscape/" data-vars-content-id="1e6f7f45-2a58-4e6e-a73a-a9831d4fb44e" data-vars-headline="Construction begins on Brackenridge Park playscape" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://brackenridgepark.org/projects/nature-playscape/" target="_blank">nature-based playscape</a> is a first for San Antonio and is the first project in the historic park subject to new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="development guidelines" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2024/04/22/brackenridge-park-bond-development-rules-trees" data-vars-content-id="1e6f7f45-2a58-4e6e-a73a-a9831d4fb44e" data-vars-headline="Construction begins on Brackenridge Park playscape" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2024/04/22/brackenridge-park-bond-development-rules-trees" target="_self">development guidelines</a>.

Ready to Work is eyeing AI training for San Antonio

Workers with and without college degrees could benefit.

San Antonio&#x27;s Ready to Work program could soon feature <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="artificial intelligence" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/04/24/ut-health-san-antonio-ai-medicine-dual-degree" data-vars-content-id="0f228857-e73b-453f-87d5-3dc4971a55ea" data-vars-headline="Ready to Work is eyeing AI training for 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/2026/04/24/ut-health-san-antonio-ai-medicine-dual-degree" target="_self">artificial intelligence</a> training as officials gauge what skills local <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="employers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/11/25/san-antonio-wages-lag-in-early-career-growth" data-vars-content-id="0f228857-e73b-453f-87d5-3dc4971a55ea" data-vars-headline="Ready to Work is eyeing AI training for 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/2025/11/25/san-antonio-wages-lag-in-early-career-growth" target="_self">employers</a> need.Why it matters: &quot;People on the lower end of the socio-economic spectrum are the ones that typically get left behind when there&#x27;s new emerging technologies that are starting to penetrate the labor force,&quot; Mike Ramsey, executive director of workforce development for the city, tells Axios.

What Texas has to lose as student visa denials climb

Rising visa denials are already costing Texas millions.

Education

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. student visa denials" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2025/11/25/texas-universities-international-student-enrollment" data-vars-content-id="d281e77c-5dd3-40a6-a8eb-6390a6102389" data-vars-headline="What Texas has to lose as student visa denials climb" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2025/11/25/texas-universities-international-student-enrollment" target="_self">U.S. student visa denials</a> hit a decade high in 2025, contributing to enrollment declines that could cost <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Texas universities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/04/09/san-antonio-college-graduates-education-gains" data-vars-content-id="d281e77c-5dd3-40a6-a8eb-6390a6102389" data-vars-headline="What Texas has to lose as student visa denials climb" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/04/09/san-antonio-college-graduates-education-gains" target="_self">Texas universities</a> an estimated $133.2 million annually, per a recent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://shorelight.com/news-and-insights/a-decade-of-student-visa-denials" data-vars-content-id="d281e77c-5dd3-40a6-a8eb-6390a6102389" data-vars-headline="What Texas has to lose as student visa denials climb" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://shorelight.com/news-and-insights/a-decade-of-student-visa-denials" target="_blank">report</a>.Why it matters: Fewer international students can also mean a weaker pipeline of global talent fueling long-term U.S. economic growth.

News 🗞

Why plant-based dining is struggling in San Antonio

San Antonio kicks off free pool season

Inside the Loop

These San Antonio roads see the most flood rescues

San Antonio is considering a tax increase for 2027 bond