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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting San Antonio.

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ERCOT prepping for winter electric demand

The grid operator has been closely watched since mass outages in 2021.

News

Mural of Spurs-themed vela unveiled in downtown San Antonio

The artist calls it an "emotional gift" to the city.

Vending machine "with heart" sets up in San Antonio

Instead of snacks, the vending machine is stocked with cards representing items needed by nonprofits.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's vice-presidential chances

A prolific fundraiser, the border governor is a Trump loyalist.

Politics

San Antonio considers raising fees for Airbnb permits

Council members suggested permits should cost more.

As San Antonio continues to struggle with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="permitting short-term rentals" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2023/02/01/san-antonio-crack-down-airbnbs-dont-pay-city-taxes" data-vars-content-id="8eb1873e-eb52-46ad-a175-4bc97553b83b" data-vars-headline="San Antonio considers raising fees for Airbnb permits" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2023/02/01/san-antonio-crack-down-airbnbs-dont-pay-city-taxes" target="_self">permitting short-term rentals</a> like Airbnbs, some city council members suggest the city should raise the fee.Driving the news: Neighborhood leaders and short-term rental advocates both have sought stronger city enforcement of an ordinance that regulates short-term rentals and requires a paid permit to operate.

Illustration of the Airbnb logo as a money clip on some folded hundred dollar bills. 

Anti-abortion groups sue San Antonio over funding for abortion-related expenses

They want to stop the city from giving money to groups that pay for abortion travel.

A coalition of anti-abortion groups sued the city of San Antonio on Tuesday, seeking to prevent officials from giving public money to any group that pays for abortion-related travel or obtains abortions for Texans.Flashback: The City Council approved $500,000 for a reproductive health fund in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="this year&#x27;s budget" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2023/09/15/record-city-budget-trash-fees-animal-care-services" data-vars-content-id="57e968d9-7cfe-4f8c-a440-14206bc5a85f" data-vars-headline="Anti-abortion groups sue San Antonio over funding for abortion-related expenses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2023/09/15/record-city-budget-trash-fees-animal-care-services" target="_self">this year&#x27;s budget</a>, which took effect Oct. 1. Members discussed, but did not decide, whether the money could help cover travel for out-of-state abortions. Abortion supporters had pushed for the fund.

San Antonio expands 911 mental health program in wake of police shooting

The 911 mental health program will operate 24 hours a day.

San Antonio is expanding a program that sends mental health professionals and paramedics alongside police officers to some 911 calls by making staff available 24 hours a day.Why it matters: Expansion talks accelerated after San Antonio police shot and killed Melissa Perez, who was having a mental health crisis, in June. Mental health clinicians with the program <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="did not reach Perez" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2023/07/17/san-antonio-police-shooting-melissa-perez-mental-health-response" data-vars-content-id="f876b00f-2322-414a-be70-d578e0e5dfef" data-vars-headline="San Antonio expands 911 mental health program in wake of police shooting" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2023/07/17/san-antonio-police-shooting-melissa-perez-mental-health-response" target="_self">did not reach Perez</a> in part because of the program&#x27;s limited hours.

Photo illustration of two hands reaching out to each other, with abstract shapes and old telephones. 

Why San Antonio could help teachers buy homes

The program would offer no-interest, forgivable loans.

Education

In a desperate effort to combat a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="chronic teacher shortage" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2021/11/15/teacher-labor-shortage-outlast-pandemic" data-vars-content-id="bcdb37ac-ec21-4f43-bf9f-6d929a5502e2" data-vars-headline="Why San Antonio could help teachers buy homes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2021/11/15/teacher-labor-shortage-outlast-pandemic" target="_self">chronic teacher shortage</a>, school districts across the country are focusing on housing.Why it matters: Many teachers simply can&#x27;t afford to live where they work, which can have repercussions for the quality of students&#x27; education, Becky Pringle, president of the National Education Association, told Axios.

Illustration of a door knocker in the shape of a dollar sign

San Antonio to boost Animal Care Services' budget following rise in euthanasia rate

S.A. answers less than half of its critical animal calls.

San Antonio is looking to bolster its Animal Care Services budget next year, aiming to better control the local animal population and get more pets adopted.Why it matters: The city-run shelter has struggled recently to keep up with the demand for its services and has faced scrutiny following what some saw as a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="preventable" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2023/03/23/family-of-dog-attack-victims-confronts-animal-care-services/" data-vars-content-id="c4270265-e022-454d-b59d-a4d2c1bfb20c" data-vars-headline="San Antonio to boost Animal Care Services&#x27; budget following rise in euthanasia rate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2023/03/23/family-of-dog-attack-victims-confronts-animal-care-services/" target="_blank">preventable</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fatal dog attack" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2023/02/24/watch-live-san-antonio-police-at-scene-of-serious-dog-attack-on-west-side/" data-vars-content-id="c4270265-e022-454d-b59d-a4d2c1bfb20c" data-vars-headline="San Antonio to boost Animal Care Services&#x27; budget following rise in euthanasia rate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2023/02/24/watch-live-san-antonio-police-at-scene-of-serious-dog-attack-on-west-side/" target="_blank">fatal dog attack</a> this year.

Illustration of a pet carrier overflowing with money. 

What Texas' Latino voters want in 2024

Inflation and cost of living are top concerns.

Latino civil rights organizations are urging political parties, politicians and media outlets to pay closer attention to the power of Latino voters in next year&#x27;s elections.Why it matters: The composition of the Texas Latino electorate will look different this election cycle, per data from nonprofits UnidosUS and Mi Familia Vota.

Illustration of a pattern of “I voted” stickers in Spanish and English.

What to know about San Antonio's record $3.7B city budget

What you need to know about San Antonio's largest budget.

New street projects, more police officers and staffing for the city&#x27;s Animal Care Services are on the way.Driving the news: The San Antonio City Council on Thursday passed a record $3.7 billion budget — about 9% larger than last year&#x27;s — that will take effect Oct. 1.

Illustration of a dollar sign etched into the tip of a fountain pen. 

Mayor Nirenberg looks to transform San Antonio government

Changes to City Hall could be on the presidential ballot.

Sweeping changes could come to San Antonio city government as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mayor Ron Nirenberg" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2023/03/03/san-antonio-mayor-ron-nirenberg-travel-abroad-texas" data-vars-content-id="092b1245-f74c-4c11-830c-ce39e92d9b6f" data-vars-headline="Mayor Nirenberg looks to transform San Antonio government" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2023/03/03/san-antonio-mayor-ron-nirenberg-travel-abroad-texas" target="_self">Mayor Ron Nirenberg</a> rounds out his final term.What&#x27;s happening: The city will consider asking voters to let City Council members serve longer terms and collect higher pay, remove the cap on the city manager&#x27;s pay and tenure, expand the number of council districts and draw council district boundaries more independently.

Photo illustration of the San Antonio city hall with lines radiating from it.

Where evictions went up in San Antonio after moratorium ended

Evictions filings jumped throughout San Antonio last year.

Eviction filings in Bexar County skyrocketed past pre-pandemic levels last year, following the sharp decrease in filings during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, new data shows.Driving the news: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Texas Housers" data-vars-click-url="https://texashousers.org/members/" data-vars-content-id="1ebdee5a-f522-421b-b6db-ef7adbdbd080" data-vars-headline="Where evictions went up in San Antonio after moratorium ended" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://texashousers.org/members/" target="_blank">Texas Housers</a>, a statewide nonprofit supporting affordable housing, last week released a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new data dashboard" data-vars-click-url="https://texashousers.org/bexarcountyevictions/" data-vars-content-id="1ebdee5a-f522-421b-b6db-ef7adbdbd080" data-vars-headline="Where evictions went up in San Antonio after moratorium ended" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://texashousers.org/bexarcountyevictions/" target="_blank">new data dashboard</a> on Bexar County eviction filings from 2018 to 2022.

An orange choropleth map showing 2022 eviction rates by census tract in Bexar County. Some of the worst rates are clustered near Leon Valley, where one census tract saw 31.2% of its households evicted in 2022. In general, rates were higher in lower income areas than affluent ones.

CPS Energy bills to increase in San Antonio after City Council approves rate hike

The council approved another CPS rate hike despite concerns.

Energy bills will increase in the new year after the San Antonio City Council approved the second <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rate hike for CPS Energy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2023/11/16/cps-energy-seeks-rate-increase-city-council" data-vars-content-id="41c70cb1-de2b-4d22-ad12-adaea513d074" data-vars-headline="CPS Energy bills to increase in San Antonio after City Council approves rate hike" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2023/11/16/cps-energy-seeks-rate-increase-city-council" target="_self">rate hike for CPS Energy</a> in two years.Why it matters: Utility officials have said the additional income will allow them to meet community expectations around <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reduced carbon emissions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2023/01/24/cps-energy-san-antonio-close-spruce-coal-plant" data-vars-content-id="41c70cb1-de2b-4d22-ad12-adaea513d074" data-vars-headline="CPS Energy bills to increase in San Antonio after City Council approves rate hike" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2023/01/24/cps-energy-san-antonio-close-spruce-coal-plant" target="_self">reduced carbon emissions</a>, reliability amid extreme weather and more.

Illustration of a hundred dollar bill stylized as an electric symbol.

Politics 🇺🇸

San Antonio considers raising fees for Airbnb permits

Anti-abortion groups sue San Antonio over funding for abortion-related expenses

San Antonio expands 911 mental health program in wake of police shooting

Why San Antonio could help teachers buy homes

San Antonio to boost Animal Care Services' budget following rise in euthanasia rate