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Texas businesses could be up for a tariff refund

The Friday ruling could lead to a chaotic refund process.

News

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.

Winter isn't done with San Antonio

San Antonio's recent warm weather doesn't mean winter is officially in the rearview.

Climate

San Antonio&#x27;s recent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="warm weather" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/01/08/san-antonio-warm-winter-weather-allergies-cedar" data-vars-content-id="70e02679-42b5-4d28-bfc9-38322a91caca" data-vars-headline="Winter isn&#x27;t done with 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/2026/01/08/san-antonio-warm-winter-weather-allergies-cedar" target="_self">warm weather</a> doesn&#x27;t mean winter is officially in the rearview.Why it matters: Even as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="spring creeps closer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/01/14/san-antonio-winters-warming-outlook" data-vars-content-id="70e02679-42b5-4d28-bfc9-38322a91caca" data-vars-headline="Winter isn&#x27;t done with 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/2026/01/14/san-antonio-winters-warming-outlook" target="_self">spring creeps closer</a>, the National Weather Service says South Texas can still squeeze out a late-season chill.

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.

Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones apologizes but rejects censure terms

No San Antonio mayor has been censured in recent history.

Facing censure, San Antonio <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/09/18/san-antonio-city-council-mayor-jones-ccr-policy" data-vars-content-id="46e22a67-7a3f-4c93-9aed-85c7334c153c" data-vars-headline="Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones apologizes but rejects censure terms" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/09/18/san-antonio-city-council-mayor-jones-ccr-policy" target="_self">Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones</a> apologized Tuesday for her behavior toward a councilmember — but said she would not accept some of the potential punishment her colleagues laid out.Why it matters: No San Antonio mayor has been censured in recent history.

Voter guide: 2026 San Antonio area primary elections

U.S. Senate and Bexar County judge are among the contests.

Early voting kicks off Tuesday <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="in Texas" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/12/08/texas-primary-election-paxton-cornyn-crockett-talarico" data-vars-content-id="faeb0fc9-0406-4fca-9acf-df414b03d686" data-vars-headline="Voter guide: 2026 San Antonio area primary elections" 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">in Texas</a> for the March 3 primary election.Why it matters: Voters will have their say in high-profile contests for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. Senate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/08/jasmine-crockett-texas-senate-2026-democratic-primary" data-vars-content-id="faeb0fc9-0406-4fca-9acf-df414b03d686" data-vars-headline="Voter guide: 2026 San Antonio area primary elections" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/08/jasmine-crockett-texas-senate-2026-democratic-primary" target="_self">U.S. Senate</a>, Bexar County judge, county district attorney and more.

Voter guide: Bexar County judge Democratic primary

How the current county judge and former mayor are at odds.

A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new Spurs arena" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/11/05/san-antonio-election-results-downtown-spurs-arena" data-vars-content-id="bb83adf5-8b66-4506-b3c2-d4e79ec588bf" data-vars-headline="Voter guide: Bexar County judge Democratic primary" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/11/05/san-antonio-election-results-downtown-spurs-arena" target="_self">new Spurs arena</a> and surrounding district, as well as issues with the county jail, have emerged as main points of contention in the Democratic primary race for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bexar County judge" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/11/15/ron-nirenberg-peter-sakai-bexar-county-judge" data-vars-content-id="bb83adf5-8b66-4506-b3c2-d4e79ec588bf" data-vars-headline="Voter guide: Bexar County judge Democratic primary" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/11/15/ron-nirenberg-peter-sakai-bexar-county-judge" target="_self">Bexar County judge</a>.Why it matters: The election between incumbent County Judge Peter Sakai and former San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg centers on whether the county should expand its vision and reach, as Nirenberg <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="says" data-vars-click-url="https://sanantonioreport.org/ron-nirenberg-jumps-into-bexar-county-judge-race/" data-vars-content-id="bb83adf5-8b66-4506-b3c2-d4e79ec588bf" data-vars-headline="Voter guide: Bexar County judge Democratic primary" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://sanantonioreport.org/ron-nirenberg-jumps-into-bexar-county-judge-race/" target="_blank">says</a>.

Your guide to the crowded Bexar County DA primary

Eight Democrats are vying to replace retiring Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales.

Eight Democrats are vying to replace retiring Bexar County District Attorney <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Joe Gonzales" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/11/10/melissa-perez-sapd-verdict-san-antonio" data-vars-content-id="4e898f5c-0b35-456e-a2d1-800382b9ad5d" data-vars-headline="Your guide to the crowded Bexar County DA primary" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/11/10/melissa-perez-sapd-verdict-san-antonio" target="_self">Joe Gonzales</a> in a crowded March 3 primary.Why it matters: The next district attorney could either preserve a progressive approach to criminal justice or bring the office into closer alignment with Texas conservatives.

Paxton sues Bexar County over immigrant legal fund

Paxton has filed a similar lawsuit against Harris County.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing Bexar County over funding <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="immigrant" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/02/03/san-antonio-ice-detention-center-east-side" data-vars-content-id="af53acbb-1ed0-4a24-93ba-bced81b53244" data-vars-headline="Paxton sues Bexar County over immigrant legal fund" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/02/03/san-antonio-ice-detention-center-east-side" target="_self">immigrant</a> legal services, he announced Wednesday.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The lawsuit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/sites/default/files/images/press/Petition_6.pdf?utm_content=&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_name=&amp;utm_source=govdelivery&amp;utm_term=" data-vars-content-id="af53acbb-1ed0-4a24-93ba-bced81b53244" data-vars-headline="Paxton sues Bexar County over immigrant legal fund" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/sites/default/files/images/press/Petition_6.pdf?utm_content=&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_name=&amp;utm_source=govdelivery&amp;utm_term=" target="_blank">The lawsuit</a> ramps up already-high political tensions over how <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="local governments should" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/01/27/san-antonio-city-council-ice-immigration-police" data-vars-content-id="af53acbb-1ed0-4a24-93ba-bced81b53244" data-vars-headline="Paxton sues Bexar County over immigrant legal fund" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/01/27/san-antonio-city-council-ice-immigration-police" target="_self">local governments should</a> and should not handle <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="immigration issues" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/immigration" data-vars-content-id="af53acbb-1ed0-4a24-93ba-bced81b53244" data-vars-headline="Paxton sues Bexar County over immigrant legal fund" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/immigration" target="_self">immigration issues</a>.

San Antonio leaders look for ways to block potential ICE detention site

ICE is looking to expand detention capacity.

Several San Antonio elected officials aren&#x27;t happy about reports that ICE is eyeing a warehouse on the city&#x27;s East Side to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="expand its detention space" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/01/ice-detention-centers-jails-noem-trump" data-vars-content-id="4affed13-c72c-4880-8a7c-d476c2dff943" data-vars-headline="San Antonio leaders look for ways to block potential ICE detention site" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/01/ice-detention-centers-jails-noem-trump" target="_self">expand its detention space</a>, but it&#x27;s not clear what they can do about it.Why it matters: The federal government directly purchases facilities, making it harder — but not impossible — for local officials to combat the Trump administration&#x27;s plans to scale up its detention capacity.

Here's how SAPD does — and doesn't — work with ICE

Anger is mounting against ICE in San Antonio and nationwide.

As anger <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mounts against ICE" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/14/ice-agents-arrests-shooting-protests-riots" data-vars-content-id="2dbc7640-7bb7-4c17-bcbf-9c1fe3b0db4d" data-vars-headline="Here&#x27;s how SAPD does — and doesn&#x27;t — work with ICE" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/14/ice-agents-arrests-shooting-protests-riots" target="_self">mounts against ICE</a> in San Antonio and other major cities, the role local law enforcement plays in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="working with federal agents" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/01/24/san-antonio-police-immigration-enforcement-trump" data-vars-content-id="2dbc7640-7bb7-4c17-bcbf-9c1fe3b0db4d" data-vars-headline="Here&#x27;s how SAPD does — and doesn&#x27;t — work with ICE" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/01/24/san-antonio-police-immigration-enforcement-trump" target="_self">working with federal agents</a> is under increased scrutiny.Why it matters: Tensions have been building since <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="federal agents killed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/24/minneapolis-shooting-federal-agent" data-vars-content-id="2dbc7640-7bb7-4c17-bcbf-9c1fe3b0db4d" data-vars-headline="Here&#x27;s how SAPD does — and doesn&#x27;t — work with ICE" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/24/minneapolis-shooting-federal-agent" target="_self">federal agents killed</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Alex Pretti" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/24/minneapolis-ice-shooting-id" data-vars-content-id="2dbc7640-7bb7-4c17-bcbf-9c1fe3b0db4d" data-vars-headline="Here&#x27;s how SAPD does — and doesn&#x27;t — work with ICE" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/24/minneapolis-ice-shooting-id" target="_self">Alex Pretti</a> in Minneapolis on Saturday — less than a month after the shooting of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Renee Good" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/07/ice-shooting-victim-identified-renee-nicole-good-minneapolis" data-vars-content-id="2dbc7640-7bb7-4c17-bcbf-9c1fe3b0db4d" data-vars-headline="Here&#x27;s how SAPD does — and doesn&#x27;t — work with ICE" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/07/ice-shooting-victim-identified-renee-nicole-good-minneapolis" target="_self">Renee Good</a> — and after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a 5-year-old boy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/23/child-detention-ice-minnesota" data-vars-content-id="2dbc7640-7bb7-4c17-bcbf-9c1fe3b0db4d" data-vars-headline="Here&#x27;s how SAPD does — and doesn&#x27;t — work with ICE" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/23/child-detention-ice-minnesota" target="_self">a 5-year-old boy</a> was detained there last week and sent to a family detention center south of San Antonio.

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 will move its city elections to November

San Antonio will move its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="city elections" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/04/16/guide-2025-san-antonio-city-council-elections" data-vars-content-id="4074e61a-3917-4bc2-b7e5-3e9bacbb7ed1" data-vars-headline="San Antonio will move its city elections to November" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/04/16/guide-2025-san-antonio-city-council-elections" target="_self">city elections</a> from May to November in odd-numbered years after the City Council approved the change Thursday in a 6-5 vote.Why it matters: Supporters of the move say it will increase voter turnout and participation in local politics, but opponents say the council decision was too rushed and the impact on turnout could be limited.

Politics 🇺🇸

Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones apologizes but rejects censure terms

Texas businesses could be up for a tariff refund

Voter guide: 2026 San Antonio area primary elections

Voter guide: Bexar County judge Democratic primary

Your guide to the crowded Bexar County DA primary