San Antonio

blue

Get smarter, faster on what matters in San Antonio with Megan Stringer and Madalyn Mendoza.

Axios San Antonio

Standard

San Antonio Alerts

Alert

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

Axios San Antonio Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Axios San Antonio Partners

San Antonio Members

Membership

Voters await special election for Tony Gonzales' old seat

There could potentially be two elections on one ballot.

Politics

Voters in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Texas&#x27; 23rd Congressional District" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/15/democrats-latino-voters-2026" data-vars-content-id="66d77ebe-9416-4b69-b027-712011de4995" data-vars-headline="Voters await special election for Tony Gonzales&#x27; old seat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/15/democrats-latino-voters-2026" target="_self">Texas&#x27; 23rd Congressional District</a>, stretching from San Antonio to El Paso, potentially could have the opportunity to vote in two separate elections on one ballot this fall.Why it matters: The district, home to more than <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="778,000 people" data-vars-click-url="https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/cong_dist/cd118/cd_based/ST48/CD118_TX23.pdf" data-vars-content-id="66d77ebe-9416-4b69-b027-712011de4995" data-vars-headline="Voters await special election for Tony Gonzales&#x27; old seat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/cong_dist/cd118/cd_based/ST48/CD118_TX23.pdf" target="_blank">778,000 people</a>, has been without representation in Congress for more than three months since former Republican U.S. Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tony Gonzales" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/04/house-ethics-investigation-tony-gonzales-affair" data-vars-content-id="66d77ebe-9416-4b69-b027-712011de4995" data-vars-headline="Voters await special election for Tony Gonzales&#x27; old seat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/04/house-ethics-investigation-tony-gonzales-affair" target="_self">Tony Gonzales</a> resigned following allegations of sexual misconduct.

New pass rewards visits to San Antonio legacy businesses

Support local, collect check-ins and claim prizes.

Business

San Antonio residents and visitors have a new incentive to explore some of the city&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="long-running businesses" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/07/09/esquire-tavern-san-antonio-river-walk-bar" data-vars-content-id="d02fdf21-bc24-403b-a06d-74a724bfe194" data-vars-headline="New pass rewards visits to San Antonio legacy businesses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/07/09/esquire-tavern-san-antonio-river-walk-bar" target="_self">long-running businesses</a> with the Buy Local Legacy Pass.The latest: Created by the city&#x27;s Economic Development Department in partnership with the Office of Historic Preservation&#x27;s Legacy Business Program, the free digital pass encourages people to visit businesses that have been part of San Antonio for 20 years or longer.

Advocates call for Bexar County jail reforms after deaths

A coalition of advocates has a new plan to prevent deaths.

News

A coalition of advocates on Tuesday proposed stronger mental health treatment options and more independent accountability at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bexar County" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/07/15/bexar-county-clerk-hits-the-road" data-vars-content-id="d3ff6bbb-eda3-44ca-a2fd-4b0aabafe538" data-vars-headline="Advocates call for Bexar County jail reforms after 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/2026/07/15/bexar-county-clerk-hits-the-road" target="_self">Bexar County</a> jail, changes aimed at preventing further in-custody deaths.The big picture: At least 92 people have died while in custody at the Bexar County jail since 2020.

New conservancy aims for San Pedro Springs Park upgrades

The park has a wealth of history and a popular public pool.

Culture

San Pedro Springs Park, the oldest city park <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="in Texas" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/03/11/new-texas-state-parks-expansions-hill-country" data-vars-content-id="26eee02a-9aa5-4fcd-a3b0-85fc85dbfa7d" data-vars-headline="New conservancy aims for San Pedro Springs Park upgrades" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/03/11/new-texas-state-parks-expansions-hill-country" target="_self">in Texas</a> and one of the oldest in the nation, has a new conservancy that will raise money for upgrades.Why it matters: The historic park, home to one of San Antonio&#x27;s most popular <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="public swimming pools" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/08/07/san-antonio-pools-segregation-history" data-vars-content-id="26eee02a-9aa5-4fcd-a3b0-85fc85dbfa7d" data-vars-headline="New conservancy aims for San Pedro Springs Park upgrades" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/08/07/san-antonio-pools-segregation-history" target="_self">public swimming pools</a>, lacks the investment and amenities that other parks receive, conservancy board chair Christina Wright tells Axios.

SAWS says recycled water gives San Antonio an edge for data centers

San Antonio relies on more than the Edwards Aquifer for water.

Water

San Antonio Water System (SAWS) is investing in a diverse water portfolio to help the city survive future <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="droughts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/04/30/san-antonio-flooding-rain-drought-forecast" data-vars-content-id="d6c0ffd1-42af-43a3-bfbb-af4f8b8bcf68" data-vars-headline="SAWS says recycled water gives San Antonio an edge for 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/2026/04/30/san-antonio-flooding-rain-drought-forecast" target="_self">droughts</a> while supporting <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="growth from industries" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/05/13/texas-coal-gas-power-plants-data-centers-water" data-vars-content-id="d6c0ffd1-42af-43a3-bfbb-af4f8b8bcf68" data-vars-headline="SAWS says recycled water gives San Antonio an edge for 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/2026/05/13/texas-coal-gas-power-plants-data-centers-water" target="_self">growth from industries</a> like data centers.Why it matters: As San Antonio grows and drought conditions persist, SAWS is investing in alternative water supplies that can support residents and water-intensive industries without placing as much additional strain on the Edwards Aquifer.

Confluence Park's iconic petals do more than provide shade

The park could be a template for future projects in San Antonio.

Confluence Park isn&#x27;t just a place to walk along the river — it&#x27;s a model for the kind of nature-based <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="stormwater projects" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/05/14/san-antonio-san-pedro-creek-culture-park-opening-trails" data-vars-content-id="b7836f56-8aac-4276-8bb1-88dd365df734" data-vars-headline="Confluence Park&#x27;s iconic petals do more than provide shade" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/05/14/san-antonio-san-pedro-creek-culture-park-opening-trails" target="_self">stormwater projects</a> the San Antonio River Authority (SARA) hopes to expand across Bexar County.How it works: A partnership between the San Antonio River Foundation and the San Antonio River Authority, Confluence Park uses its signature concrete &quot;petals&quot; to collect rainwater and direct it into an underground cistern.

Texas company pulls drinking water from the air

Some Texans want control over their home water supply.

Technology that brings water to war zones and disaster-struck areas is emerging as a way for Texans to take control of their home water supply amid <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="drought" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/06/17/record-drought-rainfall-san-antonio-texas" data-vars-content-id="b8d68bdd-5ba9-47df-95a7-29daad83f1f3" data-vars-headline="Texas company pulls drinking water from the air" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/06/17/record-drought-rainfall-san-antonio-texas" target="_self">drought</a>.Why it matters: Rather than relying on groundwater from aquifers that&#x27;s in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="short supply and in increased demand" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/04/30/san-antonio-flooding-rain-drought-forecast" data-vars-content-id="b8d68bdd-5ba9-47df-95a7-29daad83f1f3" data-vars-headline="Texas company pulls drinking water from the air" 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">short supply and in increased demand</a>, some are turning to devices that pull water from humidity in the air.

How a trail connecting San Antonio and Austin can protect water

A nonprofit is conserving space above the Edwards Aquifer.

Environment

As development accelerates across the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="booming Interstate 35 corridor" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/01/03/fastest-growing-texas-counties-population-census" data-vars-content-id="f4bca51a-bb96-4cbc-b014-5fb1685e4ead" data-vars-headline="How a trail connecting San Antonio and Austin can protect water" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/01/03/fastest-growing-texas-counties-population-census" target="_self">booming Interstate 35 corridor</a> between San Antonio and Austin, a nonprofit is working to protect water access — one trailhead at a time.Why it matters: Rapid population growth in Central Texas is placing more stress on water sources as San Antonio experiences its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="most intense drought" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/06/17/record-drought-rainfall-san-antonio-texas" data-vars-content-id="f4bca51a-bb96-4cbc-b014-5fb1685e4ead" data-vars-headline="How a trail connecting San Antonio and Austin can protect water" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/06/17/record-drought-rainfall-san-antonio-texas" target="_self">most intense drought</a> in decades.

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 to see more rain, but drought isn't over

A flood watch is in effect until 9pm Friday.

It&#x27;s been a rainy April, helping to ease — but not eliminate — immediate <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="drought conditions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/06/17/record-drought-rainfall-san-antonio-texas" data-vars-content-id="8df0ad0b-342f-4a99-af51-6da4fa040922" data-vars-headline="San Antonio to see more rain, but drought isn&#x27;t over" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/06/17/record-drought-rainfall-san-antonio-texas" target="_self">drought conditions</a> across San Antonio.The big picture: Drought is now a part of daily life in the Alamo City. While the rain is welcome, it&#x27;s not a magic wand.

San Antonio council wary of SAWS rate hike

The water system has aging infrastructure.

The City Council appears hesitant to approve a significant customer rate increase for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="San Antonio Water System" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/09/22/drought-plants-san-antonio-water-system-grass" data-vars-content-id="eac5b5ce-cdb9-48fb-8168-4dd9625288bb" data-vars-headline="San Antonio council wary of SAWS 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/2025/09/22/drought-plants-san-antonio-water-system-grass" target="_self">San Antonio Water System</a>.Why it matters: SAWS says it needs more funding to care for aging infrastructure and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="water mains" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2023/08/29/drought-texas-water-main-breaks-leaks-hot-weather" data-vars-content-id="eac5b5ce-cdb9-48fb-8168-4dd9625288bb" data-vars-headline="San Antonio council wary of SAWS 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/2023/08/29/drought-texas-water-main-breaks-leaks-hot-weather" target="_self">water mains</a> that are breaking. But Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones and councilmembers say they worry about charging more in an economy that&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="showing signs of cracks" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/05/jolts-data-december-jobs-market" data-vars-content-id="eac5b5ce-cdb9-48fb-8168-4dd9625288bb" data-vars-headline="San Antonio council wary of SAWS rate hike" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/05/jolts-data-december-jobs-market" target="_self">showing signs of cracks</a>.

What it's like to soak at the new Ottine Mineral Springs

The experience is like a mix between a spa and a classic pool day.

Things to Do

My birthday treat to myself this year was a day trip to the newly opened <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ottine Mineral Springs" data-vars-click-url="https://ottinemineralsprings.com/" data-vars-content-id="d659d58d-8c42-447a-8690-892e2ccaf64b" data-vars-headline="What it&#x27;s like to soak at the new Ottine Mineral Springs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ottinemineralsprings.com/" target="_blank">Ottine Mineral Springs</a> near Luling.State of soaks: Billed as a spa experience, Ottine has five soaking pools filled with mineral water, including a hot tub and a cold plunge.

Get up to $500 for a new garden with help from SAWS

San Antonio Water System is helping you turn your thirsty lawn into a water-saving — and beautiful — landscape.

Partners

After a long, dry summer, it&#x27;s already time to start planning for next year — and San Antonio Water System (SAWS) wants to give you up to $500 to make your yard and garden more drought-resistant.Why now: Fall is prime planting time in South Texas. &quot;New plants will have all fall, winter and spring to establish their roots before the heat of next summer,&quot; SAWS Vice President of Conservation Karen Guz said.<ul><li>These new plants need hand-watering to settle in. After that, they&#x27;ll be ready to handle San Antonio&#x27;s climate.</li></ul>

Where San Antonio drought stands after floods

Rain must fall in the right place to replenish the Edwards Aquifer.

Even as the Hill Country was inundated during the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="deadly flooding" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/07/09/texas-hill-country-flooding-talk-children-tips" data-vars-content-id="0ffc4259-6e0d-4c59-850c-8c0a81287983" data-vars-headline="Where San Antonio drought stands after floods" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/07/09/texas-hill-country-flooding-talk-children-tips" target="_self">deadly flooding</a>, rain was more scarce closer to San Antonio, offering little relief to the city&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="multiyear drought" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/06/17/record-drought-rainfall-san-antonio-texas" data-vars-content-id="0ffc4259-6e0d-4c59-850c-8c0a81287983" data-vars-headline="Where San Antonio drought stands after floods" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/06/17/record-drought-rainfall-san-antonio-texas" target="_self">multiyear drought</a>.The big picture: San Antonio remains several years into its most <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="intense drought" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2024/10/23/drought-saws-edwards-aquifer-water-restrictions" data-vars-content-id="0ffc4259-6e0d-4c59-850c-8c0a81287983" data-vars-headline="Where San Antonio drought stands after floods" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2024/10/23/drought-saws-edwards-aquifer-water-restrictions" target="_self">intense drought</a> in decades, which could still become what scientists call the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="drought of record" data-vars-click-url="https://www.edwardsaquifer.org/about/history/timeline/" data-vars-content-id="0ffc4259-6e0d-4c59-850c-8c0a81287983" data-vars-headline="Where San Antonio drought stands after floods" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.edwardsaquifer.org/about/history/timeline/" target="_blank">drought of record</a>.