🤠 It's Thursday, partner!

☀️ Today's weather: Sunny with a high in the low 90s.

🎶 Sounds like: The Spanish version of "Uncertain, TX" by Kacey Musgraves with Intocable.

Today’s newsletter is 1,053 words — a 4-minute read.

President Trump urged supporters in San Antonio yesterday to pretend he's on the ballot in what's expected to be a difficult midterm election for Republicans — potentially even in red Texas.

Why it matters: The rally at the Freeman Coliseum on the East Side is Trump's third visit to Texas in a month — highlighting the focus the GOP has put on now-competitive races in the Lone Star State that were once presumed easy opportunities for Republicans.

State of play: Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who polls show is narrowly trailing Democratic state Rep. James Talarico in Texas' U.S. Senate race, also spoke. Both Trump and Paxton made repeated jabs at Talarico, whom they painted as out of touch with Texans.

• Trump repeatedly referred to James "Talafreako," saying "Texas will be almost instantly destroyed" if he's elected and would "resemble California."
• A spokesperson for Talarico did not immediately reply to Axios' request for comment yesterday.

The intrigue: Appearing alongside Paxton and Trump was Carlos De La Cruz, the Republican running in the 35th Congressional District, one of five Democratic districts redrawn by the Texas Legislature last year to elect a Republican.

• De La Cruz faces Democrat Johnny Garcia, a Bexar County sheriff's deputy.
• The majority-Latino district that includes parts of Bexar County is now rated by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report as "leans Republican," a closer rating than the group had before.

What they're saying: De La Cruz made appeals to military veterans and pocketbook issues — and tried to show himself as a Washington outsider.

• "I'm running for the family at the kitchen table tonight doing the math on the rent, gas and groceries, and wondering how it all adds up," De La Cruz said. "The insiders in Washington have never felt that squeeze."

The other side: "Voters are struggling because of reckless tariffs driving up costs, the war in Iran which has caused gas prices to skyrocket, and a Congress that gave tax breaks to billionaires while slashing healthcare here in Texas," Garcia told Axios in a statement.

Between the lines

It's true: Republicans are fighting to defend the Latino gains that had them dreaming of a lasting political realignment just two years ago.

Why it matters: Nowhere is that reversal of fortune more visible than in South Texas, where President Trump ran up historic numbers in 2024 — and Republicans redrew the map in 2025, assuming those Latino gains would last.

• Polling shows President Trump's disapproval ratings have skyrocketed among Latinos in Texas following his historic gains.

By the numbers: Democratic campaigns and allied groups are outspending Republican campaigns and groups on Spanish-language ads in two of the three competitive House districts covering the Rio Grande Valley, according to AdImpact data reported by the Texas Tribune.

• In the 34th District, held by U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (D-Brownsville), Democratic campaigns and groups have spent $2.7 million on Spanish-language ads, compared with $1.6 million on the Republican side.
• In the 15th District, held by U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz (R-Edinburg), Democratic groups have spent more than twice as much as Republican groups on Spanish-language ads.
• The 28th District bucks the trend: Republicans have narrowly outspent Democrats on Spanish-language ads to unseat U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Laredo).

Zoom in: The reversal is starkest in the 15th District, where Monica De La Cruz was once one of the party's most visible symbols of its South Texas breakthrough.

• Cook Political Report recently moved the race from "lean Republican" to "toss-up," saying public and private polling shows the race tied or Tejano singer and Democrat Bobby Pulido ahead.

🎙️ Fiesta Oyster Bake is rebranding as a music festival with the goal of bringing national acts to St. Mary's University. (CultureMap SA)

🚗 A vehicle emissions testing requirement will not take effect as planned Nov. 1 for Bexar County drivers. Federal officials paused the requirement to review it. (KENS)

👕 San Antonio-based Grunt Style, which sells clothing for veterans, is closing its store on Broadway and laying off employees nationwide. (SA Report)

🥪 Park @510 Deli & Market is now open inside the historic Pereida House at Hemisfair. (SA Current)

Today

🏀 Get pumped for the Spurs' first preseason game against the Atlanta Hawks, tipping off at 7pm at the Frost Bank Center.

🍷 Escape to New Braunfels for the Gruene Music & Wine Festival running today through Sunday. Times and ticket prices vary.

Tomorrow

💥 Prepare for the Big Texas Comicon at the Henry B. González Convention Center through Sunday. There will be celebrity guests, vendors, panels and more.

• Day passes are still available; times vary.

Saturday

📚 Head to the first-ever children's literature and culture festival at The DoSeum featuring author story times, book giveaways and more, 10am-4pm. Included with general admission.

🥳 Celebrate the Witte Museum's 100th birthday with live music, animal encounters, face painting and much more, 10am-5pm. Everyone gets kids' admission ($11).

• The party continues after hours.

🇯🇵 Then hop over to the Jingu House for another 100th birthday party, free at the Japanese Tea Garden, 5-9pm. Enjoy performances, Japanese street food and more.

🧙 Bring a picnic and a blanket for a free screening of "Hocus Pocus" at the Eastside Cemeteries. Gates open at 6:30pm; the movie starts at sundown.

Sunday

🛻 Check out classic rides at the free car fest at Corner Coffee and More on the South Side, 8:30am-2:30pm.

The NBA is experimenting with two pieces of technology in the lead-up to the new season, which tips off Oct. 20.

1. Some preseason games will include a smart basketball with a Bluetooth sensor that can collect data for future use in real-time officiating decisions.
2. Some officials will also use wrist wearables to communicate with the replay center in designated situations, including replay reviews, scoring changes and clock malfunctions.

Read more from the AP

Thanks to our editors Astrid Galván and Bob Gee.

🙃 Madalyn agrees with Victor Wembanyama — she's also not ready to talk about the Finals loss.

🤯 Megan is sharing the good news that you can get any drink from Reunion Coffee downtown for free on Sunday — lattes, matchas, "all of it."