South Texas Blood & Tissue is asking San Antonians to roll up their sleeves during a summer slump in donations.

Why it matters: The U.S. blood supply has reached crisis levels, prompting the American Red Cross and the surgeon general to urge Americans to donate before shortages delay surgeries, trauma care and other lifesaving treatments.

Zoom in: San Antonio-based South Texas Blood & Tissue, which isn't affiliated with the Red Cross, serves 49 counties and about 111 hospitals and clinics, covering a wide-ranging area from Del Rio to the outskirts of Houston.

• While donations typically drop in the summer, they have fallen even more this year, spokesperson Roger Ruiz tells Axios.

What they're saying: "We've seen blood shortages before, but this time, for some reason, it's been amped and it's at a higher level now," Ruiz says.

• As the region's population grows and new hospitals open, the demand for blood has only grown, he adds.
• The Red Cross attributes the low turnout of donations to extreme heat, bad air quality and "widespread foodborne illnesses" hitting the country.

By the numbers: The South Texas organization typically needs about 600 pints of blood per day to adequately supply hospitals, Ruiz says. This summer, they have been averaging about 300–350 pints per day.

Stunning stat: Less than 3% of the eligible donor population typically gives blood, per Ruiz.

Threat level: Blood products are essential to cancer care. Many patients — especially those with leukemia and lymphoma — rely on routine transfusions, and blood is also needed for surgeries and emergencies, per MD Anderson.

To draw in donors, South Texas Blood & Tissue is offering some incentives:

• Donate blood through Friday and receive two free Santikos movie tickets.
• Head to a drive at Wonderland of the Americas, 10am–6pm Friday, for a chance to win an autographed guitar.
• Donate by Sunday for a chance to win tickets to either Guns N' Roses or Iron Maiden at the Alamodome in September.

Go deeper: South Texas Blood & Tissue has nine donation centers in the San Antonio area and one in Victoria.

Three consecutive polls show Democrat James Talarico narrowly ahead of Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the U.S. Senate race.

Driving the news: The latest, released this week by the Barbara Jordan Public Policy Research and Survey Center at Texas Southern University, has Talarico up 47%-45%.

Why it matters: That's within the survey's margin of error, and the Republican establishment isn't panicking.

• But there are some troubling signs for the GOP nominee among white and Latino voters.

State of play: Republicans plan to drive up Talarico's negatives with ad buys and wait for GOP voters to come home.

• But outside money still hasn't arrived for Paxton — we reported earlier that U.S. Sen. John Cornyn's big-dollar donors were withholding their dough — as Talarico's team continues to pump out ads calling Paxton "the most corrupt politician in America."

Zoom in: Demographically, Paxton appears to be suffering a one-two blow, according to the TSU survey.

• Paxton is winning white voters (60% of the modeled midterm electorate) by just 14 points, the survey found, low for a Texas Republican. President Trump won them by 33 in Texas two years ago, according to exit polls.
• Trump also carried Hispanic voters (21% of the electorate) by 10 points. Talarico is winning them by 19.

Reality check: Paxton has won statewide elections three times.

• His character issues — from various corruption charges to a messy divorce — are well known to Texas voters. Voters have continued to put him in office anyway.

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👀 House Democrats' campaign arm is targeting a dozen districts that President Trump won handily in 2024 — including Texas' 23rd, formerly represented by Republican Tony Gonzales. (Axios)

🗳️ Talarico may have violated state voting laws by using his parents' address to vote in five elections after he bought a home for himself nearby.

• His campaign said the allegation is "a lame attempt by Ken Paxton to deflect from his own hypocrisy and career of corruption." (Texas Tribune)

🌊 SeaWorld San Antonio received seven more beluga whales from a closed marine park in Canada. (SA Report)

🏫 East Central ISD is opening two new campuses next week as it tries to keep up with enrollment growth. (KSAT)

Thursday

👟 Kick off training season for the San Antonio Marathon at the Botanical Garden, 6-8pm, including a community run, live DJ and more.

Friday

🎒 Bring the kids to a back-to-school bash at The Andy, 10am-2pm. Expect family-friendly activities, local vendors, bagels, coffee and more.

🎨 Head to Southtown for First Friday events. Southtown Flats will host a night market with live music, 5-9pm.

Saturday

😋 Grab some pan dulce when the former Alebrije Bakery comes back for a pop-up at Poetic Republic Coffee. 9am until sellout, Saturday and Sunday.

🎶 Catch free live music from Grupo Tan Tan at La Tuna Icehouse, 8-11pm.

Sunday

💃 Learn how to dance with a free Salsa and Bachata Social at Sam's Burger Joint, 1-4pm. Grab some brunch while you're there.

"Southern Living" will host its first-ever Hill Country Tailgate in Fredericksburg on Sept. 26.

State of play: The event is hosted by "Southern Living" editor in chief Sid Evans and Camila Alves McConaughey — yes, the spouse of Texas' very own Matthew McConaughey.

• It runs 6-10pm at Contigo Ranch and will feature barbecue from top Texas pitmasters and chefs, handcrafted cocktails, live country music and big-screen college football.
• Texas country artists David Lewis and Austin-based All Hat No Cadillac will perform.

What's next: Tickets are on sale now for $195 and include barbecue tastings, cocktails, beer and wine, football viewing, and a tour of the 2026 "Southern Living" Idea House.