A coalition of anti-abortion groups sued the city of San Antonio yesterday, 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 this year's budget, which took effect Oct. 1. Members discussed, but did not decide, whether the money could help cover travel for out-of-state abortions.

Why it matters: The case could offer a legal test on whether Texas cities can fund organizations that support abortions in other states, even if the money does not go toward abortion-related expenses.

The big picture: Plaintiffs argue that any taxpayer money going toward groups helping to obtain abortions elsewhere is against state law.

• "That includes grants to these organizations even if the money is earmarked for non-abortion purposes, because any such grant aids and abets their criminal activities by freeing up money and resources," the lawsuit reads.

Zoom in: The lawsuit names organizations among those that advocated for the San Antonio fund. It says many facilitate or pay for out-of-state abortions for Texans.

• "We will be taking discovery from every one of these abortion funds to expose their violations of state law and the criminal activities of their members and donors," John Seago, president of plaintiff Texas Right to Life, said in a statement.

What they're saying: Seago said the group will sue any Texas city that gives taxpayer money to abortion funds or abortion-assistance organizations.

The other side: "It is unfortunate taxpayer funds will be spent on defending against this lawsuit based on misinformation and false allegations," city attorney Andy Segovia said in a statement.

• City officials have not decided how the money will be used, but they will distribute it in accordance with state and federal laws, Segovia said.

Go deeper

Latino media trailblazer Raoul Cortez, who made San Antonio his springboard for innovation, was honored with a Google Doodle yesterday on what would have been his 118th birthday.

Catch up quick: Cortez, who was born in Mexico but moved to San Antonio when he was young, started the first Spanish language radio station in the U.S.

• KCOR started broadcasting from San Antonio in 1946, playing musicians from South Texas and Mexico and focusing on challenges faced by Latinos.
• In 1955, he launched KCOR-TV, the first Spanish language TV station in the U.S. and the forerunner to Univision, now a global leader for Spanish-speaking media.

Of note: During his time as a director of the League of United Latin American Citizens, Cortez oversaw the Delgado v. Bastrop Independent School District case, which marked the end of segregation against Mexican Americans in Texas public schools.

Context: Doodles are the variations to the Google logo on the search engine's homepage that celebrate holidays, anniversaries and the lives of distinguished people in history.

What they did: Google tapped artist Rafael Lopez to create the Doodle.

• Lopez says the geometric patterns in the Doodle were inspired by the Aztec mask sculpture that was a symbol of KCOR.
• The artist says he has been commissioned recently to create other works depicting Latino heritage. Cortez, like other figures he has painted, was "overlooked or marginalized for far too long," he says.

What they're saying: Guillermo Nicolas, Cortez's grandson, calls him an "American maverick."

• Cortez died in 1971 in San Antonio at age 66.

🚨 UTSA canceled classes and evacuated three buildings on its main campus yesterday following a bomb threat. Officials said it appeared to be a hoax. (KENS 5)

San Antonio police shot and killed a man early yesterday after a traffic stop. Police Chief William McManus said the man turned toward officers with a gun. (KSAT)

🐟 The San Marcos gambusia, a small fish that lived only in the San Marcos River, was declared extinct this week. It hasn't been seen in the wild since 1983. (Express-News 🔒)

👋 Megan here. I played tourist last week and joined my book club on a ghost tour of downtown.

• San Antonio is old, which may be why we have a reputation as one of the most haunted places in America.

Details: We booked with RJA Ghost Tours. Our tour guide was funny, knowledgeable and an all-around great host. Tours depart nightly at 9pm.

• Highlights included well-known haunted San Antonio buildings: the Menger Hotel, the Emily Morgan Hotel, the Spanish Governor's Palace and more.
• And the Alamo. Because, you know, there's a burial ground underneath it.

What I liked: The tour appeared to provide actual historic details with a haunted flair.

Cost: $25 for adults.

Pro tip: Start your evening with a happy hour at a haunted hotel bar.

• We chose Oro Restaurant & Bar at the Emily Morgan Hotel, a former medical building with a psychiatry section.
• The Menger Bar would also be a great stop.

The bottom line: If you feel like these things are a gimmick, just let go and have fun. It's cool to wander downtown at night, hear old stories about local landmarks and get into the spooky season mood with friends.

In case you forgot, we're just one week away from Victor Wembanyama's regular season NBA debut at the Frost Bank Center.

• And we're giving away two tickets to the Oct. 25 home opener to one lucky Axios San Antonio member.

How it works: Become a member by Thursday to be entered to win. All existing members are automatically entered.

• Contributions start at $50 per year.
• We will select the winner on Friday.

Why it matters: Memberships support local journalism and help us secure more resources to cover the city we love.

Details: You'll score perks like exclusive emails, birthday shoutouts and more.

💖 The bottom line: Thank you for your support.