Axios San Antonio

March 31, 2026
🖍️ Release your inner child this Tuesday — it's National Crayon Day.
⛅ Today's weather: Partly sunny. High nearing 90.
🎂 Happy birthday to our members Alison Boone, Lexa Rijos and Melanie Sturm!
- Our members are the driving force behind our newsroom. Join them today.
🚘 Situational awareness: Waymo is expanding its service today to include rides to and from San Antonio International Airport.
- It's the first fully autonomous ride-hailing service to offer airport transit in Texas, a spokesperson tells Axios.
Today's newsletter is 943 words — a 3.5-minute read.
1 big thing: Texas hemp industry sees more changes
Pre-rolled joints and other smokable THC products will no longer be sold in Texas starting today.
Why it matters: Hemp advocates say they plan on suing after yet another blow to the multibillion-dollar industry and its consumers.
Catch up quick: Small amounts of THC were made legal through federal and state laws in 2018 and 2019, allowing consumable products to hit the market if they were less than 0.3% delta-9 THC, the main psychoactive compound in cannabis.
- The legislation did not include limits on THCA, a compound in hemp that turns into delta-9 THC when burned.
- After Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed an effort to ban all THC last year, he ordered the Texas Department of State Health Services to add regulations to the industry.
The latest: The department's new rules now include limits on the "total THC" in a product.
- That means smokable products, like flower buds or pre-rolls, are now off the market, industry leaders say.
What they're saying: Texas Hemp Business Council executive director Mark Bordas tells Axios he fears the move will ultimately send consumers to the black market.
- "People are going to look for alternatives," Bordas says. "If they can't get it [in store or online], they're going to get it from somebody they know who knows somebody. That's where things get really frightening."
- Bordas tells Axios the council will file a lawsuit in response to the rule change, saying they don't believe the department has the authority to make the change.
The other side: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who in 2025 led the failed fight in the Texas Legislature to ban all forms of THC, says the products are dangerous and marketed to children.
Zoom out: Today's new rules mandate child-resistant packaging, labeling, testing and bookkeeping requirements.
- The department banned the sale of hemp products to those under 21 in October.
What's next: A federal ban of hemp-derived THC products goes into effect in November, although hemp industry leaders are hopeful the Trump administration will reverse course before then.
2. 🏓 Pickleball boom continues
Pickleball club franchise Dill Dinkers has opened its second local spot near UT San Antonio.
Why it matters: Pickleball has been the fastest-growing sport in America for five years running, per the Sports & Fitness Industry Association's 2026 Topline Participation Report.
- The company says its new location is the largest indoor pickleball spot within San Antonio's city limits.
Zoom in: The 24,000-square-foot facility has 10 courts, two dedicated social areas, and materials that dull sound for a quieter playing environment.
- It has outdoor-style balls and surfaces in an indoor environment — which some players prefer in San Antonio's hot summers.
Plus: The club's coaching staff includes UT San Antonio student-athletes.
What they're saying: "We've built a space that's easy to enjoy, whether you're new to the game or play regularly," Brian Birdy, franchise owner and regional developer for Dill Dinkers, said in a statement.
- "Working with UTSA student-athletes as part of our coaching team keeps us connected to the local community."
State of play: The Newbie + Beginner Academy, starting this week, is a seven-week program for people who want to get into pickleball but don't have much experience.
- It includes coaching instruction, and paddles and balls are available to borrow.
If you go: Annual members get access to all 27 Dill Dinkers locations nationwide.
- The company says it has another 450 facilities on the way.
What's next: Dill Dinkers will host beginner clinics, all-level leagues and tournaments. The space is also available to rent for private events.
3. Inside the Loop
A 15-year-old student shot and injured a teacher before killing himself yesterday at Hill Country College Preparatory High School in Bulverde. The teacher was hospitalized. (TPR)
🛣️ Traffic alert: The eastbound Loop 1604 to westbound Loop 1604 U-turn at I-10 will be closed for at least two weeks for construction. (MySA)
🚀 SpaceX, headquartered in South Texas, is preparing to launch the largest IPO of all time. (Axios)
🥖 South Korean chain Paris Baguette is working on a third San Antonio location in Stone Oak. Construction is scheduled to wrap in October. (SA Current)
4. 🤑 Turning gas prices into discounts


A restaurant chain with locations in San Antonio is offering a cheeky discount as diners face higher gas prices.
How it works: Dine-in customers at Denver-based Snooze Eatery can mention the "gas price promo" now through Friday to get a discount equal to the average gas price in their state.
- In Texas, that's $3.29, per Snooze, which set the amounts for the entire promo period.
- The discount, like the price of gas, is highest in California: $5.84.
- Snooze has three locations in San Antonio: the Alamo Quarry Market, the Huebner Oaks shopping center and near Stone Oak.
Zoom out: Oil prices climbed after markets opened Sunday as the war in Iran escalated.
Zoom in: In the San Antonio area, the average price of gas per gallon stood at $3.34 in March, per GasBuddy.
- While below the national average of $3.69, San Antonio gas prices have risen sharply since January, when the average price per gallon was $2.36.
Thanks to our editors Astrid Galván and Bob Gee.
🥱 Madalyn is resting up.
👀 Megan is reading about whether Southwest Airlines' Austin investment could come at a cost for San Antonio.
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