Bexar County voters on Nov. 4 will have their say on whether the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo should expand to make the East Side its year-round home.

Why it matters: The rodeo is seeking a $197 million renovation from the same pot of funding the Spurs want to use for a new downtown arena.

• The rodeo's plans are predicated on the Spurs moving out of the Frost Bank Center.

Zoom in: If voters approve an increase in the county's venue tax as Proposition A on the ballot, rodeo CEO Cody Davenport tells Axios the money would go toward:

• Converting one of the expo buildings into an arena that can draw events year-round.
• Adding a new building for livestock exhibitions and junior shows.
• Renovating other county buildings so that they can host conventions.
• Allowing the rodeo to add about 20 days per year inside the Frost Bank Center and the adjacent Freeman Coliseum, in which the rodeo could also host concerts.

What they're saying: "It has a very unwelcoming, cold feel to it with the barns and a lot of asphalt," Davenport says of the current rodeo grounds.

• Davenport says more regular events like Charreadas and ropings will "allow us to kind of have a feel down here, an identity."

How it works: Bexar County's venue tax is a fund generated by a 1.75% tax on hotel rooms and a 5% tax on car rentals. Proposition A seeks to raise the hotel portion of the tax to 2%.

• The venue tax can only be used on facility projects like arenas and stadiums and "related infrastructure," which can include things like stores, restaurants and hotels nearby.

Yes, but: If Proposition A passes but Proposition B (the Spurs arena) fails, "The honest answer is that there would be a whole lot of unknowns," Davenport says.

What's next: Today is the last day to register to vote.

• Early voting begins Oct. 20.

The Ralston, the San Antonio Zoo's new event space with sweeping views of animals and the city skyline, is now open.

Why it matters: The space adds a major revenue stream that will help the zoo fund its mission for animal conservation.

The vibe: The Ralston overlooks Congo Falls, the new gorilla habitat anchored by the 70-foot Mays Family Silverback Peak tower.

• The exhibit, set to open later this year, brings gorillas back to the zoo for the first time in more than 30 years.

By the numbers: The event venue can seat up to 500 guests.

Between the lines: It was funded by a $10 million donation from philanthropist Shannon Ralston, who named it in honor of her mother, Laurie. It's the largest donation in the zoo's nearly 100-year history.

What's next: The zoo will debut the Brewer Ocean Conservation Lab next summer, designed to revive coral reefs by growing corals for reintroduction off the Texas coast and abroad.

🏈 The San Antonio Brahmas will not return for the 2026 season, the United Football League said. The league's new owner imagines more intimate venues than the large Alamodome, and San Antonio doesn't have a stadium to match. (Express-News 🔑)

📝 San Antonio ISD told families that participants in a student protest planned for tomorrow could be armed, and is discouraging involvement. (News 4)

🛣️ A new flyover ramp connecting westbound I-10 to eastbound Loop 1604 is now open on the Northwest Side. (Texas Department of Transportation)

🗳️ Leave your fan gear at home: You can't wear Spurs or rodeo apparel to polling places when you cast a ballot on Propositions A and B. (KSAT)

👋 Hey y'all, it's Megan. If you're looking for a relaxed spot for your next happy hour, head to Copper Rose Wine.

Dig in: The combination bottle shop and bar opened in Beacon Hill earlier this year. It's on the same stretch of Blanco Road as other relatively new businesses like Beacon Hill Market & Deli.

The vibe: The inside seating section is small, but there's plentiful room in the side yard, where there's also a playset for kids.

• You can grab a glass or a bottle, and there's small snacks, cheeses and meats available for purchase from the fridge.

What to try: My friend and I enjoyed a bottle of the Traslapiedra chardonnay ($24) from Argentina. It's fresh and dry and more unique than the average chardonnay.

Pro tips: Stop by during the small farmers market every Tuesday, 4-7pm.

• Check their Instagram page for information on food pop-ups and other events.

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In less than a month, we'll know whether Bexar County voters are in favor of a new downtown Spurs arena.

By the numbers: A nonbinding deal the City Council approved in August lays out how a $1.3 billion arena would be funded:

• $500 million from the Spurs.
• $489 million from a city bond that does not require voter approval.
• $311 million from a Bexar County venue tax increase, if approved by voters.

Catch up quick: The arena would be the centerpiece of a new sports and entertainment district that could also include a convention center remodel, an entertainment venue at the former John H. Wood Jr. U.S. Courthouse and more.

• Voters will cast ballots Nov. 4 on a portion of the arena funding. But many see the vote as tied to whether the public is supportive of the broader district.

📧 Your take: Should San Antonio accept or reject the deal? Take our poll online here by 2pm Wednesday.

• Then hit reply to share why.