Axios San Antonio

April 09, 2026
🤠 Howdy, y'all! Fiesta is officially one week away.
🌧️ Today's weather: Partly sunny, then chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a high in the low 80s.
Today's newsletter is 930 words — a 3.5-minute read.
1 big thing: Grad growth still behind

The percentage of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher is growing in the San Antonio area, but still lags national figures, recent Census Bureau data shows.
Why it matters: Having more college-educated adults can reshape the area's workforce and build economic muscle. A highly educated population can also be attractive to companies looking to relocate.
- Education is also one of the most effective ways for people to lift their lifetime earnings.
By the numbers: The share of San Antonio metro residents 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher rose from about 28% to 32% between the 2015–2019 and 2020–2024 periods.
- Nationally, it rose from about 34% to 38% in the same time periods.
- Our neighbors in Austin saw some of the biggest gains in educational attainment among the 100 largest metro areas, rising from 45% to 51%.
Between the lines: While we fall behind national figures, the rate at which the percentage of our educated residents is growing matches that of the country.
How it works: That's based on the Census Bureau's latest 5-year American Community Survey estimates.
- A city's share can increase if more residents get their degrees — or if more people with degrees move into town.
Reality check: San Antonio remains one of the nation's least educated major cities in terms of bachelor's degrees. We're one of the poorest big cities, too.
Zoom in: Local higher education leaders last month pledged to increase the area's educational attainment as part of the Momentum 2030 strategy from Greater SATX, the region's economic development nonprofit.
- The effort is focused on the percentage of the population 25 and older with an associate's degree or higher. That's currently about 41%, and the goal is to increase it to 45% by 2030.
- "Each percentage point of educational attainment represents roughly 27,000 members of our community, underscoring how transformational this shared goal can be," Sarah Carabias Rush, president and CEO of Greater SATX, said in a statement. "Talent is the number one driver of economic competitiveness."
2. Why space needs spice
NASA sent five hot sauce varieties on Artemis II, deeming the spicy staple an essential item.
The big picture: Tabasco, Sriracha, Cholula, Frank's RedHot and Heinz Hot Taco Sauce are on the rocket, according to Victoria Segovia, a public affairs specialist at Johnson Space Center in Houston.
- She says NASA doesn't endorse any of the brands, though.
- Spicy condiments aren't new in space. Wasabi, Louisiana Hot Sauce, Sriracha and Tabasco are already popular on the International Space Station, along with shrimp cocktail, which has freeze-dried shrimp and horseradish, PBS says.
How it works: Hot sauce serves practical and behavioral health functions in space, Segovia says.
- "In microgravity, astronauts often experience less acute olfactory senses due to fluid shift — similar to having a mild congestion — which can dull flavor perceptions," she tells Axios.
- "Spicy and bold" condiments help enhance taste, she says.

How they choose: The hot sauces are selected in collaboration with astronauts and NASA's food scientists at the Johnson Space Center Food Lab, she says.
- Astronauts taste-test and provide input on flavor preferences, variety and compatibility with the menu.
- Selections are also evaluated for safety, shelf stability, nutritional value and suitability for the spaceflight environment.
Zoom out: Menu items include spicy green beans, barbecued beef brisket and mango salad. See the food highlights below.

Tell us: Which hot sauce or salsa would be your must-have in space?
- Hit reply and let us know. Bonus points if it's San Antonio-made.
- We may feature your response in a future newsletter.
3. Inside the Loop
🛒 Pan-Asia Supermarket's first Texas location will be in San Antonio, with plans for a food court, bakery, boba shop and more in a 60,000-square-foot space near USAA headquarters. It's scheduled to open by spring 2027. (MySA)
🦒 The San Antonio Zoo recently welcomed a year-old female giraffe named Jasiri from the Tulsa Zoo as part of a conservation breeding program. (KSAT)
🚰 San Antonio Water System proposed a four-year rate plan that would raise residential water bills by about 32% to fund infrastructure upgrades and meet state requirements.
- A second public hearing is set for May 5 before going before the City Council for approval in May or June. (TPR)
4. 🎉 Weekender guide: Pre-Fiesta happenings
Friday
🍓 Enjoy three days of music, rides and sweet eats at the Poteet Strawberry Festival, running through Sunday.
- Hours and ticket prices vary.
Saturday
📚 Get lit at the free San Antonio Book Festival, which will take over the Central Library and the UTSA Southwest Campus with book sales, signings, activities, food and more, 9am-5pm.
🎉 Celebrate Fiesta season at Animal Care Services' Paw-Changa adoption festival, 11am–6pm Saturday (also happening Sunday) with adoptable pets, music, food and family fun at the shelter off Highway 151.
- General admission is free; VIP passes ($50) include early access and one adoption.
🗣 Kick off National Poetry Month at the free Viva Poesía Festival at Mission Marquee Plaza 6-10pm.
Sunday
🚴 Play in the street during Síclovía, when Broadway (Mulberry to McCullough) closes to cars for running, biking, walking and more, 10am–2pm.
🔥 Experience the beloved tradition that is the Fajita Lounge during its annual throwdown competition at Bar Gimme Gimme starting at 5pm.
- A $10 cover includes taco tastings.
Thanks to our editors Astrid Galván and Bob Gee.
🧑🚀 Madalyn is still glued to the Artemis II livestream and wishes she knew what brand of tortillas the crew is eating in space.
🌃 Megan is grateful for a last-minute trip to see a friend this week.
Sign up for Axios San Antonio







