🚢 Welcome aboard, Monday.

🌧️ Today's weather: Rainy with a high in the mid-60s.

🎂 Happy birthday to our member Linda Larson!

🗣️ Situational awareness: Following the blue wave in Texas, three progressive city councilmembers called for a meeting so the city can reevaluate how police officers work with ICE.

Today’s newsletter is 950 words — a 3.5-minute read.

A group of San Antonio city councilmembers wants the city to study the economic impacts of legalizing marijuana.

Why it matters: Just a week ago, it was unthinkable that blue San Antonio could ever legalize or regulate marijuana in bright-red Texas, with only a limited medical marijuana program. But the calculus has changed now that Democrats have swept statewide offices.

Catch up quick: Democratic Lt. Gov.-elect Vikki Goodwin said before the election that she supports legalizing cannabis.

• Outgoing Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has been staunchly opposed to all marijuana use, and had pushed for a ban on THC products.

Zoom in: District 2 Councilmember Jalen McKee-Rodriguez filed the policy proposal last week with the support of Councilmembers Sukh Kaur, Edward Mungia, Teri Castillo and Ric Galvan — a largely progressive bloc of the City Council — to study legalized marijuana.

What they're saying: "Should the effects of legalization prove to be an economic and public health benefit to San Antonio and the state of Texas, we should mobilize in support of legislation that will make this possible," McKee-Rodriguez said in a statement.

• The San Antonio chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America supported the move, writing in an Instagram post that "this is only the beginning."

The big picture: Goodwin has said she wants to undo current restrictions on THC, and Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa has said Texans should vote on the future of THC.

Yes, but: THC business owners told the Texas Tribune that last week's election results wouldn't offer immediate relief.

• Plus, a federal ban on hemp-derived THC products is set to take effect next month.

Flashback: San Marcos voters in 2022 approved a local measure to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana. But it didn't last — outgoing Attorney General Ken Paxton sued, and the courts sided with him, saying the city's measure conflicted with state law.

What's next: The City Council's Governance Committee has about two months to take up the proposal and decide where it goes from there.

Go deeper

Every day, we work to bring you the local stories, insights and updates that help you stay connected to your community.

📍 Become a member today. Your support helps us continue delivering trusted local reporting and keeps our newsroom focused on the stories that matter most.

Help keep local journalism strong where you live.

Young voters swung so hard toward Democrats in last week's election that it raises new doubts about whether Republicans can build a lasting coalition among Americans under 30.

Why it matters: President Trump's success with Gen Z voters, especially young men, fueled talk of a generational shift toward Republicans. Tuesday's results tell a different story.

By the numbers: An estimated 66% of voters ages 18–29 backed Democratic House candidates, compared with 31% for Republicans, according to Tufts University's CIRCLE, which analyzed preliminary data from the NORC Civic Health & Elections Project.

• That's a 35-point Democratic advantage, compared with 14 points in the 2024 national House exit poll, when young voters favored Democrats 56%–42%.
• Democratic support among men under 30 rose from 51% in 2024 to 59% in 2026. Among young women, it climbed from 61% to 70%, according to 2024 exit polling by Edison Research and CIRCLE's updated 2026 analysis of NORC data.

Zoom in: In Texas, 76% of voters under 30 supported Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico, while 73% backed Hinojosa, according to CIRCLE's state analysis.

What they're saying: "Gen Z voters are proving that they have the power not just to decide races, but to be the decisive factor in flipping both chambers of Congress," Santiago Mayer, executive director of the Gen Z-led voter outreach organization Voters of Tomorrow, said in a statement.

Yes, but: An earlier More in Common study identified a faction of younger Trump supporters embracing more hard-line views on gender roles and religion.

Read more

📈 Experts say Texas' economic success has little to do with Republican control, and that the factors driving it — like a large population and abundant natural resources — will likely continue. (Texas Tribune)

1️⃣ State Rep. Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston) says she has enough votes to become the next Texas House speaker. She would be the first woman and first Black lawmaker to serve in the role. (Axios Houston)

🤣 Sen.-elect James Talarico delivered the cold open on "Saturday Night Live," appearing alongside cast member James Austin Johnson as President Trump. (YouTube)

☕ Folklores Coffee House in Government Hill has a new local owner. (MySA)

🪻 Quote du jour

"I need a bluebonnet tattoo. The state's blue, I need that bluebonnet today."

On Friday, we asked for your captions of a suddenly iconic moment in Texas politics — the election night Whataburger meet-up between Talarico and Hinojosa.

Here are some of your imagined insights into their toast:

Pat D.: "What-a-way to toast the Blue Wave in Texas!"

Sherry H.: "¡Salud y Prosit! I mean, Wurstfest is this week!"

Erika P.: "WhatAWin"

Don M.: "Many people doubted voters for Gina could ketchup to Greg. But they did! And James mustard up support for his campaign. What-a-Election! Lettuce celebrate!"

Glenda W.: "Whattawinner!"

Tom B.: "Gina and James

• "Sittin' in a booth,
• "Talkin' 'bout ways
• "To better educate youth."

Eddie V.: "'I thought you were giving up red meat.'

• 'Shoot, looks like the whole state gave up on red everything.'"
  

Thanks to our editors Astrid Galván and Bob Gee.

🍷 Madalyn thinks this new wine window in New Braunfels is pretty cute.

🗞️ Megan is reading about the 23-year-old San Antonian who repairs, builds and sells typewriters.