👻 It's Friday! Thanks for creeping it real with us this week.

🌧️ Today's weather: Showers and thunderstorms likely, with a high in the mid-70s.

😴 Situational awareness: Enjoy some Halloween fun tomorrow, then treat yourself to an extra hour of sleep as daylight saving time ends at 2am Sunday.

Today’s newsletter is 899 words — a 3.5-minute read.

Democrat Gina Hinojosa faces an uphill battle to unseat Gov. Greg Abbott, but political experts say economic pressures and a shifting political climate could create an opportunity.

Why it matters: The race will test whether frustration with Republican leadership is enough to shift voting patterns in a state where Democrats have struggled in statewide elections for decades.

• Hinojosa, a state legislator from Austin, has a distinct cash disadvantage but has risen in polls in recent months and the race is now within the margin of error.

Turnout

Matthew Wilson, a Southern Methodist University political scientist, tells Axios the final stretch of the campaign is more about mobilizing supporters than changing voters' minds.

• "It is probably at this stage easier to mobilize someone who is not that fired up about voting than it is to actually change someone's mind," Wilson says.

Yes, but: Hinojosa has been critical of Abbott's policies on data centers and Flock license plate readers — issues that could potentially resonate with voters beyond the Democratic base.

Political opening

Alvaro Corral, a University of Texas Rio Grande Valley political scientist, tells Axios rising costs, particularly gasoline in car-dependent South Texas, has helped Hinojosa frame the election as a referendum on Republican leadership.

• Texas voters rank political corruption as a top concern, and Hinojosa has paired higher costs with what she calls the "Greg Abbott corruption tax" — doing the bidding of "monied interests," she says.

The other side: "The governor is always focused on the issues Texans care about most. He's focused on slashing property taxes; lowering the costs of energy, housing, auto and home insurance; and making college more affordable," Abbott campaign spokesperson Eduardo Leal tells Axios.

Latino vote

Hinojosa's Brownsville upbringing is helping her connect with Hispanic voters in South Texas, Corral says.

• "She's making no secret about being a child of the Rio Grande Valley, being from the Rio Grande Valley, and folks around here take pride in that," he says.
• Her appeal comes as Latinos are shifting away from the Republican Party after having voted in large numbers for President Trump in 2024.

The bottom line: Corral says Democrats would need numerous factors to align to break their statewide losing streak.

• "Everything needs to go their way. Everything, everything, everything," he says.

Talarico's coattails

The flu is getting an earlier start in Texas and nationwide this year.

Why it matters: Health experts say it's time to get your flu shot if you haven't already.

Zoom in: State hospital laboratories reported more than 800 flu cases from Oct. 4-10, up from about 15 during roughly the same period in 2025, per the Texas Health and Human Services department.

Flashback: The U.S. saw its worst flu season in 25 years last season.

Between the lines: Doctors nationwide urge Americans to get their flu shots now. It takes up to two weeks for the vaccine to provide maximum protection.

• This season, the new U.S.-approved mRNA flu vaccine is available to adults 50 and older.
• Children make up the highest percentage of medical visits in the U.S. for flu-like illness.

The bottom line: Trish Perl, an infectious diseases and epidemiology professor at UT Southwestern, tells Axios the early uptick in flu positivity is worth watching, but it's too soon to gauge how severe this "reliably unreliable" flu season will be.

✍️ The City Council voted 9-2 yesterday to restrict data centers to heavy commercial and industrial areas and require council approval for new projects. (KSAT)

🏀 New Spurs forward Tobias Harris is inching closer to his team debut after participating in on-court workouts, though the team has not set a timetable for his return from a calf strain. (Express-News 🔑)

🚗 VIA Metropolitan Transit added two electric vehicles to its VIA Link Downtown rideshare fleet yesterday, offering riders another transportation option for $1.30 per trip. (VIA)

Halloween is full of tricks and treats, but San Antonio Animal Care Services wants to make sure your pets only get the latter.

Why it matters: Seemingly harmless Halloween traditions can pose risks to cats and dogs.

State of play: ACS shared some tips to keep furry family members safe during the spooky season.

🍫 Keep candy out of reach. Chocolate can be toxic to cats and dogs. Watch out for choking hazards like candy wrappers and caramel apple sticks, too.

🛋️ Ditch the doorbell drama. Consider setting up a quiet space where they can relax, and bring outdoor pets inside if doorbell-ringing and trick-or-treaters might bother them.

👺 Beware of costumes. Masks and disguises can frighten pets and potentially trigger aggressive behavior.

• If your pet is easily spooked, leave them at home while trick-or-treating.

🦴 Don't force the festivities. Not all pets enjoy wearing costumes or festive collars.

• Skip the dress-up if yours seems uncomfortable and consider a pet-friendly Halloween treat instead.

The bottom line: Don't let Halloween get too ruff.

Thanks to our editors Astrid Galván and Bob Gee.

🏺 Madalyn is looking forward to dressing up tomorrow as Disney's version of Megara.

🥹 Megan is excited to see her friend get married today.