State Rep. James Talarico (D-Austin) leads his potential Republican opponents in the U.S. Senate race in Texas, per a poll from the University of Texas out this morning.

Why it matters: A close race in Texas would expand the battleground for Democrats in their bid to retake the Senate and put a legislative check on President Trump.

State of play: Talarico will face either U.S. Sen. John Cornyn or Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who are vying for the GOP nomination in a May 26 runoff.

By the numbers: In hypothetical matchups, Talarico led Cornyn 40% to 33% among 1,200 registered voters in the University of Texas/Texas Politics Project poll, and he held a 42% to 34% lead over Paxton.

Context: The poll comes a day after another nonpartisan poll found Talarico leading his Republican rivals by closer margins.

What they're saying: Republicans remain divided on who they want to represent them in the race — but they still have plenty of time to get behind a single candidate by November, Jim Henson, director of the Texas Politics Project, tells Axios.

• "We are asking voters in April about their potential voting preferences in this hypothetical matchup while an incredibly heated and long-running primary is going on," he says.

Reality check: No Democrat has won statewide in Texas since 1994.

• But Talarico has been raising record amounts of money, and President Trump's low approval ratings have been a drag on Republican candidates around the country.

The intrigue: At an event at the conservative Texas Public Policy Foundation this month, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick forecast problems for Republicans if the party couldn't unite behind its Senate nominee.

• He urged Paxton and Cornyn to endorse whoever wins the bitterly contested primary. "Because if 10-15% of either of their sides don't turn out and vote, James Talarico is going to win," he said.

The bottom line: "It's likely to be a pretty favorable electoral environment for Democrats should things stay on the trajectory they're on now," Henson says.

More about the poll

Bloomberg Philanthropies and Johns Hopkins are launching a Mayors AI Forum, a global coalition of 10 city leaders including San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones.

Why it matters: The forum gives local officials a direct role in shaping how AI is deployed in cities.

The big picture: "Mayors have often been early leaders on global challenges," Michael Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies and former New York City mayor, said in a statement.

• Jones joins other mayors from Boston, London, San Francisco, Madrid and Kyiv.

Zoom in: The goal is to bring together mayors who can develop city-specific insights and best practices. They will participate in:

• Scenario planning: Working through up to four "AI-futures" for each city, including best and worst cases for how the technology could impact local economies.
• Research: Cities will partner with Johns Hopkins on additional research.
• Briefings: Participants will get access to closed-door meetings with Big Tech executives and global policymakers.

Yes, but: Half of Americans are more concerned than excited about the use of AI, according to Pew, and Gen Z's excitement about the technology sits at 22%, per Gallup.

What they're saying: "Confronting the reality of AI and its potential to advance solutions to local challenges requires we mayors move boldly, strategically, and compassionately or else get left behind," Jones said in a statement.

🛣️ The exit to La Cantera Parkway on westbound Loop 1604 will close permanently on Friday, as TxDOT continues construction to transform the highway. (MySA)

📱 North East ISD trustees voted to prohibit students from using cell phones all day, a change from the current policy that allows phone use during lunch and passing periods.

• The Texas Education Agency had threatened to appoint a conservator, saying NEISD wasn't complying with state law. (TPR)

🚨 Driving while intoxicated arrests during this year's Fiesta dropped 19% from last year. (KSAT)

The Barn Door Restaurant & Meat Market will serve its last meal on Mother's Day after 73 years of serving steaks in San Antonio.

Why it matters: The closure marks the end of a decades-long gathering place for San Antonians on the North Side, as well as another loss for the city's roster of legacy restaurants.

The latest: The Barn Door announced Monday that May 10 will be its final day of service.

• A reason for the closure was not disclosed.
• "Right now, our focus is on celebrating the legacy of the restaurant, its staff and the generations of guests who have supported them," spokesperson Joshua Rodriguez tells Axios in a statement.

What they're saying: "This is not an easy decision," co-owner Randy Stokes said in a statement. "It has truly been the privilege of a lifetime to serve this community."

What's next: The Barn Door will operate on a reservations-only schedule starting Friday, with limited hours: 5–10pm Wednesdays through Saturdays and 11:30am–8pm on Sundays.

If you're ready to level up your outdoor game, consider adding a bat box to your space.

The big picture: Bats are under threat globally due to habitat loss. Giving them a safe place to roost helps protect these nocturnal MVPs — key pollinators that also spread seeds and devour pesky insects like mosquitoes, wasps and flies.

• Bexar County is home to several bat species, including the Mexican free-tailed bat, Texas' state flying mammal.

Reality check: "Bat houses are complicated to get right," warn experts at Bat Conservation International. "They can go unused for years, attract pests, and even harm bats when installed incorrectly."

Yes, but: Without a proper roost, bats may end up in less-than-ideal spots like attics or lofts.

Zoom in: Lone Star Woodcraft, in Garden Ridge northeast of San Antonio, offers bat houses in several sizes. The smallest houses around 100 bats and costs $150.

What's next: Bracken Cave Preserve bat flight viewings begin in May. Tickets cost about $32.50.

• Near Garden Ridge, the preserve is the world's largest bat colony, home to more than 15 million Mexican free-tailed bats.

More on bat boxes