Gov. Greg Abbott last night vetoed the THC ban bill passed by his fellow Republicans in the Texas Legislature.

Why it matters: The move secures the future of the state's multibillion-dollar hemp industry and keeps those who rely on legal THC products with more options — for now.

• It also articulates a divide among Texas conservatives in how they view cannabis and how to address its rising popularity.

Driving the news: Abbott acted less than an hour before the midnight deadline to veto bills and didn't immediately issue a statement.

Catch up quick: Senate Bill 3 sought to ban the possession, sale and manufacture of all THC products — including consumable delta-8 THC which Texas lawmakers legalized in 2019.

Context: Delta-8 THC is a minor chemical variant of the main psychoactive ingredient in traditional cannabis and provides lesser psychoactive effects. It can be coupled with CBD, another hemp-derived compound used for pain relief and mental wellness.

• In 2019, Abbott signed the Texas farm bill, which partly legalized products containing small amounts of hemp-derived delta-8 THC, including edibles, beverages, vapes and traditional bud.

What they're saying: Abbott "stood with millions of Texans, protected 53,000+ jobs" and "showed real leadership today," the Texas Hemp Business Council wrote on X.

• "Texas is stronger for it," the council added.

The other side: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who made banning THC a top priority, slammed Abbott, saying the bill was "strongly backed by law enforcement, many in the medical and education communities, and the families who have seen their loved ones' lives destroyed by these very dangerous drugs..."

Flashback: The Senate passed SB 3 26-5 in March, and the House with an 87-54 vote in May.

Yes, but: Thousands of veterans, business owners and THC proponents sent Abbott letters urging him to veto the bill.

The big picture: The move comes as Abbott signed a bill expanding the state's medical marijuana program, and as more states have loosened cannabis restrictions in recent years.

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Summer evenings are getting warmer in San Antonio and across much of the U.S. amid climate change, a new analysis shows.

Why it matters: Higher overnight temperatures can have health consequences for vulnerable groups, as well as increase demand for air conditioning.

• That, in turn, can increase energy demand and strain electrical grids, fueling a vicious cycle with more greenhouse gas emissions.

Zoom out: Average summer nighttime temperatures increased between 1970 and 2024 in 96% of 241 locations analyzed in a new report from Climate Central, a research and communications group.

Zoom in: In San Antonio, summer nighttime temps rose by 3°F on average.

What they're saying: When nighttime temperatures remain high, the body doesn't get a chance to cool down, per Scientific American.

• That can lead to a host of health risks, including stroke, per a study in Science Daily.
• "Climate change is causing nighttime temperatures to rise much faster than daytime temperatures," the researchers wrote.

The big picture: Hundreds of U.S. cities are experiencing more frequent warmer-than-average summer nights "with a strong climate change fingerprint," Climate Central says.

The bottom line: It isn't just daytime highs getting warmer in much of the U.S., but evening lows, too.

🪧 Protesters gathered downtown at the Torch of Friendship yesterday to oppose the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. (KSAT)

• Meanwhile, the governor said he stands with President Trump and is increasing state patrols around "high-risk locations" so that Texas is "fully prepared to address any threat." (X)

San Antonio police said they arrested a person suspected of making "threats to commit a mass shooting at a Jewish facility." (City of San Antonio)

💡 CPS Energy says peak energy demand could rise by at least a third because of data center growth. (Express-News 🔑)

👋 Megan here. I'm doing a "Dry June" instead of a "Dry January" this year because, why not?

The big picture: There's been a nationwide shift in the way people think about their relationship to alcohol.

• While summer can be marked by an array of cold cocktails and beers, I decided it doesn't need to be.

Dig in: There are plenty of places in San Antonio to get a great mocktail, and many bars are now carrying non-alcoholic beers that actually taste like beer.

What to try: The "Get Toasted" mocktail ($10) at The Hoppy Monk in Stone Oak.

• It's made with Seedlip 108, an NA spirit that blends rosemary, thyme and spearmint. Add to that a mango honey purée, coconut cream and lemon, and you have yourself a full drink.
• It's refreshing, fruity and smooth.

What's next: Trying the other NA spirits hitting the market.

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More than 70 life-size cow sculptures are on display around San Antonio for a good cause.

The big picture: CowParade, billed as the world's largest public art event, is back in San Antonio this summer for the first time in more than 20 years.

How it works: Local artists transform the cow sculptures into unique paintings. They are on view around the city now through the end of August.

• On Sept. 25, there will be a live auction for the cows to benefit the Christus Children's Foundation. An online auction will follow.

Zoom in: Find a map of the cows' locations, and details about the participating artists, online.

• You can find the sculptures at North Star Mall, The Rim, the Alamo and plenty of other spots.

What's next: Enter a scavenger hunt for the cows to win prizes and local gift cards. The deadline is Aug. 15.

Editor's note: This story was updated to include the new date for the live auction and a new cow location map.