✈️ It's Thursday! On this day in 1915, the Stinson School of Flying opened as the first flight school operated by a woman.

☀️ Today's weather: Sunny. High in the upper 70s.

🎂 Happy birthday to our member Diana Massing!

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🏦 Situational awareness: The San Antonio-based parent company of Frost Bank is moving its shares to the Texas Stock Exchange starting today.

Today’s newsletter is 1,005 words — a 4-minute read.

Gina Hinojosa answered a question in Spanish at her first news conference as governor-elect, an early moment in a historic new chapter for Texas' first Latina governor.

Why it matters: Hinojosa's election represents more than a shift in political power for some Mexican Americans — it marks a milestone generations of Hispanic women worked toward as they fought for a greater voice in state politics.

What they're saying: "I'm still flying high on hope bursting open," Erika Prosper, wife of Bexar County Judge-elect Ron Nirenberg, wrote on election night.

• "As a Tejana from the 956, I'm beyond proud of the brown girl being elected Governor tonight. As a professional working mother, I'm in solidarity with her motivation. As a voter, I'm seeing my vote make history. ¿Y por qué no? Si se pudo!" ("And why not? Yes, we did it!")

Zoom in: Sharon Navarro, a UT San Antonio political science professor specializing in women's political representation, tells Axios the election may carry different meanings across generations.

• For older Mexican American women, it may represent the culmination of decades of political organizing and struggles for representation.
• For younger Latinas, it may be less about overcoming past barriers and more about expanding their expectations for the future.

Flashback: Latinas have long played a role in Texas politics, even as they've faced barriers to elected leadership, tracing that history through early mutual-aid societies, LULAC women's councils and efforts to challenge the poll tax, Cuero-based Mexican American historian Cynthia E. Orozco tells Axios.

• She also points to longtime San Antonio activist Rosie Castro as one of the women who advocated for working-class communities and greater political representation.
• "It's a realization of many decades of women's work," Orozco says of Hinojosa's victory.

The bottom line: Castro's son, former San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro and current CEO of the Latino Community Foundation, emphasized the importance of turning representation into results during a UnidosUS webinar last week.

• "Representation, while wonderful, is not sufficient," he said, adding that voters will be watching whether elected officials deliver on issues affecting their communities.

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz wasted no time launching a campaign to win Texas back for Republicans, announcing a new Austin headquarters for his group Saving Texas.

Why it matters: The midterms left Texas as ground zero for the GOP. For both parties, national debates over immigration policy, AI and the Latino vote will begin and end here.

• Saving Texas will coordinate candidate recruitment, grassroots infrastructure, fundraising and more as Republicans try to rebuild in a state that was safely theirs for decades, Axios has learned.

What he's saying: "The work of rebuilding our party begins right here," Cruz said in a statement first provided to Axios.

Between the lines: Cruz's maneuver may be about more than taking back Texas — there are no especially prominent statewide races in 2028. Appearing to help out his party could also help his own potential presidential run.

• Texas' 40 electoral votes are a must-win for any Republican running for president.
• Should Cruz win the presidency in 2028, a Gov. Gina Hinojosa would get to name his temporary replacement and set a special election to choose someone to serve the remainder of his term.

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🌧️ This week's wet weather ensures San Antonio will finish the year with above-average rainfall, a milestone we haven't seen since 2021 amid drought. (Express-News 🔑)

⚽ An indoor soccer club chain called UNLMTD Soccer is planning a location on the Northeast Side. (CultureMap SA)

🍳 The Brunch Spot is opening in Olmos Park in the former home of Full Belly Cafe. (MySA)

Today

🇩🇪 Hop up to New Braunfels for Wurstfest, continuing through Sunday.

• Admission is free today; costs vary through the weekend.

Tomorrow

✒️ Head to the tattoo festival at the Freeman Expo Hall; times vary through Sunday.

• A daily ticket costs $20.

Saturday

🍵 Experience a free, live demo of Temomi, or hand-rolled Japanese tea, from visiting artisans; running 10am-1pm at the Japanese Tea Garden.

🍖 Arrive hungry at the Smoke & Fire BBQ Fest at Pullman Market, 5-9pm.

• General admission costs $106 and includes unlimited food samples.

🪩 Get your Halloween costume back out for Cumbiaween, rescheduled for 5-9pm at the Sunken Garden Theater.

• Tickets cost $15.

🏮 Return to the free Luminaria Contemporary Arts Festival, running 6pm-midnight at its new location on Houston Street in west downtown.

Sunday

🎬 Catch a screening of "High Fidelity" followed by a live conversation and Q&A with actor John Cusack, starting at 7:30pm at the Tobin Center.

• Tickets start at $58.

Haute South, the sister restaurant of Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery, is trading The Rim for a new home at Make Ready Market in River North.

State of play: Haute South will close its location at The Rim on Sunday after six years in business.

• The Make Ready Market location is expected to open in early December.

The vibe: The restaurant will bring its Texas Gulf Coast-inspired flavors to a more casual food hall setting, with a menu that mixes Southern comfort food with upscale touches.

• The menu includes everything from fried chicken and pimento queso to fresh oysters, caviar service and Gulf shrimp.
• A full bar will offer daily happy hour specials 4–7pm, including $1.50 oysters and $4 margaritas.

Thanks to our editors Astrid Galván and Bob Gee.

🏃🏻‍♀️ Madalyn is hoping she has enough energy after her half marathon to check out this cool celebration.

🗓️ Megan is overwhelmed by all the fun things happening this weekend and can't choose what to do. Festivals, films, and dancing, oh my!