⭐️ Star-studded taco fest

💋 👚 📔 Hi, San Antonio. It's October 3rd.

Today's weather: Another hot one with a high in the 90s.

🪪 Situational awareness: The Texas Department of Public Safety is offering Saturday appointments at select driver's license offices statewide through the end of October to accommodate customers needing renewal or replacement services.

Today's newsletter is 951 words — a 3.5-minute read.

The Texas Senate race between Sen. Ted Cruz (R) and Rep. Colin Allred (D) is edging closer, according to a new analysis by the national Cook Political Report.

Why it matters: Democrats are banking on a Hail Mary win in Texas to keep the Senate majority if Sen. Jon Tester (D) loses the Montana race, now rated "lean Republican" by the nonpartisan organization.

• At stake are the confirmation of judges, the ability to approve or reject bills out of the House and control of investigative hearings.

Driving the news: The Texas race is now "lean Republican," after being rated as "likely Republican" for most of the 2024 election cycle, according to the group's latest ratings.

What they're saying: The tighter race could be credited to Allred's fundraising and Cruz's stance on abortion, Cook Political Report's Jessica Taylor posted on X.

Flashback: In 2018, Cruz beat then-Rep. Beto O'Rourke after an enormously high-profile midterm fight by 2.6% — or about 200,000 votes.

Catch up quick: While Texas remains a GOP stronghold, it has become more diverse — something Cruz seems to be responding to as he rebrands himself by highlighting his bipartisan achievements.

• Allred has targeted moderate and independent voters by supporting oil and gas jobs, advocating incremental health care reforms and promoting a tough border position.

The latest: Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) joined Rep. Greg Casar, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and O'Rourke this week in rallies aimed at mobilizing young voters along the I-35 corridor from San Antonio to Austin.

• "It will make all the difference in the world if Colin is elected to the Senate," Sanders said before a rally at Texas State University. "He'll give us a chance to control the Senate and begin to pass legislation that benefits working people."
• Allred is campaigning across the state this week, with a stop in San Antonio today at the Veterans for Allred Kickoff and Phonebank.

The other side: "If Democrats take the Senate, they will destroy the filibuster to ram through their radical left-wing agenda," Cruz posted on X on Monday.

Go deeper

H-E-B does not expect the dockworkers strike happening along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts to affect customers.

Why it matters: Longshoremen are critical to port operations, and a prolonged work stoppage could snarl supply chains, leading to higher prices and shortages of perishables like mangoes, bananas and meats.

Catch up quick: About 45,000 longshoremen, including those employed at the Port of Houston, went on strike after the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX) failed to reach a new labor contract agreement with the union.

• Workers at more than a dozen ports walked off work early Tuesday after their six-year contract expired, with no indication of how long the halt will last.

State of play: Major importers have been preparing for a strike for months, so there won't be an immediate shortage or price hike.

What they're saying: H-E-B said the team regularly prepares for disruptions in supply chains.

• "Our team has been working with suppliers for weeks to serve Texans. Most products are not impacted by this strike. Our stores are receiving shipments and are in a strong position that allows our Partners to continue to restock shelves throughout the day," a statement Tuesday from H-E-B said.

Read more

🍲 Beloved West Side Chinese restaurant Three Amigos reopened yesterday to a line of eager customers after a fire shuttered the business last year. (SA Current)

🏐 The NCAA announced yesterday that San Antonio will host the 2026 women's volleyball championship and the 2027 men's basketball regional. (NCAA)

🌮 San Antonio-based Taco Cabana is launching its first-ever national franchising program. (MySA)

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Today

🎤 See Billboard-recognized "Living Legend" Ana Gabriel as she brings her "Un Deseo Mas" tour to the Frost Bank Center.

• Doors open at 8pm; tickets start at $65.

Tomorrow

🦓 Celebrate the grand opening of the Naylor Savanna at the San Antonio Zoo, which will triple the habitat space for animals like zebras and ostriches.

• Ceremony is at 9am; tickets start at $31.99 for guests 12 and up.

👻 Be one of the first to try Go Rio's Ghost Tours, which takes guests by river barge through downtown. The 7pm tours will be offered throughout the month.

• The $31 ticket includes a drink.

Saturday

🌮 Sample eats and drinks at the Tacos and Tequila Festival at Retama Park. The event includes a live music lineup featuring 2000s hitmakers like Chingy, Fat Joe and T.I.

• General admission tickets start at $69; gates open at 2pm.

Sunday

⭐ Support local talent at the Texas Fashion Industry Awards, the finale of Texas Fashion Week, at the Tobin Center starting at 5:30pm.

• Tickets start at $65.

More events

A new paddling trails website offers Texans an easier way to navigate the state's many rivers.

The big picture: There are 81 certified paddling trails across the state, per the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD).

What they're saying: "Whether you're looking for a tranquil afternoon getaway or an exciting paddling challenge, this resource is your gateway to finding and enjoying the perfect paddling trail," TPWD nature tourism manager Shelly Plante said in a statement.

Zoom in: The TPWD's new website, launched late last month, includes information on trail length and estimated paddling time.

• Plus, it shows where you can stop to view wildlife and go fishing.
• There are also details on nearby canoe and kayak rentals, flow gauges and conservation tips.

How it works: You can search for trails by body of water or area of Texas. It includes a Hill Country section.

What's next: The website could help paddlers prepare for Saturday's Race the River competition that will unite pros and amateurs on the San Antonio River Basin.

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Get your brand in front of highly engaged readers in San Antonio.

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• Support local journalism with Axios Local.

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Thanks to our editors Chloe Gonzales and Bob Gee.

😮 Madalyn is in awe of this 1936 photo of Amelia Earhart in front of the Alamo.

👓 Megan is reading about kids' bad eyesight, and feeling like she's not alone.