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San Antonio Zoos Congo Falls habitat, featuring seven western lowland gorillas, has been a hit since its December opening, drawing over thirty thousand visitors despite less-than-ideal weather. The new exhibit has nearly doubled the zoos visitor numbers and has been a long-awaited event for the community, with families like the Dingles marking their calendars for the opening.

Marylands GRAC recommends new congressional maps, sparking debate; public invited to submit their own map ideas for consideration.

In early 2025, a major scandal rocked the Texas education system: a teacher certification cheating ring was exposed in the Houston area, involving two San Antonio teachers, Colin Taylor and Alin Edouard. Aspiring educators were allegedly paying around $2,500 to have their exams taken for them by basketball coach Vincent Grayson and others. The teachers sudden passing scores in Houston, despite repeated failures in their home cities, raised suspicions. Both teachers resigned, and Grayson was indicted. This incident underscores the ongoing efforts to maintain the integrity of teacher certifications in Texas.

San Antonio City Council Renames Iowa Street to Honor Tuskegee Airmen The San Antonio City Council has approved a special renaming for a section of Iowa Street on the East Side, now to be known as Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Way. This decision honors the first African-American pilots in the United States Armed Forces. The new name will not require address changes, with new signs simply added to the street. The choice of Iowa Street is significant as it serves as a key pedestrian link between the East Side and downtown, and is home to at least two former Tuskegee Airmen. The San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum also shared information about Joshua Lankford, a Tuskegee pilot from San Antonio.

The future of Affordable Care Act tax credits is a contentious issue in the U.S. House of Representatives, with most Republicans opposing their extension. These credits, set to expire on December 31st, help millions of Americans afford health insurance. If allowed to expire, average premium payments for subsidized enrollees could double, potentially leading to millions losing coverage. Despite potential consequences, many Republicans argue for alternative plans, while a bipartisan group is pushing for a temporary extension. The debate continues into the new year.

Texass new AI law, aiming to protect children and consumers, faces a potential clash with the federal government. The law, set to take effect in January, prohibits AI use for social scoring and promotes free speech. A bipartisan group of Texas legislators defends the law, urging support for state AI regulations. Meanwhile, concerns arise over the federal executive orders power to override state law, potentially discouraging other states from enacting their own AI regulations.

San Antonios Party City Franchise Closes, Marking the End of an Era for Local Celebrations A beloved Party City store in San Antonio, located at 1228 Culebra Road, has permanently closed its doors, leaving customers and locals alike in disbelief. The store, which had been a staple for celebrations and events, was recently shut down, with its iconic letters removed from the building. The closure comes after a challenging period for the Party City chain, with the corporation announcing plans to close all its stores last year. However, this particular franchise, owned by Don Lasseter, had been trying to operate independently and incorporate local flair to stay afloat. With this closure, only one Party City store remains open in San Antonio.

Unseasonably warm weather expected for Christmas break, with temperatures reaching nearly seventy degrees and consistently warm, humid conditions throughout next week. A brief cool down on Sunday, but warmth quickly returns, setting the stage for an unusually warm and consistent holiday week. Plan for highs in the upper seventies on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, and Houston: Texas cities see significant home value declines, with Austin leading the nation in month-over-month drops. Factors like population growth, aging populations, and migration patterns influence housing demand, potentially signaling a rebalancing in these markets. This trend indicates a cooling period for once-hot real estate markets as demand adjusts to new economic realities.