\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFrom updates in local school districts to a mayoral election in San Antonio, here are 10 news stories that stood out in 2025 Community Impact coverage of North San Antonio.<\/p>\n
Spirit Airlines launches multiple nonstop flights from SA Airport<\/a><\/p>\n Spirit Airlines is adding multiple nonstop flights to its SA Airport roster in 2025, including San Antonio International Airport\u2019s first connection with San Juan, Puerto Rico.<\/p>\n What you need to know<\/p>\n In addition to San Juan, Spirit Airlines will have seasonal flights to Miami, New Orleans and Tampa, Florida.<\/p>\n \u201cMore than two years ago, Spirit Airlines launched service to San Antonio International Airport with two destinations,\u201d said Jesus Saenz, director of airports for the city of San Antonio Aviation Department. \u201cWith the support of the community, Spirit has grown substantially, and we are thrilled to see air service continue to expand at SAT.\u201d<\/p>\n Read the full Jan. 3 story by Reporter Parks Kugle.<\/a><\/p>\n Northside ISD plans to close high school lunch periods as part of new safety measures<\/a><\/p>\n During its Nov. 11<\/a> meeting, the Northside ISD board of trustees received an update on the district\u2019s security, which listed a series of measures the district is taking to increase student safety, including closing high school campuses during lunch periods beginning in the 2026-27 school year.<\/p>\n What\u2019s happening?<\/p>\n Presented by Jo Ann Fey, deputy superintendent for administration, the presentation<\/a> included updates on door monitoring alarms, secure entries, high school lunches, school flasher lights, crossing guard staffing and hazardous route determination.<\/p>\n Read the full Dec. 8 story by Reporter Parks Kugle.<\/a><\/p>\n Gina Ortiz Jones wins runoff election for San Antonio Mayor<\/a><\/p>\n With all 182 polling locations reporting results<\/a> in the June 7 runoff election, Gina Ortiz Jones won the mayoral race with 77,484 votes, or 54.30%, with Rolando Pablos receiving 65,202 votes, or 45.70%, according to unofficial results.<\/p>\n In early voting<\/a>, there were 102,726 ballots cast, which represents 12.21% of San Antonio’s 841,653 registered voters. Factoring in election day, 143,017 total ballots were cast in the runoff election, which represents 16.99% of San Antonio’s registered voters.<\/p>\n All results are unofficial until canvassed.<\/p>\n Read the full June 7 story by Reporter Parks Kugle and Managing Editor Sierra Martin.<\/a><\/p>\n North East ISD bans electronic devices during classtime<\/a><\/p>\n To be in line with House Bill 1481\u2019s prohibition of personal electronic devices during school day, North East ISD<\/a> now requires all students to turn off and store their cellphones and other electronic devices, such as smartwatches and tablets, in class time beginning in the 2025-26 school year.<\/p>\n The overview<\/p>\n According to district documents, the Texas Education Agency<\/a> sent additional instructions informing districts that they could define what a \u201cschool day\u201d means. Using these guidelines, NEISD defined the \u201cschool day\u201d as instructional class time and only requires students to turn off and store their personal devices in class. Students will be allowed to use phones during nonclassroom time, such as passing periods and lunch as well as before and after school.<\/p>\n Read the full Sept. 24 story by Reporter Parks Kugle.<\/a><\/p>\n Cybersecurity industry takes off in San Antonio<\/a><\/p>\n Jeff Webster, CEO and president of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce<\/a>, said that as the largest cybersecurity hub in the U.S. outside Washington D.C., San Antonio is uniquely positioned to be a leader in cybersecurity for decades to come.<\/p>\n This is why state legislators are eyeing San Antonio as the site for its Texas Cyber Command<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThe sleepy town of San Antonio is on the cutting edge of cyber [security],\u201d Webster said. \u201cAnd this Cyber Command is one more rock in the foundation of what we\u2019re going to do for cyber here in this community.\u201d<\/p>\n Read the full May 19 story by Reporter Parks Kugle.<\/a><\/p>\n North East ISD receives C accountability rating from state<\/a><\/p>\n North East ISD received a C rating for accountability from the Texas Education Agency for the 2022-23 school year.<\/p>\n The overview<\/p>\n The ratings were released April 24 after a two-year delay. TEA could not release the ratings sooner due to a lawsuit involving more than 50 districts, including North East ISD, Northside ISD and San Antonio ISD. The lawsuit argues that the TEA changes to the rating system would unfairly lower the district\u2019s ratings despite potential improvements in student performance.<\/p>\n Read the full April 25 story by Reporter Parks Kugle.<\/a><\/p>\n New healthcare nonprofit aims to combat medical staffing shortages in San Antonio<\/a><\/p>\n As the shortage of healthcare workers<\/a> continues to affect medical centers across the United States, cities in Texas have already begun to feel its effects.<\/p>\n The local impact<\/p>\n According to data from the Texas Department of Health and Human Services, the number of Certified Nurse Aids, or CNAs, has declined by 37%<\/a> over the last decade in Bexar County.<\/p>\n This is an issue that entrepreneur Barb Clapp said she wants to see disappear, as she launched Dwyer Workforce Development<\/a>, or DWD, into the San Antonio area in July 2025.<\/p>\n Read the full Sept. 29 story by Reporter Andrew Creelman.<\/a><\/p>\n New mixed-use development The Merc holds groundbreaking in Northwest San Antonio<\/a><\/p>\n On Oct. 15, Rob Schumacher of Schumacher Interests celebrated the construction of The Merc\u2019s<\/a> 8-acre, three-building retail centerpiece with a groundbreaking ceremony.<\/p>\n According to a news release, the project will total approximately 35,000 square feet of retail and dining space and will eventually expand into a 112-acre mixed-use development.<\/p>\n Read the full Oct. 16 story by Reporter Parks Kugle.<\/a><\/p>\n Future Forward: How the 1604 expansion is reshaping San Antonio’s commute<\/a><\/p>\n With the first three segments of the Texas Department of Transportation\u2019s Loop 1604 North Expansion Project<\/a> over 60% completed, District 9 Council member Misty Spears said the expanded interstate will have a tremendous impact on the quality of life for North San Antonians.<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone sees [that] this is going to be good,\u201d Spears said. “It’s a lot like how when we expanded US 281, it was a nightmare for quite a while, but the end result has been fantastic.\u201d<\/p>\n In a nutshell<\/p>\n The $1.4 billion, six-segment project<\/a> began in 2021 and aims to upgrade the transit corridor from a four-lane expressway to a 10-lane expressway. Additional upgrades include reconfiguring the layout of auxiliary lanes and entrance and exit ramps, adding a HOV lane in each direction, building accommodations for bicyclists and pedestrians, and water protections to protect commuters from flood roadways.<\/p>\n Read the full Oct. 3 story by Reporter Parks Kugle.<\/a><\/p>\n San Antonio plans for future water security<\/a><\/p>\n As the primary source of drinking water for the city, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg said the Edwards Aquifer<\/a> is the keystone to San Antonio\u2019s prosperity. Extending from Uvalde to Hays counties and through North San Antonio, the Edwards Aquifer consists of porous, soluble limestone rock that allows water to easily flow through it. Due to a unique network of recharge features, such as fractures, fissures, caves and sinkholes, water can rapidly recharge the Edwards Aquifer.<\/p>\n The overview<\/p>\n With San Antonio bracing for the sixth drought year in a row and Central Texas entering another dry spring, local officials are implementing a multi-pronged strategy to maintain the city\u2019s water supply for future generations.<\/p>\n