There are a range of options for manufacturers and other businesses looking to cut costs and decrease energy spending, and here are just a few.

These startups will face off in the San Antonio Business Journal’s Inno Madness competition.

Wearing a mask to protect from COVID-19 is now optional and no longer mandated indoors at Joint Base San Antonio facilities, officials announced Thursday as part of the implementation of Health Protection Condition Bravo.

Masks are still required, though, at military medical or dental treatment facilities, other medical facilities and on-base bus transportation regardless of vaccination status, a news release said.

JBSA child development centers will continue to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance for schools and childcare programs.

The mask policy change was made to balance expanding installation access and services while continuing to emphasize public health precautions, officials said.

JBSA officials said members of the military still need to comply with public health precautions in accordance with established city, state, and CDC guidelines and limits.

“We’ve made great progress, but we must continue to follow the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in order to maintain those gains,” said Brig. Gen. Caroline M. Miller, 502d Air Base Wing and Joint Base San Antonio commander.

The news release said workplace and recreation activities have increased to 50% capacity.

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Texas-based job website Indeed has kicked off a $10 million program aimed at assisting Americans who are struggling to find work. The Essentials to Work initiative will help job seekers in the U.S. gain access to technology and transportation, as well as access to services that clear criminal records. Half of the money, or $5 million, is going toward a partnership with the nonprofit PCs for People to provide electronic devices, connect public housing properties…

The deal will shift ownership of the 1,000-room downtown structure

Texas Chicken and Church’s Texas Chicken, two sister brands of San Antonio- born Church’s Chicken, are spreading their wings in a big way. Texas Chicken and Church’s Texas Chicken — the international brands of Church’s Chicken — are collectively set to open 100 restaurants this year in the Americas, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Major markets targeted in the expansion include Canada, Mexico, Malaysia, Thailand, and Saudi Arabia. Texas Chicken plans to enter the…

A second-grade teacher in Hays County has been arrested on several charges related to indecency with a child and improper relationship with a student, according to police.

The Kyle Police Department on Tuesday said officers had arrested Andrew Palmore, 49, who taught at Blanco Vista Elementary in the Hays Consolidated Independent School District.

Police first notified Hays CISD of the investigation on Feb. 1 and he was placed on administrative leave, according to a news release. At that time the district removed his access to campuses and students and officials reported the case to the State Board of Educator Certification.

He is now charged with two counts of indecency with a child, a third-degree felony, and two counts of improper relationship between an educator and a student, a second-degree felony, records show. He is in custody at the Hays County Jail.

Police said that none of the incidents took place on school property or during school hours.

He was first hired by Hays CISD as a substitute teacher in 2012, and he became a full-time employee in 2014. As a full-time teacher, he taught fifth, fourth and second grade at Blanco Vista.

Police said all Hays CISD employees must pass a background check and the district is notified of new criminal activity.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with further information is asked to contact Det. Carrasco with the Kyle Police Department at 512-268-3232 or submit a tip online at www.p3tips.com.

“We know these incidents are extremely unsettling for our community, but we are working together during this difficult time to provide our students and affected families with the justice, care and support they deserve,” said Kyle Police Chief Jeff Barnett said in the release.

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Get more election news on KSAT’s Vote 2022 page.

Though most of the 2022 midterm primary races in Texas were called on Tuesday night, several candidates across the state will have to wait until May to learn their political fate.

In Texas, candidates must win more than 50% of the vote to be declared the winner, which can be difficult in crowded primary races. In races where a candidate failed to clear that threshold, the top two contenders advance to a runoff, slated for May 24.

With some notable runoffs on both Democratic and Republican ballots, including the attorney general’s race, some voters may be wondering if they can switch up political parties during the runoff.

Because the state operates under open primaries, voters can choose which party’s primary they’d like to vote in. According to Texas election laws, however, voters must stick with the same party during the runoff.

“A person who is affiliated with a political party is ineligible to become affiliated with another political party during the same voting year,” the election code states.

If a voter does attempt to switch parties and cast a ballot in the runoff, that vote would be voided, according to the laws.

Voters who did not cast a ballot during the primary would be deemed unaffiliated with either political party. Because of that, they can choose to vote in either party’s runoff, even though they did not vote during the initial primary.

The deadline to register to vote in the runoff is April 25. You can check your registration status here.

Early voting will take place for one week ahead of the runoff, from May 16 through May 20.

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A motorcyclist was killed early Thursday morning after his bike collided with a car on Interstate 35 near Toepperwein Road.

Live Oak police say both the motorcyclist and the driver of the car were heading north on the highway shortly before 7 a.m. when they tried to merge into the same lane in front of an 18-wheeler.

Police say the car ended up hitting the motorcycle from behind.

The man on the motorcycle died at the scene from his injuries.

Police shut down the northbound lanes of I-35 while they investigated the crash, causing a traffic backup that, at one point, stretched on for about five miles.

Geronimo Villarreal was among countless drivers who found themselves stuck, trying to figure out a way either to pass the time or get around the logjam.

“Just listen to the radio, listen to a podcast,” he said, explaining how he kept his spirits up. “It’s been a little rough. It’s been a long, long drive. I had to fuel up.”

He says he suspected something was wrong the minute he entered I-35 from Loop 410 and saw the traffic congestion.

His suspicions about the deadly crash were confirmed after he stopped to top off his gas tank.

“That’s terrible so as soon as I found out, I hoped everything’s ok for the family. That’s terrible news,” he said.

Police are still investigating the crash and say it is too soon to tell whether any charges will be filed.

The Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office also was called to the scene but has not released any information, including the name of the man who died.