As part of the ongoing Loop 1604 North Expansion project, the Texas Department of Transportation is opening two new flyover ramps at the Loop 1604 and I-10 interchange by Nov. 17.

These flyover ramps will connect eastbound I-10 to both directions of Loop 1604.

In a nutshell: According to a news release from TxDOT, these two newly opened flyover ramps bring the total to seven over the last 11 months.

The background: Once complete, the five-level interchange will consist of eight flyover ramps, roundabouts, a high-occupancy vehicle lane and other interchange improvements.

Jennifer Serold, public information officer for TxDOT's San Antonio district, said the first level of the interchange will consist of roundabouts at the ground level, providing access to adjacent properties. On the first level, new turnarounds and sidewalks will be added along I-10. Additionally, the existing VIA Park and Ride facility will be modified to fit underneath the new interchange.

Hotel Emma, a boutique hotel located within the Pearl, is celebrating its 10th anniversary on Nov. 14.

The details: According to its website, Hotel Emma is a 146-room hotel with seven top-floor suites that include a club room and a bar. The hotel also includes a pool, seven venue spaces that are available for rent, such as the Elephant Cellar, Swiggle Key room and the courtyard; and three eateries: the Larder, Sternewirth and Supper.

Hotel Emma was also one of three Texas hotels that earned a two-key rating from the new Michelin Key hotel guide, which recognizes excellent hotels worldwide.

• 136 E. Grayson St., San Antonio

To celebrate the opening of the new UT Health San Antonio Center for Brain Health, representatives from The University of Texas System, UT Health San Antonio, and the academic health center of The University of Texas at San Antonio held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 1 p.m. on Nov. 12.

The details: According to a news release, the 103,000-square-foot facility will house diagnostics, therapy, specialty care and research. The new brain center will include 91 rooms for exams, testing and treatment, 12 infusion chairs and a 7T MRI scanner. Additionally, the center will feature lounges and rooms dedicated to meditation, art and music.

• 4940 Charles Katz Drive, San Antonio

Texas’ power grid will likely remain stable in December and January, recent reports from the Electric Reliability Council of Texas show. However, grid conditions could become tight if a winter storm hits large swaths of Texas, driving up demand for electricity.

The overview: ERCOT, which operates the electric grid for 90% of Texas, found in a Nov. 7 report that there should be “sufficient generating capacity available” to serve customers throughout January.

ERCOT forecasts that the tightest period this winter will be from 7-8 a.m. daily, when little to no solar power is being produced. During that time, ERCOT found the chances of a grid emergency are 1.81% in December and 1.4% in January.

More details: If a severe winter storm causes demand on the Texas grid to near record levels, there is a roughly 35% chance of a grid emergency in December and a less than 10% chance in January, ERCOT reported. Texans last experienced a grid emergency in September 2023, and the grid withstood three cold snaps in early 2025.