The San Antonio Zoo opened a new open-air Tamarin Habitat, marking the final decommission of its last traditional primate cage.

The details: According to a news release, the new Tamarin Habitat, which is home to four female and one male cotton-top tamarins, is over 180% larger than the previous habitat. Located in the Neotropica realm of the Zoo, the new habitat provides a lush landscape and dynamic perching areas.

The cotton-top tamarin is one of the world’s smallest primates, and due primarily to habitat loss and deforestation, is one of the most endangered, with fewer than 6,000 estimated to remain in the wild, the news release states.

• 3903 N. St. Mary's St., San Antonio

On Jan. 21, PNC Bank celebrated its San Antonio branch expansion with the grand opening of its Landmark North branch.

The details: The opening of the new branch is part of PNC’s plans to open over 300 new branches by 2030 across the country, including renovations and 10 new local branches, according to a news release.

This expansion is part of the bank’s $2 billion investment plan, which will support its long-term retail growth and enhance the customer experience, the news release states. Additionally, PNC intends to hire more than 2,000 employees as part of the expansion.

• 5518 N Loop 1604 W., Ste. 105, San Antonio

A 23,000-square-foot Sprouts Farmers Market is on its way to Cibolo.

What we know: Rick Vasquez, Cibolo’s Director of Planning and Economic Development, said the city issued the site development in January.

“The rest of the package is being reviewed, so it cannot be released at the moment,” Vasquez said in an email to Community Impact.

The organic grocer is began site work at 18000 I-35 in January. Sprouts did not receive any incentives from the economic development corporation or the city, according to the email.

Learn more about some of the newest businesses, restaurants and more across San Antonio with this roundup of coverage from the past month.

Now open
Outlaw Pickle
This new Western-themed pickleball facility will offer patrons indoor pickleball courts, a full-service bar, restaurant, pro shop, clinics, lessons and more.

• 618 NW Loop 410, Ste. 202, San Antonio

• 4319 Thousand Oaks Drive, San Antonio

• Launching 2026

Incumbent Peter Sakai and former San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg are running for Bexar County judge in the March 3 Democratic primary.

The details: Community Impact reached out to the six candidates who will be on the ballot.

Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines or for style and clarity.

Following over four hours of public testimony and debate Jan. 28, the Texas State Board of Education is poised to postpone a plan to create a mandatory reading list for K-12 students.

What's happening: Board members said Jan. 28 that they wanted to get more feedback from Texans before moving forward with the policy, which would take effect at the beginning of the 2030-31 school year. The SBOE is required to create the reading list under a 2023 state law, and members said they would likely revisit the proposal during an April meeting.

The Texas Education Agency compiled a list of nearly 300 literary works for the board to consider.

What they're saying: Some speakers expressed concerns Jan. 28 that the TEA’s list was too long and focused too heavily on classical literature that “does not represent the students of Texas," while others said they wanted students to focus on classical literature and historical texts.