CHARGED SUBJECTS

Here's what travelers should know about TSA's new battery rules

Spare lithium-ion and lithium-metal batteries are no longer allowed in checked luggage.

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American travelers looking to bring an extra power source on a cross-country trip should now think twice about how they carry it. A new Transportation Security Administration rule says spare lithium-ion and lithium-metal batteries, including power banks and cell phone battery charging cases, cannot be packed in checked-in luggage.

TSA was jolted into action due to a safety issue with the common travel accessories. Lithium batteries can pose a fire hazard, especially if damaged. Fires in cargo holds can spread quickly and are more difficult to control than those in the cabin.

“Since they contain so much energy, lithium-ion batteries are susceptible to overheating — which can lead to a fire or explosion,” explains processing service Battery Recyclers of America.

Nervous passengers afraid of being stranded without juice will be relieved that the batteries are still allowed in carry-on luggage. Tourists can carry two spare larger lithium-ion batteries (101–160 Wh) or lithium metal batteries (2-8 grams) on board.

The regulation only applies to spare batteries. Consumer electronic items like games, tablets, smartphones, and camcorders are allowed in both carry-on and checked luggage. If you still like to make to-do lists on a Palm Pilot, no one will stop you from rolling it up with your socks.

The new rules cover a swath of handy power sources. TSA cites the following in its list of carry-on only items:

Cellphone battery charging cases
Rechargeable and non-rechargeable lithium batteries
Cellphone batteries
Laptop batteries
External batteries
Portable rechargers

The battery mandate was not the only change to hit airports last week. The deadline for Real ID compliance arrived on May 7. Travelers without updated identification can still fly, but should expect a lengthy TSA screening.

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HILL COUNTRY HOTELS

New Braunfels hotel will include restaurant by celebrity Texas chef

SpringHill Suites by Marriott New Braunfels

Rendering courtesy of Oldham Goodwin.

The new SpringHill Suites by Marriott is expected to open in the last quarter of 2026.

A new riverfront hotel in New Braunfels will come with some culinary star power: SpringHill Suites by Marriott will debut with a restaurant from celebrity chef Tim Love.

Real estate firm Oldham Goodwin has broken ground on a new eight-story hotel, at 738 IH 35 N.

Love will open the Hill Country’s first outpost of his Tex-Mex concept, Paloma Suerte, in the hotel. The chef-owner of several Fort Worth and Austin restaurants like Gemelle and Lonesome Dove Western Bistro, he is also a frequently featured personality on Chopped, Top Chef, and Iron Chef.

“I’m thrilled to bring a taste of Fort Worth hospitality and Paloma Suerte’s bold, vibrant flavors to New Braunfels,” said Love via a release. “Our team is known for dishes and drinks that keep people coming back for more, paired with exceptional service and a good time — we can’t wait to create that same energy and experience here.”

Tim Love's Paloma Suerte will anchor the hotel.Paloma Suerte/ Facebook

It is not Love's first partnership with SpringHill Suites by Marriott. His acclaimed tapas restaurant-bar, Atico, sits on the rooftop of a SpringHill Suites hotel in the Fort Worth Stockyards, not far from his Paloma Suerte restaurant in the historic district.

According to the release, the new Hill Country hotel’s architectural lines will be contemporary, and design company Niles Bolton Associates will use locally familiar materials as a nod to New Braunfels’ Hill Country charm. The building is tucked away from the highway to take advantage of the wooded landscape.

“By thoughtfully integrating the hotel into its natural surroundings, we’ve created a destination that feels both fresh and authentic. From its riverside views to its modern comforts, the design aims to deliver an elevated, resort-like experience that enhances the guest journey and celebrates the spirit of the Texas Hill Country,” said project principal Andres Rubio in a statement.

Inside, 150 suites will be serviced by luxe amenities like ballroom-style meeting halls, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a breakfast lounge, and boat docks. A two-tier swimming pool will boast Palomalita, “an exclusive poolside food and beverage experience offering fresh, inspired bites and refreshing libations.”

Oldham Goodwin did not share any interior design details, but SpringHill Suites hotels typically lean minimalist with neutral furnishings and splashes of color from abstract art. The hotel is expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2026.

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