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Houston's foreign-born population is growing
Nearly one-fifth of Texas' residents came from foreign countries — and that share is much higher in Greater Houston.Why it matters: The Bayou City is known for its diverse cultures, foods and population.The latest numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau, crunched by Axios, underline that point.By the numbers: More than 676,000 Houstonians, or 29.3% of the city's 2.3 million residents, were foreign-born, according to the Census Bureau's 2023 American Communities Survey.That's slightly higher than the 28.3% of Houstonians in 2013 who were reported to be born outside the U.S.Harris County, including Houston, saw an overall increase of foreign-born residents from...
Houston's Halloween forecast calls for rain boots
Houston has a bittersweet weather outlook this Halloween.Why it matters: Predicted rainfall this week will prove tricky for those ghosts and goblins looking for treats.Driving the news: A front making its way across the central U.S. will arrive in the coming days and stall out over Houston, ushering in the region's first meaningful rain chances since then-Tropical Storm Francine brought showers ashore in early September.Harris County and much of Southeast Texas remain in a moderate drought, and the rainfall this week should move the needle in the right direction.The intrigue: Scattered showers will likely crop up Wednesday afternoon ahead of the front, National Weather Service meteorologists forecast.That may be followed by more widespread storms Thursday, which is Halloween, and into Friday morning as the frontal boundary stirs up the atmosphere over Houston.What they're saying: "We certainly couldn't rule out a thunderstorm or two as well," Houston NWS meteorologist Jeffry Evans said in a technical forecast discussion Monday."This means trick-or-treating may be a bit soggy, but not a washout."What's next: Houston faces daily afternoon rain chances starting Saturday and into at least early next week.Forecasters are then eyeing the potential for a true fall-like cold front midweek.
The push to curb cellphones in Texas schools
The nationwide push to ban cellphones in K-12 classrooms is making its way into the Houston area. Why it matters: Phones are a key way for parents to stay in touch with their kids. Even some students concede that their phones can be hugely disruptive during class, and cyberbullying is a persistent issue.
Beyoncé endorses Kamala Harris at Houston rally
Vice President Kamala Harris criticized Texas' abortion ban and was joined by Beyoncé to rally voters Friday night in Houston.Why it matters: Texas probably isn't up for grabs in the presidential race, but Harris used the rally and Beyoncé's starpower to galvanize voters over abortion rights in a state where Democrats hope to gain a seat in the U.S. Senate.Driving the news: Beyoncé, along with mother Tina Knowles and sister Kelly Rowland, endorsed Harris for president in a packed Shell Energy Stadium, which has a seating capacity of 22,000. The superstar's song "Freedom" has been the soundtrack to Harris' campaign...
"Simone Biles Rising" director dishes on Part 2 of Netflix docuseries
Simone Biles returns to the screen in a behind-the-scenes look at the superstar gymnast's Olympic run in Paris this summer. Driving the news: The second part of "Simone Biles Rising," a docuseries detailing her epic return to the sport after withdrawing from the Tokyo Olympics, premieres Friday on Netflix. The...
Family of woman killed in Houston crosswalk sues driver
The family of a woman killed while crossing the street in downtown Houston is suing the pickup driver who hit her. Why it matters: The lawsuit aims to hold the driver accountable while prosecutors continue to mull charges. Catch up quick: Per a Houston Police Department crash report obtained by...
A look inside Meow Wolf Houston
The Meow Wolf exhibit in Houston is opening on Halloween, transforming an industrial warehouse into an interdimensional radio station filled with artistic portals that spark wonder and reward curiosity.Why it matters: The immersive choose-your-own-adventure is a mystery scavenger hunt, sensory playground and artistic marvel. And true to the company's promise: It's very Houston.Standing out from a typical photoshoot experience, the next big art destination in the city focuses on play and lets artist creativity take center stage.Driving the news: The installation is the company's fifth permanent exhibition and the second in Texas. It's the most sound-driven Meow Wolf location, offering...
Houston Rockets aim for new heights this season
The Rockets tip off a promising NBA season this week.Why it matters: For Houston, it's where the rubber meets the road.The big picture: After years of rebuilding, the Rockets are primed to capitalize on last season's 41-41 finish, their best in four years.Driving the news: Houston hosts the Charlotte Hornets in the Toyota Center on Wednesday, the first of 82 regular season games in the 2024-25 season.The Rockets are offering a $25 opening-night ticket package that includes a seat and two drinks.Catch up quick: After trading James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets in 2021, the team diverged from trying to...
NASA announces crew for 45-day Mars simulation
Four volunteers will spend 45 days locked inside a 650-square-foot module at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston starting next month. Why it matters: The experiment will mimic a Mars landing to help the space agency determine how astronauts will react to real-life scenarios in the safety of a simulated environment.
Buffalo Bayou Mural Festival to debut with live art and competitions
The inaugural Buffalo Bayou Mural Festival takes place this weekend, featuring 20 artists who will create vibrant murals along Canal Street. The big picture: Over three days, artists will paint murals on and around Headquarters Houston in the East End, compete in a "battle of the arts" and take part in various art-centered activities.
Houston under "high risk" for fires as drought sets in
Greater Houston entered a moderate drought this week. Why it matters: Even with cooler temperatures, droughts increase the chance of wildfires sparking and spreading uncontrollably. Driving the news: Houston hasn't experienced meaningful rainfall since Tropical Storm Francine brought showers ashore in early September. The proceeding dry spell pushed much of...
2 Houston parks secure millions for upgrades
Two Houston-area parks received more than $20 million for renovations from the U.S. Department of the Interior. The big picture: Gulfton's Burnett Bayland Park received $11.3 million and Third Ward's MacGregor Park got $10 million for upgrades, per the announcement. Catch up quick: Burnett Bayland Park has been undergoing development...
Houston Fire Museum completes $5.7M restoration
The long-awaited return of the Houston Fire Museum is right around the corner.Why it matters: The 1899 fire station, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has been closed since 2020 to undergo a $5.7 million restoration.Driving the news: The museum is hosting a grand opening Saturday after years of work.The effort was solely funded by donations from the community. The museum is selling commemorative bricks that will be laid outside the station to help close a final funding gap.Flashback: Before Station 7 was built, Houston was dotted with former volunteer fire stations that were incorporated into the city's...
Road-tripping to bird-watch at Anahuac
You can't tell me this isn't cool and peaceful. Photo: Shafaq Patel/AxiosGo outside and look up. It's fall migration season, and Houstonians are lucky enough to be in the route of the Central Flyway.Why it matters: Over a million birds have crossed Harris County each day this week, according to BirdCast, a collaboration with the EPA and several research groups.Fall migration runs through November, with peak activity through the end of this month. Houston Audubon is urging residents to turn off lights at night during this time.I've been slowly getting into birding. Not sure if I'm even considered a...
Where FEMA's direct relief money is going
Data: Carnegie Disaster Dollar Database; Map: Alex Fitzpatrick/AxiosTexas, Florida and Louisiana residents have received the largest chunk of FEMA direct assistance since 2015, per newly gathered data.Why it matters: The numbers illustrate Americans' urgent financial needs in the immediate aftermath of natural disasters and reflect the toll of storms like 2017 hurricanes Harvey and Irma.More help is now needed in the wake of Hurricane Helene, and more still will be needed after Hurricane Milton, now bearing down on Florida's western coast.Zoom in: 1.4 million Texans applied for assistance during that time and received a total of $2.2 billion through FEMA's...
Bush Airport's Terminal D expansion will open soon
The long-awaited expansion of George Bush Intercontinental Airport Terminal D is complete and will open Oct. 22.Why it matters: The renovation and expansion of the international terminal will accommodate growing passenger and airline demand while strengthening Bush Airport's status as a global aviation hub.Plus, anyone who's traveled to the airport since construction began in 2019 can rest a little knowing it'll be less chaotic. Maybe.The big picture: The Terminal D revamp is part of the $1.5 billion IAH Terminal Redevelopment Program. It includes:A refresh of the existing Terminal D (completed in 2023)An expansion of Terminal D called the "D-West Pier"...
Art Car Museum's new chapter will be at the Orange Show
The recently shuttered Art Car Museum will be revived, thanks to a donation from the late founder's family — though it may be some time before people can visit.Why it matters: The closure of the Art Car Museum struck the heart of Houston's art community, and the project's revival preserves a piece of the city's history.Driving the news: The Harithas family has donated $1.25 million to the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art in memory of their late mother, founder Ann O'Connor Williams Harithas, to integrate the collection into the center's upcoming campus expansion, Orange Show executive director Jack Massing...
Texans and Stefon Diggs face Buffalo Bills in Houston
This week's NFL matchup between the Texans and Buffalo Bills in Houston centers around a reunion between Texans wide receiver Stefon Diggs and his old team.Catch up quick: Diggs, a veteran All-Pro receiver whose playtime and productivity dropped by the end of the 2023-24 season with the Bills, was traded to the Texans in April.He's recorded 25 catches for 233 yards including two touchdowns this year with the Texans, tied with Nico Collins for most on the team.Between the lines: Diggs plans to "block out the noise" surrounding his somewhat bitter departure from Buffalo going into Sunday's game against the...
Astros fall short in Wild Card series, ending 2024 season
The Astros were kicked out of World Series contention with Wednesday's Game 2 loss to the Detroit Tigers.Why it matters: With the 5-2 loss comes the end of Houston's 2024 season and hopes of an eight straight appearance in the American League Championship Series.Catch up quick: The Astros won the American League West with an 88-73 record and entered the postseason as the AL's No. 3 seed pitted against the No. 6 Tigers in the three-game American League Wild Card series.Detroit, led by former Astros skipper A.J. Hinch, beat Houston 3-1 in the first game of the series on Tuesday...
Revisiting Houston's not-so-lovely "Love is Blind" season
Data: Wikipedia, Axios research; Chart: Erin Davis/Axios VisualsSeason seven of "Love Is Blind" premieres on Netflix on Wednesday.Why it matters: Part of the appeal of Netflix's "Love Is Blind" is that each season feels like a microcosm of the dating scene in the city it's filmed in.The big picture: We wanted to look back on how the experiment has unfolded so far.Unfortunately for us, this means revisiting the wreck that was Houston's season, which some might consider forgettable.Houston's season five was more memorable for the drama we didn't see onscreen. Only three of the six engagements and two of the three weddings were aired.But cheers to Lydia and Milton. Despite their rocky moments on camera, they seem to still be married.Behind the scenes: Participant Renee Poche, whose engagement and wedding did not air, sued Netflix and production company Delirium TV, saying she "didn't feel safe" during her time on the show, per USA Today.Meanwhile, Seattle really dazzled — great TV, compelling couples. Brag, brag, brag. 💭 Thought bubble: Just yesterday, we highlighted beautiful love in Houston. Now we just need a redo on reality TV. In the meantime, catch us watching D.C.'s season. Sign up for Axios Houston for free.
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