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Houston Roughnecks giving away free tickets
The Houston Roughnecks are giving away tickets and merch every day this week ahead of their United Football League season opener at Rice Stadium.Catch up fast: The Roughnecks emerged as one of only eight teams in the newly formed UFL, which was created after the USFL and the XFL merged late last year.Driving the news: The Roughnecks are hosting the H-Town Proud scavenger hunt throughout the city through Friday.The team will post hints to its X, Facebook and Instagram accounts every day at 9:30am with clues about where fans should meet up. The spots will be well-known Houston landmarks and hot spots.The intrigue: Fans who show up to the correct location between 11am and 1pm have the chance to win tickets, merch and swag.What's next: The Roughnecks take on the Memphis Showboats at Rice Stadium on Sunday.A fan fest outside the stadium starts at noon, with kickoff at 2pm.Tickets are still available, starting at $22.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Houston.
In photos: Houston celebrates Holi
Over the weekend, Houston celebrated the Hindu Festival of Colors by painting people's faces with colorful powder as they wished them a Happy Holi.The vibe: At the Hindu Temple of The Woodlands yesterday, a couple hundred people danced to largely Bollywood music in a cloud of color powder while some playfully chased or avoided water gun sprays. Pro-tip: If you ever go to a Holi festival, make sure to wear clothes and shoes you don't mind permanently staining (a perfect time to sport your Crocs), and bring a blanket for your car seats for the drive home. Women brought out their dupattas and scarves to dance with. Photo: Shafaq Patel/Axios Photo: Shafaq Patel/Axios A cloud of color. Photo: Shafaq Patel/AxiosGet more local stories in your inbox with Axios Houston.
Things to do in Houston the week of March 25
Here's what's going on this week in the Bayou City.🏳️🌈 Celebrate Pride Night with the Rockets on Monday benefiting the Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce.Tickets start at $20 and include a special Pride jersey. Tipoff is at 7pm.🎶 See Beetle, Houston's premier Beatles cover band, Thursday at The Continental Club.Tickets are $13 online and $15 at the door. Doors open at 6:30pm.🎥 Watch 1975's "Mahogany," starring Diana Ross, on Thursday at the DeLuxe Theater.Tickets are sold on a pay-as-you-can basis. The show starts at 7:30pm.🎨 Paint with your friends while enjoying drinks, food and hookah Thursday at Belle Station.Tickets start at $22 and include pre-sketched canvases.🤠 Listen to Beyoncé's new album, "Cowboy Carter," and roller skate Friday at Discovery Green.Tickets start at $12 and include skate rental. The listening party begins at 7pm.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Houston.
HISD backtracks on plan to fire or discipline more than 100 principals
After outrage by educators and parents, Houston ISD superintendent Mike Miles has backtracked on a plan to fire or discipline more than 100 principals who don't meet the standards of the district's new rating system. Why it matters: Miles' tenure has been met with protests and calls for his removal after he implemented a new principal proficiency screening program.Miles was appointed to head the district by the Texas Education Agency, which took oversight of the troubled district last year.State of play: On March 8, the Houston Chronicle published a list of 117 principals who had been informed by the district...
What to know about the upcoming Houston theater season
The 2023-2024 Houston theater season isn't quite over, but companies are already sharing plans for the next season, starting in the fall.Why it matters: The lineup announcements offer promising prospects for eager season ticket buyers and theaters alike as theaters hope to secure vital revenue streams and grow their audiences.Plus: Houston has one of the larger theater scenes in the country.Houston Grand OperaDriving the news: HGO announced that the next season will be all about love. Themed "Truly Madly Deeply," the season will feature "Il Trovatore," "Cinderella," "La Bohème," "West Side Story," "Breaking the Waves" and "Tannhäuser."What they're saying: HGO's...
Spring in Houston is getting hotter
Data: Climate Central; Chart: Axios VisualsThe spring temperature in Houston has increased by an average of 3.8 degrees since 1970, per a recent Climate Central analysis.Why it matters: Seasonal climate change discussions often focus on summer and winter, when temperatures are typically at their annual highs and lows.But the "between seasons" are affected too, report Axios' Alex Fitzpatrick and Alice Feng.What they found: Average springtime temperatures warmed by 2.2 degrees from 1970 to 2023 across nearly 230 U.S. cities analyzed by Climate Central, a nonprofit science and communications organization. The group's analysis is based on National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data and looks at meteorological spring, which begins March 1 and ends May 31.Spring has gotten notably warmer in the Southwest, where average seasonal temperatures have risen by more than 6 degrees in some places.Zoom in: In Houston, the average springtime temperature was about 66 in 1970. It was 71 last year.The bottom line: Warmer springtime temperatures can lead to longer allergy seasons and changes in agricultural growing times.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Houston.
Houston tips off March Madness play
The Houston Cougars men's basketball team is as ready as ever for March Madness.Why it matters: The No. 1-seeded Cougars are vying for the team's first national title after dominating their first year in the Big 12 Conference with a 30-4 record, an Associated Press Big 12 player-of-the-year award, and a head coach given top honors by his peers.Driving the news: The Cougars play the No. 16 Longwood Lancers on Friday at Memphis' FedExForum.Tipoff is at 8:20pm on TNT.The latest: While they spent the season atop the Big 12, Houston is fresh off Saturday's Big 12 Tournament championship loss to the Iowa State Cyclones.What they're saying: "We'll lick our wounds and get back on the horse and get going again," head coach Kelvin Sampson told the Houston Chronicle.How to watch: The university is hosting an official watch party for Friday's game at downtown's Avenida Houston.Festivities kick off at 7pm.What's next: If the Cougars win, they'll have a chance to play in the second round against the No. 9 Texas A&M Aggies, who play the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Friday at 5:50pm.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Houston.
Houston Astros one week from Opening Day
The Astros return to Minute Maid Park in one week for the start of their 2024 campaign to win another title.Why it matters: This year's push pits Houston against reigning World Series champions the Texas Rangers and the rest of the league as they hope to extend their seven-year streak of reaching the American League Championship Series — and hopefully beyond.Flashback: Houston lost a bitter, seven-game ALCS last year to the Rangers, who went on to win the whole thing.State of play: The Astros are under the management of new skipper Joe Espada, the team's longtime bench coach, and enter...
Things to do in Houston this weekend
Here's what's going on in the Bayou City this weekend.🛍 Support local artists at the Bayou City Art Festival Downtown. There will be paintings, jewelry, sculptures and more.Entry is $22. 10am-6pm Saturday and Sunday.🪁 Fly a kite at the International Art & Kite Festival at the Crown Festival Park in Sugar Land on Saturday.10am-3pm. Free.🛶 Compete in a canoe and kayak race at Buffalo Bayou on Saturday.Day-of registration for the regatta is $60. The race begins at 9am.🎨 Buy Studio Ghibli-inspired art at the free Ghibli Fest Art Market at Karbach Brewing Co.Free entrance. Starts at 11am Saturday and Sunday.🎷 Enjoy live jazz at Emancipation Park for Jazzy Sundays in the Park, the last of this event at Emancipation before it moves to Buffalo Bayou Park in April.5pm-7pm. Free.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Houston.
Megan Thee Stallion announces Houston date for Hot Girl Summer Tour
Calling all Houston Hotties: Megan Thee Stallion is coming back to Houston this summer.Driving the hype: The H-Town star announced Wednesday that she will perform at Toyota Center on June 14 for her Hot Girl Summer Tour. Memphis rapper GloRilla will join her.The tour will make 31 stops in North America and Europe beginning in May.General sale for the tour will open on Friday, March 22 at 10am on AXS.Flashback: Last year, Megan headlined the March Madness Music Festival and joined Beyoncé during the Renaissance World Tour to perform "Savage Remix," marking the first time they performed their Grammy-winning song live together.The bottom line: It's about to get hotter in Houston this summer.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Houston.
Megan Thee Stallion announces Houston date for Hot Girl Summer Tour
Calling all Houston Hotties: Megan Thee Stallion is coming back to Houston this summer.Driving the hype: The H-Town star announced Wednesday that she will perform at Toyota Center on June 14 for her Hot Girl Summer Tour. Memphis rapper GloRilla will join her.The tour will make 31 stops in North America and Europe beginning in May.General sale for the tour will open on Friday, March 22 at 10am on AXS.Flashback: Last year, Megan headlined the March Madness Music Festival and joined Beyoncé during the Renaissance World Tour to perform "Savage Remix," marking the first time they performed their Grammy-winning song live together.The bottom line: It's about to get hotter in Houston this summer.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Houston.
Polluting plastic plants received over $1.6 billion in tax breaks since 2013
Data: Environmental Integrity Project; Map: Axios VisualsDespite air pollution violations, Texas plastic manufacturing companies have received more than $1.6 billion in tax breaks since 2013, per a new report from the Environmental Integrity Project.The nonprofit's report identified 50 factories that have been built or expanded in the last 12 years that manufacture the main ingredients in plastic products. Texas is home to 33 of those plastic plants, largely in the Houston area in Harris, Brazoria and Chambers counties.These facilities are largely in communities of color, and many of the plants have been cited for releasing known carcinogens, per the report.Between...
Houston's population is still booming
Data: U.S. Census Bureau; Chart: Axios VisualsHarris County added more residents than any other county in the country, according to new data from the U.S. Census Bureau, possibly increasing competition at your favorite taco food truck.By the numbers: Harris County, the country's third-most populous county, with about 4.8 million residents, added nearly 54,000 residents last year.The Houston metro area population increased by about 140,000 from July 2022 to July 2023, ranking second in the nation for the influx, just after Dallas-Fort Worth. Our total population is now over 7.5 million.The big picture: Texas saw some of the biggest population increases...
What to do in Houston: March 18-21
Here's what's going on in the Bayou City this week.🖼 Take a guided tour of the new fauvism special exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.1pm-2pm Wednesday. Museum entry is $24.🎶 Enjoy a concert during lunchtime at Discovery Green. Students from Kinder HSPVA will perform from 1pm-2pm Wednesday.Free.🌳 Learn all about trees in Houston with the Houston Botanic Garden's deputy director of horticulture on Wednesday at the Texas Medical Center Helix Park.11:30am-1:30pm. Free.🦃 Watch "The Thanksgiving Play" at the 4th Wall Theatre Company on Thursday.7:30pm-9:30pm. Tickets start at $17.🚶♀️ Go on a wellness walk with Hope for Healing on Thursday.10am-11am. Free.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Houston.
RodeoHouston breaks records in 2024
The last weekend of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo was one for the records. Driving the news: Despite the storms on Friday, the Jonas Brothers set an all-time attendance record of 75,600, beating the record set only days before by Los Tigres del Norte, who had sold only five fewer tickets.Inside the room: Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas, who performed at RodeoHouston in 2009, played hits from their albums, including "Sucker," as well as throwbacks like "Year 3000" and "Junebug."They even performed songs from their solo careers. Nick sang "Jealous," and Joe brought a dance-pop vibe to "Cake by...
Muslim leaders and organizations to boycott Houston Iftar
Muslim leaders and organizations are refusing to attend the 25th annual Houston Iftar and are calling for a boycott of the event if Mayor John Whitmire is still invited and serves as the keynote speaker.Why it matters: Houston has a significant Muslim population, and the annual iftar party, which commemorates the breaking of fast during Ramadan, is a longstanding tradition between the city's Muslim community and the mayor's office.Driving the news: More than 40 Muslim leaders and organizations signed an open letter asking the event's organizing committee to "rescind any invitations" to Whitmire and other elected city officials and leaders...
Whitmire releases Houston firefighter back pay plan
Houston firefighters will receive back pay and new benefits if a judge approves a tentative agreement between Mayor John Whitmire and the city's firefighters' union.Why it matters: Under the agreement, the city would pay $650 million over the next five years as Houston grapples with a budget shortfall and tough decisions ahead of the upcoming fiscal year, which starts in July.It also would end a yearslong court battle over firefighter pay.Driving the news: Firefighters, including retired firefighters and families of those who have died since 2017, would receive lump sum payments for wages owed since 2017.Firefighters would also receive a...
Sweet Times: Hui Lau Shan
Jay here! I've found myself eating my way through Asiatown's Dun Huang Plaza and wanted to share my delicious experience at Hui Lau Shan.Driving the news: Hui Lau Shan is a Hong Kong-based chain that specializes in mango treats and desserts.Dig in: I ordered the D4 ($6), a delectable drink with mangoes, coconut and sago balls.The mix of fruits and sweetness played well together, with different textures and flavors making this my go-to when ordering.If you go: Hui Lau Shan is located on the first floor of the southernmost building in Dun Huang Plaza, located at 9889 Bellaire Blvd.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Houston.
EV charging is costly in Texas
Data: Stable Auto; Note: Does not include Tesla charging stations; Map: Erin Davis/Axios VisualsElectric vehicle drivers in Texas face some of the highest charging rates at public stations.By the numbers: It costs an average of 50 cents per kilowatt-hour to charge an electric car at a public charging station in Texas, Axios' Alan Neuhauser reports.That's compared with the national average of 45 cents per kWh, according to data from Stable Auto, an EV charger software developer.Context: A typical EV with 300 miles of range usually takes about 75-100 kWh to go from empty to full.Why it matters: Charging an EV...
Chicago-based Portillo's is coming to Houston
Popular Chicago-based chain Portillo's is opening two locations in the Houston area this year.Why it matters: Apparently, Portillo's is a big deal — some even dare to say it's the best Chicago food chain.Catch up quick: Known for its hot dogs and chocolate cakes, Portillo's will open locations in Richmond and Willowbrook this year. The opening dates have yet to be announced.The chain added five locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area last year."We're thrilled to expand into Houston, and we can't wait to bring our unrivaled Chicago street food to a brand-new market in the Lone Star State," Portillo's CEO...
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