Choose your location
Axios Houston
Pro-Palestinian protesters gather weekly at Ted Cruz's residence
Every Saturday morning over the past two months, pro-Palestinian protesters have gathered outside Texas Sen. Ted Cruz's house in River Oaks to condemn the Republican senator's support for Israel.Why it matters: The six-month old Gaza conflict has roiled U.S. politics and spurred activism across the country, including in Houston, home to one of the largest Arab and Muslim populations in the southern U.S.The big picture: Demonstrators have regularly taken to the streets, called and emailed their elected officials, and spoken up at City Hall, and they're now disrupting spaces where their elected politicians are present, urging them to call for...
Beyoncé drops "Cowboy Carter" Thursday night
Beyoncé's highly anticipated new album "Cowboy Carter" is nearly here.Why it matters: Queen Bey's latest offering isn't her first foray into country music but is her most lengthy production to date and provides a spotlight on Black influences in the genre.And boy, does it have potential to break the internet.Driving the news: The album drops midnight Thursday on the East Coast (that's 11pm Thursday in her hometown of Houston).The 27-song tracklist includes singles "Texas Hold 'Em" and "16 Carriages," which were released in February and have already garnered hundreds of millions of plays on Spotify. "Texas Hold 'Em" also reached...
Astros debut facial recognition entry at Minute Maid Park
The Astros will use facial recognition technology to help fans get into Minute Maid Park faster starting with Thursday's season opener against the New York Yankees.The big picture: The use of facial recognition and biometric data has exploded in recent years, including in police surveillance and at retail stores and sports venues across the country.Now it's landed at Houston's downtown ballpark. The reigning American League West champions are one of only four teams using Major League Baseball's new Go-Ahead Entry this season.Catch up quick: MLB launched a pilot program for Go-Ahead Entry at Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park in the middle...
Realtor's Instagram shows what your money gets you in Houston
Spencer Moore is asking the question we're all wondering: How much do people with nice apartments pay for rent?State of play: Moore posts reels on his Instagram, fancyapartmentshtx, asking Houstonians how much they're paying for rent and giving viewers a tour of what one can get for that cost, following New York TikTok star Caleb Simpson's format.Why it matters: These videos scratch an itch for curious viewers, offering an inside look at what a loft or a penthouse looks like and costs.The intrigue: Moore tours a $2,000 industrial-style loft of a man who's been living in the building for 13...
Weekender Guide: March 29-31
Here's what's going on in the Bayou City this weekend.🎶 Buy last-minute tickets to Madonna's The Celebration Tour. Thursday and Friday. Doors open at 7:30pm. Tickets start at $70.🥘 Break fast together at the Yallah Social Community Iftar at The Discoll in River Oaks.Friday, 7pm. $40.🥚 Bring a basket for an egg hunt at the Christ Church Sugar Land. There will also be a photo booth and an Easter story time.Saturday, 10am-noon.🍴 Eat from several Latin food vendors at the Sazon Latin Food Festival at Karbach Brewing Co.Saturday, 11am-8pm. Free entry.🌈 Celebrate Holi at Cross Creek Ranch on Sunday.The event begins at 11am. Entry is $15.⚾️ Stop by Biggio's Sports Bar for a cookout during Astros opening weekend.All day Friday-Sunday.Sign up for Axios Houston for free.
Weekender Guide: March 29-31
Here's what's going on in the Bayou City this weekend.🎶 Buy last-minute tickets to Madonna's The Celebration Tour. Thursday and Friday. Doors open at 7:30pm. Tickets start at $70.🥘 Break fast together at the Yallah Social Community Iftar at The Discoll in River Oaks.Friday, 7pm. $40.🥚 Bring a basket for an egg hunt at the Christ Church Sugar Land. There will also be a photo booth and an Easter story time.Saturday, 10am-noon.🍴 Eat from several Latin food vendors at the Sazon Latin Food Festival at Karbach Brewing Co.Saturday, 11am-8pm. Free entry.🌈 Celebrate Holi at Cross Creek Ranch on Sunday.The event begins at 11am. Entry is $15.⚾️ Stop by Biggio's Sports Bar for a cookout during Astros opening weekend.All day Friday-Sunday.Sign up for Axios Houston for free.
Miller Outdoor Theatre opens 2024 season
Miller Outdoor Theatre's 2024 season starts Friday night.Why it matters: The free, weekly performances at Miller are a staple Houston experience.From cultural pieces to classical tunes, Miller's stage features songs, dances and plays that inspire.Driving the news: Singer Gesenia of the Ronstadt Revue will kick off this year's season singing songs by Linda Ronstadt, the eclectic, 11-time Grammy winner, at 8pm Friday.The show is one of dozens happening through Aug. 10.Flashback: Miller Outdoor Theatre is fresh off celebrating its centennial anniversary in 2023.If you go: The lawn is free for patrons on a first-come, first-served basis.Free tickets for covered reserved seating are available online and at the box office starting at 10am the day before the performance.Sign up for Axios Houston for free.
Houston's favorite Easter candies
Data: Reproduced from Instacart; Note: "Top-selling" candies were ranked by total number of items sold in each state during the week ending Easter Sunday; Map: Axios VisualsHoustonians love Hershey's milk chocolate for Easter, apparently.Driving the news: The classic chocolate bar led Instacart's list of Houston's most-ordered candy during the week of Easter in 2023.Reese's classic peanut butter cups came in second, with Reese's peanut butter eggs in third.Lindt's hollow chocolate bunny was fourth, and Starburst's Easter jelly beans were fifth.💭 Jay's thought bubble: I'm a devout Reese's apologist, particularly when the treat is of the egg, tree or football variety.Something about the texture of the peanut butter glob surrounded by a thin, melty layer of chocolate found only in those kinds of Reese's gets me every time.🍫 Shafaq's thought bubble: Don't get me wrong, I love a good Reese's chocolate. But they're available in some shape or form year-round. I use Easter time to stock up on limited-edition things, like Cadbury eggs (the obvious Easter chocolate winner, in my opinion).Sign up for Axios Houston for free.
Women are opening more Houston businesses
Data: Yelp; Table: Alice Feng/AxiosWomen-owned business openings in Houston increased 16% in 2023 compared with 2022, Axios' Analis Bailey reports from new Yelp data.By the numbers: 1,793 women-owned businesses opened in Houston in 2023, compared with 1,540 in 2022.The big picture: Women-owned business openings rose 17% nationwide.Austin saw the highest growth rate (34%) among U.S. metros with at least 500 openings in 2023, according to Yelp.Dallas was in the top five metro areas that saw the highest overall number of new women-owned businesses in 2023, with 1,898.Go deeper: Houston's Office of Business Opportunity operates programs that dole out tax dollars...
Houston flight departure times are improving
Data: Bureau of Transportation Statistics; Chart: Kavya Beheraj/AxiosBoth George Bush Intercontinental and William P. Hobby airports had about average on-time departures in 2023 compared with other major U.S. airports, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.The big picture: On average in 2023, 77% of flights at Bush and 78% at Hobby were on time.The national average was 79%.The intrigue: About 85% of flights out of Bush and 81% of flights out of Hobby departed on time in December 2023, compared with the national average of roughly 83%.That's an upswing compared with December 2022, when Southwest Airlines' epic meltdown dragged the...
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.
Axios Houston
889+
Posts
2M+
Views
Axios Houston is here to help readers get smarter, faster on the most consequential news and developments unfolding in their own backyard.
It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency:
Our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. As a platform hosting over 100,000 pieces of content published daily, we cannot pre-vet content, but we strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation.