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U.S. Rep. Christian Menefee is leading U.S. Rep. Al Green heading into the Democratic primary runoff for Texas' 18th Congressional District, per a new University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs survey.

Why it matters: The runoff will determine who represents the recently redrawn district after Texas lawmakers shuffled Houston-area seats, forcing Menefee and Green into the same race.

The survey was fielded May 5-8 with 800 likely voters responding. It has a margin of error of +/- 3.46%.

What they found: Menefee, who has support from 50% of likely voters compared with 43% for Green, held strong leads among white and Latino voters and voters younger than 55, per the survey. 

Green maintained a slight edge among Black voters, 48% to 45%, and voters 55 and older, 48% to 46%.

Green also led among Fort Bend County voters in the district, winning 55% support compared with 36% for Menefee.

What they're saying: "More than four out of five voters say they have a favorable opinion of both Menefee and Green," Renée Cross, researcher and senior executive director of the Hobby School, said in a statement.

"Despite their favorable views of Green, we found that support for Menefee cuts across racial and generational lines, with some notable exceptions."

Follow the money: Menefee ($1 million) outraised Green ($256,000) in the first quarter of 2026.

Meanwhile, in the Republican runoff for the 9th Congressional District, former Harris County judge candidate Alex Mealer leads state Rep. Briscoe Cain by 9 points, according to the same survey.

Half of likely voters said they support Mealer, while 41% said they plan to vote for Cain.

Of note: The 9th District poll surveyed only 400 likely voters and has a margin of error of +/- 4.90%.

What's next: Early voting begins May 18. The runoff is on May 26.

new University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs survey

UH Poll: Menefee leads in Green in Democratic runoff

UH poll shows Menefee leading Green in CD18 Democratic runoff.

Group of men in suits at a press conference; foreground left man wears a red striped tie, right man wears glasses; microphones in front; blue backdrop with white letters.

U.S. Reps. Al Green (left) and Christian Menefee. Photo: Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images

U.S. Rep. Christian Menefee is leading U.S. Rep. Al Green heading into the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Democratic primary runoff" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/03/04/al-green-christian-menefee-primary-election-results-2026" data-vars-content-id="0d00c6cb-c0c8-4bd3-adc3-5dc5a7633f29" data-vars-headline="UH Poll: Menefee leads in Green in Democratic runoff" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/03/04/al-green-christian-menefee-primary-election-results-2026" target="_self">Democratic primary runoff</a> for Texas&#x27; 18th Congressional District, per a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs survey" data-vars-click-url="https://www.uh.edu/hobby/runoffs/runoffs.pdf" data-vars-content-id="0d00c6cb-c0c8-4bd3-adc3-5dc5a7633f29" data-vars-headline="UH Poll: Menefee leads in Green in Democratic runoff" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.uh.edu/hobby/runoffs/runoffs.pdf" target="_blank">new University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs survey</a>.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="runoff" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/04/al-green-christian-menefee-texas-primary-houston" data-vars-content-id="0d00c6cb-c0c8-4bd3-adc3-5dc5a7633f29" data-vars-headline="UH Poll: Menefee leads in Green in Democratic runoff" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/04/al-green-christian-menefee-texas-primary-houston" target="_self">runoff</a> will determine who represents the recently redrawn district after Texas lawmakers <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shuffled Houston-area seats" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/04/27/texas-redistricting-map-ruling-supreme-court" data-vars-content-id="0d00c6cb-c0c8-4bd3-adc3-5dc5a7633f29" data-vars-headline="UH Poll: Menefee leads in Green in Democratic runoff" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/04/27/texas-redistricting-map-ruling-supreme-court" target="_self">shuffled Houston-area seats</a>, forcing Menefee and Green into the same race.

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Politics

Texas Children's Hospital must open what is believed to be the country's first "detransition clinic" and pay the state $10 million as part of a settlement over transgender care for minors, Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Friday.

Why it matters: The settlement marks the latest move by Texas Republicans to restrict transgender rights as the state has enacted some of the nation's toughest policies targeting trans people, including limits on gender-affirming care for minors, sports participation and bathroom access.

Driving the news: The settlement resolves an investigation launched by Paxton's office in 2023 after Texas banned gender-affirming medical care for minors. 

The clinic will provide care for patients after undergoing gender-transition procedures, per Paxton.

State of play: Texas Children's, the country's largest pediatric hospital, is also required to stop providing gender-transition care for minors and fire and revoke the medical privileges of five doctors. 

The hospital must also fully fund detransition clinic services during its first five years.

What they're saying: "Today is a monumental day in the fight to stop the radical transgender movement. This historic settlement reflects an institutional and fundamental cultural shift away from radical 'gender' ideology," Paxton said in a statement Friday. 

The other side: Texas Children's said in a statement Friday it "made the difficult decision" to settle to avoid prolonged litigation after spending three years responding to investigations by Paxton's office and the U.S. Department of Justice.

The hospital said that it has been "navigating an unconscionable campaign of mistruths and mischaracterizations" during that time. The hospital said it produced more than 5 million documents during the investigations and maintained that it complied with the law.

"To be clear – we are settling to protect our resources from endless and costly litigation. This settlement will allow us to redirect those precious resources to focus on the life-saving care and groundbreaking discoveries of our exceptional clinicians and scientists," the hospital said. 

Reality check: Transition-related care for kids is considered safe, appropriate and medically necessary for children by major medical organizations, including the American Medical Association.

Surgeries for transgender children are rare. Transgender teens who get gender-affirming care report high levels of satisfaction.

Detransitioning, or stopping or reversing gender transition, is relatively uncommon. The World Professional Association for Transgender Health said evidence of later regret is limited.

Zoom out: Andrea Segovia, senior field and policy director for the Transgender Education Network of Texas, told the Texas Tribune she worries other states could follow Texas' lead in requiring similar clinics.

"It's terrifying what other states will take from this," Segovia said.

Texas Rep. Ann Johnson (D-Houston) said "Texans should be concerned when politicians override doctors and families ... Healthcare should be guided by science and patient wellbeing, never partisan rhetoric."

Between the lines: Texas Children's announced layoffs in 2024 amid financial pressures.

What we're watching: The hospital did not say Friday when the clinic will open or what services it will provide.

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Texas Children's must open country's first "detransition clinic"

The settlement resolves an investigation launched in 2023 after Texas banned gender-affirming medical care for minors.

Glass-front hospital campus with a tall central tower labeled "Texas Children's Hospital" and a red logo; lower tower reads "Lester and Sue Smith Legacy Tower" against a pale sky.

Texas Children's Hospital in Houston. Photo: Callaghan O'Hare/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Policymaking

Texas Children&#x27;s Hospital must open what is believed to be the country&#x27;s first &quot;detransition clinic&quot; and pay the state $10 million as part of a settlement over <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="transgender care" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/04/22/texas-legislature-anti-trans-bills" data-vars-content-id="3b555db9-453d-444a-b108-8504352d71a4" data-vars-headline="Texas Children&#x27;s must open country&#x27;s first &quot;detransition clinic&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/04/22/texas-legislature-anti-trans-bills" target="_self">transgender care</a> for minors, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Attorney General Ken Paxton" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/03/04/cornyn-paxton-runoff-texas-republican-senate-primary" data-vars-content-id="3b555db9-453d-444a-b108-8504352d71a4" data-vars-headline="Texas Children&#x27;s must open country&#x27;s first &quot;detransition clinic&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/03/04/cornyn-paxton-runoff-texas-republican-senate-primary" target="_self">Attorney General Ken Paxton</a> announced Friday.Why it matters: The settlement marks the latest move by Texas Republicans to restrict transgender rights as the state has enacted some of the nation&#x27;s toughest policies targeting trans people, including limits on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="gender-affirming care for minors" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2024/06/28/gender-affirming-care-ban-texas-transgender" data-vars-content-id="3b555db9-453d-444a-b108-8504352d71a4" data-vars-headline="Texas Children&#x27;s must open country&#x27;s first &quot;detransition clinic&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2024/06/28/gender-affirming-care-ban-texas-transgender" target="_self">gender-affirming care for minors</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sports participation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2021/10/25/texas-trans-youth-sports" data-vars-content-id="3b555db9-453d-444a-b108-8504352d71a4" data-vars-headline="Texas Children&#x27;s must open country&#x27;s first &quot;detransition clinic&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2021/10/25/texas-trans-youth-sports" target="_self">sports participation</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bathroom access" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/09/22/abbott-signs-bathroom-bill-into-law" data-vars-content-id="3b555db9-453d-444a-b108-8504352d71a4" data-vars-headline="Texas Children&#x27;s must open country&#x27;s first &quot;detransition clinic&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/09/22/abbott-signs-bathroom-bill-into-law" target="_self">bathroom access</a>.

2024 will be an election year like no other, as President Biden seeks re-election amid economic uncertainty, two wars and questions about his age. His likely foe, former President Trump, faces felony charges and vows revenge on his political enemies. Meanwhile, Americans generally are dissatisfied with those choices and are divided over immigration, race, education and more.

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Science

Health

With the Houston Comets' return cemented, it's time for Clutch City's basketball executives to start planning for the team's second debut in the WNBA. 

Why it matters: Before the Comets tip off at Toyota Center next spring, team leaders are eyeing several factors to build a championship-level team over the course of the next year. 

Catch up quick: Houston billionaire Tilman Fertitta's company purchased the Connecticut Sun for a WNBA record of $300 million, a deal announced in March that still required approval of the WNBA and NBA's board of governors. 

Driving the news: The board approved the sale and relocation Wednesday.

What they're saying: "We cannot wait to give you something to be proud about, something that you can root for," Comets vice chairman Patrick Fertitta, Tilman's son, said at a press conference Thursday. 

The latest: The Sun will play one last WNBA season before the franchise will relocate to Houston. 

In that time, Fertitta said, they'll be working with the Sun's front office on a transition plan, which includes deciding which coaching staff will stay with the organization. 

Sun president Jennifer Rizzotti and general manager Morgan Tuck are among those staying onboard with the organization, Fertitta said. 

The intrigue: We won't know until later this year whether Houston native Brittney Griner, who signed a one-year contract with Connecticut last month, will re-sign with the franchise and play for the Comets next season. 

"To have another WNBA athlete that was born and raised here, that has achieved the level of success that she has, is fantastic," Gretchen Sheirr, president of the Comets' business operations, said Thursday. 

"On the basketball side, I'm not sure of the exact terms and how that will translate coming into 2027. But we're really excited [about] the legacy of Houston basketball."

Flashback: The Comets, one of the WNBA's original eight franchises in 1997, won the league's first four championships.

The team ceased operations in 2008 amid a downturn in WNBA attendance nationwide. 

Yes, but: The WNBA is experiencing a massive rise in popularity, with a surge in viewers and a new generation of stars.

The league is also expanding to 18 teams in 2028.

The bottom line: "It has been decades in the making," Sheirr said of the Comets' return to Houston.

"Having the Comets back matters, so those girls who want to play basketball can see in their backyard and at Toyota Center — whether it's on the court or off the court — that they can be champions," she added. "We're glad that they have that opportunity again."

Houston Comets look ahead to 2027 season after relocation was approved

The Comets will tip off at Toyota Center next spring.

Group of people posing on a stage in front of a blue backdrop with Houston Comets logos; a woman in a white suit holds a basketball, others in red and business attire; photographers in the foreground.

Houston Comets leadership, former players and coaches, and city of Houston officials pose for media Thursday after announcing the Comets' relocation was approved. Photo: Jay R. Jordan/Axios

With the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Houston Comets" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/03/30/wnba-houston-comets-coming-back" data-vars-content-id="6e1e7a0a-4685-4d8a-bba6-d22fc7b67e78" data-vars-headline="Houston Comets look ahead to 2027 season after relocation was approved" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/03/30/wnba-houston-comets-coming-back" target="_self">Houston Comets</a>&#x27; return cemented, it&#x27;s time for Clutch City&#x27;s basketball executives to start planning for the team&#x27;s second debut in the WNBA. Why it matters: Before the Comets tip off at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Toyota Center" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/04/16/toyota-center-reimagined-renovations" data-vars-content-id="6e1e7a0a-4685-4d8a-bba6-d22fc7b67e78" data-vars-headline="Houston Comets look ahead to 2027 season after relocation was approved" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/04/16/toyota-center-reimagined-renovations" target="_self">Toyota Center</a> next spring, team leaders are eyeing several factors to build a championship-level team over the course of the next year.

Sports

Waymo is nearly doubling its Houston service area to 50 square miles ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Why it matters: The expansion strategically includes NRG Stadium and East Downtown, positioning Waymo to serve World Cup crowds heading to matches and fan events — all starting just a month from now.

State of play: Waymo's current Houston service area spans roughly 25 square miles around downtown, Montrose, the Heights, Rice Military and nearby neighborhoods.

Riders will soon be able to access additional areas, including EaDo, the Texas Medical Center and northeast Houston. 

Waymo tells Axios the expansion will roll out in the coming weeks.

Catch up quick: The autonomous ride-hailing company launched service in Houston, Dallas and San Antonio in February through an invitation-only system that requires access codes.

Waymo says tens of thousands of riders already use the service in Houston, and it plans to invite additional riders on a rolling basis as it scales operations, with everyone who downloads the Waymo app expected to gain access soon, the company tells Axios. 

Zoom out: Waymo has also expanded service in other cities, including Austin, Atlanta and Miami, bringing its total service area to more than 1,400 square miles across 11 cities.

Yes, but: Even with the expansion, Waymo's footprint in Houston remains smaller than in some other cities, including San Antonio at 60 square miles, Miami at 150 square miles, and Austin at more than 140 square miles.

Friction point: Safety concerns around autonomous vehicles remain. Waymo recalled its U.S. autonomous vehicle fleet over a software issue after a car drove into San Antonio floodwaters last month — though the cars are still operating.

Earlier this year, a driverless vehicle was spotted going the wrong way down a Houston street, per KHOU. 

Between the lines: Waymo's expansion adds more competition to Houston's rideshare market, shortly after Empower launched in the city last month. 

It also arrives as stadium parking prices remain high (ranging from $100-$175 for match days) and World Cup organizers are pushing fans to use public transportation.

What they're saying: "Waymo is coming to more riders both near and far," Shweta Shrivastava, senior product leader at Waymo, said in a statement, adding the company is "ensuring we are there to support riders for everything from daily commutes and local errands to exciting nights out and the big game."

recalled its U.S. autonomous vehicle fleet

Waymo nearly doubles Houston service area before World Cup

Riders will soon be able to access additional areas, including EaDo, the Texas Medical Center and northeast Houston.

Nighttime parking lot with white Waymo self-driving cars in the foreground, bright streetlights, trees, a yellow playground frame behind a fence, and tall buildings in the background.

A Waymo car in downtown Houston in February. Photo: Shafaq Patel/Axios

Waymo is nearly doubling its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Houston service area" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/02/24/houston-waymo-autonomous-ride-hail-robotaxi" data-vars-content-id="9b3e9af9-0456-4a6c-abec-3847d04c52d3" data-vars-headline="Waymo nearly doubles Houston service area before World Cup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/02/24/houston-waymo-autonomous-ride-hail-robotaxi" target="_self">Houston service area</a> to 50 square miles ahead of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2026 FIFA World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/12/06/fifa-2026-world-cup-houston-schedule-matches" data-vars-content-id="9b3e9af9-0456-4a6c-abec-3847d04c52d3" data-vars-headline="Waymo nearly doubles Houston service area before World Cup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/12/06/fifa-2026-world-cup-houston-schedule-matches" target="_self">2026 FIFA World Cup</a>.Why it matters: The expansion strategically includes NRG Stadium and East Downtown, positioning Waymo to serve World Cup crowds heading to matches and fan events — all starting <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="just a month from now" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/04/25/houston-world-cup-2026-preparations-readiness-50-days" data-vars-content-id="9b3e9af9-0456-4a6c-abec-3847d04c52d3" data-vars-headline="Waymo nearly doubles Houston service area before World Cup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/04/25/houston-world-cup-2026-preparations-readiness-50-days" target="_self">just a month from now</a>.

Transit

Twenty-five refrigerated trucks are hauling valuable grass from Colorado that will soon cover NRG Stadium ahead of Houston's World Cup matches. 

Why it matters: This isn't ordinary turf. The FIFA-spec grass has been growing near Denver for the past 18 months and will soon host world-renowned players kicking, passing and scoring through seven Houston matches.

Catch up quick: The grass is largely Kentucky bluegrass with some perennial ryegrass. Since it's designed for cooler climates, NRG Stadium's roof will remain closed and the building temperature will stay at 72 degrees.

Large grow lights being shipped from Rotterdam, Netherlands — along with the stadium's irrigation and underground aeration system — will help keep the field healthy indoors. The pitch will be patched up in between matches as needed. 

The grass was selected because FIFA wanted to ensure a similar on‑field experience across all tournament venues, John Coppins, the vice president of operations for the host committee, tells Axios. 

Flashback: The grass was part of the early planning and pitch for World Cup host cities. Dan Bergstrom, the host committee's pitch consultant, has been working on the project in Houston for more than seven years. 

The latest: Workers are installing the stadium's "permavoid" base layer — a system designed to help the field meet FIFA standards for drainage, ball bounce and playability, Coppins says. 

A geotextile fiber cloth will go on top before the sod-on-plastic arrives. 

The intrigue: What normally takes about 13 weeks to put together is being squeezed into about three weeks. About 20 laborers are working 12- to 14-hour workdays getting the pitch ready, Bergstrom says. 

Follow the money: "As far as stadium elements go, from a host committee standpoint, this is the most significant expense when you tally up the full effort. The concrete work, the grass, the maintenance, the grow lights, all those moving parts — it's a significant expense. But without this, you don't have the World Cup," Coppins tells Axios. The host committee did not disclose cost. 

Zoom in: In addition to the field preparation, the four corners of the lower bowl were modified to meet FIFA field dimension requirements.

The sod is expected to arrive later this month in large rolls and will be stitched together.

Artificial turf will frame the grass surface alongside LED boards and signage.

Fun fact: Researchers at the University of Tennessee and Michigan State spent five years developing World Cup-ready grass that can be installed quickly, withstand weeks of matches and adapt to different stadium conditions.

Even though its latitude is similar to Houston, Miami will use Bermuda grass since it has an open-air stadium. 

Zoom out: NRG Stadium has undergone a broader facelift ahead of the tournament, including upgraded speakers, video boards, sports lighting and new signage — plus mechanical engineering and plumbing — across NRG Park, general manager Hussain Naqi tells Axios.

"We've really spent to bring the stadium back up to snuff," Naqi says.

During the tournament, NRG Stadium will temporarily be renamed "Houston Stadium" because of FIFA branding protocols. 

University of Tennessee and Michigan State

Houston's mad dash to lay World Cup grass

The grass for Houston's World Cup matches has been growing in Colorado for 18 months.

Interior of a large stadium under construction: steel framework overhead, bright multi-colored video board spanning stands, red seating, and workers in yellow vests on a partially finished floor.

Workers add a water management system layer on Friday. Photo: Shafaq Patel/Axios

Twenty-five refrigerated trucks are hauling valuable grass from Colorado that will soon cover NRG Stadium ahead of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Houston&#x27;s World Cup matches" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/04/25/houston-world-cup-2026-preparations-readiness-50-days" data-vars-content-id="a7304f07-be34-401d-9d48-d24e3923807a" data-vars-headline="Houston&#x27;s mad dash to lay World Cup grass" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/04/25/houston-world-cup-2026-preparations-readiness-50-days" target="_self">Houston&#x27;s World Cup matches</a>. Why it matters: This isn&#x27;t ordinary turf. The FIFA-spec grass has been growing near Denver for the past 18 months and will soon host world-renowned players kicking, passing and scoring through <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="seven Houston matches" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/12/06/fifa-2026-world-cup-houston-schedule-matches" data-vars-content-id="a7304f07-be34-401d-9d48-d24e3923807a" data-vars-headline="Houston&#x27;s mad dash to lay World Cup grass" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/12/06/fifa-2026-world-cup-houston-schedule-matches" target="_self">seven Houston matches</a>.

Shafaq Patel

Featured stories

Texas Children's must open country's first "detransition clinic"

Houston Comets look ahead to 2027 season after relocation was approved

Waymo nearly doubles Houston service area before World Cup

UH Poll: Menefee leads in Green in Democratic runoff

Houston's mad dash to lay World Cup grass