Houston

Houston Alerts

Alert

blue

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Houston with Jay R. Jordan and Shafaq Patel.

Axios Houston

Standard

Axios Houston Partners

Axios Houston Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Houston Members

Membership

Austin Street project cost more than expected — and it's behind schedule

The undertaking is $1.6 million over its initial estimate.

News

A year after the city of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Houston" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston" data-vars-content-id="e1d39c11-3dc5-4222-b1c5-77b57885e79e" data-vars-headline="Austin Street project cost more than expected — and it&#x27;s behind schedule" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston" target="_self">Houston</a> began ripping up and reshaping Midtown&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Austin Street" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/08/12/houston-bike-lane-closure-update-austin-street" data-vars-content-id="e1d39c11-3dc5-4222-b1c5-77b57885e79e" data-vars-headline="Austin Street project cost more than expected — and it&#x27;s behind schedule" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/08/12/houston-bike-lane-closure-update-austin-street" target="_self">Austin Street</a> for a drainage project, workers have not yet finished the job. Why it matters: The undertaking is already $1.6 million over its initial estimate, according to the city.

Rising mortgage rates hit U.S. — but Houston has a buffer

Mortgage rates are ticking up as global tensions rise — but Houston's housing market may be better insulated than most.

Politics

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mortgage rates are inching up" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/25/mortgage-rates-iran-war-housing-market" data-vars-content-id="0cf0adb0-3fa0-4465-92ee-75aabe910602" data-vars-headline="Rising mortgage rates hit U.S. — but Houston has a buffer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/25/mortgage-rates-iran-war-housing-market" target="_self">Mortgage rates are inching up</a> as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tensions escalate in Iran" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/world" data-vars-content-id="0cf0adb0-3fa0-4465-92ee-75aabe910602" data-vars-headline="Rising mortgage rates hit U.S. — but Houston has a buffer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/world" target="_self">tensions escalate in Iran</a> — but Houston&#x27;s housing market is better positioned than most to absorb the shock.Why it matters: While national headlines tie rising rates to geopolitical instability, Houston&#x27;s economy has an energy sector and general affordability buffer that could keep <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="homebuying relatively steady." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/01/20/what-2026-could-hold-for-houstons-housing-market" data-vars-content-id="0cf0adb0-3fa0-4465-92ee-75aabe910602" data-vars-headline="Rising mortgage rates hit U.S. — but Houston has a buffer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/01/20/what-2026-could-hold-for-houstons-housing-market" target="_self">homebuying relatively steady.</a>

Texas hemp companies sue state over new rules on smokeable THC

The groups say the state exceeded its legal authority in how it regulates THC.

Texas hemp businesses on Tuesday sued the state, aiming to reverse <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new rules that ban pre-rolled joints" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/03/30/texas-hemp-ban-thc" data-vars-content-id="e966f141-1348-42b5-814f-08f0c0227b9b" data-vars-headline="Texas hemp companies sue state over new rules on smokeable THC" 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/texas-hemp-ban-thc" target="_self">new rules that ban pre-rolled joints</a> and other smokeable THC products made legal under a 2019 state law. Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="lawsuit" data-vars-click-url="https://texashempbusinesscouncil.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026.04.07-THBC-Original-Petition-and-Application-for-TRO-Injunction-FILED.pdf" data-vars-content-id="e966f141-1348-42b5-814f-08f0c0227b9b" data-vars-headline="Texas hemp companies sue state over new rules on smokeable THC" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://texashempbusinesscouncil.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026.04.07-THBC-Original-Petition-and-Application-for-TRO-Injunction-FILED.pdf" target="_blank">lawsuit</a> is the latest battle over hemp-derived THC in Texas&#x27; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="multibillion-dollar" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/04/10/thc-hemp-ban-texas-legislature" data-vars-content-id="e966f141-1348-42b5-814f-08f0c0227b9b" data-vars-headline="Texas hemp companies sue state over new rules on smokeable THC" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/04/10/thc-hemp-ban-texas-legislature" target="_self">multibillion-dollar</a> industry.

Houston limits police interactions with ICE

The change limits how long police officers can hold people for immigration reasons.

New rules will dictate how <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Houston Police Department officers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/03/20/houston-police-ice-immigration-warrants-city-council" data-vars-content-id="5ea916a1-9fdd-453b-9e77-66dbc61a9865" data-vars-headline="Houston limits police interactions with ICE" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/03/20/houston-police-ice-immigration-warrants-city-council" target="_self">Houston Police Department officers</a> can interact with ICE agents after City Council passed a measure Wednesday that curbs cooperation with the federal agency. Why it matters: The change limits how long <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Houston" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston" data-vars-content-id="5ea916a1-9fdd-453b-9e77-66dbc61a9865" data-vars-headline="Houston limits police interactions with ICE" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston" target="_self">Houston</a> police officers can hold people for immigration reasons, but council members who proposed the new rules say the fight is far from over.

One year after Beryl, recovery divides Houston by income

Roughly 1 in 8 of residents say they still haven't recovered — with lower-income households bearing the brunt of long-term disruption

More than a year after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hurricane Beryl" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2024/07/08/hurricane-beryl-flooding-nws-wind-speeds" data-vars-content-id="5401827a-5cf6-4f21-abd7-8f6e69db7eff" data-vars-headline="One year after Beryl, recovery divides Houston by income" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2024/07/08/hurricane-beryl-flooding-nws-wind-speeds" target="_self">Hurricane Beryl</a> hit Houston, the storm&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="impact" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2024/07/10/houston-texas-power-outage-beryl-storm-centerpoint" data-vars-content-id="5401827a-5cf6-4f21-abd7-8f6e69db7eff" data-vars-headline="One year after Beryl, recovery divides Houston by income" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2024/07/10/houston-texas-power-outage-beryl-storm-centerpoint" target="_self">impact</a> still lingers in the daily lives of many residents, per a new report.Why it matters: Roughly 1 in 8 of residents say they still haven&#x27;t recovered — with lower-income households bearing the brunt of long-term disruption, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kinder Institute report" data-vars-click-url="https://kinder.rice.edu/urbanedge/federal-disaster-aid-coming-to-houston-most-will-get-left-out" data-vars-content-id="5401827a-5cf6-4f21-abd7-8f6e69db7eff" data-vars-headline="One year after Beryl, recovery divides Houston by income" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://kinder.rice.edu/urbanedge/federal-disaster-aid-coming-to-houston-most-will-get-left-out" target="_blank">Kinder Institute report</a> released Thursday tracking the region&#x27;s Beryl recovery effort.

How Hurricane Katrina reshaped lives in Houston

Houston provided an "opportunity for people to put roots down."

When <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hurricane Katrina" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/08/25/6-hurricane-katrina-memorials-louisiana" data-vars-content-id="a245058d-c4ef-4f0f-b7df-57c40efebb61" data-vars-headline="How Hurricane Katrina reshaped lives in Houston" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/08/25/6-hurricane-katrina-memorials-louisiana" target="_self">Hurricane Katrina</a> flooded New Orleans in 2005, tens of thousands of displaced residents fled across the country, and new data shows many moved to Houston over the years.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Houston" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston" data-vars-content-id="a245058d-c4ef-4f0f-b7df-57c40efebb61" data-vars-headline="How Hurricane Katrina reshaped lives in Houston" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston" target="_self">Houston</a> proved to be one of the places where a temporary refuge turned into a permanent home, researcher Elizabeth Fussell tells Axios.

Climate change will cost Harris County billions by 2050

The Gulf Coast is facing billions of dollars in yearly property damage due to extreme weather.

The Gulf Coast is facing billions of dollars in yearly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="property damage" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/09/uninsurable-america-is-growing-closer" data-vars-content-id="d73856d5-b86d-4374-a7ae-916450313dbd" data-vars-headline="Climate change will cost Harris County billions by 2050" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/09/uninsurable-america-is-growing-closer" target="_self">property damage</a> by 2050 due to extreme weather tied to climate change, per a new analysis.Why it matters: Harris County stands to pay the most by 2050, about $2.6 billion annually.

Houston's weather office gets new leadership as vacancies remain

He'll take the helm at the height of hurricane season.

Houston&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="National Weather Service" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/09/trumps-noaa-pick-forecasting-warnings" data-vars-content-id="aae14375-e9b1-417f-bfd4-7be95f759350" data-vars-headline="Houston&#x27;s weather office gets new leadership as vacancies remain" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/09/trumps-noaa-pick-forecasting-warnings" target="_self">National Weather Service</a> office will soon have a key leadership role filled after months of vacancy.Why it matters: The appointment of a seasoned <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="meteorologist-in-charge" data-vars-click-url="https://www.weather.gov/phi/TourMIC" data-vars-content-id="aae14375-e9b1-417f-bfd4-7be95f759350" data-vars-headline="Houston&#x27;s weather office gets new leadership as vacancies remain" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.weather.gov/phi/TourMIC" target="_blank">meteorologist-in-charge</a> comes before hurricane season has ramped up, but <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="several other roles remain unfilled" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/05/08/houston-nws-vacancies-trump-democrats" data-vars-content-id="aae14375-e9b1-417f-bfd4-7be95f759350" data-vars-headline="Houston&#x27;s weather office gets new leadership as vacancies remain" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/05/08/houston-nws-vacancies-trump-democrats" target="_self">several other roles remain unfilled</a>.

Houston's summer evenings are getting warmer

Higher overnight temperatures can have health consequences and strain the power grid.

Summer evenings are getting warmer in Houston and across much of the U.S. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="amid climate change" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/28/summers-warmer-climate-change" data-vars-content-id="9f6589eb-abdf-4193-89ea-bd698e735851" data-vars-headline="Houston&#x27;s summer evenings are getting warmer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/28/summers-warmer-climate-change" target="_self">amid climate change</a>, a new analysis shows.Why it matters: Higher overnight temperatures can have health consequences for vulnerable groups, as well as increased demand for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="air conditioning" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2018/05/14/cooling-the-earth-without-cooking-it" data-vars-content-id="9f6589eb-abdf-4193-89ea-bd698e735851" data-vars-headline="Houston&#x27;s summer evenings are getting warmer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2018/05/14/cooling-the-earth-without-cooking-it" target="_self">air conditioning</a>.

Expect a strong bluebonnet season in Houston

The Houston area — unlike much of the state — is expected to put on a solid show.

Climate

It&#x27;s bluebonnet blooming season, and the Houston area — unlike much of the state — is expected to put on a solid show.Driving the season: We had plenty of rainfall last year, setting the stage for a vibrant early wildflower bloom.

There are fewer butterflies in Houston skies

A study found that 106 of the 144 butterfly species found in the Houston area are decreasing nationally,

It&#x27;s butterfly migration season, and while many still flutter through Houston, some populations have been quietly dwindling over the past two decades, in line with nationwide trends.Why it matters: Butterflies are important pollinators, and their populations are<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" barometers of a healthy ecosystem" data-vars-click-url="https://sites.psu.edu/transmissionlineecology/project/butterfly-research/#:~:text=Butterfly%20Research%20Butterflies%20are%20important%20indicators%20of,caused%20some%20butterfly%20populations%20to%20decline%20nationally." data-vars-content-id="87eb61bc-3194-4214-b030-8e260ec32394" data-vars-headline="There are fewer butterflies in Houston skies" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://sites.psu.edu/transmissionlineecology/project/butterfly-research/#:~:text=Butterfly%20Research%20Butterflies%20are%20important%20indicators%20of,caused%20some%20butterfly%20populations%20to%20decline%20nationally." target="_blank"> barometers of a healthy ecosystem</a>.

Houston's freezing temperatures continue after record snow

Much of Houston remains at a standstill, with schools, businesses and many roads closed still.

With freezing temperatures holding firm, much of Houston remains at a standstill, as schools, businesses and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="many roads" data-vars-click-url="https://traffic.houstontranstar.org/roadclosures/#iceonroadway" data-vars-content-id="861f5b53-c523-4e98-a4fe-035bf0679dce" data-vars-headline="Houston&#x27;s freezing temperatures continue after record snow" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://traffic.houstontranstar.org/roadclosures/#iceonroadway" target="_blank">many roads</a> remained closed Wednesday morning.State of play: Driving on roads is still not advised as melted snow has refrozen.

Houston's Halloween forecast calls for rain boots

Trick-or-treating might be "a bit soggy," forecasters say.

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.

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 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wildfires sparking and spreading uncontrollably" data-vars-click-url="https://www.noaa.gov/noaa-wildfire/wildfire-climate-connection" data-vars-content-id="80b04507-1474-4007-9ac6-69171320015d" data-vars-headline="Houston under &quot;high risk&quot; for fires as drought sets in" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.noaa.gov/noaa-wildfire/wildfire-climate-connection" target="_blank">wildfires sparking and spreading uncontrollably</a>.

Instability rocks Houston energy summit

🫠 Charted: Winters are getting shorter

Houston winters are getting shorter

A U.S. map showing the change in average length of consecutive winter days from 1970-1997 to 1998-2025. 15 metro areas experienced 20 fewer days of winter, including Juneau, Alaska with 62 fewer days. Only metros experienced 20 more days: Eureka, California (50) and Monterey (46).

Change in the average length of winter

Zoom in: Where solar could cut Houston's energy bills

Where solar could cut Houston's energy bills

🍂 It's not you: Our summers are getting longer

Houston summers are getting longer

A symbol map of the U.S. showing the change in the number of days with lingering summer temperatures in 2024 compared to 1970. Wheeling, W. Va. leads with 52 more days, while Myrtle Beach, S.C. has 11 fewer days.

Climate 🌿

Instability rocks Houston energy summit

Houston winters are getting shorter

Where solar could cut Houston's energy bills

One year after Beryl, recovery divides Houston by income

Houston summers are getting longer