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Houston neighborhood restores decades-old street pillars

The Southampton residents will be recognized with a preservation award.

News

A group of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Houston" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston" data-vars-content-id="0f9d39ba-5a35-43bf-bce3-d19c624159fb" data-vars-headline="Houston neighborhood restores decades-old street pillars" 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> neighbors banded together to repair and replace <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="historic concrete street signs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2022/08/31/street-typo-houston-concrete-pillars" data-vars-content-id="0f9d39ba-5a35-43bf-bce3-d19c624159fb" data-vars-headline="Houston neighborhood restores decades-old street pillars" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2022/08/31/street-typo-houston-concrete-pillars" target="_self">historic concrete street signs</a> installed in their neighborhood more than 80 years ago. Why it matters: Their restoration efforts won them an award from the Bayou City&#x27;s premier preservation society.

Apple brings Mac Mini production to Houston in AI-fueled manufacturing push

The move doubles Apple's Houston footprint.

Business

Apple is accelerating its manufacturing footprint in Houston — bringing production of its Mac Mini to the U.S. for the first time, the tech giant announced Tuesday. Why it matters: The move doubles <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Apple&#x27;s Houston footprint" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/02/24/apple-investment-trump-tim-cook-texas" data-vars-content-id="1f4dd05a-ff4c-4eee-bcbc-0fde16ff9366" data-vars-headline="Apple brings Mac Mini production to Houston in AI-fueled manufacturing push" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/02/24/apple-investment-trump-tim-cook-texas" target="_self">Apple&#x27;s Houston footprint</a> and is expected to create thousands of jobs.

Waymo introduces autonomous rides in Houston

Select riders who've downloaded the Waymo app will receive invitations.

Waymo&#x27;s driverless rides have arrived in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Houston" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston" data-vars-content-id="a5c04d8b-740e-4c55-979c-fbcf99210222" data-vars-headline="Waymo introduces autonomous rides 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>, starting with a limited rollout.Why it matters: Waymo&#x27;s debut turns futuristic tech into a commuting option, moving the technology past its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="testing phase" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/11/18/houston-waymo-driverless-autonomous-robotaxi" data-vars-content-id="a5c04d8b-740e-4c55-979c-fbcf99210222" data-vars-headline="Waymo introduces autonomous rides 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/2025/11/18/houston-waymo-driverless-autonomous-robotaxi" target="_self">testing phase</a> and into daily life.

Houston families are opting for cremations over burials

By 2045, the cremation rate in Texas is projected to be 79%, per the NFDA.

Cremations are now twice as common as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="burials" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/10/29/gen-z-funeral-death-preferences-baby-boomers-cremation" data-vars-content-id="3d26a329-fecf-443b-8fd5-4b871609c523" data-vars-headline="Houston families are opting for cremations over burials" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/10/29/gen-z-funeral-death-preferences-baby-boomers-cremation" target="_self">burials</a> in the U.S., reversing a norm from two decades ago, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the National Funeral Directors Association" data-vars-click-url="https://nfda.org/news/media-center/nfda-news-releases/id/9786/nfda-releases-2025-cremation-burial-report-comprehensive-insights-to-guide-the-future-of-funeral-service" data-vars-content-id="3d26a329-fecf-443b-8fd5-4b871609c523" data-vars-headline="Houston families are opting for cremations over burials" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://nfda.org/news/media-center/nfda-news-releases/id/9786/nfda-releases-2025-cremation-burial-report-comprehensive-insights-to-guide-the-future-of-funeral-service" target="_blank">the National Funeral Directors Association</a>.Why it matters: Shifting attitudes around <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="religion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/05/religion-americans-spiritual-survey" data-vars-content-id="3d26a329-fecf-443b-8fd5-4b871609c523" data-vars-headline="Houston families are opting for cremations over burials" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/05/religion-americans-spiritual-survey" target="_self">religion</a>, cost and the environment are reshaping how Americans — and Houstonians — handle death.

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>.

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 🌿

Where solar could cut Houston's energy bills

One year after Beryl, recovery divides Houston by income

Houston summers are getting longer

How Hurricane Katrina reshaped lives in Houston

Photos show hope in Houston after Hurricane Katrina