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Texas hemp industry eyes challenge to ban on smokable THC

The new rules are another blow to the multibillion-dollar industry and its consumers.

News

Pre-rolled joints and other <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="smokable THC products" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2021/10/15/demand-legal-weed-texas" data-vars-content-id="806193ee-77c7-4792-9404-731060b84bbb" data-vars-headline="Texas hemp industry eyes challenge to ban on smokable THC" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2021/10/15/demand-legal-weed-texas" target="_self">smokable THC products</a> will no longer be sold in Texas starting Tuesday.Why it matters: Hemp advocates say they plan on suing after yet another blow to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="multibillion-dollar industry" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/04/10/thc-hemp-ban-texas-legislature" data-vars-content-id="806193ee-77c7-4792-9404-731060b84bbb" data-vars-headline="Texas hemp industry eyes challenge to ban on smokable 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 industry</a> and its consumers.

The Houston Comets are coming back after nearly 20 years

Houston is getting a WNBA team again, with the Comets set to return for the 2027 season.

Sports

The Houston Comets are expected to come back to Bayou City after nearly 20 years after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rockets" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/12/04/rockets-astros-first-direct-to-consumer-streaming-app-schn" data-vars-content-id="27178f59-e91d-4373-826f-659e6ddc22bc" data-vars-headline="The Houston Comets are coming back after nearly 20 years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/12/04/rockets-astros-first-direct-to-consumer-streaming-app-schn" target="_self">Rockets</a> owner Fertitta Entertainment reached a deal to buy, relocate and rename the Connecticut Sun.Why it matters: Houston hasn&#x27;t had a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="WNBA team" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/07/16/wnba-expansion-cleveland-detroit-philadelphia-league" data-vars-content-id="27178f59-e91d-4373-826f-659e6ddc22bc" data-vars-headline="The Houston Comets are coming back after nearly 20 years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/07/16/wnba-expansion-cleveland-detroit-philadelphia-league" target="_self">WNBA team</a> since the dynastic <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Comets ceased operations in 2008" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/03/sports/basketball/03wnba.html" data-vars-content-id="27178f59-e91d-4373-826f-659e6ddc22bc" data-vars-headline="The Houston Comets are coming back after nearly 20 years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/03/sports/basketball/03wnba.html" target="_blank">Comets ceased operations in 2008</a> — leaving a gap in a city that once set the standard for women&#x27;s pro basketball.

Houston's Buffalo Bayou Cistern turns 100 this year

The cistern was built in 1926 to store drinking water for the growing city.

The Buffalo Bayou Cistern turns 100 this year.Why it matters: Houston&#x27;s historic underground reservoir is lively as ever with new investments restoring the space for decades to come.

6 Houston chefs and restaurants named 2026 James Beard finalists

Maximo, Agnes and Sherman and ChòpnBlọk are among the finalists.

Food and Drink

Six Houston-area restaurants and chefs on Tuesday were named <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="finalists for this year&#x27;s James Beard Awards" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/01/21/2026-james-beard-semifinalists" data-vars-content-id="1010e1d1-b0aa-46a2-9659-5cdc25a8cc78" data-vars-headline="6 Houston chefs and restaurants named 2026 James Beard finalists" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/01/21/2026-james-beard-semifinalists" target="_self">finalists for this year&#x27;s James Beard Awards</a>.Why it matters: Being nominated is one of the dining industry&#x27;s highest honors.

Houston on Election Day: Trump, Cruz win

But some key local races remain outstanding.

Politics

Texas made their decisions in the presidential election and beyond, sending <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="former President Trump" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="2578adba-ae4e-4601-a153-4b664587d0d0" data-vars-headline="Houston on Election Day: Trump, Cruz win" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" target="_self">former President Trump</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="to the White House" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/11/05/election-map-2024-presidential-results-harris-trump" data-vars-content-id="2578adba-ae4e-4601-a153-4b664587d0d0" data-vars-headline="Houston on Election Day: Trump, Cruz win" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/11/05/election-map-2024-presidential-results-harris-trump" target="_self">to the White House</a> and reelecting U.S. Sen Ted Cruz, according to the Associated Press.Why it matters: Texas had been viewed as an opportunity for Democrats to expand the playing field and be in a position to steal Republican Senate seats, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="as Axios&#x27; Hans Nichols and Stephen Neukam reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/25/senate-democrats-florida-rick-scott-mucarsel-powell" data-vars-content-id="2578adba-ae4e-4601-a153-4b664587d0d0" data-vars-headline="Houston on Election Day: Trump, Cruz win" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/25/senate-democrats-florida-rick-scott-mucarsel-powell" target="_self">as Axios&#x27; Hans Nichols and Stephen Neukam reported</a> — but those hopes did not work out for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Vice President Harris" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/kamala-harris-us-election-2024" data-vars-content-id="2578adba-ae4e-4601-a153-4b664587d0d0" data-vars-headline="Houston on Election Day: Trump, Cruz win" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/kamala-harris-us-election-2024" target="_self">Vice President Harris</a> or U.S. Rep. Colin Allred.

Election 2024 guide: Voting in Houston

Election Day is Nov. 5. Here&#x27;s what you need to know about how to vote and what&#x27;s on the ballot in the Houston area.Why it matters: Control of the White House and Congress <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="is at stake" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/us-presidential-house-senate-elections" data-vars-content-id="8c2dfc22-cd61-4aef-9b63-205353a6c810" data-vars-headline="Election 2024 guide: Voting in Houston" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/us-presidential-house-senate-elections" target="_self">is at stake</a>.

Election 🗳️

Texas primaries test GOP redistricting strategy

More Democratic ballots cast than Republican in Texas primaries

Democrat flips Texas Senate seat in Tarrant County

What we're watching in Texas in 2026

Texans approve constitutional amendments for tax breaks, water investments