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Astros clinch AL West and return to playoffs

The Astros finished 81-81, one game ahead of the Rangers.

Sports

The Houston Astros are headed to the postseason after clinching the American League West on the final day of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="regular season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/09/22/astros-playoff-push-al-west-rangers-final-week" data-vars-content-id="140a7259-c036-4334-a11a-e0be47d2067e" data-vars-headline="Astros clinch AL West and return to playoffs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/09/22/astros-playoff-push-al-west-rangers-final-week" target="_self">regular season</a>.Why it matters: After <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="missing the playoffs last year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/09/29/houston-astros-postseason" data-vars-content-id="140a7259-c036-4334-a11a-e0be47d2067e" data-vars-headline="Astros clinch AL West and return to playoffs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/09/29/houston-astros-postseason" target="_self">missing the playoffs last year</a> for the first time since 2016, the Astros narrowly rebounded.

How to celebrate Oktoberfest in Houston

Beer, bratwurst, stein holding competitions, wiener dog races and so much more.

Things to Do

Dust off your lederhosen: Oktoberfest season is in full swing across Houston. Why it matters: You don&#x27;t have to fly to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Germany" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/06/15/germany-fan-bike-world-cup-houston" data-vars-content-id="ff03582a-b129-4201-a586-343bee7fa7aa" data-vars-headline="How to celebrate Oktoberfest 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/2026/06/15/germany-fan-bike-world-cup-houston" target="_self">Germany</a> to get a taste of the Bavarian tradition.

Harris County libraries offer free Repair Cafes

I got a sewing machine fixed for free, saving me money and saving the machine from the landfill.

👋 Shafaq here! Last weekend, I got my mom&#x27;s sewing machine fixed for free at Harris County Public Library&#x27;s Repair Cafe at West University.Why it matters: The community event saves people money and keeps broken items out of landfills.

MFAH's new art includes rare portraits and a Renaissance table 

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, has acquired new art spanning centuries, including a portrait by Joshua Johnson, one of America&#x27;s first established Black painters.Why it matters: The acquisitions expand the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="MFAH&#x27;s collection" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2024/08/06/mfah-to-extend-friday-hours" data-vars-content-id="3604ab08-d341-4b54-b3e7-7a2f8fcf5ce5" data-vars-headline="MFAH&#x27;s new art includes rare portraits and a Renaissance table " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2024/08/06/mfah-to-extend-friday-hours" target="_self">MFAH&#x27;s collection</a>, meaning Houstonians will have new works to see as they go on display.

Eli Lilly breaks ground on $6.5B Houston plant

The plant is expected to create more than 600 permanent jobs.

News

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Eli Lilly" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/24/unapproved-obesity-drug-spawns-a-black-market-frenzy" data-vars-content-id="2d039e2c-ac72-4ad3-9930-d4ae8317b641" data-vars-headline="Eli Lilly breaks ground on $6.5B Houston plant" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/24/unapproved-obesity-drug-spawns-a-black-market-frenzy" target="_self">Eli Lilly</a> broke ground Monday on a $6.5 billion pharmaceutical manufacturing plant in northeast Houston, a year after announcing the project.Why it matters: The investment marks a major expansion of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Houston&#x27;s life sciences sector" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/07/28/sugar-land-life-science" data-vars-content-id="2d039e2c-ac72-4ad3-9930-d4ae8317b641" data-vars-headline="Eli Lilly breaks ground on $6.5B Houston plant" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/07/28/sugar-land-life-science" target="_self">Houston&#x27;s life sciences sector</a>, bringing large-scale pharmaceutical manufacturing to a region already known for medical research and health care.

Houston has polluted waterways

Buffalo Bayou, White Oak Bayou and Carpenters Bayou repeatedly tested high for potentially unsafe E. coli levels.

Several Houston waterways showed potentially unsafe E. coli levels, according to a new Environment Texas Research and Policy Center analysis.Why it matters: High levels of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fecal bacteria" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2023/08/04/beach-fecal-contamination-high" data-vars-content-id="16aab3e7-5471-4c58-9533-527b2ff9c1d5" data-vars-headline="Houston has polluted waterways" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2023/08/04/beach-fecal-contamination-high" target="_self">fecal bacteria</a> can make people sick and can signal pollution from sewage overflows, stormwater runoff and failing septic systems.

Exclusive: Houston air quality held steady during World Cup, data shows

Air Alliance Houston credits public transportation push.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/07/06/world-cup-highlights-history-houston-host-city" data-vars-content-id="5b523bdd-9e51-45d9-8efc-4f6655fdfb9a" data-vars-headline="Exclusive: Houston air quality held steady during World Cup, data shows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/07/06/world-cup-highlights-history-houston-host-city" target="_self">World Cup</a> didn&#x27;t appear to affect the air quality in Houston, which hosted seven games over three weeks, according to new data from Air Alliance Houston exclusively shared with Axios.By the numbers: Average air quality index (AQI) was 23 during the June 11-July 19 tournament, compared with 33 in the month before Houston&#x27;s first World Cup match and 34 about one month after, through Aug. 6.

Where to find local produce in Houston amid cyclosporiasis outbreak

The outbreak is straining Americans' trust in the food safety system.

Some shoppers are trying to get locally grown food as a preventive measure amid the ongoing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cyclosporiasis outbreak" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/07/10/cyclosporiasis-cases-confirmed-in-houston" data-vars-content-id="9a2e1eaf-d885-469a-bffa-9c519f0f240f" data-vars-headline="Where to find local produce in Houston amid cyclosporiasis outbreak" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/07/10/cyclosporiasis-cases-confirmed-in-houston" target="_self">cyclosporiasis outbreak</a>.Why it matters: The outbreak is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="straining Americans&#x27; trust" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/29/cyclospora-lettuce-outbreak-food-safety-threat" data-vars-content-id="9a2e1eaf-d885-469a-bffa-9c519f0f240f" data-vars-headline="Where to find local produce in Houston amid cyclosporiasis outbreak" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/29/cyclospora-lettuce-outbreak-food-safety-threat" target="_self">straining Americans&#x27; trust</a> in the food safety system, leading to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="downturn in sales and a reputation hit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/17/taco-bell-diarrhea-outbreak-lettuce-cyclosporiasis" data-vars-content-id="9a2e1eaf-d885-469a-bffa-9c519f0f240f" data-vars-headline="Where to find local produce in Houston amid cyclosporiasis outbreak" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/17/taco-bell-diarrhea-outbreak-lettuce-cyclosporiasis" target="_self">downturn in sales and a reputation hit</a> for big businesses and farms. But knowing where your produce comes from can <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reduce your risk of infection" data-vars-click-url="https://clay.ces.ncsu.edu/news/more-reasons-to-grow-your-own-food-or-buy-local/" data-vars-content-id="9a2e1eaf-d885-469a-bffa-9c519f0f240f" data-vars-headline="Where to find local produce in Houston amid cyclosporiasis outbreak" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://clay.ces.ncsu.edu/news/more-reasons-to-grow-your-own-food-or-buy-local/" target="_blank">reduce your risk of infection</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="experts say" data-vars-click-url="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2026/07/16/vegetables-fruit-farmers-market-gardens-cyclosporiasis-risk/90928457007/" data-vars-content-id="9a2e1eaf-d885-469a-bffa-9c519f0f240f" data-vars-headline="Where to find local produce in Houston amid cyclosporiasis outbreak" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2026/07/16/vegetables-fruit-farmers-market-gardens-cyclosporiasis-risk/90928457007/" target="_blank">experts say</a> — even if it&#x27;s not guaranteed.

Bristol Myers Squibb picks Houston for $2.3 billion campus

The campus at Generation Park will bring nearly 500 skilled jobs.

Pharmaceutical giant <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bristol Myers Squibb" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/04/astrazeneca-bristol-myers-squibb-merger-drug-companies" data-vars-content-id="66562a9b-dd3e-4b33-8fc0-382b92d5baa5" data-vars-headline="Bristol Myers Squibb picks Houston for $2.3 billion campus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/04/astrazeneca-bristol-myers-squibb-merger-drug-companies" target="_self">Bristol Myers Squibb</a> plans to invest about $2.3 billion in a new manufacturing campus in Houston, the company announced Monday.Why it matters: Houston is continually growing its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="life sciences sector" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/07/28/sugar-land-life-science" data-vars-content-id="66562a9b-dd3e-4b33-8fc0-382b92d5baa5" data-vars-headline="Bristol Myers Squibb picks Houston for $2.3 billion campus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/07/28/sugar-land-life-science" target="_self">life sciences sector</a>, and this project adds to that, bringing nearly 500 skilled jobs to the region.

Top Houston hospitals in 2026, per U.S. News rankings

The Houston area claimed seven of the state's top 10 hospitals in U.S. News & World Report.

Houston Methodist Hospital remains the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="top-ranked hospital" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/07/29/houston-methodist-best-hospital-texas-us-news" data-vars-content-id="c3dfb19d-8460-4183-9aa0-8b5690fd77f9" data-vars-headline="Top Houston hospitals in 2026, per U.S. News rankings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/07/29/houston-methodist-best-hospital-texas-us-news" target="_self">top-ranked hospital</a> in Texas for the 15th consecutive year, according to U.S. News &amp; World Report&#x27;s annual rankings released this week.The big picture: Several <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Houston-area hospitals" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/07/28/sugar-land-life-science" data-vars-content-id="c3dfb19d-8460-4183-9aa0-8b5690fd77f9" data-vars-headline="Top Houston hospitals in 2026, per U.S. News rankings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/07/28/sugar-land-life-science" target="_self">Houston-area hospitals</a> also topped the state rankings.

Food insecurity climbs across the Houston region

Houston Food Bank braces for more demand as SNAP changes roll out.

About one in five residents in the Houston Food Bank&#x27;s service area struggles to consistently <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="access enough food" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2024/05/21/inflation-food-insecurity-texas-california" data-vars-content-id="e54a1642-994d-4e02-92ef-5df48855e995" data-vars-headline="Food insecurity climbs across the Houston region" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2024/05/21/inflation-food-insecurity-texas-california" target="_self">access enough food</a>, a new report shows.Why it matters: Food banks are seeing greater demand as many families continue to grapple with high costs for groceries, utilities and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="gas" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/05/06/houston-gas-prices-4-dollars-tax-holiday" data-vars-content-id="e54a1642-994d-4e02-92ef-5df48855e995" data-vars-headline="Food insecurity climbs across the Houston region" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/05/06/houston-gas-prices-4-dollars-tax-holiday" target="_self">gas</a>, while changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program create additional uncertainty, Melanie McGuire, Houston Food Bank&#x27;s senior director of programs, tells Axios.

Houston blood banks urge summer donations

Blood donations dip in the summers due to school break, family trips and fewer blood drives.

Houston-area blood banks are asking residents to roll up their sleeves during the summer blood donations slump.Why it matters: The U.S. blood supply has reached <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="crisis levels" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/31/red-cross-us-blood-crisis-donations-update" data-vars-content-id="fa05e89f-e22c-4d33-87be-1ffc0e06ba59" data-vars-headline="Houston blood banks urge summer donations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/31/red-cross-us-blood-crisis-donations-update" target="_self">crisis levels</a>, prompting the American Red Cross and the surgeon general to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="urge Americans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/28/us-blood-supply-health-red-cross-donate" data-vars-content-id="fa05e89f-e22c-4d33-87be-1ffc0e06ba59" data-vars-headline="Houston blood banks urge summer donations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/28/us-blood-supply-health-red-cross-donate" target="_self">urge Americans</a> to donate before shortages delay surgeries, trauma care and other lifesaving treatments.

Houston-developed elephant vaccine reaches milestone

A new elephant vaccine is showing promising results, per studies by Houston Zoo and Baylor College of Medicine.

A vaccine collaboration between Baylor College of Medicine and Houston Zoo may help protect young <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Asian elephants" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/06/13/houston-zoo-celebrates-one-of-the-oldest-elephant-dads" data-vars-content-id="3fa91586-f231-4920-ba80-22b495a88599" data-vars-headline="Houston-developed elephant vaccine reaches milestone" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/06/13/houston-zoo-celebrates-one-of-the-oldest-elephant-dads" target="_self">Asian elephants</a> from one of the deadliest diseases facing the species.Why it matters: The two studies published Tuesday are the first peer-reviewed evidence that an experimental mRNA vaccine can trigger an immune response in elephants and might protect <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="calves" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2024/11/18/zoo-asian-elephant-kirby" data-vars-content-id="3fa91586-f231-4920-ba80-22b495a88599" data-vars-headline="Houston-developed elephant vaccine reaches milestone" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2024/11/18/zoo-asian-elephant-kirby" target="_self">calves</a> from developing the severe hemorrhagic disease caused by elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV).

Houston launches Ebola dashboard ahead of World Cup

Local officials say public risk for Ebola remains low.

Harris County and the city of Houston&#x27;s health departments have launched an Ebola dashboard ahead of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="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="6ecc0568-2515-42ee-8b15-e29dc134392e" data-vars-headline="Houston launches Ebola dashboard ahead of 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">World Cup</a>.Why it matters: Officials say there are no confirmed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ebola cases" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/05/19/houston-world-cup-congo-trump-travel-restrictions-ebola" data-vars-content-id="6ecc0568-2515-42ee-8b15-e29dc134392e" data-vars-headline="Houston launches Ebola dashboard ahead of 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/2026/05/19/houston-world-cup-congo-trump-travel-restrictions-ebola" target="_self">Ebola cases</a> in Harris County and the public risk remains low, but the dashboard is meant to keep residents informed as international visitors arrive.

Health 🩺

Eli Lilly breaks ground on $6.5B Houston plant

Houston has polluted waterways

Exclusive: Houston air quality held steady during World Cup, data shows

Where to find local produce in Houston amid cyclosporiasis outbreak

Bristol Myers Squibb picks Houston for $2.3 billion campus