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

topics

politics-policy

epstein-files

donald-trump

2026-midterm-elections

immigration

behind-the-curtain

race-and-equity

technology

privacy-tech-regulation

automation-and-ai

tiktok-news

big-tech

social-media

cybersecurity

economy

social-security

inflation

tariffs

federal-reserve

jobs

transportation

business

stock-market-news

retail-news

crypto

media

elon-musk

dealmaking

health

rfk-jr

drug-prices

axios-explains-abortion

public-health

world

israel

axios-explains-ukraine

iran

russia

china

energy-climate

nuclear-energy

climate-energy-policy

climate-change

extreme-weather

alternative-energy

electric-vehicles

science

emerging-tech

biomedicine

newsletters

pittsburgh

atlanta

san-diego

charlotte

boulder

washington-dc

kansas-city

dallas

denver

detroit

des-moines

austin

boston

chicago

cleveland

columbus

houston

indianapolis

miami

nashville

new-orleans

nw-arkansas

philadelphia

phoenix

portland

richmond

salt-lake-city

san-antonio

san-francisco

seattle

tampa-bay

twin-cities

raleigh

huntsville

colorado-springs

axios-local

axios-pro

axios-live

the-axios-show

Houston flyers face TSA delays at Hobby Airport

The delays are impacting more than 2 million spring break travelers.

News

Travelers are waiting hours to get through security at Houston&#x27;s Hobby Airport amid Transportation Security Administration staffing shortages as the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="partial government shutdown" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/05/kristi-noem-dhs-shutdown-democrats-funding-trump" data-vars-content-id="656673c3-97d1-482c-98fe-59e37706bddf" data-vars-headline="Houston flyers face TSA delays at Hobby Airport" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/05/kristi-noem-dhs-shutdown-democrats-funding-trump" target="_self">partial government shutdown</a> drags on.Why it matters: The delays are impacting more than 2 million spring break travelers as they navigate the Bayou City&#x27;s two airports, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Houston Airports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fly2houston.com/airport-business/newsroom/articles/item/frequently-asked-questions-tsa-screening/" data-vars-content-id="656673c3-97d1-482c-98fe-59e37706bddf" data-vars-headline="Houston flyers face TSA delays at Hobby Airport" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fly2houston.com/airport-business/newsroom/articles/item/frequently-asked-questions-tsa-screening/" target="_blank">Houston Airports</a>.

Houston's energy industry looks to benefit from Iran war

Yes, but: The higher crude oil prices are hurting consumers at the pump.

Houston&#x27;s energy industry is poised to benefit from the war in Iran amid supply chain disruptions, a Rice University economist tells <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston" data-vars-content-id="ecb71111-7089-4201-aba3-f4e979a69c72" data-vars-headline="Houston&#x27;s energy industry looks to benefit from Iran war" 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">Axios</a>, even as Houston-area consumers face pain at the pump. Why it matters: The region&#x27;s engineering and logistics expertise &quot;is set up to be able to flex ... and capitalize where possible on those shifts,&quot; says Kenneth Medlock, energy and resource economist at Rice&#x27;s Baker Institute. &quot;It&#x27;s why this region, economically, has been so vibrant for such a long time.&quot;

Judge Lina Hidalgo beefs with the Houston Rodeo

Hidalgo said she was "manhandled" by rodeo staff and security.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo is beefing with Rodeo Houston officials after being kicked out of Tuesday night&#x27;s Megan Moroney concert for not having the proper credentials. Why it matters: In series of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Facebook posts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/LinaHidalgoTX" data-vars-content-id="befc6d34-ad45-46f8-b4ff-e80856ff2f0e" data-vars-headline="Judge Lina Hidalgo beefs with the Houston Rodeo" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/LinaHidalgoTX" target="_blank">Facebook posts</a> Tuesday and Wednesday, Hidalgo said she was &quot;manhandled&quot; by rodeo staff and security and questioned whether their response would be the same if she were a man.

Whitmire's Senate successor decries West Alabama plan

Sen. Molly Cook said the $28.5 million project could be a "once-in-a-generation chance" to change the street.

Community leaders say a shift in priorities at City Hall is causing unnecessary dangers and delays to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$28.5 million West Alabama Street rebuild" data-vars-click-url="https://montrosehtx.org/projects/w-alabama-improvement-project/" data-vars-content-id="1549d753-15ed-48ac-b338-1302aa7e5566" data-vars-headline="Whitmire&#x27;s Senate successor decries West Alabama plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://montrosehtx.org/projects/w-alabama-improvement-project/" target="_blank">$28.5 million West Alabama Street rebuild</a>. Why it matters: Mayor John Whitmire&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unraveling of the previous administration&#x27;s transportation planning" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/08/12/houston-bike-lane-closure-update-austin-street" data-vars-content-id="1549d753-15ed-48ac-b338-1302aa7e5566" data-vars-headline="Whitmire&#x27;s Senate successor decries West Alabama plan" 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">unraveling of the previous administration&#x27;s transportation planning</a> continues to receive blowback, now from his successor in the Texas Senate, Molly Cook (D-Houston).

Free car washes for Houston's dirtiest car

Ocean Express is trying to get your mind on your car ahead of National Car Wash Day.

A Houston-area car wash chain is giving a year&#x27;s worth of free car washes to the owner of the region&#x27;s dirtiest car. Why it matters: Ocean Express is trying to get your mind on your car ahead of National Car Wash Day March 28.

Menefee and Green headed for a runoff in Houston's 18th Congressional District

Green ran in a new district after his district was redrawn to favor Republicans.

Politics & Policy

U.S. Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Christian Menefee" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/02/02/christian-menefee-congress-primary-al-green" data-vars-content-id="2c017b05-b183-43c9-98a2-51bedff581f7" data-vars-headline="Menefee and Green headed for a runoff in Houston&#x27;s 18th Congressional District" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/02/02/christian-menefee-congress-primary-al-green" target="_self">Christian Menefee</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rep. Al Green" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/26/al-green-censure-state-of-the-union-protest" data-vars-content-id="2c017b05-b183-43c9-98a2-51bedff581f7" data-vars-headline="Menefee and Green headed for a runoff in Houston&#x27;s 18th Congressional District" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/26/al-green-censure-state-of-the-union-protest" target="_self">Rep. Al Green</a> are headed for a runoff in the Democratic primary in a redrawn Houston-area district, the Associated Press projects. The big picture: With no candidate topping 50%, the race is headed to a May runoff — setting up a high-stakes showdown between Menefee and Green. For Green, who was first elected in 2004, the stakes are steep after he decided to run in the 18th District when lawmakers redrew his old seat to tilt Republican.

No clear winners in Harris County judge primaries

Both parties will head to May runoffs to decide their nominees for Harris County judge, based on unofficial election results.

Politics

The top two finishers in the Democratic and Republican primary for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Harris County judge" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/02/17/the-harris-county-judge-races-crowded-field" data-vars-content-id="ece538b1-11f3-4e8f-870a-1e98402ac8b0" data-vars-headline="No clear winners in Harris County judge primaries" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/02/17/the-harris-county-judge-races-crowded-field" target="_self">Harris County judge</a> are headed for May runoffs after no candidate passed the 50% threshold, according to unofficial election results on Wednesday. Why it matters: The race will determine who succeeds Judge Lina Hidalgo, as Republicans push to reclaim control of the nation&#x27;s third-largest county.

Houston Audubon acquires 128-acre sanctuary in Montgomery County

The Peach Creek Woods Nature Sanctuary along Peach Creek marks Houston Audubon's 18th sanctuary.

Houston Audubon has secured 128 acres in Montgomery County as protected habitat as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="development surges" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/01/08/houston-suburbs-continue-to-boom" data-vars-content-id="14d64f85-4174-4e4b-b669-24d880c1143d" data-vars-headline="Houston Audubon acquires 128-acre sanctuary in Montgomery County" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/01/08/houston-suburbs-continue-to-boom" target="_self">development surges</a> north of Houston.The big picture: The Peach Creek Woods Nature Sanctuary along Peach Creek marks Houston Audubon&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="18th sanctuary" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/01/26/bolivar-flats-fully-protected-houston-audubon-land-purchase" data-vars-content-id="14d64f85-4174-4e4b-b669-24d880c1143d" data-vars-headline="Houston Audubon acquires 128-acre sanctuary in Montgomery County" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/01/26/bolivar-flats-fully-protected-houston-audubon-land-purchase" target="_self">18th sanctuary</a>. The mixed pine and hardwood forest area by the San Jacinto River watershed provides <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="critical habitat for migratory and resident birds" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/10/10/lights-out-it-s-peak-fall-migration-season-in-houston" data-vars-content-id="14d64f85-4174-4e4b-b669-24d880c1143d" data-vars-headline="Houston Audubon acquires 128-acre sanctuary in Montgomery County" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/10/10/lights-out-it-s-peak-fall-migration-season-in-houston" target="_self">critical habitat for migratory and resident birds</a>.

What the 1915 Red Book reveals about Houston's Black history

The book is still used today to trace family histories and understand how Black communities helped shape Bayou City.

More than a century ago, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Black Houstonians" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2023/02/27/remembering-forgotten-black-towns" data-vars-content-id="762d053e-b5b6-4c6e-b12c-8b3b79b8ad50" data-vars-headline="What the 1915 Red Book reveals about Houston&#x27;s Black history" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2023/02/27/remembering-forgotten-black-towns" target="_self">Black Houstonians</a> documented what they built in &quot;The Red Book of Houston,&quot; which is still used today to trace family histories and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="understand how Black communities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2023/02/28/green-book-sites-houston" data-vars-content-id="762d053e-b5b6-4c6e-b12c-8b3b79b8ad50" data-vars-headline="What the 1915 Red Book reveals about Houston&#x27;s Black history" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2023/02/28/green-book-sites-houston" target="_self">understand how Black communities</a> helped <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shape Bayou City" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/04/29/houston-memorial-park-memorial-grove-ww1-camp-logan" data-vars-content-id="762d053e-b5b6-4c6e-b12c-8b3b79b8ad50" data-vars-headline="What the 1915 Red Book reveals about Houston&#x27;s Black history" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/04/29/houston-memorial-park-memorial-grove-ww1-camp-logan" target="_self">shape Bayou City</a>.Why it matters: The &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Red Book of Houston" data-vars-click-url="https://digitalcollections.rice.edu/Documents/Detail/the-red-book-of-houston-a-compendium-of-social-professional-religious-educational-and-industrial-interest-of-houstons-colored-population/372740" data-vars-content-id="762d053e-b5b6-4c6e-b12c-8b3b79b8ad50" data-vars-headline="What the 1915 Red Book reveals about Houston&#x27;s Black history" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://digitalcollections.rice.edu/Documents/Detail/the-red-book-of-houston-a-compendium-of-social-professional-religious-educational-and-industrial-interest-of-houstons-colored-population/372740" target="_blank">Red Book of Houston</a>&quot; is a rare, detailed snapshot of Black Houston in 1915 — told through the people who lived it, and what they wanted others to know about them, researchers and archivists tell Axios.

Houston Texans reveal details for new HQ and training facilities

The Texans unveiled plans for Toro District, an 83-acre sports and entertainment development in Cypress.

The Houston Texans, Harris County and Howard Hughes Communities this week <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="revealed plans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.houstontexans.com/news/houston-texans-howard-hughes-communities-and-harris-county-reveal-plans-for-toro-district-in-bridgeland" data-vars-content-id="755edccb-b26e-4084-915a-d90d1348b903" data-vars-headline="Houston Texans reveal details for new HQ and training facilities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.houstontexans.com/news/houston-texans-howard-hughes-communities-and-harris-county-reveal-plans-for-toro-district-in-bridgeland" target="_blank">revealed plans</a> for Toro District, an 83-acre sports and entertainment development in northwest Harris County.Why it matters: The project, slated for completion in Cypress in 2029, will feature a new Texans headquarters that will consolidate football and business operations. It&#x27;s projected to generate $34 billion in long-term economic impact and more than 17,000 jobs.

😋 Weekender Guide

Houston weekender guide, March 13-15

News 🗞

Judge Lina Hidalgo beefs with the Houston Rodeo

Houston weekender guide, March 13-15

Houston's energy industry looks to benefit from Iran war

Whitmire's Senate successor decries West Alabama plan

Free car washes for Houston's dirtiest car