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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.

Budget Bites: Dukes Venezuelan Food

Katy is a hub of the Houston-area Venezuelan community.

Food and Drink

These are anxious times for Houston&#x27;s Venezuelan community — the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="largest in the U.S. outside Florida" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2026/01/09/facts-about-venezuelans-in-the-us/#:~:text=Venezuelans%20in%20the%20U.S.%20most,and%20Atlanta%20(49%2C000)%20areas." data-vars-content-id="e98d5612-320f-4af0-be2b-45ec750421ba" data-vars-headline="Budget Bites: Dukes Venezuelan Food" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2026/01/09/facts-about-venezuelans-in-the-us/#:~:text=Venezuelans%20in%20the%20U.S.%20most,and%20Atlanta%20(49%2C000)%20areas." target="_blank">largest in the U.S. outside Florida</a>. Why it matters: For those seeking the comfort of familiar flavors from home, the simple arepa isn&#x27;t far away. And you don&#x27;t have to be Venezuelan to enjoy this hearty, savory street food.

Houston Audubon acquires 128-acre sanctuary in Montgomery County

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

News

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>.

Cheat sheet: How and when to watch Simone Biles

Simone Biles is making her third trip to the Olympics, and you already know this Houston star's performance will be a highlight. Here's when and how to watch her in action.

Sports

Simone Biles is making her third trip to the Olympics, and you already know this <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Houston star&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2024/07/17/houston-us-olympics-team-2024" data-vars-content-id="74e254e4-c764-41b9-81f2-0db87405e582" data-vars-headline="Cheat sheet: How and when to watch Simone Biles" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2024/07/17/houston-us-olympics-team-2024" target="_self">Houston star&#x27;s</a> performance will be a highlight. Here&#x27;s when and how to watch her in action.Why it matters: It&#x27;s Simone Biles. Need we say more?