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

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.

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.

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.

Parker, Sanchez lead in Harris County judge primaries, per UH poll

Voters started casting ballots Tuesday for the Republican and Democratic primaries.

Politics

A new poll by the University of Houston indicates a majority of Republican primary voters (54%) are still undecided on who to pick 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="5cb9f23f-5422-4e91-b246-a624436fb6fd" data-vars-headline="Parker, Sanchez lead in Harris County judge primaries, per UH poll" 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>. Why it matters: Voters started casting ballots Tuesday for the March Republican and Democratic primaries.

The Harris County judge race's crowded field

With no incumbent on the ballot, both parties see an opening in a county that was previously Republican for decades.

The race for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Harris County" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/07/25/harris-county-voters-crime-roads-county-judge-poll" data-vars-content-id="7e35fbc8-09d1-4441-88a2-1429fd202021" data-vars-headline="The Harris County judge race&#x27;s crowded field" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/07/25/harris-county-voters-crime-roads-county-judge-poll" target="_self">Harris County</a> judge is wide open, with a crowded field from both parties vying to lead county government.Why it matters: After eight years under Judge Lina Hidalgo — who flipped the seat in 2018 and led the county through hurricanes and COVID — voters will choose who runs the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nation&#x27;s third-largest county" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/03/13/harris-county-second-largest-county-by-population-houston-migration-boom" data-vars-content-id="7e35fbc8-09d1-4441-88a2-1429fd202021" data-vars-headline="The Harris County judge race&#x27;s crowded field" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/03/13/harris-county-second-largest-county-by-population-houston-migration-boom" target="_self">nation&#x27;s third-largest county</a>, overseeing a multibillion-dollar budget, disaster response and core public services.

9 Republicans hope to cash in on Houston's redrawn House seat

Six <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Democrats" data-vars-click-url="https://hctxdnnstg.blob.core.windows.net/harrisvotes/prd/SampleBallot/2026/1-31/0326_DEM_Yellow%20Sample%20Ballot_ENG_SPA%20for%20Website%20Posting.pdf?sv=2017-04-17&amp;sr=b&amp;si=DNNFileManagerPolicy&amp;sig=Rq2eq7WtsZG2msKbTuSWK7wiw9dOfDh%2BqmpUwhF9MLM%3D" data-vars-content-id="77b56eab-4b7b-4c34-a7e8-47c66f73c1de" data-vars-headline="9 Republicans hope to cash in on Houston&#x27;s redrawn House seat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://hctxdnnstg.blob.core.windows.net/harrisvotes/prd/SampleBallot/2026/1-31/0326_DEM_Yellow%20Sample%20Ballot_ENG_SPA%20for%20Website%20Posting.pdf?sv=2017-04-17&amp;sr=b&amp;si=DNNFileManagerPolicy&amp;sig=Rq2eq7WtsZG2msKbTuSWK7wiw9dOfDh%2BqmpUwhF9MLM%3D" target="_blank">Democrats</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nine Republicans" data-vars-click-url="https://hctxdnnstg.blob.core.windows.net/harrisvotes/prd/SampleBallot/2026/1-31/0326_REP_Yellow%20Sample%20Ballot_ENG_SPA%20for%20Website%20Posting.pdf?sv=2017-04-17&amp;sr=b&amp;si=DNNFileManagerPolicy&amp;sig=W6e2%2BSkNdCuW2DuWpvD3V3Hxx1OFRVSIi0Z0k0g3o6I%3D" data-vars-content-id="77b56eab-4b7b-4c34-a7e8-47c66f73c1de" data-vars-headline="9 Republicans hope to cash in on Houston&#x27;s redrawn House seat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://hctxdnnstg.blob.core.windows.net/harrisvotes/prd/SampleBallot/2026/1-31/0326_REP_Yellow%20Sample%20Ballot_ENG_SPA%20for%20Website%20Posting.pdf?sv=2017-04-17&amp;sr=b&amp;si=DNNFileManagerPolicy&amp;sig=W6e2%2BSkNdCuW2DuWpvD3V3Hxx1OFRVSIi0Z0k0g3o6I%3D" target="_blank">nine Republicans</a> are vying for a Houston congressional seat that may go to the GOP for the first time in 30 years.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Harris County residents" data-vars-click-url="https://www.harrisvotes.com/" data-vars-content-id="77b56eab-4b7b-4c34-a7e8-47c66f73c1de" data-vars-headline="9 Republicans hope to cash in on Houston&#x27;s redrawn House seat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.harrisvotes.com/" target="_blank">Harris County residents</a> on Tuesday will start casting votes to determine the candidates on the November midterm ballot for Houston&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="9th Congressional District" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/08/27/texas-redistricting-black-latino-vote-representation-lawsuits" data-vars-content-id="77b56eab-4b7b-4c34-a7e8-47c66f73c1de" data-vars-headline="9 Republicans hope to cash in on Houston&#x27;s redrawn House seat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/08/27/texas-redistricting-black-latino-vote-representation-lawsuits" target="_self">9th Congressional District</a>, which is currently represented by Democrat Al Green.

Menefee elected to Congress as eyes shift to midterm primary

Houstonians have gone without representation in Washington for nearly a year.

Democrat Christian Menefee is ready to hit the ground running as Houston&#x27;s newest congressman after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="winning" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/01/mike-johnson-texas-special-election-menefee" data-vars-content-id="dad70abe-3100-4c71-b55f-f3ccd0fe0c69" data-vars-headline="Menefee elected to Congress as eyes shift to midterm primary" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/01/mike-johnson-texas-special-election-menefee" target="_self">winning</a> Saturday&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="special election" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/01/21/houston-special-election-sylvester-turner" data-vars-content-id="dad70abe-3100-4c71-b55f-f3ccd0fe0c69" data-vars-headline="Menefee elected to Congress as eyes shift to midterm primary" 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/houston-special-election-sylvester-turner" target="_self">special election</a>. Why it matters: Menefee&#x27;s swearing-in is now up to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana).

What to know about anti-ICE protests in Houston

ICE enforcement in Houston has intensified largely through jail-based arrests and detainers

Multiple anti-ICE protests are planned around Houston this weekend as fear grows and anger mounts against the agency.The big picture: Tensions have escalated since <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="federal agents killed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/24/minneapolis-shooting-federal-agent" data-vars-content-id="23aa614d-fa4b-4cbc-ab42-8dd268d53af3" data-vars-headline="What to know about anti-ICE protests in Houston" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/24/minneapolis-shooting-federal-agent" target="_self">federal agents killed</a><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" Alex Pretti" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/24/minneapolis-ice-shooting-id" data-vars-content-id="23aa614d-fa4b-4cbc-ab42-8dd268d53af3" data-vars-headline="What to know about anti-ICE protests in Houston" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/24/minneapolis-ice-shooting-id" target="_self"> Alex Pretti</a> in Minneapolis on Saturday — less than a month after the deadly shooting of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Renee Good" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/07/ice-shooting-victim-identified-renee-nicole-good-minneapolis" data-vars-content-id="23aa614d-fa4b-4cbc-ab42-8dd268d53af3" data-vars-headline="What to know about anti-ICE protests in Houston" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/07/ice-shooting-victim-identified-renee-nicole-good-minneapolis" target="_self">Renee Good</a> — and after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a 5-year-old boy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/23/child-detention-ice-minnesota" data-vars-content-id="23aa614d-fa4b-4cbc-ab42-8dd268d53af3" data-vars-headline="What to know about anti-ICE protests in Houston" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/23/child-detention-ice-minnesota" target="_self">a 5-year-old boy</a> was detained there last week and sent to a family detention center in Texas.

Abbott orders Texas agencies, public universities to freeze new H-1B visas

The order will affect hiring at major research institutions in the state.

Gov. Greg Abbott is directing Texas state agencies and public universities to stop filing new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="H-1B visa" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/04/trump-h1b-visa-immigration-147" data-vars-content-id="a6adcab4-3018-4fee-9ba9-971edf52fc33" data-vars-headline="Abbott orders Texas agencies, public universities to freeze new H-1B visas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/04/trump-h1b-visa-immigration-147" target="_self">H-1B visa</a> petitions and is launching an investigation into how the visas are being used.Why it matters: H-1B is a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="federal program" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/immigration" data-vars-content-id="a6adcab4-3018-4fee-9ba9-971edf52fc33" data-vars-headline="Abbott orders Texas agencies, public universities to freeze new H-1B visas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/immigration" target="_self">federal program</a> that allows employers to hire foreign professionals for specialized jobs. The freeze could disrupt hiring at state agencies and public universities, particularly in education, medicine and research.

What to know about the race to replace Houston's Sylvester Turner in Congress

Early voting for the head-swiveling congressional race.

Voters are heading to the polls again in the head-swiveling process to replace <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/03/05/sylvester-turner-death-houston-legacy" data-vars-content-id="a4b1ab34-27af-4da8-9918-a26e33fd6363" data-vars-headline="What to know about the race to replace Houston&#x27;s Sylvester Turner in Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/03/05/sylvester-turner-death-houston-legacy" target="_self">U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner</a>, and we have your questions answered.Why it matters: The Democratic-leaning <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="18th Congressional District" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/11/05/houston-congress-election-vacant-seat-18-district" data-vars-content-id="a4b1ab34-27af-4da8-9918-a26e33fd6363" data-vars-headline="What to know about the race to replace Houston&#x27;s Sylvester Turner in Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/11/05/houston-congress-election-vacant-seat-18-district" target="_self">18th Congressional District</a> has been without representation since <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Turner died" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/03/05/sylvester-turner-death-houston-legacy" data-vars-content-id="a4b1ab34-27af-4da8-9918-a26e33fd6363" data-vars-headline="What to know about the race to replace Houston&#x27;s Sylvester Turner in Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/03/05/sylvester-turner-death-houston-legacy" target="_self">Turner died</a> nearly a year ago.

Abbott calls Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR foreign terrorist groups

The Council on American-Islamic Relations is a civil rights group that says it has no ties to any governments or terrorists.

Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday designated the Muslim Brotherhood and the Muslim civil rights group Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as &quot;foreign terrorist&quot; and &quot;transnational criminal&quot; organizations. Why it matters: The designation authorizes &quot;heightened enforcement&quot; against both organizations and their affiliates and bans them from buying or acquiring land in Texas, according to Abbott&#x27;s office.

Abbott sets runoff election date for Houston's vacant House seat

Houston voters will decide whether to send Christian Menefee or Amanda Edwards, both Democrats, to Congress.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Houston" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston" data-vars-content-id="f048a836-ff3e-40f4-8a23-b3cf7d3bd06e" data-vars-headline="Abbott sets runoff election date for Houston&#x27;s vacant House seat" 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> voters will decide on Jan. 31 whether to send Christian Menefee or Amanda Edwards, both Democrats, to Congress, Gov. Greg Abbott ordered on Monday.Why it matters: The unfilled seat, vacant since U.S. Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sylvester Turner&#x27;s death in March" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/03/05/sylvester-turner-death-houston-legacy" data-vars-content-id="f048a836-ff3e-40f4-8a23-b3cf7d3bd06e" data-vars-headline="Abbott sets runoff election date for Houston&#x27;s vacant House seat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/03/05/sylvester-turner-death-houston-legacy" target="_self">Sylvester Turner&#x27;s death in March</a>, has left <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nearly 800,000" data-vars-click-url="https://censusreporter.org/profiles/50000US4818-congressional-district-18-tx/" data-vars-content-id="f048a836-ff3e-40f4-8a23-b3cf7d3bd06e" data-vars-headline="Abbott sets runoff election date for Houston&#x27;s vacant House seat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://censusreporter.org/profiles/50000US4818-congressional-district-18-tx/" target="_blank">nearly 800,000</a> Houstonians without representation in the House of Representatives — and Democrats one vote shorter in a closely divided Congress.

Menefee, Edwards head to runoff for Houston's vacant congressional seat

The candidates are vying to succeed the late U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner.

Christian Menefee and Amanda Edwards are headed to a runoff in the race to fill the congressional seat left vacant after U.S. Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sylvester Turner died" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/03/05/sylvester-turner-death-houston-legacy" data-vars-content-id="2bbd5e28-4c16-4bf9-911f-7cbf498f5bc9" data-vars-headline="Menefee, Edwards head to runoff for Houston&#x27;s vacant congressional seat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/03/05/sylvester-turner-death-houston-legacy" target="_self">Sylvester Turner died</a> eight months ago.Why it matters: Both Menefee and Edwards are Democrats, ensuring one more Democratic seat in a closely divided U.S. House.

Politics 🇺🇸

Parker, Sanchez lead in Harris County judge primaries, per UH poll

The Harris County judge race's crowded field

9 Republicans hope to cash in on Houston's redrawn House seat

Menefee elected to Congress as eyes shift to midterm primary

Cornyn and Talarico lead in Senate fundraising battle