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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Houston.

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Hermann Park's trees are showing signs of heat, drought stress

Leaves are wilting, roots are drying out and the ground around the trees is cracking.

News

Barbers Hill student suspended over locs

The move comes as the Texas CROWN Act took effect earlier this month.

Ike Dike's progress is slow 15 years after hurricane

Wednesday marks the anniversary of Hurricane Ike's landfall.

Houston sees rise in hate crimes

Houston's hate crimes surged last year to their highest levels since 2002, according to a new report.

Texans kick off this weekend

The Texans spent the last three seasons cycling through coaches and quarterbacks.

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The Texans spent the last three seasons cycling through coaches and quarterbacks — the NFL equivalent of throwing spaghetti at the wall. That instability led to a grand total of 11 wins and one of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="worst offenses" data-vars-click-url="https://www.espn.com/nfl/stats/team/_/table/passing/sort/totalPointsPerGame/dir/asc" data-vars-content-id="6c1ff412-edc6-4d0f-9cd8-01fb41c6aebf" data-vars-headline="Texans kick off this weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/stats/team/_/table/passing/sort/totalPointsPerGame/dir/asc" target="_blank">worst offenses</a> in the league, Axios&#x27; Everett Cook writes.Why it matters: After taking <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="quarterback C.J. Stroud" data-vars-click-url="https://www.click2houston.com/sports/2023/08/25/texans-rookie-cj-stroud-praised-for-pinpoint-accuracy-the-ball-will-go-where-he-wants-it-to/" data-vars-content-id="6c1ff412-edc6-4d0f-9cd8-01fb41c6aebf" data-vars-headline="Texans kick off this weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.click2houston.com/sports/2023/08/25/texans-rookie-cj-stroud-praised-for-pinpoint-accuracy-the-ball-will-go-where-he-wants-it-to/" target="_blank">quarterback C.J. Stroud</a> with the No. 2 overall pick in this year&#x27;s NFL Draft and bringing former All-Pro linebacker DeMeco Ryans back to Houston as head coach, the Texans finally seem to have committed to their future.

Nico Collins #12 celebrates with C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans after a touchdown during the preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome on August 27, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Texans defeated the Saints 17-13. 

Justin Verlander to return to the Astros

Houston acquired the 40-year-old ace from the New York Mets.

Justin Verlander will pitch in an Astros uniform once again.Driving the news: Houston acquired the 40-year-old ace from the New York Mets in a blockbuster deal Tuesday.

Analyzing the Houston Dynamo's big bucks

Houston is home to one of the country's highest-paid professional soccer players.

The Houston Dynamo is home to one of the country&#x27;s highest-paid professional soccer players.Driving the news: The MLS Players Association last week released its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2023 Spring-Summer Salary Guide" data-vars-click-url="https://mlsplayers.org/resources/salary-guide" data-vars-content-id="21d3e07f-441f-4ebf-ab1f-1300b0fc41da" data-vars-headline="Analyzing the Houston Dynamo&#x27;s big bucks" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://mlsplayers.org/resources/salary-guide" target="_blank">2023 Spring-Summer Salary Guide</a>, which contains annual base salary and annual guaranteed compensation data for the 869 players under contract with Major League Soccer, per the association.

The Dynamo's Hector Herrera, wearing an orange professional soccer uniform, sets up a kick 

Your guide to Final Four weekend in Houston

Four men's college basketball teams will square off inside NRG Stadium.

It&#x27;s finally here.Driving the news: Four men&#x27;s college basketball teams — Miami, San Diego State, UConn and Florida Atlantic — will <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="square off" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2023-03-29/2023-march-madness-mens-ncaa-tournament-schedule-dates-times" data-vars-content-id="c3d01c4d-b0cd-433b-8eb2-6e889712bf07" data-vars-headline="Your guide to Final Four weekend in Houston" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2023-03-29/2023-march-madness-mens-ncaa-tournament-schedule-dates-times" target="_blank">square off</a> inside NRG Stadium tomorrow for a chance to play in Monday&#x27;s NCAA championship game.

Kris Jenkins of the Villanova Wildcats shoots a game-winning three-pointer with the clock at 0.5. 

The economic impact of hosting the Final Four

The Final Four is estimated to bring approximately $200 million to Houston.

The Final Four festivities are a win for the city, organizers say.What&#x27;s happening: The Final Four is estimated to bring approximately $200 million to Houston, according to Janis Burke, the CEO of the Harris County - Houston Sports Authority.

Illustration of a basketball with the seam shaped like a dollar symbol

Astros to open regular season against Chicago

Light the prayer candles. It&#x27;s time for baseball.Driving the news: The Astros will <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="defend their 2022 championship" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/11/06/astros-world-series-champions-2022-phillies-lose" data-vars-content-id="06c1776e-a158-4b65-a72d-75bafa7c343c" data-vars-headline="Astros to open regular season against Chicago" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/11/06/astros-world-series-champions-2022-phillies-lose" target="_self">defend their 2022 championship</a> starting at 6:08pm Thursday against the Chicago White Sox at Minute Maid Park, the first of a seven-game home stand.

How much seeing the Astros will cost this year

Price for tickets, souvenirs and snacks is well above average.

It might cost you a pretty penny to see the reigning champion Astros in person this year.Driving the news: Axios compiled the cost of four tickets, parking, souvenirs, drinks and hot dogs for all 30 Major League Baseball teams.

Houston's Final Four preparations coming together

Workers installed the court Friday inside NRG Stadium.

Officials are setting the stage inside NRG Stadium for the NCAA Final Four and championship games next weekend — which won&#x27;t feature the Houston Cougars after a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="heartbreaking loss" data-vars-click-url="https://www.chron.com/sports/college/article/houston-miami-score-highlights-injury-17859214.php" data-vars-content-id="47052117-3da2-447f-9fc0-b52875a37900" data-vars-headline="Houston&#x27;s Final Four preparations coming together" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.chron.com/sports/college/article/houston-miami-score-highlights-injury-17859214.php" target="_blank">heartbreaking loss</a> to the Miami Hurricanes on Friday.Driving the news: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Media" data-vars-click-url="https://twitter.com/jayrjordan/status/1639281655587192832" data-vars-content-id="47052117-3da2-447f-9fc0-b52875a37900" data-vars-headline="Houston&#x27;s Final Four preparations coming together" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://twitter.com/jayrjordan/status/1639281655587192832" target="_blank">Media</a> got a sneak peek Friday as workers installed the court and additional seating inside the stadium, which is normally outfitted for the Texans and most recently hosted the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

A high-angle shot of workers constructing the NCAA men's basketball tournament Final Four court inside NRG Stadium

Houston Dynamo aim for first win at home

The team opens play at home in a newly renovated stadium.

It&#x27;s time to root for your Dynamo, Houston.Driving the news: The Dynamo kick off home play at 7:30pm Saturday against Austin FC at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="newly upgraded Shell Energy Stadium" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2023/02/01/dynamo-dash-shell-energy-stadium" data-vars-content-id="5397c379-e8f6-4128-b136-c89712b16ce9" data-vars-headline="Houston Dynamo aim for first win at home" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2023/02/01/dynamo-dash-shell-energy-stadium" target="_self">newly upgraded Shell Energy Stadium</a>.

A Houston Dynamo player fights off a defender and runs after a loose soccer ball during a match

Houston opens March Madness play tonight

The Cougars are the No. 1 seed in the Midwest region.

All eyes are on Houston for March Madness as the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cougars" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2023/03/09/houston-cougars-aac-tournament" data-vars-content-id="fa0f770c-e732-402e-a324-ab815686e4c2" data-vars-headline="Houston opens March Madness play tonight" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2023/03/09/houston-cougars-aac-tournament" target="_self">Cougars</a> play to win it all.Driving the news: Houston, with the No. 1 seed in the Midwest region, will take on the No. 16 seed Northern Kentucky Norse tonight in Alabama in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

Houston Cougars forward JWan Roberts dunks the ball during a game

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