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Volvo and Waabi launch autonomous freight runs between Houston and Dallas

For now, there is still a human observer in the driver's seat.

Transit

Another autonomous trucking company is hauling commercial freight between Dallas and Houston. Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="That route" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/23/texas-driverless-trucks" data-vars-content-id="3b85bfaf-b244-417f-8acc-294d3ffe575c" data-vars-headline="Volvo and Waabi launch autonomous freight runs between Houston and Dallas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/23/texas-driverless-trucks" target="_self">That route</a> continues to be a testing ground for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="self-driving trucks" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/06/autonomous-trucks-av-freight" data-vars-content-id="3b85bfaf-b244-417f-8acc-294d3ffe575c" data-vars-headline="Volvo and Waabi launch autonomous freight runs between Houston and Dallas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/06/autonomous-trucks-av-freight" target="_self">self-driving trucks</a>.

2026 Michelin Guide Texas: Houston restaurants win 5 new Bib Gourmands

Houston didn't earn any new Michelin stars in 2026, but five local restaurants earned Bib Gourmand awards.

News

Houston didn&#x27;t earn any new Michelin stars this year, but the region claimed five of the six new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bib Gourmand" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/10/29/michelin-restaurant-winners-bib-gourmand-houston-2025" data-vars-content-id="a9068ba4-a11e-4322-94bf-9a5aa9ca2815" data-vars-headline="2026 Michelin Guide Texas: Houston restaurants win 5 new Bib Gourmands" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/10/29/michelin-restaurant-winners-bib-gourmand-houston-2025" target="_self">Bib Gourmand</a> awards across Texas.Why it matters: The distinctions underscore Houston&#x27;s reputation for high-quality dining that doesn&#x27;t have to break the bank.

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.

Things to Do

👋 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.

Emancipation Park unveils renovated Cultural Center

The project is part of an $18.5 million investment in the park.

The Emancipation Park Conservancy has completed renovations to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="historic Cultural Center" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/10/14/emancipation-park-breaks-ground-expansion" data-vars-content-id="b17775c6-9a42-4596-8109-4739ac57fa5d" data-vars-headline="Emancipation Park unveils renovated Cultural Center" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/10/14/emancipation-park-breaks-ground-expansion" target="_self">historic Cultural Center</a> at Emancipation Park in Third Ward.Why it matters: The upgrades give the historic community park more space for arts, education and gatherings.

How to celebrate Oktoberfest in Houston

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

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.

Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to Houston

Meet fellow locals over dinner at a restaurant we hand-picked.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios Social Club" data-vars-click-url="https://axiossocialclub.dnnr.io/" data-vars-content-id="6f6f831c-18f2-41d7-b206-930e72bb7f38" data-vars-headline="Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to Houston" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://axiossocialclub.dnnr.io/" target="_blank">Axios Social Club</a> is bringing readers together for dinner in the Houston Heights on Tuesday, Oct. 6.Why it matters: Your city is full of interesting people you haven&#x27;t met yet. We&#x27;re making it easier to change that.

Houston's Weekender Guide: Sept. 25-27

Play Mahjong, go on a safari, buy books, get a health screening and so much more.

Here&#x27;s what&#x27;s in store for Houston this weekend.📚 Buy books at Half Price Books, where the bookstore <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="will donate 10%" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ddo59YBDE6Z/?stkn=bzJobG9va3l3dHg0" data-vars-content-id="0f4ff3ff-9dd2-4de2-adac-0111a0b3cb7e" data-vars-headline="Houston&#x27;s Weekender Guide: Sept. 25-27" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ddo59YBDE6Z/?stkn=bzJobG9va3l3dHg0" target="_blank">will donate 10%</a> of sales, up to $20,000, to Parton&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Imagination Library" data-vars-click-url="https://imaginationlibrary.com/" data-vars-content-id="0f4ff3ff-9dd2-4de2-adac-0111a0b3cb7e" data-vars-headline="Houston&#x27;s Weekender Guide: Sept. 25-27" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://imaginationlibrary.com/" target="_blank">Imagination Library</a>.

Houston's Weekender Guide for Sept. 18-20

Learn ballroom dance, stroll through Main Street, shop local and see a Texans game.

Here&#x27;s what&#x27;s on tap in Houston this weekend.🕺 Learn some basic ballroom dance moves at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fred Astaire Dance Studios" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/events/1206946311404137/1206946361404132/" data-vars-content-id="65cbdee4-c80c-4db5-9abd-b44a38e95f3d" data-vars-headline="Houston&#x27;s Weekender Guide for Sept. 18-20" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1206946311404137/1206946361404132/" target="_blank">Fred Astaire Dance Studios</a> free intro class.

Dolly Parton's free book program expands in Houston

HPL will serve as a "Family Touch Point," with library staff helping parents register their children.

More children across the Houston region can get free books delivered to their homes through <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dolly Parton&#x27;s Imagination Library" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/08/25/dolly-parton-has-died-at-80-obit" data-vars-content-id="6c935c93-d56b-4711-b748-3a96b28f11a7" data-vars-headline="Dolly Parton&#x27;s free book program expands in Houston" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/08/25/dolly-parton-has-died-at-80-obit" target="_self">Dolly Parton&#x27;s Imagination Library</a>.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="program aims to build early literacy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/08/25/dolly-parton-imagination-library-legacy-death" data-vars-content-id="6c935c93-d56b-4711-b748-3a96b28f11a7" data-vars-headline="Dolly Parton&#x27;s free book program expands in Houston" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/08/25/dolly-parton-imagination-library-legacy-death" target="_self">program aims to build early literacy</a> by putting books directly into the hands of children before they start school.

How to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

Houston is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with festivals, mariachi, dancing, art and family events.

Weeks of festivities will fill Houston as the city celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Nearly half " data-vars-click-url="https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/houstoncitytexas/RHI725225" data-vars-content-id="862ed339-16b2-4c69-ac19-57f0d561e505" data-vars-headline="How to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/houstoncitytexas/RHI725225" target="_blank">Nearly half </a>of Houstonians are Hispanic or Latino, and they shape the city&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="culture, traditions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/10/24/dreamers-latino-bookstore-opening-ironworks" data-vars-content-id="862ed339-16b2-4c69-ac19-57f0d561e505" data-vars-headline="How to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/10/24/dreamers-latino-bookstore-opening-ironworks" target="_self">culture, traditions</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="politics" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/31/texas-population-surge-latinos-2026-senate-race" data-vars-content-id="862ed339-16b2-4c69-ac19-57f0d561e505" data-vars-headline="How to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/31/texas-population-surge-latinos-2026-senate-race" target="_self">politics</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="business" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/05/07/latino-wealth-texas-economic-growth-jobs" data-vars-content-id="862ed339-16b2-4c69-ac19-57f0d561e505" data-vars-headline="How to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/05/07/latino-wealth-texas-economic-growth-jobs" target="_self">business</a>.

James Turrell's Rice Skyspace reopens

The Skyspace reopens Tuesday after a two-year closure.

One of Houston&#x27;s most iconic public artworks is reopening Tuesday after being closed for two years.Why it matters: Acclaimed artist James Turrell&#x27;s &quot;Twilight Epiphany&quot; Skyspace at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rice University" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/08/03/rice-university-expands-free-tuition-program" data-vars-content-id="a72a111d-ee68-44e2-ad96-38f5701c2495" data-vars-headline="James Turrell&#x27;s Rice Skyspace reopens" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/08/03/rice-university-expands-free-tuition-program" target="_self">Rice University</a> is both a striking Houston landmark and a performance space, acoustically engineered to host concerts and serve as a laboratory for Shepherd School of Music students.

Things to Do 🗓

Emancipation Park unveils renovated Cultural Center

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

Harris County libraries offer free Repair Cafes

How to celebrate Oktoberfest in Houston

Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to Houston