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Democrats have cast more ballots than Republicans in Harris County primaries

More than 192,400 Harris County voters had cast ballots in person or via mail during early voting as of Tuesday.

News

More <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Harris County voters" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/02/17/the-harris-county-judge-races-crowded-field" data-vars-content-id="3dfd922e-d99f-489e-9fb9-f2fc2b68d8f1" data-vars-headline="Democrats have cast more ballots than Republicans in Harris County 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 voters</a> have cast ballots in the Democratic primary than in the Republican primary during early voting.Why it matters: High Democratic <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="turnout" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/11/06/stat-du-jour-november-2025-voter-turnout" data-vars-content-id="3dfd922e-d99f-489e-9fb9-f2fc2b68d8f1" data-vars-headline="Democrats have cast more ballots than Republicans in Harris County primaries" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/11/06/stat-du-jour-november-2025-voter-turnout" target="_self">turnout</a> in March could signal greater Democratic turnout in the November midterm election.

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.

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.

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.

Houston neighborhood restores decades-old street pillars

The Southampton residents will be recognized with a preservation award.

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.

Rescheduled Houston Bike Fest is this weekend

It's a day celebrating life on two (or three) wheels.

Bayou City bicycle advocates hope to make a splash at this weekend&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Houston Bike Fest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bikehouston.org/events/bike-fest-2025" data-vars-content-id="754e2e46-12da-41aa-ac67-02cf18878b82" data-vars-headline="Rescheduled Houston Bike Fest is this weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bikehouston.org/events/bike-fest-2025" target="_blank">Houston Bike Fest</a>.Why it matters: This year&#x27;s iteration will bring cyclists, vendors and like-minded folks together for a day celebrating Houston life on two (or three) wheels.

What's going on with those Houston highway typos

Typos on signs along a busy Houston highway corridor identified by Axios are poised to be corrected soon.

A series of typos on signage along a busy Houston highway corridor identified by Axios are poised to be corrected soon.Why it matters: The corrections underscore the importance of transportation authorities getting it right ahead of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="FIFA World Cup in Houston this summer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/12/06/fifa-2026-world-cup-houston-schedule-matches" data-vars-content-id="5c98ca2f-b04a-401d-866b-d2669af787be" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s going on with those Houston highway typos" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/12/06/fifa-2026-world-cup-houston-schedule-matches" target="_self">FIFA World Cup in Houston this summer</a>.

Houston erects stop sign a year after counterfeit was installed

The move shows a different tone from Mayor John Whitmire's administration.

More than a year after an anonymous urbanist <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="installed a pair of bandit stop signs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2024/06/13/binz-stop-sign-tactical-urbanism-museum-district" data-vars-content-id="f1491ee6-c8a9-4c6c-8e4a-a47007960fdc" data-vars-headline="Houston erects stop sign a year after counterfeit was installed" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2024/06/13/binz-stop-sign-tactical-urbanism-museum-district" target="_self">installed a pair of bandit stop signs</a> at a Museum District intersection, the city of Houston finished the job.Why it matters: The move shows a willingness by Mayor John Whitmire&#x27;s administration to install pedestrian safety infrastructure despite past <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="policy decisions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2024/02/05/whitmire-houston-avenue-pedestrian-safety" data-vars-content-id="f1491ee6-c8a9-4c6c-8e4a-a47007960fdc" data-vars-headline="Houston erects stop sign a year after counterfeit was installed" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2024/02/05/whitmire-houston-avenue-pedestrian-safety" target="_self">policy decisions</a> that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="favor commuters" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/08/12/houston-bike-lane-closure-update-austin-street" data-vars-content-id="f1491ee6-c8a9-4c6c-8e4a-a47007960fdc" data-vars-headline="Houston erects stop sign a year after counterfeit was installed" 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">favor commuters</a>.

Houston adds new direct route to Rome

IAH will offer nonstop service to Rome for the first time.

Houstonians will soon be able to fly nonstop to Rome for the first time. State of play: ITA Airways is launching direct flights between George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Rome Fiumicino Airport starting May 1, 2026.

Buckle up for busy Thanksgiving travel

AAA says a record 5.8 million Texans will travel for Thanksgiving — part of the busiest holiday rush ever.

A record-breaking 5.8 million Texans are expected to travel this week for Thanksgiving, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per AAA" data-vars-click-url="http://tx-aaa.iprsoftware.com/news/aaa-texas-forecasts-record-breaking-thanksgiving-travel-5-8-million-texans-expected-to-hit-the-road" data-vars-content-id="34379069-852e-493e-ad6f-883cc936d9ed" data-vars-headline="Buckle up for busy Thanksgiving travel" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="http://tx-aaa.iprsoftware.com/news/aaa-texas-forecasts-record-breaking-thanksgiving-travel-5-8-million-texans-expected-to-hit-the-road" target="_blank">per AAA</a>.Why it matters: Thanksgiving is still the busiest travel holiday of the year. AAA expects 81.8 million Americans to travel — the highest on record and 1.6 million more than in 2024.

Waymo will deploy driverless cars in Houston soon

The company began testing its technology with human drivers in May.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Waymo" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/05/28/waymo-houston-cars-test-driverless" data-vars-content-id="445ecbe8-7cfa-4954-bc07-d9d61bd378bc" data-vars-headline="Waymo will deploy driverless cars in Houston soon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/05/28/waymo-houston-cars-test-driverless" target="_self">Waymo</a> will deploy driverless cars on Houston streets in the coming weeks, the company announced Tuesday. Why it matters: This is the last step before the company launches its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="driverless rider service" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/10/29/assigning-blame-when-robots-drive" data-vars-content-id="445ecbe8-7cfa-4954-bc07-d9d61bd378bc" data-vars-headline="Waymo will deploy driverless cars in Houston soon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/10/29/assigning-blame-when-robots-drive" target="_self">driverless rider service</a> in the Bayou City next year.

Make your dream Houston transit system with Subway Builder

This game is super-detailed and wildly addicting.

Transit

I&#x27;m here sharing my experience with my latest obsession: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Subway Builder" data-vars-click-url="https://www.subwaybuilder.com/" data-vars-content-id="5815114b-ef7d-45a5-9daa-12d87167495a" data-vars-headline="Make your dream Houston transit system with Subway Builder" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.subwaybuilder.com/" target="_blank">Subway Builder</a>. Why it matters: The game puts you in charge of building rail transit in your choice of 26 U.S. cities using up-to-date maps, U.S. Census data and commute patterns.

Harris County to spend $37 million on roadway safety in Precinct 1

Applications opened this month for communities to be included.

A new Harris County program will pump millions of dollars into neighborhoods in need of roadway improvements.Why it matters: The $37 million <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Plan Together" data-vars-click-url="https://plantogether.hcp1.net/" data-vars-content-id="9be1def4-1284-4ab9-b9a6-5f5cdb8238e5" data-vars-headline="Harris County to spend $37 million on roadway safety in Precinct 1" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://plantogether.hcp1.net/" target="_blank">Plan Together</a> package aims to improve safety along roads in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Precinct 1" data-vars-click-url="https://www.hcp1.net/Explore-Precinct-One" data-vars-content-id="9be1def4-1284-4ab9-b9a6-5f5cdb8238e5" data-vars-headline="Harris County to spend $37 million on roadway safety in Precinct 1" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.hcp1.net/Explore-Precinct-One" target="_blank">Precinct 1</a> and extends an olive branch to local partners for funding opportunities.

Transit 🚗

Waymo introduces autonomous rides in Houston

METRO expands direct service to Hobby Airport

Houston neighborhood restores decades-old street pillars

Rescheduled Houston Bike Fest is this weekend

Houston drivers lose 3 days in rush hour traffic