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Whitmire counters Abbott's airport funding threat

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport canceled plans for an ablution facility.

News

After Gov. Greg Abbott threatened to withhold grant funding for Dallas and Houston airports over <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="religious washing facilities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2024/02/22/ritual-washing-and-prayer-rooms-iah" data-vars-content-id="837bc31d-ecc6-4acf-8e9c-ad62bc86f278" data-vars-headline="Whitmire counters Abbott&#x27;s airport funding threat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2024/02/22/ritual-washing-and-prayer-rooms-iah" target="_self">religious washing facilities</a> used by Muslim travelers, Mayor John Whitmire said Monday that the ablution room at George Bush Intercontinental Airport was built without city taxpayer dollars.Why it matters: The airport dispute is the latest example of Abbott using the threat of withholding state funds to push Texas cities to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="change local policies and procedures" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/04/22/houston-police-ice-ordinance-whitmire-abbott" data-vars-content-id="837bc31d-ecc6-4acf-8e9c-ad62bc86f278" data-vars-headline="Whitmire counters Abbott&#x27;s airport funding threat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/04/22/houston-police-ice-ordinance-whitmire-abbott" target="_self">change local policies and procedures</a>.

Where to find local produce in Houston amid cyclosporiasis outbreak

The outbreak is straining Americans' trust in the food safety system.

Things to Do

Some shoppers are trying to get locally grown food as a preventive measure amid the ongoing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cyclosporiasis outbreak" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/07/10/cyclosporiasis-cases-confirmed-in-houston" data-vars-content-id="9a2e1eaf-d885-469a-bffa-9c519f0f240f" data-vars-headline="Where to find local produce in Houston amid cyclosporiasis outbreak" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/07/10/cyclosporiasis-cases-confirmed-in-houston" target="_self">cyclosporiasis outbreak</a>.Why it matters: The outbreak is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="straining Americans&#x27; trust" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/29/cyclospora-lettuce-outbreak-food-safety-threat" data-vars-content-id="9a2e1eaf-d885-469a-bffa-9c519f0f240f" data-vars-headline="Where to find local produce in Houston amid cyclosporiasis outbreak" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/29/cyclospora-lettuce-outbreak-food-safety-threat" target="_self">straining Americans&#x27; trust</a> in the food safety system, leading to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="downturn in sales and a reputation hit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/17/taco-bell-diarrhea-outbreak-lettuce-cyclosporiasis" data-vars-content-id="9a2e1eaf-d885-469a-bffa-9c519f0f240f" data-vars-headline="Where to find local produce in Houston amid cyclosporiasis outbreak" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/17/taco-bell-diarrhea-outbreak-lettuce-cyclosporiasis" target="_self">downturn in sales and a reputation hit</a> for big businesses and farms. But knowing where your produce comes from can <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reduce your risk of infection" data-vars-click-url="https://clay.ces.ncsu.edu/news/more-reasons-to-grow-your-own-food-or-buy-local/" data-vars-content-id="9a2e1eaf-d885-469a-bffa-9c519f0f240f" data-vars-headline="Where to find local produce in Houston amid cyclosporiasis outbreak" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://clay.ces.ncsu.edu/news/more-reasons-to-grow-your-own-food-or-buy-local/" target="_blank">reduce your risk of infection</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="experts say" data-vars-click-url="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2026/07/16/vegetables-fruit-farmers-market-gardens-cyclosporiasis-risk/90928457007/" data-vars-content-id="9a2e1eaf-d885-469a-bffa-9c519f0f240f" data-vars-headline="Where to find local produce in Houston amid cyclosporiasis outbreak" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2026/07/16/vegetables-fruit-farmers-market-gardens-cyclosporiasis-risk/90928457007/" target="_blank">experts say</a> — even if it&#x27;s not guaranteed.

How many Houston-area students are getting voucher money

Over 3,000 students who live within Houston ISD boundaries are getting vouchers.

Families living within Houston ISD boundaries make up the largest share of participants in Texas&#x27; new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="private school voucher program" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/04/23/texas-voucher-tefa-teachers-entrepreneur-vendors" data-vars-content-id="94a75811-3b1e-4d5d-9008-dbd46e1ae417" data-vars-headline="How many Houston-area students are getting voucher money" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/04/23/texas-voucher-tefa-teachers-entrepreneur-vendors" target="_self">private school voucher program</a>, per a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recent state report" data-vars-click-url="https://educationfreedom.texas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/TEFA-Annual-Demographic-Report.pdf" data-vars-content-id="94a75811-3b1e-4d5d-9008-dbd46e1ae417" data-vars-headline="How many Houston-area students are getting voucher money" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://educationfreedom.texas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/TEFA-Annual-Demographic-Report.pdf" target="_blank">recent state report</a>.Why it matters: Public school advocates warn the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vouchers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/05/03/texas-school-vouchers-greg-abbott-signs-law" data-vars-content-id="94a75811-3b1e-4d5d-9008-dbd46e1ae417" data-vars-headline="How many Houston-area students are getting voucher money" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/05/03/texas-school-vouchers-greg-abbott-signs-law" target="_self">vouchers</a> will <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="harm public schools" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2025/02/20/texas-legislature-school-vouchers-public-education" data-vars-content-id="94a75811-3b1e-4d5d-9008-dbd46e1ae417" data-vars-headline="How many Houston-area students are getting voucher money" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2025/02/20/texas-legislature-school-vouchers-public-education" target="_self">harm public schools</a>, while supporters argue parents shouldn&#x27;t have to send their kids to underperforming public schools.

Violent crime continues to fall in Houston

Violent crime also declined in Houston, continuing an improvement the city has seen in the past couple of years

Homicides and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="other violent crimes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/11/big-city-homicides-decline-2026" data-vars-content-id="a0aa482f-39ea-4ff3-908c-f7ca49a01ea0" data-vars-headline="Violent crime continues to fall in Houston" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/11/big-city-homicides-decline-2026" target="_self">other violent crimes</a> fell across the country and in Houston through the first half of this year, according to preliminary data reviewed by Axios.The big picture: Homicides are down by a sharp 38% in Houston, according to data compiled by the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA)" data-vars-click-url="https://majorcitieschiefs.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/MCCA-Violent-Crime-Report-2026-and-2025-Midyear.pdf" data-vars-content-id="a0aa482f-39ea-4ff3-908c-f7ca49a01ea0" data-vars-headline="Violent crime continues to fall in Houston" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://majorcitieschiefs.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/MCCA-Violent-Crime-Report-2026-and-2025-Midyear.pdf" target="_blank">Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA)</a>. Houston recorded 95 homicides in the first half of 2026, down from 154 during the same period last year.

After 16,000 miles, a Germany fan reached Houston for the World Cup

Jakob Alberti biked  through 27 countries before arriving in Houston to watch Germany in the  World Cup.

After biking roughly 16,000 miles through 27 countries on a journey around the world, Germany soccer fan Jakob Alberti checked off a longtime dream in Houston: watching Germany play at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/06/11/world-cup-houston-cristiano-ronaldo" data-vars-content-id="7df6b882-e810-49ce-82b0-4f0cc2742da1" data-vars-headline="After 16,000 miles, a Germany fan reached Houston for the World Cup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/06/11/world-cup-houston-cristiano-ronaldo" target="_self">World Cup</a>.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Alberti" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/jakobalberti/" data-vars-content-id="7df6b882-e810-49ce-82b0-4f0cc2742da1" data-vars-headline="After 16,000 miles, a Germany fan reached Houston for the World Cup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/jakobalberti/" target="_blank">Alberti</a>, 26, said it best: &quot;Because the World Cup is just the biggest sports event in the world, and for me it&#x27;s just about people getting united. All countries come and celebrate together, have fun together.&quot;

IAH is all dressed for the World Cup

Travelers can expect a mix of infrastructure upgrades and fan-focused experiences.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport is transforming as it prepares for an influx of visitors ahead of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/06/03/world-cup-host-cities-preparations" data-vars-content-id="527ebb28-e612-4f22-a071-82164f20c7fd" data-vars-headline="IAH is all dressed for the World Cup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/06/03/world-cup-host-cities-preparations" target="_self">World Cup</a>.Why it matters: For travelers who are flying, the airport will be the first impression of Houston, where <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="seven World Cup matches" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/12/06/fifa-2026-world-cup-houston-schedule-matches" data-vars-content-id="527ebb28-e612-4f22-a071-82164f20c7fd" data-vars-headline="IAH is all dressed for the World Cup" 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">seven World Cup matches</a> will be played.

Sugar Land eyes tourism boost from Houston World Cup crowds

The suburb hopes to capture spillover tourism from Houston's matches.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sugar Land" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/11/25/sugar-land-social-district-world-cup-outdoor-drinking" data-vars-content-id="af25d76e-2af1-42f5-b6cf-7247014bcb9d" data-vars-headline="Sugar Land eyes tourism boost from Houston World Cup crowds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/11/25/sugar-land-social-district-world-cup-outdoor-drinking" target="_self">Sugar Land</a> is planning a slate of watch parties and soccer-themed programming as an official FIFA World Cup 26 Houston Host City Supporter.Why it matters: The suburb is hoping to capture spillover tourism from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Houston&#x27;s World Cup matches" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/12/06/fifa-2026-world-cup-houston-schedule-matches" data-vars-content-id="af25d76e-2af1-42f5-b6cf-7247014bcb9d" data-vars-headline="Sugar Land eyes tourism boost from Houston World Cup crowds" 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">Houston&#x27;s World Cup matches</a> as city leaders continue a broader push to position Sugar Land as a tourism destination.

Texas Southern expands aviation program with new Houston Spaceport hangar

A new TSU hangar at Houston Spaceport aims to grow Houston's aviation workforce.

Education

Texas Southern University opened a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new aviation facility" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2023/05/08/tsu-flight-training-facility-houston-texas" data-vars-content-id="057f78e9-ead4-4b2c-b2b9-c6fc24951f60" data-vars-headline="Texas Southern expands aviation program with new Houston Spaceport hangar" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2023/05/08/tsu-flight-training-facility-houston-texas" target="_self">new aviation facility</a> near Ellington Airport this weekend.Why it matters: The project signals Houston&#x27;s expanding footprint in aviation and strengthens TSU&#x27;s role in training a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="more diverse pipeline" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2021/06/24/aviation-industry-war-on-sexism" data-vars-content-id="057f78e9-ead4-4b2c-b2b9-c6fc24951f60" data-vars-headline="Texas Southern expands aviation program with new Houston Spaceport hangar" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2021/06/24/aviation-industry-war-on-sexism" target="_self">more diverse pipeline</a> of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pilots and industry professionals" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2022/05/05/pilot-shortage-texas-travel-airports" data-vars-content-id="057f78e9-ead4-4b2c-b2b9-c6fc24951f60" data-vars-headline="Texas Southern expands aviation program with new Houston Spaceport hangar" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2022/05/05/pilot-shortage-texas-travel-airports" target="_self">pilots and industry professionals</a>, the university&#x27;s president says.

2026 FIFA World Cup Houston schedule: Full list of matches and teams

Portugal with Ronaldo set to play at NRG Stadium for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is coming to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Houston" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston" data-vars-content-id="cb5664c2-ecd4-4de4-b30b-b0480e0f4fd9" data-vars-headline="2026 FIFA World Cup Houston schedule: Full list of matches and teams" 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> to play in two World Cup games, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="newly released matchups" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/06/2026-fifa-world-cup-schedule" data-vars-content-id="cb5664c2-ecd4-4de4-b30b-b0480e0f4fd9" data-vars-headline="2026 FIFA World Cup Houston schedule: Full list of matches and teams" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/06/2026-fifa-world-cup-schedule" target="_self">newly released matchups</a> for games to be played next summer across the U.S., Mexico and Canada.Why it matters: The reveal fuels fresh excitement across the city — and kicks off a logistical sprint in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="16 cities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/host-cities" data-vars-content-id="cb5664c2-ecd4-4de4-b30b-b0480e0f4fd9" data-vars-headline="2026 FIFA World Cup Houston schedule: Full list of matches and teams" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/host-cities" target="_blank">16 cities</a> as millions of fans line up flights, match tickets and places to stay.

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.

FAA flight reductions could spark Houston holiday travel meltdown

United is canceling about 4% of flights each day — roughly 20 roundtrips in Houston.

Business

The Federal Aviation Administration <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="will begin reducing flights" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/06/faa-flight-cuts-cancellations-what-to-do" data-vars-content-id="b6f6a2ef-9129-4563-8732-b9a95f1866b1" data-vars-headline="FAA flight reductions could spark Houston holiday travel meltdown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/06/faa-flight-cuts-cancellations-what-to-do" target="_self">will begin reducing flights</a> and restricting airspace on Friday to alleviate stress on air traffic controllers due to the government shutdown.Why it matters: These drastic moves will <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="impact dozens of U.S. airports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/11/06/faa-flight-reductions-delays-shutdown-ohare-midway-thanksgiving" data-vars-content-id="b6f6a2ef-9129-4563-8732-b9a95f1866b1" data-vars-headline="FAA flight reductions could spark Houston holiday travel meltdown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/11/06/faa-flight-reductions-delays-shutdown-ohare-midway-thanksgiving" target="_self">impact dozens of U.S. airports</a>, including George Bush Houston Intercontinental and Houston Hobby, forcing airlines to cancel or delay flights.

Nearly half of Texans don't have passports

12 million Texans are currently without a valid passport

About 45% of Texans who are U.S. citizens don&#x27;t have a valid passport as of 2024, per <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="estimates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.americanprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/SAVEact-tables.pdf" data-vars-content-id="6a78df34-e56f-48f2-b305-d509d4ada66e" data-vars-headline="Nearly half of Texans don&#x27;t have passports" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.americanprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/SAVEact-tables.pdf" target="_blank">estimates</a> from the think tank Center for American Progress.Why it matters: A valid passport is one of the few forms of accepted identification for international travel — and it&#x27;s also required for domestic air travel if you don&#x27;t have a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Real ID" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/03/real-id-deadline-dmv-appointment-travel-delays" data-vars-content-id="6a78df34-e56f-48f2-b305-d509d4ada66e" data-vars-headline="Nearly half of Texans don&#x27;t have passports" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/03/real-id-deadline-dmv-appointment-travel-delays" target="_self">Real ID</a>.

Travel

Whitmire counters Abbott's airport funding threat

After 16,000 miles, a Germany fan reached Houston for the World Cup

IAH is all dressed for the World Cup

Volaris launches new nonstop flights from Houston to Querétaro and Puebla

Sugar Land eyes tourism boost from Houston World Cup crowds