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Texas hemp industry eyes challenge to ban on smokable THC

The new rules are another blow to the multibillion-dollar industry and its consumers.

News

Pre-rolled joints and other <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="smokable THC products" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2021/10/15/demand-legal-weed-texas" data-vars-content-id="806193ee-77c7-4792-9404-731060b84bbb" data-vars-headline="Texas hemp industry eyes challenge to ban on smokable THC" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2021/10/15/demand-legal-weed-texas" target="_self">smokable THC products</a> will no longer be sold in Texas starting Tuesday.Why it matters: Hemp advocates say they plan on suing after yet another blow to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="multibillion-dollar industry" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/04/10/thc-hemp-ban-texas-legislature" data-vars-content-id="806193ee-77c7-4792-9404-731060b84bbb" data-vars-headline="Texas hemp industry eyes challenge to ban on smokable THC" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/04/10/thc-hemp-ban-texas-legislature" target="_self">multibillion-dollar industry</a> and its consumers.

The Houston Comets are coming back after nearly 20 years

Houston is getting a WNBA team again, with the Comets set to return for the 2027 season.

Sports

The Houston Comets are expected to come back to Bayou City after nearly 20 years after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rockets" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/12/04/rockets-astros-first-direct-to-consumer-streaming-app-schn" data-vars-content-id="27178f59-e91d-4373-826f-659e6ddc22bc" data-vars-headline="The Houston Comets are coming back after nearly 20 years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/12/04/rockets-astros-first-direct-to-consumer-streaming-app-schn" target="_self">Rockets</a> owner Fertitta Entertainment reached a deal to buy, relocate and rename the Connecticut Sun.Why it matters: Houston hasn&#x27;t had a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="WNBA team" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/07/16/wnba-expansion-cleveland-detroit-philadelphia-league" data-vars-content-id="27178f59-e91d-4373-826f-659e6ddc22bc" data-vars-headline="The Houston Comets are coming back after nearly 20 years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/07/16/wnba-expansion-cleveland-detroit-philadelphia-league" target="_self">WNBA team</a> since the dynastic <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Comets ceased operations in 2008" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/03/sports/basketball/03wnba.html" data-vars-content-id="27178f59-e91d-4373-826f-659e6ddc22bc" data-vars-headline="The Houston Comets are coming back after nearly 20 years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/03/sports/basketball/03wnba.html" target="_blank">Comets ceased operations in 2008</a> — leaving a gap in a city that once set the standard for women&#x27;s pro basketball.

Harris County judge in viral IT spat orders attorney into court

The situation could come to a head next week.

A Harris County state district court judge is facing backlash from attorneys after a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="video went viral" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/FightWithMemes/status/2037922411375632606" data-vars-content-id="f070f177-783e-42a9-859e-bb8071516eb0" data-vars-headline="Harris County judge in viral IT spat orders attorney into court" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/FightWithMemes/status/2037922411375632606" target="_blank">video went viral</a> of him arguing with an IT staffer.Why it matters: The situation could come to a head next week when a prominent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Houston" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston" data-vars-content-id="f070f177-783e-42a9-859e-bb8071516eb0" data-vars-headline="Harris County judge in viral IT spat orders attorney into court" 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> defense attorney who privately criticized the judge is set to appear in his court.

6 Houston chefs and restaurants named 2026 James Beard finalists

Maximo, Agnes and Sherman and ChòpnBlọk are among the finalists.

Food and Drink

Six Houston-area restaurants and chefs on Tuesday were named <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="finalists for this year&#x27;s James Beard Awards" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/01/21/2026-james-beard-semifinalists" data-vars-content-id="1010e1d1-b0aa-46a2-9659-5cdc25a8cc78" data-vars-headline="6 Houston chefs and restaurants named 2026 James Beard finalists" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/01/21/2026-james-beard-semifinalists" target="_self">finalists for this year&#x27;s James Beard Awards</a>.Why it matters: Being nominated is one of the dining industry&#x27;s highest honors.

Texas seeks public input for $1 billion water fund

Proposition 6 earmarked $1 billion to create the Texas Water Fund.

Texans have two more weeks to tell the state how they want it to spend the $1 billion water infrastructure fund approved by voters in November.Why it matters: The Texas Water Development Board is tasked with determining how to best distribute the money to address the state&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="water supply issues" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2023/06/05/san-antonio-texas-rain-drought-relief-not-over-yet" data-vars-content-id="a1f7c23a-b628-4448-8167-af4f93c483c9" data-vars-headline="Texas seeks public input for $1 billion water fund" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2023/06/05/san-antonio-texas-rain-drought-relief-not-over-yet" target="_self">water supply issues</a> as climate change and a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="growing population" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2024/03/19/texas-population-increase-htx" data-vars-content-id="a1f7c23a-b628-4448-8167-af4f93c483c9" data-vars-headline="Texas seeks public input for $1 billion water fund" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2024/03/19/texas-population-increase-htx" target="_self">growing population</a> increase pressure on our <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="water resources." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/08/25/austin-driest-summer-since-1910-drought" data-vars-content-id="a1f7c23a-b628-4448-8167-af4f93c483c9" data-vars-headline="Texas seeks public input for $1 billion water fund" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/08/25/austin-driest-summer-since-1910-drought" target="_self">water resources.</a>