Axios Houston

September 02, 2022
We apologize for the delay this morning due to technical issues.
😎 It's Fri-yay! Happy long weekend.
⛈ Today's weather: Expect showers and thunderstorms today and over the weekend.
🚀 Situational awareness: Let's try this again! NASA is set to launch the Artemis I moon mission Saturday at 1:17pm CT.
- The space agency is streaming the launch in English and in Spanish.
Today's newsletter is 823 words — a 3-minute read.
1 big thing: 🥵 It's only getting hotter

This summer was the hottest on record in Houston, but we're sorry to inform you that it's only going to get worse.
Driving the news: Harris County is forecast to have 29 more days that feel like 100 degrees or more in coming decades, per an analysis by the First Street Foundation.
Why it matters: In the next three decades, there will be an emergence of an "extreme heat belt" from Texas to Illinois due to anticipated warming.
- Not to mention, it already feels like we're melting.
Details: Harris County is forecasted to have 69 days that feel like 100 degrees or more in 2023 — and 98 such days in 2053.
Threat level: Right now, more than 8 million Americans live with extreme heat, which is defined as having a maximum heat index of greater than 125°F, the First Street Foundation's peer-reviewed heat model shows.
- That number is expected to balloon to 107 million people in the next 30 years.
Between the lines: The term "climate change" appears only once in the new 183-page state water plan published by the Texas Water Development Board, the chief state water planning agency — and then only in a journal article title in the reference section.
- "Global warming" doesn't appear at all.
The bottom line: Time to start investing in better sunscreen.
2. State funds after-school food program
Illustration: Gabriella Turrisi/Axios
Houston secured more than $760,000 in grant funding to help feed hungry kids after school for the next school year.
Why it matters: The program provides roughly 1,000 meals and snacks each day to those in need 18 years old or younger.
- The program is offered at community centers, churches, apartment complexes, public libraries and some YMCA and Boys and Girls Club locations in communities where more than half of schoolchildren are on free or reduced lunch programs.
- "As we've seen, there are so many food deserts in the nation," Allen said. "With Houston being such a large population, we're happy to be able to fill in the gap through this partnership."
Driving the news: The city's Parks and Recreation Department applied for — and received — a grant from the Texas Department of Agriculture on Wednesday.
- City Council gave Parks and Recreation the authority to reapply for the grant each year until 2027.
Catch up quick: One in four children in Houston is food insecure, according to the city's latest data.
- Houston served 77,742 meals and snacks to children during the 2021-22 school year.
3. Bayou Buzz
Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
🚔 A man from Seabrook was sentenced to four months in prison for storming the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The man's former classmate turned him in, according to court documents. (KTRK)
🚌 Houston ISD severely underreported the number of crashes involving school buses in the past five years. Out of 500 crashes, the district only reported 17. (Houston Chronicle)
✈️ A Southwest Airlines flight departing from Houston was delayed when a passenger began airdropping nude photos to unsuspecting passengers. (KHOU)
🗣 Gov. Greg Abbott and Democratic opponent Beto O'Rourke announced they will debate Sept. 30 in Edinburg. (Texas Tribune)
4. Weekender guide
Illustration: Allie Carl/Axios
🍿 Go see a movie at Regal and AMC theaters throughout Houston.
- Tickets are $3 in celebration of National Cinema Day.
🍭 Invigorate your sweet tooth and photogenicity at Candytopia Houston.
- Open all weekend.
🎶 Listen to the soothing sounds of Arooj Aftab at Miller Outdoor Theater tonight.
- The concert is free, but you'll need to RSVP if you want to sit in covered seating.
🤣 Yuck it up at 8th Wonder Brewery at Sunday night's comedy hour with Steve Cantwell.
- Tickets are $10.
🛍 Shop local at the Ironworks Market tomorrow and Sunday.
- Located at 711 Milby St.
On the job hunt?
🌳 Branch out with our Job Board.
- Recruiter at Aquent.
- Software Developer at Landry's.
- Social Media Coordinator at Tootsies.
Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.
Hiring? Post a job.
5. "Best Burger in America" pop-up at City Hall
Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios
Get ready to taste the "Best Burger in America" at a pop-up at City Hall on Sept. 18.
Why it matters: Bun B's Trill Burgers is the new must-try since it won the United States of Burgers competition on Good Morning America last month.
Background: The pop-up burger joint was an instant hit in Houston when it launched last summer and has made appearances at festivals including the Houston Rodeo, Coachella and Rolling Loud.
Details: The family-friendly picnic event will be from 3-7pm.
- The pop-up will feature Trill Burgers' full menu, including the OG Trill Burger, Grilled Onion Burger, Vegan Smashburger, and seasoned fries.
- Hip-hop act Buddie Roe and country artist Rich O'Toole will perform.
What they're saying: "We are excited about partnering with Bun B, whose music and award-winning burger are respected across the country," said Mayor Sylvester Turner in a statement.
Pro-tip: Get there early and expect to wait in line for hours. Burgers are likely to sell out.
- The last time there was a Trill Burgers pop-up last month at 8th Wonder Brewery, more than 1,500 people showed up. Many arrived three hours before doors opened. Some waited six hours in line.
What we're watching: Trill Burgers is expected to open a brick-and-mortar location, but the location has not been announced yet, per Houstonia Magazine.
🍿 Shafaq plans on taking advantage of the $3 movie tickets.
☀️ Jay is still planning his Labor Day weekend.
Programming note: We won't be sending a newsletter on Labor Day, but expect us back in your inbox bright and early Tuesday.
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