About 73% of Houston-area residents live in an area where the "urban heat island" effect raises temperatures by 8° or more, per a new analysis by nonprofit climate research group Climate Central, Axios' Alex Fitzpatrick reports.

Driving the news: The analysis comes as Harris County records its ninth heat-related death since the beginning of the year, all of which happened since the start of this summer's detrimental heat waves.

• The dead range from 20 to 89 years old, according to the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.

Why it matters: Heat islands — wherein heat is trapped by heat-absorbing surfaces and structures — can make cities less livable and increase the risk of heat-related health complications.

• They can also amplify the effects of already dangerous heat waves, like the one gripping an expanding part of the U.S. this week.

By the numbers: The Houston area has 4.3 million people living where heat islands create an 8° difference.

• 269,000 of those people live where heat islands make things 9° hotter, while more than 30,000 live where it's 10° hotter.

Between the lines: Low-income neighborhoods tend to be more vulnerable to heat islands than wealthier ones, making this a key climate equity issue.

• Heat islands can also lead to increased energy usage and costs as residents keep cool with air conditioning.

What's happening: Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones is working to plant 1,200 new trees in the underserved Alief community to help combat the high heat.

• "Alief on average is 10° hotter than other parts of Harris County," Briones said when announcing the initiative in April. "This investment will help address the heat island that we are experiencing here in Alief."

The big picture: 41 million Americans live in urban areas where heat islands raise local temperatures by 8° or more, per Climate Central's analysis of 44 U.S. cities.

Of note: While the urban heat island effect is very real, it doesn't skew global climate data "because scientists have accounted for it in their measurements," per NASA.

Methodology: For its report, Climate Central analyzed the influence of factors including surface heat absorption, the amount of tree cover, building heights and more on U.S. census tracts. Population estimates are based on 2020 census data.

Go deeper

The average cost of a gallon of regular gas in the Houston area is hovering around $3.40, per AAA.

What's happening: Gas prices have ticked up in recent weeks due to excessive heat in Gulf states like Texas and Louisiana, where many of the country's oil refineries are, Axios' Alex Fitzpatrick and Kavya Beheraj report.

Yes, but: Houston's gas prices are still down 2.4% from last August, per GasBuddy.

The big picture: Nationwide, average gas prices are up a bit from winter months — as expected based on historical patterns — but lower than last year's highs of nearly $5.

How it works: Several factors can drive variations in gas prices, including a state's taxes and its proximity to refineries.

What we're watching: Hot weather drives up gas prices because refineries don't function as efficiently in temperatures above 100°.

• Plus, Saudi Arabia's extension of its oil production cut threatens to drive up energy prices.

🏛️ A federal grand jury is considering charges against suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton, according to two anonymous sources who spoke with the Austin American-Statesman. (American-Statesman)

😋 A Houston restaurant is making its own Sriracha sauce as the Huy Fong Sriracha shortage persists. (Chron)

The Harris County Jail this week reported its 11th in-custody death of 2023. Such deaths have prompted several lawsuits from family members of those who have died. (Houston Landing)

About 100 people gathered for a "read-in" during the Houston ISD board meeting yesterday to protest the district's plan to dismantle school libraries.

• Parents, educators and community members gathered with books whose dust jackets were used as protest signs and read throughout the meeting.

👋 Shafaq here! I went to Honeychild's Sweet Creams, because what's better on a hot day than frozen desserts?

Details: Honeychild's at M-K-T in the Heights serves frozen custards with unique flavors.

• The company prides itself on offering seasonal flavors using only locally sourced ingredients, per its website.

My experience: I enjoyed how weird the flavors were. Honeychild's had the classics: cookies and cream, vanilla, and Mexican vanilla. But they also had peach with chamoy, a basil-flavored cream, and carrot cake.

• The basil frozen custard was intriguing yet surprisingly good. I also enjoyed the Mexican vanilla and Honeychild's take on Oreo chocolate.

Cost: $12 for five scoops.

If you go: 600 N. Shepherd Dr., Suite 450.

A while ago, we asked y'all for your favorite ice cream shops.

Driving the news: Here's the scoop on our reader recommendations:

• Cosmic Ice Cream Co. on Long Point in Spring Branch. –Robye S.
• Ritter's Frozen Custard in Katy on North Fry Road. –S.K.
• Fat Cat Creamery in the Heights. –Maya P.
• Hank's Ice Cream by NRG Stadium. –Maddie D.

What they're saying: "[Hank's] TX Oreo flavor reigns supreme above all other cookies and cream in Houston shops and stores," reader Maddie D. wrote. "Local, family-owned business. Pro tip: Stop by after a Texans game or NRG event, get a scoop of TX Oreo and banana pudding."