Travelers are waiting hours to get through security at Houston's Hobby Airport amid Transportation Security Administration staffing shortages as the partial government shutdown drags on.

Why it matters: The delays are impacting more than 2 million spring break travelers as they navigate the Bayou City's two airports, according to Houston Airports.

Driving the news: Travelers were waiting 90 minutes to get through TSA at Hobby Airport as of 5am this morning.

• Those wait times were upwards of three hours on Sunday and yesterday morning, leading to several flight delays.
• Wait times at Bush Intercontinental Airport were normal as of Monday afternoon.

Catch up quick: TSA agents are working without pay starting this week after congressional Democrats voted against funding the Department of Homeland Security weeks ago over the Trump administration's immigration policies.

The intrigue: In Houston, TSA operations can change shift by shift depending on how many agents scheduled for that shift call out, per the Houston Airport System.

What they're saying: "We saw firsthand how committed some [TSA] officers are, taking on additional shifts to keep security lanes open at Hobby Airport," Houston's director of aviation Jim Szczesniak said in a statement.

The latest: The shutdown is affecting airports nationwide, especially here and in New Orleans, as Democrats continue to hold up DHS funding, demanding that ICE agents stop wearing masks and display IDs, among other things.

Pro tip: Houston Airports says Hobby travelers should arrive four hours early.

Uneven rainfall across Texas could mean a varied season for blooms this spring, according to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center's annual wildflower forecast.

Why it matters: Spring is arriving in Texas, and bluebonnets are already popping up in Houston.

• But what Texans see along highways and in fields over the next few months will depend largely on where — and how much — rain has fallen.

What they're saying: "In a state as geographically vast and varied as Texas, it's rare that we can make a forecast that suits the whole state," Andrea DeLong-Amaya, the center's horticulture educator, said in a statement.

• "We have wild fluctuations in weather and lots of microclimate scenarios, and this year's bloom season will be just as varied as that."

Zoom in: Much of Texas, including Harris County, has been experiencing drought conditions, which can affect early-blooming wildflowers like Texas bluebonnets and Texas paintbrushes.

Yes, but: If early spring bloomers are sparse, late spring and summer flowers — like firewheel or purple horsemint — could have more room to flourish, according to the center.

• Spring rainfall can help boost those later-blooming flowers.

💭 Jay's thought bubble: It's always a treat to spot the first bluebonnets of the season along Houston's bayous, which perk up as early as January while reaching peak bloom statewide in April.

• Your best chance is to take a walk or bike ride along the bayous to catch a glimpse before they grow in abundance as the season goes on. Sorry, drivers.

🗣️ Sound off: Share you favorite Houston bluebonnet spots by replying to this email.

• We might include your response in a future newsletter.

⚖️ Fort Bend County Judge KP George is heading to trial on charges of money laundering after a failed last-minute effort to throw the prosecutor off the case.

• George pleaded not guilty and last week lost his reelection bid after switching parties from Democratic to Republican. (Houston Public Media)

🌊 Corpus Christi is heading toward a "water emergency" as drought and political decisions threaten the region's supply. (Inside Climate News)

🛻 Texas drivers can bid online to try and get one of 25 two-letter license plates through March 25. (Houston Chronicle)

👋 Shafaq here with another Yemeni cafe.

Dig in: Arwa Yemeni Coffee opened its first Houston location this year, serving classic Yemeni drinks and alongside trendy sips and desserts, including fruit-shaped desserts that are almost too pretty to eat.

Driving the news: Like several Yemeni cafes that have popped up across Houston in the past couple of years, it's a hotspot year-round — but especially during Ramadan, when late-night cafe and dining culture thrives.

• During the holy month, Arwa stays open until midnight on weekdays and 2am on weekends.

What to order: Start with the sampler tea ($15) to figure out your favorite blend. But you can't go wrong with an Adeni tea.

• The Yemeni latte ($7.50) comes topped with a beautiful camel design, but the date latte is my personal favorite.
• Like other Yemeni cafes, milk cake is a must. I tried the rasmalai version ($8) for a cardamon-forward tres leches, and I also enjoyed the pistachio twist on the cinnamon roll ($8.50).

If you go: 16733 W. Airport Blvd., Richmond.