Memorial Park will pay homage to its namesake and its World War I roots as part of a $42 million project.

Why it matters: Houston's largest urban green space was previously the site of Camp Logan, a U.S. Army training facility during WWI where more than 70,000 soldiers trained between 1917 and 1919.

• Now, the park will have a new feature called Memorial Groves, designed to serve as a "living remembrance" for visitors.

The big picture: Memorial Groves will reimagine 100 acres between West Memorial Loop Drive and the Union Pacific rail line.

• The centerpiece of the park will be a forest of more than 2,000 bald cypress trees planted in a grid around existing mature trees. Covering 20 acres along West Memorial Loop Drive, the trees will be meant to symbolize soldiers standing in formation.

What they're saying: "Many of our daily park visitors may not be aware of Memorial Park's rich history," Chris Ballard, the president and CEO of the conservancy, said in the announcement.

• "We hope that's exactly what Memorial Groves will accomplish: to tell the story of Memorial Park, how it came to be, and why it's crucial to preserve and protect into its second century."

The project, part of the 2015 Memorial Park master plan, is expected to be completed in 2027, with construction beginning next year.

• Other parts of the master plan, such as the Clay Family Eastern Glades and the Kinder Land Bridge, have already been completed.

The intrigue: The Grove area holds the largest number of Camp Logan archeological finds within the park, enabling the conservancy and its partners to preserve and interpret the training sites.

• The area will also have an exhibition in the visitor center that will examine the segregation that Black troops faced at the camp and in Houston.
• Beyond commemoration, the area will also feature a playground, adult fitness zones, hiking, biking and walking trails, open lawns for play and picnicking, a covered pavilion, new restrooms and parking that's currently planned to be free.

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H-E-B and its affiliates remained on top of the Houston region's grocery marketplace in 2024, new data shows.

Why it matters: Texans' loyalty toward the San Antonio-based grocer runs deep, fueled by local goods, quality, convenience and state pride.

Driving the news: H-E-B, including Central Market, H-E-B Plus, Joe V's Smart Shop and Mi Tienda, maintained its lead over Kroger from 2023 to 2024, according to new data shared with Axios by Chain Store Guide, which tracks the retail and food service industries.

• H-E-B had 25.2% of the region's market share in 2024, compared with Kroger's 21.7%.
• Walmart took third place in 2024 with 19.8% of the market.

The big picture: H-E-B and Kroger combined made up nearly 47% of the region's grocery market in 2024.

Flashback: H-E-B took the cake in 2022 with 23.9% of the region's market share and 2023 with 24.9%.

• In 2023, Kroger was third with 20% of the market, behind Walmart with 22.3%.

The bottom line: H-E-B just gets Texans — like knowing we'd need a butter tortilla-scented candle.

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🙅 MD Anderson Cancer Center paused some hiring and cut non-essential spending after a $43 million loss, citing rising costs, fewer new patients and concerns over inflation and tariffs. (Houston Chronicle)

🗣️ President Trump says he's not ready to endorse either Sen. John Cornyn or Attorney General Ken Paxton in the next U.S. Senate race in Texas. (Houston Public Media)

• "In a way, I wish they weren't running against each other," Trump said. "I'll make a decision somewhere along the line."

🙀 A record-number of ocelots are roaming in a South Texas wildlife refuge as the species makes a comeback. (Chron)

President Trump's global tariffs mean clothes at U.S. retailers stand to get a lot more expensive.

The big picture: With the U.S. importing nearly all of its clothing and shoes, soaring apparel prices could send shoppers thrifting.

By the numbers: The popularity of secondhand shopping was already on the rise before the tariffs.

• A 2024 Recommerce Report from Offerup found that 35% of shoppers embarked on their first resale journey in the past year, an 8% year-over-year increase.

What they're saying: "During any past recessions, this industry has absolutely flourished," Adele Meyer, executive director of the National Association of Resale Professionals, tells Axios.

📩 Tell us: Will high prices send you to Houston thrift or vintage shops for the first time, and if so, where are you headed? What about online resale platforms like Poshmark and Depop?

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