New rules will dictate how Houston Police Department officers can interact with ICE agents after City Council passed a measure yesterday that curbs cooperation with the federal agency.

Why it matters: The change limits how long Houston police officers can hold people for immigration reasons, but council members who proposed the new rules say the fight is far from over.

Catch up quick: An HPD policy enacted in February 2020 mandated police officers to contact ICE agents when they encounter someone with an administrative warrant for removal from the U.S.

• Initially, there was no limit to how long they could wait for agents to show up. Last month, HPD shifted its policy to limit the time officers wait for ICE to 30 minutes.

Driving the news: Under the rules approved yesterday, HPD officers can detain someone only as long as necessary for the initial reason for the encounter, like a traffic stop.

• That means that while officers must still call ICE if the suspect has an administrative immigration warrant, they no longer have to wait for ICE agents if there's no other reason to further detain the person.
• The ordinance passed 12-5, including support from Mayor John Whitmire.

Flashback: The initial proposal included a provision that gave HPD officers discretion on whether to contact ICE about administrative warrants, but it was removed from the proposal by the city attorney's office over concerns it could violate state law.

Friction point: Council Members Alejandra Salinas, Abbie Kamin and Edward Pollard disagreed with those concerns.

• During yesterday's meeting, Salinas asked Whitmire to call a public hearing where council members could discuss the merits of the assessment and vote on considering the provision.
• Whitmire said he'd "take it under advisement."

What they're saying: "This ordinance keeps officers focused on solving crime, not waiting on ICE to detain families," Salinas said in a statement after the vote. "It is not everything we fought for, but it is meaningful progress."

The other side: Council Members Twila Carter, Amy Peck, Willie Davis, Fred Flickinger and Mary Nan Huffman — who voted against the ordinance — said in a statement the changes will "likely have unintended and harmful consequences."

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Texas hemp businesses this week sued the state, aiming to reverse new rules that ban pre-rolled joints and other smokeable THC products made legal under a 2019 state law.

Why it matters: The lawsuit is the latest battle over hemp-derived THC in Texas' multibillion-dollar industry.

Catch up quick: Federal and Texas law states consumable hemp products must contain less than 0.3% of delta-9 THC, the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis.

• The law does not include limits on THCA, a compound in hemp that turns into delta-9 THC when burned.

Flashback: The Texas Department of State Health Services and the Health and Human Services Commission implemented rules March 31 that dictate limits on the "total THC" in a product, including THCA.

• The move effectively banned all smokable hemp products, like flower buds or pre-rolls.

Driving the news: The Texas Hemp Business Council, manufacturers and retailers assert in their lawsuit that the departments exceeded their legal authority by counting a product's "total THC" toward the delta-9 THC limit imposed by Congress in 2019 and the Texas Legislature in 2018.

• They are asking a judge to immediately block the rules as the lawsuit plays out. They also want to end a recent increase in regulatory fees.

What they're saying: "Lawmakers carefully debated hemp policy and chose not to change the statutory THC standard (last year)," Texas Hemp Business Council president Cynthia Cabrera said in a statement.

The other side: Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says THC products are dangerous and marketed to children.

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⚖️ A former government official pleaded guilty to theft and money laundering charges, admitting he stole funds meant for affordable housing while working as the real estate manager for the Midtown Redevelopment Authority. (Houston Chronicle)

🌊 A Houston-based deep-sea mining company is part of a $1 billion merger agreement as America sees a need to diversify its mineral procurement. (Axios)

🏗️ The University of Houston demolished its Technology Annex Building, built in 1941, to make way for an $82 million Innovation Hub. (Chron)

🦞 Eat some delicious food at the Viet Cajun Festival. There will be performances and events to honor Hùng Kings Commemoration Day.

• $1 entry. 4-11pm tomorrow through Sunday.

🎭 Immerse yourself in the arts at downtown Richmond's annual "Art In The Bend" festival. There will be music, performance and more.

• 10am-4pm Saturday.

🎨 Celebrate 50 years of Archway Gallery with its "50 Forward" exhibit opening reception.

• 5-8pm Saturday.

🦊 Watch "Zootopia 2" at Sugar Land Town Square.

• Free entry and popcorn. 7pm Saturday.

🧺 Picnic at Arthur Storey Park in celebration of Nepali New Year. There will be food, music and games, hosted by the International Nepali Literary Society.

• Registration is $20. 9:30am-3pm Sunday.

👋 Shafaq here! Sometimes you need to debrief after a movie — or squeeze in a catch-up before. If you're at River Oaks Theatre, Epicure Café sits right next door.

Dig in: Epicure is a cafe and bakery with a menu of no-frills classics — burgers, salads, sandwiches and pastas.

My experience: My friend wanted Italian food, so we went for pasta. The pasta sorrentina ($12) was decent for the price, and it satisfied her craving.

• We couldn't skip the dessert case. I tried the tiramisu cake ($6.50), which was a bit dry by the end of the day, but my friend's strawberry cake stood out.

The bottom line: A good pick for a catch-up, meeting or quick bite.

If you go: 2005 W. Gray St.