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Texas Children's must open country's first "detransition clinic"

The settlement resolves an investigation launched in 2023 after Texas banned gender-affirming medical care for minors.

Politics & Policy

Texas Children&#x27;s Hospital must open what is believed to be the country&#x27;s first &quot;detransition clinic&quot; and pay the state $10 million as part of a settlement over <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="transgender care" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/04/22/texas-legislature-anti-trans-bills" data-vars-content-id="3b555db9-453d-444a-b108-8504352d71a4" data-vars-headline="Texas Children&#x27;s must open country&#x27;s first &quot;detransition clinic&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/04/22/texas-legislature-anti-trans-bills" target="_self">transgender care</a> for minors, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Attorney General Ken Paxton" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/03/04/cornyn-paxton-runoff-texas-republican-senate-primary" data-vars-content-id="3b555db9-453d-444a-b108-8504352d71a4" data-vars-headline="Texas Children&#x27;s must open country&#x27;s first &quot;detransition clinic&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/03/04/cornyn-paxton-runoff-texas-republican-senate-primary" target="_self">Attorney General Ken Paxton</a> announced Friday.Why it matters: The settlement marks the latest move by Texas Republicans to restrict transgender rights as the state has enacted some of the nation&#x27;s toughest policies targeting trans people, including limits on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="gender-affirming care for minors" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2024/06/28/gender-affirming-care-ban-texas-transgender" data-vars-content-id="3b555db9-453d-444a-b108-8504352d71a4" data-vars-headline="Texas Children&#x27;s must open country&#x27;s first &quot;detransition clinic&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2024/06/28/gender-affirming-care-ban-texas-transgender" target="_self">gender-affirming care for minors</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sports participation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2021/10/25/texas-trans-youth-sports" data-vars-content-id="3b555db9-453d-444a-b108-8504352d71a4" data-vars-headline="Texas Children&#x27;s must open country&#x27;s first &quot;detransition clinic&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2021/10/25/texas-trans-youth-sports" target="_self">sports participation</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bathroom access" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/09/22/abbott-signs-bathroom-bill-into-law" data-vars-content-id="3b555db9-453d-444a-b108-8504352d71a4" data-vars-headline="Texas Children&#x27;s must open country&#x27;s first &quot;detransition clinic&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/09/22/abbott-signs-bathroom-bill-into-law" target="_self">bathroom access</a>.

Scoop: Feds won't focus immigration enforcement at Houston's World Cup

Mixed messaging from the Trump administration has led to confusion on ICE's role during the tournament.

Sports

ICE&#x27;s role providing security during the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/04/25/houston-world-cup-2026-preparations-readiness-50-days" data-vars-content-id="8c495abd-3e55-4679-8c02-17156b9b95cb" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Feds won&#x27;t focus immigration enforcement at Houston&#x27;s World Cup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/04/25/houston-world-cup-2026-preparations-readiness-50-days" target="_self">World Cup</a> in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Houston" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston" data-vars-content-id="8c495abd-3e55-4679-8c02-17156b9b95cb" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Feds won&#x27;t focus immigration enforcement at Houston&#x27;s World Cup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston" target="_self">Houston</a> will not focus on immigration enforcement, the city host committee&#x27;s security chief told Axios on Monday.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mixed and unclear messaging" data-vars-click-url="https://www.forbes.com/sites/suzannerowankelleher/2026/05/08/trump-officials-confusion-ice-world-cup/" data-vars-content-id="8c495abd-3e55-4679-8c02-17156b9b95cb" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Feds won&#x27;t focus immigration enforcement at Houston&#x27;s World Cup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/suzannerowankelleher/2026/05/08/trump-officials-confusion-ice-world-cup/" target="_blank">Mixed and unclear messaging</a> from the Trump administration has led to confusion on ICE&#x27;s role during the tournament, which will take place in Houston and 10 other cities nationwide come June.

Houston Dynamo spend $20.9M on player salaries

Forward Ezequiel Ponce remains Houston's most expensive player.

The Houston Dynamo have four players making at least $1 million each this season, per the 2026 MLS <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="player salary guide" data-vars-click-url="https://mlsplayers.org/resources/salary-guide" data-vars-content-id="6829e011-34ec-4972-827e-fb281d6c50b1" data-vars-headline="Houston Dynamo spend $20.9M on player salaries" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://mlsplayers.org/resources/salary-guide" target="_blank">player salary guide</a> released Tuesday by the Players Association. The big picture: Forward Ezequiel Ponce, who joined the squad in 2024, remains Houston&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="most expensive player" data-vars-click-url="https://www.houstondynamofc.com/news/houston-dynamo-fc-sign-forward-ezequiel-ponce-from-aek-athens-on-club-record-transfer-fee" data-vars-content-id="6829e011-34ec-4972-827e-fb281d6c50b1" data-vars-headline="Houston Dynamo spend $20.9M on player salaries" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.houstondynamofc.com/news/houston-dynamo-fc-sign-forward-ezequiel-ponce-from-aek-athens-on-club-record-transfer-fee" target="_blank">most expensive player</a>, with a guaranteed compensation of $3 million.

Houston's mad dash to lay World Cup grass

The grass for Houston's World Cup matches has been growing in Colorado for 18 months.

Twenty-five refrigerated trucks are hauling valuable grass from Colorado that will soon cover NRG Stadium ahead of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Houston&#x27;s World Cup matches" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/04/25/houston-world-cup-2026-preparations-readiness-50-days" data-vars-content-id="a7304f07-be34-401d-9d48-d24e3923807a" data-vars-headline="Houston&#x27;s mad dash to lay World Cup grass" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/04/25/houston-world-cup-2026-preparations-readiness-50-days" target="_self">Houston&#x27;s World Cup matches</a>. Why it matters: This isn&#x27;t ordinary turf. The FIFA-spec grass has been growing near Denver for the past 18 months and will soon host world-renowned players kicking, passing and scoring through <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="seven Houston matches" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/12/06/fifa-2026-world-cup-houston-schedule-matches" data-vars-content-id="a7304f07-be34-401d-9d48-d24e3923807a" data-vars-headline="Houston&#x27;s mad dash to lay World Cup grass" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/12/06/fifa-2026-world-cup-houston-schedule-matches" target="_self">seven Houston matches</a>.

6 Houston chefs and restaurants named 2026 James Beard finalists

Maximo, Agnes and Sherman and ChòpnBlọk are among the finalists.

Food and Drink

Six Houston-area restaurants and chefs on Tuesday were named <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="finalists for this year&#x27;s James Beard Awards" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/01/21/2026-james-beard-semifinalists" data-vars-content-id="1010e1d1-b0aa-46a2-9659-5cdc25a8cc78" data-vars-headline="6 Houston chefs and restaurants named 2026 James Beard finalists" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/01/21/2026-james-beard-semifinalists" target="_self">finalists for this year&#x27;s James Beard Awards</a>.Why it matters: Being nominated is one of the dining industry&#x27;s highest honors.

Budget Bites: Dukes Venezuelan Food

Katy is a hub of the Houston-area Venezuelan community.

These are anxious times for Houston&#x27;s Venezuelan community — the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="largest in the U.S. outside Florida" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2026/01/09/facts-about-venezuelans-in-the-us/#:~:text=Venezuelans%20in%20the%20U.S.%20most,and%20Atlanta%20(49%2C000)%20areas." data-vars-content-id="e98d5612-320f-4af0-be2b-45ec750421ba" data-vars-headline="Budget Bites: Dukes Venezuelan Food" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2026/01/09/facts-about-venezuelans-in-the-us/#:~:text=Venezuelans%20in%20the%20U.S.%20most,and%20Atlanta%20(49%2C000)%20areas." target="_blank">largest in the U.S. outside Florida</a>. Why it matters: For those seeking the comfort of familiar flavors from home, the simple arepa isn&#x27;t far away. And you don&#x27;t have to be Venezuelan to enjoy this hearty, savory street food.

Houston's premiere barbecue cook-off is happening now

It's the ultimate pregame to rodeo season.

The World&#x27;s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest is happening now ahead of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rodeo Houston" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/01/09/houston-rodeo-concert-2026-lineup" data-vars-content-id="4860b792-b94b-4280-a447-b2055ebdc3ec" data-vars-headline="Houston&#x27;s premiere barbecue cook-off is happening now" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/01/09/houston-rodeo-concert-2026-lineup" target="_self">Rodeo Houston</a>. Why it matters: It&#x27;s the ultimate pregame to rodeo season.

Houston's Molly Tea delivers on its promise

Molly Tea is a fast-growing Chinese fresh tea chain known for aroma-forward drinks.

Molly Tea in Dun Huang Plaza in Asiatown just opened this week, and I braved the lines to give it a try.Dig in: Molly Tea is a fast-growing Chinese fresh tea chain founded in 2021. It&#x27;s built a following for aroma-forward drinks — particularly jasmine tea.

Meet the Houston chef on Season 23 of "Top Chef"

Known for modern Indian cooking that plays with global classics, he's already a "Chopped" winner.

Things to Do

Acclaimed Houston chef and restaurateur Jaspratap &quot;Jassi&quot; Bindra will be on the newest season of &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Top Chef" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/01/29/top-chef-north-carolina-chefs" data-vars-content-id="54d2e7a8-e87f-4ce5-a441-b4510f6ffe53" data-vars-headline="Meet the Houston chef on Season 23 of &quot;Top Chef&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/01/29/top-chef-north-carolina-chefs" target="_self">Top Chef</a>,&quot; premiering March 9.How it works: 15 chefs compete for a grand prize of $250,000, plus other perks like the opportunity to host a dinner at the historic James Beard House and present at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="awards ceremony" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/01/21/2026-james-beard-semifinalists" data-vars-content-id="54d2e7a8-e87f-4ce5-a441-b4510f6ffe53" data-vars-headline="Meet the Houston chef on Season 23 of &quot;Top Chef&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/01/21/2026-james-beard-semifinalists" target="_self">awards ceremony</a> in Chicago.

These are Houston's 2026 James Beard semifinalists

A James Beard semifinalist spot signals prestige in a closely watched industry race.

News

A dozen Houston-area chefs and restaurants are among this year&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="James Beard Foundation semifinalists" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/01/22/james-beard-award-2025-semifinalists-houston" data-vars-content-id="d16ee08b-e94b-44aa-b1d5-d0306de61015" data-vars-headline="These are Houston&#x27;s 2026 James Beard semifinalists" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/01/22/james-beard-award-2025-semifinalists-houston" target="_self">James Beard Foundation semifinalists</a>.Why it matters: A James Beard semifinalist spot signals prestige in a closely watched industry race.

No new Michelin stars in Houston

All six Houston restaurants keep their Michelin stars in Texas' 2025 guide.

All six Houston-area restaurants honored last year with a Michelin star retained their stars in the international dining guide&#x27;s second Texas edition. There were no new local stars.Why it matters: A Michelin endorsement, particularly a star, brings international recognition and shines a spotlight on Houston&#x27;s wide-ranging dining scene.

Michelin names Houston 2025 Bib Gourmand restaurant winners

Five Houston restaurants are new to the Bib Gourmand list.

The second <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Texas Michelin Guide" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/08/12/texas-michelin-guide-ceremony-houston" data-vars-content-id="28e74839-b78e-4db5-9ce0-c381baf9ed1a" data-vars-headline="Michelin names Houston 2025 Bib Gourmand restaurant winners" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/08/12/texas-michelin-guide-ceremony-houston" target="_self">Texas Michelin Guide</a> is out, featuring a list of Bib Gourmands — restaurants offering standout food at semi-reasonable prices.Why it matters: While these restaurants didn&#x27;t go home with a coveted star, serving good food at decent prices is perhaps even more prized <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="in Houston" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2024/09/30/texas-michelin-guide-houston-host-ceremony" data-vars-content-id="28e74839-b78e-4db5-9ce0-c381baf9ed1a" data-vars-headline="Michelin names Houston 2025 Bib Gourmand restaurant winners" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2024/09/30/texas-michelin-guide-houston-host-ceremony" target="_self">in Houston</a>.

The Michelin Guide is coming back to Texas

The new awards will be announced in Houston on Oct. 28.

Michelin is set to update its Texas guide, revealing which restaurants earned stars and other honors across the state.Why it matters: It&#x27;s a moment of recognition, honor and prestige for both the restaurants and the cities where they are located.

I tried the winning Houston Trader Joe's ice cream sandwich recipe

Out of roughly 400 submissions nationwide, a Houston Trader Joe's location won a recipe contest.

Trader Joe&#x27;s announced the winner of its national store competition for best recipe, and the Alabama Theater location on Shepherd Drive won with its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Honey Gochujang Corn Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches" data-vars-click-url="https://www.traderjoes.com/home/discover/stories/store-recipe-contest-winner-2025" data-vars-content-id="42a1ec11-1673-4424-bf07-d385b249a79c" data-vars-headline="I tried the winning Houston Trader Joe&#x27;s ice cream sandwich recipe" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.traderjoes.com/home/discover/stories/store-recipe-contest-winner-2025" target="_blank">Honey Gochujang Corn Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches</a>.It&#x27;s a mouthful and a seemingly odd combo. And of course, with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="my love of trying" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/03/11/rodeo-houston-texas-food" data-vars-content-id="42a1ec11-1673-4424-bf07-d385b249a79c" data-vars-headline="I tried the winning Houston Trader Joe&#x27;s ice cream sandwich recipe" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/03/11/rodeo-houston-texas-food" target="_self">my love of trying</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="interesting food mashups" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/06/24/budget-bites-trendy-dumplings" data-vars-content-id="42a1ec11-1673-4424-bf07-d385b249a79c" data-vars-headline="I tried the winning Houston Trader Joe&#x27;s ice cream sandwich recipe" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/06/24/budget-bites-trendy-dumplings" target="_self">interesting food mashups</a>, I had to test out this local winner.

Food and Drink 🍽

Sweet Times: Pavon Coffee Den

Budget Bites: Bao Bao Banh Mi

Stop at this desert deli during your next trip to Marfa

6 Houston chefs and restaurants named 2026 James Beard finalists

Budget Bites: Star Rover