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Texas hemp industry eyes challenge to ban on smokable THC

The new rules are another blow to the multibillion-dollar industry and its consumers.

News

Pre-rolled joints and other <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="smokable THC products" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2021/10/15/demand-legal-weed-texas" data-vars-content-id="806193ee-77c7-4792-9404-731060b84bbb" data-vars-headline="Texas hemp industry eyes challenge to ban on smokable THC" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2021/10/15/demand-legal-weed-texas" target="_self">smokable THC products</a> will no longer be sold in Texas starting Tuesday.Why it matters: Hemp advocates say they plan on suing after yet another blow to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="multibillion-dollar industry" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/04/10/thc-hemp-ban-texas-legislature" data-vars-content-id="806193ee-77c7-4792-9404-731060b84bbb" data-vars-headline="Texas hemp industry eyes challenge to ban on smokable THC" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/04/10/thc-hemp-ban-texas-legislature" target="_self">multibillion-dollar industry</a> and its consumers.

The Houston Comets are coming back after nearly 20 years

Houston is getting a WNBA team again, with the Comets set to return for the 2027 season.

Sports

The Houston Comets are expected to come back to Bayou City after nearly 20 years after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rockets" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/12/04/rockets-astros-first-direct-to-consumer-streaming-app-schn" data-vars-content-id="27178f59-e91d-4373-826f-659e6ddc22bc" data-vars-headline="The Houston Comets are coming back after nearly 20 years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/12/04/rockets-astros-first-direct-to-consumer-streaming-app-schn" target="_self">Rockets</a> owner Fertitta Entertainment reached a deal to buy, relocate and rename the Connecticut Sun.Why it matters: Houston hasn&#x27;t had a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="WNBA team" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/07/16/wnba-expansion-cleveland-detroit-philadelphia-league" data-vars-content-id="27178f59-e91d-4373-826f-659e6ddc22bc" data-vars-headline="The Houston Comets are coming back after nearly 20 years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/07/16/wnba-expansion-cleveland-detroit-philadelphia-league" target="_self">WNBA team</a> since the dynastic <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Comets ceased operations in 2008" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/03/sports/basketball/03wnba.html" data-vars-content-id="27178f59-e91d-4373-826f-659e6ddc22bc" data-vars-headline="The Houston Comets are coming back after nearly 20 years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/03/sports/basketball/03wnba.html" target="_blank">Comets ceased operations in 2008</a> — leaving a gap in a city that once set the standard for women&#x27;s pro basketball.

Houston's Buffalo Bayou Cistern turns 100 this year

The cistern was built in 1926 to store drinking water for the growing city.

The Buffalo Bayou Cistern turns 100 this year.Why it matters: Houston&#x27;s historic underground reservoir is lively as ever with new investments restoring the space for decades to come.

What to know about Houston's 2026-27 theater season

Local stages are set for a mix of classic titles, new work, comedy and drama.

Things to Do

Houston&#x27;s theater companies are unveiling their lineups for next season — a mix of classics, experimental works, comedies and dramas.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Season announcements" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/03/28/what-to-know-about-the-2025-2026-theater-season" data-vars-content-id="36da78e9-6df6-42df-b31e-17845755273e" data-vars-headline="What to know about Houston&#x27;s 2026-27 theater season" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/03/28/what-to-know-about-the-2025-2026-theater-season" target="_self">Season announcements</a> double as a sales push, helping theaters secure subscribers and steady revenue ahead of the fall, while giving audiences a way to lock in tickets and preferred seating.

Harris County judge in viral IT spat orders attorney into court

The situation could come to a head next week.

A Harris County state district court judge is facing backlash from attorneys after a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="video went viral" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/FightWithMemes/status/2037922411375632606" data-vars-content-id="f070f177-783e-42a9-859e-bb8071516eb0" data-vars-headline="Harris County judge in viral IT spat orders attorney into court" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/FightWithMemes/status/2037922411375632606" target="_blank">video went viral</a> of him arguing with an IT staffer.Why it matters: The situation could come to a head next week when a prominent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Houston" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston" data-vars-content-id="f070f177-783e-42a9-859e-bb8071516eb0" data-vars-headline="Harris County judge in viral IT spat orders attorney into court" 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> defense attorney who privately criticized the judge is set to appear in his court.

Dip in immigration is slowing metro Houston's explosive growth

Houston is still growing — just not the way it was before.

Metro Houston and Harris County are continuing to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="grow in population" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/03/13/harris-county-second-largest-county-by-population-houston-migration-boom" data-vars-content-id="93caa90c-e123-48ac-b9e2-38276f0dc3a5" data-vars-headline="Dip in immigration is slowing metro Houston&#x27;s explosive growth" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/03/13/harris-county-second-largest-county-by-population-houston-migration-boom" target="_self">grow in population</a>, albeit more slowly now as most counties nationwide are seeing a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="drop in immigration" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/11/13/harris-county-texas-unauthorzed-immigrant-population" data-vars-content-id="93caa90c-e123-48ac-b9e2-38276f0dc3a5" data-vars-headline="Dip in immigration is slowing metro Houston&#x27;s explosive growth" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/11/13/harris-county-texas-unauthorzed-immigrant-population" target="_self">drop in immigration</a>, new U.S. Census Bureau data shows.Why it matters: International migration — Houston&#x27;s growth engine — is dropping.

How Houston became Space City

If you've ever wondered, we've got you covered.

If you&#x27;ve ever wondered how Houston became Space City, we&#x27;ve got you covered. Why it matters: The Johnson Space Center is the home of Mission Control for the Artemis missions — and has a potential future as command central for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mars missions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/05/15/houston-johnson-space-center-mars-john-cornyn" data-vars-content-id="f7bb7f89-59e2-46cf-9e9a-d241aeaeb8df" data-vars-headline="How Houston became Space City" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/05/15/houston-johnson-space-center-mars-john-cornyn" target="_self">Mars missions</a> and beyond.

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.

Houston's March hotel bookings are expected to break record

Events that drew visitors included the Pro Cheer League cheerleading competition and the World Baseball Classic.

The Houston region will likely end March with a record-breaking number of hotel rooms booked, leaders say. Why it matters: The data further shows Houston is becoming a &quot;visitor economy,&quot; Mayor John Whitmire <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="said last week" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/HoustonTelevision/videos/743229738743774" data-vars-content-id="63e8b743-7725-497d-941b-e6b626d2ac8d" data-vars-headline="Houston&#x27;s March hotel bookings are expected to break record" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/HoustonTelevision/videos/743229738743774" target="_blank">said last week</a>, as the city works to expand its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="convention industry" data-vars-click-url="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/article/houston-convention-center-expansion-phase-one-20193011.php" data-vars-content-id="63e8b743-7725-497d-941b-e6b626d2ac8d" data-vars-headline="Houston&#x27;s March hotel bookings are expected to break record" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/article/houston-convention-center-expansion-phase-one-20193011.php" target="_blank">convention industry</a> for years to come.

NASA inches forward in moving Discovery to Houston

The push to bring a space shuttle to Space City is one step closer to reality but faces major hurdles.

NASA is asking industry leaders to make conceptual plans on moving Space Shuttle Discovery from the East Coast to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Houston" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston" data-vars-content-id="0c46376e-68b6-42c5-8a0c-7155a671285c" data-vars-headline="NASA inches forward in moving Discovery to Houston" 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>. Why it matters: The push to bring a space shuttle to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Space City" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2022/08/29/space-city-nasa-through-the-ages" data-vars-content-id="0c46376e-68b6-42c5-8a0c-7155a671285c" data-vars-headline="NASA inches forward in moving Discovery to Houston" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2022/08/29/space-city-nasa-through-the-ages" target="_self">Space City</a> is one step closer to reality but major hurdles remain.

ICE agents deployed to assist Houston TSA operations

It's the latest effort to ease security wait times at airports nationwide as TSA officers work without pay.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ICE agents" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/03/20/houston-police-ice-immigration-warrants-city-council" data-vars-content-id="316183e1-7fd4-4cc3-9349-136fbab79e73" data-vars-headline="ICE agents deployed to assist Houston TSA operations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/03/20/houston-police-ice-immigration-warrants-city-council" target="_self">ICE agents</a> are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="supplementing airport security operations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/22/trump-ice-agents-airports-tsa-dhs-shutdown" data-vars-content-id="316183e1-7fd4-4cc3-9349-136fbab79e73" data-vars-headline="ICE agents deployed to assist Houston TSA operations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/22/trump-ice-agents-airports-tsa-dhs-shutdown" target="_self">supplementing airport security operations</a> in Houston as the partial government shutdown continues to affect Transportation Security Administration staffing.Why it matters: It&#x27;s the latest effort from the Trump administration to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ease security wait times" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/03/09/houston-tsa-delays-hobby-airport" data-vars-content-id="316183e1-7fd4-4cc3-9349-136fbab79e73" data-vars-headline="ICE agents deployed to assist Houston TSA operations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/03/09/houston-tsa-delays-hobby-airport" target="_self">ease security wait times</a> at airports nationwide.

AA choropleth map of U.S. counties showing estimated population change from July 2024 to 2025. The U.S. overall grew by +0.5%. Kaufman County, Texas, grew the most of any county with a population over 100,000: +5.7%. Pinellas County, Florida shrank the most of any county with a population over 100,000: -1.2%. 

News 🗞

Harris County judge in viral IT spat orders attorney into court

Dip in immigration is slowing metro Houston's explosive growth

New Orleans built key piece of NASA's Artemis II rocket

How Houston became Space City

6 Houston chefs and restaurants named 2026 James Beard finalists