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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>.

UH Poll: Menefee leads in Green in Democratic runoff

UH poll shows Menefee leading Green in CD18 Democratic runoff.

News

U.S. Rep. Christian Menefee is leading U.S. Rep. Al Green heading into the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Democratic primary runoff" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/03/04/al-green-christian-menefee-primary-election-results-2026" data-vars-content-id="0d00c6cb-c0c8-4bd3-adc3-5dc5a7633f29" data-vars-headline="UH Poll: Menefee leads in Green in Democratic runoff" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/03/04/al-green-christian-menefee-primary-election-results-2026" target="_self">Democratic primary runoff</a> for Texas&#x27; 18th Congressional District, per a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs survey" data-vars-click-url="https://www.uh.edu/hobby/runoffs/runoffs.pdf" data-vars-content-id="0d00c6cb-c0c8-4bd3-adc3-5dc5a7633f29" data-vars-headline="UH Poll: Menefee leads in Green in Democratic runoff" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.uh.edu/hobby/runoffs/runoffs.pdf" target="_blank">new University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs survey</a>.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="runoff" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/04/al-green-christian-menefee-texas-primary-houston" data-vars-content-id="0d00c6cb-c0c8-4bd3-adc3-5dc5a7633f29" data-vars-headline="UH Poll: Menefee leads in Green in Democratic runoff" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/04/al-green-christian-menefee-texas-primary-houston" target="_self">runoff</a> will determine who represents the recently redrawn district after Texas lawmakers <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shuffled Houston-area seats" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/04/27/texas-redistricting-map-ruling-supreme-court" data-vars-content-id="0d00c6cb-c0c8-4bd3-adc3-5dc5a7633f29" data-vars-headline="UH Poll: Menefee leads in Green in Democratic runoff" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/04/27/texas-redistricting-map-ruling-supreme-court" target="_self">shuffled Houston-area seats</a>, forcing Menefee and Green into the same race.

Houston law enforcement say they're ready for the World Cup

Houston expects roughly 500,000 visitors for seven matches at NRG Stadium.

Houston has secured $64.7 million in federal funds for<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" 2026 FIFA World Cup " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/12/06/fifa-2026-world-cup-houston-schedule-matches" data-vars-content-id="cef4a5d7-8044-430b-9ea7-a8ecfac56df3" data-vars-headline="Houston law enforcement say they&#x27;re ready for the 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/2025/12/06/fifa-2026-world-cup-houston-schedule-matches" target="_self"> 2026 FIFA World Cup </a>security plans, and local officials say the city is ready and confident with the security measures that will be in place.Why it matters: Houston expects roughly 500,000 visitors for seven matches at NRG Stadium, plus a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="39-day Fan Fest in East Downtown" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fwc26houston.com/fifafanfestivalhou" data-vars-content-id="cef4a5d7-8044-430b-9ea7-a8ecfac56df3" data-vars-headline="Houston law enforcement say they&#x27;re ready for the World Cup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fwc26houston.com/fifafanfestivalhou" target="_blank">39-day Fan Fest in East Downtown</a>, all starting in about two months.

Rising mortgage rates hit U.S. — but Houston has a buffer

Mortgage rates are ticking up as global tensions rise — but Houston's housing market may be better insulated than most.

Politics

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mortgage rates are inching up" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/25/mortgage-rates-iran-war-housing-market" data-vars-content-id="0cf0adb0-3fa0-4465-92ee-75aabe910602" data-vars-headline="Rising mortgage rates hit U.S. — but Houston has a buffer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/25/mortgage-rates-iran-war-housing-market" target="_self">Mortgage rates are inching up</a> as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tensions escalate in Iran" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/world" data-vars-content-id="0cf0adb0-3fa0-4465-92ee-75aabe910602" data-vars-headline="Rising mortgage rates hit U.S. — but Houston has a buffer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/world" target="_self">tensions escalate in Iran</a> — but Houston&#x27;s housing market is better positioned than most to absorb the shock.Why it matters: While national headlines tie rising rates to geopolitical instability, Houston&#x27;s economy has an energy sector and general affordability buffer that could keep <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="homebuying relatively steady." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/01/20/what-2026-could-hold-for-houstons-housing-market" data-vars-content-id="0cf0adb0-3fa0-4465-92ee-75aabe910602" data-vars-headline="Rising mortgage rates hit U.S. — but Houston has a buffer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/01/20/what-2026-could-hold-for-houstons-housing-market" target="_self">homebuying relatively steady.</a>

Houston's energy industry looks to benefit from Iran war

Yes, but: The higher crude oil prices are hurting consumers at the pump.

Houston&#x27;s energy industry is poised to benefit from the war in Iran amid supply chain disruptions, a Rice University economist tells <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston" data-vars-content-id="ecb71111-7089-4201-aba3-f4e979a69c72" data-vars-headline="Houston&#x27;s energy industry looks to benefit from Iran war" 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">Axios</a>, even as Houston-area consumers face pain at the pump. Why it matters: The region&#x27;s engineering and logistics expertise &quot;is set up to be able to flex ... and capitalize where possible on those shifts,&quot; says Kenneth Medlock, energy and resource economist at Rice&#x27;s Baker Institute. &quot;It&#x27;s why this region, economically, has been so vibrant for such a long time.&quot;

Menefee and Green headed for a runoff in Houston's 18th Congressional District

Green ran in a new district after his district was redrawn to favor Republicans.

U.S. Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Christian Menefee" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/02/02/christian-menefee-congress-primary-al-green" data-vars-content-id="2c017b05-b183-43c9-98a2-51bedff581f7" data-vars-headline="Menefee and Green headed for a runoff in Houston&#x27;s 18th Congressional District" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/02/02/christian-menefee-congress-primary-al-green" target="_self">Christian Menefee</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rep. Al Green" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/26/al-green-censure-state-of-the-union-protest" data-vars-content-id="2c017b05-b183-43c9-98a2-51bedff581f7" data-vars-headline="Menefee and Green headed for a runoff in Houston&#x27;s 18th Congressional District" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/26/al-green-censure-state-of-the-union-protest" target="_self">Rep. Al Green</a> are headed for a runoff in the Democratic primary in a redrawn Houston-area district, the Associated Press projects. The big picture: With no candidate topping 50%, the race is headed to a May runoff — setting up a high-stakes showdown between Menefee and Green. For Green, who was first elected in 2004, the stakes are steep after he decided to run in the 18th District when lawmakers redrew his old seat to tilt Republican.

No clear winners in Harris County judge primaries

Both parties will head to May runoffs to decide their nominees for Harris County judge, based on unofficial election results.

The top two finishers in the Democratic and Republican primary for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Harris County judge" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/02/17/the-harris-county-judge-races-crowded-field" data-vars-content-id="ece538b1-11f3-4e8f-870a-1e98402ac8b0" data-vars-headline="No clear winners in Harris County judge primaries" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/02/17/the-harris-county-judge-races-crowded-field" target="_self">Harris County judge</a> are headed for May runoffs after no candidate passed the 50% threshold, according to unofficial election results on Wednesday. Why it matters: The race will determine who succeeds Judge Lina Hidalgo, as Republicans push to reclaim control of the nation&#x27;s third-largest county.

Democrats have cast more ballots than Republicans in Harris County primaries

More than 192,400 Harris County voters had cast ballots in person or via mail during early voting as of Tuesday.

More <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Harris County voters" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/02/17/the-harris-county-judge-races-crowded-field" data-vars-content-id="3dfd922e-d99f-489e-9fb9-f2fc2b68d8f1" data-vars-headline="Democrats have cast more ballots than Republicans in Harris County primaries" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/02/17/the-harris-county-judge-races-crowded-field" target="_self">Harris County voters</a> have cast ballots in the Democratic primary than in the Republican primary during early voting.Why it matters: High Democratic <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="turnout" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/11/06/stat-du-jour-november-2025-voter-turnout" data-vars-content-id="3dfd922e-d99f-489e-9fb9-f2fc2b68d8f1" data-vars-headline="Democrats have cast more ballots than Republicans in Harris County primaries" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/11/06/stat-du-jour-november-2025-voter-turnout" target="_self">turnout</a> in March could signal greater Democratic turnout in the November midterm election.

Parker, Sanchez lead in Harris County judge primaries, per UH poll

Voters started casting ballots Tuesday for the Republican and Democratic primaries.

A new poll by the University of Houston indicates a majority of Republican primary voters (54%) are still undecided on who to pick for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Harris County judge" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/02/17/the-harris-county-judge-races-crowded-field" data-vars-content-id="5cb9f23f-5422-4e91-b246-a624436fb6fd" data-vars-headline="Parker, Sanchez lead in Harris County judge primaries, per UH poll" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/02/17/the-harris-county-judge-races-crowded-field" target="_self">Harris County judge</a>. Why it matters: Voters started casting ballots Tuesday for the March Republican and Democratic primaries.

The Harris County judge race's crowded field

With no incumbent on the ballot, both parties see an opening in a county that was previously Republican for decades.

The race for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Harris County" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/07/25/harris-county-voters-crime-roads-county-judge-poll" data-vars-content-id="7e35fbc8-09d1-4441-88a2-1429fd202021" data-vars-headline="The Harris County judge race&#x27;s crowded field" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/07/25/harris-county-voters-crime-roads-county-judge-poll" target="_self">Harris County</a> judge is wide open, with a crowded field from both parties vying to lead county government.Why it matters: After eight years under Judge Lina Hidalgo — who flipped the seat in 2018 and led the county through hurricanes and COVID — voters will choose who runs the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nation&#x27;s third-largest county" 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="7e35fbc8-09d1-4441-88a2-1429fd202021" data-vars-headline="The Harris County judge race&#x27;s crowded field" 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">nation&#x27;s third-largest county</a>, overseeing a multibillion-dollar budget, disaster response and core public services.

Politics 🇺🇸

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

UH Poll: Menefee leads in Green in Democratic runoff

What Democrats' wins in local Texas elections mean for the state

Why Dems would (or wouldn't) pick Talarico for VP in '28

Talarico leads Cornyn and Paxton in UT poll