Houston

Houston Alerts

Alert

blue

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Houston with Jay R. Jordan and Shafaq Patel.

Axios Houston

Standard

Axios Houston Partners

Axios Houston Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Houston Members

Membership

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>.

Houston Comets look ahead to 2027 season after relocation was approved

The Comets will tip off at Toyota Center next spring.

With the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Houston Comets" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/03/30/wnba-houston-comets-coming-back" data-vars-content-id="6e1e7a0a-4685-4d8a-bba6-d22fc7b67e78" data-vars-headline="Houston Comets look ahead to 2027 season after relocation was approved" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/03/30/wnba-houston-comets-coming-back" target="_self">Houston Comets</a>&#x27; return cemented, it&#x27;s time for Clutch City&#x27;s basketball executives to start planning for the team&#x27;s second debut in the WNBA. Why it matters: Before the Comets tip off at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Toyota Center" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/04/16/toyota-center-reimagined-renovations" data-vars-content-id="6e1e7a0a-4685-4d8a-bba6-d22fc7b67e78" data-vars-headline="Houston Comets look ahead to 2027 season after relocation was approved" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/04/16/toyota-center-reimagined-renovations" target="_self">Toyota Center</a> next spring, team leaders are eyeing several factors to build a championship-level team over the course of the next year.

Waymo nearly doubles Houston service area before World Cup

Riders will soon be able to access additional areas, including EaDo, the Texas Medical Center and northeast Houston.

Transit

Waymo is nearly doubling its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Houston service area" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/02/24/houston-waymo-autonomous-ride-hail-robotaxi" data-vars-content-id="9b3e9af9-0456-4a6c-abec-3847d04c52d3" data-vars-headline="Waymo nearly doubles Houston service area before 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/2026/02/24/houston-waymo-autonomous-ride-hail-robotaxi" target="_self">Houston service area</a> to 50 square miles ahead of the <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="9b3e9af9-0456-4a6c-abec-3847d04c52d3" data-vars-headline="Waymo nearly doubles Houston service area before 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>.Why it matters: The expansion strategically includes NRG Stadium and East Downtown, positioning Waymo to serve World Cup crowds heading to matches and fan events — all starting <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="just a month from now" 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="9b3e9af9-0456-4a6c-abec-3847d04c52d3" data-vars-headline="Waymo nearly doubles Houston service area before 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">just a month from now</a>.

Our favorite Astros giveaways this season

While Houston is off to a rocky start this season, being an Astros fan still has its perks.

We&#x27;ve compiled our favorite <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Astros giveaways" data-vars-click-url="https://www.mlb.com/astros/tickets/promotions/2026" data-vars-content-id="45a7f885-d9c6-4798-82cb-2a01f4015e33" data-vars-headline="Our favorite Astros giveaways this season" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.mlb.com/astros/tickets/promotions/2026" target="_blank">Astros giveaways</a> you can cop at Daikin Park this year. Why it matters: While <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Houston" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston" data-vars-content-id="45a7f885-d9c6-4798-82cb-2a01f4015e33" data-vars-headline="Our favorite Astros giveaways this season" 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> is off to a rocky start this season, being an Astros fan still has its (free) perks.

Wayback Houston: Buffalo Stadium

The home of the former Houston Buffaloes baseball team is currently an empty field.

For our <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="newsletter&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/signup/houston" data-vars-content-id="42f4517a-e9fb-49fe-bd5f-749d057581ab" data-vars-headline="Wayback Houston: Buffalo Stadium" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/signup/houston" target="_self">newsletter&#x27;s</a> Wayback Houston series this week, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="we asked" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-houston-ca66bb5e-99bd-4b21-ad1b-cdfc209436d0.html#story4" data-vars-content-id="42f4517a-e9fb-49fe-bd5f-749d057581ab" data-vars-headline="Wayback Houston: Buffalo Stadium" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-houston-ca66bb5e-99bd-4b21-ad1b-cdfc209436d0.html#story4" target="_self">we asked</a> readers to identify what now occupies the land where a storied <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Houston" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston" data-vars-content-id="42f4517a-e9fb-49fe-bd5f-749d057581ab" data-vars-headline="Wayback Houston: Buffalo Stadium" 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> baseball stadium once stood.<ul><li>And the answer is ... nothing! Well, for now.</li></ul>

Houston's World Cup countdown: Transit, Fan Fest and security

Houston is just weeks away from its first World Cup match, which is expected to draw 500,000 visitors.

News

Just 50 days away from hosting its first <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup match" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/12/06/fifa-2026-world-cup-houston-schedule-matches" data-vars-content-id="b17c8ec7-41e4-4c9b-bfa0-6df906f4f71b" data-vars-headline="Houston&#x27;s World Cup countdown: Transit, Fan Fest and security" 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">World Cup match</a>, Houston is on track with preparations for transportation, cooling efforts, fan events and more. Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/04/10/houston-fifa-world-cup-security-funding-64-million" data-vars-content-id="b17c8ec7-41e4-4c9b-bfa0-6df906f4f71b" data-vars-headline="Houston&#x27;s World Cup countdown: Transit, Fan Fest and security" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/04/10/houston-fifa-world-cup-security-funding-64-million" target="_self">World Cup</a> is expected to draw 500,000 visitors to Houston and generate roughly $1.5 billion in economic impact, with the city hosting seven matches — five of them in the group stage.

Stakes are high for Rockets in return to Houston this weekend

Houston will either mount a comeback or bow out of championship contention in front of a Clutch City crowd.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rockets" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/04/17/houston-rockets-nba-playoffs-los-angeles-lakers" data-vars-content-id="c660db80-a202-460b-a954-b6e997c0d0d4" data-vars-headline="Stakes are high for Rockets in return to Houston this weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/04/17/houston-rockets-nba-playoffs-los-angeles-lakers" target="_self">Rockets</a> return to Houston on Friday in the first round of the NBA playoffs after losing the first two games to the Los Angeles Lakers.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Houston" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston" data-vars-content-id="c660db80-a202-460b-a954-b6e997c0d0d4" data-vars-headline="Stakes are high for Rockets in return to Houston this weekend" 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 either mount a comeback or bow out of championship contention in front of a Clutch City crowd this weekend.

A casual Texans fan's guide to the 2026 NFL draft

Houston plans to build on its roster heading into next season.

Thursday&#x27;s NFL draft will offer the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Texans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/02/26/houston-texans-toro-district-plans" data-vars-content-id="ab402254-eedd-4e6d-8d7a-080e92ac346b" data-vars-headline="A casual Texans fan&#x27;s guide to the 2026 NFL draft" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/02/26/houston-texans-toro-district-plans" target="_self">Texans</a> a chance to build on their roster heading into the 2026–27 season. Why it matters: If <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Houston" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston" data-vars-content-id="ab402254-eedd-4e6d-8d7a-080e92ac346b" data-vars-headline="A casual Texans fan&#x27;s guide to the 2026 NFL draft" 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> wants to win its first Super Bowl next year, now is the time to start shaking things up.

Sports 🏅

Houston Comets look ahead to 2027 season after relocation was approved

Waymo nearly doubles Houston service area before World Cup

Houston Dynamo spend $20.9M on player salaries

Houston's mad dash to lay World Cup grass

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