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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.

Your guide to the 2026 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

The annual event becomes the center of the Houston universe for three weeks.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2026 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/01/09/houston-rodeo-concert-2026-lineup" data-vars-content-id="3d9e7204-03d9-4382-9c79-8165f001d71f" data-vars-headline="Your guide to the 2026 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo" 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">2026 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo</a> kicks off Monday.Why it matters: The annual event becomes the center of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Houston" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston" data-vars-content-id="3d9e7204-03d9-4382-9c79-8165f001d71f" data-vars-headline="Your guide to the 2026 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo" 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> universe for three weeks.

Houston's premiere barbecue cook-off is happening now

It's the ultimate pregame to rodeo season.

Food and Drink

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.

Tender and funny, "English" at the Alley hits close to home

"English" shows what many non-native English speakers — or anyone learning a new language — wrestle with.

Alley Theatre is running the Pulitzer Prize-winning play &quot;English&quot; for the next couple of weeks — and it&#x27;s beautiful, funny at times and both heartwarming and heartbreaking.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="play" 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="db69e910-dd58-4bad-9aa7-71ad9afcee53" data-vars-headline="Tender and funny, &quot;English&quot; at the Alley hits close to home" 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">play</a> delves into the core of what many non-native <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="English speakers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/28/trump-executive-order-english-official-language" data-vars-content-id="db69e910-dd58-4bad-9aa7-71ad9afcee53" data-vars-headline="Tender and funny, &quot;English&quot; at the Alley hits close to home" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/28/trump-executive-order-english-official-language" target="_self">English speakers</a> — or anyone learning a new language — wrestle with: the cost of shifting identities and living between two tongues.

Free pop-up weddings this Valentine's Day

From bookshelves to City Hall steps, Houston couples are making Valentine's Day their wedding day.

Culture

This Valentine&#x27;s Day, many Houston-area couples are saying the big &quot;I do&quot; at free pop-up weddings.Why it matters: As <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="microweddings continue to gain traction" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/29/small-wedding-price-benefits" data-vars-content-id="8203252d-8d27-47a1-b09a-c7b6558fefb8" data-vars-headline="Free pop-up weddings this Valentine&#x27;s Day" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/29/small-wedding-price-benefits" target="_self">microweddings continue to gain traction</a>, these one-day elopement venues offer an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="affordable" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2023/06/12/houston-weddings-price" data-vars-content-id="8203252d-8d27-47a1-b09a-c7b6558fefb8" data-vars-headline="Free pop-up weddings this Valentine&#x27;s Day" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2023/06/12/houston-weddings-price" target="_self">affordable</a>, lower-stress way to get married, keeping weddings light and fun.

Name a cockroach after your ex

This Houston museum turns heartbreak into a hissing cockroach.

Heartbroken? The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Houston Museum of Natural Science" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2024/01/30/houston-museum-of-natural-science-free-admission" data-vars-content-id="8e243ee5-660a-4417-8572-c109d090b9a8" data-vars-headline="Name a cockroach after your ex" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2024/01/30/houston-museum-of-natural-science-free-admission" target="_self">Houston Museum of Natural Science</a> offers a humorous form of catharsis: Name a hissing cockroach after your ex. The big picture: HMNS&#x27; annual &quot;Endless Love&quot; runs through Feb. 14, inviting visitors to name a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cockroach" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2023/02/09/san-antonio-zoo-roaches-valentines-day" data-vars-content-id="8e243ee5-660a-4417-8572-c109d090b9a8" data-vars-headline="Name a cockroach after your ex" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2023/02/09/san-antonio-zoo-roaches-valentines-day" target="_self">cockroach</a> housed at the Heartbreak Motel — because, as the museum puts it, &quot;nothing makes a heartbeat faster than a roach.&quot;

Where to watch Oscar-nominated films in Houston

The River Oaks Theatre and the Museum of Fine Arts are among the venues screening the nominated films.

Want to see an Oscar-nominated film on the big screen? Here&#x27;s when and where to see them in Houston. Why it matters: Awards season hits differently on a big screen.

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.

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.

Inside MFAH's new Frida Kahlo exhibition

MFAH's new Frida Kahlo exhibition looks beyond the paintings to explore her legacy, commercialization and influence on disability and LGBTQ+ movements.

The highly anticipated Frida Kahlo exhibition opens Monday at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston — and it goes beyond her art to explore her legacy. Why it matters: It&#x27;s Frida — a household name whose image now rivals (and arguably surpasses) that of many modern masters.

Things to Do 🗓

Things to do in Houston this weekend April 3-5

Houston's social calendar for the week for March 30-April 3

Weekender Guide for Houston this weekend

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

Houston's Buffalo Bayou Cistern turns 100 this year