Plus: Early voting begins today
Pickleball grows in Houston |
Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer |
If you read one thing: More than 4.8 million people play pickleball in the U.S., a nearly 40 percent surge from two years ago, according to research from the Sports and Fitness Industry Association. That makes it the fastest growing sport in the nation. The Houston Pickleball Association estimates there are about 10,000 players in the Houston area. Despite the growing amount of players, there is still one major hurdle: the country needs more pickleball courts.
Wait, what is pickleball? Pickleball is a paddle sport in which two or four people hit a plastic ball over a three foot tall net on a small court. It combines elements of tennis, badminton and pingpong.
There are professional tournaments? Yesterday was the first time a national pickleball event came to Houston. More than 680 professionals and amateurs registered for the five-day event. In order to bring the tournament to Houston, the city created two dedicated pickleball courts at Memorial Park's sports complex. The president of Greater Houston Pickleball hopes they are permanent and that more will be built. Can I play at my local rec center? Because the sport is quickly growing, space is tight at recreation centers and public parks. The good news is that it's easier to learn. While it's easy to learn, it's tough to master, said the president of GHP. That's part of the appeal and why it's grown so popular. One more thing: There's still a long way to go until Houston has enough courts to accommodate the growing sport. Here's where you can read more about the people who are pushing for its growth. |
Leanora Benkato/Contributor |
Up to 6,000 people were expected to visit the Sri Meenakshi Temple in Pearland on Saturday to commemorate Hinduism's biggest religious celebration — the Diwali festival of lights. It was one of dozens of events taking place throughout the Houston area over the next several days at dozens of Hindu temples, parties and community gathers celebrating Diwali. Diwali has grown bigger in terms of attendees and the diversity of offerings over the years, said a youth leader at the temple. Some devotees will celebrate over a five-day period, with the biggest celebration on the third day, which this year falls on today. |
Josie Norris/Staff photographer |
If you read one thing: Former President Donald Trump visited Texas on Saturday for a "Save America" rally before the November midterm elections. The Chronicle's Politics team was there. Where was it? Trump held the rally in Robstown, just outside of Corpus Christi. It was his first trip back to Texas since speaking at the NRA's annual meeting in Houston last May. Trump's last rally was in Montgomery County in January. It was asked that Trump supporters not wear shirts with profanity on them, even though shirts with profanity on them were sold at the rally. How did it go? Supporters poured into the Richard M. Borchard Regional Fairgrounds on Saturday afternoon and by 4 p.m. a slate of Republican candidates and officials began speaking. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick spoke ahead of Trump, urging the crowd to support GOP candidates up and down the ballot. Patrick predicted a "red tsunami" coming. Trump took the stage shortly before 7:30 p.m. and warned that "the Texas way of life is under siege." He said that Mexico was more dangerous than Afghanistan and took shots at Democrat Beto O'Rourke, calling him a "flake". One more thing: Trump suggested he would "probably" run for president again in 2023, but indicated he wouldn't make any formal announcements until after the midterms. |
Susan Barber / Houston Chronicle |
💵 Trump: During Trump's Saturday rally near Corpus Christ this weekend, it was announced that he still hasn't paid back the city of El Paso the more than $500,000 he owes for hosting his 2019 rally there. (Houston Chronicle) 🎓Rice: Rice University inaugurated its eighth president Reginald DesRoches, marking a new era of leadership and diversity for the 110-year-old institution. (Houston Chronicle) 📝 HISD: National test scores released Monday showed Houston Independent School District test scores dropped in 2022, but were in the middle of the pack nationally compared to school districts in other large cities. (Houston Chronicle) 🎓 SFA: How four Texas university systems are pitching themselves as the best home for Stephen F. Austin State University. (Texas Tribune)
⚠️ FEMA: 1 in 12 Houston area property owners drop FEMA flood insurance after pricing change. (Houston Chronicle)
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Susan Barber / Houston Chronicle |
⚾ Astros: The Astros beat the Yankees 6-5 to take home the American League pennant. They have now swept both the Yankees and the Mariners to go 7-0 in the playoffs. World Series: The Astros will host the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 1 of the World Series on Friday at Minute Maid Park. 🏈 Texans: The Texans came apart in the fourth quarter, losing against the Raiders 38-20. The Texans are now 1-4-1 and will host the Titans on Oct. 30 at NRG Stadium. 🏀 Rockets: As expected, the Rockets started their season with losses. But despite the defeats, it's obvious that this will be a different ride for the Rockets, writes Jerome Solomon. 👨🚀 Space Cowboys: The Sugar Land Space Cowboys announced their home game times for the 2023 season. |
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The Astros are ALCS champions and are headed back to the world series for the fourth time in six years. Check out the images from the game and grab a physical copy of today's Houston Chronicle. As the Chronicle's Brian Smith put it: we are in the greatest era of Astros franchise history. Enjoy your Monday and I will see you tomorrow, Ryan Nickerson ryan.nickerson@houstonchronicle.com |
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