Texas prepares to spend $1 billion on new state parkland

Plus: Saturday is Houston's last warm day before the arctic front hits.

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January 13, 2024

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🔍 Need to Know

'Next golden age of Texas state parks': Officials prepare to spend $1 billion on new parkland Officials said the money will be transformational and comes when the demand for outdoor spaces has never been higher.

 

As Texas homeowners see property tax relief, renters are up in the air Some lawmakers and policy experts say there is no guarantee that property owners will pass along the tax savings to renters.

 

Texas turns down $350M in summer food assistance for children State health officials said they lack the time and money to implement the new federal program. Most other states are participating in it.

 

Enjoy your Saturday, Houston. It's the last warm day before the arctic front arrives. Temperatures will warm into the mid 60s on Saturday in Houston. Then, the arctic front arrives on Sunday and temps will fall fast.

 

Texas counties ban travel for abortions despite questions of legality A handful of cities and counties in West Texas have passed ordinances that prohibit anyone from knowingly transporting another person for an abortion.

 

'Optimal' temperatures for Houston Marathon, race official says The Houston Marathon is still on track, even as an arctic front is expected to reach the region the same day, officials said.  Plus: A list of road closures for the marathon.

 

 

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💼 Business

Nonprofit offers solar loans to low, middle-income Houstonians The 25-year loans come with a $1,000 subsidy on the principal and are offered to households making up to 120% of the area median income.

 

Tomlinson: How the grid works and where there's trouble The Texas electric grid has failed and wobbled in recent years; Texans have every reason to worry. Plus: As freezing temperatures roll into Houston, keep track of how Texas' power grid is holding up.

 

Texas orphan well backlog grows, even as federal funds flow The Texas Railroad Commission's most recent list of wells needing to be plugged numbered almost 8,200, a 3% increase since federal funding started flowing in 2022.

 

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🚗 Outside the Loop

Houston indoor ice rinks offer yearlong opportunities for skating While Houston may be known for its heat and humidity, skaters can hit the ice for skating and hockey all year long.

 

Happy Takos to be featured in 'America's Best Restaurants' America's Best Restaurants is making a stop during its roadshow to Happy Takos, a food truck turned brick-and-mortar.

 

Here's a look at the changes coming for Houston ISD families in 2024 This year, Houston ISD is looking to take the first steps at implementing its DOI plan, add more schools to the NES model and accelerate the school choice application process.

 

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📝 Opinion

Taxpayers paid $147 million for Republican political theater (Opinion) "We need a Congress that successfully manages our government for the benefit of the nation, not one that peddles in political theatre," writes a reader.

 

A freeze is coming. What'll happen to Houston's stray dogs? (Q&A) Gloria Zenteno, founder of Barrio Dogs, explains how her group is getting ready -- and who to call if you see a dog freezing outdoors.

 

How to fix Houston's trash problem (Opinion) It's no mystery why other Texas cities do a better job with trash and recycling.

 

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🏀 Sports

NBC's Todd Blackledge on what sets Texans QB C.J. Stroud apart NBC analyst Todd Blackledge discusses how C.J. Stroud's college success has translated to the NFL and breaks down the Texans-Browns matchup.

 

How to get to NRG Stadium for the Texas-Browns playoff game Kickoff for Saturday's playoff game between the Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Here are some tips for getting to the game. Plus: What to know about parking at NRG Stadium, and if you're looking for watch parties, here are some places around town hosting fans.

 

Texans vs. Browns: A tale of two hard-luck NFL cities Comparing Houston and Cleveland, two hard-luck football cities still seeking their first trip to the Super Bowl.

 

Star players Texans have accumulated from Deshaun Watson so far The Texans have taken seven players with draft picks that came directly or indirectly from the Deshaun Watson trade and there's more to come.

 

Rockets at Celtics: Five things to watch in Udoka's Boston return The Rockets complete a back-to-back Saturday as coach Ime Udoka makes his long-awaited return to Boston, where he led the Celtics to the 2022 NBA Finals before he was suspended and fired.

 

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🖼️ Get Out

Things to do in Houston: MLK celebrations, MATCH Fun Day, more Our weekend top picks also include comedian Craig Robinson, Texans game, Houston BBQ Throwdown, Mix-Match: A Mixed Arts Festival and more.

 

Memorial area's newest dining option now includes a wine bar Restaurateur Paul Miller opens a wine bar, the same place where he decided to jump into Houston's restaurant scene on his own.

 

New Regal MarqE brings modern moviegoing closer to city's core While the bulk of the new multiplex construction in the area has been in the suburbs, the revamped MarqE will draw a lot from the roughly 400,000 living inside the Loop.

 

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Puzzle of the Day: Cross|word

 

🏀 3-Point Specialist — By Nancy Serrano-Wu — Edited by kavinp — Edited for Puzzmo by brooke

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