Convenience Big Store: How The Woodlands' April events are designed to lower taxes, inspire residents

June 15, 2024

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🔍 Need to Know

Triathletes take part in the swimming portion of the Texas Ironman triathlon, Saturday, April 22, 2023, in The Woodlands.

Why is The Woodlands packed with so many events every April?

Each April, it is packed with Ironman, LPGA tour and arts festivals. Here's how those events impact residents, from traffic to easing local taxes from a sales and hotel tax revenue boost.

A person crosses Main Street at St. Joseph Parkway during the storm Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at in downtown Houston.

Hot Saturday leads to tropical downpours in Houston by Sunday

Houston manages one last dry and hot afternoon Saturday. An influx of tropical moisture could result in downpours as early as Sunday.

Think you know your Houston news? Take our news quiz to find out.

Have you been paying attention to the news this week? Let's find out.

The poll is ready on the first day of early voting for the Primary Runoff Elections Monday, May 20, 2024 at Metropolitan MultiService Center in Houston.

Harris County voters set to elect two members of appraisal district board

Harris County voters are headed back to the polls today for the fourth election day in four months. This time, they will choose two members of the Harris Central Appraisal District board.

Taken aboard Apollo 8 by Bill Anders, this iconic picture shows Earth peeking out from beyond the lunar surface as the first crewed spacecraft circumnavigated the Moon.

A look back on William Anders' iconic photo of Earth

The Apollo 8 astronaut, who died June 7 at the age of 90, captured the iconic and revolutionary photograph "Earthrise" while orbiting the Moon.

A person crosses Main Street in the afternoon heat Saturday near downtown in Houston. The city deals with not just extreme temperatures in the summer but also high levels of sticky humidity.

How heat and humidity in Houston can worsen your mental health

It can exacerbate mental health issues and contribute to an increased risk of road rage incidents.

Houston Police Chief Troy Finner addresses a class of cadets in May 2022. Finner resigned Wednesday night amid the dropped cases scandal that has led to disciplinary measures for two other HPD administrators.

Finner: Citizens deserve 'full story' behind dropped cases scandal

The former Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said he hopes the "full story" is told about the improperly dropped criminal investigations that have rocked the department.

💼 Business

Gordon Restaurant Market will open at 4519 Griggs Road on June 18, 2024.

Gordon Food Service opens new grocery store in latest expansion

The new Gordon Restaurant Market on Griggs Road will serve local restaurants, food operations and the general public.

Apple Intelligence, the company's long away take on generative AI, made its debut at the Worldwide Developers Conference on Monday.

Will Apple's new AI Siri finally fulfill its promise

Apple has finally jumped into the generative-AI pool, but it's dog-paddling in the shallow end, writes Dwight Silverman.

🚗 Outside the Loop

An irrigation system waters plants at the Montgomery County Senior's Garden, Friday, June 16, 2023 in Conroe. Dangerous heat will continue across Montgomery County through the weekend. Saturday is forecast to be particularly brutal, with the heat index topping 110 degrees. High temperatures this weekend are expected to remain at 100 or higher. Juneteenth will be sunny and hot with a high of 103 in Conroe. Triple-digit temperatures are expected through at least Tuesday in the area. With humidity, some areas will feel as hot as 115 degrees. Heat advisories are expected to be in place until at least early next week.

Conroe sets lawn watering rules as it struggles to keep up with growth

The city is implementing city-wide landscape irrigation restrictions as it continues to wrestle with water concerns as rapid growth has taxed its water and sewer infrastructure.

A gated and secure pool area is available to residents at Jetstream RV Resort Thursday, June 13, 2024 in Stafford.

Houston area is now home to a new luxury gated RV resort

COVID made everyone rethink their lifestyles. Bored of being confined but loving remote work, people started trying new ways to live.

📝 Opinion

After purchasing a Tesla Cybertruck, a Houston resident added Swangas to the vehicle causing Houston rappers and many others to take notice.

Elon Musk ready for some gold swangas. Whataburger's identity crisis | Thumbs

Also: SpaceX Starship isn't for the birds. Whataburger's identity crisis. Astros victims of karma?

Woman caught in afternoon thunderstorn near Rice University, Aprill 1979.

The real secret of great photos | Opinion

There's "the bird and the worm." There's the rule of thirds. But most important of all, there's being in the right place at the right time and paying attention, writes Mike Snyder.

🏀 Sports

Houston Astros third base Alex Bregman (2) signals on third after hitting an RBI triple against the Detroit Tigers at Minute Maid Park on Friday, June 14, 2024 in Houston.

Astros 4, Tigers 0: Offense gets to AL's top pitcher in support of Hunter Brown

The Astros scored four runs in the sixth and Hunter Brown threw seven scoreless innings to beat the Tigers.

Houston Astros Jose Abreu (79) gets high-fives from teammates after scoring on Mauricio Dubón's RBI single in the fourth inning of Game 3 during the American League Championship Series at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023, in Arlington.

'It sucks, man': Astros players react to release of José Abreu

He was well-respected in the Astros clubhouse, so Friday was a sad day for his teammates.

Sugar Land Space Cowboys' Cooper Hummel (6) before the start of a minor league game at Constellation Field on Sunday, April 7, 2024, in Houston.

Astros call up utility player Cooper Hummel from AAA Sugar Land

After José Abreu was released Friday, the Astros replaced his spot on the 40-man roster by calling up Hummel.

After falling in the SEC tournament, Texas A&M and head coach Jim Schlossnagle look to get back to the Aggies' winning ways at home during the NCAA Tournament.

Texas A&M and coach Jim Schlossnagle driven to reach CWS title series

Schlossnagle owns six previous trips to the College World Series as a head coach at TCU and Texas A&M. There is one thing missing for both the coach and the A&M program, however: a championship series appearance.

🖼️ Get Out

A juvenile American robin has an orange breast with black spots. Photo Credit: Kathy Adams Clark. Restricted use.

American robins may be misnamed, but they are part of our culture

Watching a juvenile robin perching upright on our back deck recently was a special moment. Young robins have historically symbolized the renewal of life and new beginnings.