Convenience Big Store: 'Too expensive': Mayor Whitmire wants Houston Zoo to reduce prices for visitors

June 22, 2024

🔍 Need to Know

Amanda Perry, senior keeper, penguins and sea lions, watch Humboldt penguins swim in the Houston Zoo's Galápagos Islands exhibit on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 in Houston. The zoo's latest exhibit, that is scheduled to open April 7, 2023, will immerse guests in an environment evoking the archipelago's unique landscapes and oceanic habitats.

Does it cost too much to go to the Houston Zoo? Mayor Whitmire thinks so.

Patrons at the Houston Zoo, on average, pay more to visit than they would at other major city zoos across the state.

Only the silhouettes of buildings are visible as a blanket of haze settles over downtown Houston Monday, May 27, 2024.

Houston summer is starting off better than last year. Here's why

Houston is three weeks into meteorological summer and it's already shaping up slightly better than last summer. Here's what we can expect.

This is a visible light photo taken by the GOES-16 weather satellite of Hurricane Don on July 22, 2023, in the North Atlantic. Don was the first named storm of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season to develop into a hurricane.

How do they name hurricanes? Is your name on this year's list?

NOAA says this year's Atlantic hurricane season could produce up to two dozen named storms, which is more storms than we have names to give.

Boise State athletic director Jeremiah Dickey is familiar with UH after working in the Cougars' athletic department under former AD Mack Rhoades.

Who's next for UH? A look at potential athletic director candidates for Cougars

As life after Chris Pezman begins for UH, beat writer Joseph Duarte looks at potential athletic director candidates for the Cougars' program.

Timia Lott, left, has her finger pricked by Khalitha Russell, right, during a free HIV testing event at St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church, Sunday, July 8, 2012, in Humble. The NAACP, Bee Busy Wellness Center, and Rev. Timothy Sloan of St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church sponsored the 'Day of Unity' to mobilize faith leaders to talk about HIV/AIDS.

Social media post falsely claims 46k STDs were diagnosed in Houston in a week

Health department officials say "the post includes grossly overstated numbers and incorrect information."

PLUS: Houston doctors launch 'cutting-edge' testing program to fight congenital syphilis epidemic

💼 Business

APC's home uninterruptible power supplies, among other brands, can be used to run a home internet router, modem or gateway in the event of a power failure.

These devices will keep phones, computers running when power is out

In the event of a major storm knocking out power, possibly for days, the best way to keep your battery-powered tech running is with … more batteries!

Golden Pass LNG terminal under construction on Thursday, April 14, 2022 in Sabine Pass.

Golden Pass files motion seeking to rehire laid-off workers

More than 6,000 workers were building Golden Pass before a dispute with contractor Zachry Industrial prompted thousands of layoffs. Now, the site is quiet.

🚗 Outside the Loop

The green grasses fountain is located inside the expansion section of Baybrook Mall in Friendswood

New stores now open or coming soon to Baybrook Mall

What's new at Baybrook Mall? Here's a roundup of new openings and more coming soon

Pickleball players warm up during the DUPR Platinum Ticket Local Waterfall Tournament at Shadowbend Park, Saturday, July 22, 2023, in The Woodlands. Winners of the tournament advanced to play in the national tournament in Rockwall, Texas, in October.

The Woodlands' new pickleball courts are back on after plan reversal

After voting to halt 11 new pickleball courts in May due to potential noise, parking and drainage concerns, The Woodlands township voted to resume the project.

📝 Opinion

George Strait heads to the stage on Saturday night.

Whoop! George Strait sets record at Kyle Field | Thumbs

Also: Katy black belt rescues woman. Texas grandma gets justice at Supreme Court. Conroe bans 92-year-old classic. Judge's lover made bank in bankruptcy court.

Ali Al Sudani, a refugee from Iraq, is Director of Refugee Services for Interfaith Ministries in Houston.

The Alliance just closed. Is Houston still the City of Refugees? | Opinion

After COVID and politics devastated the U.S. refugee resettlement program, can we still call ourselves the City of Refugees?

🏀 Sports

Fans at the Summit were in full force for Game 7 of the 1994 Western Conference semifinals. It was a sign of good things to come when the Rockets advanced with a 104-94 victory over the Suns.

Clutch City! How the Rockets exorcised Houston's sports demons in 1994

Has it really been 30 years since the Rockets' first NBA championship? As former Chronicle columnist Fran Blinebury writes, that's both a lifetime and the blink of an eye.

PLUS: Where are the members of the Houston Rockets' 1993-94 NBA championship team now?