Convenience Big Store: Texas' climate is changing as Earth records third-warmest year

February 7, 2026

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Hundreds of students across Houston walked out of classes Friday to protest the federal immigration crackdown. Gov. Greg Abbott and the Texas Education Agency have sent directives warning that the state will discipline teachers who help students participate in the protests.

Have you or someone you know been affected by the recent high school protests? What happened? And what do you think of the protests? Let us know how you feel.

Now, here's the rest of the news.

Lauren Mitchell, Digital Production Editor

lauren.mitchell@houstonchronicle.com

3 stories you shouldn't miss

What Earth's 3rd-warmest year means for Texas

2025 trailed only 2023, the warmest year on record, and 2024, the second-warmest, according to authoritative temperature data from around the world.

HISD looks to Puerto Rico to recruit bilingual teachers amid shortage

Dallas ISD and the charter network YES Prep have also recruited teachers from Puerto Rico. HISD will hold a districtwide hiring fair Feb. 28.

Paxton launches investigation of Houston antifa group

In a Friday news release, Paxton said he was taking legal action to acquire documents from the Screwston Anti-Fascist Committee, accusing it of "illegally" identifying Texans and aiding in the commission of terrorism.

1 story to bring you joy

Jennifer Maynard, left, listens to instructions as she takes a Learn-to-Curl class at Bellerive Ice Center in Houston, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. The Curling Club of Houston offers Learn-to-Curl classes for all ages and groups. The 2-hour Curling Experience includes on-ice instructions on how to deliver a curling stone, sweep, and strategize, and ending with a mini-game of curling.

Curling Club of Houston offers curling classes during Winter Olympics

You might not be able to go snowboarding or skiing in Houston, but you will be able to try curling in Texas during the Winter Olympics.

MORE: Here's which channel and what time to watch today's 2026 Milan Cortina Olympic events.

7 stories you may have missed this week

A photo of 8-year-old Cile Steward is featured on the growing 'Wall of Hope' memorial on Water Street in downtown Kerrville on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. Steward is the only camper from Camp Mystic who has not yet been found following the devastating flooding that struck the camp on July 4.

Parents of child who vanished in July 4 flood sue Camp Mystic

The lawsuit was filed by the parents of Cile Steward, 8, of Austin, who is still missing more than seven months after floodwaters swept her away from the Texas Hill Country camp. Read More

Exxon Mobil's Baytown Refinery where four people were hurt in an overnight explosion, Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021, in Baytown.

Steelworkers reach agreement with Marathon Petroleum, avert national strike

The agreement sets wage standards that could apply to 30,000 oil workers across the country. Read More

Pernilla Wittung-Stafshede, a professor at Rice University, Behnaam Aazhang, 68, J.S. Abercrombie professor at Rice University, and Simran, 30, a postdoctoral researcher in Wittung-Stafshede's lab, look at a computer screen in the lab in Houston on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026.

How Houston's leaders hope to transform the city into a hub for brain health

Houston institutions recently announced Project Metis, an ambitious effort to position the region as a leader in brain health and emerging technologies. Read More

Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson yells out instructions to his team during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Texas Tech at Fertitta Center in Houston, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026.

What Kelvin Sampson says he meant to say about state of UH's finances

Kelvin Sampson says he used a poor word choice when he said UH was a poor school when it came to finances and funding basketball recruiting.

MORE: How to watch and what to know about UH's Saturday game. Read More

Tune into the Texas Take podcast every week.

Texas Take Podcast: Warning Bells for Republicans in Texas

A North Texas shocker has turned state politics on its ear. In the latest Texas Take, Jeremy Wallace and John Moritz explain the wide ramifications of Democrat Taylor Rehmet's victory from a truly Texas perspective. Read More

The Vince Lombardi Trophy is framed by the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots helmets during Super Bowl LX Opening Night at San Jose McEnery Convention Center on February 02, 2026 in San Jose, California.

Patriots vs. Seahawks: Predictions for Super Bowl 60

After 21 weeks of football, the final game of the NFL's 2025 season finally has arrived. Here's are Chronicle football staff's predictions for the game.

MORE: Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show, like it or not, will be a historic moment. Read More

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Find out how much you know about the week's news. Sign up for the news quiz newsletter to get next week's quiz emailed directly to you. Read More

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EVENT: Sid Miller and primary challenger Nathan Sheets in Ag Commissioner race

Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller and challenger Nathan Sheets will join senior political reporter Jeremy Wallace for a private Zoom on Thursday, Feb. 12, to take viewer questions on agricultural production, consumer protection and economic development ahead of the Texas primary election.