How a closed BBQ shop delivered a Houston rodeo cook-off surprise

Plus: 5 Astros players to watch after Spring Training.

 

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If you read one thing...

A closed barbecue shop. A Houston rodeo cook-off tent. And a run nobody saw coming.

In a year of change, could the Brett's BBQ Shop team bounce back? Peek inside their run at the World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest.

Results: Explore the full list of winners from the Houston rodeo cook-off

 

 

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Top Stories

Photo by: Onscene.TV Pasadena plant fire contained; LyondellBasell must issue report within 24 hours The cause of the fire remained unknown and Lina Hidalgo said the fire marshal's office will conduct an investigation once the plant is deemed safe for further inspection.

 

Photo by: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle / Staff Photographer Steer euthanized after it was injured during Houston Rodeo wrestling event A veterinarian determined euthanasia was "the most humane course of action." The Rodeo didn't provide further details about the steer's injuries.

 

Photo by: Chevall Pryce Klein ISD student arrested for bringing gun to campus, second incident this week According to a district statement, administrators expelled the student and are pursuing felony charges.

 

Photo by: Yi-Chin Lee, Staff Photographer Conroe denies property access to surveyors for planned 240-mile gas pipeline "We are standing steadfast here that we don't have enough information," Assistant City Administrator Norm McGuire said of Conroe's latest pipeline fight.

 

Photo by: Lawrence Elizabeth Knox Here are free, family-friendly events in Houston during spring break Movies, crawfish hunting and more: Explore 6 free and fun Spring Break activities to do with your family.

 

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Houston Chronicle It was the little sister's turn to rodeo. Her big sister should have been there. At the Houston Rodeo, a 6-year-old climbed onto a sheep and did her best to hang on — months after losing her sister at Camp Mystic.

 

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Food

Photo by: DevHub Map: The best places to eat near any Houston address Search for the best places to eat near your Houston-area address, based on guides from the Houston Chronicle's food team. Read More   Photo by: Raquel Natalicchio, Houston Chronicle Review: Tilman Fertitta's rodeo steakhouse feels like an upscale Saltgrass "I might have been just as happy with a foot-long corn dog," writes restaurant critic Bao Ong. Read More

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Politics

Photo by: Mikala Compton, Associated Press

Texas law prohibits deepfakes in campaign ads. Why are we seeing so many use AI?

This year's hyper-competitive primaries were awash in AI-generated content — a situation some lawmakers and experts say is troubling and all but certain to get worse ahead of November's high-stakes midterms. Read More

 

Houston's new ICE rules raise questions and don't change much, experts say

Legal experts and advocates argue HPD's new policy directive on ICE warrants amounted to little day-to-day change and did nothing to soothe concerns. Read More

 

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo made to leave rodeo a second time

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo held a brief news conference outside NRG Stadium Thursday evening before she was again escorted out of the Houston Rodeo, as she was Tuesday night. Read More

 

Explore more Politics news

 

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Opinion

Photo by: Sharon Steinmann, Houston Chronicle For a vibrant Inner Loop, District C should elect Joe Panzarella | Endorsement "Plenty of politicians say they want to cut waste, fraud and abuse, but Panzarella actually knows how to do it," the Editorial Board writes. Read More

 

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Read More

• KHOU hires a new newsroom leader. Who is Tim Geraghty?
• Conroe ends contracts for top staff—wiping long-term raise, payout obligations
• Alley Theatre's 'Importance of Being Earnest' is Oscar Wilde at his satiric best
• NASA targets April 1 to launch Artemis II moon mission
• Shaboozey will have us 'Tipsy' at the 2026 Houston rodeo
• What to expect at Houston rodeo's 2026 Go Tejano Day
• 10th anniversary of Houston Latino Film Fest takes a look back to look ahead

 

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Sports

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Houston Chronicle 5 Houston Astros players who have made biggest impression at spring training Read More   Photo by: Kirk Sides, Houston Chronicle Dash preview: An influx of youth around USWNT attacker Yazmeen Ryan Read More

Photo by: Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle Live updates: La Marque vs. Dallas Carter in boys basketball state title game Read More   Photo by: Charlie Riedel, Associated Press A typical UH win over BYU in Big 12. Grind it out, hit big shots, play defense Read More

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Brady Stone, Senior Audience Producer brady.stone@houstonchronicle.com

 

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