Convenience Big Store: ICE detention worsens for beloved HISD soccer captain

March 6, 2026

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⛅ Temperature check: High of 82; low of 71. Forecast: Might want to keep an eye to the sky if you're heading up to Dallas and points north today. Locally, the severe weather isn't expected until Saturday afternoon. Here's a timeline of how things might shape up over the weekend.

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Good morning, Houston.

Here's what you should know to start your day:

Need to know: Texas voters will have to head back to the polls in May to determine runoff winners. Here are some key races to watch.
Top of the chart: The most-read story on our site yesterday was about Spring Branch ISD forcing a parent group to remove a Ramadan display at one of its elementary schools.

Here's the rest of the news.

1

Mauro Rigoberto Henriquez-Alfaro, 44, left, and his son Mauro Yosueth Henriquez-Sanchez,18, both of Houston, TX, are seen in family photographs. The father and son were detained by ICE on Dec. 16.

ICE detention couldn't get worse for beloved HISD soccer captain Mauro Henriquez. Then it did.

At HISD's Sam Houston Math, Science and Technology Center in north Houston, the soccer team has dedicated its season to Mauro Yosueth Henriquez.

He's the team captain. But in recent months, he's been separated from his teammates.

The 18-year-old senior is just one of the thousands of students in the country illegally who have disappeared from American classrooms under President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown. Just before Christmas, Mauro and his father were arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials during a routine check-in.

Columnist Lisa Falkenberg met with Mauro and his mother. As she describes it, the teen has recently seen setbacks that defy reason or any sense of compassion.

2

U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales quits reelection campaign amid sex scandal.

He abruptly abandoned his reelection campaign late Thursday night in the wake of mounting pressure from GOP leaders and a congressional inquiry into his affair with a staffer.

3

Donald Trump clashes with Ken Paxton over endorsement in Texas' Senate runoff.

The president threatened to endorse U.S. Sen. John Cornyn as Paxton remained defiant against the president's decision to play kingmaker in the closely watched runoff.

4

These Houston-area school districts have seen the largest enrollment declines.

Experts said the shift reflects a national trend of shrinking enrollment at public schools, which face more school choice, demographic changes and other factors.

5

Exclusive: HPD and ICE are working closer than ever. Experts say it's unlawful.

Houston police in at least two instances have arrested drivers and transported them to immigration agents, a move experts say could be unconstitutional.

6

HISD taps Ross Elementary principal to lead new AI-focused school.

The principal's assignment comes a week after the district's state-appointed Board of Managers voted to close Ross, a STEM magnet campus, along with 11 other schools because of declining enrollment and aging facilities.

7

Texas ranks 2nd in gold scams. Friendswood cops got $766K back for one victim.

Gold courier scams are on the rise across the U.S. and costing people millions, new Hearst data shows, and Texas is among the states with the most reported cases.

#️⃣ Number of the Day

$6.95 million

That's how much the Texas Railroad Commission spent to plug a Ward County well bursting with toxic water in September 2024.

So who is going to pay back the commission? A legal fight is underway to determine that.

🏀 Sports

Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard (15) tries to hold onto the ball against the Golden State Warriors at the Toyota Center in Houston on Thursday, March 5, 2026.

Photo by: Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle

Rockets: Reed Sheppard led the team with 30 points but it wasn't enough against short-handed Golden State.
Texans: The team signed edge rusher Danielle Hunter to a one-year contract extension worth $40.1 million, according to several reports.
Astros: Isaac Paredes has had 198 called strikes on pitches outside the strike zone in the last three seasons. The infielder's first challenge under the new automatic ball-strike system on Thursday upheld the idea that he may be among the hitters who will benefit most from its arrival in MLB.
High schools: Fourteen Houston-area teams are still alive in the UIL boys basketball playoffs. Here is a look at five of the key regional finals.
World Baseball Classic: Alex Bregman, who played his first nine seasons with the Astros and won two World Series titles in Houston, is back as a member of Team USA. He and the rest of the United States' roster will call Houston home as it competes in World Baseball Classic pool play.

🗣️ Opinion

We independents face many barriers to reclaiming our voices at the ballot box, but Texas primaries are particularly galling, writes Kodi Sawin.
"Perhaps the loyalty of Black women is rooted in this history and passed on to even younger future generations," writes David A. Jones in a letter to the editor regarding their support for the Democratic Party.

🦓 Things to do This Weekend

A previous camel race at Sam Houston Race Park. Camel races are returning this weekend along with ostrich races while zebra racing will be making its debut.

Photo by: Courtesy Of Sam Houston Race Park

Ostriches and camels have been racing at Sam Houston Race Park for years. Now zebras are joining the action at the race track starting today and Saturday.
At the multiplex, "The Bride!" "Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man," "Youngblood," "War Machine" and "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity" are hitting screens.
Why wait for Opening Day to catch a baseball game at Daikin Park? Houston is hosting five teams, including the United States and Mexico, in group play for the World Baseball Classic.
On the stage, the Theater District Open House, Bayou Blues Fest, Diana Ross and Alvin Ailey Dance Theater top our recommendations.

The judging is complete and this year's Gold Buckle Foodie Awards have been handed out at RodeoHouston.

As Sonia Garcia puts it, the food competition gives rodeo vendors a chance to showcase new foods in six categories: fried food, food-on-a-stick, fair food, most creative, new flavor and dessert. A simple funnel cake won't cut it.

You can read her article to see the big winners, but if there's one thing that stands out, it's that bacon shows up quite a bit. Not that I'm complaining, mind you.