Convenience Big Store: These Houston freeways have the worst traffic jams in all of Texas

April 14, 2026

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Good morning, Houston.

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

Need to know: U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales said that he would resign from Congress, avoiding an expected vote on his expulsion after he admitted to having an affair with a staffer.
Top of the chart: One of the most-read stories on our site yesterday was about a Houston pipeline company planning to move its corporate headquarters to CityCentre from Greenway Plaza.

Here's the rest of the news.

1

This map shows the most congested roads and highways in the Houston area.

Seven of Texas’ 10 most congested highways are in Houston. See where.

Your Houston commute isn’t just bad — it’s among the worst in Texas.

A TxDOT analysis of 2,100 Texas roads found that 36 roadway stretches in the Houston region rank among the state’s 100 most congested. The Houston metro also accounts for seven of the top 10. Congestion even stretches outside of the Loop, with suburban traffic hotspots like I-45 near The Woodlands and SH-288 close to Pearland.

Our interactive map shows the most congested highway stretches across the region, including the worst bottlenecks.

2

Gov. Greg Abbott threatens millions in Houston funds if ICE policy isn't revoked.

If the city does not, Houston would be on the hook for repaying $110 million within 30 days of the grant's termination.

Also: Will Harris County consider the same policy?

3

See which Texas school districts have been taken over by the TEA.

Is your school district at risk of a state takeover? Explore our tracker, which shows school districts that have been taken over by the Texas Education Agency.

Also: With four more school districts headed for a state takeover, more families are grappling with what happens when local school boards lose control.

4

Trump will skip National Rifle Association convention in Houston this week.

Justin Davis, Director of Public Affairs for the NRA, said the president won't be there because he has a "lot going on."

5

Trump stands by his criticism of the pope, and denies he compared himself to Jesus.

The president faced rare denunciations for the image from the evangelical Christian base he has spent over a decade courting.

6

Arthur Schechter, Houston attorney, former U.S. ambassador and Metro chair, dies.

The prominent Houston attorney, philanthropist and political figure who served as U.S. ambassador to the Bahamas and chaired the Metropolitan Transit Authority, died Monday at the age of 86.

7

A man accused of firebombing OpenAI CEO's house is charged with attempted murder.

The FBI searched the Houston-area home of Daniel Moreno-Gama, who is accused of throwing a Molotov cocktail at the home of Sam Altman.

Also: Who is Daniel Moreno-Gama? What his writings show.

📸 Photo of the Week

Clay Williams wipes down an art car after light rain during the annual Art Car Parade in downtown Houston, Saturday, April 11, 2026.

In this Jason Fochtman photo, Clay Williams wipes down an art car after a light rain during Saturday's Art Car Parade downtown.

The following day, the makers of the most creative rides in Texas took home hand-crafted trophies as Houston Art Car Parade award winners.

⚾ Sports

Houston Astros catcher Yainer Diaz comes to the mound to talk to starting pitcher Mike Burrows during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Monday, April 13, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Photo by: Lindsey Wasson, Associated Press

Astros: Three starting pitchers are on the injured list along with an All-Star shortstop and center fielder. But the remaining Astros just aren't playing well.
Rockets: Betting odds list the team as heavy favorites over the Lakers in the first-round playoff series. Most of the talking heads on ESPN and other sports networks agree.
Comets: The Connecticut Sun, who will become the Houston Comets in 2027, picked four players in the WNBA draft, including French star Nell Angloma and two UCLA players.
Texans: General manager Nick Caserio and assistant general managers Chris Blanco and James Liipfert explained the team's draft process.

🗣️ Opinion

Harris County is an epicenter in the United States eviction crisis. A scrappy team of six wants to change that, writes Houston Chronicle columnist Regina Lankenau.
Houston City Council needs to reform the city attorney's office to make it more accountable to the people, write Jordan Thomas, Dr. Audrey Nath and Karthik Soora.
"The pope stated he is not a politician, nor is he seeking to offend or send shots at anyone. Trump is taking Leo’s attempt to preach his religion too much to heart," writes Diego Singh in a letter to the editor.

🏫 Education Roundup

Cy-Fair ISD is bracing for a $74 million budget shortfall for 2026-27. While leaders aren't planning cuts, they implored the board to look at every option to boost revenue as their fund balance dwindles.
Houston ISD's state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles will convert 4 more schools into AI-focused "Future 2" schools, up from two previously announced kindergarten-to-eighth-grade schools.
Texas A&M has named longtime administrator Susan Ballabina as the sole finalist for president of the flagship, setting her up to lead one of the largest universities in the country.
One Pearland ISD trustee says the vague language in new state laws like Senate Bill 13 make it harder for school boards to interpret the rules. Her guideline: follow the recommendation of librarians.
The Texas Tech University System will end its academic programs "centered on" sexual orientation or gender identity — part of new guidelines that restrict how those topics are taught.

📅 Events at the Chronicle

EVENT: How to save on property taxes with chief appraisers

Houston Chronicle and Chron.com readers are invited to a virtual event on April 30 at noon CST featuring local appraisal leaders and Chronicle journalists discussing 2025 property trends, tax-saving exemptions, and the protest process.

Now that city leaders plan to rename Cesar Chavez Boulevard, what new name should it take?

You have until May 1 to have your say on the matter.

According to Ryan Nickerson's reporting, alternative honorees suggested so far include Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers union, and Roy Benavidez, a Vietnam War veteran and Medal of Honor recipient.

Before it was named after Chavez, the road was known as 67th Street.