Convenience Big Store: How secretive groups are disrupting the booming Texas sex trade

May 5, 2026

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⛅ Temperature check: High of 86; low of 75. Forecast: May is off to a wet start. But despite the increasingly cloudy and humid weather, rain should hold off until Wednesday.

Good morning, Houston.

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

Need to know: Houston-based Avelo Airlines is offering discounted fares to travelers affected by the shutdown of Spirit Airlines.
Top of the chart: One of the most-read stories on our site yesterday was about Houston ISD’s most popular schools during the first phase of the 2026 K-12 school choice lottery.

Here's the rest of the news.

1

Nonprofits equipped with CIA tactics and data experts are helping Texas officials take down illicit massage parlors.

How secretive intelligence groups are disrupting the booming Texas sex trade.

Did you know that in Texas there are approximately five illicit massage parlors for every McDonald’s restaurant?

They are practically all over Texas: in strip malls alongside pharmacies and restaurants, in medical buildings and office parks.

To get a better sense of how these businesses operate in the shadows, and get a handle on human trafficking, nonprofits equipped with CIA tactics and data experts are making use of sophisticated technology to monitor and analyze the modern illegal sex market.

Eric Dexheimer has the details on what these organizations found and how they are working with authorities to shut down these businesses.

2

The Texans and the Rodeo are no longer considering leaving Harris County, Cal McNair says.

Both say they want to make things work in Harris County with either a stadium renovation or a new stadium at Reliant Park.

3

TEA releases findings in the Bellaire High School pronoun controversy.

The investigation’s closure comes nearly a year after Texas lawmakers banned teachers from using students’ preferred names and pronouns at school if they don’t conform with a student’s sex at birth.

4

Some HISD schools have no arts teachers. Can this nonprofit reverse that?

Seven percent of HISD students attended schools with no fine arts teacher at all last school year, according to a survey by local nonprofit Arts Connect Houston.

5

A new, 18-acre mixed-use development is coming to north Katy. Here's what to know.

NewQuest has purchased more than 18 acres along a growing corridor in north Katy with plans to build a mix of retail space and apartments near a major youth sports complex.

6

Memorial City Mall owner buys CityCentre hotel, deepening stake in west Houston.

The Moran CityCentre hotel joins MetroNational’s growing CityCentre portfolio, expanding its West Houston influence beyond longtime Memorial City holdings.

7

Tucker Carlson calls Ted Cruz 'morally repulsive' as drama between the two grows.

The conservative commentator blasted Cruz during a podcast interview with the New York Times, calling him more “morally repulsive” than a white nationalist influencer.

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📸 Photo of the Day

Houston Airports marks the launch of the first nonstop ITA Airways service between Houston and Rome with an inaugural arrival and departure celebration at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Friday, May 1, 2026.

In this Raquel Natalicchio photo, Intercontinental Airport officials and airline executives celebrated the first nonstop flight between Houston and Rome on Friday.

The new flight, Italian airline ITA Airways' first in Texas, will operate three times a week before adding additional flights in June, officials said.

⚾ Sports

Houston Astros starting pitcher Steven Okert (48) leaves the mound during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Houston, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Photo by: Ashley Landis, Associated Press

Astros: Bulk reliever Ryan Weiss was shelled by the defending World Series champions Dodgers as the Astros threw a bullpen game for the second straight day.
Texans: CEO Cal McNair said his team is “fully committed” to C.J. Stroud, while coach DeMeco Ryans praised his quarterback for his offseason work.
Rockets: Every part of the organization — from players to coaches to front office and ownership — was disappointed with how the 2025-26 season went, general manager Rafael Stone said.
Cougars: Big 12 schools have the option to take a line of credit in a new private equity partnership, but UH won't use it.

🗣️ Opinion

John Whitmire's trash fee proposal is an acknowledgment that cuts and accounting maneuvers alone won't solve Houston's dire need for new revenue, writes the Houston Chronicle Editorial Board.

🍴 Restaurant Roundup

Bar Daphne, a new Art Deco cocktail bar at Hotel Daphne in the Heights, opens with signature drinks, bites and late hours.
Where's the hottest barbecue destination in Texas? Look east in this guide to the best barbecue in Beaumont.
Find Mother’s Day brunch in Houston, plus deals and freebies for moms, with options ranging from Tex-Mex and seafood to upscale spots.
Check out our food team’s picks for Houston’s best burger joints, from modern hits like Burger Bodega to classic staples like Lankford’s.

We won't see them until August, but the Texans will be rolling out new "rivalry" uniforms, which will be worn for just one home game against their biggest rival.

Franchise CEO Cal McNair and Hannah McNair mentioned the uniforms when they spoke before the 23rd annual Houston Texans Charity Golf Classic on Monday at River Oaks Country Club.

But as you'll see, they deliberately didn't say much.