Convenience Big Store: Why Houston’s economy is doing better than you think

May 2, 2026

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⛅ Temperature check: High of 74; low of 58. Forecast: The rains have moved east, replaced by cooler weather and sunny skies. Get out and enjoy it.

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Gasoline prices are shown on station signs as drivers purchase gas in Houston, Monday, March 9, 2026.

Photo by: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle

Worried about the economy? Houston’s doing better than you think.

With all that's going on in the world right now, especially from an economic standpoint, you might be wondering how things are going in Houston.

Erica Grieder reached out to economists to get a sense of how the Bayou City is navigating a world in conflict, inflation and tariffs.

And as it goes, things seem to be rather OK. A few factors are working in our favor, as you'll see in her article.

But don't let that negate the fact that we are feeling the effects of rising prices. Rising gas prices, for example, are fueling concerns about the economy. The recently released Kinder Houston Area Survey found that respondents most commonly identified "the economy" as the biggest issue facing the region.

2

No, Houston residents do not already pay a trash fee. Here's what to know.

Upon hearing that Mayor John Whitmire is expected to propose a new monthly trash fee, some residents were confused. Don’t Houstonians already pay a trash fee on their water bills? In short, no.

3

Texas Supreme Court greenlights ban on Delta-8 THC in new ruling.

The ruling revives rules set by the Department of State Health Services in 2021 that classify Delta-8 as an illegal substance.

4

Charges dropped against co-owner in decomposing bodies case at Houston mortuary.

Harris County prosecutors dropped corpse abuse charges against Gayle Bell, a Richardson Mortuary co-owner. Charges against Michael Richardson remain pending.

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Who is to blame for the national debt topping $38 trillion?

AG Ken Paxton and Sen. John Cornyn are battling in a GOP primary runoff to see who will take on Democrat James Talarico in November. Paxton said the national debt was at $6.2 trillion when Cornyn was elected to the Senate in 2002. Now, it’s more than six times that, Paxton said.

6

Willowbrook Mall sets Saturday chaperone rule for visitors under 18.

A new temporary mall policy requires anyone who is 17 years old or younger visiting the mall on Saturdays after 2 p.m. to have an adult with them on the visit.

7

Here’s how Houston ISD will change its school funding formula.

Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles introduced a new school funding formula and an “academic need subsidy” for certain schools.

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🏀 Sports

Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) is pressured by Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) and center Jaxson Hayes (11) during the first half in Game 6 of a first-round NBA playoff basketball series at Toyota Center in Houston on Friday, May 1, 2026.

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Houston Chronicle

Rockets: Houston, trying to force Game 7 after trailing 3-0, saw its season end with a home-court blowout against the Lakers.
Astros: Yordan Alvarez had his chances to rally the team but Houston's slugger was stymied by the Red Sox.
Cougars: Freshman sprinter Sean Aigboboh ran a 20.27 at the Cameron Burrell Invitational to set a national record for Ireland in the 200 meters.
Longhorns: Dylan Volantis struck out 12, a career high, as Texas won the opener of a key SEC series against Mississippi State.

🗣️ Opinion

Can the Cruz Curse be broken? Also, Dallas lost Luka, and now Megan; Kacey Musgraves y su corazón de oro; and Whitmire can't quit his bike lane obsession, in this week's Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down feature by the Houston Chronicle Editorial Board.
I grieve for Camp Mystic, and I grieve for all of us, including the families of Heaven’s 27, the Mystic girls killed in the July 4 flood. But I fear that the bone the Eastlands have thrown to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and the other posturing legislators will not be enough to appease them, writes Kimberly Crouch.
Election Day for the Katy and Spring Branch ISD boards is today. Both suburban districts need leaders who can address budget shortfalls and student learning, not culture wars, writes the Houston Chronicle Editorial Board.
"Instead of answering every slogan post with a rant, take some time in your happy place, acknowledge your agreement or disagreement, and then add a single, complete thought," writes Gregory Asimakis in a letter to the editor regarding online communication.

How often do we get a chance to see a championship trophy?

As part of the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour, it will be in Houston this weekend for two days at Helix Park in the Texas Medical Center.

This will probably be your best chance to get close to it before it ends up with the winning team later this summer — unless you happen to be on that national team's roster.