INTRO
🚗 It’s Monday, Houston. Let’s start the week strong and knock a few things off the list. We’ve got a quick lineup today including a sharp jump in gas prices, TSA delays at Hobby, a look behind the massive food operation at the Houston Rodeo, and more. Let’s get you caught up so you can get after it!
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In This Edition of Houstonicity:
Houston Gas Prices Spike 50 Cents in One Week
Houston Hobby Travelers Face Hours-Long TSA Waits
Behind the Food at the Houston Rodeo
And More…
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HOUSTON’S NEWS
HOUSTON GAS PRICES SPIKE 50 CENTS IN ONE WEEK
⛽ Houston drivers got a rough start to Monday as gas prices jumped about 50 cents in just one week. AAA says the average price in Houston rose to $3.049, up from $2.551 last week and $2.449 a month ago.
The spike comes as oil prices climb after the start of the war in Iran. Oil moving through the Strait of Hormuz has nearly stopped because of fears of Iranian attacks, which has pushed prices higher and put more pressure on drivers filling up across Houston and Texas.
HOUSTON HOBBY TRAVELERS FACE HOURS-LONG TSA WAITS
✈️ Travelers flying out of Houston Hobby Airport are dealing with long TSA lines as the partial government shutdown continues. Over the weekend, some passengers waited more than four hours to get through security. As of Monday morning, wait times were still around two hours, according to airport reports.
The delays are tied to staffing challenges at the Transportation Security Administration, where workers are continuing to report for duty without pay during the shutdown. Officials say conditions at George Bush Intercontinental Airport appear much smoother. If you are flying from Hobby, plan ahead and arrive early to avoid missing your flight.
BEHIND THE FOOD AT THE HOUSTON RODEO
🍗 The giant food stands at the Houston Rodeo do not come easy. Vendors work long days, hire large crews, and haul in huge amounts of food and supplies just to keep up with the crowds. One company sells about 27,000 smoked turkey legs, while El Patio can bring in about $500,000 in less than three weeks.
It is a big gamble, but for vendors who get it right, the payoff can be huge. Even with high labor, housing, and booth costs, many say the sales and energy of the rodeo make it worth the push.
INTERACTIVE ERNESTO NETO EXHIBIT RETURNS TO MFAH
🎨 The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston has brought back a colorful exhibit you can actually step inside. Ernesto Neto: SunForceOceanLife is a 35-foot suspended structure made of hand-woven paracord, with walkable paths filled with hollow plastic balls.
The piece first debuted at MFAH in 2019 and is now back through Sept. 7. Visitors can climb in after signing a waiver, storing their shoes, and putting on museum-issued socks for the experience.
THE WEATHER VANE
Today: 82F | 72F |🌤️| 15% Precipitation | S 14 MPH Winds
Tuesday: 82F | 72F |☁️| 24% Precipitation | S 16 MPH Winds
Wednesday: 76F | 55F |⛈️| 79% Precipitation | S 15 MPH Winds
Thursday: 70F | 48F |☀️| 5% Precipitation | NNE 15 MPH Winds
Friday: 79F | 58F |☀️| 4% Precipitation | SSE 10 MPH Winds
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HOUSTON BUSINESS NEWS
GREATER HEIGHTS CHAMBER INTRODUCES NEWEST MEMBERS
💪 The Greater Heights Area Chamber recently welcomed several new members, bringing a wide mix of services and expertise to the local business community. New members include Class 101 College Planning, Impeccable Transportation, AlereMD, Finest Auto Body and Paint, Reimagine Benefits, and Signarama.
Also joining are Tutu School, Hallmark Homecare, NEC Signage + Architectural Products, Houston Wellness & Aesthetics, Closed Title Reinvented, and FSR Services. These businesses add even more energy and opportunity to the growing network of local professionals.
HOUSTON BUILDERS SHIFT TO SMALLER HOMES UNDER $300K
🏠 Buying a new home in the Houston area for under $300,000 may sound tough, but builders are creating more of them. In December 2025, Greater Houston had 4,357 newly built homes under that price point, up 34% from three years earlier.
Builders are making that happen by putting smaller homes on narrower lots. That helps keep prices down even as land, labor, and materials stay expensive. For buyers trying to break into the market, it is one more sign that affordable options are still out there.
HOUSTON SPORTS NEWS
TEXANS KEEP ED INGRAM AS FREE AGENCY OPENS
🏈 The Texans got an important piece of their offensive line back just before free agency opened. Right guard Ed Ingram agreed to a three-year, $37.5 million deal, giving Houston some help up front as the team keeps shaping its roster for 2026.
Houston also made other moves to create cap space and keep key players in place. With free agency now underway, the Texans are clearly trying to lock in stability and fill holes before the next wave of moves begins.
HOUSTON DYNAMO EXPANDS ROUTE TO PRO SOCCER
⚽ Houston Dynamo FC is reshaping its player pathway to help more local kids grow into pro players right here at home. The club says the new setup will better connect the academy, Houston Dynamo 2, and a new UPSL team, giving young players more chances to train, compete, and move up.
The club also named Nick Kowba to oversee the full pathway and promoted Tony Vigil to Academy General Manager. With the new UPSL team adding another step in the process, the Dynamo are making a bigger push to turn Houston talent into future pros.
THANKS!
🚙 That’s it for today’s Houstonicity. Have a strong Monday and knock out a few wins. We’ll see you back here tomorrow. – O.B.