INTRO

📘 Big stories around Houston today, plus a fun Local Business Spotlight featuring Scale Auto Racing where little cars and big competition collide. Take a few minutes to catch up, then go knock something off your list today. Momentum heading into the weekend feels pretty good. – O.B.

In This Edition of Houstonicity:

  • Houston School Closures Approved. Check the List.

  • Parent Removed From HISD Meeting as Board Votes to Close 12 Schools

  • Houstonia’s List Of Best Places To Eat Near NRG Stadium

  • And More…

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THE WEATHER VANE

Today: 86F | 59F |🌤️| 20% Precipitation | NE 8 MPH Winds
Saturday: 83F | 61F |☀️| 8% Precipitation | SE 12 MPH Winds
Sunday: 81F | 64F |🌤️| 22% Precipitation | SSE 14 MPH Winds
Monday 82F | 68F |🌤️| 8% Precipitation | SSE 13 MPH Winds
Tuesday: 82F | 69F |🌤️| 17% Precipitation | SSE 14 MPH Winds

HOUSTON’S NEWS

HOUSTON SCHOOL CLOSURES APPROVED. CHECK THE LIST.

📚 Houston school leaders made a big call Thursday night. The HISD board voted to close 12 schools for next year, and emotions ran high as parents and community members spoke out during the meeting.

District leaders say falling enrollment and older buildings pushed the decision. Families are now trying to figure out what it means for their kids, their commute to school, and the future of their neighborhoods.

See The List Of Schools Being Closed. Scroll down towards the end of the article to see the full list of schools that were approved by the board for closure or colocation.

PARENT REMOVED FROM HISD MEETING AS BOARD VOTES TO CLOSE 12 SCHOOLS

🎤 Things got heated at the Houston ISD meeting Thursday night. One parent walked to the microphone and spoke about how her child’s school had changed over the past few years. When her time ran out, she kept going. Police eventually stepped in and escorted her out of the room.

Moments later, the board voted 9 to 0 to close or consolidate 12 schools. Many parents left the meeting frustrated and worried about what the decision means for their kids.

HOUSTONIA’S LIST OF BEST PLACES TO EAT NEAR NRG STADIUM

🍗 If you are heading to NRG Stadium for the Rodeo or a big event, grabbing food first is part of the fun. The area may not be packed with restaurants, but a few reliable spots locals love are close by.

A few good ones to keep in mind:

  • Angelo’z for loaded po’boys and sandwiches

  • JP Tacos for quick and affordable tacos

  • Clutch City Cluckers for late-night chicken sandwiches

  • El Tiempo Cantina for fajitas and margaritas

  • Dimassi’s for a big all-you-can-eat buffet

Plan ahead, grab something good, and enjoy the night at NRG.

LOCAL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

SCALE AUTO RACING

11303 Jones West Rd West, Ste. C

SCALE AUTO RACING

Business Name: Scale Auto Racing 

Owner or Manager Name:  Russell Cox, Paul Zofzak and Geoff Gunter

What does your business do:

Scale Auto Racing is a slot car raceway. We host weekly race leagues, and we sell cars, parts, home racing sets. 

Where are you located: 

We on the NW side of town, close to the intersection of Jones and FM 1960.

Why did you start this business:

We really started this so that we would have our own space to race with our friends and our kids. As of this year, we are the only slot car raceway in town!

What do you enjoy most about serving the local community:

Our regular racers see us as much more than a place to go race toy cars. It's a clean safe space where they, and their kids, can interact with a diverse group of people. We have regulars from age 7 to 70+ and from all walks of life.

Is the guy next to you a plumber or a pilot? Who knows? We are united by a love of racing little toy cars. The atmosphere is jolly and the smack talk is of the highest quality!

What should customers know about your business:

We offer not only access to a great hobby but a local community of racers. As someone once described us, "little kids of all ages"!

What is one thing you want people to remember about your business: 

Their first race where they are evenly matched against the driver in the next lane! Run a few laps, head-to-head, lose an inch, gain an inch: it's exhausting but addictive!

Where can people find you (location, hours, website, or social media) if they want to stop by or learn more? 

We open every weekend, noon till 6:00. We open almost every Friday too not just for slot cars but also for a little Hot Wheels gravity racing! No need to book; people are welcome to drop in! We have rental cars available. We have a Groupon running for Saturdays! Put Scale Auto Racing in your Nav/GPS and it will bring you to our door:

Scale Auto Racing
11303 Jones Rd West, Ste C
Houston Texas 77065

Reach Out To Scale Auto Racing Here:

PEOPLE ENJOYING SCALE AUTO RACING

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HOUSTON BUSINESS NEWS

NEW RIVER OAKS LUXURY TOWER WILL INCLUDE HUGE PICKLEBALL CLUB

🏙️ A new luxury project planned for River Oaks is putting wellness front and center. The proposed Ace and Ivy tower would bring 31 high-end condos along with a massive 45,000 square foot indoor pickleball club.

The idea started after the developer struggled to find an indoor place to play near home. Now the project is designed around health, community, and staying active. Sales are expected to begin this fall, with construction planned for 2027.

NEW KATY COMMUNITY ADDS HOMES STARTING IN THE $370’S

🏘️ Finding a new home near Katy for under $400,000 can be tough. A new option is opening up at Grange, a growing master planned community just outside the city.

Developers are adding smaller 40-foot lots, bringing starting home prices into the $370s. Builders J. Patrick Homes and Highland Homes plan nearly 100 homes in this phase. The goal is to give first-time buyers and families a more affordable way to join the community while it continues to grow.

HOUSTON SPORTS NEWS

HOUSTON COUGARS TENNIS STARTS BIG 12 PLAY WITH BIG WIN

🎾 The Houston Cougars tennis team is off to a strong start this season. On Thursday, they beat No. 35 Utah 4-3 to open Big 12 play in Houston.

The win pushes the Cougars to 10-0, their best start since 1990. The match came down to the final point before Houston sealed it. The team is back on the court Saturday as they host No. 29 BYU.

RICE TRACK ATHLETES READY FOR CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS

🦉 The Rice women’s track and field team is heading to Birmingham this weekend for the American Indoor Championships. The two-day meet begins Friday, and the Owls arrive with several athletes ranked near the top of the conference.

Rice has strong contenders across multiple events, including the 400 meters, triple jump, hurdles, and relays. With several top seeds and top ten rankings, the team has a real chance to make noise at the meet.

THANKS!

✏️ Thanks for reading Houstonicity this morning. Have a great Friday and we will see you Monday with more from around the city. – O.B.

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