🎓 It’s Wednesday, which means…it’s time to grab the week by the reins before it runs off without us. Imagine it’s an American Quarter Horse, grab those reins, and take control.  This is Texas after all. Today, we have a mix of interesting Houston news to catch up on, plus a brand-new Crown Jewel of Houston segment you will not want to miss. Saddle up!

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Today: 80F | 69F |☁️| 11% Precipitation | SSW 16 MPH Winds
Thursday: 81F | 68F |☁️| 22% Precipitation | SSW 11 MPH Winds
Friday: 79F | 69F |🌦️| 41% Precipitation | SSE 14 MPH Winds
Saturday: 75F | 46F |🌦️| 33% Precipitation | NNW 17 MPH Winds
Sunday: 64F | 42F |🌤️| 0% Precipitation | N 17 MPH Winds

Link for more weather information.

A new college pathway is opening for Houston students. The University of Houston-Downtown has partnered with Houston ISD to offer guaranteed admission to eligible seniors who meet the requirements and submit an application.

Students with at least a 2.5 GPA can qualify, and some may receive scholarships worth up to 8,000 dollars over four years. Leaders say the program is meant to create a smoother path from high school to college and help keep Houston talent in the region.

Houston is taking a moment to remember Rev. Jesse Jackson and the many times he stood with the city. He shared the stage with leaders like Congressman Mickey Leland and brought his message of hope and unity to crowds across Houston.

He returned again and again for important moments, from his 1988 presidential run to the Journey to Justice tour after the Enron collapse. His voice and presence left a lasting mark on the city and the people he inspired to keep hope alive.

Graduate students at the University of Houston are speaking up about the cost of health insurance. Many say their stipends leave little room after paying for rent and food, and some have stopped carrying coverage because they cannot afford it.

Students say other Texas universities help cover healthcare for teaching and research assistants, but UH does not. They shared personal stories with university leaders and say they are still waiting to hear back.

Heading to the polls soon? METRO is making it easier by offering free round-trip rides for voters during early voting and on Election Day in the March primary. Just show a voter ID or other approved documentation when you board.

Free rides run from Feb. 17 through Feb. 27 for early voting, and again on March 3 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. You can plan your trip ahead of time using the RideMETRO app or RideMETRO.org.

What if video games could help patients recover after major surgery? A Houston Methodist doctor is putting that idea to the test. Dr. Hina Faisal received a 242,000-dollar NIH grant to study whether virtual reality can help older patients avoid ICU delirium, a condition that affects many people after anesthesia.

Over the next five years, the study will explore how VR games may boost memory and mental activity during recovery. Researchers hope the findings will lead to safer healing and fewer complications for patients leaving the ICU.

Rice University researchers just received 18 million dollars from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to help improve how lymphatic diseases are found and treated. These illnesses are often difficult to spot early because the vessels are so small, and testing can be invasive. Catching them sooner could make a big difference in survival.

The team is building two new tools that use light, sound, and laser technology to map the lymphatic system and detect disease markers more clearly. The five-year project includes major Texas medical partners and aims to make earlier diagnosis and better treatment possible.

Celebrating the iconic landmarks and open spaces that belong to every Houstonian.

The Claim to Fame

Hermann Park is the heavyweight champion of Houston green spaces. Gifted to the city by George Hermann in 1914, this 445-acre urban oasis attracts an estimated 6-million visitors annually, making it one of the most visited public parks in the entire nation.

It serves as the physical anchor for Houston's most prestigious institutions, hosting the Houston Zoo, the Houston Museum of Natural Science, and Miller Outdoor Theatre all within its boundaries.

Why It Defines Houston

If Houston had a communal backyard, this would be it. It perfectly represents the city’s diversity, bringing together people from every zip code to fish in McGovern Lake, ride the miniature train, or grill on the weekends.

It also showcases Houston’s philanthropic spirit. The park has been continuously improved by massive public-private partnerships, evolving from a simple plot of land into a world-class destination with award-winning landscaping like the McGovern Centennial Gardens.

Best Way to Enjoy It

While most people make a beeline for the Zoo, the best way to appreciate the park itself is to start at the McGovern Centennial Gardens. Walk the spiral path up the 30-foot "Garden Mount" for a stunning, unobstructed view of the park’s greenery against the Texas Medical Center skyline.

Afterward, cross the street to the Japanese Garden, a tranquil hideaway designed by world-renowned landscape architect Ken Nakajima. It offers a rare moment of total silence in the middle of the city.

Pro Tip

Parking near the Zoo (Lots G and F) is notoriously difficult on weekends. Instead, try Lot C near the McGovern Centennial Gardens (entrance on Hermann Drive). It is often less crowded and offers a scenic walk into the heart of the park.

Better yet, skip the traffic entirely by taking the METRORail Red Line. The Hermann Park/Rice U station drops you off right at the main entrance, while the Museum District station puts you just a short walk from the Centennial Gardens.

Watch This Awesome Video On Hermann Park.

A chef who once cooked for President George H.W. Bush is getting ready to open a new restaurant in downtown Houston. Chef Omar Pereney’s French-inspired bistro, Petite Lucie, is expected to open in Market Square Park ahead of the World Cup and will serve guests from morning coffee to evening cocktails.

Pereney is already known for his Love Croissants, which are sold in dozens of coffee shops around Houston. He says he loves the city and plans to keep growing his work here.

Watch This Video About Chef Omar’s New Restaurant.

Houston keeps adding to its reputation as an energy capital. Several companies are moving headquarters or expanding here, including Expand Energy and a major merger between Coterra Energy and Devon Energy that will be based in the city.

Siemens Energy is also growing its Houston operations, and SmartestEnergy US is opening a new office in the Galleria area with plans to hire locally. Leaders say Houston’s talent and strong industry network continue to draw energy companies in.

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