The coveted trophy in FIFA’s World Cup tournament is touring across the United States in anticipation of the competition's start this summer and Houston fans can see it this weekend only.
https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/sports/world-cup/2026/05/01/550753/fifas-original-world-cup-trophy-is-coming-to-houston-this-weekend/
FIFA’s original World Cup trophy is coming to Houston this weekend
The Houston stop will be the last opportunity to see the trophy in Texas and one of the last chances to see it entirely before the start of the World Cup on June 11.
A behavioral specialist at a Cy-Fair ISD campus has been criminally charged after allegedly pushing a disabled student who later died, according to court documents.
https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/education/2026/05/01/550718/cy-fair-isd-autistic-student-death-employee-felony-charge/
Cy-Fair ISD employee charged with felony after disabled student’s death
Donald Perkins, 50, has been charged with injury to a disabled person after allegedly pushing a 16-year-old autistic student who ended up choking moments later, according to court documents.
City of Galveston Mayor Craig Brown will leave his post soon after serving three consecutive terms in the position. In an interview with Houston Public Media, Brown recounted his time serving the city.
https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/local/galveston/2026/05/01/550757/outgoing-galveston-mayor-recounts-his-time-serving-the-city-ahead-of-upcoming-elections/
Outgoing Galveston mayor recounts his time serving the city ahead of upcoming elections
Brown was elected as mayor in 2020 after serving on Galveston City Council for six years. His final term as mayor expires in May.
A major suspect in the decades-old Texas Killing Fields case was charged with possession of child pornography and possession of visual material depicting sexual assault after authorities served search warrants on his Bacliff property.
https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/galveston-county/2026/05/01/550726/texas-killing-fields-suspect-faces-two-new-felony-charges-following-search-of-bacliff-property/
Texas Killing Fields suspect faces two new felony charges following search of Bacliff property
James Elmore, 61, was charged with possession of child pornography and possession of visual material depicting sexual assault on Thursday. Elmore was previously arrested in March on charges of manslaughter and tampering with evidence in two of the Texas Killing Fields cases.
The rain that's soaking the Houston area is expected to continue falling across the region Friday as the National Weather Service warns of potential flooding in low-lying areas.
https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/weather/2026/05/01/550731/weather-houston-rain-flood-watch/
Rain drenches Houston area as weather service warns of potential flooding
The region is under a flood watch until early Saturday morning, when skies are expected to clear.
Ahead of FIFA’s arrival to Houston on May 15, the city's World Cup host committee is preparing to host what organizers call the biggest sporting event in world history.
https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/sports/world-cup/2026/05/01/550683/houston-world-cup-host-committee-nrg-stadium-east-downtown/
Houston’s World Cup host committee takes over NRG Stadium, East Downtown to set up for tournament
Ahead of FIFA’s arrival to Houston on May 15, the city's World Cup host committee is preparing to host what organizers call the biggest sporting event in world history.
Houston ISD leaders refuted the accuracy of internal planning documents that were leaked online, but acknowledged they plan to consolidate special education students and services next year, according to a parent who attended a meeting this week.
https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/education/2026/05/01/550739/hisd-special-education-changes-houston-schools/
Houston ISD plans to consolidate special education services, parent says after district meeting
District leaders refuted the accuracy of internal planning documents that were recently leaked online, but acknowledged they plan to consolidate special education students and services next year, according to a parent who attended an invitation-only meeting this week.
Texas hemp businesses can keep selling cannabis flower and concentrates for now after a Travis County judge blocked key parts of the state's new hemp regulations while a lawsuit plays out.
https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/business/2026/05/01/550713/austin-tx-hemp-cannabis-ruling-temporary-injunction-granted-thca/
Court order allows smokable hemp to stay on shelves in Texas
A Travis County judge issued a temporary injunction allowed the sale of hemp flower and concentrates and blocking sharply higher state fees charged to businesses that make and sell hemp products.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire to propose $5 ‘administrative fee’ tied to garbage service
The $5 fee would ramp up over time, eventually reaching $25 each month.
The Texas Supreme Court lifted a temporary injunction preventing the Department of State Health Services from enforcing a rule effectively criminalizing delta-8. The court also ruled plaintiffs had standing to sue over the designation.
https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/business/2026/05/01/550695/department-of-state-health-services-can-criminalize-delta-8-for-now-texas-supreme-court-rules-marijuana-hemp/
Texas can criminalize delta-8 for now — but hemp businesses can still sue to stop it, justices say
The Texas Supreme Court lifted a temporary injunction preventing the Department of State Health Services from enforcing a rule effectively criminalizing delta-8. The court also ruled plaintiffs had standing to sue over the designation.
