
Rule that lets Texans obtain out-of-state abortion pills can continue for now, Supreme Court says
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that mifepristone must be obtained in person, a decision the country’s highest court has temporarily blocked.
Houston Public MediaA group of civil rights organizations on Monday filed a new lawsuit seeking to stop parts of the law that would let Texas police arrest people suspected of illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border.
https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/court/2026/05/04/550941/texas-senate-bill-4-lawsuit/

Civil rights groups sue to stop Texas immigration law
Senate Bill 4, scheduled to take effect next week, lets Texas police arrest people suspected of illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border.
Houston Public Media
Documents from U.S. founding have arrived in Houston for America 250 celebration
The Treaty of Paris, the Articles of Association and George Washington’s Oath of Allegiance are among the documents that will be on display at the Houston Museum of Natural Science from May 8-25.
Houston Public MediaAs part of an international tour, FIFA brought the authentic World Cup trophy to Houston over the weekend. As many as 15,000 fans waited in a long line to see it, according to officials.
https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/sports/world-cup/2026/05/04/550889/houston-world-cup-trophy-tour/

Thousands of soccer fans waited hours in line to see the FIFA World Cup trophy in Houston
As part of an international tour, FIFA brought the authentic World Cup trophy to Houston over the weekend. As many as 15,000 fans waited in a long line to see it, according to officials.
Houston Public MediaPearland voters have elected the city's first Black mayor in Quentin Wiltz, a Democrat-backed candidate in a Houston-area suburb that historically has supported Republicans.
https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/politics/elections/2026/05/04/550865/quentin-wiltz-pearland-mayor-election-brazoria-county-democrat/

Pearland elects first Black mayor in Democrat-backed Quentin Wiltz
While the office is technically nonpartisan, Wiltz was endorsed by the Brazoria County Democratic Party. His opponent, Tony Carbone, was endorsed by several Republicans.
Houston Public Media
As Texas lawmakers tackle health care affordability, discussions turn to insurance costs
Some of Texas' largest buyers of health care provided insight into what might be driving higher health care costs. The House Select Committee on Health Care Affordability concluded its two-day public hearing Friday.
Houston Public MediaOnce worth as much as roughly $5.5 billion on the stock market, the airline known for its bright yellow planes said Saturday it had shut down. The announcement comes after two bankruptcy filings in as many years.
https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/transportation/airports/2026/05/04/550812/spirit-airlines-shut-down-houston-air-travel/

Spirit Airlines built a model the industry copied. Then it collapsed
Once worth as much as roughly $5.5 billion on the stock market, the airline known for its bright yellow planes said Saturday it had shut down. The announcement comes after two bankruptcy filings in as many years.
Houston Public MediaWith midterms around the corner and President Trump's approval rating low, Democrats expect to flip a lot of seats this election. Polls show a Democrat could win a statewide seat in Texas for the first time in the 21st century.
https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/politics/2026/05/04/550808/will-texas-turn-blue-2026-democrats-kut-festival/

Will Texas turn blue this year?
With midterms around the corner and President Trump's approval rating low, Democrats expect to flip a lot of seats this election. Polls show a Democrat could win a statewide seat in Texas for the first time in the 21st century.
Houston Public MediaBrett Ligon, the Republican former district attorney of Montgomery County, won a special election for the state Senate district vacated by Brandon Creighton, who was tapped last year to be chancellor of the Texas Tech University System.
https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/politics/elections/2026/05/04/550803/texas-senate-district-4-special-election/

Republican Brett Ligon, former Montgomery County DA, wins special election for open Texas Senate seat
A rematch is scheduled for November as Ligon’s win only puts him in the seat through January. But the former prosecutor will be heavily favored, given the district’s solidly Republican makeup.
Houston Public MediaTexas leads the nation in utilities shutting off electricity and natural gas services to customers who can't afford their energy bills, according to a report released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/energy-environment/2026/05/04/550798/texas-leads-nation-in-utility-shutoffs-as-electric-bills-rise-federal-report-finds/

Texas leads nation in utility shutoffs as electric bills rise, federal report finds
Texas leads the nation in utilities shutting off electricity and natural gas services to customers who can't afford their energy bills, according to a report released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Houston Public Media