This Week in Houston #036

Welcome to Summer and another week in Houston! I hope your weekend has been good. If you noticed I didn’t send an email on Thursday. Apologies! We are back to a normal schedule this week.

Alright let’s get into it.

Events

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Ongoing Community Events in Houston

Looking for community workouts? Checkout Sweatpals! They have meet ups all throughout Houston. See here.

Looking to get in an adult sports league? Checkout Sportskind. They have everything from basketball to cornhole to pickleball and more.

Checkout more Music and Theatre throughout the month of May at Matchbox - see here

👀 Things to look forward to in June and Beyond

June 10 - 14 Houston Astros at Daikin Park

June 13 - Miller Outdoor Theatre Juneteenth Celebration - see more

June 14 - Dukes and Boots Mimosa Festival - see more

June 14 – Metallica, Pantera, and Suicidal Tendencies - see more

June 14 – Wu Tang Clan, Run The Jewels

June 21 - Brewsology - see more

Jun 29 - Beyonce at NRG - see more

⚾️ Houston Sports

💫 Astros 

• Hunter Brown's Dominant Performance: On June 1, 2025, Hunter Brown pitched six scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and leading the Astros to a 1-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.

• Lance McCullers Jr. Receives Death Threats: On May 30, 2025, Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. and his family were placed under 24-hour security after receiving online death threats, some targeting his 5-year-old daughter.

• Chas McCormick Placed on IL: On May 31, 2025, the Astros placed outfielder Chas McCormick on the 10-day injured list due to a left oblique strain, recalling infielder Shay Whitcomb from Triple-A Sugar Land.

• Yordan Álvarez Nears Return: On May 30, 2025, designated hitter Yordan Álvarez, sidelined since May 2 due to a right hand injury, is close to rejoining the Astros lineup after a month on the injured list.

• Ronel Blanco to Undergo Tommy John Surgery: On May 28, 2025, pitcher Ronel Blanco was confirmed to need Tommy John surgery, sidelining him for the remainder of the season.

🏈 Texans 

• Texans listed as potential trade candidate for Dolphins All-Pro WR Tyreek Hill - One name rumored to be on the move is Miami Dolphins All-Pro Tyreek Hill. Dolphins GM Chris Grier has not ruled out a trade since it was brought up back in April. With the June 1 deadline gone, it would make it a lot easier for Miami to get it done as far as spreading out the salary cap over the next two years.

• Texans add 8 new coaches for the summer for Bill Walsh NFL Diversity Coaching Fellowship - Since its inception in 1987, the Bill Walsh NFL Diversity Coaching Fellowship is designed as a vocational tool to increase the number of full-time NFL minority coaches. All 32 NFL clubs participate in the program each year. The program's objective is to utilize NFL clubs' offseason workout programs and minicamps to provide talented coaches with opportunities to observe, participate, gain experience, and ultimately secure a full-time NFL coaching position.

📰 Houston in the News

🍗 Houston's Truth BBQ Ranks in Texas Monthly's Top 50

On May 27, 2025, Texas Monthly released its latest Top 50 BBQ list, with Houston's Truth BBQ securing the No. 9 spot among over 300 contenders. This recognition brings significant bragging rights and potential business growth for local pitmasters. Texas Monthly has been publishing this influential list since 1996, highlighting the state's competitive barbecue scene. (axios.com)

🎬 Texas Approves Major Film Incentive Bill

On May 27, 2025, Texas lawmakers approved Senate Bill 22, establishing a $1.5 billion Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Fund, disbursed biennially through 2035. Sponsored by Sen. Joan Huffman, the bill aims to bolster the state's film and television industry. If signed by Governor Greg Abbott, the consistent funding will encourage long-term planning and extended productions, potentially revitalizing local economies and expanding industry reach statewide. (axios.com)

⚡️ Severe Thunderstorms Cause Widespread Power Outages

On May 27, 2025, severe thunderstorms with winds up to 70 mph, hail, and lightning struck Houston, leaving over 160,000 residents without power. The storm downed power lines and caused damage in northern suburbs and eastward to Galveston. CenterPoint Energy reported ongoing outages hours after the storm. The system moved eastward, prompting severe weather warnings in Louisiana and central Mississippi. (apnews.com)

🚀 SpaceX found some success, and some failure, on ninth Starship flight test from Texas

In SpaceX's ninth test flight of Starship, the launch vehicle reached space, surpassing issues that ended its previous two test launches. However, the Starship still failed to return to Earth intact, experiencing an uncontrolled descent and eventual rapid disassembly. While the Super Heavy booster was reused for the first time, it also failed to land successfully. 

🏠🔪 A historic River Oaks mansion tied to a notorious 1960s Houston crime case is on sale for $5.2 million.

“The Southern colonial-style home at 1561 Kirby Drive, which has been listed for $5.2 million, served as the setting for the troubled marriage of wealthy socialite Joan Robinson Hill and her plastic surgeon husband, Dr. John Hill, which ultimately ended in Joan Hill’s mysterious death and allegations that her husband was responsible for her death.'“ - read more

☔️ Weather

That’s it for today! See you Thursday for our mid-week update.

Let’s have a great week.

Cheers!
Chris