As Tropical Storm Bertha passes through (hopefully without any damage to Houston), one thing is for sure—my garden is finally getting the water it needs to withstand this grueling Texas heat. 

I’ve been feeling less guilty filling my watering can up knowing how much water data centers use (I can’t beat that), but still, the rain will give both me and my water bill a much-needed break.

(Anna Raj/Courier HTX) 

Living in an apartment with a balcony gives me the chance to exercise my green thumb in the heart of the city. Do you have a garden amidst this concrete jungle? If not, are you interested in growing one?

Your news roundup—a quick stop for stories happening across the state that deserve a little more attention.

City Hall, located at 1201 Leopard St., in Corpus Christi, Texas. (John Oliva/Caller-Times via Reuters Connect)

🤖 After State Representative Vikki Goodwin called for a moratorium on data centers last week, Corpus Christi City Council decided against it, with officials still exploring development policies.

🚙 Three women were injured after their car drove off an elevated HOV lane on Southwest Freeway Wednesday. Watch the moment passersby free them with sledgehammers. (Click2Houston)

⚽ Following the World Cup fever, Houston Dynamo and Houston Mayor John Whitmire will give away 10,000 free soccer tickets for the second half of the 2026 season. (Houston Dynamo)

🪧 Activists disrupted a City Hall meeting this week, calling for a citywide shutdown today in solidarity with Lorenzo Salgado Araujo. Protests erupted across the nation last weekend in a National Day of Action to call for justice after Salgado Araujo’s death during an ICE stop. (Click2Houston, The Guardian)

Houston Museum of Natural Science’s Morian Cabinet of Curiosities, where you’re encouraged to touch objects. (Jeff Whyte/Shutterstock)

Houston is full of museums, cultural centers, and attractions. Whether you’re planning a family outing, a date night or a solo adventure, Houston has plenty of places worth exploring.

Ticket prices to these experiences can quickly add up, especially if you’re bringing along friends and family. Luckily, some of Houston’s must-sees have free admission days, so you don’t have to break the bank to see all the city has to offer.

Low-cost & free resources to elevate your day-to-day.

Register for back-to-school giveaways like this one as HISD reopens on Aug. 10. (Katharine Tamez/Shutterstock.com)

🎒 This weekend kicks off back-to-school giveaways across the city as the summer winds down. Attend these events to access free backpacks, haircuts, health screenings, school supplies, and other resources.

💼 Meet potential employers at the Houston Job Fair on Monday. Bring plenty of copies of your resume and dress to impress. Free reservations must be made online.

🧠 Leave forgetfulness in the past. Learn techniques for remembering faces, names, scheduled appointments, or plans at this free memory workshop.

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Anna Raj and edited by Joi Louviere.

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