If you don’t get excited when the Scripps National Spelling Bee is on, you’re missing out. Houston is a sports city, and spelling bees are absolutely a sport: Olympic-level spellers spending countless hours prepping for the main stage, calmly staring down 20-letter words most of us can barely pronounce.

So let’s send a little love not just to this year’s winner, but to 12-year-old Logan Bailey, who represented Houston in the finals. Bailey spelled “Jatrorrhiza” as his final word to advance—which, frankly, deserves its own parade.

Houstonians might be especially equipped for spelling bees, considering words like Kuykendahl, Fuqua, Bissonnet, Westheimer, and Yoakum cover our maps. But you have to admit: “Jatrorrhiza” is a step too far.

Congrats again to Logan and all the spellers. 🐝

Alright, Houston, let’s look at the headlines.

Paula Solis
Deputy Director of Newsletters

⚽ As the 2026 FIFA World Cup heads to Houston, organizers are rolling out cooling plans to handle the summer heat—from shaded “green corridors” and misting stations to free water and air-conditioned spaces. The goal: keep fans safe as crowds pour into the city.

🗳️ Former Houston City Council member Letitia Plummer won the Democratic runoff for Harris County judge with 51% of the vote, defeating former Houston mayor Annise Parker. She’ll face Republican Orlando Sanchez in November to succeed Lina Hidalgo.

🇺🇸 Houston City Council voted to rename a stretch of Cesar Chavez Boulevard in the East End after Korean War veteran and former POW Joe E. Ramirez. The new name honors his decades of military service and ties to the community.

🍷 Houston’s wine scene is thriving, with standout spots like Sixty Vines and Barcelona Wine Bar offering everything from casual pours to curated tastings. Whether you’re after a patio hang or a full wine education, the city has no shortage of places to sip.

By Rebecca Deurlein

Fun fact: Most people who live in Houston rent—about 58% of Houstonians, according to Rent Café Relocity.

The fantastic news is that after a period of rapidly rising rental costs, the market has stabilized, and some rents have actually dropped in the last year. That’s because Houston has seen record-high apartment completions and an increase in multifamily homes, giving renters room to negotiate their rate or ask for additional amenities. 

Houston has always enjoyed lower-than-average costs of living in comparison to other major cities. You can get much more for your money here than in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and even smaller cities in Texas like Dallas and Austin. According to Landing, H-Town’s average rent is 27% lower than the national average. 

The average rent in Houston is around $1,200 per month. If you follow the 30% rule that states that your rent should not exceed 30% of your gross monthly income, this means you’ll need to earn $4,000 a month or $48,000 a year to afford an average apartment in Houston. 

Let’s look at what $1,200 rent a month will get you in Houston right now.

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Paula Solis with reporting by Rebecca Deurlein. It was edited by Kimberly Lawson.

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