After lots of stressing and sweating this summer over the new redistricting maps, a panel of federal judges ruled yesterday that a Republican push to redraw the state’s US House districts—and win five more seats—was too racist to be legal.

The three judges—appointed by Presidents Donald Trump, Barack Obama, and Ronald Regan—voted 2-1 to block the map while the legal case against it proceeds. The judges ordered Texas to use the US House map from 2021—also being challenged in court—for the 2026 elections.

The ruling is a blow to Republicans, including Trump and Gov. Greg Abbott, who pushed through the redistricting plan this summer. Critics of the redistricting said the gerrymandered map dilutes the voting power of Black and Latino people in Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Houston. However, we can’t celebrate too quickly, Attorney General Ken Paxton is set to appeal the decision.

What are your thoughts on the decision?

…unless you want amazingly delicious pizza and the most unique cocktails on the block! That’s right, I’m talking about Betelgeuse Betelgeuse, one of my favorite bars/restaurants in Houston.

You can either stop by the one on Washington Avenue or go over to the Montrose one for a tad bigger parking lot. Be warned that the entrance to the lot comes up very quickly, so stay aware or order an Uber.

But let’s get to what the people really want to know about: the food and drink. Betelgeuse Betelgeuse has one of the most unique menus I’ve ever seen, from their fried spaghetti to an alcoholic cherry Vanilla Coke.

Along with PBR (pictured above), pickles take center stage with their pickletini, which comes chilled on ice with a side of kosher pickles to snack on. How many times can I say pickle? For those looking for a mocktail option, may I suggest the Sure, Why Not? made with Seedlip Grove, cucumber, basil, lime, orange, vanilla, and St. Arnold ginger beer. I’ve actually got a reward for a free order of Space Balls (their version of garlic knots), so maybe you’ll catch me there soon!

🚗 Does this not freak anyone else out? Self-driving Waymo cars will be launching in Houston at an undisclosed date. (Chron)

📚 Solange Knowles, a Houston native and sister to Beyoncé, has opened a free digital library of rare literature by Black and brown authors, poets, and artists. (POCIT)

🚀 The space shuttle Discovery is heading to Houston from Washington, DC—but there’s a catch. It’ll have to be cut into pieces. (Houston Public Media)

🗳 Christian Menefee and Amanda Edwards, both Democrats, topped a field of 16 candidates for a US House seat in Houston and will now face one another in a runoff on Jan. 31.

By Sierra Rozen

A new system feature from Uber is showing mixed responses as the driving app rolls out a pilot program in Texas cities.

Uber riders in Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas-Fort Worth, along with 23 other cities across the US, now have the option to request women-only drivers and make it a standard preference within the app. Women drivers now also have the option to only receive ride requests from other women. Uber has also stated plans to eventually expand these options across the country.

“When we began piloting Women Preferences in a few cities this summer, the goal was simple: give women more choice in how they ride and drive,” Uber’s website states. “Since then, many riders and drivers have told us it gives them more comfort and confidence on every trip.”

While many responses to the program have been positive, with one Houston Reddit user saying that as a male driver, he fully supports the decision and that the program is needed, other male drivers have criticized the program as discriminatory. 

A lawsuit launched in California is suing Uber and Lyft, saying that the policy limits economic opportunities for men and that it discriminates against their gender. The plaintiff’s lawyers tell TIME that the drivers “are discriminated against and receive fewer and different rides than they otherwise would absent the policy,” and that the policy “reinforces the gender stereotype that men are more dangerous than women.”

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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Sierra Rozen. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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