Several residents, including children, told West University Place officials that enforcing an ordinance that would treat basketball hoop goals as structures requiring a permit would take away what makes the community special.

How we got here: During a field inspection for the Poor Farm Ditch project, staff noted a permanently installed basketball goal in the right-of-way at the end of a dead-end street. Officials determined that the hoop violated a city ordinance requiring permits for such structures and that it was illegally installed. The realization kick-started a conversation with City Council on whether or not to regulate basketball hoops in the city.

The discussion: West U Public Works Director Michael Leech said there were no previous enforcement actions of this type in the city, so there is no history on how these issues have been handled. However, council members questioned whether it would be an obstruction for public safety officials to get by.

What to expect: City Council voted to pause making a decision and referred the issue to the Zoning & Planning Commission.

Trung Nguyen Legend Coffee World is a traditional Vietnamese coffee shop that offers bold and aromatic coffee. It is now open in Houston.

What’s special about it: Located at 11754 Bellaire Boulevard, Trung Nguyen Legend Coffee World’s menu offers traditional Vietnamese coffee with unique brewing methods, including the Zen coffee, Roman Iced Milk Coffee and Ottoman Iced Milk Coffee, as well as tea and popular flavored coffees.

Drinks include:

• Vietnamese milk coffee
• Pandan lotus seeds tea
• Oatmilk matcha
• Legend milk tea
• Vietnamese egg coffee
• Coffee with sea salt cream
• Tiramisu latte

• 11754 Bellaire Boulevard, Ste. 100, Houston

With a partial federal government shutdown ongoing, officials with the Houston Airport System said on March 23 that passengers could continue to see growing wait times at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), including in some cases exceeding four hours at IAH.

As a result, federal agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have begun supporting TSA operations at airports nationwide, including in Houston, Houston Airport System officials announced in a March 23 news release.

Some context: Due to the partial federal government shutdown, which began Feb. 14, TSA officers are working without pay, which is creating staffing shortages that have led to longer than typical wait times at airports nationwide.

Diving in deeper: Per the release, with the addition of ICE agents at Houston airports, screening procedures for passengers remain unchanged. Additionally, officials noted the number of available TSA screening lanes can vary by airport and shift, depending on staffing levels.

There are several places to visit in the Greater Houston area to celebrate MLB’s Opening Day. Check them out below. This is not a comprehensive list and events are subject to change.

Stats Sportsbar
For the Astros Opening Day, Stats will be hosting a watch party with 23-ounce beers, $1 wings all night, $2 off Stats’ signature drinks and old fashioneds and $5.50 purple Gatorade shots.

• March 26, 5 p.m.
• Free (admission)
• 10850 Louetta Road, Houston

• March 26, 3 p.m.
• Free (admission)
• 2503 Covey Lane, Pearland

• March 26, noon-3 p.m.
• $62-$498 (March 26 game ticket)
• 501 Crawford St., Houston

As part of Harris County’s goal to reform its criminal justice system, county leaders want to expand the capabilities of public attorneys who represent criminal defendants who cannot afford a lawyer, known as “indigent” cases.

The big picture: March data from the Public Defender's Office show public attorneys have been appointed to about 15% of felony indigent cases and 30% of misdemeanor cases so far this year. However, county leaders want the office to be able to take on half of all indigent cases in the legal system.

To do so, officials told commissioners they will need more funding for increased staffing and expanded services.

Did you know? All defendants charged with a crime in Harris County have a right to an attorney regardless of their ability to pay. In 2025, more than 88,000 indigent defendants in Harris County were appointed legal counsel, approximately 17% of whom were public attorneys. 

Looking forward: The PDO and the Managed Assigned Counsel Office will present commissioners with a strategic plan for expanded services by Aug. 1.