Houston reveals new Fleet Week details, including event schedule, logo
In April, it was announced that Houston would become the first Texas city to host Navy Fleet Week in the Port of Houston this November.
Taking a step back: Fleet Week is an annual tradition in which the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard dock their ships in major cities for a week of celebrating and recognizing military services in the U.S. with ship tours, military demonstrations, air shows and educational programs.
The update: On Aug. 22, Houston unveiled a new logo for the event and launched a user-friendly website that the community can engage with leading up to the event, which will take place Nov. 5-12.
According to a news release from the city, the website www.fleetweekhouston.com will serve as a central hub for exploring the event schedule—from an expo and local festivities to tours of sea vessels—as well as allow residents to support active-duty personnel through volunteering and sponsorships.
Houston Fleet Week is free and open to the public.
Insomnia Cookies debuts new late-night location in the Heights
The Pennsylvania-based eatery officially opened its third location in Houston, located along West 19th Street in the Heights, in late August, with a grand opening celebration set for Sept. 6.
What they offer: Insomnia Cookies is best known for its variety of warm cookies, ice cream and late-night deliveries, as the shop stays open until 1 a.m. Sunday-Wednesday and until 3 a.m. Thursday-Saturday.
Classic cookie options include chocolate chunk, sugar cookie, peanut butter chip, white chocolate macadamia, oatmeal raisin and snickerdoodle. The menu also includes vegan and gluten-free options.
Frontier Airlines announces 8 new routes from IAH airport
Starting in late November, Houston travelers flying on Frontier Airlines will have new routes from George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
The framework: Josh Flyr, vice president of network and operations design, said in an Aug. 26 news release that the company is thrilled to add new routes from Houston as part of its aim to expand low-fare carrier options in the top 20 metros in the country.
“With new nonstop routes to exciting domestic and international destinations, now is a better time than ever for Houston-area travelers to fly with Frontier and enjoy the convenience, comfort and signature affordability we offer,” Flyr said.
What you need to know: The Denver-based airline company announced the following new IAH domestic and international routes launching in late 2025 through early 2026:
H-GAC bringing back ‘Free Fare Fridays’ to Greater Houston area in September
The Houston-Galveston Area Council announced the return of a campaign focused on reducing air pollution levels by providing free use of certain mass transit routes on Fridays in September.
What you need to know: As part of Ozone Action Month, multiple transit agencies across the Houston region will allow riders to use mass transit routes free of charge on Fridays in September, according to H-GAC’s website. The initiative aims to reduce the amount of air pollution generated by vehicles on Houston area roads.
The participating agencies include:
Harris County Transit: All routes
Fort Bend Transit: All routes
City of Conroe: Fixed and paratransit routes
The Woodlands Township: All routes
What else: For residents unable to use the transit options, H-GAC officials also suggested other measures to reduce air pollution, including carpooling, reducing the number of trips and biking when possible.
Texas House moves to require cities, counties to seek voter approval for tax hikes exceeding 1%
Texas House lawmakers voted Aug. 25 to tighten limits on local property tax growth, advancing a bill that would require cities and counties to seek voter approval before raising tax rates by more than 1%. Cities and counties can currently increase taxes by up to 3.5% annually before going to local voters.
What happened: House lawmakers substantially amended Senate Bill 10 before returning it to the Senate. State senators sought to tighten the voter approval rate to 2.5% and impose the changes only on cities and counties with more than 75,000 residents. House lawmakers voted to apply a 1% threshold to all cities and counties, regardless of size.
Cities and counties' public safety expenditures, such as salaries and equipment for police, firefighters and paramedics, would not be subject to the 1% limit.
