Welcome to the Houston News Update. I'm Morgan Riley, bringing you the latest from the Bayou City.
Word on the streets of Houston is that Hurricane Beryl has left its mark. The powerful storm tore through our city, leaving over 1.3 million residents without power. CenterPoint Energy, our local utility provider, has been working around the clock to restore electricity, with power now back for over 1 million customers. However, frustrations are mounting as outages persist in some areas.
Mayor Sylvester Turner has criticized CenterPoint's performance, calling for an investigation into the prolonged outages. Governor Greg Abbott echoed these concerns, demanding answers on why Houston has struggled to regain full power. The situation has even caught the attention of President Biden, who stated he had to push for federal aid requests with Governor Abbott overseas.
In a lighter note, Houstonians are showing their resilience and humor in the face of adversity. A local graffiti artist tagged a freeway underpass with "CenterPointless," capturing the city's frustration with a touch of wit. Despite the challenges, many restaurants that survived the hurricane are now seeing a surge of customers as people seek hot meals and a sense of normalcy.
Turning to community news, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is wrapping up its final week at NRG Park. If you haven't had a chance to experience the rodeo action, live concerts, or indulge in some outrageous festival food, there's still time. The grounds are open daily from 8 AM to midnight, with country superstar Luke Bryan set to close out the event this Sunday.
Looking ahead, art enthusiasts should mark their calendars for the Bayou City Art Festival next weekend. This outdoor gallery will showcase works from 250 artists, along with food trucks, craft beer, and live entertainment in downtown Houston.
As for the weather, we're seeing dry air leading to chilly mornings, but expect temperatures to warm up as we head into the weekend.
In these challenging times, it's heartening to see Houstonians coming together, supporting one another, and maintaining our unique spirit. From the resilience shown in the face of Hurricane Beryl to the creativity on display at our festivals, we continue to prove that Houston is strong.
This has been Morgan Riley, your neighbor in the news. Remember to subscribe so you never miss a Houston news update. For more information, you can always send an email to [email protected] or check out our website at Quiet Please dot AI. Stay informed, stay connected, and stay Houston strong.