Houston Mayor John Whitmire makes good on a friendly bet with Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas after the Texans' 23-14 loss but playfully suggests the Chiefs' victory meal be shared with the refs.
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Houston Mayor John Whitmire stays true to his commitment, albeit with a lighthearted slant. Prior to the Houston Texans' game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Whitmire had engaged in a friendly wager with Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas. The conditions were straightforward: the mayor of the city that lost would send a sample of their local cuisine to the mayor of the city that won.
Houston was scheduled to receive a buffet from Kansas City's renowned LC Bar-B-Q if the Texans had emerged victorious. Nevertheless, Whitmire is preparing to transport Houston's iconic Pappas BBQ and Irma's Mexican cuisine to the north following the Chiefs' 23-14 victory at Arrowhead Stadium.
Mayor Whitmire was unable to refrain from delivering a humorous jab, despite his gracious concession. Whitmire was among those who expressed skepticism regarding critical decisions made by the game officials, which were instrumental in the Chiefs' triumph. Whitmire remarked, "They earned it," and suggested that Kansas City Mayor Lucas distribute Houston's refreshments to the referees.
It is uncertain whether Lucas will comply with Whitmire's playful request to distribute the BBQ and Mexican cuisine to the officiating crew.
At present, the wager serves as a reminder that Texans honor their commitments, even in defeat, and exemplifies the enduring sportsmanship and amusement that exist between the two cities.
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Early voting for the March 3, 2026 Texas primary runs Feb. 17-27. Houston-area voters will decide key federal, statewide and local races, including a high-profile U.S. Senate contest and the open Harris County judge seat.
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Federal officials temporarily shut down air traffic at El Paso International Airport after the Pentagon allowed Customs and Border Protection to deploy an anti-drone laser near Fort Bliss, according to two people familiar with the matter. The closure lasted only hours, but it stranded travelers and raised new questions about coordination between defense and aviation agencies.
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Houston has already recorded six 80-degree days in 2026, and forecasters expect more this week as a February heat ridge pushes temperatures 15 degrees above normal. While daily records are unlikely to fall, highs could approach longstanding marks set in the 1960s.