the owls give it a shot

Rice Stadium rises as Houston's newest COVID-19 vaccine mega-clinic

The new Rice Stadium vaccine clinic is by appointment only.

Photo courtesy of Rice University

Locals looking for a new venue to receive the COVID-19 vaccine can look to a Houston icon. Rice University’s historic Rice Stadium is the newest area mega-site, St. Luke's Health announced.

Vaccinations will be open to the public March 15 and are open to the most vulnerable populations, including healthcare workers, seniors, underserved communities, and school and child care center/adult care center personnel, per a press release.

Importantly, the Rice Stadium site (2200 University Blvd. at the South Stadium Entrance), is by appointment only and is not a drive-through clinic. Those interested must make an appointment online beforehand; vaccinations are available Monday-Friday from 9 am-6pm through the end of July. Registration via phone is available by calling 281-407-8137.

St. Luke's Health is prioritizing individuals who meet the state's criteria for distribution at all its vaccine sites, including adults ages 65 and older, individuals with chronic conditions that increase the risk of severe COVID‑19 illness, and people who work in school and child care/adult care operations, per a press release.

To date, St. Luke's Health facilities have administered more than 100,000 doses of the vaccine.

“The iconic Rice Stadium is large and functional and conducive to an efficient clinic operation,” said Doug Lawson, Ph.D., CEO of St. Luke's Health in a statement. “We are looking forward to collaborating with the leadership at Rice University to continue to vaccinate our communities as quickly and safely as possible.”

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Bustling Houston suburb declared one of America's 10 newest boomtowns

Photo courtesy of Visit Houston

Conroe is a really desirable place to live for renters.

What do you get when you combine a city's surge in population, housing growth, and economy? For a place like Conroe, it all adds up to being named America's No. 9 newest boomtown, according to a new survey from SmartAsset.

The personal finance website's just-released report analyzed more than 400 U.S. cities with populations of 65,000 or more to identify places experiencing rapid growth based on five-year changes in economic output, housing units, and labor force size.

Texas is home to the second-highest concentration of new boomtowns in America with 18 out of 75 located in the Lone Star State. Only Florida ranks higher than Texas by just one.

However, Texas nearly locked out the top five most bustling boomtowns in America. Austin suburb Georgetown topped the list, and its Central Texas neighbors New Braunfels (No. 2) and Leander (No. 4) ranked close behind. Dallas-Fort Worth mid-city Lewisville claimed the No. 5 spot. Lehi, Utah ranked in third place.

Conroe has soared in popularity as one of America's most sought-after suburbs over the last several years, boosted by its renter-friendliness and its livability among the millennial generation.

Conroe has seen a 37 percent increase in housing units from 2019 to 2024, with its labor force growing by 33 percent during that time. SmartAsset also determined that Montgomery County's economic output grew at compound annual rates of 4.9 percent.

The report says population booms and "expanding business activity" can create "visible momentum" for an up-and-coming city, but these fast changes can alter a city in ways residents may not expect.

"In recent years, some American cities stand out for attracting people, investment and development at a pace that sets them apart," the report said. "Boomtown status does not mean growth benefits everyone equally, but it does reflect a city’s expanding economic capacity and the new opportunities that come with it."

America's top 10 new boomtowns are:

No. 1 – Georgetown
No. 2 – New Braunfels
No. 3 – Lehi, Utah
No. 4 – Leander
No. 5 – Lewisville
No. 6 – Palm Coast, Florida
No. 7 – Nampa, Idaho
No. 8 – McKinney
No. 9 – Conroe
No. 10 – Frisco

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