Up To Speed

A bug's life: Giant insects take over the Houston Zoo, creating quite a scene

It may feel like it, but rest assured that what you're about to experience is not friendly mayhem from Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.

Upon entering the Houston Zoo's "Extreme Bugs!" exhibit, on display through Labor Day weekend, you'll notice that the tables have turned, with humans being a guest in the world of the most prolific species on the planet.

With insects being blown up to measure 200 times the size of their real life counterparts, the idea is to allow animal lovers to appreciate what's too small to observe with the naked eye. The collection of 13 animatronic beasts — which includes an emperor scorpion, praying mantis, dragonfly, red-tailed bumblebee and a Mexican red-knee tarantula — is set within a magnified backyard, complete with common household objects to better illustrate the size comparison.

The newly opened Bug House offers an opportunity to view actual centipedes, millipedes, stick insects, giant katydids, tarantulas, domino roaches, leaf cutter ants scorpions.

Visitors are able manipulate the stag beetle from a station outfitted with buttons that control its movements. The bombardier beetle spits out water as a fun educational feature that illustrates how the animal reacts in the wild when disturbed — by spraying a harmful chemical.

To enhance this adventure, the newly opened Bug House offers an opportunity to view actual beetles, centipedes, millipedes, stick insects, giant katydids, tarantulas, domino roaches, grasshoppers, leaf cutter ants scorpions that dwell at the Houston Zoo.

Follow along "Up To Speed" host Nicole Hickl as she strolls through the shaded paths to become friendly with a handful of the creatures.

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"Extreme Bugs!" is open through Sept. 1. Tickets are $3.95 in addition of regular zoo admission; children ages 2 and under are admitted free.

no more trips to Colorado

Bill to legalize marijuana in Texas filed by Dallas Democrat

Texas Original medical cannabis

Photo courtesy of Texas Original

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Texas Rep. Jessica González (D-Dallas) has filed a bill to legalize recreational marijuana in Texas. House Bill 1208 would legalize the cultivation, manufacturing, transportation, and sale of cannabis.

The bill would allow adults 21 and older to use, possess, and transport up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana for personal use. Adults could also keep up to 10 ounces of cannabis in their residence, as long as it is stored in a secure location.

Smoking or consuming cannabis while in a public place or in a car on a public road would not be allowed.

Gonzalez filed the bill in mid-November, one in a suite of bills that also included expanding insurance coverage for in vitro fertilization for LGBTQ couples; and requiring landlords to disclose all fees before a rental lease is signed.

Her bill was filed prior to an initiative launched by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on December 4 to ban THC products in Texas entirely.

In addition to legalizing recreational use, the bill also makes provisions for its production and sale including requiring that the packaging be child-resistent and clearly labeled, so that it's not confused for candy.

Businesses looking to grow, transport, test, or sell cannabis would need to be licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. A 10 percent tax would be imposed on the sale of all cannabis and cannabis products. Some of the profits would go towards funding public schools.

If passed, the bill would take effect on September 1, 2025.

Medical cannabis is currently legal in Texas under the Texas Compassionate Use Program, which allows low-THC cannabis to be prescribed for conditions such as epilepsy, MS, autism, cancer, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Some cities have also approved decriminalization for the possession of four ounces or less of marijuana, including Austin, Bastrop, Dallas, Denton, Elgin, Killeen, and Lockhart.

politics marijuana

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