⚾️ Astros strike out

🎟 Hey, it's October 3rd.

☀️ Today's weather: High around 90, again.

🍯 Shana Tova to those celebrating the Jewish New Year.

Today's newsletter is 927 words — a 3.5-minute read.

The Astros were kicked out of World Series contention with yesterday's Game 2 loss to the Detroit Tigers.

Why it matters: With the 5-2 loss comes the end of Houston's 2024 season and hopes of an eight straight appearance in the American League Championship Series.

Catch up quick: The Astros won the American League West with an 88-73 record and entered the postseason as the AL's No. 3 seed, pitted against the No. 6 Tigers in the three-game American League Wild Card series.

• Detroit, led by former Astros skipper A.J. Hinch, beat Houston 3-1 in the first game of the series on Tuesday at Minute Maid Park.

What they're saying: "It was a very challenging season," Astros manager Joe Espada said after yesterday's loss. "We should be proud of what we accomplished and how we did it. The process is important."

The big picture: The Astros still have plenty to brag about this season.

• Houston won seven of 13 games against the Texas Rangers to win the coveted but inconsequential Silver Boot Series for the seventh time in eight years.
• The Astros were at one point 10 games behind the Seattle Mariners in the division but clawed their way back to the top by the regular season's end.
• And in the preseason, second baseman Jose Altuve signed a five-year, $125 million deal with the Astros, securing his legacy as an Astro for life.

💭 Jay's thought bubble: The only game I made it out to this season was Tuesday's Game 1 loss to the Tigers, when a late push by Houston wasn't enough to top Detroit's three-run second inning. But win or lose, the Astros are always one thing: fun to watch.

• I thought I had it good as a kid when Houston finally made it to the World Series on the backs of the Killer B's in 2005 before going cold for nearly a decade.
• But today's young Astros fans, some of whom skipped school to see yesterday's afternoon game in downtown, have not just one season to remember but a years-long dynasty of lasting memories.

What's next

The new Texas Stock Exchange plans to start trading in late 2025, with a leadership team that includes former Gov. Rick Perry.

Why it matters: Gov. Greg Abbott hopes TXSE — pronounced "Tex-see" — will draw more companies to Texas and boost the state's already strong economy.

The big picture: Perry; former Silicon Labs CEO Tyson Tuttle; Rick Yoder, a founder of Austin-based Virtu Financial; and public affairs guru Bill Lauderback are some of the members with Austin ties on the stock exchange's newly announced leadership team.

Flashback: TXSE was unveiled in June as a more "CEO-friendly" stock exchange.

• "This is as apolitical an exchange as ever could be put together," TXSE chair Jim Lee said at a news conference in Austin on Monday.

Reality check: There might be little upside for companies to switch stock exchanges and have to justify the move to their investors. Business has mostly been concentrated in the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq.

The intrigue: Perry has maintained a relatively low profile in recent years, but he appears to be back in state politics, taking up a new role as House Speaker Dade Phelan's senior adviser. He joined Abbott and Lee at Monday's news conference.

What's next: TXSE plans to register with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in the coming months.

• If approved, the stock exchange would execute its first trades at the end of 2025 and launch listings in 2026.

Dig deeper

💰 Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta is the new wealthiest person in Houston, unseating Hilcorp founder Jeffery Hildebrand, according to this year's Forbes 400. (Houston Chronicle)

🖨️ The Houston Public Library will reinstate a policy charging users for copies despite equity concerns. (Houston Landing)

Stat du jour:

🎨 Houston's arts industry is valued at more than $1 billion annually, making it the largest in Texas, according to Americans for the Arts.

• The Houston arts industry supported nearly 20,000 jobs and generated about $32 million in revenue for local governments. (Houston Public Media)

Through programs like the Future of STEM Scholars Initiative, the chemical industry is furthering STEM education in underrepresented groups to create a diverse future for our industry and a bright future for all.

Nearly 100 students in Texas have received $40,000 scholarships.

Learn more.

🕰 Discover the worth of your antiques and heirlooms at the Fall Appraisal Fair at the Antique Gallery of Houston.

• Each item requires a $7 donation for appraisal. 11am to 3pm Friday and Saturday.

💽 See performance artist Christopher Paul interpret and celebrate the Museum of Fine Arts Houston's exhibit "Jacolby Satterwhite: A Metta Prayer" on Friday.

• Museum entry is $24 and includes admission to the performance. 6:30pm.

🧛 Check out wickedly cool rides at the National Museum of Funeral History's Halloween Classic Car Show on Saturday.

• $10 for individuals and $15 for families at the door. 10am to 3pm.

🐢 Learn about different creatures at the Houston Humane Society's Wildlife Workshops series in Spring on Sunday.

• Free. Sessions start at 9:30am and 10:45am.

🚂 Catch Union Pacific's 1940s Big Boy locomotive as it stops at Houston's Amtrak station on Sunday.

• Free. 9am to 3pm.

👋 Shafaq here! I recently visited Costco, and what greeted me in October? Christmas decorations.

• A grand display of Christmas trees and decor was right at the entrance. And in the aisles, Christmas-themed chocolates were already on the shelves.

Why it matters: Sure, Christmas is less than 90 days away, but October is the month of Halloween.

• Do I have to go to Home Depot just to get a glimpse of the giant skeleton and other spooky decor?

📧 Readers, what do you think? Should Christmas decor wait until after Halloween? Or are y'all team Christmas joy as early as possible?

The safety and sustainability of chemical operations and products is a core priority for the chemical industry.

Responsible Care is our industry's commitment to continuously enhance the health and safety of our employees, the communities we operate in and the environment as a whole.

Learn more.

Thanks to Chloe Gonzales for editing this newsletter.

🎶 Shafaq is reading about this cool vinyl record manufacturer right in the East End.

👀 Jay is making plans to see Big Boy this Sunday.