News
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11 Houston-area Starbucks closing due to company restructuring
Coffee lovers across the US are having to ditch their normal haunts, as Starbucks closed over 400 locations across the country this past week.
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Get ready to Empty the Shelters in Houston at BARC Animal Shelter
That’s what BARC Animal Shelter hopes will happen at the Empty the Shelters event. From Oct. 1-15, BARC Animal Shelter, along with 300+ shelters across 38 states, will be offering reduced adoptions fees through a partnership with BISSELL Pet Foundation.
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12 Houston events to help you fall into October
It’s every fall lover’s favorite month! And while Houston is still enjoying (or sweating in) hotter weather for the season, there are still plenty of upcoming events to help get you in the spooky and autumnal spirit. Keep reading for just a few of the festivals and other events we’re looking forward to.
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New sports-themed gay bar set to open in the heart of Montrose
It has to be said: While Texas might not always be viewed as a state where queer people can thrive, the city of Houston has always had a vibrant LGBTQ+ culture, including its own “gayborhood” in Montrose.
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Whataburger, Houston Food Bank, and Houston Texans team up to fight child hunger
Through Oct. 12, Whataburger and the Houston Texans are partnering with the Houston Food Bank to donate a portion of the restaurant’s revenue to the nonprofit.
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Taste America: Houston brings culinary delights to the city
Like most Houstonians my age, getting the chance or funds to splurge on a seasonal, chef-driven meal is pretty rare. (Not in this economy, am I right?) But the upcoming Taste of America event, which aims to showcase some of the city’s expansive culinary scene, might just be worth the spend.
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Spot the purple ‘The Giving Pumps’ at Shell gas stations for a chance to give back in Houston
The new Shell pumps are part of a charity campaign called “The Giving Pump,” running now through the end of October. Customers will have the chance to donate a portion of every gas purchase towards two children’s charities: the Children’s Medical Foundation of Houston and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston.
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Lina Hidalgo won’t seek third term as Harris County chief executive
Harris County voters will choose a new county judge in 2026, as Lina Hidalgo announced she won’t seek a third term.
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Houston celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month amid concerns over ICE arrests
Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs through Oct. 15, kicks off in Houston this week with music, dance, and festivals across the area. But for many, the celebrations are not just about celebrating culture—it’s also about finding hope and joy at a time when increased immigration enforcement has left many communities on edge.
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New Houston-area Family Place Libraries provide safe learning spaces for families
Two new Family Place Libraries have been unveiled in the Houston area, and will set the scene for a focused environment for families to take learning to the next level on their own time.
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Houston residents to see increased electricity bill due to CenterPoint Energy cost adjustments
The last thing most Houston residents want to hear is that an already potentially high electric bill could be even higher.
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University of Houston-Sugar Land debuts new engineering building
A new engineering building built by a Houston university continues to fill the ever-growing need for engineers.
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Free Fare Fridays encourage public transit for the month of September in the Houston area
Houston public transit users can expect to see a little extra change in their pockets this month, as multiple transit agencies take part in Free Fare Fridays.
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Houston housing affordability improves but certain ZIP codes continue to see sky-high prices
While the housing market might be looking up for some, certain Houston ZIP codes are still seeing sky-high prices.
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Women‑led, minority‑owned businesses continue to thrive in Texas despite attempted DEI cuts
As the Trump administration and Republican state leaders continue pushing rollbacks of programs that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in schools and workplaces, a women‑led, minority‑owned business in Sugar Land is finding success.
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Sugar Land to serve as only Houston-area support city for upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup
Sugar Land will soon be saying “ole, ole” as the city announces it will be the only support city for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. Being a support city allows for Sugar Land to have a large say in how Houston will engage in being a host city. Houston is set to host seven…
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Houston high school football coaches continue to make almost double compared to teachers
School is back in session for Houston students, which means football season is also right around the corner. We all know how huge high school football is in Texas: Not only does the NFL recruit a disproportionately high number of players from the Lone Star State, but the hit show “Friday Night Lights” was also…
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Houston aims to improve water billing issues by replacing thousands of faulty meters
In Houston, long periods of heat often mean higher water use. But for some residents, the real shock comes in the mail—faulty meters have been misreading their water for years.
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Houston restaurant Casaema lands on New York-based best new breakfast spots list
Breakfast has evolved from just bacon, eggs, and a cup of drip coffee from a days-old pot. Unique flavors inspired by countries around the globe have become all the rage, with recent studies showing that a majority of breakfast consumers are interested in trying flavor fusions and combinations. So it’s no surprise that Casaema, a…
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A Texas congressman is quietly helping Elon Musk pitch building $760M tunnels under Houston to ease flooding
By Lauren McGaughy, Texas Newsroom, and Yilun Cheng, Houston Chronicle Aug. 28, 2025 “A Texas congressman is quietly helping Elon Musk pitch building $760M tunnels under Houston to ease flooding” was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics,…
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Houston approves costly crosswalk upgrades for student safety. Critics say there are better options
After a high school student was hit by an SUV near Lamar High Schoo in Augustl, Houston mayor John Whitmire has ordered crosswalk upgrades at the intersection of Eastside and Westheimer. The solution? A High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk installed by Houston Public Works that will allow students to press a button to activate a crossing light,…
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Take a trip down bar lane with Texas Cocktail Week, Sept. 14-21
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect changes announced by Texas Cocktail Week, including pricing. Forget about wine, beer, and ciders—it’s time to sip on some elaborate cocktails for a discounted price with the start of Texas Cocktail Week, taking place in Houston. From Sept. 14-21, Houstonians can indulge in discounted cocktails, masterclasses,…
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Houston ISD will invest nearly $20 million in HVAC improvements at aging campuses
In Houston’s oldest schools, chipped paint isn’t the only sign of age—it’s the sweltering classrooms when air conditioning breaks down. As summers continue to get hotter, with Houston still having high temperatures well into September, multiple campuses in Houston ISD will now see upgrades to its heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, as well as…
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Some of Houston’s most congested roads could improve under new transportation plan
A new $146 billion transportation plan could potentially provide traffic relief to Houstonians. The Unified Transportation Program, developed by the Texas Department of Transportation, will take place over the next 10 years after being approved on Thursday. “ What it means for the Houston area is addressing growth,” TxDOT PIO Danny Perez told COURIER HTX. “Houston…
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2 Houston schools rank among top 100 best high schools in US
Carnegie Vanguard High School and DeBakey High School for Health Professions have both been ranked in US News and World Report’s annual high school rankings. Not only are they included in the top 100, but both also appear in the top 10 for Texas schools.
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Tired of getting stuck at a train crossing? Houston has a new tool for that
While every crossing is not currently listed on the tracker, city officials say they plan to expand coverage as the technology improves.
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Houston drivers to see some cheaper toll rates starting in September
Toll payments can quickly add up on Houston roads—but drivers will soon see lower rates along SH 288. Starting Sept. 1, through the Texas Department of Transportation, rates will be lowered on SH 288 by almost half. “When TxDOT made the historic move to buy back this roadway, we promised drivers toll relief and that…
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As DEI faces pushback, Houston partners with Kroger to launch jobs initiative
As DEI programs face pushback nationally, Houston is leaning in. Roderick Batson, with support from the city of Houston and Kroger, has launched Helping Heroes Staffing to create real job opportunities for people with special needs.
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Longtime Houston art space, Graffiti Park, will be demolished for TxDOT project
Graffiti Park has long been known as a cultural hotspot for aspiring and established artists to be able to showcase their work in a free and public space. But now, a highway improvement project has resulted in the iconic area’s demolition.
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How to report potholes, broken streetlights, flooding in Houston
Local residents know that navigating Houston streets can sometimes be challenging: If you’ve ever swerved around a pothole while driving up and down Kirby Drive, you get it. However, residents can do their part by reporting obstacles like potholes and flooding, or broken streetlights, that they encounter on their daily routes.
