Local
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Houston ISD identifies 17 ‘special focus’ campuses amid parent protests
The 17 schools identified as “special focus schools” in August were chosen because they received a C or D accountability rating from the Texas Education Agency, and either declined in ratings from the previous school year or remained unchanged.
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Meet the 8 Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Awards Houston honorees for 2025
While Hispanic Heritage Month is coming to a close Oct. 15, the celebrations are still going strong in Houston.
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8 Halloween events in Houston, from family-friendly to frightening
Looking for spooky fun this October? From kid-friendly festivals to haunted houses, Houston offers Halloween events for every age and scare level.
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8 places to get the best breakfast tacos in Houston
From food trucks to family joints, these top spots for breakfast tacos in Houston deliver authentic Tex-Mex flavors with homemade tortillas, fresh eggs, and just the right kick.
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Get your scream on at these 8 Houston-area haunted houses
If you’re someone who loves the idea of living in a horror movie, you can easily fulfill this fantasy at one of Houston’s haunted houses. The city and its surrounding areas offer a wide range of spooky spots, from masked killers and bug infestations to abandoned asylums and stalker clowns. Check out these eight haunts…
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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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Haunted in Houston: 6 spots reportedly frequented by ghosts
Houston is more haunted than you might think. Here are six spots reportedly frequented by ghosts. When most people think about haunted areas of the United States, they’re probably thinking about places like New Orleans, Amityville, or Estes Park, where famous ghost sightings have taken place. Houston is, as it turns out, right up there…
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Get to know your 2025-2026 Houston Rockets NBA team
Last year’s squad was a surprising top seed in the Western Conference. After shaking up their roster, the 2025-2026 Houston Rockets are a title contender.
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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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Houston’s Southern Smoke Festival returns with its biggest lineup yet
Sample bites from 85+ top chefs, sip signature cocktails, and enjoy live music at Houston’s biggest culinary block party on October 4.
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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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The 23 most Instagrammable spots in Houston
If you’re looking for an eye-catching shot to up your social media game, we’ve got you covered with this list of picture-perfect spots around Houston.
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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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5 degrees of live music: A local’s guide to the best music venues in Houston
While other Americans are starting to pull out their chunky knits and warming their hands over a blazing fire, fall looks a little bit different for those of us living in 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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The best breakfast restaurants in Houston, according to Yelp
Houston may be known for barbecue and Tex-Mex, but the sprawling city has also developed a stellar reputation for breakfast spots. Mexican fusion cafe CasaEma landed on Bon Appetit’s 14 Best New Breakfast Restaurants, serving some of the best pan dulce in the city. The Breakfast Klub—which has quickly become a main attraction in Houston…
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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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How to celebrate 2025 Oktoberfest in Houston
Find authentic German beer gardens, bratwurst, live polka music, and traditional festivities at Houston’s 2025 Oktoberfest events.
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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.
