Politics
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City Controller reveals Houston’s $174M shortfall the largest in the city’s history
City leaders are weighing tough choices, from potential service cuts to long‑term fixes.
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Fort Bend shake up as Brittanye Morris is disqualified and Nicole Roberts moves into the Pct. 4 runoff
A court ruling removes Brittanye Morris from the Precinct 4 race, positioning Nicole Roberts to face April Jones in the May 26 Democratic runoff. Fort Bend County Judge Susan Brown has issued a ruling that reshapes the Democratic runoff for Fort Bend County Precinct 4 commissioner, declaring former Harris County District Judge Brittanye Morris ineligible…
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Harris County Democratic chair calls for more voter engagement ahead of November
Harris County Democratic Chair Elect Traci Gibson said the party’s priority is building a stronger, more connected electorate ahead of November. She emphasized the need for deeper voter engagement, saying the path to higher participation begins with making residents feel heard, included, and informed. She pointed to her own down ballot performance as evidence that…
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Houston NAACP president calls SAVE Act the “Sabotage Act”
Bishop James Dixon, President of the Houston NAACP, addresses concerns about the SAVE Act and its implications for democracy and voter access, as the Houston chapter stands united with the national NAACP in their opposition to the act.
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Texas Rep. Jolanda Jones shares her health story on ACA anniversary
State Rep. Jolanda Jones, a Houston Democrat, reflects on the ACA’s 16th anniversary, recalling how a medical emergency once wiped out her savings before the law existed. At the core of her message: affordable health care is essential for every community.
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Travelers face hourslong wait times at Houston Bush Airport as shutdown affects TSA
Long lines are stretching through Bush Airport as TSA staffing drops during the shutdown. Airport officials say on a normal day, 37 TSA checkpoints are open, but only a fraction are running.
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Houston council member outlines 3-part ordinance to limit HPD ICE calls, increase transparency
Council Member Alejandra Salinas, joined by Council Member Abbie Kamin and community leaders, proposed an ordinance stating that HPD would not be required to call ICE for administrative immigration warrants. It would require routine traffic stops to end once their lawful purpose ends and mandate regular reports on how often HPD asks about immigration status…
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Harris County adopts first-ever worker consultation policy
Harris County has approved a historic consultation policy that gives nearly 20,000 workers a real voice in shaping workplace policies. The plan creates structured dialogue between employees and leadership, with a consultation agent, a joint consultation team, regular policy review meetings, support in grievance processes, and a clear path for employee centered recommendations to Commissioners…
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US Rep. Christian Menefee condemns ICE funding amid partial shutdown
During the Harris County Democratic conference, US Rep. Christian Menefee reflected on the urgent need to fund essential services, the harm caused by underinvestment in agencies like TSA and FEMA, while continuing to support ICE.
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Commissioners Court pushes for Judge Lina Hidalgo’s resignation
At Harris County Commissioners Court, Commissioner Tom Ramsey is calling for Judge Lina Hidalgo to resign amid recent controversy at the Houston Rodeo. He says with hurricane season and the FIFA World Cup ahead, the county needs stronger leadership. Commissioners also honored the Houston Rodeo with a resolution for its community work.
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Houston Council Members propose ordinance limiting HPD’s role in administrative ICE Warrants
The proposal challenges current HPD procedures as city leaders debate how officers should handle administrative ICE warrants. Council Member Alejandra Salinas, joined by Council Member Abbie Kamin and several community leaders, introduced an ordinance that would clarify how Houston police handle administrative immigration warrants and limit when local officers would contact federal immigration authorities. The…
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UH students protest board of regents’ $13 million investment tied to Israel defense
UH students gathered on campus to oppose the board of regents’ $13 million investment in companies supplying weapons to Israel. Protestors say the university’s money should not support firms connected to the conflict, but instead go towards student safety and education.
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Iran conflict sends oil over $100, and Houston drivers feel it at the pump
Oil has surged past $100 as tensions with Iran continue to rise. The jump is already shaking global energy markets. Drivers across the country are feeling the pain at the pump.
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Houston, Fort Bend, and Aldine districts announce sweeping school closures
Enrollment drops and budget pressures are driving widespread campus closures across Houston ISD, Fort Bend ISD and Aldine ISD. Three major Houston-area school districts are moving forward with significant school closures, citing declining enrollment, aging facilities, and financial pressures. The decisions have drawn strong reactions from educators, parents, and students, who say the changes will…
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Texas court blocks Ken Paxton challenge to Harris County immigration fund
A Texas court blocked Attorney General Ken Paxton’s attempt to stop Harris County’s immigrant legal aid funding because the money was already spent. Now the fight heads to the Texas Supreme Court, where the stakes get even higher.
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CD‑18 voters are ready for strong, steady leadership after redistricting
CD‑18 voters say this March primary matters. After being redistricted and going more than a year without representation, many say they’re ready for steady leadership again. They’re energized, paying attention, and prepared to move forward with someone in place who can represent them.
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Young Houston voters push for new leadership in a tense election year
As early voting closes ahead of Texas’ primary elections, some Houston-area voters say they are approaching the candidates with a renewed sense of urgency, citing concerns ranging from immigration and public education to civil rights and community safety. Roughly 270,000 people cast early ballots in Harris County for the March 3 primary, combining both in‑person…
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ICE admin office to open near Woodlands school
Just across from Primrose Schools in the Woodlands, an ICE facility is gearing up to open. Cesar Espinosa, with Immigrant Families and Students in the Fight, says this move opens the door for more child detainments despite its illegality.
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ICE is operating in droves in Houston
ICE is in Texas, but Houston hasn’t forgotten their neighbors. Follow @couriertexas.
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Rep. Al Green casts vote as a candidate for the CD-18
Rep. Al Green casts his vote today as a candidate for Texas’ 18th Congressional District. After recent redistricting shifted district boundaries and placed his residence outside the TX‑09 lines he once represented, he’s now running under the new map.
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ICE protester pleads with Houston City Council to end the city’s cooperation with ICE
An ICE protester pleaded with Houston City Council to end the city’s collaboration with the agency, urging leaders to take action as concerns over enforcement practices continue to grow.
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Houston Mayor celebrates city in annual address
From cheering on Hilton Americas labor workers who fought for fair wages, to launching the revitalization of Tranquillity Park, to prioritizing public safety, Houston Mayor John Whitmire used his State of the City address to spotlight the people and projects moving Houston forward.
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Texas braces for political upheaval as Trump floats Ted Cruz for Supreme Court
The longtime Senator’s move to the Supreme Court could upend Texas representation and reinforce the Court’s conservative tilt. President Donald Trump’s public suggestion that Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas could be a nominee for a future U.S. Supreme Court vacancy is prompting questions about how the move would reshape both Texas politics and the…
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Houston voters just filled a vacant seat. Now they’re voting again.
Rep. Christian Menefee of Texas, the newest member of Congress, started the job Monday – and now has just four weeks to convince Houston voters he already deserves reelection.
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Houstonians pack City Hall, demanding accountability for ICE violence
Demand for action was clear at Houston City Hall as residents delivered urgent testimony on ICE’s presence in the city, with some speakers directing sharp criticism at Mayor John Whitmire.
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Inside Houston’s political tug-of-war over housing and mobility
Houston’s growth is speeding up, but politics aren’t keeping pace. Charles Blain, President of Urban Reform Institute, breaks down how stalled decisions on affordability and transportation are shaping everyday life in the city.
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Weather closures spark early voting extension lawsuit in CD‑18 runoff
Early voting was cut short by extreme weather; now a lawsuit calls for Harris County to extend voting time ahead of the CD‑18 runoff.
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Houston’s CD-18 runoff sees two-day early voting extension after judge’s ruling
Extension follows civil rights lawsuit over weather shutdowns in closely watched congressional runoff. A judge has ordered Harris County to extend early voting in the Congressional District 18 runoff, granting two additional days of access after civil rights groups sued to restore time lost during this week’s weather‑related shutdowns. Pure Justice, the Texas Civil Rights…
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Weather closures spark early voting extension lawsuit in CD‑18 runoff
Early voting was cut short by extreme weather; now a lawsuit calls for Harris County to extend voting time ahead of the CD‑18 runoff.
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Inside Houston’s political tug-of-war over housing and mobility
Houston’s growth is speeding up, but politics aren’t keeping pace. Charles Blain, President of Urban Reform Institute, breaks down how stalled decisions on affordability and transportation are shaping everyday life in the city.
