News
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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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Texas election bill seeks to retain limits on same-day registration changes
Under legislation pushed by Gov. Greg Abbott, voters could update their address at the polls, but they couldn’t immediately cast a ballot based on the new one.
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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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Opponents of TX redistricting say proposed maps would hurt minorities
Opponents of proposed redrawn Congressional maps in Texas say the changes will hurt Latino, Black and Asian voters.
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Project expected to reduce temps in Dallas’ heat island
A groundbreaking project is planned for the SouthwesternMedical District that developers say will improve health and help cool the Dallas heat island. The medical district is working with the Texas Trees Foundation to add more trees and landscaping to the corridor and build a park in the middle of the 14 acres of land that…
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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.
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City of Houston partners with Reliant Energy to help residents beat the heat
Anyone who’s lived in Houston for long enough knows that heat can mostly be uncomfortable, and sometimes even life-threatening, due to the emerging climate crisis increasing temperatures.
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Op-Ed: Tarrant County’s redistricting directly attacks Black, brown voters. We’re fighting back
I was born and raised in Precinct 1 of Tarrant County. I’ve seen our communities grow, organize, vote, and—finally—elect leaders who reflect our values, needs, and lived experiences. On June 3, 2025, I witnessed something deeply troubling.
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Is your Dallas neighborhood a heat island?
Dallas officials hope a 2024 climate study can help create strategies to combat heat islands — a phenomenon that has left some neighborhoods in the city up to 12 degrees warmer than other areas during the summer months.
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16 best senior discounts in Dallas-Fort Worth
Take advantage of the best senior discounts in Dallas-Fort Worth to save money on entertainment, groceries, and more.
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Tarrant County Democratic Party lays off all paid staff, declines to share details
Tarrant County Democratic Party Chair Crystal Gayden said Tuesday that her party is strategically restructuring, although she declined to share details on what that restructuring looks like. Lon Burnam, a Democrat who represented Tarrant County in the Texas House between 1997 and 2015 and remains involved with the party, confirmed that the party has laid…
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Dallas names 5 finalists for new police chief
Community leaders speak out on what qualities they want to see in the next leader of the Dallas Police Department.
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Reality romance, Texas style: Bachelor filming spots you can visit
Explore The Bachelor’s Texas filming spots, why Houston invested $240K to host the show, and where fans can visit these reality TV landmarks.
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‘It’s shameful:’ North Texas veterans respond to Trump’s proposed VA cuts
Protests against the Trump administration’s possible VA cuts took place all across the country on March 14, including at the VA hospital in Dallas.
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Here’s everything to know about the May 3 Dallas City Council election
Over 40 candidates are vying for 14 Dallas City Council seats in May, with just one council member running unopposed. Here’s what you need to know.
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You may qualify to file your taxes for free in Texas—here’s how
An estimated 4.2 million Texans will be eligible to use the IRS Direct File program to file their taxes this year.
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Struggling with your mental health after surviving a disaster? Here’s how to look after yourself
There’s the initial shock and chaos in a collective disaster like the deadly and destructive California wildfires. Here’s what you can do in the aftermath.
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VIDEO: Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s most viral moments
Rep. Jasmine Crockett, known for her clapbacks and viral moments in Congress, will celebrate her swearing in for her second term on Jan. 28 in Dallas.
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VIDEO: Will short-term rentals get banned in Dallas?
The Dallas City Council voted to ban short-term rentals throughout most of the city in 2023, but the ruling has been on hold for nearly a year following a lawsuit filed by the Dallas Short-Term Rental Alliance. Rental operators argue that the move by the city council amounts to an unconstitutional ban on their properties,…
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VIDEO: Dallas could get sued over homeless encampments
Dallas is facing the consequences of voters approving Proposition S in November. Dallas HERO, the GOP-back organization that helped get the new ordinance on the ballot, is now threatening to sue the city for allegedly failing to enforce a state law that forbids homeless encampments on public property. Prop S allows residents to sue the…
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VIDEO: Vapes get snuffed: Dallas adds vaping to city’s smoking bans
Dallas residents won’t be able to vape anywhere in the city where smoking is already prohibited — which includes outside of building entrances and parks — starting in December 2025. The new ban comes as the city hopes to enhance air quality and safeguard the health of residents.
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7 tips to avoid holiday scams and protect your identity
The holidays can bring joy, time off from work, and days spent with family—but they can also be accompanied by added stressors. Here’s how to avoid scams.
