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safety
Houston Methodist fire: Piece of equipment catches fire on roof of Centennial Tower in Med Center, fire out
The Houston Fire Department is on the scene after a fire has been reported at Centennial Tower at Houston Methodist in the Medical Center.
government
Poll shows tight Texas election races
schools
New Texas heat rules could delay or cancel football, band practices this school year
Football and marching band practices across Texas could look very different this school year. Beginning August 1, schools must follow new mandatory heat safety rules that could shorten, delay or even cancel outdoor practices during dangerous heat. This is a major change. The Univ...
parks
Immigration attorney Hugo Balderas-Ibarra representing ICE shooting witnesses faces $500,000 malpractice lawsuit
Houston immigration attorney Hugo Balderas Ibarra , who represents two witnesses in the deadly ICE shooting in Houston’s Magnolia Park neighborhood, is now facing a legal malpractice lawsuit alleging his handling of another immigration case led to a client’s deportation. A couple...
business
Third Ward funeral home operator accused of stealing $2.2M estate appears in court
A Houston funeral home owner appeared in court after prosecutors accused her of stealing more than $2.2 million through an alleged estate fraud scheme tied to her business....
business
Judge strikes down Houston minority contracting rule, leaving business owners uncertain
For more than four decades, Houston’s Minority, Women and Small Business Enterprise (MWSBE) Program has helped connect certified businesses with city contracting opportunities. Now, a federal judge’s ruling is changing part of that process. A federal judge ruled the City of Houst...
parks
Federal government appeals release of witness in deadly Houston ICE shooting
The federal government is fighting to overturn a judge’s order releasing a key witness to the deadly ICE shooting in Houston’s Magnolia Park neighborhood. José Trinidad Rojas Pliego walked out of ICE custody Wednesday, more than three weeks after he witnessed ICE agents shoot and...
safety
Houston Fire Department responds to fire at Houston Methodist Hospital in medical center
The fire department received a call about a 2-alarm fire near the intersection of Fannin Street and University Boulevard shortly after 5 p.m. Friday.
safety
Houston launches high-risk apartment inspection program to target repeat safety violations
If you live in an apartment, the City of Houston wants to make sure the building you call home is not putting you at risk. Houston City Council recently approved a new High-Risk Apartment Inspection Program aimed at properties with a history of repeated health, safety, and fire c...
Local
Harris County launches ‘Priority Pass’ in an effort to streamline vehicle registration
The new online service is designed to speed up vehicle registration for Harris County residents by reducing tax office wait times.
business
Grab your white outfit! White Linen Night celebrates 20 years in Houston's Heights
If you need an excuse to wear your favorite white outfit, stroll through one of Houston’s most popular neighborhoods and enjoy food, music and shopping, this weekend has you covered. White Linen Night in the Heights returns Saturday, Aug. 1, celebrating its 20th anniversary with ...
News
‘After the Flood’ podcast: Fifth episode reviews Kerr County’s readiness one year after deadly July 4 flood
"After the Flood," a collaboration of The Texas Newsroom and PBS’ Frontline, is an intimate and deeply reported look at catastrophic flooding in Central Texas....
parks
Prosecutors request dismissal of Reflecting Pool vandalism charges against Olympian due to installation flaws
Federal prosecutors are requesting the dismissal of an indictment charging a former Olympian with vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
business
Barbecue Inn is closing its doors after 80 years. These food lovers came for one last plate
The restaurant had been a staple of Independence Heights since the 1940s. Some guests waited hours in a line that went out the door for one last chance at shrimp and fried chicken....
News
Federal agency warns of growing cyber threat to water systems
Federal officials have issued a national advisory warning of cyber threats to public water systems after multiple utilities across Minnesota were targeted in recent cyber incidents....
Local
Houston meteorologist Rachel Briers to make KPRC 2 debut Aug. 3
If you’ve watched Houston weather over the past several years, chances are you’ve seen Rachel Briers. Starting Monday, Aug. 3, the veteran meteorologist will make her KPRC 2 debut. Viewers can watch Briers on KPRC 2 weekdays at noon, 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. She’ll also appear across KP...
Local
'I'm a celebrity': Unlicensed funeral director accused of stealing dead man's estate dodges questions after court
A Houston funeral home director accused of stealing a dead man’s estate stormed out of the Harris County criminal courthouse Friday morning, claiming to be a “celebrity” who had nothing to say — then quickly changed course and started hurling insults. Unique Green is accused of p...
safety
More than 130K fireworks recalled over explosion risk
A nationwide fireworks recall is warning consumers to stop using a popular firework rocket after officials said it could explode before reaching its intended height....
safety
Videos released of deadly Houston Police chase; family of man killed demands full bodycam video
The family of Ibrahim Abousway is demanding full, unedited video footage from Houston Police following a fatal July 1 chase off Highway 6.
parks
TPWD pursuing 650-acre acquisition for new East Texas state park
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has confirmed it is pursuing acquisition of land in East Texas' Henderson County for a proposed new state park....
safety
Houston crash: Elderly man killed in auto-pedestrian crash in convenience store parking lot
An elderly man is dead following an auto-pedestrian crash in Houston on Friday morning, officials said.
News
Galveston County health officials report neuroinvasive West Nile virus case in resident
It's the first West Nile virus case in Galveston County in 2026. Health officials there say the resident, who is hospitalized, had "travel exposures" outside of the county during their incubation period....
schools
Campus Dining Gets a Major Upgrade With Rice University Landing Its Own Trill Burgers — All Courtesy of Professor Bun B
Students arriving on campus at Rice University for the new school year might have to work a bit harder to fight off that almost inevitable Freshman 15 weight gain. As the newest enrollees descend upon Houston’s version of an Ivy League school, they will discover during orientatio...
safety
Pedestrian dies after being hit by vehicle in southwest Houston parking lot
An investigation is underway after a pedestrian died after being struck by a vehicle in a parking lot Friday morning in southwest Houston, according to the Houston Police Department. The incident was reported around 11 a.m. in the 9800 block of South Kirkwood Road. Police said th...
schools
How to apply for free or reduced cost meals at Houston ISD schools
The new school year is rapidly approaching and with its arrival, so is the reality of lunches for children. Some families may qualify for free or reduced cost meals for their children at Houston ISD schools, but there is a process to determine and apply for it. Application Famili...
schools
Three Houston-area moms sue over Ten Commandments in schools. They say it violates Texas’ own laws
A 2025 state law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms was upheld last spring by a federal appeals court. Now it's being challenged in a state-level court in Harris County....
safety
Man accused of Houston sexual assaults spanning nearly 20 years
Phillip Serf is accused in four assault cases, but police believe there may be more victims.
News
ACLU files $10 million claim over alleged abuse at South Texas immigration facility
A permanent resident who was deported to Trinidad and Tobago last year is seeking $10 million from the Trump administration, claiming he was subjected to medical neglect and abuse while being held in a South Texas immigration facility....
safety
DNA testing leads to arrest of man suspected in Houston sexual assaults over decades-long period
Phillip Cerf, 62, has been charged with four counts of aggravated sexual assault for alleged crimes committed between 1996 and 2016.
parks
Recall of pool toys expanded over possibility of impalement
The expanded recall involves thousands of Sloosh Dive Sticks sold online at Amazon, Temu, Target, Wayfair, and Shein.
Local
John Oliver goes after Buc-ee’s: The Good, Bad, and Ugly of the week
The Houston Matters panel of non-experts weighs in on stories from the week’s news and decides if they’re good, bad, or ugly.