Browsing: NEWS THAT MATTERS TO HOU

While Houston leaders celebrate new street-level safety initiatives on the Bissonnet Track, a fatal shooting at an illegal game room last night serves as a grim reminder of the ‘shadow casinos’ still operating in the heart of our neighborhoods.

A new city ordinance, now fully in effect, is rapidly turning those dreams into a bureaucratic headache, leaving casual hosts in a high-stakes standoff with Houston City Hall.

On February 5, 2026, Trees For Houston celebrated a historic milestone: the planting of its one-millionth tree.

In a ceremony at the historic Kellum-Noble House, Mayor John Whitmire and Chevron joined the organization to plant a ceremonial live oak. Executive Director Barry Ward called the milestone a “departure point” for the next million trees, representing 40 years of community dedication to building a cooler, healthier, and greener Houston for future generations.

While the Houston skyline represents growth and industrial prowess, a quieter, more corrosive issue lingers in the shadows of its overpasses and rural county roads: illegal dumping. From the bayous of Harris County to the developing outskirts of Fort Bend, the unauthorized disposal of waste has shifted from a mere eyesore to a full-blown public health and legal crisis. As local governments ramp up enforcement in 2026, residents must navigate the thin line between convenience and a criminal record.

Human trafficking is often portrayed in film as a crime of physical abduction – clandestine kidnappings and locked basements. However, today’s reality is far more subtle and, in many ways, more dangerous.

The Day the Sky Fell in Houston Forty years ago, on January 28, 1986, the world stood still as the Space Shuttle Challenger broke apart 73 seconds into flight.

In the Fall 2025 DOMEafterDOME capstone project, nineteen University of Houston architecture students reimagined the historic Astrodome not as a stagnant political relic, but as a site for 21st-century innovation. Supported by Amazon and The BASE Lab, the project challenged students to transform the “Eighth Wonder of the World” from an obsolete engineering marvel into a sustainable, functional landmark for the city’s future.

Houston is about to get hit with freezing temps, and your car isn’t ready yet. Oscar Duran shares his insights into “Cold Weather Survival Checklist” to protect your battery, your tires, and your wallet. Read these 10 essential tips before the freeze hits!

With a hard freeze and freezing rain headed for Houston, industry expert Alex from Aleska LLC is urging residents to prepare immediately. The core message is that prevention is cheaper than repair.

Don’t let political headlines dictate your healthcare. This year, the ‘renewal’ notice in your mailbox might be more of a warning than a guarantee. Between disappearing COVID-era credits and shifting doctor networks, 2026 is the year to double-check your coverage before the January 15th deadline. Here is the truth behind the myths and how to actually keep your doctor in the new year.

In a city famously void of traditional zoning, Greater Houston’s HOAs have evolved into a powerful de facto local government, managing everything from neighborhood aesthetics to critical flood infrastructure. As we navigate the legislative shifts of 2026, understanding the new “Digital Sunlight” laws is no longer optional, it is the key to protecting your property value and your rights in the nation’s most sprawling suburban landscape.

Criminals prefer Houston because of the sheer volume of transactions. In a busy store during the December rush, cashiers move through lines as quickly as possible. They rarely have the time to inspect every individual card for a sticker or a slightly raised edge. Scammers exploit this speed, knowing that the ‘human element’ is the weakest link in the retail chain. While the technology behind the barcode is simple, the psychological timing is precise; thieves rely on the chaos of a Houston holiday crowd to mask their physical tampering.

Harris County faces a major decision for the historic Astrodome: renovate the iconic stadium for $753 million to restore basic operations, or demolish it for $55 million. The report highlights costs, potential tax incentives, and the landmark’s role in Houston’s history.