Browsing: NEWS THAT MATTERS TO HOU

News That Matters to HOU focuses on the stories, issues, and updates that actually impact life in Greater Houston. From neighborhood developments and local business news to community wins and resources, this isn’t noise or clickbait—it’s the information that helps Houstonians stay informed, connected, and empowered.

You might be dealing with the “holiday blues,” a common mood dip that can pop up when routines change, expectations rise, budgets tighten, and family dynamics (or grief) get stirred up. For some people, it’s the first holiday without someone they love. For others, it’s feeling far from home, overwhelmed by packed calendars, or quietly burned out while everyone else looks like they’re thriving.

Houston has lost one of its most iconic voices. Dave Ward, the legendary ABC13 (KTRK) anchor, died Saturday, December 13, 2025, at age 86 after a career that spanned more than five decades. Known for his steady presence, sharp storytelling, and signature greeting, “Good evening, friends,” Ward helped shape how generations of Houstonians experienced the news.

He joined KTRK in 1966 as the station’s sole on-the-street reporter and photographer, then became the main anchor of Eyewitness News in 1968. He held that role with integrity and warmth until his retirement in 2017, earning recognition for one of the longest tenures by a TV news anchor at the same station in the same market. For Houston, Dave Ward wasn’t just a familiar face, he was a trusted part of the city’s daily life.

The holiday season just got more exciting for Houston sports fans. The Space City Home Network (SCHN), a joint venture between the Houston Astros and Houston Rockets, has officially launched its direct-to-consumer (DTC) streaming app, SCHN+, making it easier and more affordable than ever to catch every home and away game without a pricey cable subscription. This is something that fans have been asking about for a few years now. 

If you’re raising kids in Greater Houston, you already know how fast the costs of their future add up: college tuition, first apartments, maybe even a starter home. A new federal program aims to give children a little financial head start: “Trump Accounts,” a type of investment account created in President Donald Trump’s recent tax and spending package.

Light Up the Park, presented by Houston Methodist, Houston’s newest holiday celebration.

The event officially opens to the public on Saturday, November 22, kicking off a 45-day festival that runs through January 4, 2026.

Look online at posts about Houston’s Eighth Wonder of the World and you’ll find, “TEAR IT DOWN,” or “WE ALREADY VOTED TO TEAR IT DOWN,” or “IT’S AN EYESORE,” or “BLOW IT UP AND PUT MORE PARKING.” These notions are the opposite of what was being said by almost everyone six decades ago, and it’s either a sad statement of where we are today with disposal culture or just a symptom of today’s keyboard warriors on social media.