Juan A. Lozano, AP – Houston Public Media

Politics

Texas businessman at center of Attorney General Ken Paxton’s impeachment facing new charges

Posted on November 9, 2023 · The new indictment of Nate Paul alleges that he defrauded business partners. It adds to earlier charges that the Austin-based real estate developer made false statements to mortgage lenders to obtain $172 million in loans.

Houston Matters

As third special session on school vouchers end, Gov. Greg Abbott travels to Israel

Posted on November 3, 2023 · While his trip might not be politically motivated, an expert says he is likely to see some benefit in voters from the Jewish community.

Education News

School vouchers likely dead in the current Texas special session, House education chairman says

Posted on November 2, 2023 · Wednesday night’s development comes after months of fierce infighting between GOP lawmakers — and with less than a week left in the current special session. Lawmakers only have until Tuesday, Nov. 7 to send legislation to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk.

Arts & Culture

Waller art studio files civil rights lawsuit against city over its mural-regulating ordinance

Posted on October 19, 2023 · The small town northwest of Houston passed a mural-related ordinance in February, a few months after Tilt Vision Art began painting murals on commercial buildings in Waller. The new law led to the cancellation of the company's contract with a local real estate developer and violates their constitutional rights, the lawsuit alleges.

Most Viewed

Civil Rights

Family of Houston-area Black student suspended for his hairstyle is suing Texas officials

Posted on September 25, 2023 · Darryl George, a 17-year-old student at Barbers Hill High School in Mont Belvieu, has been serving an in-school suspension since Aug. 31 because school district officials say his dreadlocks violate their dress code. George's family accuses Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton of failing to enforce the CROWN Act, a new state law outlawing racial discrimination based on hairstyles.

Civil Rights

A Black student was suspended for his hairstyle. The school says it wasn’t discrimination

Posted on September 20, 2023 · School officials say Darryl George's dreadlocks violate the district’s dress code. His mother says he isn't violating rules about hair length for boys. The incident recalls debates over hair discrimination in schools and the workplace.

Houston

Rapper Travis Scott is questioned over deadly crowd surge at Texas festival in wave of lawsuits

Posted on September 19, 2023 · Scott was questioned in Houston during a deposition that lasted around eight hours, two people with knowledge about the litigation said.

Immigration

Federal judge again declares that DACA is illegal

Posted on September 14, 2023 · Andrew Hanen, a federal judge in Houston, has agreed with Texas and eight other states suing to stop the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program.

Criminal Justice

Humble woman’s death by stray bullet allegedly fired by neighbor called ‘senseless crime’

Posted on May 12, 2023 · Investigators allege that Bethany Mefford, 29, had been shot in the head by a bullet that had been fired by neighbor Darius Lewis.

Police

Prosecutor: Suspected Texas gunman tried to escape to Mexico

Posted on May 4, 2023 · The woman who lived with Francisco Oropesa acknowledged delivering a message from Oropesa to his cousins in the area asking them to help him get out of the country. The cousins refused to help.

Energy & Environment

Newly active Liberty County sinkhole unearths forgotten fears in some

Posted on April 14, 2023 · Earlier this month, Daisetta officials announced the sinkhole had expanded after a long hibernation, renewing fears from some residents.

Criminal Justice

Reports: Many security lapses led to Texas inmate’s escape

Posted on December 9, 2022 · After Gonzalo Lopez fled a prison bus on May 12 during an escape in which he was able to break free from his restraints and cut through a caged area of the vehicle. He remained free for three weeks.

Sports

Deshaun Watson settles 20 of 24 sexual misconduct lawsuits, lawyer says

Posted on June 21, 2022 · The terms and amounts of the settlements involving the former Houston Texans quarterback are confidential.

Astroworld

Congressional panel investigates deadly Astroworld concert

Posted on December 22, 2021 · A Congressional committee has launched an investigation into the promoter of the Astroworld music festival in Houston, in which 10 people were killed during a massive crowd surge.

Astroworld

All of the Astroworld lawsuits will be handled by one Houston judge, a judicial board ruled

Posted on December 9, 2021 · A judicial board has ruled that the more than 300 lawsuits that have been filed so far in Houston following a crowd surge at the Astroworld festival that left 10 people dead will be handled by one judge.

Criminal Justice

George Floyd could be pardoned for a 2004 Houston arrest if Gov. Greg Abbott signs off

Posted on October 5, 2021 · The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles unanimously recommended a posthumous pardon for a 2004 drug arrest made by a now-indicted ex-Houston police officer whose case history is under scrutiny following a deadly drug raid.

Weather

Nicholas, Now A Tropical Depression, Still Douses Gulf Coast

Posted on September 13, 2021 · Nicholas is expected to weaken to a tropical depression Tuesday night. The storm has dumped more than a foot of rain along the same area swamped by Hurricane Harvey in 2017, but it's a fraction of what fell during Harvey.

Criminal Justice

Houston Woman Sentenced For False 911 Calls Sparking Fatal Harding Street Drug Raid

Posted on June 9, 2021 · Patricia Garcia is the first person who has been sentenced in connection with the deadly raid in which Dennis Tuttle and his wife, Rhogena Nicholas, were fatally shot on Jan. 28, 2019.

Criminal Justice

Harris County Leaders Back Pardoning George Floyd For 2004 Drug Arrest

Posted on May 12, 2021 · The five members of Harris County Commissioners Court unanimously approved the resolution in support of the pardon request, which was submitted last month to the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles.