Houston Matters
National Poetry Month: “Liturgy of a Holy Rock and Roll Poet” by Chris Wise
Posted on · The Houston poet reads a piece about struggling to be a writer and the blood, sweat, and tears of chasing a dream.
Category: Literature
Voices and Verses
National Poetry Month: “Color Study: Yellow” By Ariana Lee
Posted on · The Houston Youth Poet Laureate shares a poem inspired by her Asian American identity.
Literature
‘Little Banned Library’ featuring books removed from schools opening in Houston’s Heights neighborhood
Posted on · A variation of the popular Little Free Library concept, the forthcoming installation in the Heights was designed to resemble a prison cell and feature books that have been banned by public schools in Texas.
Houston Matters
Houston’s oldest poetry reading series returns for the first time since the pandemic
Posted on · Poet Chris Wise talks about the First Fridays Reading Series and the role the event played in his life when he was first developing as a writer.
Politics
Texas Senate votes to defund libraries where drag queens read to kids as it tries to limit the performances kids can attend
Posted on · The Senate expanded the bill targeting drag queen story hours before two Democrats joined Republicans in advancing it. The upper chamber also gave preliminary approval to a bill limiting other drag performances kids can see.
Education News
Spring Branch ISD trustees vote to handle book challenges themselves, streamlining review process amidst backlog of ‘frivolous’ complaints
Posted on · Elected board members for the Houston-area school district suspended the first two layers of the book review process, which involve input from teachers, librarians and school administrators.
Town Square
Dr. Safiya Noble takes on the “many mountains of evidence” of racism and misogyny in our internet algorithms
Posted on · What we see on our screens may not reflect our reality, especially for women and people of color.
Arts & Culture
Houston Chronicle among publications to drop ‘Dilbert’ over creator’s comments on race
Posted on · Several publishing companies and comic strip distributor Andrews McMeel Universal have cut ties with cartoonist Scott Adams after he made racially insensitive comments last week during his YouTube show.
Town Square
New York Times Bestselling Author Cheryl Strayed; Plus, Broadway Star Jeremy Jordan
Posted on · The acclaimed writer and stage actor both discuss their exciting work.
Harris County
Harris County Public Library eliminates late fees, following Houston’s lead
Posted on · The county library system, which operates 26 locations across the Houston area, also is forgiving users' outstanding debt for overdue charges.
Politics
League City Council, amidst opposition, creates committee to review library book challenges
Posted on · Opponents to the newly created committee say it is unnecessary and could potentially lead to censorship and discrimination.
Local
League City’s proposed library ordinance prompts pushback amid censorship fears
Posted on · The city council will consider Tuesday night whether to create a new committee charged with reviewing the appropriateness of library materials, even though such a group already exists. The proposed ordinance could potentially make League City susceptible to First Amendment legal challenges, according to the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas.
Education News
Conroe ISD removes ‘The Perks of Being a Wallflower’ from high school curriculum after parent’s complaint
Posted on · The public school district north of Houston is keeping the popular 1999 novel in its libraries for high school students and plans to revisit whether prior parental consent should be required before checking it out.
Town Square
‘Brag Better’ shows how to believe in your hype and sound off your successes
Posted on · Bragging has gotten a bad rap over the years, but self-advocacy may be the key to getting ahead in your career and life.
Town Square
In ‘Unmask Alice’, the truth behind an anonymous drug-fueled diary is a trip
Posted on · Author Rick Emerson spent six years investigating the anonymous authors of the publicized diaries Go Ask Alice and Jay's Journal.