Immigration
One In Seven Adults In Immigrant Families Opted Out Of Public Benefits In 2018
Posted on · People are refusing these benefits out of fear it will impact their green card status.
Politics
Top Stories
Voting Barriers In Harris County, Texas Ready To Set Age For Tobacco Use At 21, And ‘Flu-Related’ Outbreak At Migrant Processing Center
Posted on · These are some of the stories Houston Public Media is covering.
Houston Matters
Political Roundup: The End Is Near — Of The Legislative Session, That Is
Posted on · The Houston Matters experts discuss the latest political stories.
Elections
12 Reasons It’s Harder To Vote In Harris County
Posted on · Texas ranks 44th nationwide in registering eligible voters and Harris County lags behind those registration rates by 5-12%. That and other research show a pattern of poor civic engagement -- and policies that make it harder to vote locally and statewide.
Politics
Why Is Julián Castro The Only Democratic Presidential Candidate With An Immigration Plan?
Posted on · The former HUD secretary and mayor of San Antonio is currently the only major Democratic candidate with an actual plan on how to tackle immigration.
Immigration
Migrant Processing Center Temporarily Closing After ‘Flu-Related’ Outbreak
Posted on · The McAllen, Texas, facility is the same one where a 16-year-old Guatemalan boy became ill last week, and died after he was transferred to another Border Patrol station.
Politics
Texas Legislature Hikes Age For Tobacco Use From 18 To 21
Posted on · Texas will become the 15th state to raise the minimum age to 21 if Gov. Abbott signs the bill.
Houston Matters
Survey Reveals Texans’ Opinions On How To Fund Public Schools, As Legislative Session Nears Close
Posted on · Views tend to differ between demographics.
Politics
Rep. Lizzie Fletcher Sponsors Bill To Limit Use Of Chemicals In Firefighting Foams
Posted on · Studies have linked per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to thyroid problems, immune deficiency and cancer.
City of Houston
Mayor Turner Touts Houston’s Economic Health In State Of The City Message
Posted on · Mayor Sylvester Turner pointed to regular balanced budgets, low unemployment and a 50% drop in unfunded pension liabilities since he took office.
Immigration
Guatemalan Migrant Dies After Being Apprehended At The Texas-Mexico Border
Posted on · The Guatemalan teenager, who hasn’t been identified, was found unresponsive Monday morning at the Border Patrol station in Weslaco.
In-Depth
Harris County Moves To Crack Down On Environmental Crime
Posted on · The county has tripled the number of environmental prosecutors at the District Attorney’s Office, following a series of chemical plant fires.
Texas
Texas House Passes Bill To Spend More Than $3 Billion To Help Pay For Flood Control Projects
Posted on · With the damage from Hurricane Harvey in mind, lawmakers approved two bills aimed at better preparing the state for natural disasters.
Houston Matters
Redeeming A Bad Cook, And Scottie Pippen’s Thoughts On Houston Fans: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly Of The News
Posted on · 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.
Immigration
Trump’s Immigration Plan Could Impact Diversity In Texas
Posted on · The president’s proposal favors higher-wage, young and skilled workers.