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Harris Health Proposes $420M Trauma Tower on Hermann Park Land
The plan to expand Ben Taub Hospital could take nine acres from Houston’s Hermann Park.

Inmate Death During Release Sparks Investigation in Harris County
Surveillance footage released Friday shows a chaotic altercation between Harris County officers and inmate Alexis Cardenas, who later died during his attempted release from jail.

Houston ISD Rolls Out Cell Phone Ban Amid New State Mandate
Under district guidelines, students must keep devices powered off and out of sight from campus arrival until dismissal, including during lunch and transitions.

Montgomery County Arrests School Employee for Soliciting a Minor Online
Jaime Gonzalez worked in the Tomball ISD and Magnolia ISD bus barns.
Local Archive
Tarrant County Moves To Dismiss Democrats’ Challenge to Republican Redistricting
Tarrant County has filed a motion to dismiss a Democrat lawsuit challenging new commissioners court districts redrawn to increase Republicans’ partisan advantage. In June, the Republican-majority Tarrant County Commissioners Court approved a redistricting plan...
Judge Hidalgo’s ‘Penny Tax’ Proposal Faces More Backlash From Commissioners
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo has unveiled a proposal for a property tax increase—dubbed a “penny tax”—to preserve and expand county-funded early childhood programs formerly supported by federal COVID‑era relief. The move has spurred sharp criticism from...
TxDOT Announces Lower Tolls and New Free Lanes Coming to Houston’s SH 288
Nearly a year after buying back the State Highway 288 toll lanes, the Texas Department of Transportation has announced major changes—starting with a cut in toll prices of nearly half. Just over a year ago, TxDOT purchased the 288 toll lanes south of Houston for $1.7...
Officials Consider Large Tax Increases in Travis County
Austin homeowners may face a significant property tax increase due to pending decisions by the Travis County Commissioners Court and the Austin City Council. A preliminary budget for the 2026 fiscal year released by county commissioners would increase the tax rate by...
Austin Pride Reports Future Changes Due to ‘Current Political Climate’
Austin Pride has announced that due to the “current political climate,” they and other pro-LGBT groups are changing how their organizations and events are operated. A social media post from Austin Pride specifically mentions a decline in funding. Brady Gray,...
Arkansas Double Murder Suspect Taught in Texas Elementary School
UPDATED August 1. A teacher charged with murdering a mom and dad at a state park in Arkansas in front of their two young children formerly taught at a North Texas elementary school but was allowed to resign following allegations of "inappropriate" behavior with female...
Houston ISD Can Proceed With Pay-For-Performance Model After Judge Denies Union Request
A Harris County judge has denied a teachers’ union request for a temporary restraining order against the Houston Independent School District, allowing the district to move forward with its performance-based teacher compensation plan for the 2025–26 school year. The...
Houston Approves $12.4 Million to Rescue Trash and Recycling Operations
After months of missed pickups and mechanical breakdowns, the Houston City Council approved the purchase of new trucks as well as policy changes to stabilize the Solid Waste Department’s troubled fleet. On Wednesday, council members approved more than $12.4 million...
Three Suspects With Immigration Detainers Arrested in Dallas County
After three individuals arrested for serious—but separate—crimes in Dallas County have now been issued immigration detainers by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. An ICE detainer is a request to a local law enforcement agency to hold an individual in custody...