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Houston Public Media @houstonpublicmedia.bsky.social · 1h

Texas Rep. Gina Hinojosa on Wednesday announced she is running for governor in 2026, setting up a potential clash between Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and one of the Legislature’s most strident critics of his school voucher program.

Texas Rep. Gina Hinojosa joins Democratic race to challenge Gov. Greg Abbott

The five-term state lawmaker from Austin has homed in on education issues in the Texas House, becoming a primary foil to Abbott on school vouchers.

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Houston Public Media @houstonpublicmedia.bsky.social · 2h

A federal judge is preventing the University of Texas System from enforcing a new state law that restricts when students can engage in "expressive activities" on campus.

Federal judge halts enforcement of new state law amid free speech lawsuit brought by students

The new law, called the "Campus Protection Act," requires student groups to get the university's permission before inviting guest speakers to campus, among other restrictions. Students have raised concerns that these changes limit their free speech.

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Houston Public Media @houstonpublicmedia.bsky.social · 2h

This year, the federal government took a note from Texas’ playbook and barred Planned Parenthood affiliates nationwide from accessing Medicaid reimbursements.

The feds are cutting off public money for all Planned Parenthoods, following a playbook that began in Texas

Texas’ Planned Parenthood has lost half its clinics, but they continue to see thousands of patients a year.

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Houston Public Media @houstonpublicmedia.bsky.social · 17h

Houston's Emancipation Park is undergoing a multi-million dollar expansion over the next several months.

Houston’s Emancipation Park to expand with new performance stage, cultural center remodel

Emancipation Park Conservancy announced the expansion on Monday, which is expected to be completed by June 2026.

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Houston Public Media @houstonpublicmedia.bsky.social · 19h

A Houston ISD parent and former United Airlines flight attendant is trying to get her job back after saying she was fired for confronting and criticizing state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles while off duty at a Houston airport.

Houston ISD parent appeals her termination as flight attendant over confrontation with Mike Miles

Ginny McDavid says she was fired by United Airlines in May after criticizing the controversial HISD superintendent during an encounter at Bush Intercontinental Airport.

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Houston Public Media @houstonpublicmedia.bsky.social · 20h

Houston and Harris County leaders are considering a lawsuit over the upcoming removal of Montrose's rainbow crosswalks.

Harris County might sue over pending removal of rainbow crosswalks, county attorney says

METRO plans to remove the rainbow crosswalks in Houston's Montrose neighborhood, where they were installed in 2017 to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, after a directive by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.

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Houston Public Media @houstonpublicmedia.bsky.social · 20h

Two owners of a Houston funeral home have been charged with crimes several months after the bodies of a dozen deceased people were allegedly found decomposing in “inhumane” conditions.

Houston mortuary owners charged with crimes after allegedly keeping bodies in ‘inhumane’ conditions

In April, the Texas Funeral Service Commission ordered Richardson Mortuary to suspend operations following an inspection.

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Houston Public Media @houstonpublicmedia.bsky.social · 21h

Houston and Harris County officials on Monday celebrated the opening of a $12 million, 26-unit apartment building for people with serious mental health illnesses. It's part of efforts to address homelessness.

Houston’s new 26-unit apartment building for people with mental health disorders to help combat homelessness

The $12 million facility will serve people with serious mental illness, many of whom were homeless and involved in the criminal justice system.

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Houston Public Media @houstonpublicmedia.bsky.social · 1d

Fort Bend County commissioners voted during a heated meeting Monday to approve a new voting precinct map after months of debate over a rare, mid-decade round of redistricting.

Fort Bend County commissioners pass new voter map after months of redistricting debate

The new voter map passed 3-2 along party lines, with Republican members of the commissioners court voting in favor of it.

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Houston Public Media @houstonpublicmedia.bsky.social · 1d

Top Republicans in the Texas Legislature announced the creation of committees tasked with “getting to the bottom of” the July flooding that killed more than 130 people, including 25 young girls and two teenage counselors at Camp Mystic.

New legislative panels will investigate ‘facts and circumstances’ of deadly Central Texas floods

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said Camp Mystic leaders would be invited to testify before the committees, as part of what Speaker Dustin Burrows said would be a “comprehensive and thorough review.”

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Houston Public Media @houstonpublicmedia.bsky.social · 1d

Drought conditions across Texas have intensified since earlier this year. On Monday, Fort Bend County commissioners approved a burn ban for all unincorporated areas of the county.

Texas heat and drought persist into fall as the state braces for wildfires

Drought conditions across Texas have intensified since earlier this year. On Monday, Fort Bend County commissioners approved a burn ban for all unincorporated areas of the county.

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Houston Public Media @houstonpublicmedia.bsky.social · 1d

Harris County on Monday filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency following the Trump administration's move to claw back more than $250 million secured for solar energy initiatives in Texas.

Harris County sues EPA after Trump administration claws back $250 million solar grant

Money earmarked for a cohort of local governments and organizations in Texas was rescinded on Aug. 7 when the county received a termination letter from the EPA claiming to end the initiative.

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Houston Public Media @houstonpublicmedia.bsky.social · 1d

Erica Garcia was raped and murdered in 1997. Houston Police Department detectives remain hopeful for leads in the cold case.

Three decades after 14-year-old girl’s murder, Houston police still seek leads and her family wants closure

Erica Garcia was raped and murdered in 1997. Houston Police Department detectives remain hopeful for leads in the cold case.

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Houston Public Media @houstonpublicmedia.bsky.social · 1d

The Texas Attorney General’s Office is accusing Houston Methodist hospitals of potentially denying patients organ transplants if they have not received a COVID-19 vaccine, which would violate a new state law.

Texas attorney general accuses Houston Methodist of potential COVID-19 vaccination discrimination

The hospital system disputed the allegation that it's violating a new state law, saying it does not have a policy requiring transplant recipients to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or any other disease. Medical experts have said transplant recipients benefit from a COVID-19 vaccine.

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Houston Public Media @houstonpublicmedia.bsky.social · 1d

Eitan Avraham Mor, a 25-year-old Israeli security guard who was kidnapped by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, was among 20 surviving hostages who were freed Monday. A Houston-based relative of Mor's was in Israel for his release.

Israeli security guard with family in Houston released from Hamas captivity

Eitan Avraham Mor, who was kidnapped by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, was among 20 surviving hostages who were freed Monday. A Houston-based relative of Mor's was in Israel for his release.

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Houston Public Media @houstonpublicmedia.bsky.social · 1d

Kelvin Sampson’s Cougars earned 16 first-place votes to match the program’s best-ever preseason Associated Press ranking after last year's finals run. The other No. 2 appearance was by the 1967-68 team led by Elvin Hayes.

University of Houston ranked second in AP preseason college basketball poll

Kelvin Sampson’s Cougars earned 16 first-place votes to match the program’s best-ever preseason Associated Press ranking after last year's finals run. The other No. 2 appearance was by the 1967-68 team led by Elvin Hayes.

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Houston Public Media @houstonpublicmedia.bsky.social · 1d

Daniel Caesar's pop-up concert in Houston over the weekend drew 1,500 people before law enforcement shut it down for not having proper permitting.

Daniel Caesar’s pop-up show in Houston drew 1,500 people before law enforcement shut it down

The Grammy-winning R&B singer announced the impromptu performance at Bear Creek Pioneers Park just hours before it began. Law enforcement shut it down when he didn’t have proper permitting.

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Houston Public Media @houstonpublicmedia.bsky.social · 2d

From the @TexasTribune, some community colleges have ordered thorough course reviews and put restrictions on what faculty can teach, with at least two schools pointing to state laws they believe apply to high schoolers in their dual credit programs.

Some Texas community colleges remove course materials amid broader push to limit gender identity discussions

At least two community colleges, Alvin and Blinn, are also considering what they can and can’t teach to high schoolers enrolled in their fast-growing dual credit courses.

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Houston Public Media @houstonpublicmedia.bsky.social · 2d

Legacy Elementary, built to replace Robb Elementary in Uvalde after the mass shooting, will welcome students on October 20, nearly three and a half years after the massacre.

Opening of new Uvalde school marks ‘bittersweet day’ for families and town

Legacy Elementary, built to replace Robb Elementary in Uvalde after the mass shooting, will welcome students on October 20, nearly three and a half years after the massacre.

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Houston Public Media @houstonpublicmedia.bsky.social · 2d

From the @TexasTribune, in school districts and charter networks with the most vaccine delinquencies, as many as 44% of kindergarteners were not complying with state requirements.

More Texas kindergarteners are coming to school without measles vaccination proof or exemptions

In school districts and charter networks with the most vaccine delinquencies, as many as 44% of kindergarteners were not complying with state requirements.

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Houston Public Media @houstonpublicmedia.bsky.social · 4d

With the November election less than a month away, there were over 21,000 Harris County voter registration applications still pending as of Thursday, according to the county.

More than 21,000 Harris County voter registration applications are still pending ahead of November election

The county isn’t alone in having a voter registration backlog this year. Fort Bend County reported having a similar backlog of roughly 22,000 applications, just last week.

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Houston Public Media @houstonpublicmedia.bsky.social · 4d

A man injured in an apparent explosion at a downtown Houston high-rise hotel under construction last week filed a $1 million lawsuit Friday against the property owner and a general contractor.

Man injured in Houston high-rise explosion files $1 million lawsuit against property owner, general contractor

The Houston Fire Department last week indicated the explosion may have originated from a bank of tankless water heaters. Six people were transported to hospitals for treatment of burns and lacerations.

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Houston Public Media @houstonpublicmedia.bsky.social · 4d

Housekeepers, laundry attendants, and stewards at Hilton Americas-Houston will see their minimum wage rise from $16.50 to $20 an hour, and then to $22 by the end of their new contract.

After 40 days on picket line, union workers at Hilton Americas-Houston end strike

Housekeepers, laundry attendants, and stewards will see their minimum wage rise from $16.50 to $20 an hour, and then to $22 by the end of their new contract.

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Houston Public Media @houstonpublicmedia.bsky.social · 4d

Fort Bend County Commissioners will choose a new, redistricted voter map on Monday.

Fort Bend County commissioners to vote on redistricted map on Monday

Members of the county's Citizens Redistricting Advisory Committee shared their recommended maps with commissioners on Thursday.

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Houston Public Media @houstonpublicmedia.bsky.social · 4d

Pumpkins are plenty this fall. Here are the best pumpkin patches in Houston.

Here are the best pumpkin patches in Houston, Katy, and more

Farmers say they’ve got plenty of pumpkins this fall, but increased costs may mean it’s more difficult to turn a profit.

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