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The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly from Houston Matters
Non-experts weigh in on stories from the week’s news and decide if they’re good, bad, or ugly.
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Party Politics
A political podcast from two smart guys providing you with up-to-date policy and politics for your next cocktail party.
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Houston Matters
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Houston Public Media Local Newscasts
Local newscasts from Houston Public Media, updated during drive times.
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Harris County
Texas AG Ken Paxton takes over criminal investigation against Lina Hidalgo’s former staffers
Posted on · Three of Hidalgo's former staffers are accused of steering an $11 million COVID-19 vaccine outreach contract to a preferred vendor.
Energy & Environment
A marine sanctuary 100 miles off the Gulf Coast is one of the healthiest as ocean temperatures rise
Posted on · Coral bleaching happens when corals are stressed by changes in conditions like temperature, light, or nutrients; bleached coral is more susceptible to disease.
Court
Houston judge denies Travis Scott’s request to be dismissed from Astroworld Festival lawsuits
Posted on · The Houston rapper headlined and helped organize the 2021 concert, where 10 people died during a compaction of the crowd. Hundreds of lawsuits were subsequently filed by the victims' families and others who were injured.
Fort Bend
Former Fort Bend ISD employee isn’t to blame for bond shortfalls, report says
Posted on · Administrators blamed a former employee for failing to share updated cost estimates. But a new report found that their failure to account for inflation led to budget overages.
City of Houston
Carol Haddock out as Houston Public Works director in latest change at City Hall
Posted on · Haddock's resignation Wednesday is the latest department head shakeup under new Houston Mayor John Whitmire, who has named Richard Smith as interim director of Houston Public Works as well as interim city engineer.
Houston
Northeast Houston recycling plant fire under investigation
Posted on · Officials said about “two football fields” worth of rubber products burned at Derichebourg Recycle USA.
Protests
Charges dismissed against 46 arrested during pro-Palestinian protest at UT Austin
Posted on · Travis County Attorney Delia Garza said the cases lacked probable cause. Nearly 60 people were arrested for allegedly trespassing during the demonstration.
Infrastructure
Montrose residents urge Mayor Whitmire to lift pause on long-planned overhaul of neighborhood’s tree-lined boulevard
Posted on · Some community members voiced concerns about Montrose’s dilapidated sidewalks and drainage system, while others supported it during this week’s public hearing session at Houston City Council.
Airports
Southwest Airlines to stop Bush Intercontinental flights amid first quarter losses
Posted on · Southwest plans to stop flying to Cozumel, Mexico; Syracuse, New York; Bellingham, Washington; and George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, where the airline’s major operation is at smaller Hobby Airport. American Airlines also posted losses in the first quarter.
Protests
Rice University students take part in nationwide pro-Palestinian protests
Posted on · Protestors are taking part in the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which calls for boycotts against companies that support Israel, as well as divestment and sanctions campaigns, to urge communities and universities to do the same.
City of Houston
Houston must allocate millions more for drainage fund, appeals court rules
Posted on · Houston Mayor John Whitmire says the city, already facing a budget crunch, will appeal Tuesday's decision, which was the latest development in a years-long legal battle over the implementation of a voted-approved charter amendment.
Fort Bend
Arcola mayor receives threatening package containing noose, police say
Posted on · The "threatening package" was sent to Mayor Fred Burton and contained a paper reading "Get out of the race now!!" along with the noose, according to investigators.
Criminal Justice
Man originally charged in Houston shooting death of 9-year-old Arlene Alvarez indicted for murder, DA says
Posted on · Tony Earls Jr., 33, is accused of firing multiple gunshots into a pickup truck Alvarez was riding in after he had been robbed at a southeast Houston bank. Earls was arrested and charged with aggravated assault in the immediate aftermath of the shooting but subsequently no-billed by a grand jury. Another grand jury indicted him on a murder charge this week, based on new evidence.
Protests
Police arrest multiple protesters during pro-Palestinian demonstration at UT Austin
Posted on · The protest, organized by the Palestine Solidarity Committee in Austin, is the latest in a wave of demonstrations sweeping college campuses. UT Austin administration had warned the group Tuesday not to hold the event.
Fort Bend
Fort Bend ISD trustee faces multiple opponents in re-election campaign as colleagues endorse other candidates
Posted on · Trustee Kristen Malone has been openly critical of the school board, alleging others forced out the superintendent. Some board members have endorsed one of her opponents.
The Takeover
The Takeover
Posted on · A podcast about power and public education
Houston Matters
Here’s how the city of Houston celebrates the legacy of Frida Kahlo
Posted on · We learn about the Frida Festival and how it honors the revered 20th-century artist.
Criminal Justice
Suspect in murder of 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham indicted on two counts of capital murder
Posted on · 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham went missing in February, and after a days-long search her body was found in the Trinity River.
Houston Matters
Political Roundup: Supreme Court considers presidential immunity
Posted on · The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments Thursday regarding whether former Pres. Donald Trump should be immune from criminal prosecution related to efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. We discuss those and other developments in politics in our weekly roundup,
Criminal Justice
Texas jails have an overcrowding issue. Is the state making it worse by delaying prison transfers?
Posted on · Harris, Tarrant and Bexar counties say their local jails are backed up with convicted state prisoners. The state says it's following the law.
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