LATEST HEADLINES
Houston, Fort Bend, and Aldine districts announce sweeping school closures
Texas court blocks Ken Paxton challenge to Harris County immigration fund
This new Houston Rodeo food stall is Beyoncé-approved
Paddles up, Texas! The Veolia Texas Open Pickleball tournament has arrived in McKinney
I got to experience 3 classic game shows without leaving Texas, thanks to GameOn! HTX
Community | CULTURE | ENTERTAINMENT | fun | game on! htx | game shows | HARDGATE | HOUSTON LEAD STORY | HTX | HTX-hardgate | LIFESTYLE | play | TEXAS | THINGS TO DO

Texas oil companies stand to profit from Iran war disruptions while consumers face higher gas prices
| March 11, 2026
Affordability | central texas | Community | crude oil | CULTURE | Donald Trump | East Texas | ECONOMY | iran conflict | Local news | local politics | NATIONAL NEWS | national politics | North Texas | south texas | STATE | TEXAS | trump | Trump administration
Texas’ status as the nation’s largest oil producer will partially insulate its residents from some gas price hikes, but it’s not immune to disruptions, experts say.

Texas is again where the buffalo roam
| March 11, 2026
“Land Back” movement | american history | ancestors | animals | black freedom | black liberation | Black Liberation-Indigenous Sovereignty Collective | buffalo | central texas | CIVIL RIGHTS | Community | conservation | CULTURE | East Texas | EQUALITY | historic preservation | History | indigenous | indigenous tribes | LIFESTYLE | Lipan Apache | North Texas | outdoors | San Antonio | south texas | STATE | TEXAS | TEXAS HISTORY | TEXAS POLITICS | Texas Tribal Buffalo Project | wildlife
Today, bison (commonly called “buffalo”) are once again thriving and providing for Indigenous people.

Uber puts safety first with nationwide Women Preferences rollout
by Sam Cohen
| March 10, 2026
central texas | Community | East Texas | EQUALITY | HARDGATE | LIFESTYLE | Local news | local politics | NATIONAL NEWS | North Texas | SAFETY | south texas | STATE | TEXAS | TEXAS POLITICS | TRANSPORTATION | TRAVEL | Uber | women drivers | women-only
Uber recently launched a nationwide “Women’s Preferences” feature for riders and drivers to increase safety. Here’s what you need to know.

76% of Texas voucher applicants are already enrolled in private schools or home-schooled
| March 10, 2026
Texas’ new $1 billion voucher program allots about $10,000 per student to be used on private school tuition. It’s paid for by taxpayer dollars.

Texans will head back to the polls for these runoff elections in May
| March 10, 2026
In Texas, a candidate must receive more than 50% of the vote to win an election, otherwise the top two vote-getters face a rematch in a runoff election, which will be held on May 26.

Texas hemp businesses fear an uptick in police raids after more than 15 in the last two years
| March 10, 2026
Allen | cannabis | central texas | CULTURE | DALLAS | DEA | East Texas | EQUALITY | equity | government | governor greg abbott | greg abbott | HEALTH | hemp | hemp-derived THC products | houston businesses | justice | lawmakers | laws | LIFESTYLE | local business | local government | Local news | local politics | marijuana | North Texas | police | SMALL BUSINESS | south texas | STATE | TEXAS | TEXAS ECONOMY | TEXAS LEGISLATURE | TEXAS POLITICS | weed
Attorneys for hemp businesses say the raids have hurt their revenue and reputation, while police said they’re necessary to root out products with illegal levels of THC.

Why did gas prices go up? Will gas prices go down? What to know
by USA Today Network via Reuters Connect
| March 10, 2026
Affordability | crude oil | CULTURE | DFW | Donald Trump | EQUALITY | gas | gas prices | government | HTX | iran conflict | LIFESTYLE | Local news | money | NATIONAL NEWS | national politics | natural gas | STATE | Strait of Hormuz | TEXAS | TRANSPORTATION | TRAVEL | trump | Trump administration
Gas prices appear to be soaring across the country — and in Texas — as the conflict in Iran continues.

Texas woman goes on hunger strike to stop plastics pollution
| March 10, 2026
activist | CIVIC ENGAGEMENT | Community | CULTURE | environmental activist | environmentalism | EQUALITY | FAMILY | HARDGATE | hunger strike | Lavaca Matagorda Bay | LIFESTYLE | local | Local news | local politics | outdoors | plastics pollution | pollution | San Antonio Bay Estuarine Waterkeepers | STATE | TEXAS | TEXAS POLITICS | WATER | waterways
A Texas environmental activist is in the second week of a hunger strike to protest Dow Chemical's application to relax rules on discharging plastics into the state's coastal waterways.

Why this year’s bluebonnet season is anything but predictable
by Sam Cohen
| March 9, 2026
austin | bluebonnet season | bluebonnets | Community | CULTURE | ENTERTAINMENT | EQUALITY | family friendly | HARDGATE | Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center | LIFESTYLE | Local news | locals | outdoor recreation | outdoors | recreation | TEXAS | THINGS TO DO | TRAVEL
Bluebonnet season may be a little more “varied” this year in Texas. Here’s what you need to know.

Fort Worth to honor Choctaw Code Talkers with historical marker at Veterans Memorial Park
by Sam Cohen
| March 6, 2026
Choctaw Code Talkers | Community | CULTURE | DFW | DFW-hardgate | EDUCATION | EQUALITY | FORT WORTH | historical marker | local politics | Tarrant County | Texas Historical Commission | Veterans Memorial Park
Choctaw Code Talkers were instrumental in World War I. Now, they’ll be honored at Fort Worth Veterans Memorial Park.

I tried the newest foods at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo—here’s how I scored them
by Sierra Rozen
| March 6, 2026
2026 houston rodeo | Community | CULTURE | ENTERTAINMENT | food & drink | food and drink | HOUSTON LEAD STORY | houston livestock show and rodeo | houston rodeo | HTX | HTX-hardgate | THINGS TO DO
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is home to some of the craziest food concoctions imaginable. Every year, for three weeks, NRG Park is filled with pickle pizza, fried Oreos, and just about anything you can put on a stick.

From motor hotel to modern marvel, the Caravan lives on in Arlington
by Sam Cohen
| March 6, 2026
Arlington | boutique hotel | Caravan Court Hotel | Community | CULTURE | development | DFW | DFW-hardgate | food & drink | food and drink | FORT WORTH | LIFESTYLE | local business | Preston Nguyen | The Caravan Motor Hotel
The Caravan Motor Hotel was an Arlington landmark for decades. Now, it’s been revitalized thanks to a local entrepreneur.

Texas must correct Bible-infused school curriculum with over 4,000 errors
| March 5, 2026
Community | EDUCATION | EXCO-Player | K-12 education | old texas | public education | state board of education | TEXAS
The Texas State Board of Education recently approved over 4,000 corrections to Bluebonnet Learning curriculum, which has been controversial since its first introduction in 2024.

Why handheld crafts are trending—and where to try them in Houston
by Sierra Rozen
| March 5, 2026
Community | crochet | CULTURE | ENTERTAINMENT | hobbies | HTX | HTX-hardgate | LIFESTYLE | local business | needlepoint | pottery | THINGS TO DO
Handheld crafts are having a moment—Here’s how to start your pottery, needlepoint, or crochet journey in Houston

I tried The Brown Thumb’s Keith Lee-approved matcha
by Joi Louviere
| March 5, 2026
BLACK OWNED BUSINESS | coffee shops | DALLAS | denton | DFW | DFW-hardgate | don't sleep on | plants | THINGS TO DO | woman-owned business
Half plant shop, half matcha cafe, Denton's The Brown Thumb doesn't disappoint.
Political Videos

Jasmine Crockett: ‘We are slipping further into a full on dictatorship’

How much will a Texas private school voucher cover?

Hutchins Mayor, residents condemn proposed ICE facility

Houston father demands answers about son killed by off-duty ICE agent

Texas American Federation of Teachers seeks injunction against social media investigations

‘Dangerous’ 287(g) agreements repurpose state officers as ICE agents

Houston Rep. Sylvia Garcia introduces bill targeting ICE overreach

Christian Menefee clinches Texas CD‑18 seat in runoff election

‘Caring is not weakness’: Hundreds protest ICE in Dallas

Houston schools approves magnet and Career Technical Education changes
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LOCAL STORIES

Texas hemp businesses fear an uptick in police raids after more than 15 in the last two years
| March 10, 2026
Allen | cannabis | central texas | CULTURE | DALLAS | DEA | East Texas | EQUALITY | equity | government | governor greg abbott | greg abbott | HEALTH | hemp | hemp-derived THC products | houston businesses | justice | lawmakers | laws | LIFESTYLE | local business | local government | Local news | local politics | marijuana | North Texas | police | SMALL BUSINESS | south texas | STATE | TEXAS | TEXAS ECONOMY | TEXAS LEGISLATURE | TEXAS POLITICS | weed
Attorneys for hemp businesses say the raids have hurt their revenue and reputation, while police said they’re necessary to root out products with illegal levels of THC.

Why did gas prices go up? Will gas prices go down? What to know
by USA Today Network via Reuters Connect
| March 10, 2026
Affordability | crude oil | CULTURE | DFW | Donald Trump | EQUALITY | gas | gas prices | government | HTX | iran conflict | LIFESTYLE | Local news | money | NATIONAL NEWS | national politics | natural gas | STATE | Strait of Hormuz | TEXAS | TRANSPORTATION | TRAVEL | trump | Trump administration
Gas prices appear to be soaring across the country — and in Texas — as the conflict in Iran continues.

Texas woman goes on hunger strike to stop plastics pollution
| March 10, 2026
activist | CIVIC ENGAGEMENT | Community | CULTURE | environmental activist | environmentalism | EQUALITY | FAMILY | HARDGATE | hunger strike | Lavaca Matagorda Bay | LIFESTYLE | local | Local news | local politics | outdoors | plastics pollution | pollution | San Antonio Bay Estuarine Waterkeepers | STATE | TEXAS | TEXAS POLITICS | WATER | waterways
A Texas environmental activist is in the second week of a hunger strike to protest Dow Chemical's application to relax rules on discharging plastics into the state's coastal waterways.

Fort Worth to honor Choctaw Code Talkers with historical marker at Veterans Memorial Park
by Sam Cohen
| March 6, 2026
Choctaw Code Talkers | Community | CULTURE | DFW | DFW-hardgate | EDUCATION | EQUALITY | FORT WORTH | historical marker | local politics | Tarrant County | Texas Historical Commission | Veterans Memorial Park
Choctaw Code Talkers were instrumental in World War I. Now, they’ll be honored at Fort Worth Veterans Memorial Park.

From motor hotel to modern marvel, the Caravan lives on in Arlington
by Sam Cohen
| March 6, 2026
Arlington | boutique hotel | Caravan Court Hotel | Community | CULTURE | development | DFW | DFW-hardgate | food & drink | food and drink | FORT WORTH | LIFESTYLE | local business | Preston Nguyen | The Caravan Motor Hotel
The Caravan Motor Hotel was an Arlington landmark for decades. Now, it’s been revitalized thanks to a local entrepreneur.

Do primary results signal a change in Texas politics?
| March 5, 2026
2026 elections | central texas | Community | CULTURE | Democrats | East Texas | EQUALITY | James Talarico | John Cornyn | ken paxton | North Texas | politics | primaries | Republicans | runoff | Senate | south texas | STATE | TEXAS | TEXAS LEADERS | TEXAS POLITICS | US SENATE | voter turnout | voting | VOTING IN TEXAS
Texas Republicans will return to the polls in May to select their candidate to run for the U.S. Senate.

Your baby’s milestones deserve to be celebrated. Apparently, Whataburger and Buc-ee’s agree
by Sam Cohen
| March 5, 2026
Affordability | baby book battle | baby milestones | brand loyalty | Buc-ee’s | Buc-ee’s versus Whataburger baby book battle | central texas | Community | CULTURE | East Texas | FAMILY | food & drink | food and drink | fun | HARDGATE | LIFESTYLE | LITERATURE | North Texas | reading | SHOPPING | south texas | STATE | TEXAS | whataburger
Buc-ee’s and Whataburger both sell ABCs baby books, among other themed gifts. Which will you take home to show your brand loyalty?





































