Conservative activist Charlie Kirk dies after being shot at Utah college event
| September 10, 2025
Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and close ally of President Donald Trump, was shot and killed Wednesday at a Utah college event in an act that drew renewed attention to the threat of political violence across the United States.
Texas A&M fires professor for discussing gender identity in class
| September 10, 2025
Texas A&M fired a professor and disciplined two administrators over backlash from right-wing lawmakers following a viral video showing a professor discussing LGBTQ+ topics in class.
University of Houston-Sugar Land debuts new engineering building
| September 10, 2025
A new engineering building built by a Houston university continues to fill the ever-growing need for engineers.
How to celebrate 2025 Oktoberfest in Houston
| September 10, 2025
celebration | Community | CULTURE | food and drink | HARDGATE | HTX | LIFESTYLE | oktoberfest | THINGS TO DO
Find authentic German beer gardens, bratwurst, live polka music, and traditional festivities at Houston’s 2025 Oktoberfest events.
Texas’ newest abortion law allows $100,000 rewards for snitching on pregnant women
| September 9, 2025
Gov. Abbott’s next abortion law includes a $100,000 reward for snitching on pregnant women in your family.
Texas Republicans pass anti-trans bathroom bill
| September 9, 2025
The Texas Senate on Wednesday gave final approval to a bill that bans transgender people from using restrooms that align with their gender identity in government buildings, and public schools and colleges, sending it to Gov. Greg Abbott for his signature.
If Abbott signs the bill into law, it will take effect on Dec. 3.
Nearly 350 Houston retirees still waiting on buyout payments
| September 9, 2025
Houston City Council member Edward Pollard is demanding accountability as nearly 350 of the 1,000 city workers who took early retirement buyouts are still waiting for their pension payments months after they were promised.
The buyout program, launched to help close a $330 million budget shortfall, offered lump-sum payouts of 25% of annual salary to eligible employees. The employees were promised the payments within 60 days of their May 1 retirement.
Pollard has expressed growing concern over the city's handling of the program, and wants a timeline from Mayor John Whitmire’s administration on when the retirees will be paid. He questioned the mayor during an Aug. 27 city council meeting.
Rising Democratic star James Talarico announces run for US Senate in Texas
| September 9, 2025
State Rep. James Talarico, a 36-year-old Presbyterian seminarian and former middle school teacher, announced Tuesday that he’s running for US Senate.
Free Fare Fridays encourage public transit for the month of September in the Houston area
| September 9, 2025
Houston public transit users can expect to see a little extra change in their pockets this month, as multiple transit agencies take part in Free Fare Fridays.
‘More stressed, more unsure’: Texas educators start school year under new DEI ban
| September 9, 2025
DALLAS | dei | DFW | DFW Lead Story | DFW TEXED EXCLUSIVE | diversity | EDUCATION | educators | equity | inclusion | SAN ANTONIO | state legislature | TEXAS
Educators speak out on new laws they face in classrooms, including a ban on diversity, equity, and inclusion and a “Parental Bill of Rights” that makes it easier for conservatives to interfere in public schools.
Why books shouldn’t be controversial: Welcome to your Texas banned reading list
| September 9, 2025
bannedbooks | book ban | bookbans | books | censorship | Community | CULTURE | EDUCATION | HARDGATE | TEXAS
Banned books have been hugely controversial when it comes to Texas education. Literature is fundamental to learning—and when the government is trying to dictate what students can and can’t read, important, diverse voices can be lost.
Texas Sees Rise in Flea-Borne Typhus Cases
| September 9, 2025
animals | austin | DFW | dogs | HARDGATE | HEALTH | HEALTHCARE | heat | HTX | LIFESTYLE | local news | outdoors | pets | public health | SAN ANTONIO | summer | TEXAS | typhus
Flea-borne typhus, otherwise known as murine or endemic typhus, is on the rise in Texas. Here’s what you need to know.
From lowriders to live music, here’s where to celebrate Hispanic heritage in Fort Worth
| September 9, 2025
2025 | Community | CULTURE | DFW | ENTERTAINMENT | FAMILY | FORT WORTH | hispanic heritage month | hispanic pride | latin americans | LIFESTYLE | recreation | Tarrant County | THINGS TO DO
Looking for ways to show your pride during Hispanic Heritage Month? Several celebrations honoring Latino Americans and their cultures will soon take place across Fort Worth and Tarrant County.
Houston housing affordability improves but certain ZIP codes continue to see sky-high prices
| September 8, 2025
While the housing market might be looking up for some, certain Houston ZIP codes are still seeing sky-high prices.
Houston hotel workers strike for living wage
| September 5, 2025
Workers at the Hilton Americas-Houston went on strike on Monday to demand higher wages and better working conditions.
The hospitality workers, represented by Unite Here Local 23, are negotiating a new contract with the hotel giant to replace one that expired on June 30. The workers want to increase wages to at least $23 per hour, and improve their schedules and workloads.
Political Videos
Texas colleges could see fewer international students amid Trump immigration crackdown
Ken Paxton wants your kids to recite the Lord’s Prayer in school
WATCH: Wendy Davis reflects on 4 years of Texas reproduction rights restrictions
WATCH: Beto O’Rourke: Texans don’t bend the knee to Trump
WATCH: Houston pastor reflects on Hurricane Katrina
WATCH: Texas Republicans are trying to ‘cheat in the middle of the game’ with gerrymandering maps
WATCH: Nicole Collier: ‘I don’t want my people to lose their voice in Congress’
WATCH: Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo censured after chaotic debate over child care tax
WATCH: Dallas, Fort Worth end DEI programs amid Trump funding threats
WATCH: Texas Republican leaders failed us, North Texas lawmaker says
THINGS TO DO
LOCAL STORIES
University of Houston-Sugar Land debuts new engineering building
| September 10, 2025
A new engineering building built by a Houston university continues to fill the ever-growing need for engineers.
Nearly 350 Houston retirees still waiting on buyout payments
| September 9, 2025
Houston City Council member Edward Pollard is demanding accountability as nearly 350 of the 1,000 city workers who took early retirement buyouts are still waiting for their pension payments months after they were promised.
The buyout program, launched to help close a $330 million budget shortfall, offered lump-sum payouts of 25% of annual salary to eligible employees. The employees were promised the payments within 60 days of their May 1 retirement.
Pollard has expressed growing concern over the city's handling of the program, and wants a timeline from Mayor John Whitmire’s administration on when the retirees will be paid. He questioned the mayor during an Aug. 27 city council meeting.
Free Fare Fridays encourage public transit for the month of September in the Houston area
| September 9, 2025
Houston public transit users can expect to see a little extra change in their pockets this month, as multiple transit agencies take part in Free Fare Fridays.
Texas Sees Rise in Flea-Borne Typhus Cases
| September 9, 2025
animals | austin | DFW | dogs | HARDGATE | HEALTH | HEALTHCARE | heat | HTX | LIFESTYLE | local news | outdoors | pets | public health | SAN ANTONIO | summer | TEXAS | typhus
Flea-borne typhus, otherwise known as murine or endemic typhus, is on the rise in Texas. Here’s what you need to know.
From lowriders to live music, here’s where to celebrate Hispanic heritage in Fort Worth
| September 9, 2025
2025 | Community | CULTURE | DFW | ENTERTAINMENT | FAMILY | FORT WORTH | hispanic heritage month | hispanic pride | latin americans | LIFESTYLE | recreation | Tarrant County | THINGS TO DO
Looking for ways to show your pride during Hispanic Heritage Month? Several celebrations honoring Latino Americans and their cultures will soon take place across Fort Worth and Tarrant County.
Houston housing affordability improves but certain ZIP codes continue to see sky-high prices
| September 8, 2025
While the housing market might be looking up for some, certain Houston ZIP codes are still seeing sky-high prices.
I Scream, You Scream, DFW Screams For Free Blue Bell Ice Cream
| September 5, 2025
blue bell creameries | blue bell ice cream | CULTURE | DFW | food and drink | free | HARDGATE | LIFESTYLE | pecan pie | state pie of texas | TEXAS
Blue Bell is partnering with Wing to offer an exciting ice cream giveaway for DFW residents. Here’s how you can get a free pint of the new Classic Pecan Pie flavor.
