LATEST HEADLINES
Texas ranks second in the US for book bans
| October 6, 2025
book bans | books | censorship | DALLAS | DFW | DFW TEXED EXCLUSIVE | EDUCATION | K-12 education | TEXAS
It’s Banned Books Week, which means PEN America—a nonprofit that fights censorship—has updated its database of banned books in public schools throughout the country.
Meet the Indigenous people of Texas
| October 6, 2025
Community | CULTURE | Federal Harm | get involved | HARDGATE | History | houston history | indigenous tribes | native americans | TEXAS
Despite efforts to erase Native American history in the US, there are still active tribes in Texas and efforts to recognize the state’s Indigenous history and preserve the remaining communities. Nationally, Indigenous Peoples’ Day is now celebrated on the second Monday in October—what was once Columbus Day, until 1992, when the city of Berkley, CA […]
A deep dive into Dallas’ forgotten World’s Fair history
| October 3, 2025
Community | CULTURE | DALLAS | DFW | DFW Lead Story | ENTERTAINMENT | HARDGATE | LIFESTYLE | old texas | state fair of texas | THINGS TO DO | world's fair
One of Texas’s largest cities hosted people across the globe at multiple world’s fairs. Learn about Dallas’ world’s fair history and the legacy it left.
The summer I turned pro: Meet Dallas Trinity FC’s 15-year-old soccer star, Rhea Moore
| October 2, 2025
One of Dallas Trinity FC's newest players just became the youngest woman goal scorer in United States professional soccer history at 15.
Fear Has a New Address—And It’s in Fort Worth, Texas
| October 2, 2025
Community | CULTURE | cutting edge haunted house | DFW | ENTERTAINMENT | halloween | HARDGATE | haunted house | holiday | recreation | THINGS TO DO
Fort Worth’s Cutting Edge Haunted House was named the scariest Halloween attraction in the world. Here’s how you can plan your visit.
See how Texas universities, colleges ranked on US News & World Report Best Colleges 2025 list
| October 2, 2025
college | COLLEGE STUDENTS | Community | CULTURE | EDUCATION | educators | HIGHER ED | HIGHER EDUCATION | TEXAS
While Rice University, University of Texas at Austin, and Texas A&M University typically tend to end up on the higher end of the US News & World Report Best Colleges list, 2025 is the year that University of Houston made the biggest leap.
The Social Security Administration is no longer issuing paper checks. Here’s what you need to know
| October 2, 2025
Community | CULTURE | EQUALITY | government | HARDGATE | LIFESTYLE | Local news | local politics | money | News | politics
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has switched to electronic forms of payment. Here’s how you can set up your automatic payments with ease.
Get your scream on at these 8 Houston-area haunted houses
| October 2, 2025
If you’re someone who loves the idea of living in a horror movie, you can easily fulfill this fantasy at one of Houston’s haunted houses. The city and its surrounding areas offer a wide range of spooky spots, from masked killers and bug infestations to abandoned asylums and stalker clowns. Check out these eight haunts in the Houston area to get spooky at.
How the government shutdown could hurt thousands of Texans
| October 1, 2025
The federal government shut down early Wednesday, meaning nearly 250,000 federal employees and members of the military in Texas won’t receive paychecks.
11 Houston-area Starbucks closing due to company restructuring
| October 1, 2025
Coffee lovers across the US are having to ditch their normal haunts, as Starbucks closed over 400 locations across the country this past week.
Haunted in Houston: 6 spots reportedly frequented by ghosts
| October 1, 2025
Esperson Buildings | glenwood cemetery | haunted | hotel icon | houston public library | HTX | La Carafe | Rice Hotel
Houston is more haunted than you might think. Here are six spots reportedly frequented by ghosts. When most people think about haunted areas of the United States, they’re probably thinking about places like New Orleans, Amityville, or Estes Park, where famous ghost sightings have taken place. Houston is, as it turns out, right up there […]
5 Texas school districts face state takeovers. Here’s what to know.
| September 30, 2025
Several Texas school districts, including Fort Worth, are at risk of takeover by the Texas Education Agency. Here’s a look at what that means.
Get to know your 2025-2026 Houston Rockets NBA team
| September 30, 2025
CULTURE | DALLAS MAVERICKS | ENTERTAINMENT | HARDGATE | Houston Rockets | HTX | LIFESTYLE | NBA | SPORTS | TEXAS | THINGS TO DO
Last year’s squad was a surprising top seed in the Western Conference. After shaking up their roster, the 2025-2026 Houston Rockets are a title contender.
Get ready to Empty the Shelters in Houston at BARC Animal Shelter
| September 30, 2025
That’s what BARC Animal Shelter hopes will happen at the Empty the Shelters event. From Oct. 1-15, BARC Animal Shelter, along with 300+ shelters across 38 states, will be offering reduced adoptions fees through a partnership with BISSELL Pet Foundation.
Rate of uninsured children in TX tops list
| September 30, 2025
Affordability | CULTURE | EQUALITY | FAMILY | Federal Cuts | health insurance | insurance | LIFESTYLE | Local news | local politics | Medicaid | politics | TEXAS
Texas has the highest uninsured rate for children in the nation. That’s according to a report from Georgetown University’s Center for Children and Families.
Political Videos
Jasmine Crockett: Republicans use trans people, immigrants to divide Black voters
Jasmine Crockett on fighting GOP free speech attacks: ‘Snatch our power back’
Gov. Greg Abbott would have you rat out your family
Texas has banned over 500 books. That’s why we’re launching the Texas Banned Book Club.
Attacks on academic freedom spread across Texas universities
James Talarico reflects on free speech attacks
4 Democrats eyeing newly drawn US House district in North Texas
Lina Hidalgo on 7 years leading Harris County: ‘I’m most proud of this community’
Texas lawmakers want to honor Charlie Kirk by investigating free speech on college campuses
James Talarico reclaiming Christianity from alt-right, DFW supporter says
THINGS TO DO
LOCAL STORIES
Meet the Indigenous people of Texas
| October 6, 2025
Community | CULTURE | Federal Harm | get involved | HARDGATE | History | houston history | indigenous tribes | native americans | TEXAS
Despite efforts to erase Native American history in the US, there are still active tribes in Texas and efforts to recognize the state’s Indigenous history and preserve the remaining communities. Nationally, Indigenous Peoples’ Day is now celebrated on the second Monday in October—what was once Columbus Day, until 1992, when the city of Berkley, CA […]
A deep dive into Dallas’ forgotten World’s Fair history
| October 3, 2025
Community | CULTURE | DALLAS | DFW | DFW Lead Story | ENTERTAINMENT | HARDGATE | LIFESTYLE | old texas | state fair of texas | THINGS TO DO | world's fair
One of Texas’s largest cities hosted people across the globe at multiple world’s fairs. Learn about Dallas’ world’s fair history and the legacy it left.
Fear Has a New Address—And It’s in Fort Worth, Texas
| October 2, 2025
Community | CULTURE | cutting edge haunted house | DFW | ENTERTAINMENT | halloween | HARDGATE | haunted house | holiday | recreation | THINGS TO DO
Fort Worth’s Cutting Edge Haunted House was named the scariest Halloween attraction in the world. Here’s how you can plan your visit.
See how Texas universities, colleges ranked on US News & World Report Best Colleges 2025 list
| October 2, 2025
college | COLLEGE STUDENTS | Community | CULTURE | EDUCATION | educators | HIGHER ED | HIGHER EDUCATION | TEXAS
While Rice University, University of Texas at Austin, and Texas A&M University typically tend to end up on the higher end of the US News & World Report Best Colleges list, 2025 is the year that University of Houston made the biggest leap.
The Social Security Administration is no longer issuing paper checks. Here’s what you need to know
| October 2, 2025
Community | CULTURE | EQUALITY | government | HARDGATE | LIFESTYLE | Local news | local politics | money | News | politics
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has switched to electronic forms of payment. Here’s how you can set up your automatic payments with ease.
11 Houston-area Starbucks closing due to company restructuring
| October 1, 2025
Coffee lovers across the US are having to ditch their normal haunts, as Starbucks closed over 400 locations across the country this past week.
Haunted in Houston: 6 spots reportedly frequented by ghosts
| October 1, 2025
Esperson Buildings | glenwood cemetery | haunted | hotel icon | houston public library | HTX | La Carafe | Rice Hotel
Houston is more haunted than you might think. Here are six spots reportedly frequented by ghosts. When most people think about haunted areas of the United States, they’re probably thinking about places like New Orleans, Amityville, or Estes Park, where famous ghost sightings have taken place. Houston is, as it turns out, right up there […]
