Tis’ the season: 4 annual giving programs to support in the Houston area during the holidays
| November 20, 2025
For me, it always starts to actually feel like the holiday season when I see a volunteer dressed up as Santa, ringing a bell, and asking people to drop some spare change in their bright red bucket. It’s a staple of many people’s childhoods, a fixture in the cold winter months.
9 DFW food pantries to support this holiday season
| November 20, 2025
Community | CULTURE | DFW | donations | food banks | food pantries | food resources | HARDGATE | HOLIDAYS | LIFESTYLE | North Texas | plano | THINGS TO DO | volunteers
These Dallas-Fort Worth food pantries need volunteers and donations, especially during the holiday season.
Rodeo Dallas is back (sort of): New spot opening amid ongoing Deep Ellum closure
| November 20, 2025
Community | CULTURE | deep ellum | DFW | DFW Lead Story | ENTERTAINMENT | HARDGATE | LIFESTYLE | neighborhoods | rodeo | rodeo dallas | rodeo uptown
Rodeo Dallas is opening a new location amid its ongoing closure in Deep Ellum. Here’s what you need to know.
Houston couple keeps pride alive at Montrose home
| November 19, 2025
One Houston couple is keeping Pride visible. After the rainbow crosswalk at Taft and Westheimer in Montrose was removed, they decided to share their own display at home and are inviting everyone to drive by and see it. With the crosswalk gone, a decision tied to Gov. Greg Abbott’s administration, they are making sure the colors still shine in Houston.
Investigate a murder, win plant-themed prizes: 8 December events in the Houston area to attend
| November 19, 2025
Though December is filled with holiday celebrations, here at COURIER HTX, we’ve weeded through all the Christmas cheer to find other events that don’t require a Santa hat or a wrapped present.
Voters stopped a right-wing takeover of a Houston-area school board
| November 18, 2025
In early November, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD voters elected three new trustees to their school board, breaking a conservative majority that was elected in 2023.
This small city became the Christmas capital of Texas. Here’s why.
| November 18, 2025
christmas capital of texas | Community | CULTURE | DFW | DFW Lead Story | ENTERTAINMENT | food & drink | grapevine | HARDGATE | HOLIDAYS | LIFESTYLE | SHOPPING | TEXAS | THINGS TO DO
Grapevine, Texas, draws over two million visitors to 1,400 Christmas events each year. Here’s what makes this town just north of Dallas a festive draw at the holidays.
New Harris County worksite policy aims to prevent injuries, fatalities on construction sites
| November 18, 2025
Approved by Harris County commissioners at a Nov. 13 court meeting, the Worksite Safety Policy will now mandate 15-minute water breaks every two hours when the temperature is 90 degrees or higher. So far in 2025, Houston experienced 134 days where the temperature was at least 90 degrees.
7 ways to give back in Houston during the holiday season
| November 18, 2025
animals | charities | christmas | Community | CULTURE | food banks | giving back | HARDGATE | HOLIDAYS | HOUSTON LEAD STORY | HTX | LIFESTYLE | local politics | nonprofits | pets | TEXAS | THINGS TO DO
From volunteering to donations, these seven Houston charities and nonprofits help you give back to those facing hardship in our community during the holidays.
Women-only Uber driver option now available in Texas cities, sparking criticism, lawsuits from male drivers
| November 17, 2025
A new system feature from Uber is showing mixed responses as the driving app rolls out a pilot program in Texas cities.
The American Black Film Festival will be in Dallas this weekend. Here’s what you need to know
| November 14, 2025
American Black Film Festival | arts | Community | CULTURE | DALLAS | DFW | ENTERTAINMENT | LIFESTYLE | TEXAS
The American Black Film Festival is holding a two-day event this weekend at AMC NorthPark 15. Here are all the details.
The Politics of Access: What AfroTech can teach us about empowering innovation and equity
| November 14, 2025
At AfroTech in Houston, the energy was more than innovation. It was a call to expand power and access. Stacey Abrams’ powerful message about AI, democracy, and equity revealed why Texas’ tech future must serve everyone.
I’m a Texan. But I don’t know if I can be a Texas OB-GYN
| November 14, 2025
ABORTION | HEALTH | health care | HEALTHCARE | HEALTHCARE | maternal healthcare | TEXAS | women's health
'I worry that I won’t be able to provide certain types of care because of the laws. I worry about the moral distress I’ll feel if I’m unable to act in particular cases—like when a woman might need a termination, and the law says that you can’t do one. On the other hand, there is value in having a doctor who understands the culture.'
Houston plans new $16 million homeless resource hub
| November 13, 2025
Houston Mayor John Whitmire hosted a public walkthrough of a new facility that will provide shelter and services for individuals experiencing homelessness.
The facility at 419 Emancipation Avenue includes 225 beds. City officials said it will open in early 2026.
Do I need to add ‘preserve democracy’ to my to-do list?
| November 13, 2025
Ever wonder what’s keeping this whole thing—you know, America—from just totally falling apart? It’s not the folks yelling on TV or trolling online: It’s the quiet work happening in local communities like yours.
Subscribe to COURIER HTX at the link in our bio for ways you can do your part.
Political Videos
New Texas law caused some schools to limit student health care services
Government shutdown threatens Houston classrooms
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’
THINGS TO DO
LOCAL STORIES
Tis’ the season: 4 annual giving programs to support in the Houston area during the holidays
| November 20, 2025
For me, it always starts to actually feel like the holiday season when I see a volunteer dressed up as Santa, ringing a bell, and asking people to drop some spare change in their bright red bucket. It’s a staple of many people’s childhoods, a fixture in the cold winter months.
9 DFW food pantries to support this holiday season
| November 20, 2025
Community | CULTURE | DFW | donations | food banks | food pantries | food resources | HARDGATE | HOLIDAYS | LIFESTYLE | North Texas | plano | THINGS TO DO | volunteers
These Dallas-Fort Worth food pantries need volunteers and donations, especially during the holiday season.
Rodeo Dallas is back (sort of): New spot opening amid ongoing Deep Ellum closure
| November 20, 2025
Community | CULTURE | deep ellum | DFW | DFW Lead Story | ENTERTAINMENT | HARDGATE | LIFESTYLE | neighborhoods | rodeo | rodeo dallas | rodeo uptown
Rodeo Dallas is opening a new location amid its ongoing closure in Deep Ellum. Here’s what you need to know.
This small city became the Christmas capital of Texas. Here’s why.
| November 18, 2025
christmas capital of texas | Community | CULTURE | DFW | DFW Lead Story | ENTERTAINMENT | food & drink | grapevine | HARDGATE | HOLIDAYS | LIFESTYLE | SHOPPING | TEXAS | THINGS TO DO
Grapevine, Texas, draws over two million visitors to 1,400 Christmas events each year. Here’s what makes this town just north of Dallas a festive draw at the holidays.
New Harris County worksite policy aims to prevent injuries, fatalities on construction sites
| November 18, 2025
Approved by Harris County commissioners at a Nov. 13 court meeting, the Worksite Safety Policy will now mandate 15-minute water breaks every two hours when the temperature is 90 degrees or higher. So far in 2025, Houston experienced 134 days where the temperature was at least 90 degrees.
Women-only Uber driver option now available in Texas cities, sparking criticism, lawsuits from male drivers
| November 17, 2025
A new system feature from Uber is showing mixed responses as the driving app rolls out a pilot program in Texas cities.
The American Black Film Festival will be in Dallas this weekend. Here’s what you need to know
| November 14, 2025
American Black Film Festival | arts | Community | CULTURE | DALLAS | DFW | ENTERTAINMENT | LIFESTYLE | TEXAS
The American Black Film Festival is holding a two-day event this weekend at AMC NorthPark 15. Here are all the details.
