COMMUNITY
Texas House votes to end STAAR testing
| September 12, 2025
The Texas House approved a bill that replaces the state’s STAAR exam with three shorter tests given over the course of the school year starting in 2027.
Things to do in Dallas-Fort Worth in September
| September 12, 2025
Our free DFW newsletter features a weekly list of events—some free, some ticketed—so there is no reason to be sitting at home, missing out. Sign up at the link in bio.
Watch me get read for filth by a Houston aura reader
| September 12, 2025
Have you ever wondered what kind of energy you give off? Small business, Mixed Feels, is in the business of reading your aura. Subscribe to COURIER HTX at the link in our bio for more fun things to do in Houston.
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.
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.
‘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 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.
Houston City Council wants public feedback. They got an earful.
| September 5, 2025
The Houston City Council is experimenting with evening sessions to make it easier for people to speak out at their meetings—and they did.
Get a glimpse of the 2025-26 Dallas Cowboys roster
| September 5, 2025
2025-26 dallas cowboys roster | Community | cowboys roster | CULTURE | dallas cowboys | dallas cowboys roster | DFW | DFW Lead Story | football | HARDGATE | LIFESTYLE | NFL | NFL season | SPORTS | TEXAS | THINGS TO DO
The NFL season is upon us. Here’s how the Dallas Cowboys roster stacks up, plus the key games Cowboys fans should circle on their calendar.