Memorial Day weekend is here, and so is some pretty awful weather. Flood watches are in effect for much of Southeast Texas through Monday evening, so for some folks, the safest way to spend the long weekend might be staying off the roads and keeping an eye on local alerts.

If conditions are safe where you are, the showers shouldn’t get in the way of the last few hours of early voting today.

Polling locations in Harris County will be open until 7 p.m. today. If you’re in line before 7 p.m., you’re set to vote. For a map of nearby voting centers, check the Harris County Clerk’s Office’s elections website.

If you can’t make it out today, no worries. 

On Election Day, Tuesday, May 26, Harris County will have 162 polling locations open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Make a plan to get in line, have your voice counted, and of course, collect your very important “I voted” sticker.

This is about how many “I voted” stickers adorn my various water bottles. They’re the adult version of Pogs. Only ’90s kids will get it. (Creative Commons)

While a barbecue or parade would be a wonderful way to spend this weekend, making a plan to vote is another meaningful way to mark the holiday.

If you need to read up on candidates in the primary, the League of Women Voters of Houston’s guide is a great resource to have on hand.

Alright, Houston, let’s look at the headlines.

Paula Solis
Deputy Director of Newsletters

🐘 More than 30 years of Republican control in Texas have coincided with declines across key measures, according to a new analysis. The state now ranks near the bottom nationally in healthcare, education, and quality of life.

🎓 These UNT students and faculty held a mock funeral this week, protesting what they call the “death” of academic freedom. The demonstration follows sweeping program cuts, the elimination of DEI initiatives, and growing concerns over political influence on campuses across Texas.

💸 The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is putting $2 million toward vocational education scholarships in 2026, aiming to fund about 100 students across Texas. The awards will help cover training in fields like welding, nursing, and HVAC as part of a broader push to fill high-demand skilled jobs.

🤠 Residents in this Texas town pushed back against AI license plate cameras from Flock Safety—and won. After months of protests, packed meetings, and even cutting down camera poles, city leaders voted to scrap the surveillance program entirely.

📖 The TEA is asking for public feedback on a proposed K–12 reading list that includes Bible passages. Critics say the list lacks diversity and leans heavily on Christian texts. Texans have until mid-June to weigh in before a final decision.

🪲 Tick bites are on the rise in Texas, with more people landing in the ER this year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns ticks can spread serious illnesses like Lyme disease. Experts say it’s key to cover up, use repellent, and check yourself and pets after time outdoors.

Art lovers in Houston have the opportunity to view dozens of masterpieces by famed artists Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, and Paul Klee from now until September 13 at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. The pieces were curated for the “Picasso-Klee-Matisse: Masterpieces from the Museum Berggruen” exhibit and were selected from collector and art dealer Heinz Berggruen’s private collection. 

The exhibition is housed in the Beck Building and includes still lifes, landscapes, portraits, and human figures from Matisse, Picasso, and Klee. Pieces range from paintings and sculptures to cut-out collages and drawings. Informational placards and video footage of the artists at work are also included in the immersive display. In addition to Berggruen’s artworks, the MFAH has contributed its own pieces by these respective artists for a more robust experience. 

To see “Picasso-Klee-Matisse: Masterpieces from the Museum Berggruen” for yourself, click here to purchase tickets to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (the exhibit is included in the cost of entry). Tickets for adults 19 years of age and older are $24 each, senior tickets for those 65+ are $20, and tickets for kids between the ages of 13 and 18 are $20. Children who are 12 years of age and younger are admitted for free.

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Paula Solis.

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