It’s almost Christmas, and I can feel the holiday spirit in the air.

But apparently, Houston fell a little short on being the most festive city in the US this year. We landed in sixth place, with Austin and Dallas snagging first and second place, respectively.

As a competitive person, I hate to lose to our sister cities. I’m working on a story about the best places to see lights in Houston for free, to hopefully prove this ranking wrong. Know a great place for lights? Shoot me an email, and maybe I’ll include it!

One more thing: I’m talking with readers this week to learn how our newsletters are landing—what’s useful, what’s frustrating, and what you want more of. If you’ve got thoughts, I’d love to hear them. Sign up for a quick feedback interview here.

Last week, I got an email from Teach For America Houston, a nonprofit that works to expand educational opportunities across the country. They shared with me a list of ways that you can show the educators in your life appreciation this holiday season.

As someone whose two best friends are both teachers, I have the utmost respect and awe for what they do every day! And even though this isn’t necessarily a small business to support, teachers always deserve and need our help.

“Educators pour their heart into their classrooms every day, and the holidays offer a meaningful chance to reflect that care back to them,” said Tiffany Cuellar Needham, executive director of TFA Houston. “When teachers feel appreciated and supported, it lifts their well-being and the learning environment for every student.”

Some recommended gifts:

☕ Snacks, sweets, or a coffee gift card

🥐 Gift certificates to local restaurants or bakeries

🧖‍♀️ A spa or wellness gift card

💌 A handwritten note sharing why you value them

🎨 Holiday cards or artwork from students

💐 Flowers or a small seasonal plant

✏️ Classroom supplies

👘 Featuring Chanel, Thom Browne, and Jean Paul Gaultier, the new Louvre Couture at Houston’s Museum of Fine Arts exhibit showcases stunning designs that resemble works of art more than actual clothing pieces.

📅 A local Houston staple, Grand Lux Cafe, has announced a closing date of Jan. 24 after operating for over two decades. (KHOU 11)

💻 A new dashboard launched by the city of Houston is on track to bring awareness to firearm-related injuries and deaths.

🛩 Houston has landed its first-ever nonstop flights to Rome, starting in 2026. Can you say ‘arrivederci’?

Earlier this week, I asked y’all to look ahead to 2028, because the future has a funny way of sneaking up on us faster than we expect. My question for y’all is:

If you had to vote today, who would you pick for president in 2028? And why?

I’ve gotten some great responses so far, including this answer that made me genuinely chuckle:

“Who’s running????” — Barbara H.

We don’t have any official candidates, so I want to hear your biggest pipe dreams of who should lead our country! Personally, I’m hoping for an AOC ticket, but that’s just me.

Who’s on your dream ballot?

By Matt Hennie

She’s in. 

US Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Dallas), one of the most vocal critics in Congress of the Trump administration, stepped into Texas’ US Senate race on Monday, ending weeks of speculation and changing the landscape of a race that has elicited excitement from Democrats.

Crockett, 44, is an attorney and former state lawmaker who won a Dallas-based US House seat in 2022. In November, Crockett won nearly 85% of the vote to easily beat a Libertarian candidate to win a second term. 

“Sadly enough, we all know that Sen. John Cornyn does not have the guts to stand up to Trump,” Crockett said in a fiery speech at the Frederick Douglass Human Services and Justice Center in Dallas. “But I can tell y’all who does. I do.”

Crockett focused on lowering costs, health care, public education, and holding the Trump administration accountable during her speech.

“I’m done with politics as usual. I’m done with going along to get along and it gets us nowhere,” she added. “I’m done with the senators sitting around doing nothing while Trump takes your hard-earned money, skims your Social Security, slashes Medicare, and gives tax breaks to billionaires.”

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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Sierra Rozen, featuring reporting by Matt Hennie. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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