💰 The Houston City Council approved a $7.5 billion budget in a 15–1 vote, backing Mayor John Whitmire’s plan. It includes a new $5 monthly trash fee to help close budget gaps, with Edward Pollard casting the lone “no” vote.
🎧 Frontline and The Texas Newsroom are launching a new podcast, “After the Flood,” exploring the aftermath of the deadly 2025 Central Texas floods. The series follows survivors and communities still rebuilding—and raising questions about preparedness nearly a year later.
🏫 Gina Hinojosa launched “Team Texas Public Schools,” a new initiative aimed at rallying support for public education. The gubernatorial candidate says she wants to roll back state takeovers, scrap voucher programs, and return more control to local school districts.
🏥 Houston has opened a new 222-bed facility on Emancipation Avenue to address homelessness, offering medical care, mental health services, and a path to stable housing. Backed by the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County, the center is part of a broader effort to reduce the region’s homeless population.
🗣️ Houston volunteers and local groups are organizing across the city, connecting with neighbors and small businesses over concerns about immigration policies. Advocates say they’re building momentum to push back on enforcement efforts tied to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and raise awareness at the community level.
