In the last few newsletters, I’ve been talking to you about HISD’s failing schools and TEA-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles’ subsequent salary bump. You told me that he didn’t deserve his pay raise, and some of you even wrote in to say that he needs to go for HISD to thrive. But Miles isn’t the only city employee who was offered a pay raise recently.  

Harris County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth, the first Black woman to serve as Harris County clerk, just rejected a 70% salary increase, in contrast to Miles, who accepted his. 

Harris County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth shows off her Vote nails style. (Elizabeth Conley/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)

The increase would have brought her salary to $305,000, which would have been funded using her existing city budget. Hudspeth was the only public official to decline the increase, citing that her priority is having that money serve the Harris County public. 

🤔 When do you think it’s appropriate for the city to award salary increases to their employees? Write in and let me know! 

Your news roundup—a quick stop for stories happening across the state that deserve a little more attention.

🚔 The second witness in the fatal ICE shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was released from detention, leaving one witness in jail. Find out what’s next for the newly freed man. (Houston Press) 

👮 After public scrutiny on HPD’s relationship with ICE, a Harris County Sheriff’s Office deputy has been reassigned. Here’s what he did. (Houston Public Media) 

🌪️ Tropical Storm Dolly has been named just days after the death of Dolly Parton, but reports say the name shares no connection to the famous singer. Find out how storms near the coast get their names. (ABC 13)

🚿 The City of Houston is planning to shut off the water of 15,000 residents who are behind on their water payments. Here’s when the shutoff begins. (Click2Houston) 

🏘️ The Woodlands has offered to pay Houston $50 million by 2030 in order to stop Houston from absorbing the township. Read about what Houston plans to do. (Click2Houston)

A story worth sharing with your neighbor.

Houston Methodist doctor performs pioneering surgery to stop a spinal fluid leak with a minimally-invasive procedure. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)

Houston is home to the largest medical complex in the world, with facilities that rank among the best in the nation. In the heart of The Medical Center (TMC) sits Texas’ top healthcare establishment, Houston Methodist Hospital, which just received its ranking as the best in the state for the 15th year in a row. Reports show that despite award-winning care in their own backyard, Houstonians usually aren’t able to afford these services.

A 2022 study authored by Rice University professor Dr. Vivian Ho compared prices across Houston hospitals and found that access to Houston’s top-of-the-line care isn’t a reality for many. Houston Methodist Hospital has the highest reported average price out of all hospitals sampled for insured patients, with the price for a four-five day hospital stay averaging $20,071. 

Houston’s median household income is about $65,000 per year, which means that one hospital stay at Houston Methodist costs roughly 30% of a person’s entire yearly salary. That’s also two times higher than the rates at other Houston hospitals, which charge about $6,968 for a four-five day stay.

Low-cost & free resources to elevate your day-to-day.

Encourage your kiddos to have stronger reading habits at an upcoming literacy event. (Anna Raj/Courier HTX) 

🏫 Retired public school teachers get in for free to this upcoming Teacher Retirement System of Texas fair. The TRS-Care State Fair of Health is designed to help retired teachers better understand healthcare options available to them. 

👶 Join Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy for a free conversation about understanding and preventing childhood violence. Learn about where violence comes from, what it looks like, and how to stop it.

🎪 This low-stimulation carnival is being put on by Success on the Spectrum for free, providing families with a fun outing that’s friendly for children who might need sensory breaks.

⚒️ Ever wanted to learn a trade? This free networking night will give you the chance to meet industry professionals, mentors, and school representatives. 

📚 Read for the Record Literacy Fall Festival is your chance to get the whole family excited about reading. Help your children fall into better reading habits with giveaways, story times, literacy games, and free food. 

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Anna Raj and edited by Crystal Niforos.

Courier HTX is free to read for everyone. Your support makes our work possible.