Wednesday evening, I made my way down to Richmond, Texas, just outside Houston, for US Senate candidate James Talarico’s Fort Bend County stop on his “Clear Eyes, Full Hearts” tour. I even got to meet some of y’all in person!

Hundreds gathered at Safari Texas Ranch in Richmond on Wednesday evening. (Anna Raj/Courier HTX) 

I heard directly from Texans about what’s motivating them to vote in the upcoming midterm elections. It was one of the most energized rallies I’ve attended, with Texas flags waving and attendees calling for change across the state.

Here’s what folks told me about why they’re voting:

 ”As a school teacher, one of the things that’s really affecting us is the immigration issue in the state of Texas. Specifically for me, the ICE issues that are going on and the cruelty that we’re seeing around the state. It affects a lot of my students, and I’ve actually lost a lot of students that have had to go return back to their country of origin.” 

— Tracy Schwartz 

Rashad Chowdhury supports candidates in some attention-grabbing ways. (Anna Raj/Courier HTX)

“ As a woman, I’m very tired of this corrupt system and I’m ready for women to have the respect that they deserve. I love the phrase Talarico said that it’s not red against blue, it’s the rich against the poor. I firmly believe that. We have more in common [with each other] than we do with billionaires.”

— Tamara Zamora 

🍁 Don’t forget to attend tomorrow’s “Log On and Latte: Fall Office Hours” at noon, where we’ll chat about what matters to you, what’s happening in your neighborhood, and what coverage you want to see in this newsletter. ☕

I want to hear from you, too! Let me know why you’re voting this year and what issues have you passionate about going to the polls. 

A company specializing in creating genetically modified pig organs is making its way to the Bayou City. (Anna Raj/Courier HTX)

🚔 A second ICE crash happened in Houston on Thursday morning, leaving one person hospitalized. Here’s what we know so far. (Chron)

🛍 Say goodbye to free parking at the Galleria. This is how much you can expect to pay moving forward. (Chron)

🐷 Genetically modified pig organs are coming to Houston. Yep, you read that right. Check out the new Houston office specializing in xeno-organs. (Houston Public Media)

🐘 A beloved and recently viral elephant family is leaving H-Town for new pastures. Find out what’s happening to Shanti, Joy, and Kirby. (KHOU 11).

🛣 Houston is home to one of the deadliest roads in the US, one that claimed the life of a 19-year-old. But changes could soon be coming. Here’s what the victim’s family has to say. (Click2Houston)

🕯 A Houston doctor just published a book recounting what happened in Gaza. Check out this article by a Rice University undergraduate discussing Fady Joudah’s new book, “Exhibit G.”

Galveston’s most popular esoteric shop sits in the Historic Strand District, offering visitors a year-round peek into the supernatural. (Anna Raj/Courier HTX)

The ghost in Clyde Wood’s house is known as “The Walker,” nicknamed for the way she walks back and forth on the creaky floorboards of his historic Victorian-era Galveston home. Wood has grown used to her presence and even welcomes it. His familiarity with the paranormal, supernatural, and mystical is all part of the job.

Wood and his wife own and operate The Witchery, one of Galveston’s most well-known magic and metaphysical shops. Founded in 2008, The Witchery is bustling with customers during spooky season, giving Wood a chance to show people that his shop is about more than just broomsticks.

The Witchery sells products that send customers on a journey of self-empowerment and discovery. In addition to witches’ brooms and guides to practicing witchcraft, The Witchery stocks candles, herbs, oils, tarot cards, spiritually themed jewelry, and religious statues and icons. The store also has shelves of books on dreams, angels, self-improvement, spiritual enlightenment, global religions, philosophy, and ritual work.

The Witchery embraces Galveston’s existing spiritual world, where locals have long believed the veil between the spirit world and our world is at its thinnest.

🛶 This free Texas Rivers film screening offers you a chance to learn about our state’s great waterways, ecosystems, and wildlife. Bring a lawn chair or a picnic blanket and gather with community members under the stars to appreciate all the natural beauty Texas has to offer.

🐦 Take the weekend slow with a guided morning of forest bird watching, Tai-Chi, and arts and crafts featuring music by an Indigenous flutist.

🎃 This dog- and kid-friendly hike and bike event invites you to wear your most creative costumes out to a day of trail walking, magic shows, free beer, tarot readings, and more.

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Anna Raj and edited by Paula Solis. 

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