Call me Nancy Drew because I’m putting my sleuthing hat on for this one.

The other week, I shared with y’all how Goodwill Houston has gotten rid of its fitting rooms. Fitting rooms are seen as a necessity when it comes to a good thrift haul—how else will you know if a pair of jeans from the ’90s will fit correctly, given the difference in sizing?

Not only are the fitting rooms closed, but the return policy now states that clothing with the original tag attached can be returned to the store where it was purchased within seven days of the purchase, but only for store credit. 

Of course, I couldn’t quite believe it until my sisters sent me a photo this week of a changing room at a nearby Goodwill location that was blocked off.

At other locations, the fitting rooms have already been painted over and covered up. Goodwill Houston has not released a statement on why the change occurred.

I want to look into this more after the holidays, but I’m curious what y’all think the reason might be.

Houston is home to some of the best museums in the state. Not only can you explore The Health Museum, The Holocaust Museum, the Houston Museum of Natural Science, and the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum, but we also have three museums dedicated to different art forms.

One of my favorites to explore is the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, one of the largest art museums in the US. Spanning more than 300,000 feet, it’s easy to get lost for an entire afternoon, slowly making your way through the permanent exhibits.

From classic Renaissance paintings to more modern sculptures, MFAH also boasts impressive special exhibits that rotate throughout the year. And if you go on a Thursday night, it’s completely free to see! At my most recent visit, I was laser-focused on seeing the “Louvre Couture” exhibit, on display until March 15. Unlike other special exhibits, which usually still require a ticket on Thursdays, the Louvre Couture displays are scattered throughout the permanent exhibits. 

I was in awe of the couture gowns that resembled works of art rather than wearable clothing. Strategically placed by the framed paintings, each piece complemented the gallery in which it was stationed. I highly recommend checking it out if you have time over the holidays. You can check out this video I made on the exhibit if you want a sneak peek at the gowns.

I’m also interested in catching the “Frida: The Making of an Icon” special exhibit, which goes on display Jan. 19. Let me know if y’all want a video on it!

MFAH is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Tickets range from $20-$24 for full admission.

For our last question of 2025, I’m asking y’all:

What’s your New Year’s wish for Houston in 2026?

I got a great response this week that I think we can all relate to:

“My wish for Houston is to find a great job that pays enough to quit living paycheck to paycheck.” — Marialicia V.

What are you wishing for?

😋 A symbol of family unity and celebration, tamales have been a Christmastime staple for years. Here’s where to find the best tamales in Houston. (Houston Chronicle)

🕊 Abraham Quintanilla, father of the late Tejano superstar Selena, died this past weekend. He was 86. Born in Corpus Christi, Quintanilla was recently interviewed for the Netflix doc “Selena y Los Dinos: A Family Legacy.” (Houston Public Media)

❗ This past weekend, Harris County Democrats voted to make Mayor John Whitmire ineligible for the party’s endorsement. The move comes after Whitmire’s cooperation with ICE, and being seen at a fundraiser for US Rep. Dan Crenshaw. (Chron)

🗳 Alejandra Salinas won the Houston City Council runoff on Saturday, securing the At‑Large Position 4 seat in a decisive win against Dwight Boykins.

💰 Starting in 2026, qualified childcare providers will receive a full property tax exemption after a unanimous vote from Harris County commissioners. (Community Impact)

♻️ With the upcoming holidays, make sure you know when your solid waste and recycling will be picked up by the city. (City of Houston)

🏈 Representing the Houston Texans since 2001, Toro the bull was inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame this past weekend. Toro joins other Texas mascots in the Hall of Fame, including Clutch for the Houston Rockets, The Coyote for the San Antonio Spurs, and Orbit for the Houston Astros. Watch Toro’s induction here. (Youtube)

By Katie Serrano

Texas has officially launched a partnership with Turning Point USA—an organization that advocates for far-right, conservative politics co-founded by the late Charlie Kirk—to create chapters on every high school and college campus in the state. 

Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, both Republicans, announced the initiative during a press conference at the Governor’s Mansion on Monday. 

Although they did not reveal specific plans that would require schools to start the clubs, Abbott said that he expects “meaningful disciplinary action” to take place against “any stoppage of TPUSA in the great state of Texas.”

“Let me be clear: Any school that stands in the way of a Club America program in their school should be reported immediately to the Texas Education Agency,” Abbott said. “This is about constitutional principles. This is about a restoration of who we are as a country.”

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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Sierra Rozen, with reporting by Katie Serrano. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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