Do you know how busy this Tuesday is?
Feb. 17 marks:
🎉 Mardi Gras
🌕 Start of Lunar New Year
☪️ Start of Ramadan
And it’s the first day of early voting! We’ve got some info on how to figure out what district you’re voting in if you live in Harris County. If you live outside Harris County, you can click here to find your ballot and voting areas.
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Are you planning on voting early? I know I’m definitely going to try to hit the polls on Tuesday!
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👀 In case you missed it: The most clicked link in Wednesday’s edition was about the history behind Houston’s five nicknames.
P.S. Due to President’s Day, I’ll be back in your inbox Wednesday afternoon!
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Here are some events happening inside and outside of Houston this weekend
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Happy almost Valentine’s Day to all who celebrate! It’s been great reading y’all’s worst first date stories. Thanks to subscriber Brett B. for this hilarious first date story you won’t want to scroll past.
If you feel much obliged to share:
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What’s your worst first date story?
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Here’s what you had to say:
“I once matched with a girl on Bumble who seemed totally normal. The conversation was about as lively as most Bumble chats, and after a day or so, she suggested we meet up. I threw out a few ideas for places to grab a drink, but she immediately countered with dinner and games at Dave & Buster’s. Sure, that sounds fun! I don’t usually pick up someone I’ve never met on a first date, but she asked for a ride, and I happily obliged.
We get there, and she orders a steak dinner and several mixed drinks, which I pay for. After dinner, we head to the game counter. I’m about to buy one of those game cards and load it up when she says, ‘Oh, I already have a card. Just load it onto mine.’ Okay. Convenient, I guess.
We hit the arcade, and I’m trying to pull her toward the fun stuff—racing games, shooters, skee-ball, anything with some personality—but it becomes pretty clear she’s on a mission. She keeps drifting to whatever game spits out the most tickets. So instead of a cute little date-night arcade tour, we basically spend the whole time ticket farming between the same couple machines.
Eventually, we burn through the credits I loaded onto her card, and I suggest we cash out the tickets for something dumb and funny, like a rubber chicken or a mini lava lamp. She calmly slides the card back into her purse and goes, ‘No thanks, I’m saving up for the air fryer.’ I drove her home, and neither of us ever texted again.” — Brett B.
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❗ Harris County residents and Democratic leaders have filed a federal lawsuit to stop recent ICE operations in the Houston area. The case argues the raids violate constitutional protections and that US citizens should not be required to carry proof of citizenship during routine encounters.
💍 Have you ever wanted to get married in a bookstore? This Valentine’s Day, Brazos Bookstore will be officiating weddings and vow renewals! Refreshments will be available, and passersby are encouraged to attend as witnesses. (Houston Chronicle)
💰 Harris County is suing the Trump Administration over FEMA cuts, with Harris County Commissioner Lesley Briones saying the cuts are already affecting disaster response.
🗳 With Harris County’s newly-redrawn political maps, your district may have changed. That means your ballot likely changed, too. Here’s what to know before you vote.
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By Sierra Rozen
There’s nothing quite like getting lost in a good book, and it’s always good to stop doomscrolling and get a digital detox once in a while.
That’s why, in honor of Black History Month, we rounded up six Black Texas authors who are making a splash in the literary world.
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Author Bryan Washington attends the 76th National Book Awards ceremony at Cipriani Wall Street on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, in New York. (Andy Kropa/Invision/AP)
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Raised in Katy, Bryan Washington rose to fame with his 2020 debut novel “Memorial,” described as “a funny, sexy, profound dramedy about two young people at a crossroads in their relationship and the limits of love.” The novel was long-listed for the Aspen Words Literary Prize, the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction, and the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, along with being tapped for adaptation by indie darling film producer A24.
Our pick: “Family Meal,” to explore what really haunts our protagonist as he returns to his hometown of Houston to confront his past. The novel offers an inside look into grief, love, and family, sure to move any reader to tears.
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Do you want to support COURIER HTX’s mission while showcasing your products or services to an engaged audience of 20,000+ subscribers?
Email advertising@couriernewsroom.com for more information.
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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Sierra Rozen. It was edited by Paula Solis.
COURIER HTX is free to read for everyone. Your support makes our work possible.
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