How to celebrate 2025 Oktoberfest in Houston
| September 10, 2025
celebration | Community | CULTURE | food and drink | HARDGATE | HTX | LIFESTYLE | oktoberfest | THINGS TO DO
Find authentic German beer gardens, bratwurst, live polka music, and traditional festivities at Houston’s 2025 Oktoberfest events.
Nearly 350 Houston retirees still waiting on buyout payments
| September 9, 2025
Houston City Council member Edward Pollard is demanding accountability as nearly 350 of the 1,000 city workers who took early retirement buyouts are still waiting for their pension payments months after they were promised.
The buyout program, launched to help close a $330 million budget shortfall, offered lump-sum payouts of 25% of annual salary to eligible employees. The employees were promised the payments within 60 days of their May 1 retirement.
Pollard has expressed growing concern over the city's handling of the program, and wants a timeline from Mayor John Whitmire’s administration on when the retirees will be paid. He questioned the mayor during an Aug. 27 city council meeting.
Rising Democratic star James Talarico announces run for US Senate in Texas
| September 9, 2025
State Rep. James Talarico, a 36-year-old Presbyterian seminarian and former middle school teacher, announced Tuesday that he’s running for US Senate.
Free Fare Fridays encourage public transit for the month of September in the Houston area
| September 9, 2025
Houston public transit users can expect to see a little extra change in their pockets this month, as multiple transit agencies take part in Free Fare Fridays.
Texas Sees Rise in Flea-Borne Typhus Cases
| September 9, 2025
animals | austin | DFW | dogs | HARDGATE | HEALTH | HEALTHCARE | heat | HTX | LIFESTYLE | Local news | outdoors | pets | public health | SAN ANTONIO | summer | TEXAS | typhus
Flea-borne typhus, otherwise known as murine or endemic typhus, is on the rise in Texas. Here’s what you need to know.