Houston
Texas schools illegally suspended thousands of homeless students—and nobody stopped them
Hundreds of districts have illegally suspended students over the past five years, according to data obtained from the Texas Education Agency, denying students access to the food, shelter and education often found only on campus.
A $26 Billion Plan to Save the Houston Area From Rising Seas
Lawmakers are poised to decide the fate of a massive project to protect the coast around Houston from rising sea levels.
How Houston’s First Pregnant City Council Member is Using Her Power to Enact Change
For too long, pregnant workers have had to “grin and bear it” in the workplace. Abbie Kamin wants to change that.
The Case for Luxury Housing
COMMENTARY| New market-rate development helps relieve pressure on local housing prices.
Homes Are Flooding Outside FEMA’s 100-Year Flood Zones and Racial Inequality Is Showing Through
COMMENTARY | New risk models show nearly twice as many properties are at risk from a 100-year flood today than the government's flood maps indicate.
Poll: Over Half of Households in America's Biggest Cities Dealing With Financial Difficulties
Budget problems, which have coincided with the coronavirus pandemic, are especially acute for Black and Latino residents.
A Spike in People Dying at Home Suggests Coronavirus Deaths in Houston May Be Higher Than Reported
In Houston, one of the nation’s fastest-growing coronavirus hot spots, more residents are dying before they can make it to a hospital. Medical examiner data shows that an increasing number of these deaths are the result of COVID-19.
Resilience Renewed in Houston
For the fifth year in a row, the Route Fifty roadshow will explore the biggest themes in state and local government. This year’s roadshow kicks off in Houston, Texas to explore the city’s resiliency journey.
Census Gives Opposite Advice to Tornado-Damaged Dayton, Flood-Ravaged Houston
When people are displaced following a natural disaster, where should they be counted for the census? The answer could mean a lot of money down the line for communities trying to rebuild.
From School Outreach to Hip Hop: How Mayors Plan to Boost Census Participation
The 2020 Census count will begin nationally in March and mayors are working to get the message out that every resident needs to be counted.
Featured eBooks
Over Two Million Pounds of Recyclables Were Sent to a City’s Landfills
A Houston environmental advocate is afraid the problem exposed by a local news investigation will cause residents to take recycling less seriously.
After a Voter Mandated Pay Increase, the Threat of Firefighter Layoffs
STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | Looking at a Florida tolls contract ... Luxury tax on non-resident apartments in New York ... A tree falls in Los Angeles.
Police Layoffs Likely in Houston After Judge’s Pay-Parity Ruling
STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | Oklahoma’s unaccredited teachers … Connecticut’s new budget chief … and New Mexico’s backlog in unpaid film incentives.
Some School Districts Look to Custodians and Teachers to Fill Bus Driver Shortage
An ongoing hiring challenge has brought about unconventional solutions to meet immediate needs.
FEMA Aid Misses Both the Big and Small Picture
COMMENTARY | Houston's experience shows it's time to rethink how we assess damage from natural disasters.
Plans to Build Massive Wall to Protect Texas Move Forward
But it’s probably not the wall you’re thinking of.
Making Rescue Volunteers Part of the Official Response
A rescue website developed during Hurricane Harvey—and in use again during Hurricane Florence—wants to work more directly with local governments.
Houston Promises Verizon’s Biggest 5G Rollout Yet
The city wanted a deal that improves service in overlooked areas.
Feds Give Texas an OK to Spend $5 Billion on Hurricane Harvey Recovery
Housing programs are still being developed, so money won't begin flowing to struggling families immediately.
Houston Officials May Try to Foil Trump Plans for ‘Tender Age’ Shelter
STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | D.C. voters approve measure to eliminate tipped minimum wage … Del. blood emergency … and a Calif. mayor ends up with 5,000 purple water bottles.
