Turns out, y’all really love reading about Beto O’Rourke. We were able to catch up with him while he was in town promoting his book, We’ve Got to Try: How the Fight for Voting Rights Makes Everything Else Possible, and talked about his life on the lecture circuit, educating people on voter suppression, and Colin Allred’s then-current campaign against incumbent “clown” (Beto’s word) Ted Cruz.

Our inaugural Houstonian of the Year Award got many readers fired up to vote for one of the five finalists: Space City Weather’s Eric Berger and Matt Lanza (on the ballot together), James Beard winner and Street to Kitchen chef and co-owner Benchawan Jabthong Painter, soccer star and pediatric cancer researcher Michelle Alozie, state senator Molly Cook, and immigration lawyer and advocate Chiqui Sanchez Kennedy. We had to outsource the final decision to you because they’re all winners in our eyes.

Who took home the prize? Keep reading!

Montrose has long been known as Houston’s hub for the artists, the weirdos, and the gays (and all combinations therein). But its namesake Montrose Boulevard started out as a fancy-schmancy row of mansions where wealthy oil and gas magnates lived. Over the decades, the boulevard has become a patchwork of architectural styles and traditions—good and bad. It was once home to the city’s first Pride parades and a well-loved grocery store known for its party-like atmosphere (RIP Disco Kroger). Today, a walk down the street will take you from a series of gas stations and new high-rises to the stately Link-Lee Mansion, the only remnant of the boulevard’s past era.

New York architect Ira Berne had stars in his eyes and a song in his heart when he developed Westbury Square, the walkable heart of the neighborhood located just south of Meyerland. But the stars imploded and the song faded after a few decades when Houstonians decided they wanted their mixed-use experience indoors, away from the heat. The Galleria proved to be one of its major competitors sounding the death knell, and today it’s an abandoned, decaying curiosity for urban explorers.

Turns out, the Tower Theatre will become the Houston home of pianist and singer Doc Watkins’s San Antonio–based jazz club Jazz, TX. We’re looking forward to a new music venue, of course, especially since it takes the building back to its 1936 roots as a place to soak up the arts (film, specifically) after many years as a restaurant. But it was fun to brainstorm ideas before the official announcement of what would happen to the space.

Eric Berger and Matt Lanza, the meteorological dream team behind Space City Weather, received the honor of being named our first-ever Houstonian(s) of the Year. Over the past decade, they’ve been the leading voice in guiding Gulf Coast residents through some of the worst natural disasters imaginable, such as Hurricane Harvey and Winter Storm Uri. This year alone, they stood at the forefront of covering the unexpected derecho as well as Hurricane Beryl. We’re so grateful for everything they’ve put into keeping us as safe and informed as possible.

No, really. Take a little extra time in your drive and look at Houston through different eyes by actually traveling through neighborhoods. You’ll enjoy soaking up the historic homes, public art, community gatherings, and even some nature. Definitely an upgrade from watching drivers on 610 pick their noses or scream at each other or uselessly honk when traffic backs up.

The Kinder name pops up a lot around Houston. You’ll see it at the Museum of Fine Arts, at Rice University, on a teaching award, on a performing arts school…you get the idea. Nancy and Rich Kinder have donated an estimated $7.7 billion back into Houston. The couple has a special fondness for the arts, creating more green spaces, promoting diversity, feeding the food insecure, curing diseases, and plenty of other worthwhile causes.

In our flood-prone city, entire neighborhoods are redefining what it means to weather the storm—literally. Homeowners like Julia and James Long, who spent $300,000 to elevate their beloved 1965 Meyerland home, are blending necessity with creativity, turning once-grounded midcentury houses into elevated spaces that now feature workshops, garages, and gyms beneath. While architects use creative solutions like ivy, brick detailing, and landscaping to soften the look, the shift has sparked debates about aesthetics, affordability, and the changing face of Houston’s historic neighborhoods—where some houses are now taller than the oaks.

Victoria Hutchins, better known to her 1 million TikTok followers as "The Daily Victorian," has gone from international lawyer to social media sensation, carving out a new path as a poet and storyteller after leaving behind her high-powered career. What began as yoga tutorials and candid reflections online has created a devoted following and resulted in a book deal—Go Seek is set for a spring 2025 release. Her story is one of reinvention and shows how life’s unexpected turns can lead us exactly where we need to be.

Over the summer, Houston’s Pride season delivered something unexpected: two separate festivals and parades born from a rift within the long-running Pride Houston 365 organization. Years of leadership struggles and financial scandals led a group of volunteers to break away and create New Faces of Pride. Both events had distinct offerings, but it remains to be seen which group will have a lasting presence in the years to come.

If you grew up in the Bayou City or have lived here a little while, you’ve likely made your way to the beloved (and about to be rebranded) Minute Maid Park for a ball game and to soak in the electric atmosphere. What makes the stadium special, though, isn’t just the crack of the bat or the roar of the crowd—it’s the way it connects Houston’s history with its ever-evolving present. Houstorian columnist James Glassman explores how a once-forgotten train station became the beating heart of downtown.

The Rice Village of today evokes trendy brunch spots, boutique fitness studios, and chic clothing stores. But that’s far from the scrappy, eclectic charm that once defined this storied shopping district. In its earlier days, Rice Village had a vibrant mix of mom-and-pop shops, dusty bookstores, quirky specialty outlets, and neighborhood dives—places that felt like they belonged to the community rather than being curated for it. Yet despite the modern makeover, whispers of the old Village remain, hidden in decades-old businesses that refuse to budge and in the memories of locals who remember a time when it was filled with character.

Before the dust settled on the 2024 election season, Colin Allred, a former NFL linebacker and Dallas native turned congressman, took his shot at unseating Republican US Sen. Ted Cruz—a tall order in historically red-leaning Texas. During his campaign, the Democrat focused on protecting voting rights, defending abortion access, and bringing a practical, middle-of-the-road approach to issues like energy and the economy. But Texas wasn’t ready to budge. Cruz, with his loyal conservative base and no shortage of sharp rhetoric, is holding on for another term.

One of the hottest design trends this year, bookshelf wealth is less about showing off and more about telling your story. Local designers are turning simple shelves into glimpses of their clients’ lives, mixing well-loved books with art, keepsakes, and personal touches. Shelves and reading nooks are brought to life in unique ways, whether painted in vibrant colors, wallpapered for texture, or kept timeless and simple.