Fresh Faces

Houston, Meet Your First-time Public Officials

Sure, you know the names of the longstanding incumbents, but here are all the folks new to public office.

11/05/2020 By Brittany Cristiano

Votes Are In

The Texas State House Didn’t Flip Blue After All

Here’s what you need to know about those results.

11/04/2020 By Gwendolyn Knapp

Politicking

Get Ready to Vote Again Next Month Today

Houston's mayoral elections are heading for a runoff.

11/06/2019 By Dianna Wray

Hitting the Books

A Primer on a Few of the New Laws Now in Effect

A roundup of the more unorthodox laws governing our lives as of this month.

08/26/2019 By Morgan Kinney

Paws up

Should You Be Allowed to Own a Tiger? This 11-Year-Old is Telling Her Representatives 'No'

The Missouri City resident testified in Austin this week in favor of a bill prohibiting ownership of wild animals.

04/05/2019 By Morgan Kinney

Ice House

Are the State's Cannabis Laws Set to Change?

The Houston Academy of Cannabis Science is ready to educate those interested in the marijuana business—just in case they do.

02/25/2019 By Dianna Wray

Perfect Party

January's Perfect Party: Everyone-Take-Your-Seat Edition

All the new faces in our government are invited to our party this month.

12/31/2018 By Catherine Matusow

Ice House

What to Watch for as the Texas Legislative Session Kicks Off

Lawmakers most likely will be diving into everything from problems with school financing, to concerns raised by Hurricane Harvey, to questions on gun violence raised after the shootings at Santa Fe High School and Sutherland Springs.

12/31/2018 By Dianna Wray

Politicking

There's a Surge of LGBTQ Candidates Running in the 2018 Primaries

16 LGBTQ Houstonians will be on the ballot on March 6.

02/21/2018 By Josh Watkins and Dianna Wray

Dodge Ball

U.S. Supreme Court Won't Hear Houston Case on Gay Marriage Benefits

Both sides of the fight are claiming the non-decision as a victory of sorts.

12/05/2017 By Dianna Wray

News

How a Pearland Mom Changed Her Life to Save Her Transgender Child

"I’m a mom of a little girl that I would like to see live. Please understand, I’m not fighting about bathrooms. I’m fighting about her life."

12/01/2017 By Roxanna Asgarian

Ice House

Meet the First Lady of Texas Cannabis Law

Houston native Lisa L. Pittman is the state's first attorney specializing in medical marijuana law.

06/22/2017 By Sarah Rufca Nielsen

Bayougraphy

Sarah Davis: At Odds with Both the Left and the Right, Depending on the Day

The state representative and Houston attorney is known for voting against the grain.

05/25/2017 By Roxanna Asgarian

Ice House

May's Perfect Party: Overall-Quite-Fresh Edition

We rarely invite the same guest twice, but we occasionally make exceptions.

04/14/2017 By Catherine Matusow

Ice House

From HERO to Robin Hood: A Primer on the Upcoming Texas Legislative Session

Four issues to watch for when the legislature reconvenes in January

11/21/2016 By Adam Doster

Politics

Term Unlimited: Meet 3 of Houston’s Longest-Serving Politicians

In Texas, a full 67 percent of incumbents didn't face a major-party challenger in the 2014 elections—and 2016 isn't much different.

09/19/2016 By Adam Doster

Whatacluster

Local Businesses Brace for Open Carry

Restaurants and other area businesses prepare for the fight to bear arms.

11/03/2015 By Katharine Shilcutt

Brew News

Senfronia Thompson Introduces Bill to Reduce Craft Beer Distribution

Small breweries could suffer greatly if a piece of legislation proposed by a state representative from Houston passes into law.

03/17/2015 By Katharine Shilcutt

Abortion

Old Fight, New Rules

Alternately energized and exasperated by the latest abortion legislation, each side gears up for the battle ahead.

02/02/2014 By Kerry H.