Houston

Houston ISD parents praise schools but question district’s direction, new survey shows

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Houston ISD’s winter 2024 family sentiment survey shows parents and caregivers give high marks to their children’s schools while expressing more cautious views about the district’s overall direction. Survey respondents report strong satisfaction with campus-level climate, communication, and staff relationships, but rate student preparedness as the lowest-performing category. District officials say they will use the results to guide planning, inform campus action plans, and compare trends across multiple survey cycles.

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Texas home sales over $1 million reach all-time high in 2025

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Texas Realtors reported a record number of Texas homes selling for $1 million or more between November 2024 and October 2025, according to the 2025 Texas Sales of Million-Dollar Homes Report. The statewide analysis, based on MLS and market data, detailed transaction volumes, price distributions, regional trends and year-over-year changes in luxury home sales. The report highlighted how major metropolitan areas led million-dollar activity and how these sales compared with overall residential transactions across Texas.

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Houston may see 500,000 visitors for World Cup festivities

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Houston officials say the city will host seven FIFA World Cup 2026 matches at NRG Stadium and expect about 500,000 visitors over three weeks in June, a temporary population increase of roughly 20 percent. Organizers project the influx of international and domestic fans could generate up to $1 billion in economic impact through hotel stays, dining, transportation and entertainment spending. City, tourism and airport authorities coordinate security, transit, staffing and infrastructure plans as they prepare Houston to serve as a major U.S. host city for the global soccer tournament.

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University of North Texas expands free tuition to more Texas families

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The University of North Texas in Denton will launch a free tuition program for eligible Texas families starting in the fall 2026 semester, according to a university press release. The initiative will cover tuition for qualifying Texas resident undergraduates who meet income and other requirements that the university will define in upcoming guidelines. The program will use federal, state, and institutional aid to remove tuition costs for eligible students while other expenses may still apply.

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HHA, Mayor Whitmire to provide updates on $146M affordable housing project paused amid contaminated soil concerns

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Houston Mayor John Whitmire and the Houston Housing Authority will give their first public update on The Pointe at Bayou Bend, a $146 million, nearly 400-unit affordable housing complex in Houston, after construction and move-ins were halted over contaminated soil and elevated lead findings. Federal agencies, including the FBI, EPA, and HUD, collected soil samples in October 2024 following concerns linked to the site’s past use as a trash incinerator and petroleum storage area. The mayor and HHA will hold a news conference and site tour at 800 Middle Street to discuss the project’s status, environmental testing, and next steps.

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Malala Yousafzai mural near Houston’s Heights vandalized again

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A mural of Nobel laureate and girls’ education advocate Malala Yousafzai near Houston’s Heights neighborhood was vandalized again with white paint covering her portrait, prompting Houston City Council Member Abbie Kamin to pledge city funding for its restoration as officials assess damage, review security measures, and coordinate with artists and arts organizations to repair the public artwork.

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