Houston | Page 8 of 84

Texas AG seeks violations of new property tax law across 1,000 cities

LAWIN.newsDecember 10, 2025045 views

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has opened an investigation into the finances and property tax practices of nearly 1,000 Texas cities to enforce a new state law that ties local tax increases to strict transparency requirements. The probe seeks records on how cities set and disclosed property tax rates, whether they followed mandated notice and hearing procedures, and how they communicated tax decisions to residents. The review could affect some cities’ ability to raise property taxes if investigators find failures to comply with the law’s transparency standards.

DOJ closes probe, stops tracking illegal dumping issues in Houston

LAWIN.newsDecember 10, 2025062 views

The U.S. Department of Justice ended its monitoring of Houston’s response to illegal dumping after a civil rights investigation into conditions in a historically Black neighborhood. The agreement that followed the probe required the city to improve complaint tracking, cleanup response times, and surveillance in areas with chronic dumping. City officials report that they continue to use the enhanced procedures, while community advocates and residents say dumping has persisted and response times have slowed since federal oversight ended. The article details the investigation, the terms of the agreement, city actions, and advocates’ ongoing monitoring efforts.

Houston’s first freeze running late as La Niña keeps early December warmer than normal

Mae De Vera, LAWIN.newsDecember 9, 2025077 views

Houston usually sees its first freeze around Dec. 9, but National Weather Service forecasters say this year’s first freeze will likely arrive later—if at all in early December—because La Niña and returning Gulf warmth are keeping temperatures above freezing, even as weak cold fronts move through the region.

Texas plans to open Turning Point USA chapters in all high schools

LAWIN.newsDecember 9, 2025061 views

Texas Republican Party leaders have launched a statewide initiative to establish Turning Point USA chapters in every public high school, charter school, and college, coordinating with students, educators, and local GOP officials to expand the conservative youth organization’s presence on Texas campuses. The plan follows similar efforts by Republican officials in Oklahoma and Florida, where leaders have promoted Turning Point USA as a vehicle for conservative political engagement among young people. The Texas GOP says it will assist students with school approval processes and work with Turning Point USA staff to comply with district rules for student organizations, while tracking the creation of new chapters over coming school years.

PACC Texas holds 2026 strategic planning, holiday celebration in Houston

Mae De Vera, LAWIN.newsDecember 9, 20250165 views

Chamber leaders from Greater Dallas Fort Worth, Greater Houston, Rio Grande Valley, Greater San Antonio, and Greater Austin are bringing great ideas and turning them into action at the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce of Texas (PACC Texas) Annual Strategic Planning, Team Building, and Holiday Party in Houston.

Supreme Court allows Texas to use gerrymandered map, potentially adding 5 GOP House seats

LAWIN.newsDecember 6, 2025045 views

The U.S. Supreme Court has allowed Texas to use a Republican-drawn congressional map that a lower court found likely unconstitutional, clearing the way for boundaries that could help the GOP gain up to five additional U.S. House seats in the 2026 midterm elections. The unsigned order pauses a ruling from a three-judge federal district court panel that concluded the map likely dilutes the voting power of certain groups of voters. Litigation over the legality of the Texas redistricting plan will continue in the lower court while the map remains in effect for upcoming elections.

Texas court keeps Klein ISD in Title IX lawsuit

LAWIN.newsDecember 6, 2025045 views

A Texas judge denied Klein ISD’s request to dismiss a federal Title IX lawsuit tied to former Klein Cain High School teacher Kedria Grigsby, who faces child trafficking and compelling prostitution charges in Harris County. The ruling keeps the civil case active and allows plaintiffs to pursue claims that the district failed to respond adequately to alleged misconduct, while Grigsby’s separate criminal case proceeds in state court.

‘Anger’ may tip the scales in Houston City Council runoff ahead of election day

LAWIN.newsDecember 6, 2025046 views

Voters across Houston will choose a new at-large city council member in a runoff election on Saturday, Dec. 13, after the previous officeholder stepped down to run for Harris County Judge. Early voting runs through Tuesday, Dec. 9, at locations across the city administered by Harris County election officials. The at-large seat represents all Houston residents and plays a key role in decisions on budget, infrastructure, and public safety. Election authorities will release unofficial results on election night and certify final totals after counting all eligible ballots.

Abbie Kamin announces run for Harris County Attorney

LAWIN.newsDecember 6, 2025058 views

Houston City Councilwoman Abbie Kamin announced her candidacy for Harris County Attorney, a move that will require her to vacate her current council seat under Texas’ resign-to-run rules. Her decision sets up an open seat on Houston’s largest legislative body and adds a new contender to the race for Harris County’s top civil legal office. Local and state election authorities will manage the process for filling her council vacancy and administering the Harris County Attorney election, while Harris County voters will ultimately choose the next official to lead the office.

Fort Bend County pledges $1.5M for Sugar Land 95 memorial

LAWIN.newsDecember 5, 2025042 views

Fort Bend County approved a $1.5 million contribution to help fund a permanent memorial for the “Sugar Land 95,” the remains of 95 individuals uncovered in 2018 on Fort Bend ISD property and believed to be victims of Texas’ historic convict leasing system. The county’s funding will support design, construction and educational elements at the protected cemetery site, in partnership with the school district, state agencies, researchers and community groups. Officials plan for the memorial to serve as a public historical and educational resource while honoring the individuals reinterred on the campus.