Latest News from Houston Republic

City of Houston Annual Veterans Day Ceremony Pays Tribute to Female Veterans, Staff Sergeant Fred Douglas Witchet and Colonel Joe McPhail

By Houston Republic Report | Nov 15, 2023

The City of Houston, in collaboration with the Mayor's Office of Veterans and Military Affairs, held its annual Veterans Day ceremony at City Hall today. Despite the cancellation of the parade, due to inclement weather, the ceremony drew a substantial turnout of elected officials, military personnel, family members, and guests.

Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs Co-Hosts the 5th Annual Texas Sounds & Cities Music Conference in Houston

By Houston Republic Report | Nov 4, 2023

Mayor Sylvester Turner and the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs (MOCA) announce today that the City of Houston is co-hosting the 5th Annual Texas Sounds & Cities Conference on November 8-9, 2023. Co-hosted along with the Governor’s Texas Music Office, the City of Houston, Houston First and the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, the music conference includes panel discussions on Texas music industry development and conversations about potential statewide collaboration between certified Music Friendly Communities, as well as best practices that lead to increased music tourism and local job creation.

Mayor's Office of Human Trafficking & Domestic Violence, Thomson Reuters Form Partnership to Announce New Online Resource to Fight Human Trafficking

By Houston Republic Report | Nov 1, 2023

Thomson Reuters (NYSE/TSX: TRI), a global content and technology company, and the City of Houston today announced a partnership to launch a new global online resource center to combat human trafficking.

Houston Land Bank and City of Houston Join Forces to Bank & Clean Up Former Velasco Incinerator Site

By Houston Republic Report | Oct 30, 2023

The Houston Land Bank (HLB) and the City of Houston have established a strategic partnership to transform the former Velasco Incinerator site using innovative community development models to create lasting positive impacts for the Second Ward and surrounding area.

Houston Awarded $1 Million Grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies for Public Art Challenge

By Houston Republic Report | Oct 28, 2023

Houston has been selected as one of the eight winning cities to receive a $1 million grant as part of the prestigious Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge.

City of Houston Tackles Youth Mental Health Crisis with Innovative Guide and Campaign

By Houston Republic Report | Oct 25, 2023

The Mayor's Office of Education and Youth Engagement (MOEYE) is proud to announce the release of a groundbreaking resource, the "Youth Mental Health Guide," aimed at empowering youth aged 16-24 with the information they need to access mental health support and care. This initiative is part of the City of Houston’s ongoing commitment to prioritize the mental well-being of our city's young residents and break down the barriers to accessing essential mental health services.

The City of Houston Awards $99,500 to Projects Amplifying Artistic Creativity and Innovation

By Houston Republic Report | Oct 23, 2023

The City of Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs (MOCA) is awarding $99,500 in grants to 40 individuals and nonprofit organizations for specific programs that amplify artistic creativity and innovation taking place in the City of Houston. An unprecedented number of awards were bestowed, underscoring the exceptional impact and significance of the recipients' contributions.

Houston Region Chosen as Location for Gulf Coast Hydrogen Hub

By Houston Republic Report | Oct 18, 2023

On October 13, President Biden and U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm announced the selection of HyVelocity to begin award negotiations for the development of the Gulf Coast Hydrogen Hub.

City of Houston Awards $100,000 to Projects Promoting Tourism and Resilience

By Houston Republic Report | Oct 16, 2023

The City of Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs (MOCA) is awarding $100,000 in grants to 10 individuals and nonprofit organizations whose work furthers cultural tourism and resilience throughout the City of Houston.

City Council Passes Kashmere Gardens Voluntary Relocation Fund

By Houston Republic Report | Oct 3, 2023

On September 27, Houston City Council approved an ordinance creating a $5 million fund for the voluntary relocation of citizens living near an area with an elevated incidence of cancer as identified by the Texas Department of Health and Human Services (TDSHS).

City of Houston and Bezos Academy Open Fourth Preschool in South Houston

By Houston Republic Report | Oct 2, 2023

Community members, elected officials and Bezos leadership joined Mayor Turner to celebrate the grand opening of Houston’s fourth Bezos Academy location, located within the New Hope Housing Reed Family Center in South Houston. The fourth Bezos Academy which offers tuition-free, Montessori-inspired preschool education for children ages 3-5, has already achieved full enrollment for the upcoming 2023-24 school year.

Houston to Host Carbon Management Community Summit, November 16 and 17

By Houston Republic Report | Sep 26, 2023

City of Houston, Climate Now, and Rice University are organizing the summit sponsored by the Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management

Lens-Based Artworks Adorn the Newly Restored City Hall Basement

By Houston Republic Report | Sep 25, 2023

The City of Houston’s General Services Department, with the support of the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs (MOCA), celebrates the acquisition of 18 artworks by lens-based artists for the newly restored basement of City Hall. Artists whose work was acquired for these spaces include Mark Chen, Syd Moen, Nancy Newberry, and David Reinfeld.

Mayor Turner's Statement in Support of Judge Lina Hidalgo

By Houston Republic Report | Sep 20, 2023

Please attribute the following statement to Mayor Sylvester Turner.

Congressman Wesley Hunt 8-Month Recap

By Houston Republic Report | Sep 20, 2023

This is Wesley Hunt, your Congressman for Congressional District 38 in Houston, TX. Since my swearing-in 8 months ago, a lot has happened in Congress, but I’m extraordinarily proud of the work my office has done for our friends and neighbors in TX-38!

$5 Million in ARPA Funding Invested in Arts and Cultural Organizations

By Houston Republic Report | Sep 13, 2023

Four months following approval by Houston City Council, 62 Houston Arts & Cultural organizations from across the City learned that their requested funding, up to $100,000, was approved. The Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs (MOCA) was able to accomplish this effort in collaboration with Mid-America Arts Alliance, a trusted partner with a track record of helping the city efficiently distribute federal funds within the creative economy.

Congressman Al Green Donates Personal Funds in the Amount of $1,975.40 for Local Street Renaming in Missouri City Subdivision

By Houston Republic Report | Sep 11, 2023

On Saturday, September 2, 2023, Congressman Al Green will join Councilmember Jeffrey L. Boney, public officials and local residents to present his personal funds in a symbolic check for $1,975.40. The funds will support the local street renaming in the Vicksburg Village of Shiloh subdivision in Missouri City. The street names that have been changed are Bedford Forrest Drive to Liberty Way Drive and Bedford Forrest Court to Liberty Way Court.

With Back-to-School Season Underway, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher Announces More Than $2 Million To Expand Digital Literacy Resources at Houston Public Libraries

By Houston Republic Report | Sep 11, 2023

Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) joined Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Houston Public Library Executive Director Dr. Rhea Lawson to highlight $2,000,347 in Congressional funding she secured for Houston Public Library’s (HPL) Youth Digi-Lit Project.

Texas schools struggle with compliance challenges amid mandatory armed guard requirement

By Houston Republic Report | Sep 5, 2023

Amidst the implementation of a new Texas law mandating armed guards in all schools starting Sept. 1, many Houston-area school districts are grappling with compliance challenges, predominantly due to funding constraints, as they seek exceptions to the requirement, KPRC 2 reported. This legislation follows a school shooting in 2022, with numerous districts statewide unable to fully meet the mandated security provisions.

Judge Rules "Super Preemption" House Bill 2127 Unconstitutional