Local NewsIncreasing Homicide Rate in Harris County Prompts New Crime Research Project
Holly HansenJanuary 11, 2022
Crime Stoppers of Houston announced the launch of a new crime research initiative in response to an increase in homicides.
HomeTagLina Hidalgo | The Texan
JudicialLocal NewsTexas Supreme Court Denies Relief in Harris County Redistricting Lawsuit Leaving Room for Future Action
Holly HansenJanuary 7, 2022
While rejecting the possibility of intervention prior to the 2022 primary election, the narrow ruling left the door open for future consideration of the constitutionality of Harris County’s redistricting map.
JudicialLocal NewsAppeals Court Sides With Harris County Over Abbott in Mask Mandate Fight
Holly HansenJanuary 6, 2022
An Austin-based appeals court has ruled that the governor does not have the authority to preempt local officials’ orders requiring face coverings.
Elections 2022Local NewsTexas Secretary of State Finds Over 11,000 Potential Non-Citizen Voter Registrations
Holly HansenJanuary 3, 2022
Auditors found and removed registrations for more than 200,000 deceased voters, and nearly 450,000 duplicate registrations.
HealthcareLocal NewsIn First Reported Omicron Death, Harris County Man Had Underlying Health Conditions
Holly HansenDecember 27, 2021
Although some media outlets characterized a Harris County man’s death as the first due to Omicron in the nation, the local health department reports underlying health issues and has not released the primary cause of death.
Local NewsHarris County Memo Recommends Using Federal Funds for Abortion to Circumvent State Law
Holly HansenDecember 15, 2021
Complying with a request from Lina Hidalgo, county analysts have recommended using federal COVID-19 relief funds to directly pay for abortions or ancillary services.
Local NewsHarris County ‘Precision Policing’ Will Target High Crime Neighborhoods
Holly HansenDecember 1, 2021
The county will spend up to $2.6 million on overtime for deputies to patrol seven high crime neighborhoods in unincorporated areas for 120 days.
EducationElections 2021Local NewsRunoff Elections in Troubled Houston School District Set to Begin
Holly HansenNovember 23, 2021
Four challengers prompted runoff elections in the state’s largest school district, although a court ruling could allow the state to appoint a new board in the future.
Elections 2022Local NewsLawsuit Filed Against Lina Hidalgo, Harris County Alleges Redistricting Violates Voting Rights
Holly HansenNovember 17, 2021
Under a redistricting plan adopted by Harris County, 1.1 million residents who were slated to vote for a commissioner in 2022 will not be able to vote until 2024.
Local NewsGrand Jury Subpoenas Harris County Commissioners Court Over COVID-19 Vaccine Outreach Contract
Holly HansenNovember 16, 2021
Although commissioners voted to cancel an $11 million contract with Democratic strategists, revelations about the vendor selection have prompted a grand jury investigation.
Local NewsHarris County Adopts Equity Framework for Employment, County Services
Holly HansenNovember 10, 2021
Emulating programs in Seattle and Madison, Harris County will enact new equity policies for hiring, contracting, and providing county services to residents.
Local NewsHarris County Adopts ‘Surprise’ Commissioner Rodney Ellis Map Swapping Republican Precincts
Holly HansenOctober 29, 2021
In a move one commissioner called “vindictive,” Democrats will “swap” two Republican precincts while expanding power to raise taxes and consolidate services under the county judge.
Local NewsTaxes & SpendingHarris County Mulls Shifting Voter Approved Flood Control Projects
Holly HansenOctober 27, 2021
A slew of flood mitigation projects promised when the county sought voter approval for a $2.5 billion bond package in 2018 may be defunded due to a request from Commissioner Garcia.
Local NewsGOP Commissioner Blasts Proposed Harris County Redistricting Map as ‘Corrupt’
Holly HansenOctober 21, 2021
Commissioner Tom Ramsey called a map proposed by Rodney Ellis “the most corrupt plan I've ever seen in my 45 years of doing work in Harris County.”
Local NewsHarris County to Spend $50 Million to Address Crime Through ‘Environmental Design’
Holly HansenOctober 13, 2021
The county will invest in planting trees, adding streetlights and sidewalks, and cleaning up vacant lots in a program designed to reduce the dramatic rise in violent crime.
Elections 2020Local NewsDemocrats Direct Harris County Attorney to Contest Election Audit
Holly HansenSeptember 29, 2021
Calling election audits a “political trick,” the resolution instructs the county attorney to do everything possible to contest the Texas Secretary of State’s audit of the 2020 election.
Criminal JusticeLocal NewsUnderstaffed, Chaotic Harris County Jail Prompts Police Union Lawsuit
Holly HansenSeptember 21, 2021
Harris County Deputies’ Organization officials and lawyers describe dismal conditions in an out-of-control jail with alleged rampant drug use and frequent assaults against both staff and inmates.
Criminal JusticeIssuesLocal NewsAt Bail Reform Bill Signing, Abbott and Patrick Lay Blame with ‘Socialist’ Harris County Judges
Holly HansenSeptember 13, 2021
Calling Harris County’s bail system “broken,” Abbott signed a new bail reform law in Houston and criticized progressive judges for releasing violent suspects.
Local NewsTaxes & SpendingUnder Pressure, Harris County Judge Hidalgo Announces Plan to Cancel $11 Million Contract to One-Woman Firm
Holly HansenSeptember 9, 2021
Although the county has already paid $539,000, a firestorm of controversy over a contract awarded to a well-connected Democrat has prompted county Judge Hidalgo to agree to seek cancellation.
Local NewsTaxes & SpendingHarris County $11 Million Vaccine Outreach Contract to One-Woman Firm Draws Scrutiny
Holly HansenSeptember 3, 2021
Newly released documents show a $7 million bid was scored more highly, but Hidalgo’s office intervened to instead give nearly $11 million to a politically connected firm at a higher cost.