Houston

People take shelter at the George R. Brown Convention Center after flood waters from Hurricane Harvey inundated the city on August 29, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
Ayana Byrd  May 23, 2018 1:08PM EDT

Houston Still Struggling to Rebuild on Eve of Hurricane Season

The 2018 hurricane season begins in just one week, and homeowners and government officials in Houston are still scrambling to recover from the havoc of last year’s Hurricane Harvey.
Man stands in front of collapsed building
Ayana Byrd  Apr 26, 2018 1:59PM EDT

Houston and Puerto Rico Unprepared for Upcoming Hurricane Season

Amid housing and financial concerns, residents face the possibility of new storms from a disadvantaged position.  
A Jetski is used to help people evacuate homes after flooding with Hurricane Harvey on August 27, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
Ayana Byrd  Apr 6, 2018 11:36AM EDT

New Houston Rule Could Save Homes From Flooding, Drive Up Prices

The City Council passed a regulation that may help and hurt the city’s most vulnerable residents.
People walk past the building where the roof was blown off by Hurricane Irma on September 10, 2017 in Miami, Florida.
Ayana Byrd  Sep 12, 2017 11:25AM EDT

3 Must-Read Points on Building Hurricane-Proof Cities

A new story from The Atlantic details better ways to build—and why they are often ignored in places like Houston and Miami.
An oil refinery is shown near Houston following Hurricane Harvey August 30, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
Ayana Byrd  Sep 7, 2017 2:19PM EDT

Oil Refinery Leak Threatens Health of a Latinx Neighborhood in Houston

Manchester residents are breathing air with high concentrations of a chemical that causes cancer.
People take shelter at the George R. Brown Convention Center after flood waters from Hurricane Harvey inundated the city on August 29, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
Ayana Byrd  Sep 6, 2017 7:01AM EDT

Houston Renters Now Face Task of Paying For Damaged Homes

Many landlords in the flood-damaged city are tacking on late fees and demanding payment in the days following Hurricane Harvey’s landfall.
Back woman in white dress performs behind black microphone and stand while cast in red light in front of brown background
Sameer Rao  Aug 31, 2017 2:56PM EDT

Solange Announces Benefit Show to Support Hurricane Harvey Relief

“I’m committed to partnering with organizations on the ground in Houston and making contributions to uplift the city that raised me with so much love.”
Evacuees are helped to dry land after their homes were inundated with Hurricane Harvey on August 28, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
Ayana Byrd  Aug 31, 2017 11:14AM EDT

READ: Houston Neighborhood Hit Hard By Harvey While Still Recovering From 2016 Flood

The residents of Greenspoint live in a vulnerable area and they are predominantly Latinx.
Flood waters rise around a title loan store on Garners Ferry Road October 4, 2015 in Columbia, South Carolina.
Ayana Byrd  Aug 30, 2017 1:37PM EDT

A New Study Explains Why Coastal Cities Are at Increased Risk of Flooding

The factors that contributed to Houston’s devastation are poised to converge in other cities, too.
A security vehicle sits outside Exxon / Mobil refinery September 23, 2005 in Baytown, Texas.
Ayana Byrd  Aug 30, 2017 11:05AM EDT

Hazardous Chemicals Released Into Air Following Hurricane-Related Refinery Accidents in Houston

ExxonMobil acknowledged that two of its refineries were damaged, and there was an unrelated pipeline leak. 
A man waves down to rescue crew as he tries to leave the area after he was inundated with flooding from Hurricane Harvey on August 28, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
Ayana Byrd  Aug 29, 2017 11:43AM EDT

How to Donate Money and Other Aid to Communities of Color in Houston

A list of charities and organizations working to keep immigrant, Black, Latinx and other populations safe after Hurricane Harvey.  
A Jetski is used to help people evacuate homes after flooding with Hurricane Harvey on August 27, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
Ayana Byrd  Aug 28, 2017 11:36AM EDT

Why Texan Communities of Color Are Particularly Vulnerable to Hurricane Harvey

As rains continue to flood the state, some residents face increased dangers.
White people wearing Confederate and American flags stand in front of a wrought iron fence
Kenrya Rankin  Aug 22, 2016 10:45AM EDT

People of Color and Allies React to White Lives Matter Protest

“Did Houston police show up in militarized riot gear, [with] snipers and dogs at the #WhiteLivesMatter protest?”
woman in white outfit arrested by policeman in navy uniform against white car on brown and grey pavement ground
Sameer Rao  Aug 5, 2016 12:39PM EDT

New Video Shows White Houston Policeman Arrest Black Woman After She Calls 911 On Him

Earledreka White spent two days in jail, charged with resisting arrest during a traffic stop. A new surveillance video, released by her lawyer to The Houston Chronicle, suggests that the officer provoked the arrest by trying to grab her phone while she spoke to a 911 dispatcher. 
White man wearing glasses with camera
Kenrya Rankin  Aug 3, 2016 10:42AM EDT

STUDY: Police Body Cameras in Danger of Being Used as 'Instruments of Injustice'

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights examined body-worn camera policies in 50 municipalities. It was not impressed.
Alva Braziel in blue shirt; Delrawn Small in grey shirt holding child in orange shirt
Sameer Rao  Jul 12, 2016 2:00PM EDT

New Videos Suggest Possible Alternate Narratives in Deaths of Alva Braziel and Delrawn Small

The videos seem to show that Braziel and Small—two of the latest Black men to die from police gunshots—were less of a threat to officers than previously reported.
Sameer Rao  Apr 14, 2016 4:24PM EDT

PREMIERE: Punk Band Giant Kitty Fights Post-its and Prejudice in 'This Stupid Stuff' Video

Lead singer Miriam Hakim: “Little (and big) instances of prejudice and discrimination don’t make it easier to take, they tear you down more and make it harder to focus on things you actually want to focus on.”
Sameer Rao  Feb 16, 2016 6:24PM EST

This Houston Man Says He Was Arrested for an Unpaid Student Loan

Seriously, this is happening to people. 
Sameer Rao  Feb 1, 2016 3:30PM EST

‘Breaking’ Presents: Adesuwa, a Singer-Songwriter With Some of the Prettiest Pipes in R&B

The vocalist from electro-pop favorite Denitia and Sene breaks out with a solo R&B project that is all hers—from writing to arranging to playing drums, guitar and synths. And, of course, singing. 

 
Kenrya Rankin  Jan 26, 2016 12:07PM EST

Grand Jury Clears Planned Parenthood of Misconduct, Indicts Abortion Opponents Instead

The folks who shot that infamous “sting” video have been charged with a felony.