Convenience Big Store: 2023 Houston newsmakers include mayoral election, Astros, Lina Hidalgo

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January 6, 2024

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🔍 Need to Know

Birds fly by as people watch the Houston skyline as the sunsets on Monday, March 6, 2023 in Houston.

2023 Houston newsmakers include mayoral election, Astros, Lina Hidalgo

A lot happened in Houston in 2023. Here are some of the biggest headlines.

What is the status of the Jan. 6 defendants from Houston?

In the last year, half a dozen local people were sentenced in connection to their roles in the attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Kim Nguyen, pharmacist, prepares a flu vaccine at CVS, 12550 Louetta Rd., Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Cypress.

Flu and COVID on the rise in Houston: What you need to know

Texas is among the U.S. states experiencing a surge of respiratory illnesses after the holidays, with COVID-19 and the flu responsible for much of the uptick in Houston.

Workers setup apparel at Playoff Fan Central at the George R. Brown Convention Center, Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024, in Houston. The three-day, 300,000 square-foot interactive experience features games, youth sports clinics, pep rallies and exhibits celebrating college football.

Houston stays sunny this weekend, but will it last for Game Day?

A tranquil weather pattern is at hand this weekend in Houston ahead of Monday's College Football Playoff National Championship game.

Victor Ibarra marches with other demonstrators as they gather for a rally for a National Day of Action demanding an end to hate crimes targeting Asian American communities Saturday, March 27, 2021 in Houston.

Houston might lead nation in surge of hate crimes, new report shows

Between 2022 and 2023, the number of reported hate crimes in Houston increased 193 percent, up to 85.

Students walk outside The Martin Luther King, Jr., Humanities Center at Texas Southern University on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023 in Houston. TSU is one of many state higher education institutions that don't meet the criteria for entry into the $4 billion Texas University Fund, an endowment that is expected to bolster the research standing of its members.

FAFSA delays complicate process for Texas students, colleges

FAFSA delays create wrench in process for Texas students, financial aid offices despite simpler format.

💼 Business

Former President Donald Trump salutes during the pledge of allegiance as he makes a campaign stop on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, in Houston.

Tomlinson: Why I am dreading 2024 and how I plan to cope

The new year is already filled with dark clouds, we'll need ways to cope with the long slog.

Traffic merging from Interstate 10 to Interstate 45 is photographed from White Oak Bayou Greenway Monday, March 6, 2023, in Houston.

I-45 rebuild: A timeline of massive Houston freeway project

The freeway rebuild has taken 20 years to get to this point and is now months away from construction. Here are the mile markers that, have defined the project's fate -- and the ones yet to come.

🚗 Outside the Loop

A city employee works in a hole on 51st Street in Galveston on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. The hole, which developed Wednesday, closed the street between Broadway and Avenue K as crews worked to repair it.

Galveston road repairs still underway after manhole caves in

Crews finished installing a new manhole after possible erosion caused a hole in a Galveston road this week, a spokeswoman for the city said.

The grand menorah is lit at the 2021 Chanukah Spectacular in Sugar Land.

Sugar Land a 'dangerous' suburb? City takes issue with recent report

"I don't know that anybody would look at a comparison like this, especially people that are familiar with our city, people that live here, and believe it to be true," a Sugar Land spokesman said.

The Lake Conroe Lighthouse is seen, Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, in Willis. The nearly 50-year-old lighthouse, built in 1977, is maintained by the Harbour Town community on Lake Conroe.

Community lighthouse is one of Lake Conroe's hidden gems

Harbour Town resident Cheri Eagan believes her beloved little neighborhood may be one of Lake Conroe's best-kept secrets.

📝 Opinion

Thousands of grackles and starlings take to the air in the downtown area as the sun sets, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2008. ( Karen Warren / Chronicle )

Taco 'bout shady. Ex-congresswoman posts Mexican food photos as her own (Thumbs)

This week in cluelessness about Texas. Also: Mattress Mack sits out CFP. No quiero 'taco sauce.' Straight outta Sugar Land. Dancing with the quinceañera stars. Much ado about grackles.

Residents and stakeholders share their thoughts on how to make getting around the Houston-Galveston region safer and better for years to come.

Will Prop B bring mayhem to highway planning? So far, no. (Editorial)

Houston threatened to withdraw from the Houston-Galveston Area Council if it didn't get more voting power. So what now?

Michigan Wolverines fans react as receiver Roman Wilson (1) leaps into the end zone to tie the game against Alabama in the fourth quarter of the College Football Playoff semifinals at the Rose Bowl on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. A lot of those fans will be making the trip to Houston for Monday's national championship game.

NRG Stadium parking prices are an embarrassment for Houston (Opinion)

NRG Stadium parking prices for the NCAA football championship are an embarrassment for Houston. If this isn't gouging, then what is?

Mayor John Whitmire speaks to city employees and union members at the George R. Brown Convention Center, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, in Houston.

Whitmire wants Houston to be great. Will Harris County help? (Editorial)

John Whitmire has built a career on forging alliances. He'll need to rely on those relationships to help Houston solve its many problems.

🏀 Sports

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) scrambles out of the pocket past Indianapolis Colts defensive end Kwity Paye (51) during the second half an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, in Houston.

Texans-Colts rematch: By the Numbers

A playoff berth is at stake for the Texans when they face the Colts for the second time this season Saturday.

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) stands on the sidelines in the last few minutes of the fourth quarter against the Tennessee Titans in the second half of NFL game action at NRG Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023 in Houston. Houston Texans won the game 26-3.

Solomon: Texans players aren't shy in praising God. Amen.

Houston's stars are quick to show their faith but their words often go unreported

Head coach Kalen DeBoer of the Washington Huskies looks on during the second quarter against the Texas Longhorns during the CFP Semifinal Allstate Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome on January 01, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Kalen DeBoer's journey from Sioux Falls to CFP title game

Kalen DeBoer's journey has gone from playing in 5,800-seat Jim Carroll Stadium in Savannah, Tenn., to Monday's CFP title game at 72,000-seat NRG Stadium.