Convenience Big Store: Meet Houston's under-the-radar billionaire

June 16, 2024

🔍 Need to Know

TELLURIDE, CO - SEPTEMBER 01: Dan Friedkin attends the Telluride Film Festival 2019 attend on September 1st, 2019 in Telluride, Colorado. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images)

How Houston billionaire Dan Friedkin grew a family business to include parks, hotels and Hollywood

The local billionaire keeps a relatively low public profile, at least relative to high net-worth peers such as Tilman Fertitta or Jim Crane.

Magnolia's Henry's Hideout is photographed on Thursday, June 13, 2024, in Plantersville. After a six month hiatus, the bar also nicknamed the

'Horniest' bar keeps legacy alive during country music venue transformation

A Plantersville bar known as 'horniest' in Texas aims to keep its legacy alive while transforming into a live country music venue.

Shown are the potential rainfall totals over the next seven days for Southeast Texas.

Several inches of rain likely in Houston this week. Here's when.

Hot and humid weather is expected for Father's Day. Then heavy, tropical rain is on the way later this week.

A sign warning of rip currents is posted near a public entrance to East Beach on Sunday, May 26, 2024 in Galveston, TX.

How to stay safe at the beach this week with a high risk of rip currents

Potentially deadly rip currents run along the water's surface from the shore to the open ocean, moving as fast as eight feet per second. Here are some tips to stay safe.

Father's Day deals in Houston to enjoy this weekend

Typhoon Texas to offer free admission for dads this weekend during Father's Day. Check out more deals.

💼 Business

A flare burns near Vanessa and Victor Hinojos' home as their children play in the backyard on Wednesday, March 6, 2024 in Odessa. on Wednesday, March 6, 2024 in Odessa.

One family's fight against toxic H2S gas leaks in West Texas

The Hinojos family lives across the street from oil and water storage tanks found to leak H2S repeatedly over the years. The family says they haven't been able to get anyone to put a stop to it.

🚗 Outside the Loop

The administrators of Woodlands Forest School, which serves K-6 students, share their visions for the nature-focused school Thursday, June 13, 2024 in Magnolia. From left: principal Cindy Spayth, administrative coordinator Daniela Anaya, partner Mariana Urdaibay and founder Delis Urdaibay.

A new K-6 private 'forest' school is coming to The Woodlands area this fall

A new K-6 private school founded by a Woodlands educator is coming to the area this fall, featuring a nature-centric campus with bees, trees and a chicken coop.

A man uses a nail done alongs the side of a home as construction continues at Woodmill Creek, a community of 189 build-to-rent, multifamily homes, Wednesday, March 15, 2023, in The Woodlands.

Houston area to get new 5,700-acre development valued at $9.9 billion

Houston-based Airia Development Co., has started construction on a new 5,700-acre master-planned community in Montgomery County that will eventually expand into Waller and Grimes counties.

For nearly $8 million, a 73-acre home at Luxury Estate Ranch in Montgomery offers close proximity to acclaimed golf courses, a 8.5-acre lake with a fishing pier, two separate homes with full kitchens, entertainment space with a custom cedar bar and two full-size RVs.

Huge multi-million dollar homes offer ranch life near Houston

For those that feel they don't have enough space in their Montgomery County home and are in the market for acreage, three multi-million homes offer ranch-style living and more.

📝 Opinion

HISD Superintendent Mike Miles meets with the Houston Chronicle Editorial Board on Thursday June 13, 2024.

Miles cheers STAAR results. Time for confetti? | Editorial

The results look good but how good is the question, writes the Editorial Board.

For Father's Day, let's make politics boring | Opinion

Identify the problem, solve it until it's fixed good enough or the kids stop complaining, then take a nap. That's the boring dad strategy!, writes Evan Mintz.

🏀 Sports

The University of Houston's first year in the Big 12 was a mixed bag. The school saw several successes but also many areas that need improvement.

A look back at UH's first year in Big 12 and where Cougars go from here

UH basketball and track were winners in first year in Big 12 but other programs weren't, and the race for funds and facilities continues.

Houston Astros Jose Abreu (79) gets high-fives from teammates after scoring on Mauricio Dubón's RBI single in the fourth inning of Game 3 during the American League Championship Series at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023, in Arlington.

'It sucks, man': Astros players react to release of José Abreu

He was well-respected in the Astros clubhouse, so Friday was a sad day for his teammates.

🖼️ Get Out

Bailey Bell, daughter of Cotton Holdings CEO and founder Pete Bell, marries Hayden Lane at the Breakers in Palm Beach over a lavish, four-day wedding weekend.

How a childhood crush led to a lavish Palm Beach wedding

Bailey Bell always had a crush on Hayden Lane. He was one year older, and his grandparents lived across the street from her childhood home in Katy. Over Memorial Day Weekend 2024, they tied the knot.