Convenience Big Store: A political ally of Galveston Sheriff Fullen may decide if he keeps his badge

March 19, 2025

SPRING SALE! 25¢ for 3 Months

Make a fresh start with full access.

Act Now

Spring Sale Ends April 6
Cancel Anytime.

Happy Wednesday! Houston's most popular dog of the year has been revealed — and it's the same breed that's reigned for the last six years. Can you guess what it is? It's not too difficult to figure out because everyone and their mother has one despite their steep price tag, but you can find the answer here.

⛅ Temperature check: High of 79; low of 52. Justin's take: A cold front is poised to sweep through Houston today, and with it will come clouds and an increased risk of fire danger. Sign up for our Weather Radar newsletter for more weather news.

Yasmeen Khalifa, Audience Engagement Producer

yasmeen.khalifa@houstonchronicle.com

Jimmy Fullen stands beside Jeth Jones, holding Jones' campaign sign ahead of the 2022 race for 122nd District Court judge. Jones shared the photo on his campaign Facebook page to thank Fullen for his support.

Photo by: (Jeth Jones' campaign Facebook page)

Galveston County Sheriff Jimmy Fullen's political fate may rest with a judge he once campaigned for

As a state district court weighs whether Galveston County Sheriff Jimmy Fullen will keep his badge, critics and experts question if the judge assigned to the case — who appears to be Fullen's political ally — should be the one to decide his fate.

Fullen, a Republican and former constable, has been in legal jeopardy since last June, when leaders at the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement said he was unfit to serve in law enforcement, citing allegations that he had been repeatedly untruthful about his past.

Despite the controversy, voters in Galveston County overwhelmingly elected him sheriff in November. But Fullen's hold on the office remains precarious. A future administrative hearing will decide whether he keeps his badge or faces a 10-year suspension, which would cost him his job.

Read Yilun Cheng's full story here.

📰 Top Stories

SOLVING TEXAS' WATER SHORTAGE SITCH: Texas lawmakers agree now is the time to invest billions into the state's water infrastructure. But a rift is emerging over whether to pump most of the money into costly projects to secure "new" water or into the more mundane work of repair, like fixing Houston's leaky pipes.
HOW LONG WILL WE BE DEALING WITH MEASLES? As the measles outbreak that began in northwest Texas continues to spread, health officials are warning it could be months, and perhaps up to a year, before it's over. There are now over 300 cases in Texas and New Mexico.
OVERCROWDED SCHOOLS: Houston ISD "stands out" as one of the few large urban districts in the U.S. with a significant number of overenrolled campuses, according to a new report. In other local education news, see if your Houston-area school district made this year's Texas Honor Roll list here.
WHO HAS QUALIFIED FOR THE WORLD CUP? There are 48 teams competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Which nations have a ticket booked? Find out here. Plus, learn how teams qualify here and which countries might qualify for their first time here.
🧑‍🚀 WELCOME BACK TO EARTH: The two NASA astronauts whose week-long test voyage to the International Space Station turned into a nine-month saga are back on Earth and will soon head home to Houston.
HEADING TO A TEXAS BEACH SOON? Here are a few safety tips you should know, including how to treat jellyfish stings and what to do if you get caught in a rip current.

🐎 Rodeo Roundup

For more of the latest Houston Rodeo news, sign up for our Rodeo Roundup newsletter.

TONIGHT'S CONCERT: Old Dominion and RodeoHouston have had a bit of a rollercoaster relationship, to say the least. The third time is hopefully a charm. And drama-free. Here's what to know about tonight's show.
DON'T STOP BELIEVIN'... IN A REFUND: The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is offering refunds or donation options to fans after Journey's sold-out concert was canceled last Friday due to an "electrical fire" under the stage.

❓ Question of the Week

Photo by: Yasmeen Khalifa

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Monday announced the arrest of a Houston-area midwife for allegedly performing illegal abortions, marking the first criminal case to be filed under the state's abortion ban. Two of the midwife's employees have also been arrested.

What do you think of the arrests and the state's abortion ban? Let us know by responding to this email. Your response may be featured in Friday's newsletter.

🗣️ Houston Explained

Binti, a 45-year-old female gorilla at the Houston Zoo, photographed on Friday, Aug. 2, 2019.

Photo by: Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle

The Houston Zoo has never had an escaped animal threaten visitors, but that doesn't mean staffers and volunteers aren't prepared for the worst-case scenario. Here's what happens if an animal goes rogue.

📅 Events at the Chronicle

Katy Mayor Pro Tem Chris Harris and Mayor Dusty Thiele.

Photo by: Houston Chronicle Staff

EVENT: Meet Katy Mayor Dusty Thiele and Mayor Pro Tem Chris Harris

Join the Chronicle's private Zoom with Katy Mayor William "Dusty" Thiele and Mayor Pro-Tem Chris Harris on Thursday, April 3 at 12 p.m. to discuss the city's growth and exciting new developments.