Convenience Big Store: Crime is evolving in this booming Houston neighborhood

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Explore where most Second Ward crimes are recorded.

How redevelopment is reshaping Second Ward and its crime patterns

One of Houston's four original neighborhoods is experiencing a shift in crime patterns as new business and residents move in. Crime counts have been rising in Second Ward faster than the city as a whole since 2021, according to a Chronicle analysis. But a deeper look at the issues affecting the neighborhood shows a more nuanced picture.

Food

A Whataburger restaurant is shown on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024 in Spring.

Photo by: Brett Coomer, Staff Photographer

Whataburger closing 8 locations ahead of next year's expansion

The Texas-based burger chain will direct efforts toward growth opportunities, company officials said. Read More

Photo by: J.C. Reid, Contributor

A Texas town's barbecue holdout embraces something new

Former Houstonians Lance and Boo Eaker brought craft barbecue to Fredericksburg's old-school scene. Here's how they won over locals. Read More

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Politics

Houston city administrators and elected officials stand with Mayor John Whitmire as he discusses details of his balanced budget during a media briefing in Houston, Tuesday, May 6, 2025.

Photo by: Kirk Sides, Houston Chronicle

John Whitmire will no longer receive Harris County Democrats' endorsements

Precinct chairs signed on to a resolution asking the party to deny Houston Mayor John Whitmire endorsements after he participated in a GOP fundraiser. Read More

A Medicare program in Texas will use AI to approve or deny services. Here's what to know.

Medicare enrollees in Texas will soon be required to get prior authorization for certain medical services – and artificial intelligence will play a central role in those decisions. Read More

ICE-held Huntsville priest with valid work permit opts to return to Kenya

An Episcopal priest and former state prison guard who was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement has chosen to voluntarily return to his native country. Read More

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Opinion

Mayor John Whitmire listens as Nearly 80 residents spoke during public comments at Houston City Council on November 18, 2025. Most were there to protest the Houston Police Department's cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Photo by: Sharon Steinmann, Houston Chronicle

Whitmire lost big over the weekend. Here's how he can fix things. | Opinion

An unpopular Trump administration has voters shifting to Democrats. Houston's mayor needs to swing along with them or get left behind, writes the Chronicle's editor of opinion and community engagement Evan Mintz.