Convenience Big Store: An ousted judge wants another chance from Harris County voters

February 13, 2026

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⛅ Temperature check: High of 75; low of 64. Forecast: It's Friday the 13th, but luck will smile upon us with pleasant weather. Our luck runs out after that.

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Good morning, Houston.

Here's what you should know to start your day:

Need to know: A federal inspection faulted a company near Conroe for failing to take precautions during a Christmas show at a Houston megachurch where a camel kicked a woman in the audience, apparently knocking her unconscious.
Top of the chart: One of the most-read items yesterday was our searchable database listing the top-paid city of Houston employees for 2025.

Here's the rest of the news.

1

Judge Ramona Franklin is shown at Harris County 338th District Criminal Court as Hernan Torres, Jr. has an appearance Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Houston. Hernan Torres, Sr. and his two sons, Hernan Torres, Jr. and Hernando Torres, are charged with murder over the April 1 shooting death of Luis Alfredo Pacheco Rojas.

This ousted judge is asking voters for another chance.

If you're not familiar with the Democratic primary for the 496th District Court, buckle up.

Here, we have a story with mysterious phone calls, bad performance reviews, a candle business and — at the center of it all — a potential political comeback.

The main figure in this story is Ramona Franklin, former judge of Harris County's 338th District Court. As reporter Nicole Hensley puts it, Franklin had a reputation in legal circles for letting court cases lag and defendants languish in jail. Her perceived absence at the courthouse was a source of contention.

Franklin was voted out of office during the 2024 Democratic primary.

But Franklin wants her own court again and has her eyes set on the 496th. A Harris County prosecutor is also seeking the job. The victor will face off with the Republican incumbent in November.

Will voters give her another shot at the bench?

2

HISD aims to close 12 schools starting next school year.

State-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles said that the district will hold meetings at "impacted campuses" and provide "opportunities to visit new schools and meet staff." Most of the affected campuses are elementary schools. Also, the school board unanimously voted to approve the final academic calendar for the 2026-27 school year.

3

Trump kills climate regulations that allow the EPA to limit greenhouse gas pollution.

The president called the move the "largest deregulatory action" in U.S. history. Texas environmentalists worry about unchecked greenhouse gas emissions.

4

Whitmire touts achievements in State of City address but leaves financial questions unanswered.

The mayor repeated his commitment to public safety and the increased recruitment and morale at both the fire and police departments.

5

A Houston defense attorney was convicted in the sexual assault of a woman he met at a club.

Lance Nguyen was sentenced to eight years probation for sexual assault but was ordered by Judge Andrea Beall to serve 100 days in the Harris County Jail.

6

Chip Roy and 'MAGA Mayes' put it all on the line in a crowded Texas AG primary.

Mayes Middleton has thrown more than $10 million of his own money into the campaign, and it appears to be gaining ground on Roy in the latest polls.

7

This week in the Texas Take podcast: Traitors, Backstabbers and Puppets.

With the start of early voting in Texas about to get underway, attack ads are filling up television sets around the Lone Star State. Host Jeremy Wallace breaks down some of the hottest primaries.

Flood Map Roundup

The new draft map expands the 100-year floodplain by 43%

A Chronicle analysis found Harris County's flood zones could expand substantially due to higher rainfall, more development and better modeling technology. Experts have cited several factors that likely have contributed to the growing flood zone boundaries.

🏠 Find out what happens next now that the draft maps have been released.

🔍 Search our map to see if your property sits in a flood zone.

🗺️ What do the maps mean for homeowners?

✏️ Share your frustrations trying to determine your property's flood risk here.

🏈 Sports

The bull sculpture outside NRG Stadium is shown before an NFL football game in Houston, Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025.

Photo by: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle

Texans: The team crossed a major hurdle that will get them closer to building a new headquarters and training facility on the outskirts of Harris County.
Astros: Christian Walker said the trade chatter around him is part of the business but said he plans to be the team's everyday first baseman even with a crowded infield. Also, former ace Justin Verlander spoke about his decision to rejoin the Tigers this season. Finally, Kai-Wei Teng's small MLB sample size hardly jumps out, but GM Dana Brown says the team's vaunted pitching program made acquiring him worth it.
Longhorns: Thomas Burns says his team's pitching staff is "a bunch of savage out-getters." They have reason to be confident as the season starts Friday. Also, Texas women fell to Vanderbilt in an 86-70 loss to the the fifth-ranked Commodores.
Cougars: An injury sustained in practice will sideline Bryce Jackson possibly for more than a month.

🗣️ Opinion

Longtime state Rep. Harold Dutton infuriated fellow Democrats by enabling the state takeover of HISD, but he is a dedicated lawmaker who delivers for constituents, writes the Houston Chronicle Editorial Board.
Orlando Sanchez would bring Republicans back to their roots of good governance and fiscal conservatism as Harris County Judge, writes the Editorial Board.
Republicans should pick Lynda Sanchez in the primary for the Harris County Clerk to challenge Democrat Teneshia Hudspeth in the general election, writes the Editorial Board.
The primary for Harris County judge shows how the GOP won the working class, writes Kenny Webster.
"How can it be legal to safely harbor those who have committed crimes when federal law clearly trumps local authorities on this matter?" writes Barbara Goodson in a letter to the editor.

🎞️ Things to do This Weekend

Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie in a scene from 'Wuthering Heights.'

Photo by: Associated Press

At the movie theater or on streaming, "Wuthering Heights," "Crime 101" and "Being Gordon Ramsay," are some of the new films hitting the screens.
Around town, "Million Dollar Quartet" at the Hobby Center, "English" at the Alley Theatre and Thomas Csorba at The Heights Theater are some of the local events we're recommending.
Get a tattoo ahead of Valentine's Day as some Houston tattoo shops will be offering specials today.
Dine out at one of four Houston Waffle House locations that will be offering a romantic, lights-dimmed Valentine's Day dinner, assuming reservations are still available.

Houston crime sketch artist Lois Gibson has put her skills toward identifying those responsible in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie.

On Wednesday, she released a sketch of the person sought in the kidnapping. Now, as Gibson describes it, she had to guess at the parts of the face covered by the mask. See the sketch for yourself.