February 6, 2026
The Daily Access Sale! Only 25¢Stay informed with trusted local news, every day. Sale Ends Feb. 8 |
|
Good morning, Houston.
Here's what you should know to start your day:
- Need to know: Your commute on the East Freeway should be a little easier today, thanks to quick work by TxDOT and City of Houston crews. Just how common are sinkholes here? Do we need to worry about the ground swallowing us up at any moment?
- Top of the chart: The most-read item on Thursday was about the types of cold fronts that pass through Texas.
Here's the rest of the news.
1 |
Exclusive: Why Metro ditched a $4.1 million Houston microtransit pilot plan.
An internal review recently obtained by the Houston Chronicle is shedding new light on concerns over a microtransit pilot program.
Known as the Community Connector, the program offers short trips in some Houston neighborhoods, providing flexible transit options for passengers. It was overseen by Metro and formerly operated by Evolve Houston, a nonprofit championed by Metro Chair Elizabeth Gonzalez Brock and Mayor John Whitmire.
According to Octavia Johnson's reporting, the analysis found that 43% of rider requests went unfulfilled in the pilot program, among other issues.
As you'll see, those findings show what led to the Metro board's decision to change from Evolve to a Metro-led program in December. It was then when officials abruptly scrapped plans to spend $4.1 million to extend the program under Evolve's oversight.
2 |
UH's liberal arts professors were asked to sign a memo to 'not indoctrinate.'
Hundreds of University of Houston instructors were asked to sign a memo affirming that they teach — not "indoctrinate" — adding to a conservative push in Texas higher education to tamp down on allegedly "woke" professors pushing their own ideologies in class.
3 |
Will the cold return to Houston or is it adios to freezing temps?
A rare cold snap closed out January in Houston, but long-range forecasts suggest fewer freeze risks through mid-February.
4 |
A Houston surgeon tied to a Memorial Hermann transplant scandal is indicted.
Dr. John Stevenson Bynon Jr. is accused of making false statements that rendered patients functionally ineligible for organ transplants. His patients had no idea, federal authorities allege. Also, just who is Bynon? Here is some background on the doctor.
5 |
Redistricting puts Sylvia Garcia in a fight for her political life.
When the governor pushed the Legislature to redraw all of the congressional districts in Texas, it took a machete to Garcia's district. That has landed her in a real primary battle. Also: A North Texas shocker has turned state politics on its ear. Host Jeremy Wallace and John Moritz explain the wide ramifications of Democrat Taylor Rehmet's victory from a truly Texas perspective in the latest episode of the Texas Take podcast.
6 |
Houston housing affordability hits a four-year high, report finds.
Houston's housing affordability improved to its best mark in almost four years in the closing months of 2025, as home prices and mortgage rates eased somewhat, according to a new report by the Houston Association of Realtors.
7 |
See how HISD's top leaders graded Mike Miles in his 2024-25 evaluation.
Miles received a score of 91.4 out of 100 on his second annual evaluation in September — a score that helped him earn a $173,660 bonus.
🍴Bao's Review
|
🏀 Sports
Photo by: Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle
- Rockets: Houston fell behind early to the Hornets and couldn't recover to lose its second in a row after a loss to the Celtics the night before.
- Astros: Shortstop Jeremy Peña and infielder/outfielders Zach Dezenzo and Shay Whitcomb are on official rosters for the World Baseball Classic.
- Longhorns: The Southeastern Conference shared a record $1.03 billion with its 16 schools but the conference's newest members -- Texas and Oklahoma -- are still waiting to fully cash in.
- World Cup: Saudi Arabia will make Austin the location of its team base camp for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
🗣️ Opinion
- Democrats should pick Shannon Dicely, a longtime resident who has some notable endorsements and a plan to flip the Senate District 11 seat, says the Houston Chronicle Editorial Board.
- A lawyer, former teacher and State Board of Education member, Staci Childs has the energy and poise to get things done for Texas House District 131, says the Houston Chronicle Editorial Board.
- This summer, Congress approved a 400% increase in ICE's annual spending. Now, after all we've seen, will the Senate throw more money at the agency, asks Héctor Sánchez Barba, president and CEO of Mi Familia Vota.
- "It would seem that incumbency takes precedent over moral values. To quote Joseph Welch from the McCarthy hearings: 'Have you no sense of decency?'" writes Robert Musgrove regarding Sen. John Cornyn's reelection campaign.
🥇 Things to do This Weekend
Photo by: Kirsty Wigglesworth, AP
- Sure, the Super Bowl and the Winter Olympics are must-see events to catch this week. That Mexican OT, George Lopez, "The Secret Agent," and "The Coast Starlight" are also recommended.
- At the multiplex and beyond, "Dracula," "The Strangers: Chapter 3" and "Buffalo Kids" are some of the new films hitting screens this week.
- Watch the Super Bowl. From watch parties to game-day spreads, here's a look at some options around Houston if you're thinking of venturing out to see it.
- Celebrate Black History Month with these events happening in the next few weeks in Houston, including museum exhibits, festivals, workshops and story times.
📅 Events at the Chronicle
|
When we learned that Becks Prime was about to close one of its west Houston locations, we admit to being a little confused as to which one.
Was it the one with the big trees? There are at least three of them that would qualify.
Actually, the one shutting down after 35 years is the one in the 11000 block of Westheimer at Wilcrest.
You have until Sunday afternoon to drop by for a final bite to eat.
 | J.R. Gonzales, Senior Digital Production Editor |
Puzzle of the Day: Typeshift
Slide the columns of letters up and down to form words in the highlighted row. Score points for each solid letter.
Play now
Want more Houston Chronicle?
Make Houston Chronicle a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search.
Add Preferred Source
|
Unsubscribe | Manage Preferences
Houston Chronicle
4747 Southwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77027
© 2026 Hearst Newspapers, LLC
No comments:
Post a Comment