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April 03, 2026

Lina Hidalgo received more free rodeo tickets than every commissioner combined

Plus: A Texas Killing Fields arrest timeline.

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Logan Hay gets thrown from the front of his horse 'Preasure Cooker' while still attached to his saddle while competing in saddle bronc during Super Series IV Round 2 at RodoeHouston, Thursday, March 12, 2026.

Suite perk: Judge Lina Hidalgo tops list of Harris County officials with free rodeo access this year

Lina Hidalgo was the only elected official given premium "chute" tickets, but members of Harris County commissioners court received free Houston rodeo concert tickets worth thousands of dollars this year.

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A Galveston County SheriffÕs Office deputy escorts James Elmore Jr. into Judge Jeth JonesÕ 122nd District Court on Thursday, April 2, 2026, for a bond hearing. Elmore on Tuesday was indicted on charges of manslaughter and two counts of tampering with evidence in connection to the deaths of Laura Miller and Audrey Cook.

Photo by: JENNIFER REYNOLDS/The Daily News, Jennifer Reynolds/The Galveston County Daily News

Texas Killing Fields timeline: What led to James Elmore's arrest after 40 years?

A decades-old investigation that has haunted Galveston County families broke open this week. Here's how law enforcement got to this point. 

Artemis II crew members, from left, Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen and NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Christina Hammock Koch and Victor Glover answer questions from reporters on Thursday, April 2, 2026, during the first live video of their mission.

Photo by: NASA

Artemis II astronauts describe first days of moon mission

The Artemis II astronauts recently made their first live video appearance after the Orion spacecraft ignited its main engine to propel them toward the moon. 

Tracker: Follow NASA's Artemis II rocket in real time

Frank Billingsley, Chief Meteorologist of KPRC-TV Why do you like being a meteorologist: 'I like the fairly instant feedback of knowing if the forecast verified and examining what happened if it was wrong.'  What are the obstacles of being a meteorologist: 'As amazingly good as our forecasts have become, Mother Nature can still have its own mind.'   Fun fact: 'I love to play the card game of Bridge. When I can find a little time, I play a few hands every day on the computer or my phone.'

Photo by: Al Torres

'Hello Houston' host Frank Billingsley is retiring. Here's why.

The TV news veteran helped launch Houston Public Media's "Hello Houston" just one year ago.

Samantha and Braden Navarre pose for a portrait in their new bar, By the Wayside, a cocktail lounge focused on live music and art in the East End in Houston, Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

Photo by: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle

By the Wayside transforms abandoned East End space into music-driven cocktail bar

Music and art are at the heart of a new cocktail bar and listening lounge opening in the East End on Friday

Houston Texans owner Cal McNair walks after attending a session at the NFL football annual meetings, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Photo by: Ross D. Franklin, Associated Press

Conversation with Cal and Hannah McNair on C.J. Stroud, Toro District, passing on a Super Bowl bid

The McNairs also discussed their improved relationship with Harris County and how that might affect negotiations on a new lease agreement at NRG Stadium.


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The Houston Chronicle is launching a smarter way to prepare your property tax protest. Sign up for early access to TX Tax, and get deadline reminders and helpful coverage throughout protest season. 


Food

Hungry's brunch spread. 

Photo by: Becca Wright

15 Easter brunches in Houston, from Southern to French, Italian and more

Making Easter brunch plans? Here are Houston restaurants offering special menus across the city. Read More

A slice of pepperoni pizza from Neighbors, a restaurant in the East End, on Dec. 27, 2023.

Photo by: Bao Ong / Staff

Best pizza in Houston: Neapolitan, New York, Detroit style and more

Houston's leading pizzerias and restaurants serve up a diverse roster of pies worth seeking out. Here are the city's top spots. Read More

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Politics

Marcia Pena works to apply for a Texas Education Freedom Account voucher for her daughter's catholic school next year in Houston, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026. Wednesday was the first day that the applications opened for parents to take part in Texas' new program to utilize tax dollars as part of school choice.

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Houston Chronicle

Over 270K students applied for Texas' voucher program. Most will be rejected.

Texas private school vouchers will likely go only to low-income students or students with disabilities because the demand is far higher than the available supply, officials say.  Read More

Florida virtual school approved for Texas vouchers through loophole

North Forest Baptist Church Academy became the first out-of-state school approved for Texas' private school voucher program, despite provisions in the law meant to block out-of-state schools from joining. Read More

Houston water bills are going up again. Here's how much.

Houston increased water and sewer rates this week, raising the average monthly bill by 7.87%. The monthly bill for a typical homeowner using 4,000 gallons per month has risen 66% since 2021.  Read More

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Opinion

Wide angle view from behind two astronauts with backpacks standing at the edge of a large crater looking down on a moon base with solar panels, modular habitation units, rover vehicles and a launch pad.

Photo by: Peepo, Getty Images

Visit the moon? OK. But humans aren't ready to live there. | Opinion

Our species isn't built for low gravity and high radiation. But could our genetically engineered kids handle that?

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Sports

Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) celebrates with second baseman Jose Altuve (27) after beating the Boston Red Sox 6-4 during a MLB baseball game at Daikin Park, Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Houston.

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Houston Chronicle

What we learned in Astros' first homestand from Bryan Abreu to Christian Walker

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Houston Astros fan Brandon Smith with the three baseballs he caught on three straight days of the Astros-Red Sox series on March 30-April 1, 2026 at Daikin Park in Houston.

Photo by: Brandon Smith, Courtesy Photo

Three Astros games, three baseballs? Brandon Smith just lived every fans' dream.

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Madison Booker of the Texas Longhorns shoots against Lauren Betts (51) and Kiki Rice (1) of the UCLA Bruins during the first quarter of a Players Era Championship basketball tournament game at Michelob Ultra Arena on November 26, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Photo by: Ian Maule, Getty Images

Texas vs. UCLA: How to watch, what to know, key players for women's Final Four

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Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7), Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert, center, and Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson, right, compete for a rebound during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)

Photo by: Ellen Schmidt, Associated Press

Rockets clinch a playoff spot for second consecutive season

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Photo of Chris Shelton

Chris Shelton, Audience producer

chris.shelton@houstonchronicle.com

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