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April 12, 2026

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Good afternoon, Houston!

Crews have deployed oil booms after a diesel spill at Pemex’s Deer Park facility reached the Houston Ship Channel this morning, and the leak has since been contained.

Officials say there’s no immediate impact to the community as monitoring continues.

Here’s the rest of the news.

Alexandria Alejandro, Audience Producer

alexandria.alejandro@houstonchronicle.com

3 stories you shouldn't miss

A classic Heights home owned by Truth BBQ founders is for sale. Guess the price.

Truth BBQ's founders listed a renovated craftsman-style home in the Houston Heights. Can you guess the price of this updated 3,971-square-foot property?

Prime Property: Follow the biggest new developments and top decision makers with Houston’s top real estate newsletter.

Phil Garner, popular former Astros player and manager, dies at 76

He played seven seasons for the Astros before leading them to their first playoff success as the team's manager.

A major new lagoon development is planned for Galveston. Here's what to know.

Galveston commissioners moved a major lagoon development forward: Here's what to know about the 170-acre mixed-use project.

TX TAX - Texas Property Tax Protest Tool

Be the first to use our guided property tax protest tool

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.

1 story to bring you joy

Ima Hogg's historic former home and gardens at Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens is photographed in Houston, Wednesday, April 8, 2026.

New director shakes up MFAH's Bayou Bend rules — and makes antiques cool

The new director of the house museum for American arts brings a bold vision to make the Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens more dynamic and accessible.

Sign up: Your week doesn’t need a hundred options. One vibe, one pick, no second-guessing.

7 stories you may have missed this week

Homes and signage associated with the Towne Lake subdivision are seen in Cypress, Friday, Aug. 29, 2025.

Confused by property tax terms? Here’s a guide for Houston-area homeowners

Confused by property tax terms? Here’s a simple guide for Houston-area homeowners. Read More

Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles speaks about the district’s STAAR testing results during a Houston ISD Board of Managers meeting at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025.

Mike Miles' charter network to expand HISD-style reforms to more districts

Mike Miles' Third Future Schools is slated to operate more public schools across Texas. Read More

An outside report has confirmed longstanding abuse in Southern Baptist Convention churches and ways forward to prevent abuse and validate survivors.

Why the SBC hasn’t intervened in Houston megachurch Second Baptist’s civil war

Critics say Second Baptist isn’t living up to its democratic ideals. Can it still be a Southern Baptist church? Read More

The renderings for the Houston Rockets' Toyota Center remodel, which is scheduled to be completed by Fall 2027, includes a nearly 20,000-square foot atrium with a glass façade, creating a covered outdoor gathering space that will completely change the look of the front door of the downtown arena.

New renderings show $180M Toyota Center renovation that will transform arena

Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta is paying some of the bill to upgrade downtown's Toyota Center that also will be home to WNBA's Comets and the Republican National Convention. Read More

A rendering showing escalante's Tex-Mex restaurant in front of a planned green space in Heritage Grove, a new section coming to the Texas Heritage Marketplace development in Katy.

Big new phase breaks ground in $400M Katy retail project

A new phase of Katy’s $400M Texas Heritage Marketplace is underway, bringing outdoor shopping, restaurants and green space to one of the region’s biggest retail projects. Read More

The George HW Bush building houses the Texas Funeral Service Commission in Austin on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025.

The agency meant to oversee funerals is falling apart. What led to this?

The unimaginable unfolded at a Houston funeral home, where families allege they discovered insect-covered, unrefrigerated bodies — a breakdown the state watchdog is meant to prevent. The funeral home denies the claims, and the Texas Funeral Service Commission’s issues with missing records, staff turnover, and mishandled complaints cast doubt on its ability to prevent or punish violations. Read More

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

Discover the best pizza in Houston

Whether you’re a longtime pizza lover or just hunting for your next great slice, these spots showcase the best that Houston has to offer. Read More

EVENT: How to save on property taxes with chief appraisers

Houston Chronicle and Chron.com readers are invited to a virtual event on April 30 at noon CDT featuring local appraisal leaders and Chronicle journalists discussing 2025 property trends, tax-saving exemptions, and the protest process.