Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority (METRO) is testing a prototype for new bus shelters complete with solar-powered fans and lights. "The solar fan is the first of its kind," said Miguel Zavala, METRO Director of Public Facilities. "Three fans at the top, and we’re going to have lights. [Also], we’re going to have panels on all sides to improve circulation and visibility for… Read more »

West University Place Mayor Susan Sample (center) speaks alongside U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, D-Houston (left) at an Aug. 21 news conference announcing $2.5 million in federal funding for a Milton Street water line replacement project. (Courtesy City of West University Place) The city of West University is getting a water line upgrade to a section of city pipes that are almost 100… Read more »

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Work is moving forward on a Harris County Flood Control District project meant to reduce flooding in the lower portions of the Brays Bayou watershed. The overview The two Meyergrove Detention basins would be used to temporarily store excess stormwater during heavy rain events, which would gradually drain back into the channel through outfall pipes as it becomes safe for the bayou to… Read more »

A sharply divided U.S. House voted Thursday to amend the annual defense policy bill to ban a Biden administration policy that allowed service members to be reimbursed for abortion-related travel and other expenses. U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Amarillo, introduced the amendment with the backing of Rep. Chip Roy, R-Austin, and 70 other Republican co-sponsors. Jackson argued that… Read more »

Texas is receiving over $3.3 billion in federal funding — more than any other state — to expand broadband internet access the state. Much of that money undoubtedly will be pumped into the Houston metro area, where a little over 180,000 (about 7 percent) of the more than 2.6 million households have no internet access. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration… Read more »

Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher announced on Wednesday that Harris County has received $32.7 million that will be used for a construction improvement project for the Poor Farm Ditch drainage channel. The channel moves stormwater from West University Place and Southside Place to Brays Bayou. The funding for the reconstruction includes local, federal and state funds. Harris County Flood… Read more »

On 6/28/23, civic leaders from all levels of government gathered to celebrate the acquisition of enough funding to finally begin renovating Poor-Farm Ditch. Poor-Farm Ditch runs from Greenway Plaza on the north to Brays Bayou on the south between West University Place and South Side Place. Harris County Flood Control District started studying ditch improvements more than 20 years… Read more »

364 DAYS SINCE DOBBS — Saturday marks one year since the Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to abortion across the nation. The landmark case, Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, redrew battle lines across the country, including on Capitol Hill, where there are familiar fights playing out alongside fresh legislative questions. Democrats are fighting —… Read more »

According to the Centers for Disease Control, Black women in the United States are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. The statistics are worse in Harris County where Black women are three-and-a-half times more likely to die during childbirth than their white counterparts. On Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (D-Houston) announced that $1.4… Read more »