Take a look back at development, transportation, government and education news we covered last year.
January: Houston has gained 162 miles of bike lanes, trails since 2017
This story was written for our annual Health & Wellness Edition and analyzed how the city received an additional 162 miles of bike lanes since 2017. The Bicycle Advisory Committee's goal is to create 1,800 miles by 2027.
February: Talking Tourism: Houston leaders create plans for future upgrades to sports, convention centers
In early 2025, many of Houston's sports and convention centers revealed plans to renovate, expand, or create new venues. NRG Park, the Astrodome, George R. Brown Convention Center, the Toyota Center and Daikin Park were on the list. This story shared details on the potential changes coming to each venue.
March: Houston's $70M plan to end street homelessness by 2026
Mayor John Whitmire announced in March that he wanted Houston to be the first major city in the United States to end street homelessness by moving all individuals who live outdoors into stable housing. This lead story dove into exactly how Whitmire planned to accomplish his goal.
April: Funding community growth: West University places $15M bond on May ballot
This story was published ahead of the May election, where West University Place voters were headed to the polls to approve or reject four propositions, including a $15 million bond for the construction of a new community center, senior center, library and green space.
May: Bellaire's Discovery Center to build $2M nature playground
The Nature Discovery Center, a nonprofit nature facility and park in Bellaire, wanted to expand with a new $2 million nature play space in 2025. This lead story worked to help readers visualize the new space, called the Enchanted Woods Nature Play Area, with a detailed map and a list of what new amenities, programs and classes would be utilized with the area.
June: Houston hospitals unite to fight childhood cancer
For our annual Health Care Edition, we took a look at the collaboration of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and the Texas Children's Hospital in the Texas Medical Center to build a new institution dedicated to serving childhood cancer patients. The story introduced the new facility, called the Kinder Children's Cancer Center, that will offer inpatient beds, ambulatory care and state-of-the-art research labs.
July: Staying protected: Local homeowners navigate flood insurance options
For our annual Real Estate Edition, reporter Melissa Enaje helped residents of West University and Bellaire navigate and understand flood insurance options and what information goes into setting those rates. The story talked about the FEMA flood risk ratings, flood risks, flood mitigation projects and what homeowners needed to know about how to cut insurance costs.
August: A tale of two districts: Houston ISD state takeover still divisive despite student gains
For our annual Education Edition, reporter Wesley Gardner wrote an in-depth lead on the Texas Education Agency extending the state takeover of Houston ISD by two years and analyzed the areas where the district improved or declined since the initial takeover in 2023.
The story discussed significant changes in the district, including the implementation of the New Education System, or NES model, at 130 lower-performing campuses, recent STAAR results, A-F accountability ratings and teacher turnover rates.
September: Bellaire to start Cypress Ditch Project after decades of fighting floods
After years of sustaining constant damage by flooding from hurricanes and other extreme weather events, the city of Bellaire started working to mitigate future flooding in 2025 through the $110 million Cypress Ditch Improvements Project. This lead story examined the details of the project, funding costs, timeline and how it would help mitigate flooding for homeowners.
October: New congressional map could impact Inner Loop elections
Texas lawmakers attempted to redraw 37 of the state's 38 congressional districts during a special legislative session in 2025. The changes, which were eventually approved by the U.S. Supreme Court in December, shift critical districts in Houston, including District 18 and District 9. This story breaks down the boundary and population changes for Houston residents.
November: Building the future: Rice University sees record growth with higher education demand
Rice University both set and accomplished many goals in 2025. The private higher education institution expanded its presence in Houston both on and off campus with new academic buildings, residential facilities and research spaces. The lead story focused on the University's enrollment growth, physical expansion and strategic goals.
December: Proposed hospital expansion could impact parkland
Ben Taub Hospital is planning a $410 million expansion in the Texas Medical Center to address increasing demand for medical services. However, the proposal includes using nearly nine acres of land in Hermann Park. This story explored the controversial topic of using parkland for necessary health care.
