April Towery
@apriltowery.bsky.social
I cover Houston City Hall, the Texas Legislature and criminal justice for The Houston Press.
“These JP courts, I believe, are the frontlines of the homelessness crisis and the housing crisis, especially in Houston. There’s no reason why we shouldn’t be offering these solutions.” - Davis Mendoza Darusman
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JP Hopeful Promises Virtual Court Hearings - Houston Press
Davis Mendoza Darusman says if elected as a Harris County justice of the peace, he'll ensure that virtual court is available to all residents.
www.houstonpress.com
February 11, 2026 at 12:47 PM
“These JP courts, I believe, are the frontlines of the homelessness crisis and the housing crisis, especially in Houston. There’s no reason why we shouldn’t be offering these solutions.” - Davis Mendoza Darusman
www.houstonpress.com/news/jp-hope...
www.houstonpress.com/news/jp-hope...
Remember when CenterPoint Energy said it was going to install 56,000 new storm-resilient transmission poles? Customers can now check an online dashboard to see where those upgrades occurred and what projects are in the works for their neighborhoods.
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www.houstonpress.com/news/monitor...
Monitor CenterPoint Projects With New Dashboard - Houston Press
CenterPoint Energy's new Community Progress Tracker allows customers to check on utility upgrades by neighborhood or ZIP code.
www.houstonpress.com
February 11, 2026 at 12:40 PM
Remember when CenterPoint Energy said it was going to install 56,000 new storm-resilient transmission poles? Customers can now check an online dashboard to see where those upgrades occurred and what projects are in the works for their neighborhoods.
www.houstonpress.com/news/monitor...
www.houstonpress.com/news/monitor...
The newly elected progressive trustees at Cypress-Fairbanks ISD did what they said they would do when they were on the campaign trail last fall and, in a split vote Monday night, agreed to restore textbook chapters that were banned in 2024.
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Cy-Fair ISD’s Banned Textbook Chapters Restored - Houston Press
Cypress-Fairbanks ISD trustees voted Monday to restore textbook chapters that were banned by a previous board.
www.houstonpress.com
February 10, 2026 at 4:49 PM
The newly elected progressive trustees at Cypress-Fairbanks ISD did what they said they would do when they were on the campaign trail last fall and, in a split vote Monday night, agreed to restore textbook chapters that were banned in 2024.
www.houstonpress.com/news/cy-fair...
www.houstonpress.com/news/cy-fair...
“The traditional educational model is really inefficient and wastes a lot of the kids’ time." - Brandi Dowell, co-founder of The Bennett School
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Give a Boy a Bat and a Two-Hour School Day - Houston Press
AI schools, where kids learn core curriculum for two hours per day, are gaining popularity in Houston.
www.houstonpress.com
February 9, 2026 at 12:11 PM
“The traditional educational model is really inefficient and wastes a lot of the kids’ time." - Brandi Dowell, co-founder of The Bennett School
www.houstonpress.com/news/give-a-...
www.houstonpress.com/news/give-a-...
"We heard a lot from our customers about their frustrations and we’ve been laser-focused on re-earning our customers’ trust and meeting their expectations. In our minds, one outage is too many.” - Nathan Brownell, PE, CenterPoint Energy
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February 5, 2026 at 12:55 PM
"We heard a lot from our customers about their frustrations and we’ve been laser-focused on re-earning our customers’ trust and meeting their expectations. In our minds, one outage is too many.” - Nathan Brownell, PE, CenterPoint Energy
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www.houstonpress.com
If watching adorable puppies chase toy footballs is more appealing than cheering for the Seahawks or the Patriots this Super Bowl Sunday, Best Friends Animal Society has it covered.
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www.houstonpress.com/news/come-fo...
Come for the Tailgate, Leave with a Free Puppy - Houston Press
Best Friends Animal Society is offering free puppy adoptions at a Puppy Bowl tailgate party on Super Bowl Sunday.
www.houstonpress.com
February 5, 2026 at 12:53 PM
If watching adorable puppies chase toy footballs is more appealing than cheering for the Seahawks or the Patriots this Super Bowl Sunday, Best Friends Animal Society has it covered.
www.houstonpress.com/news/come-fo...
www.houstonpress.com/news/come-fo...
"It was one of Houston’s most notorious streets but it was also internationally known as a hub for prostitution and trafficking. We wanted to shut that down.” - Houston City Councilman Edward Pollard
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Blocking Public Streets to Deter Crime Along Bissonnet - Houston Press
A Houston City Council member is barricading public streets in an effort to deter crime along the Bissonnet Track.
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February 4, 2026 at 1:10 PM
"It was one of Houston’s most notorious streets but it was also internationally known as a hub for prostitution and trafficking. We wanted to shut that down.” - Houston City Councilman Edward Pollard
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www.houstonpress.com/news/blockin...
“I will fight each and every day to impeach [Homeland Security Secretary] Kristi Noem, to tear ICE up from the roots and to fix this country’s broken immigration system.” - Congressman-elect Christian D. Menefee
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Christian Menefee Will Focus on Opposing Trump’s Agenda - Houston Press
Christian Menefee was elected Saturday to fill the unexpired term of the late Sylvester Turner in Texas' 18th Congressional District.
www.houstonpress.com
February 1, 2026 at 7:56 PM
“I will fight each and every day to impeach [Homeland Security Secretary] Kristi Noem, to tear ICE up from the roots and to fix this country’s broken immigration system.” - Congressman-elect Christian D. Menefee
www.houstonpress.com/news/christi...
www.houstonpress.com/news/christi...
Houston meteorologists agree that bone-chilling temperatures will return Saturday and Sunday, but due to a lack of precipitation, the dangerous roadways and threat of mass power outages that existed last weekend aren’t expected to make a repeat performance.
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www.houstonpress.com/news/another...
Another Cold Weekend is in the Forecast - Houston Press
Meteorologists are predicting another cold weekend in Houston, with potentially freezing temperatures but no ice or snow.
www.houstonpress.com
January 30, 2026 at 2:02 PM
Houston meteorologists agree that bone-chilling temperatures will return Saturday and Sunday, but due to a lack of precipitation, the dangerous roadways and threat of mass power outages that existed last weekend aren’t expected to make a repeat performance.
www.houstonpress.com/news/another...
www.houstonpress.com/news/another...
"They will shoot you just for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.” - Katy resident Marsha Kamish on ICE incidents in Minneapolis
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Could Minneapolis ICE Shootings Happen in Houston? - Houston Press
Dissatisfaction with the Trump administration is mounting in the wake of two Minneapolish shootings of American citizens by federal agents.
www.houstonpress.com
January 29, 2026 at 1:17 PM
"They will shoot you just for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.” - Katy resident Marsha Kamish on ICE incidents in Minneapolis
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www.houstonpress.com/news/could-m...
“I sincerely hope that he’s made it right with God and that he’s not somewhere burning in hell.” - Wade Hayslip on the execution of the man convicted of his mother's murder 28 years ago
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Charles Thompson Executed 28 Years After Harris County Murders - Houston Press
Charles Thompson was executed by lethal injection Wednesday night after spending almost three decades on Texas Death Row.
www.houstonpress.com
January 29, 2026 at 1:16 PM
“I sincerely hope that he’s made it right with God and that he’s not somewhere burning in hell.” - Wade Hayslip on the execution of the man convicted of his mother's murder 28 years ago
www.houstonpress.com/news/charles...
www.houstonpress.com/news/charles...
“At TCRP, we believe that everyone should vote and it should be as accessible as possible." - Karla Maradiaga, Texas Civil Rights Project
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www.houstonpress.com/news/early-v...
Early Voting Extended in District 18 Runoff - Houston Press
A judge ruled Monday that early voting hours would be extended to Wednesday and Thursday to in the Congressional District 18 runoff election.
www.houstonpress.com
January 26, 2026 at 10:42 PM
“At TCRP, we believe that everyone should vote and it should be as accessible as possible." - Karla Maradiaga, Texas Civil Rights Project
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www.houstonpress.com/news/early-v...
While Houstonians will see a reprieve from freezing temperatures Monday afternoon, the “bone-chilling cold” weather is slated to return around 8 p.m.
www.houstonpress.com/news/centerp...
www.houstonpress.com/news/centerp...
CenterPoint is Staying Ready for Tonight's Freeze - Houston Press
CenterPoint Energy is winding down its Winter Storm Fern emergency response efforts as one more night of freezing temperatures is expected.
www.houstonpress.com
January 26, 2026 at 8:28 PM
While Houstonians will see a reprieve from freezing temperatures Monday afternoon, the “bone-chilling cold” weather is slated to return around 8 p.m.
www.houstonpress.com/news/centerp...
www.houstonpress.com/news/centerp...
"Folks in TX-18 have already gone nearly a year without a voice in Congress. We shouldn’t have to settle for just five days to vote early in such an important election.” - Christian D. Menefee, candidate for U.S. Congress
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www.houstonpress.com/news/lawsuit...
Lawsuit Filed to Extend Early Voting in District 18 Runoff - Houston Press
Two Houston nonprofits are demanding two more early voting days ts in the Congressional District 18 election to compensate for weather closures.
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January 26, 2026 at 1:07 PM
"Folks in TX-18 have already gone nearly a year without a voice in Congress. We shouldn’t have to settle for just five days to vote early in such an important election.” - Christian D. Menefee, candidate for U.S. Congress
www.houstonpress.com/news/lawsuit...
www.houstonpress.com/news/lawsuit...
“We won’t stop until everyone’s power service is restored.” - Nathan Brownell, PE, CenterPoint Energy
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Winter Storm Fern Hits Houston - Houston Press
About 5,000 CenterPoint customers lost power Sunday morning due to Winter Storm Fern but crews are working swiftly to restore outages.
www.houstonpress.com
January 25, 2026 at 5:46 PM
“We won’t stop until everyone’s power service is restored.” - Nathan Brownell, PE, CenterPoint Energy
www.houstonpress.com/news/winter-...
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“It’s going to be a sad night tonight. A lot of people are going to lose everything. A lot of people are going to lose their lives.”
www.houstonpress.com/news/warming...
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Warming Centers Offer Shelter as Temps Take a Dive - Houston Press
Bayland Community Center offered a warming shelter on Saturday for people seeking respite from the arctic freeze.
www.houstonpress.com
January 25, 2026 at 3:11 AM
“It’s going to be a sad night tonight. A lot of people are going to lose everything. A lot of people are going to lose their lives.”
www.houstonpress.com/news/warming...
www.houstonpress.com/news/warming...
“It’s not only advisable, but it’s also the law, that pet owners must provide protection from extreme weather." - Kerry McKeel, Best Friends Animal Society
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Advocates Urge Pet Safety During Freeze - Houston Press
Pets should be treated like humans in the event of a winter freeze like the one headed for Houston this weekend.
www.houstonpress.com
January 23, 2026 at 12:51 PM
“It’s not only advisable, but it’s also the law, that pet owners must provide protection from extreme weather." - Kerry McKeel, Best Friends Animal Society
www.houstonpress.com/news/advocat...
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Amanda Edwards, a former at-large Houston City Council member, is in a runoff with former Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee. District 18 residents — and the two runoff candidates — are anxious to have representation on Capitol Hill.
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www.houstonpress.com/news/menefee...
Menefee and Edwards Race for Congress Decided Next Week - Houston Press
Christian Menefee and Amanda Edwards are facing off in a runoff election on January 31.
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January 22, 2026 at 5:04 PM
Amanda Edwards, a former at-large Houston City Council member, is in a runoff with former Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee. District 18 residents — and the two runoff candidates — are anxious to have representation on Capitol Hill.
www.houstonpress.com/news/menefee...
www.houstonpress.com/news/menefee...
“We’re making sure that, regardless of the weather that comes in, we will have resources in your neighborhood that can quickly and safely respond." - Nathan Brownell, PE, CenterPoint Energy
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www.houstonpress.com/news/houston...
Houston Meteorologists: “This Will Be a Damaging Freeze” - Houston Press
Houston meteorologists said they expect this weekend's winter storm will be a "damaging freeze."
www.houstonpress.com
January 22, 2026 at 2:09 PM
“We’re making sure that, regardless of the weather that comes in, we will have resources in your neighborhood that can quickly and safely respond." - Nathan Brownell, PE, CenterPoint Energy
www.houstonpress.com/news/houston...
www.houstonpress.com/news/houston...
“Today’s arguments made one thing unmistakably clear: this case is not about history, charity or faith. t’s about … whether the state can use public schools to impose one religious doctrine on our children." - ACLU Louisiana Executive Director Alanah Odoms
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Plaintiffs Hopeful After Appeals Court Hearing on Ten Commandments - Houston Press
The argument over whether a Bible passage should be displayed in public school classrooms was never intended to be an attack on Protestant Christians, The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals heard testimon...
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January 21, 2026 at 1:52 PM
“Today’s arguments made one thing unmistakably clear: this case is not about history, charity or faith. t’s about … whether the state can use public schools to impose one religious doctrine on our children." - ACLU Louisiana Executive Director Alanah Odoms
www.houstonpress.com/news/plainti...
www.houstonpress.com/news/plainti...
“I served my country. I don’t need people to thank me for my service. I need them to let me live my life.”
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Is Texas Turning Into a Nanny State? - Houston Press
Sam Rogers joined the United States Marine Corps fresh out of a rural East Texas high school in 1995. He got to travel the world, but his combat Some critics say the far-right leadership is pushing Te...
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January 19, 2026 at 12:51 PM
“I served my country. I don’t need people to thank me for my service. I need them to let me live my life.”
www.houstonpress.com/news/is-texa...
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