Panda Fest, a traveling Asian food and culture festival, debuts in Houston this Friday–Sunday with 60+ vendors, a 15‑foot panda and live cultural performances.

The EPA has ordered remediation to begin at the northern San Jacinto River waste pits near Baytown, setting deadlines, potential fines and a multi‑million‑dollar cleanup price tag. Community groups call the move a long‑awaited but closely watched victory.

Houston robbery detectives released stills after an April 17 carjacking on Sunflower St. Crime Stoppers is offering up to $5,000 for tips leading to an arrest.

Cloudy and muggy Thursday with a high near 77°F. Heavy showers and a flash‑flood risk arrive Friday–Saturday; expect slick roads and event impacts.

A Houston architect has bought Levant Luxury's newly built Bayou Woods spec mansion at 9010 Memorial Drive; the developer had been asking $10.5M and a final price hasn't been disclosed.

Federal prosecutors say a Houston loan officer helped secure millions in fraudulent loans using doctored invoices and falsified tax returns.

Bad As Philly opened March 1 at 2253 Country Place Parkway in Pearland, bringing halal Philly cheesesteaks, burgers and wings to the area.

Fire Ant Brewing, a staple of Old Town Tomball, announced it will close next Sunday as owners Bruce and Sylvia Kissinger retire after an eight-year run.

Houston's iSpeak program will add AI-powered, real-time translation to City Council livestreams to expand language access.

A state judicial commission publicly warned Harris County Judge Melissa Morris, saying her handling of child‑sex cases and a grand‑jury breach violated ethics. The rebuke will follow Morris into a November re‑election bid.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick endorsed Mayes Middleton for attorney general and Jim Wright for Railroad Commissioner, adding a high‑profile voice to May 26 GOP runoffs.

Police and fire crews investigated a suspicious package near The Galleria on May 4; no injuries were reported and drivers were urged to use caution.

Firefighters battled a blaze at the Chestnut Hill apartments in Sharpstown late Monday; the Houston Fire Department says no injuries were reported. Crews remained on scene.