Emancipation Park in Houston celebrated the third annual "Celebrate Freedom Festival," featuring a parade, cultural performances, and vendors, leading up to Juneteenth.

Blue Origin's NS-32 mission took Galveston STEM teacher Amy Medina Jorge to space, marking the company's 12th crewed flight. The mission patch featured symbols for each crew member, celebrating their unique contributions and backgrounds.

Houston Police Department has ended its policy of requiring officers to conduct at least one traffic stop per day, following a collective decision and a memo from Police Chief J. Noe Diaz Jr.

The Texas House has approved dissolving the Texas Lottery Commission amid scrutiny and putting lottery and bingo under the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, with a ban on online ticket sales.

The Cy-Fair community rallied in support of Fire Chief Amy Ramon amidst unresolved board action on her position, despite testimonies and calls for transparency.

George Coulam, founder of the Texas Renaissance Festival, was found dead at home by a housekeeper; the cause of death is uncertain. His death follows a legal battle over the festival's sale.

The Kinder Houston-area survey outlines concerns of Houston residents, highlighting crime, traffic, and economic disparities, with many residents considering leaving despite its livability and diversity.

The 19th Annual Houston Firefighters' Charity Golf Classic raised funds for the Houston Firefighters' Protection Fund to aid firefighters and their families in times of crisis.

Katy ISD community members are calling for policy changes on book banning and transgender student rights following the election defeat of board president Victor Perez.

Texans' Will Anderson Jr. partnered with HFD and USAA to promote driving safety, participating in a Jaws of Life demo and advocating cautious driving practices ahead of the "100 Deadliest Days of Summer."

Texas lawmakers are discussing House Bill 168 to close a loophole allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to marry and potentially annul such existing marriages.

Milton C. Alford, Houston's first Black firefighter, passed away at 97. He served in the city's fire department for nearly 27 years and was honored as a pioneer who broke racial barriers.

Cardinal Robert Prevost from Chicago has been elected as Pope Leo XIV, sparking excitement in Houston's Catholic community, with local leaders noting his past work and the potential for unity and intellectual leadership within the church.