President-elect Trump threatens new tariffs on Mexico, Canada
FOX 26 Houston Political Reporter Greg Groogan talks the latest in local, statewide, and national politics.
FOX 26 Houston Political Reporter Greg Groogan talks the latest in local, statewide, and national politics.
Mayor Whitmire on dealing with future natural disasters
Live in Houston long enough, and you learn weather related disaster is more irregularity than anomaly. During his first year, Mayor Whitmire dealt with both a destructive windstorm and a full blown hurricane. While he had nothing but praise for first responders, both command and rank and file, Whitmire found himself absolutely furious over a major deficiency.
Live in Houston long enough, and you learn weather related disaster is more irregularity than anomaly. During his first year, Mayor Whitmire dealt with both a destructive windstorm and a full blown hurricane. While he had nothing but praise for first responders, both command and rank and file, Whitmire found himself absolutely furious over a major deficiency.
Mayor Whitmire's plans to deal with homelessness
According to Mayor John Whitmire's, 2025 will be a year of change for many of Houston's homeless. Whether they like it or not.
According to Mayor John Whitmire's, 2025 will be a year of change for many of Houston's homeless. Whether they like it or not.
Mayor Whitmire orders outside audit of tax increment reinvestment zones
Lately, members of council pretty shamelessly referred to tax increment reinvestment zones as a means of circumventing the voter approved property tax cap. So instead of combating blight, the Baker Institute at Rice says terraces have morphed into a mechanism which makes Houston's richest neighborhoods richer at the expense of less affluent areas of the city.
Lately, members of council pretty shamelessly referred to tax increment reinvestment zones as a means of circumventing the voter approved property tax cap. So instead of combating blight, the Baker Institute at Rice says terraces have morphed into a mechanism which makes Houston's richest neighborhoods richer at the expense of less affluent areas of the city.
Mayor Whitmire on 800 Middle St. project
John Whitmire takes aim at a corrupt and contaminated low income housing project that is likely to cost taxpayers more than $100 million.
John Whitmire takes aim at a corrupt and contaminated low income housing project that is likely to cost taxpayers more than $100 million.
Whitmire initiates outside audit of every facet of municipal government
As John Whitmire took office, there was no more glaring example of dysfunction than the city's chronically broken water billing system, a system which spit out inexplicable four and five figure monthly tabs blindsiding everyday Houstonians with liabilities they couldn't pay.
As John Whitmire took office, there was no more glaring example of dysfunction than the city's chronically broken water billing system, a system which spit out inexplicable four and five figure monthly tabs blindsiding everyday Houstonians with liabilities they couldn't pay.
Mayor Whitmire forgoes major tax hike, collaborates with Austin
Holding the line on taxes and mending the city's fractured relationship with leaders at the state capitol. In his first year, Mayor John Whitmire managed to do both.
Holding the line on taxes and mending the city's fractured relationship with leaders at the state capitol. In his first year, Mayor John Whitmire managed to do both.
Restoring the public's trust in the Houston Police Department
Shortly after taking office, the new mayor was blindsided by the worst scandal to strike the Houston Police Department this century.
Shortly after taking office, the new mayor was blindsided by the worst scandal to strike the Houston Police Department this century.
Mayor Whitmire's plans for Metro
I think there's definitive evidence proving that in the past, Metro has been a financial sinkhole for Houston taxpayers. Can John Whitmire do what other mayors didn't?
I think there's definitive evidence proving that in the past, Metro has been a financial sinkhole for Houston taxpayers. Can John Whitmire do what other mayors didn't?
Mayor Whitmire's settlement with Houston Firefighters
While the public welcomed this long overdue deal, some on the council criticized the settlement saying it was too generous.
While the public welcomed this long overdue deal, some on the council criticized the settlement saying it was too generous.
Battle to be the next Speaker of the House
Exactly 30 days out from the Texas legislative session, and we have really no idea who will lead the lower chamber as Speaker. With Dade Phelan stepping aside, the incumbent, longtime lieutenant Dustin Burrows, claims to have locked up the support of the entire Democratic caucus and enough fellow Republicans to exceed the 76 votes needed. Not so fast, says Representative David Cook, who has the backing of a majority of House Republicans, along with Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and the Texas GOP leadership. The heaviest possible pressure is being brought to bear on Republicans backing Burrows, all of whom are being threatened with retaliation if they don't get in line and back Cook.
Exactly 30 days out from the Texas legislative session, and we have really no idea who will lead the lower chamber as Speaker. With Dade Phelan stepping aside, the incumbent, longtime lieutenant Dustin Burrows, claims to have locked up the support of the entire Democratic caucus and enough fellow Republicans to exceed the 76 votes needed. Not so fast, says Representative David Cook, who has the backing of a majority of House Republicans, along with Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and the Texas GOP leadership. The heaviest possible pressure is being brought to bear on Republicans backing Burrows, all of whom are being threatened with retaliation if they don't get in line and back Cook.
Mounting animosity aimed at HISD superintendent Mike Miles
A month and change after Houston ISD's monster $4.4 billion bond issue crashed and burned at the ballot box, angry parents, students and educators are still bashing state appointed superintendent Mike Miles for his controversial leadership style and openly calling into question the validity of the academic progress he and his administration are claiming.
A month and change after Houston ISD's monster $4.4 billion bond issue crashed and burned at the ballot box, angry parents, students and educators are still bashing state appointed superintendent Mike Miles for his controversial leadership style and openly calling into question the validity of the academic progress he and his administration are claiming.
Multi-million dollar upgrade to Levy Park passes nearly unanimously
At City Hall, millions greenlighted to upgrade an already top shelf municipal park. But with so many others crumbling and ragged. Is the investment truly justified?
At City Hall, millions greenlighted to upgrade an already top shelf municipal park. But with so many others crumbling and ragged. Is the investment truly justified?
Harris Co. owns half of county toll roads, but you're still paying to use them
Billions of taxpayer dollars paid to drive on roads. The public already owns half Harris County toll roads become a monster piggy bank for politicians and the patronage.
Billions of taxpayer dollars paid to drive on roads. The public already owns half Harris County toll roads become a monster piggy bank for politicians and the patronage.
Harris Co. D.A. OGG proposes plea deals in capital murder cases
In a move that stirred up significant controversy, outgoing Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg has offered scores of capital murder suspects a plea deal - life without parole. That offer to suspects whose cases are more than a year old was labeled unprecedented by courthouse sources who spoke to the Houston Landing. Ogg successor and former employee Sean Teer strongly criticized the action, claiming families of victims may be traumatized when and if perpetrators ultimately plead guilty in exchange for a lesser sentence than life.
In a move that stirred up significant controversy, outgoing Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg has offered scores of capital murder suspects a plea deal - life without parole. That offer to suspects whose cases are more than a year old was labeled unprecedented by courthouse sources who spoke to the Houston Landing. Ogg successor and former employee Sean Teer strongly criticized the action, claiming families of victims may be traumatized when and if perpetrators ultimately plead guilty in exchange for a lesser sentence than life.
Some showing support for CEO murder suspect Luigi Mangione
Fans of 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, praising the privileged murder suspect captured on tape, committing the cold blooded assassination of United HealthCare chief executive Brian Thompson, a father of two. In addition to digital adulation across the internet, Mangione's actions have sparked other, more troubling responses, as in wanted posters bearing the images of other insurance executives and Seattle street art glorifying Mangione and vilifying his target panel.
Fans of 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, praising the privileged murder suspect captured on tape, committing the cold blooded assassination of United HealthCare chief executive Brian Thompson, a father of two. In addition to digital adulation across the internet, Mangione's actions have sparked other, more troubling responses, as in wanted posters bearing the images of other insurance executives and Seattle street art glorifying Mangione and vilifying his target panel.
Biden commutes about 1,500 sentences in biggest single-day act of clemency
Outgoing President Joe Biden continuing to exercise his executive power to pardon crimes and commute existing sentences.
Outgoing President Joe Biden continuing to exercise his executive power to pardon crimes and commute existing sentences.
Trump to use military deportations to fullest extent of the law
President elect Donald Trump confirming he will be preparing to declare a national emergency and plans to use military assets to reverse the Biden "invasion program."
President elect Donald Trump confirming he will be preparing to declare a national emergency and plans to use military assets to reverse the Biden "invasion program."
Gov. Abbott working to mitigate threats from China
Texas Governor Greg Abbott ratcheting up both our state's offense and defense against what he sees as an ongoing security threat from China.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott ratcheting up both our state's offense and defense against what he sees as an ongoing security threat from China.
Trump promising to reinstate military members discharged over COVID vaccine mandate
President elect Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka, posting on X this week that her father is still fully committed to keeping this pledge to the approximately 8,000 service members who chose discharge rather than submit to a mandated COVID vaccine.
President elect Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka, posting on X this week that her father is still fully committed to keeping this pledge to the approximately 8,000 service members who chose discharge rather than submit to a mandated COVID vaccine.