There’s nothing like a rescued pet.
2024 was one for the ages. Make a journey again down reminiscence lane on the strangest headlines of the yr.
Searching for the weirdest Houston information of 2025? Come be part of us right here.
Banning Books
Katy ISD is conserving issues attention-grabbing with its newest transfer to ban a number of basic books. From A Clockwork Orange to Depraved (no, significantly), 14 of literature’s best hits have met the axe this college yr. Whether or not it’s dystopian futures or the wild complexities of rising up, these books are getting sidelined, leaving everybody questioning what’s subsequent within the district’s literary liquidation lineup.
Pissy Issues
In additional college drama, a Conroe ISD first-grade instructor was proven the door after limiting restroom entry as a punishment. Some children had been left sitting of their dirty garments, so their dad and mom weren’t about to let this one get flushed away. It’s protected to say this instructor’s days of holding onto the potty move are over.
Shooter Outrage
Senator Ted Cruz shouldn’t be precisely thrilled by the web fan membership that’s shaped for Luigi Mangione, the man alleged to have taken down former UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. After Mangione’s arrest at a McDonald’s, some critics of massive insurance coverage celebrated his alleged actions, which Cruz slammed on X as “tragic & sick.” Appears one man has sparked reactions throughout the nation, even from one of many nation’s most controversial figures.
A Courageous Pup
Slightly Chihuahua had a ruff day on the Houston Botanic Backyard on Black Friday. The pooch took a leap of religion and ended up stranded on a bridge. Fortunately, heroic firefighters got here to the rescue, diving into motion to avoid wasting the day. The canine’s try to flee was an actual nail-biter, however in the long run, it was all pawsitive. Let’s hope this little pup learns to remain on its leash and out of bother subsequent time!
Houston has a brand new favourite animal attraction!
Citations Gone Viral
Greater than 150 Katy residents discovered some frequent floor after they realized they had been all ticketed by the identical officer at a neighborhood intersection. The scene outdoors the courthouse was straight out of a sitcom, as TikTok captured a lineup of drivers evaluating an identical tales of stoplight struggles. This officer clearly takes his job very significantly.
Moo Deng, Who?
The Houston Zoo has a recent face waddling in—Akobi, a 477-pound pygmy hippo, now calls our metropolis residence. With a becoming title meaning “firstborn” in Yoruba, he’s settling into his new Texas digs as the one pygmy in H-City. Although the hippo world’s newest celeb, Moo Deng, has gone viral these previous couple months, Akobi would possibly simply steal the highlight.
Going Nowhere
Appears like easy crusing hit a snag when a hearth on the Regal Princess cruise ship compelled vacationers to be port-locked for every week. Many who had booked a Caribbean getaway needed to cancel their journey whereas remaining excessive and dry in Galveston. A lot for a tropical vacay.
Texas Traditions
In Texas, homecoming isn’t only a dance—it’s virtually an excessive sport of flower energy. Houston teenagers and oldsters are dropping severe money on the outsized and bedazzled mums, with some households spending properly over $1,000 for a memorable senior yr splash. Oh, to be younger and excited.
Simply add lemon.
Olive Bandits
Houston’s olive oil aficionados are in a slippery state of affairs after some artful thieves made off with 200,000 bottles of the great things, leaving the enterprise neighborhood a bit shaken. The oil-loving scoundrels lined their pockets (and, maybe, their salads) with a $2.5 million stash of natural olive oil, straight from a neighborhood warehouse. Who knew natural oil was that precious?
Hello, No Fly Record
A smuggler tried to roll into Houston by way of IAH with 26 kilos of cocaine cleverly tucked into an electrical wheelchair. They had been swiftly caught after customs brokers seen the seat cushions had been a little bit too comfortable, making certain $850,000 value of the unlawful substance doesn’t hit the streets. However, actually, what a plan!
Wondrous Methods
Seems Texans quarterback C. J. Stroud’s landing move towards the Jaguars was a matter of divine intervention—or not less than some well-timed non secular steerage. Stroud credited a sermon he heard the evening earlier than about pushing by way of the mud to achieve the miracle. With 18 seconds on the clock, he channeled that gritty knowledge to drag off a game-winning landing and maintain the Texans atop the AFC South.
Citrusy Twist
Houston’s water is presently giving residents a style of the outside, and never in a great way. A musty, earthy taste has been invading faucets due to what Houston Public Works calls “naturally occurring compounds.” Town’s answer? Simply add some lemon. Individuals shouldn’t have to show their kitchens into makeshift cocktail bars to make their water extra palatable, however that is Houston, in any case.
Discovering issues within the sky.
The Plot Thickens
Katy ISD is again at it, now eyeing a ban on books in elementary and junior excessive colleges that dare to flirt with the concept of gender fluidity. Final yr the district rolled out a lavatory and locker room coverage that’s nonetheless beneath federal investigation. Appears the varsity board’s sequel to such a hot-button concern continues to stir the pot on this fast-growing Houston suburb.
Boo Who?
A Texas lady acquired spooked in additional methods than one when her ghost tour information really ghosted her. After reserving a spooooky Galveston tour by way of a third-party web site, she and her good friend discovered themselves on an eerie journey with no information in sight. When she shared her story on-line, different ghoulish experiences had been unearthed. Some of us claimed to see guides vanish into skinny air, whereas others had been led by some who appeared extra misplaced than the spirits they sought.
Contact Down
The Houston Texans lately pulled off a nail-biting win. Coach DeMeco Ryans fired up his receivers, who gave him the “we’ve acquired this” nod. Positive sufficient, C. J. Stroud launched an ideal move to Nico Collins, who snagged it simply in time. In a heartwarming second, Ryans ecstatically celebrated with a headset toss on the sidelines like a child in a sweet retailer.
Sky Laser Tag
Houston’s acquired a shiny thought—simply the incorrect sort of mild. We’ve unofficially turn into the laser-pointer capital of Texas. The FAA shouldn’t be amused, and neither are pilots immediately blinded by shiny inexperienced beams with the 266 incidents of locals pointing laser objects on the sky. Please cease, individuals.
Political Phantom
Be careful, Houston, there is a new star on the town! Woodlands board member Richard Franks would possibly simply be the last word multitasker—a political powerhouse by day and a singing sensation by evening. The township trustee has made the theater his second workplace performing in performs like South Pacific and even moonlighting because the Phantom (of The Opera fame) at govt occasions. Speak about hidden abilities.
Black Excellence
Simone Biles simply cartwheeled throughout Trump’s bizarre “Black jobs” remark with a gold-medal-level clapback. After dominating on the Olympics (once more), the GOAT of gymnastics took a break from flipping by way of the air to handle the previous president’s controversial statements. After snagging her sixth gold in Paris, she joked on X about her “Black job” whereas rocking some severe bling—significantly, an precise diamond-encrusted goat necklace. You simply gotta love our hometown hero.
Meals Struggle
Houston’s hip-hop legend and burger mogul, Bun B, has thrown down the meat mallet within the nice Southern meals smackdown. He says that whereas Atlanta might need the fancy-pantsy joints, the meals, sadly, lacks soul. Let’s be actual: the rapper instructed no lies. With Michelin guides increasing to Texas and TikTok foodies like Keith Lee making pilgrimages to the Bayou Metropolis, it’s clear H-City’s meals scene is the place the actual taste’s at. The Southern culinary wars of 2024 may flip spicy, however we’re simply right here for the tea.
No extra hurricane insanity, please.
Flickering Fury
Houston went from lit to lit-erally darkish after Hurricane Beryl and folks had been, properly, fairly cranky. Whereas CenterPoint Power claimed to be working as quick because it may, the AC-less individuals weren’t having it—which is comprehensible, since Houston was hotter than habanero scorching sauce. Not solely was the facility firm getting roasted on-line, a brand new graffiti with the phrase “CenterPointLess” discovered its approach onto a wall beneath I-10. Guess Houstonians actually instructed ’em, huh.
Whata-Energy
Beryl’s blackout in Houston had individuals scrambling for solutions, however who knew the hero could be…Whataburger? Seems the fast-food chain’s app turned a shock energy outage map—shiny orange lights over a location meant you had been good to go. We guess that didn’t assist the drive-through traces, although.
Dine in Darkness
Houston eating places acquired served…darkness, that’s, because of Hurricane Beryl. Now, lawsuit-loving lawyer Tony Buzbee has rounded up greater than 100 restaurant house owners who’re feeling burnt out by the blackout and is hoping to hit CenterPoint the place it hurts: its pockets. Might this class motion lawsuit be the one method to get the facility firm to get its act collectively earlier than the following storm rolls by way of?
Chew-Dimension Issues
The hurricane could have left, however the get together’s simply getting began for an entire new bunch of uninvited friends—mosquitoes! Due to all of the leftover puddles, these tiny vampires are multiplying sooner than you’ll be able to swat them. The bloodsuckers are all over the place and disease-carrying, so earlier than you head outdoors, bear in mind to swimsuit up and spray down such as you’re embarking right into a rainforest.
Reptile Rescue
Mont Belvieu’s animal management Division acquired an actual jawbreaker of a case when a monstrous, 12-foot alligator discovered itself caught in a ditch. To wrap up the state of affairs in a snap, Houston Public Works introduced in a grapple truck to elevate the jaw-some reptile into the car, all whereas it was chilling in a cylinder. Fortunately, the poor “little” man will probably be again residence within the bayou quickly.
Rank Yanked
In a twist extra jarring than a pop quiz, Fort Bend ISD abruptly valedictorian-swapped at two excessive colleges. A Marshall’s Excessive College valedictorian now finds herself ranked no. 48 at Elkins—the place she’s by no means even set foot. The coverage mandated college students be ranked at their zoned colleges even when they attended others, to dissuade perceived grade-grubbing antics. Overlook senioritis, these graduates are rightfully rage-filled.
Feline Frenzy
A feral 37-cat colony determined to buy until they drop close to First Colony Mall. These furry squatters even turned the meals courtroom into their private buffet line—the catalyst for a purr-gressive new program to entice, neuter, and vaccinate extra felines citywide. However Sugar Land wants extra volunteers to assist wrangle these feline residents. So, in case you’re trying to lend a paw, don’t be a scaredy cat—signal as much as be a neighborhood cat caretaker.
Class Acts
Tomball Excessive College seniors glazed over the everyday end-of-year prank and determined to do deed as a substitute. They ditched the stale hijinks of the previous and raised a ton of dough for Champion Donuts, their favourite breakfast spot. The house owners had been shocked when the scholars rolled up with an enormous examine to assist them by way of the summer time droop. Kudos to those seniors who’re leaving a candy legacy of giving again to the neighborhood.
Urn-believable Discovery
An area beachcombing virtuoso picked up a shiny yellow container hidden within the dunes at Bolivar Peninsula pondering it was an outdated kitchen canister. After a better look, she realized it was an urn, probably containing ashes. Regardless of the preliminary shell shock, the Houstonian is now on a mission to reunite this vessel with its rightful proprietor.
Fish Out of Water
A League Metropolis resident reeled in a whopper of a shock: a catfish cruising down Major Road. The slippery fellow was discovered chillin’ by the gutter, removed from its typical aquatic quarters. Fortunately, Public Works scooped up the surprisingly resilient fish earlier than it ended up flattened into avenue sushi.
Water You Saying?
Queen Bey’s mama and a horde of different locals got here to Galveston’s protection after one Charles Barkley threw some shade on its not-so-crystal-clear waters. Although the previous athlete backtracked with an apology, the entire thing became a splashy social media debate—is the water soiled or misunderstood? Don’t fear, issues have been cleared up; we now know the brown hue is extra nutrient-rich than ick issue and completely protected for swimming, thanks very a lot.
Overcast Oops
Houstonians had excessive hopes for the 2024 photo voltaic eclipse, however Mom Nature had different plans. Whereas fortunate Texans in different cities acquired a glimpse of the solar’s grand disappearance, Houstonians had been left staring on the clouds, which saved the large reveal beneath wraps. Native social media feeds had been stormed with an array of posts in regards to the less-than-spectacular cosmic occasion. A minimum of NASA reside streamed it.
Floppy Chook
Turkey Leg Hut appears to have hit a little bit of a wing snag as proprietor Nakia Holmes filed for chapter in March. This comes after a tough patch for the restaurant, together with a hearth and a really public squabble along with her ex-husband and former co-owner, Lynn Value. Regardless of the current feather-ruffling, the native staple remains to be serving its well-known leggy meals.
Phallus Surprises
A fancy River Oaks apartment advanced has a peculiar luxurious perk—a swimming pool formed in a fashion that leaves little to the creativeness. Some say it was a salty contractor’s revenge, whereas others declare it’s merely a product of the architect’s wild creativity. Regardless of the cause, one factor’s for certain: it’s certain to make a splash… actually!
Cuddle Central
A brand new purr-dise has opened its doorways in Katy Asian City. Cat Haven Lounge lets guests mingle with rescue cats whereas having fun with the comfy environment and free Wi-Fi. This new enterprise goals to sort out cat overpopulation by pairing cute adoptables with keen pet seekers. It’s a win-win for everybody.
Crash Comedy
An area automotive dealership’s advertising technique simply shifted gears into excessive pun drive. Central Nissan Houston’s TikToks present hilarious (however hopefully faux) accidents that magically remodel into automotive gross sales pitches. From mishaps on gurneys to motorcyclists assembly their match with potholes, every calamity seamlessly transitions right into a pitch for a brand-new Nissan. Appears the dealership’s comedic strategy is steering them towards success.
Hollywood in Katy?
The suburban streets of Katy witnessed an surprising ensemble of superstar voters, together with Drake, 50 Cent, Chris Brown, Trey Songz, and The Sport, all harmoniously registered to a single modest beige home, a Houston Chronicle investigation discovered. Although the householders had been baffled by the A-list registrations, it was seemingly orchestrated by an unknown prankster armed solely with authorized names and birthdates. Regardless of the Hollywood hoopla, not one of the artists solid ballots, leaving the prank extra like a chart-topping flop.
Feathered Fiasco
It’s now not a stroll within the park for residents of the Heathwood neighborhood within the Memorial space. Locals stroll their canine with warning, fearing not muggers or miscreants however quite the colourful menace of peacocks lurking of their midst. From vandalizing property to horrifying kids, these feathered fiends have been inflicting havoc whereas regularly multiplying. Better of luck to these poor residents.
Yarn vs. Chainsaw
There’s an enormous struggle brewing on Montrose Boulevard as residents are mad a couple of plan to repair up the sidewalks and drainage, which might imply chopping down some outdated bushes. Locals staged a artful protest, wrapping mature reside oak bushes in “yarn graffiti” to avoid wasting them from elimination. The knotty dispute nonetheless has neighbors divided over whether or not to embrace change or protect the neighborhood’s quirky allure.
Shucked Up
Houstonians shelled out persistence together with a couple of bucks for chargrilled oysters over the weekend, enduring traces longer than a Texas freeway throughout rush hour. Strategically positioned throughout from Turkey Leg Hut, a pop-up sizzled with drama as Lynn Value, freshly booted from his earlier gig because the Third Ward staple’s cofounder, showcased distinctive creations that brought on a weekend frenzy. Some clients had been left questioning if Value was making an attempt to stir the pot together with his new enterprise, proper subsequent door to his former enterprise companion—and ex-wife. Just a few days later, the Turkey Leg Hut workplace caught fireplace.
No Want for Pace
In a unusual quest to curb rushing alongside Chimney Rock Highway, Houston resident Mark Gardner has turned his entrance yard into a makeshift pace entice, armed with a radar gun and a Wi-Fi-enabled dashcam on a wood stand. He created the DIY pace zone to doc the daredevils breezing by way of his neighborhood at alarming pace, importing the edited footage to YouTube. Appears Gardner goes the additional mile to place the brakes on reckless driving.
Canine Automotive-nage
In a story—or ought to we are saying, tail?—of automotive chaos, a dealership within the Cypress space confronted a ruff state of affairs when two stray canine went on a car-shredding spree, forsaking a hefty invoice of over $350,000 in damages. With the cute canine culprits now in custody, the dealership crew seems ahead to a future the place the one scratches are on paperwork, not vehicles.
Drippy Drama
Speak about a leaky protection! The Houston climate determined to hitch the pre-game festivities at NRG Stadium earlier than the Nationwide Championship sport between Michigan and Washington in January, inflicting fairly a splash as rain leaked into the world. Twister warnings added a twist to the already eventful day, with some joking that even the climate was throwing a number of twists into the storyline. Regardless of the watery chaos, Michigan managed to win the sport with a 21-point lead.
Cupid’s Cuffs
Love is within the air, however so are warrants in Brazoria County. In a not-so-heartwarming transfer, the native constable’s workplace is taking part in cupid with a Valentine’s Day particular for these with excellent warrants. They’re providing a “Wednesday Evening Particular” full with what the constable is looking “a enjoyable trip in a flowery automotive (with lights!),” a keep in “luxurious lodging,” plus a “fancy set of bracelets”—we’re curious who will probably be falling for that.
Ban Backlash
In an act towards the ban on cellphones at HISD’s Madison Excessive College, college students staged a call-to-action by strolling out a number of days in early February. They had been united of their quest for a extra complete answer to the underlying points with superintendent Mike Miles’s new insurance policies, decided to ring in change and never let their issues be placed on maintain. The conflict left the varsity caught in a communication breakdown with no fast decision in sight.
Excessive-Finish Hell
Upscale dwelling turns into apartment chaos in a complicated Galleria townhouse haven as residents report wild intercourse events and violence at an Airbnb. The short-term lease property has led to neighbors coping with filth, blocked driveways, gun-toting weed people who smoke, and even balcony bonanzas within the type of Monday morning balcony sexcapades.
A Tiger’s Story
This one took us roaring down reminiscence lane: In spring 2021, a 9-month-old mischievous Bengal tiger named India took an informal stroll down a residential Houston avenue, inflicting a wild uproar and triggering a regionwide search. The large cat’s story had a paw-sitively wild twist: he was owned by a homicide suspect. Sadly we reached the tail finish of India’s journey in December 2023, as he handed away at a wildlife sanctuary in north Texas. One factor is definite: the once-roaming tiger undoubtedly left an unforgettable paw mark on Houston.
Set off-Sad New 12 months’s Eve
Getting ready to wrap up 2023, Houston officers fired up a plea: Please, for the love of God, don’t shoot your celebration into the air. Houston Police Chief Troy Finner warned towards trigger-happy antics, with officers, marked and unmarked, able to rain on the parade. From what we heard, it appeared not all Houstonians adopted these tips, however let’s hope for a bulletproof 2024.
Covert Ghosting
Houston leaders discovered themselves at the hours of darkness as Greyhound’s plan to shut its downtown hub and relocate to a smaller terminal within the East Finish blindsided them. The transportation firm’s covert transfer, missing metropolis approval, irked officers, who deemed Greyhound “dangerous neighbors.” Marvel if vacationers knew in regards to the abrupt change or had been simply ghosted?
Bizarre Houston information from 2023
Jazzed-Up Jubilee
Houstonians had been handled to an explosive thriller as dazzling fireworks lit up the sky on October 28, sparking a social media frenzy. The lavish affair turned out to be the grand finale of River Oaks Nation Membership’s Nineteen Twenties-themed centennial celebration. The soiree featured an elephant, a Champagne tower, a reside band, and extra.
Takeoff Meet-Cute
There was high-flying drama at Pastime Airport as two non-public planes had a not-so-friendly tango on the tarmac on November 22. A taxiing aircraft from Pennsylvania bumped as much as a parked jet from Down Below, leaving them in a nose-to-wing embrace. This rom-com sequel got here simply weeks after a earlier collision that turned Pastime into a quick airport shutdown theater.
Heavenly Hysteria
A Frontier Airways flight became a holy curler coaster on November 21 when a passenger claimed she’d been kidnapped and possessed. Chaos ensued at 30,000 toes with shouts, seat-climbing acrobatics, and even a mid-air gospel live performance. The heavenly harmonies didn’t pacify the unruly passenger, resulting in a diversion to Dallas for her dramatic exit. The airline remained tight-lipped in regards to the celestial disturbance, leaving passengers to marvel if flying had taken an surprising detour by way of the Twilight Zone.
Cat-astrophe averted!
In a purr-plexing story at Lake Conroe, a Kingswood resident reeled in additional than he bargained for. Wrapping up a day of catfishing on November 29, he noticed a feline good friend in a fishy state of affairs beneath the FM 1097 bridge. The poor kitty was floating and barely clinging to life. The savior rescued the kitty, who needed to have used up a few lives drifting alongside. Now, the little daredevil is recovering with the fisherman’s household, hoping to discover a ceaselessly residence.
SMS Shocker
All aboard a wild eviction drama. Railway Heights Market took a detour and rebranded as Junction HTX, however the actual twist was the distributors getting an abrupt eviction textual content. The once-promising meals corridor hit a significant derailment, leaving distributors flipping out. In a bittersweet ending, a tenant hosted an eviction get together, grilling burgers for the final hurrah. Is that this the tip of the road for Junction HTX, or only a cease on the way in which to extra culinary chaos?
Robo Roadblock
The beta testing of self-driving Cruise vehicles in Houston hit a pace bump when malfunctioning site visitors lights left a line of autonomous autos caught at a Montrose intersection. Whereas human-driven vehicles obeyed the police’s instructions, the driverless ones appeared oblivious, resulting in a humorous standoff. The autos ultimately cleared the intersection, nevertheless it appears the autonomous future nonetheless has a number of quirks to work out.
Liquid Chaos
From a modest trickle of water emerged a completely fledged fountain on a Heights avenue, almost turning a number of inland properties into waterfront properties. Metropolis staff took a whopping 4 hours after the geyser appeared to sort out this aquatic spectacle. Residents had been coping with this water line break for over every week, flooding the cellphone traces with studies, nevertheless it took dialing the mayor and their native councilwoman to get it fastened.
Caught Truck
A white Dodge pickup truck has been lodged in Buffalo Bayou since final November. The truck, which has since been spray-painted and even hosted an alligator gar, belonged to a then-missing particular person whose physique was later pulled from the water close by. Difficult entry and bureaucratic confusion delayed the truck’s elimination, leaving it as a particular fixture.
Thriller Prankster
Somebody in Houston unleashed their inside comic by reprogramming a digital signal on Westheimer and Montrose to show a, err, cheeky message: “Go Fuck Your self.” Social media customers, having fun with the humorous twist on their morning commute, couldn’t assist however applaud the boldness. It was the speak of the city all day, leaving authorities perplexed as to who was behind this witty stunt.
