Which families are using ESAs? Here’s what we know about Texas’ first school vouchers
The number of Texas students using taxpayer money for private school or home-school could increase as more families accept invites.
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Texas tax-free weekend: What qualifies and what can you buy online
Texas Tax-Free weekend is this Friday through Sunday when you can save on clothing, footwear, and school supplies.
Rice Expands Free Tuition to Families Earning Up to $200,000
Rice University on Monday announced an expansion of its Rice Investment financial aid program that will offer free tuition to students from families earning up to $200,000 a year, starting with students entering in fall 2027. Under the expanded program, Rice said students from fa...
Rice University in Houston to offer free tuition to students from families earning up to $200K
Rice University announced a major expansion of its signature financial aid program, offering free tuition to students from families earning up to $200,000 annually....
Texas schools must tailor outdoor athletic practices based on heat readings in new statewide safety measure
As preseason football workouts kicked off Monday, schools in the Houston area and across the state were required to measure the wet bulb globe temperature and adjust their practices accordingly....
Best back-to-school deals on laptops, dorm decor and more
Shop the best back-to-school deals with school supplies and more starting at just $1.99.
2 Newsletter: New UIL Heat Safety Rules
Good morning, Houston.☀️ Texas school districts are starting the new school year with stricter heat safety standards for outdoor practices, requiring coaches to monitor conditions more closely than ever before. As always, follow us for the latest on Click2Houston.com and watch us...
New UIL heat rules are now in effect. Here's what they mean for Texas football players and marching bands
For generations, football players and marching band members across Texas have spent late summer afternoons practicing in some of the hottest weather of the year. This school year, that could look different. Beginning August 1, every University Interscholastic League (UIL) school ...
Trump overhaul could gut Head Start preschool standards, leaving states to set the rules
President Donald Trump's administration is planning a dramatic overhaul of Head Start that would gut its quality standards, upending the hallmarks of the early education program for impoverished children, two people familiar with the deliberations said. Head Start, established in...
Flock license plate cameras are surging in Texas. So is an anti-surveillance backlash.
The Waco Bridge is a nonprofit local news organization supported by The Texas Tribune, reporting on Waco government, education and community. Sign up for the Bridge’s free newsletter here. A network of little black cameras on tall metal posts has sprouted up across Texas, in big ...
Judge clarifies NCAA eligibility order, which could blunt its impact on new '5 for 5' rule
The judge who granted the right to play another year of college sports to some athletes whose eligibility ran out last school year issued a new order Sunday that makes clear that does not include football players who signed pro contracts this summer then had a change of heart. U....
Tuskegee University requires business suits, bans bonnets and du-rags in new dress code
Tuskegee University is implementing a new dress code requiring students to bring a business suit and dress shoes to campus while banning bonnets, du-rags and other non-religious head coverings in classrooms and cafeterias....
How to find the vaccination rate in your Texas school district
With measles cases rising , some Texas parents are taking a closer look at how protected their school communities are. The good news: you don’t have to guess. Texas school immunization coverage is published using state data, and one tool makes it easy to find your district’s numb...
Women's Professional Baseball League makes a rainy debut in front of enthusiastic crowd
Sarah Hodel and Rachel Koehler arrived at Robin Roberts Stadium more than four hours before the first game of the Women's Professional Baseball League. Once inside, Hodel stopped periodically for pictures as she walked along the concourse. She wanted to savor every moment. “Back ...
Top-ranked high school running back Landen Williams-Callis set to announce commitment
Landen Williams-Callis, a nationally ranked running back and Randle High School senior, is set to announce where he will begin his college football career. Stream the announcement at 6:45 p.m. on ABC13.com....
Why getting your birth certificates ahead of the school year is so important
As families across the Houston area prepare for the first day of school, Saturday became another stop on the back-to-school checklist. Instead of shopping for backpacks or notebooks, hundreds of parents visited Harris County Clerk annexes to pick up one document many schools requ...
University of Texas Tower Shooting: 60 years later
The University of Texas tower shooting, one of the worst campus shootings in American history, happened 60 years ago on Aug. 1, 1966.
Katy residents push for Peek Road improvements
Drivers who use Peek Road in Katy, just south of FM 529, say one stretch has become frustrating. The stretch of Peek Road bottlenecks between Stockdick School Road and Beckendorff Road. View this post on Instagram The nearly mile-long stretch runs directly in front of the Aurora ...
New Texas heat rules could delay or cancel football, band practices this school year
Football and marching band practices across Texas could look very different this school year. Beginning August 1, schools must follow new mandatory heat safety rules that could shorten, delay or even cancel outdoor practices during dangerous heat. This is a major change. The Univ...
How to apply for free or reduced cost meals at Houston ISD schools
The new school year is rapidly approaching and with its arrival, so is the reality of lunches for children. Some families may qualify for free or reduced cost meals for their children at Houston ISD schools, but there is a process to determine and apply for it. Application Famili...
Three Houston-area moms sue over Ten Commandments in schools. They say it violates Texas’ own laws
A 2025 state law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms was upheld last spring by a federal appeals court. Now it's being challenged in a state-level court in Harris County....
New HISD athletics rules start Aug. 1: Here's what you can and can't bring to games
Fans heading to Houston ISD athletic events this school year will need to plan ahead. Starting Aug. 1, HISD is rolling out new security and entry rules for UIL sporting events at district athletic facilities, including a new clear bag policy, student ID requirements and adult sup...
Oprah Winfrey says she will close her school for girls in South Africa next year
Oprah Winfrey says she will close the school for underprivileged girls she set up in South Africa two decades ago at the end of next year. Winfrey opened the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in 2007 after being inspired by conversations with former South African Preside...
How HCU’s high-tech simulation lab is preparing nursing students for in-demand jobs
Nursing is one of the most in-demand career fields, and as Houston’s population continues growing, so do our medical needs. At Houston Christian University, nursing students are preparing for their future careers at the Linda R. Dunham School of Nursing, housed inside The Cullen ...
HISD families should prepare for these back-to-school changes
HISD families should verify campus assignments, transportation information and school meal eligibility before the new school year. Here's what parents need to know about Bluebonnet Learning and other changes....
‘Why here?’: Hockley residents push back against proposed fuel storage terminal near neighborhoods, school
A proposed fuel storage terminal in northwest Harris County is drawing growing opposition from residents who say they’re worried about potential impacts on their health, quality of life and property values. The project, proposed by Magellan Pipeline Company, L.P., now part of ONE...
Community colleges brace for local cuts after Texas funding shortchanges them millions
Texas community college leaders are bracing for cuts because they’re missing out on millions that the schools earned but the state can’t afford to pay....
Bill Belichick says Tar Heels adjusting duties with GM on paid leave and under school investigation
North Carolina coach Bill Belichick opened his second preseason camp Thursday saying the program is adjusting internal duties with general manager Michael Lombardi on paid administrative leave and the subject of a school investigation. “We’re working through some things,” Belichi...
Must-have lunch gear & accessories for back to school 2026
Upgrade your lunch gear with these new accessories for students.
Houston Rockets, Reliant offering free backpacks, school supplies, haircuts and screenings at back-to-school bash
With the first day of school around the corner, Reliant and the Houston Rockets are joining forces to help families get ready. The two organizations will host their fourth annual Back-to-School Bash on Friday, July 31, aiming to serve up to 1,000 students with backpacks and schoo...
Father to be sentenced for murder in Georgia high school shooting carried out by teenage son
Colin Gray admitted to providing the assault rifle used by his then-14-year-old son in the shooting at Apalachee High School, which killed two students and two teachers....
Father who gave his son the gun used in a Georgia high school shooting to be sentenced
A sentencing hearing was underway Thursday for a man who gave his son the gun used to kill two students and two teachers at Apalachee High School in Georgia after he was convicted of second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter. Colin Gray's sentencing comes just days after ...
Teachers claim Cy-Fair ISD restricts classroom wish lists from being shared online
A recent TikTok video caught attention online this week as Houston mother Aly Matei sparked questions about whether teachers in Cy-Fair ISD are allowed to share classroom wish lists online. View this post on Instagram Matei said the issue came to light after she tried to find loc...
Fort Bend ISD parent says school closure led family to leave district ahead of new school year
A Fort Bend ISD parent says the Sugar Mill Elementary closure led her family to enroll at Aristoi Classical Academy. The district previously outlined transition support, but questions remain about enrollment and plans for the closed campus....
Houston-area school districts update e-bike rules ahead of new school year
Katy ISD, Conroe ISD and Barbers Hill ISD have each announced different approaches, but district leaders say the changes are centered on student safety....
Houston Shakespeare Festival is back at Miller Outdoor Theatre with a reimagined lead in “The Tempest”
Whether you love a great Shakespeare play or are looking to spend the rest of the summer days with your family, the University of Houston School of Dance and Theater is returning to the Miller Outdoor Theatre stage with “The Comedy of Errors” and “The Tempest” at this year’s Hous...
Understanding wet bulb globe temperature to discern heat risk
The University Interscholastic League announced new heat safety protocols for high school athletes in Texas, using a measurement called the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature to dictate if weather conditions are deemed safe....
6 players, 4 coaches charged in Cheltenham High School, Pennsylvania football hazing incidents
6 players and 4 coaches were charged in Cheltenham High School, Pennsylvania football hazing incidents.
Texas approves use of new test for public university admissions
Texas public universities may now use the Classic Learning Test when considering students who do not qualify for automatic admission.
Hello Houston (July 29, 2026)
Today: We discuss the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s record investment in Texas students through scholarships, talk with Houston artist Tay Butler about what shapes his work, dispel common misconceptions about organ donation, and more....
Investigation revealed 'devastating' reports of sexual misconduct at school supported by Epstein
Two people who attended a prestigious Michigan fine arts school reported conduct of a sexual nature by Jeffrey Epstein , a major donor, according to an investigation that also uncovered dozens of allegations spanning decades against nearly 50 other people. Interlochen Center for ...
Spring Branch ISD to open Guthrie Center career hub, with real-world training for teens
The Spring Branch Independent School District (SBISD) is preparing to open its new Guthrie Center, a Career and Technical Education (CTE) facility that prepares students for the workforce. View this post on Instagram The new facility, which is scheduled to open for the 2026–27 sc...
University says gunman's terrorism-related history was unknown before campus attack
A report released this week found that law enforcement officials did not inform Old Dominion University of a student’s terrorism-related criminal history before he began shooting at the Virginia campus....
Teacher's mission extends beyond the lesson plan
Lisa Archie inspires confidence in her students, and thanks to the Houston Food Bank, she has access to the school supplies they need to thrive.
Texas Rep. Penny Morales Shaw discusses school funding, AI and resources for student families
Texas State Representative Penny Morales Shaw addressed questions about education funding, artificial intelligence, and resources available to families during a recent community briefing focused on youth issues. During the briefing, Morales Shaw responded to questions about the s...
Harris County Clerk to hold Saturday birth certificate event to help families get ready for school
With the first day of school around the corner, the Harris County Clerk’s Office is opening its doors on a weekend to help parents and guardians check a key item off their back-to-school list: securing a certified birth certificate for student registration. The office will host i...
Some schools installing pepper-spraying drones to help stop active school shooters
Some American schools are now turning to a hi-tech drones to combat active shooters.
The week in politics (July 29, 2026)
On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup. And we reflect on the role the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee had on Houston and the city’s desegregation more than 50 years ago....
A new media ecosystem is taking root on the left, reshaping Democratic politics
Farah Berent, a teacher in Michigan, used to learn about politics from channels like ABC, CBS and CNN. But that changed as she decided that coverage of the war in Gaza was irreparably biased. "I couldn’t stand all the lies on the stations,″ she said, arguing that there wasn't eno...
Fort Bend ISD approves adding cellphone towers near several schools
Some Fort Bend ISD parents are worried about health impacts with cellphone towers going to school properties, while some experts caution the impacts are unknown....
New York school pauses plan to deploy humanlike AI robot teacher after backlash
A school district in a rural corner of upstate New York is hitting pause on plans to deploy an AI-powered, humanoid robot in the classroom after state education officials, teachers and local residents raised concerns, including the maker's ties to a company that produces hyper re...
Texas hot temperatures: UIL issues new heat safety guidelines for high school athletes, marching bands
The latest move comes after several heat-related tragedies for Texas athletes.
Trump officials launch probe of 2 school districts over alleged testosterone vials, kissing exercise
The U.S. Department of Education said Tuesday it was investigating allegations that a high school teacher in the Denver school district required students of the same sex to kiss in front of a class and a district in Washington state displayed vials of testosterone in a Pride mont...
Jordanian athlete found safe near Chicago after leaving Rice University in the night, school says
Rabe’e Ata Juma’a Alqaq, who was in Houston to compete in the Genuine Cup at Rice University, reportedly traveled to Chicago of his own accord after telling his team he was going for a walk....
Teen gets life in prison without parole for killing 4 at Georgia’s Apalachee High School
A judge on Tuesday sentenced a teenager who killed two students and two teachers in a shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia to serve life in prison without the possibility of parole. Colt Gray, 16, had pleaded guilty Friday to 55 counts, including murder, in the Sept. 4, 2...
Katy ISD approves developing virtual high school for students in and outside of district
Details for the new school haven't been released, but ABC13 learned that students who don't live in Katy can also apply to the program.
Back-to-school sleep reset: Houston experts say now is the time to get kids back on schedule
If your kids have been staying up late and sleeping in all summer, sleep experts say it’s time to reset their routine before the first day of school. Waiting until the night before school starts to move bedtime earlier is one of the biggest mistakes parents can make, according to...
Universities to detail progress on new Texas law that increased state scrutiny of colleges
Texas university leaders on Tuesday will share their progress and challenges in carrying out a new state law that gives governor-appointed regents more control over what students learn. A Texas Senate committee will hear invited testimony only. However, students and professors wh...
Jordanian athlete missing hours after arriving at Rice University campus
A search is underway for a foreign athlete with cerebral palsy who went missing hours after arriving at Rice University to compete in a soccer tournament....
Katy ISD sets new framework on artificial intelligence use in classrooms
Leaders at Katy Independent School District say they've established a framework for the use of artificial intelligence in classrooms for the upcoming school year....