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ERCOT prepping for winter electric demand

The grid operator has been closely watched since mass outages in 2021.

News

Where to go for the holidays in downtown Houston

Downtown transforms into a winter wonderland until Dec. 31.

Things to Do

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's vice-presidential chances

A prolific fundraiser, the border governor is a Trump loyalist.

Politics

Texas kids losing Medicaid insurance in overwhelmed system

Lapsed coverage means kids miss emergency medical care.

John Whitmire to lead Houston in 2024

Whitmire defeated fellow Democrat U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee.

John Whitmire will be Houston&#x27;s new mayor.Driving the news: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Whitmire defeated fellow Democrat U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2023/12/10/election-results-2023-whitmire-jackson-lee" data-vars-content-id="e7d25917-a57b-4647-ac4e-cb2fa85df851" data-vars-headline="John Whitmire to lead Houston in 2024" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2023/12/10/election-results-2023-whitmire-jackson-lee" target="_self">Whitmire defeated fellow Democrat U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee</a> with 128,908 votes (65%) in Saturday&#x27;s runoff.

Houstonians are walking less than pre-pandemic

Walking is good for us, but Houston does it less and less.

There&#x27;s been a staggering decline in the number of trips Houston residents take by putting one foot in front of the other, Axios&#x27; Alex Fitzpatrick and Kavya Beheraj write.Why it matters: Walking is good for us.

Greyhound is moving from Midtown Houston

The depot has been in operation since it was built in 1979.

Greyhound is abandoning its Midtown station for a stop in Houston&#x27;s East End, but not everyone is on board.Driving the news: The long-distance bus operator <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announced on its website" data-vars-click-url="https://www.greyhound.com/bus/houston-tx/houston-bus-station-greyhound" data-vars-content-id="3bedd2bb-edcf-48ff-971f-8adcef81a95a" data-vars-headline="Greyhound is moving from Midtown Houston" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.greyhound.com/bus/houston-tx/houston-bus-station-greyhound" target="_blank">announced on its website</a> this week that service would move from 2121 Main St. to another Greyhound terminal 5 miles away at 7000 Harrisburg Blvd. starting Thursday.

VP Kamala Harris visits Houston for Hispanic outreach event

Politicians highlighted the Biden-Harris administration's support of the Latino community.

Vice President Kamala Harris came to Houston on Monday for a moderated conversation with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.Why it matters: The event was an opportunity for politicians to highlight the Biden-Harris administration&#x27;s efforts to support the Latino community and to appeal to Hispanic voters.

Photo of three women sitting on a stage, in front of multiple USA flags

Houston's Hobby Airport now has a library vending machine

Visitors can stop by the Houston Public Library's Booklink near TSA Screening.

A mini library vending machine is now at William P. Hobby Airport.Driving the news: People visiting Hobby Airport can stop by the Houston Public Library&#x27;s Booklink at the airport&#x27;s entrance, near the escalators and TSA screening.

Photo off a vending machine filled with books. 

John Whitmire elected mayor of Houston

John Whitmire defeated Sheila Jackson Lee with 65% of the vote.

Democratic state Sen. John Whitmire <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="will be the next mayor" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/article/houston-mayor-election-runoff-2023-jackson-whitmire-ddbc4819f5aba2f5a59c56a18ba7078a" data-vars-content-id="3a679f9b-1305-4cd2-b593-e33b5d2f798e" data-vars-headline="John Whitmire elected mayor of Houston" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/article/houston-mayor-election-runoff-2023-jackson-whitmire-ddbc4819f5aba2f5a59c56a18ba7078a" target="_blank">will be the next mayor</a> of Houston.Driving the news: Whitmire won over U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee with 65% of the vote in the runoff election.

Scoop: New surveillance footage in deadly Houston cyclist crash

Hit-and-run investigators can be reached at 713-247-4072.

Houston police are searching for a white sedan in connection with a deadly hit-and-run crash that left 36-year-old cyclist James Midkiff dead in November.Why it matters: Midkiff&#x27;s death is at least the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="16th cyclist fatality" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2023/06/28/houston-bike-deaths-2023" data-vars-content-id="ea4c6130-e3e2-4dcb-a8ab-aa109ffe5884" data-vars-headline="Scoop: New surveillance footage in deadly Houston cyclist crash" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2023/06/28/houston-bike-deaths-2023" target="_self">16th cyclist fatality</a> on Houston streets this year, outpacing 2022&#x27;s total of 11 deaths.

Houston votes for mayor, City Council seats Saturday

The runoff election will determine Houston's next leader.

It&#x27;s not déjà vu — it&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="once again" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2023/11/08/mayoral-race-election-results-updates" data-vars-content-id="4a4be7db-98a3-47be-b81d-b4a1a2a83b73" data-vars-headline="Houston votes for mayor, City Council seats Saturday" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2023/11/08/mayoral-race-election-results-updates" target="_self">once again</a> time to vote for Houston mayor.Driving the news: Voters will decide Saturday whether Texas Sen. John Whitmire or U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee will take the city&#x27;s top job starting in 2024.

United Airlines plans $2.6B terminal renovation

United Airlines is planning a $2.6 billion renovation and expansion of Terminal B at George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

United Airlines is planning a $2.6 billion renovation and expansion of Terminal B at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, but the city controller continues to decline to sign off on funding for the terminal overhaul.Catch up quick: The existing terminal is unable to support United Airlines&#x27; new aircraft and is undersized and outdated, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="city documents" data-vars-click-url="https://www.houstontx.gov/council/committees/econdev/20230531/United-Airlines-Terminal-B-Redevelopment.pdf" data-vars-content-id="72807ee3-5363-4e6c-8e87-b2fcae95eabc" data-vars-headline="United Airlines plans $2.6B terminal renovation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.houstontx.gov/council/committees/econdev/20230531/United-Airlines-Terminal-B-Redevelopment.pdf" target="_blank">city documents</a>.

Houston Avenue construction sparks outcries from safety advocates

Houston Public Works this week started construction adding a center median to Houston Avenue.

Houston Avenue is undergoing some significant traffic changes, and many folks aren&#x27;t happy about it.Driving the news: Houston Public Works this week <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="started construction adding a center median to Houston Avenue" data-vars-click-url="https://www.letstalkhouston.org/houston-avenue-multimodal-improvements" data-vars-content-id="2d5c8ac8-d338-414b-a70a-0cf7f9da575d" data-vars-headline="Houston Avenue construction sparks outcries from safety advocates" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.letstalkhouston.org/houston-avenue-multimodal-improvements" target="_blank">started construction adding a center median to Houston Avenue</a> from Center Street to Memorial Drive.

News 🗞

John Whitmire to lead Houston in 2024

Houstonians are walking less than pre-pandemic

Greyhound is moving from Midtown Houston

VP Kamala Harris visits Houston for Hispanic outreach event

Houston's Hobby Airport now has a library vending machine