Category: CNN Regional

By Burt Levine

Click here for updates on this story

    September 29, 2026 (Houston Style Magazine) — When Harris County voters begin casting early ballots on Monday, October 19, one of the county’s least flashy—but most consequential—contests will be waiting near the end of the ballot: Harris Central Appraisal District Board of Directors, At-Large Place 3. Incumbent Ericka McCrutcheon is seeking re-election in a three-candidate race against Cristin Moses and Jesus Nieto. The contest is officially nonpartisan and open to voters countywide.

The office may not generate the headlines of governor, Congress or U.S. Senate races, but its work touches the pocketbooks of homeowners, renters, businesses and local governments across Harris County. HCAD says it appraises approximately 1.9 million parcels with a combined market value approaching $905 billion and serves more than 600 taxing units. Those appraisals help form the taxable-value side of the property-tax equation, while cities, counties, school districts and other taxing entities set their own tax rates.

“The Harris County Appraisal District Board of Directors shouldn’t be skipped,” McCrutcheon said, arguing that stability, transparency and accountability matter in an agency whose work affects property owners across the county. She emphasizes that the board does not set tax rates, but oversees the appraisal district’s governance and administration while taxpayers retain statutory rights to exemptions, notices and appraisal protests.

McCrutcheon won the newly created elected Place 3 seat in the June 2024 runoff and began serving July 1, 2024, when Harris County joined other large Texas counties in seating elected members on appraisal-district boards. The change followed statewide voter approval of Proposition 4 in 2023, which added elected directors in counties with populations of 75,000 or more.

Her résumé stretches beyond the boardroom. McCrutcheon is president of The Dunamis Group, LLC, a commercial and residential general contracting company; a licensed Realtor; a civic-club leader; and a co-pastor and church administrator at Joint Heirs Fellowship Church. She says those roles have given her a front-row view of how property values influence families, neighborhoods, businesses and long-term community stability.

“It is critical we listen to property owners and families that have lived on property in Harris County,” McCrutcheon said, describing fair and accurate appraisals as an issue of public trust. That theme is likely to resonate in a county where rising property values can mean growing equity for some owners while also creating anxiety over affordability and tax bills.

For voters, the takeaway is simple: finish the ballot. Democracy is not only shaped by the contests at the top; it is also shaped by the public bodies that quietly influence schools, neighborhoods, public services and household finances.

The voter-registration deadline for the November 3 General Election is Monday, October 5. Early voting runs October 19 through October 30, and Election Day is Tuesday, November 3. Houston Style Magazine encourages eligible citizens to confirm their registration, review their sample ballot and make an informed choice in every race.

HarrisVotes.com

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Kierra Lee
KIELEESTYLE@GMAIL.COM
3465287733

By Francis Page Jr.

Click here for updates on this story

    September 29, 2026 (Houston Style Magazine) — Gold was more than a color at the Gilded & Golden Gala — it was the mood, the moment and the perfect backdrop as Houston Arts Alliance celebrated 20 dazzling years of championing the city’s creative spirit.

Held September 26 at the stylish Thompson Houston, the black-tie affair welcomed a sophisticated mix of artists, philanthropists, civic leaders and cultural tastemakers for an evening where Houston glamour met artistic purpose.

Co-chaired by Leigh Smith and S. Shawn Stephens, with ABC13’s Rita Garcia returning as emcee, the celebration sparkled from arrival to final toast as guests embraced the evening’s “Golden Glamour” spirit in grand fashion.

At the center of the evening was Houston native and entertainment icon Debbie Allen, honored as the Golden Trailblazer Honoree for her extraordinary influence across dance, television, film, directing, choreography and arts education. Allen made a memorable entrance escorted by investment banker and philanthropist Andy Moran, creating one of the evening’s most elegant society moments.

photo Houston ARTS Alliance 2026 GALA Group

Also taking center stage was H-E-B, recognized as the Community Legacy Honoree for its support of Houston Arts Alliance’s Resilience and Recovery Program, an initiative designed to help Houston’s arts community prepare for, respond to and recover from moments of disruption.

Beyond the gowns, tuxedos and golden glow, the gala carried a deeper significance. For two decades, Houston Arts Alliance has helped shape the city’s cultural identity through arts grants, public art, creative initiatives and community investment.

Houston Arts Alliance CEO Taylor Jackson has framed the 20th anniversary as both a celebration of shared accomplishments and a call to expand opportunity, strengthen creative livelihoods and build a more resilient cultural sector for Houston’s next chapter.

For Houston Style Magazine, the evening was quintessential Houston — stylish, diverse, generous and unapologetically creative.

After 20 years, Houston Arts Alliance is not simply celebrating its history. It is stepping confidently into its next chapter — polished, purposeful and, quite appropriately, gilded in gold.

Learn more: houstonartsalliance.com/gala

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Kierra Lee
KIELEESTYLE@GMAIL.COM
3465287733

By Lisa Valadez

Click here for updates on this story

    Septemer 29, 2026 (Houston Style Magazine) — Harris County Precinct 4 will launch its new regional tourism initiative this fall with the inaugural Find Your Four Alief Block Party, a free celebration of Alief’s food, music, art and culture. The event is set for Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Amity Park and will kick off the Find Your Four Block Party Series, led by Commissioner Lesley Briones. Find Your Four connects residents and visitors with more than 3,000 events, attractions, restaurants and accommodations across Precinct 4. The initiative aims to increase visibility for small businesses and hotels, drive foot traffic and generate local revenue. With more than 600 attractions, 300 hotels and 2,000 restaurants, Precinct 4 offers a wide range of experiences. The Alief block party will bring that tourism effort into the community, putting the neighborhood’s local food, culture, arts and entertainment in the spotlight.

The initiative comes as Briones approaches four years in office, during which her administration has focused on public safety, public health, infrastructure, flood resilience and disaster readiness and response. Briones has advocated for and delivered a county budget focused on maintaining critical services, strengthening public safety and investing in working families.

photo Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lislie Briones

Public Safety and Community Programs Under her tenure, law enforcement agency pay parity efforts have helped reduce deputy turnover by 54 percent. The HART Program, a mental health diversion program that connects people in crisis with resources while allowing law enforcement officers to focus on violent crime, was expanded in the FY27 budget. The program has responded to more than 32,000 calls since its launch. The RISE Program, which sends trusted community members to interrupt violence before it starts, was also expanded in the FY27 budget and has engaged 24,500 residents since its start.

Briones also secured a record $3.4 million investment in the FY27 budget for the Domestic Violence Assistance Fund, which provides unrestricted financial assistance to survivors.

Health Care and Food Access Briones’ office has also focused on expanding access to health care and nutritious food, two areas where access remains a challenge for communities across Texas. State health officials have identified barriers to health care access as an ongoing concern, while federal research shows that some communities face significant barriers to reaching healthy and affordable food retailers. Against that backdrop, Harris County Public Health’s mobile clinical and dental units have provided services to 55,000 patients, bringing health care directly into communities. Other efforts include the Baylor Teen Health Clinic and the Mom + Baby Mobile Unit.

Food access has also been addressed through community food distributions with Common Market, Second Servings and La Tiendita. The effort is particularly relevant in neighborhoods where residents may face barriers to accessing quality, affordable food. The USDA notes that limited access to healthy and affordable food can be influenced by factors including distance to stores, transportation and household resources. Together, the health care and food access efforts represent a focus on bringing essential services and resources closer to residents, particularly in communities where access can be more difficult.

Workforce Development The Apprenticeship Advantage Program has placed a focus on creating pathways to good-paying jobs for trade graduates. More than 1,800 residents have participated in the program, with 83 percent identified as minorities and 59 percent coming from some of Harris County’s most vulnerable areas. The average first-year apprentice earns $22 per hour, with participants reporting a 40 percent increase in salary before entering the program. Briones has also supported a living wage policy establishing a $21.65 minimum wage for contract workers and a $20 minimum wage for county employees. The policy now extends to Harris Center employees.

Infrastructure and Flood Resilience Infrastructure and flood resilience have remained additional areas of focus. The Sidewalks 4 Precinct 4 and Crosswalks 4 Precinct 4 initiatives have resulted in 119 new or refurbished crosswalks and more than 82 miles of new sidewalks. The precinct also cites nearly 250 flood mitigation projects countywide, efforts to strengthen Harris County’s flood warning system and backup generators at community centers to serve residents during disasters.

The Find Your Four initiative adds a regional tourism focus to Briones’ broader work in Precinct 4, connecting community, economic opportunity and quality-of-life investments across the county.

Harris County Commissioner Leslie Briones

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Kierra Lee
KIELEESTYLE@GMAIL.COM
3465287733

By Francis Page Jr.

Click here for updates on this story

    September 29, 2026 (Houston Style Magazine) — Houston loves big numbers. Population. Jobs. Construction. Business growth. But on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, some of the numbers that matter most will tell the story of the people increasingly shaping Houston’s economic future.

The Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (HHCC) will present its 2026 The State of Hispanics – Data Summit & Business Expo, bringing together more than 400 leaders from business, academia, government and civic organizations from 3:00–5:00 p.m. at Hilton Americas–Houston, 1600 Lamar Street.

Think of it as Houston’s Hispanic economic story—with receipts.

Data That Goes Deeper What makes the Summit particularly valuable is its foundation of research. HHCC has assembled an extensive collection of data resources that allows attendees and Houston decision-makers to examine Hispanic influence from multiple angles.

Among them is The State of the Hispanic Vote in Texas, examining an increasingly consequential segment of the state’s electorate. Research from Dr. Jeronimo Cortina, Associate Professor and Associate Director of the University of Houston’s Center for Mexican American Studies, includes 2024 Texas Trends and an examination of Hispanics in Corporate Boards.

The economic picture is expanded through Lopez Negrete Communications’ Economic Impact of Latinos in Houston, while Dr. Pablo Pinto, Director of the Center for Public Policy at the University of Houston’s Hobby School of Public Affairs, contributes research examining The State of Hispanics in Houston.

HHCC’s resource library reaches even further, incorporating research on the economic impact of DACA, NAFTA and international trade, and Telemundo’s Hispanic Impact Summit data.

Together, the resources offer something more valuable than a collection of statistics: context.

Laura Murillo: Data Into Opportunity For Dr. Laura Murillo, President & CEO of the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, understanding Hispanic Houston isn’t simply about representation. It is increasingly fundamental to understanding the region’s marketplace.

Murillo has described corporate engagement with the Hispanic community as “an economic and business imperative,” emphasizing the enormous opportunity businesses have to better understand and serve a large and loyal consumer market.

That philosophy sits squarely at the heart of the Summit: measure the community’s impact, understand where opportunities and disparities remain, and give Houston leaders information they can put to work.

Where the Numbers Meet the Network The 2026 Summit has attracted major corporate support, with PNC serving as Underwriter, Telemundo/NBCUniversal as Premier Media Partner, and AARP and Shell participating as Patron Partners.

As a Media Sponsor, Houston Style Magazine is proud to amplify this conversation and spotlight the entrepreneurs, executives, researchers and organizations helping write Houston’s next chapter.

Because Houston’s Hispanic community isn’t waiting to become an economic powerhouse.

The data increasingly show that it already is one.

2026 The State of Hispanics – Data Summit & Business Expo Tuesday, October 20, 2026 | 3:00–5:00 p.m. Hilton Americas–Houston 1600 Lamar Street • Houston, TX 77010 REGISTER / TICKETS & SPONSORSHIPS: houstonhispanicchamberofcommercetx.growthzoneapp.com/ap/Events/Register/J5FDMb7CJCzC3

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Kierra Lee
KIELEESTYLE@GMAIL.COM
3465287733

By Francis Page Jr.

Click here for updates on this story

    September 29, 2026 (Houston Style Magazine) — Westheimer just got a little more “Trill.” Trill Burgers, the Houston-born smash-burger concept co-founded by rap icon and entrepreneur Bun B, officially opened its fourth Houston-area restaurant on Friday, September 25, at 7616 Westheimer Road, just west of the Galleria. The opening adds another highly visible address to a brand that has grown from pop-up sensation to one of Houston’s most recognizable homegrown restaurant stories.

The new 3,100-square-foot restaurant gives Trill Burgers something its other locations do not yet offer: a true late-night weekend drive-thru. For now, the Westheimer restaurant is open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Beginning in October, the drive-thru is scheduled to stay open until 3 a.m. Friday through Sunday — a welcome development for night owls, hospitality workers, concertgoers and anyone who believes midnight is a perfectly reasonable time for a double smash burger.

The location, in a former Boston Market near the Westheimer-Hillcroft corridor, seats about 70 guests and includes a wraparound drive-thru. Its black exterior and vivid yellow trim make it unmistakably Trill, while the interior doubles down on Houston pride with a custom “Be Someone Trill” mural inspired by the city’s famed “Be Someone” railroad-bridge artwork over Interstate 45.

photo Trill Burger Fourth Location Building 7616 Westheimer at Hilcroft

Bun B said the team remains grateful for Houston’s continued support, calling each new opening an incredible feeling and noting how meaningful it is to plant the brand on another iconic Houston roadway. That connection matters. Trill Burgers has never simply marketed itself as a burger company with Houston roots; it has made Houston culture part of the product — from its music and murals to its collaborations and appearances at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

The menu remains intentionally focused. The signature OG Burger features two smashed all-beef patties, caramelized onions, American cheese, pickles and Trill Sauce on a potato roll. Diners can go bigger with the Triple OG or choose plant-based Vegan OG and Triple Vegan OG versions. Kids can order Lil G meals, while seasoned Trill Fries, fresh-squeezed Trill Lemonade and shakes round out the experience. Lemonade flavors include Classic, Strawberry, Blue Wave and Desert Pear, with Arnold Palmer combinations available for those who like a little tea with their trill.

Trill Burgers was founded in Houston in 2021 by Bun B, restaurateur Andy Nguyen and Nick Scurfield. After building momentum through pop-ups and festival appearances, the concept earned national attention when Good Morning America named its burger America’s best in 2022. Its first permanent restaurant opened on South Shepherd in 2023, followed by Spring in April 2025 and Missouri City in December 2025. The brand also operates a campus location at Rice University.

photo Trill Burgers’ newest Houston restaurant will offer Late Night Drive thru

For Houston diners, the Westheimer opening is more than another restaurant debut. It is another chapter in a local entrepreneurial success story — one built on flavor, culture, consistency and a city willing to support its own. And once that 3 a.m. drive-thru flips on in October, Westheimer may have a new answer to one of Houston nightlife’s most important questions: “Where are we eating after this?”

LOCATION: Trill Burgers — 7616 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77063 TRILL BURGER: trill-burgers.com

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Kierra Lee
KIELEESTYLE@GMAIL.COM
3465287733