Category: CNN Regional

By Francis Page, Jr.

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    February 16, 2026 (Houston Style Magazine) — In a world increasingly shaped by algorithms, automation, and artificial intelligence, one Houston scholar is proving that purpose and perseverance are just as powerful as any line of code.

Meet Elexis Robinson, a standout student in the Global Online Honors College at Houston City College (HCC), who is pursuing a degree in Artificial Intelligence with clarity, confidence, and a 4.0 GPA to match. Her journey is not just about technology — it’s about transformation.

For Houston Style Magazine readers who believe in reinvention, resilience, and raising the standard, Robinson’s story is the blueprint.

From Pause to Power: A Second Start with Stronger Vision

After graduating high school in 2019, Robinson began her college journey at HCC. Like many students across Houston and beyond, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted her academic plans. Life shifted. Priorities changed.

But what could have been an ending became a reset.

Following the birth of her son, Robinson made a bold decision: return to school — this time with sharper focus, deeper discipline, and a clear goal.

She chose HCC Global Online for its flexibility and high academic standards, allowing her to balance motherhood with meaningful momentum. Her performance quickly distinguished her, earning acceptance into the Honors College — a community known for rigor, accountability, and academic excellence.

Today, Robinson maintains a flawless 4.0 GPA and credits faculty mentorship and the structured Honors environment with refining her study habits and strengthening her critical thinking skills.

Why AI? Discovering Strength in Structured Innovation

Originally interested in healthcare, Robinson discovered something unexpected: her natural talent for pattern recognition, analytical writing, and structured problem-solving aligned perfectly with Artificial Intelligence.

Through HCC’s AI coursework — including classes exploring AI ethics and governance — she found a new calling: helping shape responsible AI systems that prioritize fairness, transparency, and human-centered design.

In a digital age where ethical AI development is more critical than ever, Robinson represents the next generation of Houston leaders who understand that technology must serve communities — not replace them.

After completing her associate degree, she plans to continue into HCC’s Bachelor of Applied Technology in AI and Robotics, positioning herself for a career focused on responsible AI development, policy fairness, and technical communication.

Houston’s workforce future? It looks smarter already.

Balancing Motherhood and Academic Excellence

The beauty of HCC Global Online lies in access. Through a combination of live instruction, recorded lectures, academic resources, and faculty support, Robinson seamlessly integrates coursework with parenting.

She is proof that flexibility does not mean compromise.

For working parents, returning students, and career changers across Harris County and beyond, her journey sends a powerful message: your path may pause — but it does not end.

Progress, she says, matters more than perfection.

Why Houston City College’s AI Program Matters Now

As Houston continues expanding in energy innovation, robotics, logistics automation, healthcare technology, and smart infrastructure, demand for AI-trained professionals is accelerating.

HCC’s Artificial Intelligence programs prepare students for:

Machine learning foundations Robotics and automation systems Data analytics AI ethics and governance Technical writing and systems documentation Emerging workforce applications in Texas industries With affordable tuition, flexible online options, and a clear transfer pathway into bachelor-level AI and Robotics degrees, Houston City College is building a pipeline of future-ready professionals right here at home.

For Houston families looking for opportunity without relocation, this matters.

Registration & Contact Information

Interested in starting your AI journey?

HCC Global Online Visit: hccs.edu/online

HCC Honors College Contact: James Ross-Nazzal, Ph.D. • 📞 713-718-7131 • ✉️ james.rossnazzal@hccs.edu

Prospective students can explore program details, application deadlines, admissions requirements, and financial aid options directly through HCC’s website.

The Houston Style Magazine’s Perspective

Houston has always been a city of reinvention — from energy to aerospace, medicine to manufacturing. Now, artificial intelligence is shaping our next chapter.

Elexis Robinson’s story reminds us that innovation is not just about machines. It’s about mindset. It’s about mothers who return stronger. It’s about students who turn disruption into direction. It’s about institutions like Houston City College creating access to opportunity for every zip code across Greater Houston.

Artificial intelligence may define the future — but disciplined, purpose-driven scholars like Robinson will define how that future serves us all.

And that’s a story Houston can be proud of.

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.

Francis Page Jr
fpagejr@gmail.com
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By Francis Page, Jr.

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    February 16, 2026 (Houston Style Magazine) — Houston, we have a mission — and it’s playing larger than life on the biggest screens in the city.

The highly anticipated sci-fi epic Project Hail Mary is blasting into theaters and IMAX® 70mm on Friday, March 20, 2026, with exclusive early IMAX® 70mm screenings set for March 13, 14, and 15. And if there’s one city that understands space exploration, innovation, and bold ambition — it’s Houston.

A Race to Save the Sun

Based on the New York Times bestselling novel by Andy Weir (the visionary mind behind The Martian), this cinematic thrill ride follows science teacher Ryland Grace, portrayed by Academy Award nominee Ryan Gosling.

Grace awakens alone on a spaceship, light years from Earth, with no memory of who he is — or why he’s there. As fragments of memory return, he realizes the unthinkable: the sun is dying. Humanity is on borrowed time. And he may be the only one who can stop extinction.

No pressure, right?

What unfolds is a brilliant mix of heart, humor, hard science, and humanity — the kind of storytelling that reminds audiences why space films capture our imagination so completely.

From Visionary Filmmakers to IMAX® Spectacle

Directed by the dynamic duo Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the Oscar-winning creative force behind genre-defining hits, Project Hail Mary is filmed specifically for IMAX® 70mm — delivering breathtaking scale, immersive visuals, and cinematic clarity that demands to be experienced on the largest screens possible.

The screenplay comes from acclaimed writer Drew Goddard, ensuring the adaptation maintains the novel’s scientific precision while elevating its emotional depth.

The film also features standout performances from Sandra Hüller, Ken Leung, Milana Vayntrub, Lionel Boyce, Priya Kansara, and James Ortiz — assembling a global cast that reflects the universal stakes of the story.

Presented by Amazon MGM Studios, alongside Pascal Pictures, Open Invite Films, Waypoint Entertainment, and Lord Miller Productions, this PG-13 release blends intellectual sci-fi with emotional resonance — making it accessible for teens and adults alike.

Why Houston Audiences Will Love It

In a city synonymous with NASA, aerospace engineering, and world-class medical research, Project Hail Mary hits differently. It celebrates curiosity. It honors science. It showcases resilience.

Houston families, STEM students, educators, and space enthusiasts will find themselves inspired by the film’s central message: when humanity faces its darkest hour, collaboration, creativity, and courage can light the way.

And yes — there’s an unexpected friendship at the heart of this mission that adds warmth, humor, and hope to an otherwise cosmic challenge.

How to Watch

Early IMAX® 70mm Screenings: March 13–15, 2026

Nationwide Release: Friday, March 20, 2026

Format: Filmed for IMAX® — Premium Large Format experience

Tickets for advance IMAX® 70mm showings are now on sale. Given Houston’s love for blockbuster premieres and space-centered storytelling, early purchase is highly recommended.

For tickets, showtimes, and updates, visit the official website at projecthailmary.com and follow the film on social media using #ProjectHailMary.

Project Hail Mary isn’t just another space movie. It’s a story about rediscovering purpose, trusting science, and believing that even in the vast silence of space, we are never truly alone.

Houston, prepare for liftoff. The future of the sun — and the survival of Earth — begins March 20.

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.

Francis Page Jr
fpagejr@gmail.com
7139275444

By Francis Page, Jr.

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    February 16, 2026 (Houston Style Magazine) — Chicago’s South Side is preparing for a cultural renaissance that will echo across the globe. With the Obama Presidential Center set to open in June 2026, a new chapter in American civic life is unfolding—one where art, history, and community converge with bold intention.

The Obama Foundation has announced five new major artist commissions that will expand the Center’s already groundbreaking public art program. Visionary artists Mark Bradford, Tyanna J. Buie, Jay Heikes, Carrie Mae Weems, and the collaborative duo Sam Kirk + Dorian Sylvain will each create site-specific works that deepen the Center’s mission: to inspire civic engagement and celebrate collective identity through creative expression.

For readers of Houston Style Magazine, this moment resonates deeply. The rise of a world-class presidential center anchored in art is not simply a Chicago story—it is a national affirmation of culture as power, creativity as activism, and public space as sacred ground.

A 19.3-Acre Vision of Possibility

Situated in historic Jackson Park, the 19.3-acre campus will include:

A state-of-the-art museum A public library A fruit and vegetable garden An athletic center Expansive outdoor gathering spaces The Center represents more than a tribute to President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama—it embodies their belief that ordinary people, working together, can achieve extraordinary change.

Valerie Jarrett, CEO of the Obama Foundation, captured the spirit best: public art helps us tell our stories and see one another more clearly. And at this Center, storytelling becomes a living, breathing experience.

Meet the New Artistic Voices

Mark Bradford — City of the Big Shoulders

A towering, three-story installation in the Museum’s Our Story Atrium, Bradford’s monumental work maps Chicago as both landscape and lived memory. Known for his layered abstract compositions using commercial materials, Bradford compresses history into texture—examining power, survival, and hope through visual fragmentation.

Tyanna J. Buie — Be the Change!

Rooted in her South Side upbringing, Buie’s large-scale ink and screen-printed installation in the Forum Building draws from imagery tied to President Obama’s historic election. Inspired by her own experience at the Bud Billiken Parade, her work pulses with themes of civic participation, hope, and generational progress.

Jay Heikes — Quintessence

Seven-pointed bronze stars installed along an exterior courtyard wall reflect evolving American identity. As sunlight shifts throughout the day, so too does the viewer’s perspective—inviting contemplation on regeneration and collective belonging.

Carrie Mae Weems — The Cool Blue Wind

This luminous photographic collage, printed on metallic paper with blue overlays, merges imagery of President Obama’s victory with the improvisational freedom of jazz. Accompanied by original music, the installation becomes a multisensory tribute to democracy, memory, and movement.

Sam Kirk + Dorian Sylvain — Pass It Forward

Located in the Center’s athletic facility, this vibrant mural celebrates the cultural heartbeat of Chicago’s South Side. Through color, pattern, and narrative imagery, the piece honors neighborhood legacy while imagining a future shaped by the next generation.

A Global Destination for Free Public Art

These new commissions join works by a distinguished roster of artists—including Lindsay Adams, Nekisha Durrett, Theaster Gates, Maya Lin, Julie Mehretu, Alison Saar, Kiki Smith, and a collaboration between Nick Cave and Marie Watt—cementing the Obama Presidential Center as a global hub for accessible public art.

Dr. Louise Bernard, Founding Director of the Museum, emphasizes that these works engage the South Side not just as subject, but as source. They reflect the energy, complexity, and resilience of community life.

And perhaps most powerfully, they extend the spirit that once transformed the White House into “The People’s House”—a space open to diverse voices, disciplines, and dreams.

Why This Matters to Houston

Houston knows something about cultural crossroads. From Third Ward to Acres Homes, from mural corridors to museum districts, we understand how art anchors identity. The Obama Presidential Center’s investment in free, community-centered public art signals something larger: a recommitment to democracy not just as policy—but as participation.

For young visitors—especially young Black and Brown students—the Center will stand as proof that leadership and creativity are not distant ideals. They are living possibilities.

When the Obama Presidential Center opens its doors in June 2026, it will not simply unveil a museum. It will unveil a movement—one that reminds us that art is democracy’s mirror, and that the power of “Yes We Can” still lives boldly in brushstroke, bronze, and blue-toned light.

For Houston Style Magazine readers, that’s a story worth celebrating.

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.

Francis Page Jr
fpagejr@gmail.com
7139275444

By Francis Page, Jr.

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    February 16, 2026 (Houston Style Magazine) — Houston’s cultural calendar is about to strike a powerful chord.

On Sunday, February 22, 2026 at 5:00 PM, the internationally acclaimed Branford Marsalis brings his signature fire, finesse, and fearless improvisation to the Wortham Theater Center, performing in the intimate Cullen Theater as part of the celebrated chamber music and jazz presenter Da Camera of Houston.

The occasion? A bold reimagining of Belonging, the 1974 masterpiece by jazz icon Keith Jarrett—an album long regarded as one of the most transcendent quartet recordings in modern jazz history.

For Houston’s vibrant arts community, this is more than a concert. It’s a historic conversation across generations.

Revisiting a Jazz Landmark

Released in 1974, Belonging marked the debut of Jarrett’s European Quartet and became a defining statement in post-bop lyricism and improvisational freedom. The album fused sweeping melodic architecture with subtle emotional undercurrents—an achievement that still inspires musicians five decades later.

Marsalis, a Grammy Award-winning saxophonist whose career spans jazz, classical, film scoring, and Broadway, approaches this material not as imitation, but as interpretation. Known for his disciplined musicianship and fearless individuality, Marsalis honors the spirit of Jarrett’s work while allowing his own quartet’s chemistry to breathe new life into the compositions.

In true Houston fashion, this performance promises both reverence and reinvention.

Da Camera’s Continued Commitment to Artistic Excellence

For decades, Da Camera of Houston has positioned the city at the intersection of chamber music and jazz innovation. By curating intimate performances in world-class venues, the organization has created a platform where legends and rising stars connect directly with audiences.

Hosting Marsalis at the Wortham underscores Da Camera’s dedication to presenting transformative musical experiences. The Cullen Theater—renowned for its acoustics and close-up atmosphere—will allow every note, every pause, and every improvised flourish to resonate deeply.

For Houston Style Magazine readers who champion culture, creativity, and community impact, this event reflects exactly why Houston remains one of America’s most dynamic arts cities.

Why This Night Matters for Houston

Houston’s jazz lineage runs deep—from neighborhood jam sessions to global stages. Bringing an artist of Marsalis’ caliber to reinterpret a milestone recording elevates the city’s artistic profile while inviting audiences into a shared, reflective experience.

In a time when digital playlists dominate, live jazz remains a powerful reminder of collective energy—of musicians and audience members breathing in rhythm together. This performance celebrates legacy while affirming the future of improvisational music.

For longtime jazz aficionados, it’s an opportunity to revisit a beloved recording through a new lens. For younger listeners, it’s an invitation to discover why Belonging continues to influence artists worldwide.

Event Details:

Branford Marsalis: Reimagining Belonging Sunday, February 22, 2026 • 5:00 PM Cullen Theater, Wortham Theater Center • Houston, Texas

Tickets and additional details are available at: dacamera.com

Houston has always been a city that understands rhythm—whether in its music, its diversity, or its unstoppable momentum. On February 22, that rhythm will echo through the Wortham as Branford Marsalis and Da Camera deliver an unforgettable chapter in the city’s cultural story.

For Houston Style Magazine readers who believe art should challenge, inspire, and unite—this is your Sunday soundtrack.

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.

Francis Page Jr
fpagejr@gmail.com
7139275444

By Francis Page Jr

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    February 16, 2026 (Houston Style Magazine) — In a city known for its heart, Valentine’s Day arrived with more than roses and chocolate. It arrived with compassion on wheels.

On Friday, February 14, 2026, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and U.S. Representative Sylvia Garcia joined Interfaith Ministries President and CEO Sheroo Mukhtiar to personally deliver meals to homebound seniors through Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston’s beloved Meals on Wheels program.

It wasn’t a photo opportunity. It was a reminder. The mission was simple — but powerful.

“What better way to show love to the community ahead of Valentine’s Day than by delivering meals to folks in need.”

Those words from Judge Hidalgo captured the spirit of the day. While many Houstonians exchanged flowers and cards, county leaders delivered something just as meaningful: nourishment, reassurance, and connection.

Why Meals on Wheels Matters More Than Ever in Houston

As Houston families navigate rising grocery costs, housing pressures, and lingering economic uncertainty, one sobering statistic stands out: according to a 2025 report from the Kinder Institute, more than 2 in 5 households in Harris County face food insecurity—nearly three times the national average.

For seniors living alone on fixed incomes, those numbers aren’t abstract. They’re daily realities.

“What better way to show love to the community ahead of Valentine’s Day than by delivering meals to folks in need,” Judge Hidalgo shared. “With inflation, food insecurity and costs of living still high, the work that Meals on Wheels does is important now more than ever.”

And the numbers behind that work are staggering.

1,385,654 meals delivered in 2025 More than 6,000 seniors served across Harris County 80,724 pounds of pet food distributed through the Animeals program

Yes, pet food. Because in many households, a senior’s cat or dog is family—and companionship is as essential as nutrition.

More Than a Meal: It’s a Wellness Check, a Smile, a Lifeline

Meals on Wheels in Houston is about far more than nutrition. Each knock on the door is a wellness check. A friendly face. A few minutes of conversation that can mean everything to someone who may not see another person that day.

Under the leadership of Sheroo Mukhtiar, Interfaith Ministries continues to expand its reach, ensuring that seniors can age with dignity, safety, and connection. In a county of nearly five million residents—the third-largest in the nation—this work is both massive and deeply personal.

Congresswoman Garcia’s participation underscored a bipartisan truth: caring for seniors is not political. It is moral. It is communal. It is Houston at its best.

A Call to Action for Houston

Houston Style Magazine readers know this city thrives when we show up for one another. Whether through volunteering, donating, or simply spreading awareness, every act counts.

If you or someone you know needs assistance with food benefits, Harris County residents can explore SNAP resources through the Harris County Community Services Department: cjo.harriscountytx.gov

And if you’re looking for a meaningful way to serve in 2026, consider volunteering with Meals on Wheels through Interfaith Ministries. A few hours of your time could change someone’s entire week.

Leadership in Service

As Harris County’s chief executive and Director of the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Judge Hidalgo oversees a $5 billion county budget alongside four precinct commissioners. Yet on this February Friday, leadership looked less like policy and more like presence—walking up driveways, carrying insulated bags, and delivering warmth in more ways than one.

Because in Houston, love isn’t just spoken.

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.

Francis Page Jr
fpagejr@gmail.com
7139275444

By Stephanie Moore

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    SUMTER COUNTY, S.C. (WYFF) — A fetus found at a water treatment plant in South Carolina on Friday was stillborn, according to new information released Monday by the Sumter County Coroner’s Office.

The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office said a 911 call came in about 11:30 a.m. Friday about the fetus being found by workers at the plant on Edgehill Road.

The fetus was taken to the Medical University of South Carolina.

Sumter County Coroner Robbie Baker said Monday that the autopsy showed the fetus was male and between 13 to 15 weeks.

Baker said it was determined that there was no trauma to the fetus and it was stillborn.

According to Baker, this is not a legal death because the fetus was premature and never took a breath.

Baker said the race of the fetus is unknown at this time because the fetus sat in the sewer chemicals for at least a day.

The next step in the investigation is for the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division to test tissue samples in hopes of determining race and finding the mother.

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.