The Bigger Picture: ‘The Whale’ and the misery of self-destruction

Houston Public Media 2/1 2:54P Joshua Zinn

In Darren Aronofsky s latest film, The Whale, we experience a week in the life of Charlie, a morbidly obese man facing severe health problems who is attempting to reconnect with his estranged daughter. Throughout the film, Charlie indulges in...

Exxon booked record profits in 2022 as energy prices soared

Houston Public Media 2/1 2:54P Ariel Worthy

Exxon Mobil posted record annual profits in 2022 as Americans struggled with high prices for gasoline, home heating and consumer goods. The oil giant brought in $12.75 billion in profits in the fourth quarter, bringing annual net income to $55.7...

Houston’s City Council chamber named after former secretary who served for nearly 7 decades

Houston Public Media 2/1 10:43A Patricia Ortiz

Anna Russell, who served the city for nearly 70 years, passed away on February 3, 2020, and now has a council chamber named in her honor.

Galveston families demand public apology, compensation after botched police raid

Houston Public Media 2/1 9:30A Lucio Vasquez

The raid was executed at the Rios' home in search of an alleged teenage shooter who wasn't at the home and would later be ruled innocent.

Report: H-E-B takes top spot among U.S. grocery retailers

Houston Biz Journal 2/1 9:05A Jannette Zorrilla

H-E-B knocked e-commerce giant Amazon.com Inc. (Nasdaq: AMZN) down to third place on Dunnhumby's Retailer Preference Index.

Houston doctor’s $25 million COVID-19 defamation suit against Houston Methodist dismissed

Houston Public Media 2/1 8:57A Adam Zuvanich

Dr. Mary Bowden, who worked for the health system as an ear, nose and throat specialist, was publicly criticized by Houston Methodist for opinions she expressed about COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.

Kirby Corp. sees growth from 2022 extending into 2023, remains 'mindful of economic challenges'

Houston Biz Journal 2/1 8:51A Olivia Pulsinelli

President and CEO David Grzebinski called 2022 "an exciting but challenging year at Kirby," with challenges including "persistent cost inflation, historic low-water conditions, and stubborn supply chain delays."

Cadence Bank sees loan growth, net interest margin improvement in earnings report

Houston Biz Journal 2/1 8:40A Chandler France

Despite missing analysts' expectations for revenue and earnings per share, Cadence Bank reported improvements in other areas to close out 2022.

Texans split on removing Confederate holidays, CRT in colleges, poll finds

Houston Public Media 2/1 8:23A Rebecca Noel

Fifty-five percent of Texans support the removal of Confederate Heroes Day, which honors leaders of the Confederacy like Robert E. Lee, as an official state holiday. Also, a narrow minority of Texans support legislation that would strip faculty...

Houston biotech FibroBiologics turns to online crowdfunding after considering IPO, SPAC options

Houston Biz Journal 2/1 7:46A Jishnu Nair

After previously considering traditional options for going public, FibroBiologics will instead leverage the everyday investor.

Houston First Corporation assessing how to get broken Montrose-area 59/69 bridge lights back on

Houston Public Media 2/1 7:34A Adam Zuvanich

A series of decorative lights above the Southwest Freeway, installed before Houston last hosted the Super Bowl in 2017, have not been functioning for months.

UH Moment: Texans Weigh In on $33 Billion State Budget Surplus

Houston Public Media 2/1 7:08A Greg Ortiz

"There clearly is a desire among Texans to use much of the projected surplus to directly impact both their own lives and to improve public infrastructure"

Harris County approves supplemental funding for departments months after no-new-revenue tax rate

Houston Biz Journal 2/1 6:46A Sofia Gonzalez

After Harris County Commissioners Court previously had to adopt a no-new-revenue tax rate that prevented budget increases, five county departments will now gain about $12 million total in additional funding.

What would property tax relief from the Legislature mean for Texas renters?

Houston Public Media 2/1 6:20A Sean Saldana, Texas Standard

With a historic state budget surplus of $32 billion, lawmakers have earmarked $15 billion to ease property tax bills.

University of Houston asked students to wear neon vests after police drew weapon on a Black student

Houston Public Media 2/1 6:09A Kate McGee, Texas Tribune

The university distributed vests to theater students after an officer drew a gun on a Black student rehearsing a violent scene last year. Officials walked back the requirement amid recent student criticism.