David Thompson

HISD Joins the Lawsuit Against State's Educational Funding Plan

Taking it to the courthouse.​The Houston school board voted unanimously this morning (with four absentees) to join the burgeoning lawsuit against Rick Perry's latest funding scheme for public education, which cuts $5 billion over the next two years. HISD's state funding was cut $78 million th ... More >>

HISD Gets Millions, Avoids Tax Hike & Harvin Moore Gives the Lege a Bronx Cheer

Cutting too much doesn't mean there's money in the bank​It doesn't look like there's going to be an increase in taxes after all and Houston ISD just got word that it's been approved for more than $70.6 million in so-called E-Rate Funding which means a lot of kids who've been going without wi-f ... More >>

Between Passing Standards and State Funding, HISD Remains in Free Fall

Margaret DowningHISD Chief Financial Officer Melinda Garrett warns there's no tax increase -- yet.​It wasn't just the budget numbers that remain in free fall as Houston ISD trustees discovered at today's agenda workshop. Next fall, board members and Superintendent Terry Grier's administration ... More >>

Texas Finances in Tatters, State Tells HISD It's "The New Normal"

Get used to it​Chief Financial Officer Melinda Garrett passed on the new buzz phrase coming out of the state capital at today's Houston ISD workshop session: "The New Normal," which is being used to explain that the current state budget crisis isn't a transitory thing but something that will b ... More >>

HISD Prepares For Biggest Battle Since WWII

HISD will be breaking out the budget ax​For the first time since World War II - the big one - the state of Texas is looking at actual reductions in public education funding, Houston ISD board attorney David Thompson told trustees today. "Uncharted ground" is how Thompson termed what HISD and ... More >>

Bill White the Loser, HISD Declares

Bill White's going down, HISD declares​Houston ISD's assessment of the upcoming state legislative session on Monday began with the declaration that Bill White doesn't have a chance and that Rick Perry will continue as governor. Rebecca Flores, the director of Government Relations for HISD, and bo ... More >>

HISD Asks Annise Parker For a Break, Gets Clobbered by Prop 1 Fans (Updated With HISD Response)

HISD says no to flood-fighting fees​Houston ISD trustees think they've already given enough tax money in support of flood control/drainage issues and want no part of the Renew Houston Proposition 1 measure that would allow the City to collect even more money through drainage fees. So they voted 8- ... More >>

Goodbye, David Thompson

Mystery fans mourn the passing of a Houston bookseller

R.I.P, David Thompson Of Murder By The Book

Photo courtesy Murder by the BookDavid Thompson, 1975-2010​For avid fans of the murder mystery genre, you'd think death was commonplace. But not when it snatches away one of our own. So we loyal patrons of Murder by the Book, Houston's go-to place for all things murder and mystery, are devastated ... More >>

HISD Trustees Go For Guinness World Record in the Long-Winded Meetings Category

HISD: Lots of talk, no action​If Houston ISD trustees really want to fulfill their promise of transparency, they need to start getting to the point a lot quicker in their meetings -- so that when they have something important to debate, more people are still there to hear it.Last night's meeting w ... More >>

René Saldaña Jr.: The Case of the Pen Gone Missing, A Mickey Rangel Mystery

A Latino author creates an updated boy detective

How HISD Might be Facing a $57 Million Shortfall Next School Year

​The Houston Independent School District might be facing a shortfall in public education funding of as much as $57 million in the next fiscal year starting July 1, 2010. That less than happy news was delivered at this morning's school board agenda meeting, in a power point demonstration by ... More >>

Book Review: A Collection Of Female Noir

Show, Don't Tell

Murder, He Wrote

This Week's Day-by-Day Picks

For Love of the Game

Kevin Costner doesn't make friends. He makes movies, dang it.

Glamorous Youth

Sharon Osbourne put the local kids of Pure Rubbish in front of millions on MTV. Then things fell apart.

Moby Pick

Beaumont's Barbara Lynn lucks out with a song that almost died

Thai Raid

In America, Thai dishes are being toned down. The Thai government wants to step in to stop it.

Learning How to Survive (at) CEP

HISD and a paid trustee get entangled in the spreading empire of a private firm touting safe alternative schools for troubled kids. So why are some students and parents so scared?

Best Archival Project No One Has Heard About

Crazy Cajun Records catalog

Lost Legends

Tary Owens helped rescue the early roots of Texas music. Then those songs saved Owens from himself.

Getting the Picture

Winter Street Art Center focuses on photo-based art

Sparking Interest

David Rice finally throws the switch on greenelectric

Young Punks

Peach-fuzzed trashers Pure Rubbish are Houston's anti-Hanson

Lives in Song

Stages gives Kander and Ebb the brilliant turn they deserve

Soundboard to Heaven

Justice Records is looking for treasure in a CD gap