The Best Houston Press News Photos of 2018 (So Far)

From the impossible sadness of a school shooting to professionals and amateurs alike delighting in all sorts of sports, the Houston news scene provided plenty of gripping photos this year. Add in an unexpected return of flooding on July 4 (what is it about Houston and flooding on special events days anyway?) brought up memories of the Memorial Day floods and Tax Day floods to name just a couple. And then there was the immigration debate, gripping not just Houston but the nation. (Photos by Jack Gorman, Kate McLean, Mohammad Mia, Doogie Roux and Eric Sauseda)

On Friday, May 18, 2018, a mass shooting took place at Santa Fe High School, leaving ten dead and another ten injured.
Santa Fe Shooting: Parents hurried to the school to find out about their children.
Santa Fe shooting: The shock spread through the school, the community and the world.
Santa Fe shooting: Memorials quickly sprouted.
Santa Fe shooting: Not everyone was pleased when this man showed up with an open carry gun.
Santa Fe shooting: Not much good about this day.
The amount of rain on the 4th of July surprised a lot of people.
It almost seemed like the flooding from Hurricane Harvey had returned on July 4.
July 4 flooding: Once again, people were driving up the entrance ramps to get away from the water.
July 4: Even at the heighth of the storm, this dog would not be denied its walk.
July 4: And they wonder why Houstonians are paranoid about water.
July 4:Might think about stepping away from the car.
Critical Mass assembles for one of its mass rides.
Critical Mass: A nighttime ride sans cars.
Mayor Sylvester Turner and other area leaders came out against plans to host children separated from their parents at the border in an East Houston detention center.
In June, a group of Chicago teenagers, in town as part of the rrived in Houston for the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America Youth Gathering, protested the separation of children and their parents at the Texas/Mexico border.
June 2018: A youth protest in Houston by a visiting Christian youth group made it clear they didn’t think much of separating kids from their parents at the border.
June 2018: A Biblical protest of U.S. government actions.
In May, local groups gathered at Houston City Hall to call for more safety measures after the recent deaths of cyclists.
Bicycle Die-In Protest: Protesters spread themselves out on the city hall lawn to make their point.
An annual event, the trail riders came to town to signal the start of the Houston Livestock show and Rodeo.
Trail riders: Some great care is being taken here.
A rite of spring: The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
A rodeo parade can be a very serious undertaking.
The annual LGBTQIA Pride Parade takes over Houston streets in late June.
April Astros: Jose Altuve, eye on the ball.
April Astros: Evan Gattis trucks around third base.
April Astros: Brian McCann enjoying bunt duty.
April Astros: Outfielder Josh Reddick scales the wall in right field at Minute Maid Park.
It’s tryout time again for the Houston Texans.
Houston Texans Cheerleader Tryouts: Showcasing nimble dexterity.
Houston Texans Cheerleader Tryouts: A happy expression is essential.
The U.S. Women’s National Team took on Mexico in Houston in early April and dominated the match.
Owner Jim Crane congratulates AL MVP Jose Altuve at the Astros World Series Ring Ceremony.
Justin Verlander gives teammates high fives on Opening Day at Minute Maid Park.
2017 A.L. MVP high fives teammates on Opening Day at Minute Maid Park.
The athletes of the Chevron Houston Marathon events.
Chevron Houston Marathon: Thousands of runners.
Chevron Houston Marathon: And cold to boot.
Either this was a way to pass the mind-numbing time or this was a very important call we’re guessing.
Just amazingly impressive.
Chevron Houston Marathan: Onlookers weren’t always especially reverent as they urged on the runners.
Chevron Houston Marathon: As if running it wasn’t enough. How much does that flag weigh?
Houston fighters do well at UFC Fight Night in Austin in February.
Sarah Moras pushing ahead at UFC Fight Night in Austin.
Diego Ferreira kicks his opponent at UFC Fight Night in Austin.
The second Houston women’s March took place in January. Not everyone there was a fan of the administration in Washington.
Women’s March: gotta say, some of the posters were pretty clever.
Women’s March: Fairly good turnout in Houston.
A force now, and in the future.