Chris Gray

Galveston

Correspondent at Houston Chronicle

Contributing Writer at Houston Landing

Houstonian. Journalist. Music lover. Heart attack survivor. Not unrelated.

Articles

Hot Ticket: Weekend events will put some spring in your step

1 week ago | galvnews.com | Chris Gray

Home Sweet Homes: Last month’s deadly fire at the Georg Ball House on 24th Street casts a poignant light on the first weekend of Galveston Historical Foundation‘s Historic Homes Tour, set for 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Despite rumors, infamous Texas beach party not canceled this year

3 weeks ago | chron.com | Chris Gray

Jeep Weekend started as a small weekend event for Jeep lovers in Crystal Beach but has grown to a large gathering of hundreds of vehicles including Jeeps, UTV's, 4-wheelers and more on the beach. Photo made on May 16, 2020. Fran Ruchalski/The EnterpriseFran Ruchalski/The EnterpriseThe Jeep Weekend storm clouds have officially begun to gather on the horizon. The controversial annual collision of four-wheel-drive vehicles and loosened inhibitions on Bolivar Peninsula is now less than a month away.
Port CEO: Galveston's new cruise terminal will give island big jolt

3 weeks ago | chron.com | Chris Gray

This artist's rendering shows Galveston's Cruise Terminal 16, shown in this artist's rendering, is on track to open in November, Port of Galveston port director and CEO Rodger Rees said last week. Port of GalvestonGalveston's fourth passenger cruise terminal will give the island's economy a significant jolt after it opens in November, the head of the Port of Galveston told Chron Monday.
Kentucky woman’s garbage truck scam cost Texas city $1.5 million

3 weeks ago | chron.com | Chris Gray

A trucking company sent the City of Galveston three new garbage trucks in the spring of 2023, but only received payment for one, at which point a $700,000 phishing scam came to light. Chris Gray/ChronOne of the more bizarre Galveston scandals in recent memory came to an end Thursday when a Kentucky woman pleaded guilty to a phishing scheme in which she defrauded the city out of two garbage trucks worth approximately $700,000, according to the Galveston County Daily News. Fawn A.
Hot Ticket: Full weekend of art, acting and music dead ahead

3 weeks ago | galvnews.com | Chris Gray

String Theories: Named 2025 Ensemble of the Year by Chamber Music America, Houston’s Apollo Chamber Players have drawn widespread acclaim for programming that consistently enriches and expands the traditions of classical music.
CDC layoffs likely to impact cruise ships sooner than later

3 weeks ago | chron.com | Chris Gray

A March 2023 norovirus outbreak aboard the Ruby Princess, then based out of Galveston, sickened more than 300 passengers. Christopher Favero/flickr.com/photos/cfaveroAlready on the rise, cases of norovirus and other infectious diseases common to cruise ships are likely to increase in the months ahead—a repercussion of the Centers for Disease Control eliminating many of the health inspectors responsible for monitoring and responding to outbreaks at sea, according to CBS News.
Galveston County kills tolls on critical bridge to mainland

4 weeks ago | chron.com | Chris Gray

A popular Gulf Coast fishing spot, the San Luis Pass bridge opened in 1966 but is now in poor condition, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. Larry D. Moore/Wikimedia CommonsThe days of fishing in the console for stray quarters when crossing the San Luis Pass bridge are numbered. Galveston County commissioners voted Monday to phase out the required $2 toll over the bridge, the Galveston County Daily News reported.
Hot Ticket: This weekend a great time to get out and enjoy

1 month ago | galvnews.com | Chris Gray

Setting sail: The fabled 1877 tall ship on the city’s official seal is headed into the open seas, and Galveston Historical Foundation might have a spot for you. Its annual Elissa Day Sail Series begins Friday and runs through April 25, six hours a day of steering the square-rigged barque into the Gulf and back into port like the past 140-plus years haven’t passed at all. Reservations are $300; lunch provided. Ages 10 and up welcome, but parent or guardian required for children 10 to 17.
Historic Galveston home takes to water in ingenious operation

1 month ago | chron.com | Chris Gray

In Galveston, Wednesday was a great day to float a house down Offatts Bayou. But this wasn't just any house. Architecturally, the two-story structure might be called "mid-century Gulf Coast fishing camp," a style of enough interest that the Galveston Historical Foundation decided it was worth saving from the scrapyard.
Beleaguered Gulf shrimp industry finds silver lining in Trump tariffs

1 month ago | chron.com | Chris Gray

The price of shrimp has dropped so low it can be more profitable to leave it in the ocean, Mississippi shrimper Frank Parker recently told The New York Times. Healthy Gulf via FlickrPresident Donald Trump's plan to impose widespread tariffs has thrown global financial markets into chaos and inspired rare pushback from the usually compliant Republican Party. The Gulf Coast's beleaguered shrimp industry, however, may have found an unlikely lifeline.