Claire Goodman

Texas City

Senior Reporter at Houston Chronicle

Articles

Ex-Fort Bend staffer Taral Patel pleads guilty over social media hoax accusation

1 week ago | houstonchronicle.com | Caroline Wilburn |Claire Goodman

Taral Patel, a former Fort Bend County staffer and commissioner candidate, pleaded guilty Tuesday to two misdemeanor charges after he was accused of creating fake social media profiles to post racist messages about himself, according to the Fort Bend County District Attorney's Office. Patel also admitted in his plea deal to committing one of the misdemeanors along with Fort Bend County Judge KP George. George is accused of working alongside Patel to sway the outcome of an election.
A Katy ISD student acted in self-defense. Why was she suspended?

1 week ago | houstonchronicle.com | Claire Goodman

A video showing what appears to be a male student assaulting a female student in a Taylor High School classroom has gone viral, causing the Katy ISD board of trustees to review the district's code of conduct. Both students in the altercation were suspended from school, causing public outcry in defense of the female student who, in the video, appears to be struck without warning by the male student.
Why Waller County Commissioners Court opposes high-speed bullet train

1 week ago | houstonchronicle.com | Claire Goodman

The proposed Houston-to-Dallas high-speed rail promises to cut commute times between the two cities, but officials from a county in its path are in staunch opposition to it. The bullet train would traverse Waller County, and county officials have formed a united front against it, arguing that the project would "negatively impact" the region.
Fort Bend County Judge KP George blasts DA for money laundering charges

2 weeks ago | houstonchronicle.com | Claire Goodman

Fort Bend County Judge KP George stands accused of two counts of money laundering in addition to his prior charges for online impersonation. Now, the judge and his attorneys are speaking out against the charges, calling them "politically motivated" by the Democratic Party. Attorneys for George, a Democrat, at Tuesday's Fort County Commissioners Court meeting railed against the Texas Ethics Commission, the Fort Bend District Attorney's Office and the Democratic Party over George's April 4 arrest.
The Woodlands launches reforestation efforts after major tree loss

2 weeks ago | houstonchronicle.com | Claire Goodman

The Woodlands got its name from the densely wooded areas that pepper the township, but hurricanes, droughts, freezes and insect infestations have recently caused tree numbers to dwindle. The Woodlands has now taken steps to reforest the area following the loss of about 7,000 trees due to Hurricane Beryl in 2024, beetle infestations and other natural disasters. The board of directors at its March meeting voted to fund planting 6,000 new trees at the cost of $1 million, township documents show.
Fort Bend County Judge KP George accused of laundering over $30,000

2 weeks ago | houstonchronicle.com | Tanya Babbar |Claire Goodman

Fort Bend County Judge KP George was charged with two counts of money laundering Friday, according to court records, prompting a response from George calling the investigation an "obvious political witch hunt."George, the county's top elected official, faces two indictments accusing him of "criminal activity, namely wire fraud," and "tampering with governmental record" in the form of a campaign finance report. Both charges were committed with "intent to defraud or harm," the indictments allege.
Houston property tax appraisals are now online. Here's what to know.

2 weeks ago | houstonchronicle.com | Claire Goodman

Property tax appraisals are now available online, with print statements following soon. Taxpayers may be apprehensive to see their new values, given that property taxes in Texas are on the rise. Official numbers regarding valuation trends have not been released yet, but Harris Central Appraisal District Director Roland Altinger said many property valuations in Harris County will be increasing.
Exemptions can mean big savings on Texas property taxes. Here's how.

3 weeks ago | houstonchronicle.com | Claire Goodman

Property tax rates continue to rise in Texas, but some homeowners may be paying more than they have to in property taxes. Texas offers multiple exemptions that can significantly reduce property taxes, and qualifying homeowners can save big bucks by filing these exemptions with the state. Here's a list of Texas property tax exemptions and how to qualify.
Another area ISD considers adding Bible-integrated Bluebonnet Learning

3 weeks ago | houstonchronicle.com | Claire Goodman

Katy ISD is the latest school district to consider adopting Bluebonnet Learning, a controversial curriculum that inserts Biblical teachings into lessons. The Katy ISD board of trustees at Monday's meeting listened to a Bluebonnet Learning presentation by Audrey Young, a State Board of Education member, who spoke in favor of Katy ISD adopting the material. Bluebonnet Learning was approved by the board of education in November and has been hotly contested ever since.
Brazoria County's recovery efforts continue post-Hurricane Beryl

4 weeks ago | houstonchronicle.com | Claire Goodman

Hurricane Beryl's property devastation in Brazoria County was minimal, county officials said, but the county is still trying to recover financially from the Category 1 storm that made landfall last summer - along with numerous other storms over the past decade. The Brazoria County Commissioners Court on Monday reviewed a 2024 fiscal audit from the county auditor's office, which revealed that the county's expenses exceeded its income, according to city documents.