Leah Binkovitz

2 weeks ago | houstonchronicle.com | Leah Binkovitz

Except for the lederhosen, plastic boot-shaped beer-stein necklaces and the garlands of red, yellow and black triangles lining the pop-up tents, the German heritage festival could be any small-town Texas carnival. There are bounce houses and a Ferris wheel. The smell of popcorn and barbecue wafts beyond the railroad tracks at the far end.

1 month ago | houstonchronicle.com | Leah Binkovitz

On the screen, a group of bare-chested Israeli settlers hurl rocks at makeshift Palestinian homes in a small village in the southern West Bank. "Why are you watching this?" my 6-year-old daughter asks. It's a deceptively simple question.

1 month ago | houstonchronicle.com | Leah Binkovitz

Daryl Johnson is skeptical. It's a sunny Monday morning just south of the rail yard in Fifth Ward, and strangers have just knocked on his door. I'm with a volunteer helping Houston City Councilmember Letitia Plummer's office offer free cancer screenings. This area is inside a state-recognized cancer cluster. Would he be interested in a screening? Article continues below this ad A sturdy, hard-working man in his 60s, Johnson says no.

1 month ago | houstonchronicle.com | Leah Binkovitz

How poor is poor? Most of us think we know the definition. Poor means, as Woody Guthrie sang, "you ain't got the do re mi." It means struggling to afford necessities: food, shelter, clothing. But how poor is poor enough to get a hand from the government? It depends what you're asking for. Article continues below this adA family of four that relies on free lunch at school? Can't make more than $40,560 or they won't qualify. That same family of four that needs help with the grocery bill?

1 month ago | houstonchronicle.com | Leah Binkovitz

Howdy, friend. Don't you look nice in your Target cowboy boots and Texas flag button-up! You're either running for office or celebrating Go Texan Day. Houston Rodeo season is kicking off. I know you're only walking past me because you have to walk longways to get from the Little Dipper ride to the Trill Burgers line. But I used to the be the center of the rodeo. Me! The first domed stadium! Mr. Eighth Wonder of the World!People used to take my picture all the time. Put it in the newspapers.