Lisa Gray

Houston

Op-Ed Editor at Houston Chronicle

Op-ed editor, Houston Chronicle. Inextricably, inexplicably attached to this town.

Articles

What's the most interesting thing in your hurricane-prep kit?

6 days ago | houstonchronicle.com | Lisa Gray

With hurricane season gearing up, I'm seeing the usual checklists of things that everyone on the Gulf Coast should have ready. Those are useful, and please, if you're new to this part of the world, take this stuff seriously. When a big storm rolls in, it's too late to get ready. But those standard checklists don't capture the way that storm-prep can also be intensely personal. The things in our go-bags and emergency boxes connect with our deepest needs, loves and fears.
'Testing wastes resources': Texans weigh in on high-stakes standardized tests

1 week ago | houstonchronicle.com | Lisa Gray

Stephanie Padilla, Katy ISD parent: I’ve seen the stress the STAAR carries for the kids, especially since my oldest took it this year. She was beyond stressed, and said she was the last to finish because she felt pressured. In a way, I’m all for testing — but only as long as we give the kids the tools to feel prepared. Daisy Genovea, former Galena Park ISD student: Honestly, I liked it. I didn’t like testing all day but it made me feel prepared for future exams.
Tell us: Should the STAAR die? How should Texas fix that test?

2 weeks ago | houstonchronicle.com | Lisa Gray

The Texas Legislature is considering ways to reform the STAAR, Texas' high-stakes end-of-year test of student performance. Legislators in the House and Senate seem to agree that smaller, more-frequent tests are better — especially if the results can be delivered quickly, so that teachers can see their students' gaps, rather than after the school year has ended. As the author of the House bill, Rep.
Lively tales from the Texas Renaissance Festival

2 weeks ago | houstonchronicle.com | Lisa Gray

The Texas Renaissance Festival, the largest Ren faire in the U.S., will soon have new owners. After 51 years of tight control by its controversial founder, "King" George Coulam, this change seems bound to mark a new era. So last week I asked for your best RenFest memories, and for what you hope changes — or doesn't. Here, lightly edited, are some of the best answers.
Should the Texas Renaissance Festival change?

3 weeks ago | houstonchronicle.com | Lisa Gray

The Texas Renaissance Festival — the oldest, largest and quite likely strangest Renaissance faire in the U.S. — will change owners this year. The multi-million-dollar, court-ordered passing of power feels less like a business deal than the conquering of a realm. As viewers of HBO’s “Ren Faire” documentary know, the festival’s elderly founder, “King” George Coulam, launched his empire in 1972, buying 15 acres of land 50 miles northwest of Houston.
'This law does not make any sense': What Texans had to say about school vouchers

3 weeks ago | houstonchronicle.com | Lisa Gray

Last week, I asked your thoughts on Texas' new $1 billion school-voucher program. More than 90% of your responses were opposed to the program — many vehemently so. Here (lightly edited) is some of what you had to say. — Lisa GrayAnne-Elizabeth Huynh, public-school mom of three children in HISD: No. This law does not make any sense and will benefit no one except wealthy families.
RIP, Andrew Edmonson. You were right about AIDS. And Houston's pride parade.

4 weeks ago | houstonchronicle.com | Lisa Gray

After the news broke that Houston will host the 2028 Republican Convention, we began planning the op-ed that Andrew would write about it — an op-ed that would recount his experience with the last Republican convention that Houston hosted. That one, in 1992, was held in the Astrodome. Houston’s own George W. Bush nominated Dan Quayle to be his vice president.
Brownwood, the Houston suburb that sank

1 month ago | houstonchronicle.com | Lisa Gray

A scientific study just published in Nature Cities shows that all the biggest cities in the U.S. are sinking -- and that Houston is sinking fastest of all. More than 40% of Houston's land mass is subsiding at least one-fifth of an inch per year, the researchers said, and the worst spots are sinking 10 times faster. With rising sea levels, that's a one-two punch for our low-lying city. What might the future of those fast-sinking parts of our area look like?
What do you think about Texas school vouchers?

1 month ago | houstonchronicle.com | Lisa Gray

Gov. Greg Abbott recently signed into law a school-voucher program that makes Texas families eligible for hefty subsidies for private school: up to $30,000 a year for a child with qualifying special needs, and roughly $10,900 for a child without. Also, parents who homeschool will be eligible for $2,000 a year to help with costs. Supporters say that it gives Texas parents much-needed choices.
Cutting back on vacations, coffee and food: How the economy is affecting Houston

1 month ago | houstonchronicle.com | Lisa Gray

Last week, I asked you how the recent economic upheaval is affecting you — how government cuts, stock market uncertainty or the threat of tariffs is showing up in your everyday life. Here, lightly edited, is some of what I heard. – Lisa GrayStephen Greer, nervous: I’m retired on Social Security, so I have been forced to cut back on everything, especially food choices and car travel (to reduce gas usage).