Ryan Nickerson

1 week ago | houstonchronicle.com | Ryan Nickerson |Matt Degrood |Abby Church

The head of the Houston Police Department has formally rescinded a policy requiring officers to make at least one traffic stop per day, just before a City Council vote that could outlaw such quotas. In a memo to Mayor John Whitmire’s office, Police Chief Noe Diaz said the directive no longer aligns with best practices for patrol work. “Effective immediately, we are rescinding this directive,” Diaz wrote. “New guidance will be distributed to all patrol stations, emphasizing officer discretion.

1 week ago | houstonchronicle.com | Ryan Nickerson

Steve Walker's bugle cut through the distant hum of passing planes as a crowd stood at attention during the Memorial Day ceremony at Houston National Cemetery. Walker performed “Taps,” the emotional bugle call traditionally played at military funerals and memorials, his notes lingering in the air as hundreds gathered to honor fallen service members.

1 week ago | houstonchronicle.com | Ryan Nickerson

Houston’s Parks and Recreation Department is aiming to open as many public pools as possible this summer — something that hasn’t happened in years due to the pandemic, lifeguard shortages and aging infrastructure. Houston operates 38 public pools. This summer, 31 are scheduled to open, while the remaining seven are undergoing repairs and maintenance. One of those — at the Tidwell Community Center — is in the midst of a major renovation and is expected to reopen by early 2027.

2 weeks ago | houstonchronicle.com | Ryan Nickerson

Two electric vehicle charging stations are being installed along Allen Parkway at Buffalo Bayou Park, the latest in the city's clean energy initiative. Each station will support two vehicle connections and is expected to be operational by the end of the summer. The $100,000 project is being paid through District C Council Member Abbie Kamin’s discretionary budget. Kamin's district has some of the highest numbers of electric vehicle users in the city, but few public charging stations.

2 weeks ago | houstonchronicle.com | Ryan Nickerson

As temperatures climb and summer approaches, the city's Aquatic Services division is opening eight public pools across Houston for Memorial Day weekend, giving residents of all ages a way to beat the heat.