Houston Landing

6 days ago | houstonlanding.org | Miranda Dunlap

Inside San Jacinto College’s Security Operations Center, four flat-screen TVs lining the front wall flash with real-time cyberattacks against the college’s network. From a row of desks, a handful of students “threat hunt,” investigating suspicious users logging in from faraway countries or attempting dozens of incorrect passwords. While the students are still learning, the cyberthreats they’re confronting in class are real.

1 week ago | houstonlanding.org | Maggie Gordon

The signage affixed to the Houston Public Library branch at 4100 Montrose Blvd. is very clear. “This library and book drop are closed” says one; “Closed effective November 14, 2024.” Also clear: A clause buried within the deed through which the library was donated to the city, which states that if the property ceases to be used as a public library for more than 30 days before the year 2051, its ownership would revert to neighboring University of St. Thomas. November 14 was more than 150 days ago.

1 week ago | houstonlanding.org | Monique Welch

Despite months of overwhelming pleas for increased security at Houston’s only adaptive recreation center, city officials have yet to secure the Metropolitan Multi-Service Center, according to staff members at the facility.

1 week ago | houstonlanding.org | José Luis Martínez |Jose Martinez |José Martinez |Jose Martínez |Hanna Holthaus

Houston employees used city-issued credit cards to buy more than $41 million worth of goods in the past two years, but failed to document what was purchased in more than half of those transactions. In tens of thousands of cases, employees failed to include any description of what they purchased. In others, employees simply used “product” or even “generic product” to describe what they bought.

1 week ago | houstonlanding.org | Monroe Trombly

The 14 jurors straightened in their seats as they heard the name of the next witness. It was Day 14 of the bribery and fraud trial against former Houston Independent School District Chief Operating Officer Brian Busby and ex-district vendor Anthony Hutchison. And defense attorney Dick DeGuerin was calling his first witness: Busby himself. Putting a defendant on the stand is always a gamble. It opens the door to cross-examination and carries considerable risk in a high-profile case.