Before we head into 2025, we're highlighting the Houstonians who made a BIG impact on our city --- for better or worse. We asked YOU to vote in our City Cast Houston Awards, presented by our exclusive sponsor Downtown Houston+. Now, it's time to reveal the winners! A big shout-out to Houston Chronicle Vice President and Editor of Opinion Lisa Falkenberg and ABC-13 morning anchor Rita Garcia for being our guest judges for this year's City Cast Houston awards. Make sure to listen to our full podcast episode where we break down all of the winners.
Power and Politics
The voters have spoken! Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles was the most influential figure in power and politics for Houston this year. Since he was appointed by the state to takeover the district in 2023, Miles has become one of the most polarizing figures in Houston, with both fans and critics. During his time in HISD so far, Miles has overhauled the district's curriculum, enforced strict bathroom policies, created a new principal academy, overseen dramatic staff turnover, and turned libraries into "team centers." His decisions have impacted thousands of teachers and students, with many of them leaving the school district.
Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles during a tour of Cullen Middle School earlier this fall. (Raquel Natalicchio/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)
Food and Drink
Award-winning Houston Chronicle food columnist Alison Cook's reporting has made a huge impact on our city's food scene. Cook recently left the Houston Chronicle after more than two decades. Cook's reporting helped elevate many H-town restaurants and chefs, bringing national attention to the city's food industry. She has won three James Beard awards, the nation's most prestigious prize for food writing. "I just love that she celebrated the craft of food and the craft of language," Falkenberg said on the podcast's awards show.
H-Town Hero
Houstonian Simone Biles made the city proud at the Paris Olympics earlier this summer, winning three gold medals and one silver. Biles took a mental health break from competing after experiencing a mental block called the twisties during the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. The condition can cause gymnasts to lose sense of where they are in the air, making the move risky. She made her unforgettable comeback at the Paris Olympics, and you can watch her journey in a documentary on Netflix. We're so proud of you, Simone!
