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City Cast Houston

 by the city’s animal control officers within the last year. So, what should you do if you come across a stray?

If you’re driving around or walking in your neighborhood, you might spot a stray animal. When this happens, it’s your job to keep you and the animal safe. The best option is to 

 and report the animal. This gives the animal a better chance of being reunited with their owner. Animal control may also be able to come to the scene and assist you. If you decide to take the animal yourself, be careful. Safely restrain them and take them to a local shelter.

Make sure you let your local animal control agency know, so the animal can be located if an owner comes looking.

Post signs and photos of the animal in your neighborhood or at the local vet.

Get the animal a physical check-up at your local vet.

Make sure to separate the stray animal from your other pets at home until they get adjusted and the stray has a check-up at the vet.

If you can’t find the owner, then you may decide to keep the pet yourself, take it to your local shelter, or rehome with a friend or family member.

If you know you have a knack for finding lost animals and rescuing them, then here are items you’ll want on hand: animal first-aid kit, water bowls, water, dog or cat food, cat carrier, cardboard box, collars, leashes, phone number of local animal control or shelters.

Did you recently pick up a stray or have advice on this topic? 

More than 10,000 stray animals have been picked up by Houston’s animal control officers within the last year. So, what should you do if you come across a stray?

What To Do With A Stray Animal 

Houston, Explained

The Texas-Mexico border has made national headlines in recent weeks because of harsh treatment of migrants and buoy barriers in the Rio Grande. So, what’s actually happening there? Let me break it down for you.

 People are able to cross the border a variety of ways through two dams, one ferry, and 25 other crossings. Mexico remains Texas’ number one trading partner. Besides migrants crossing the border, Texas and Mexico have traded goods using the border for many years.

Last month, Nicholas Wingate, a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper and paramedic, shared harrowing incidents in an email he witnessed stationed in border town Eagle Pass, Texas. ln his email, he said that troopers were given orders to 

push children into the Rio Grande and deny water to migrants

 who are crossing the border. In the email, he said the state had put razor wire-wrapped barrels in parts of the Rio Grande with high water. He described migrants getting caught in the razor wire trying to cross, including a pregnant woman who was having a miscarriage, a four-year-old girl, and a teenager who had to be carried by his father. You can read 

 to prevent drownings from people crossing the border. The buoys have remained a point of controversy between the state and the federal government. Last month, the U.S. Department of Justice sued the state to force them to remove the buoys, claiming they violate laws regulating waterways. Earlier this month, two bodies were found in the Rio Grande, and one of them was stuck in the buoy barrier.

A federal court hearing over the buoy barriers is set for Tuesday. If the judge orders the state to remove the barriers, then they 

must do so within ten days of the hearing

. Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus are pushing the Biden Administration to 

stop Texas troopers from separating migrant families from their fathers

Cesar Espinosa, executive director at FIEL Houston,

 recently shared what migrants are facing at the border

, how policy is impacting our immigration crisis, and how Houstonians can help. [City Cast Houston 🎧]

Why is the Texas-Mexico border in crisis?

Earlier this summer, Houston shelters were dealing with an influx of stray cats and dogs. More 

 by the city’s animal control officers within the last year. The city's Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care also had to put down 386 cats and dogs in April, which is the highest number since June 2019. If you want to help Houston shelters, then it might be time to adopt a pet. So, how can you do it?

Some Houston-area shelters to adopt your new furry friend include 

. You’ll need to come in person to adopt an animal at one of these shelters and must be 18-years-old with a valid, government issued photo ID. Before you adopt your pet, make sure to prepare your home and check for safety issues, talk to other family members about responsibilities, make sure other pets in your home are fully vaccinated, and find a vet if you don’t have one.

Adoption fees vary from shelter to shelter. At BARC, seniors 60 years and older can adopt a dog or cat for only $2.

You should take your new pet to a vet within 72 hours of adoption, so they can get a thorough physical examination. Some shelters like BARC offer treatment for pets within two weeks of adoption if they become sick.

Once you have your new fur baby, listen to how you can 

Have you adopted a pet recently? What was your experience like? 

Earlier this summer, Houston shelters were dealing with an influx of stray cats and dogs. More than 10,000 animals have been picked up by the city’s animal control officers within the last year. The city's Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care also had to put down 386 cats and dogs in April, which is the highest number since June 2019. If you want to help Houston shelters, then it might be time to adopt a pet. So, how can you do it?

How To Adopt A Pet In Houston 

How To Adopt a Pet In Houston 

Since this heatwave isn’t going away anytime soon, you might be looking for a city pool to access. However, since the pandemic, the city has been unable to open all pools because of a lifeguard shortage, according to a story I first read in 

 this summer, but that’s still only 60% of total public pools.

Half the pools are open on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The other half are open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

Houston hired 130 new lifeguards this summer, but it still wasn’t enough for them to open up all pools across the city.

The Houston Parks department said they looked at past demand for each pool and also tried to open the same number of pools in each city council district.

However, the median household income where pools remain open is 22% higher than ones where they remain closed. Neighborhoods where pools remain closed are also populated with more residents of color.

Perhaps, Houston will look to Austin as an example. The city managed to hire more than 1,000 lifeguards this summer.

Austin’s pay rate is higher than Houston’s. They also hire lifeguards starting at age 15, which makes up over 30 to 40% of their staff. Houston’s starting age for lifeguards is 16.

What do you think of the lifeguard shortage? Is your pool open in your neighborhood? 

, we've got you covered. [City Cast Houston 🎧]

Since this heatwave isn’t going away anytime soon, you might be looking for a city pool to access. However, since the pandemic, the city has been unable to open all pools because of a lifeguard shortage.

Shortage of Houston Public Pools Open This Summer 

This summer has been brutal with triple-digit temperatures and crazy heat indexes. We’ve seen 

three heat-related deaths in the Houston region

 As we get closer to August, do we have any hope of seeing cooler temperatures? Let’s take a look.

 starting on July 8 that finally ended last week. More than 40% of the state is also experiencing moderate drought conditions, including 35% of the Houston region. Katy residents can’t water their landscape, wash cars, or drain and refill pools 

. Galveston has put a burn ban in effect. The triple-digit temperatures throughout July stem from a heat dome Texas 

hot temperatures will continue into August.

 A high pressure system of heat will drift back into Texas this week, putting temperatures in the triple digits. The high pressure system may move back into the Southwest this weekend and give us temporary relief from extra hot temperatures. However, forecasters still predict our weather pattern of hot temperatures and low rainfall will not let up anytime soon.

The heat may be unrelenting, but there are still plenty of ways to enjoy the rest of the summer.

Go to the movies and eat some delicious food at 

. Studio Movie grill has $6 movie nights on Tuesday.

Still need more ideas? Listen to our episode highlighting 

 around the city. [City Cast Houston 🎧]

Matt Lanza of Space City Weather recently explained why our city is 

I still want to know how you’re keeping cool this summer. 

This summer has been brutal with triple-digit temperatures and crazy heat indexes. We’ve seen three heat-related deaths in the Houston region. The heat wave has also affected Houstonian’s mental health. As we get closer to August, do we have any hope of seeing cooler temperatures? Let’s take a look.

When Will Houston's Heatwave End? 

a decades-long fight brought light rail to Houston

, MetroRail has been a fixture in our city.

 — but Google Maps is probably more convenient.

If you’ve never ridden before, the easiest way to buy a ticket is to use one of the ticket machines at the rail stop. Those accept cash, credit cards and debit cards.

, which you can buy and reload at grocery stores, gas stations, or online.

There are three lines, each named for a color. 

The Red Line, the oldest and most popular, is 13 miles long and has 25 stations. It 

starts at Northline Transit Center and extends to Fannin South.

In between, there’s the Texas Medical Center, the Museum District, and NRG Park.

travels through the East End, starting from downtown’s Theater District and ending at Magnolia Park Transit Center

starts downtown and heads southeast along Capitol and Rusk street

, ending at the Palm Transit Center near MLK and Griggs. This line also travels through Third Ward, with stops at both University of Houston and Texas Southern University.

Since 2004, when a decades-long fight brought light rail to Houston, MetroRail has been a fixture in our city. Here's how you can use the light rail system. 

How To Use Houston's MetroRail 

Do you have unclaimed money you don’t know about?

 is money you might not have received from a business or government office. It can be abandoned bank accounts, uncashed checks, overpayment, unredeemed gift cards, insurance proceeds, payroll, and vendor checks, and more.

There’s probably unclaimed money out there with your name on it!

To search for your unclaimed property, visit the 

and search your name or business name. Make sure to use nicknames and common misspellings. Once the search is complete, you can click on properties that are yours and film a claim with the comptroller’s office.

If you’ve lived in other states and want to see what missing money you may have, 

Unclaimed property is money you might not have received from a business or government office. It can be abandoned bank accounts, uncashed checks, overpayment, unredeemed gift cards, insurance proceeds, payroll, and vendor checks, and more. There’s probably unclaimed money out there with your name on it!


How to Find Unclaimed Money in Houston 

How To Find Unclaimed Money 

Whether this is your first summer living in Houston or you’re a native, I think we’re all wondering the same thing: Why is it already so hot? Houston summers are brutal, but June is starting off unusually warm. So, what’s the deal and how can you protect yourself from the heat? Let me break it down.

 that expanded into the Southern Plains, bringing the heat to Texas. This month is likely to be one of the hottest Junes on record EVER. During Houston summers, June temperatures usually average between 89 and 92 degrees. However, this month we’ve seen heat indexes climb, making it feel like it’s 110 degrees or more outside.

The brutal heat will likely continue into early July because forecasters expect the dome of high pressure to continue over the Southern Plains. Hot temperatures in the Southern Plains usually don’t let up in July either — unless a tropical system brings significant rainfall.

Drink several glasses of water throughout the day. Don’t wait until you get thirsty or ready to exercise. Make sure you stay hydrated!

Keep cool and stay inside with air-conditioning. If your air-conditioner isn’t working properly and you need a portable air-conditioner, contact Harris County Area Agency on Aging at 832-393-4301. You can also find a list of 

Be careful with strenuous activity outside. Take breaks, wear loose and light-fitting clothes, and limit outdoor physical exercise to early morning or evenings.

Don’t leave pets or children in your car. Temperatures inside a vehicle can rise quickly and result in deadly consequences.

Check on the elderly and other people with health conditions. Make sure they have proper air-conditioning inside their homes and that they’re staying hydrated.

Eat lighter meals because hot and heavy meals add more heat to your body.

Wear sunscreen and continue to reapply if you’re going to be out for long periods of time.

Why has it been so hot in Houston?

recently raised speculation on social media

 that the Texas Education Agency had already hired a new superintendent for the Houston Independent School District. So, is that true?

The Texas Education Agency said they will not announce a new superintendent until June 1, when they officially take over the school district. At that time, they will also appoint a new board of managers that will replace the current school board.

Who Is The Rumored Superintendent Candidate?

Mike Miles, former Dallas ISD superintendent, is the candidate speculated to take over the district — even though TEA has not confirmed anything yet. Miles served three years as Dallas ISD superintendent, but 

resigned after negotiations for his contract fell through.

 His time as superintendent can be described as “turbulent” because educators and local school officials didn’t always agree with his methods. For example, Miles implemented a teacher evaluation plan that created a tense relationship with educators and also fired numerous principals in the district despite outcries from the community. He now serves as CEO and founder of a charter school consulting group, Third Future Schools, which works with 4,500 charter schools across Texas, Louisiana, and Colorado.

We’ll have to sit tight until June to see if Miles or somebody else will be named superintendent for Houston ISD. Currently, several members of senior leadership for the district 

Do you want an issue, trending news topic, or something else explained? 

Does HISD Have A New Superintendent? 

Juneteenth has gained national attention in recent years, but the holiday began as a Texas tradition in nearby Galveston. On June 19, 1865 — two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation — Union Army Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger 

 On that day, more than 250,000 enslaved Black people in Texas became one of the last groups of slaves to be freed in the country. 


Sam Collins III, a historian, raised funds for a historical marker at the site of the former Osterman building in Galveston, where the general order was declared. The marker was erected in 2014, but few people stopped to read it. Collins decided that a mural would get more attention. Houston artist Reginald Adams, known for his public art around the city at Emancipation Park and murals outside the Breakfast Klub, came on board to paint the mural. In 2021, Adams and his team worked on the wall for nearly a month. 


In the mural, several historical figures central to understanding slavery and Texas Black history are represented including Abraham Lincoln, Harriet Tubman, and Union Army Maj. Gen Gordon Granger. Now, if you visit the Old Galveston Square Building, 

you’ll find the 5,000 square foot mural

 depicting a key part of Texas history. 

For the full story on the mural, 