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City Cast Houston

By now, you’ve probably heard about Trump Burger. The restaurant, 

 and homage to President Donald Trump, has been embroiled in controversy all summer. And, why is that? Two Trump Burger owners, both who have spoken highly of the current president, 

have been detained by ICE in recent months

. So, how did a burger place for Trump fans wind up in the Houston area and make national news? Let’s unpack.

opened the first version of the restaurant

 in Bellville, a community over an hour northwest of Houston. The couple originally started a cafe that was just another restaurant with no Trump branding. As the presidential election neared in October 2016, the couple decided to rebrand their business and call it Trump Cafe. Now, customers could devour a “Trump Burger” for $12.95 and meet with like minded individuals. However, only a year into the business, Trump Cafe abruptly closed in 2017.

Still, Trump Burger gained new life when Roland Beainy, described as a Lebanese immigrant in news reports, 

opened a new and improved version in 2020

. Now, customers could order burgers with “Trump” emblazoned on the bun. American flags and Pro-Trump banners were also easy to spot. The burger business expanded to other locations including Kemah, Houston, and Flatonia. Then, trouble started to brew.

 and has been accused of overstaying his visa, which expired in Feb. 2024. Beainy also allegedly has an assault charge on his record and has been accused of creating a fake marriage to gain permanent residency in the U.S. But, the trouble doesn’t stop there.

Eddie Hawa, also known as Iyad Abuelhawa, 

 and is being held in a detention center in Montgomery County. He allegedly has been in the country illegally since 2009, when a judge ordered his deportation. Meanwhile, Hawa and Beainy are fighting over ownership of the business and both have sued one another over the burger franchise.

With all the news swirling about this restaurant, how does the Trump burger actually taste? “The chargrilled burger patties are thick but bland, topped with a waxy cheese that lacks any memorable flavor,” Brittany Britto Garley, Eater's former regional editor, 

Houston Chronicle restaurant critic Bao Ong also 

: “Most dishes are unremarkable and far from making the Chronicle’s best burgers guide.”

So, will Trump Burger outlast its legal drama? It’s unclear. But, in the meantime, grab your popcorn, 

 a Trump Burger, and enjoy the show! 🍔

Shout-out to Houston Chronicle reporter Sarah Smith who unpacked all of the Trump burger drama 

A previous version of this article incorrectly stated when Trump Burger owner Roland Beainy's visa expired. The correct date is February 2024. A previous version of this article also had the incorrect spelling of the community where the original Trump Burger is located. It is Bellville.

How The Trump Burger Saga Unfolded in Houston 

What Houstonians have been wondering. We break down why things in Houston are the way they are and how they work.

Houston, Explained

Texas House Democrats fled the state on Aug. 3 in an effort to block a vote on new congressional district maps and 

Lawmakers can update congressional district maps 

. Redistricting was not included in this year’s legislative session and was not going to be on Gov. Greg Abbott’s special session agenda until President Donald Trump got involved.

, called Abbott and convinced him to put redistricting on the agenda in an effort to pick up five congressional seats.

, Trump said, “I got the highest vote in the history of Texas. And we are entitled to five more seats.”

More than a million Harris County residents 

will have a different congressional representative

 if the map goes into effect. The new map would also eliminate U.S. Rep Al Green’s predominantly African American district, shifting it to the eastern part of Harris County.

🗳️ Fleeing the State Deprives the House of a Quorum

By leaving Texas, Democrats are denying the House a quorum, which is the number of lawmakers it needs to be able to vote on a measure. The 150-member House has to have at 

 present to conduct business. More than 50 Democratic lawmakers left the state on Sunday for Illinois, New York, and Boston (where some were 

Lawmakers have used breaking quorum as a strategy 

The Texas House adjourned due to lack of quorum 

 on Tuesday. While most House activity is now on pause, some legislative committees 

The Texas House has issued civil arrest warrants for the missing lawmakers. Abbott has told the Texas Department of Public Safety to arrest lawmakers, and has 

 to investigate them. Both departments only have jurisdiction in Texas.

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn sent a letter to the FBI on Tuesday 

requesting help finding and arresting lawmakers

 from their seats, and leaders have given members until Friday to get back to Austin or face 

, according to Attorney General Ken Paxton. Abbott has also suggested that those who fundraise to cover a $500-a-day fine for breaking quorum may be committing bribery.

Texas Democrats fled the state on Sunday has created a political showdown during the special session. 

 What’s Happening With Redistricting in Texas?

! Over the next 140 days, state lawmakers will debate and vote on new laws that could dramatically impact Houstonians, from a proposal to fund students’ private schools to more money for border security. So, why do lawmakers only meet every two years? And what issues are at stake this session? Let’s get into it!

The Texas Legislature held their first session in February 1846, and back then, not 

many lawmakers were interested in making the trek to Austin

 from all over the state, according to Nancy Baker Jones, president of the Ruthe Winegarten Memorial Foundation for Texas Women's History. As other major events happened, like the Civil War and Reconstruction, state representatives had other priorities on their mind, so they weren’t interested in having more regular meetings.

Even today, you could say we have an independent streak in Texas. Many state lawmakers don’t feel the need for more structure and believe meeting every two years is enough to take care of business for the Lone Star State — even if we have one of the largest economies in the world. Another factor: 

Most state legislators work separate, full time jobs

 when the legislature is not in session, partly because they’re paid so little. (It’s hard to live on $600 a month in Houston!) Texas is 

one of only four states that meets every two years

, along with Montana, Nevada, and North Dakota. All other states meet annually.

What Issues Will Legislators Consider This Session?

 this session, many will die before they ever make it for a vote. So, what high-profile issues should you keep tabs on? Well, a new school voucher program 

could drastically the education landscape in Texas

. If passed, eligible families would receive $10,000 to fund a child’s education at an accredited private school. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick also 

 the state’s near total abortion ban “so that doctors are not in fear of being penalized if they think the life of the mother is at risk.” And potential good news for next hurricane season: Lawmakers 

 to help homeowners retrofit their property to withstand hurricane and windstorm losses.

who your state representative is this session

Do you have other questions about the legislative session you want answered? 

Why does the Texas legislature meet only every two years? 

Why the Texas Legislature Only Meets Every Two Years

U.S. Rep Sheila Jackson Lee, one of the longest serving members in Congress, broke barriers during her career in public service, always advocating for people of color, women, and becoming one of the most recognizable faces at Houston community events. The longtime Congresswoman 

passed away earlier this year from pancreatic cancer

. Here’s more about the fierce political leader and her legacy.

Although a longtime Houstonian, Sheila Jackson Lee was born and raised in Queens, New York. She began college at New York University with a scholarship in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., but transferred to Yale to finish her degree. She moved to Houston with her husband Elwyn Lee in 1978. Her start in politics was difficult. In the 1980s, she lost three consecutive local judge races. However, Jackson Lee continued to persevere. In 1989, she became 

one of the first African-American women to serve in an at-large position on Houston City Council

. In 1994, she beat out four-term incumbent U.S. Rep. Craig Washington to gain a seat in Congress.

As Congresswoman, Jackson Lee fought for those who didn’t have a voice, and was known for 

speaking on the House floor or before cameras on issues that she was passionate about

. She sponsored about 50 Congressional bills every legislative session, more than double what a typical House member files. Jackson Lee also authored the Violence Against Women Act and helped establish Juneteenth as a federal holiday. In Houston, she was easy to spot at food drives, funerals, and other community events. At one point, she helped Houston receive $1 billion in federal funding for the light rail system in 2009, after 

approaching then-Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood

 right before President Obama’s joint address to Congress. She invited him to Houston on the spot. Jackson Lee did face some public criticism, specifically after audio of her demeaning staffers leaked last year. She apologized in a statement saying, “in my zeal to do everything possible to deliver for my constituents I have in the past fallen short of my own standards, and there is no excuse for that.”

In June, Jackson Lee announced that she was battling pancreatic cancer. She died only a little over a month later on July 19, at the age of 74. Friends, family, and elected officials, including Vice President Kamala Harris, 

shared memories of Jackson Lee during her funeral at Fallbrook Church

 in August. She left behind her husband, and two children, Jason and Erica Lee. Her daughter, Erica, is currently filling out the rest of Jackson Lee’s term. In January, former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner will take over the position. To honor her legacy and work advocating for the school district, Spring ISD 

will rename their Family and Community Engagement Center after Jackson Lee

U.S. Rep Sheila Jackson Lee, one of the longest serving members of Congress, died earlier this year from pancreatic cancer. 

The Political Legacy of Sheila Jackson Lee

People, places, and scenes from Houston's past.

Houston History

After Hurricane Beryl hit on July 8, more than 2.2 million Houstonians were left without power and at least 13 people died. The storm 

also left up to $3.5 billion in property damage

 because of high winds. And the total economic loss from the storm in the United States could reach $32 billion! But when Beryl made landfall in Houston, it was a Category 1 hurricane, the weakest category possible. So, why did it cause so much damage?

As Hurricane Beryl was making its way closer to Houston, its wind speeds began to intensify. Eric Blake, a forecaster at the National Hurricane Center, said that if Beryl had stayed in the Gulf of Mexico six more hours, 

then it could’ve progressed to a Category 2 hurricane.

 Once the storm made landfall, it took a while for its momentum to slow down, causing high wind speeds. Lake Jackson, Angelton, Baytown, La Porte, and Alvin 

It’s important to remember that even tropical-storm force winds, which can range from 60 mph to 95 mph, can rip off roofs and blow out windows at houses with poor or average construction, 

according to the National Weather Service.

 Those wind speeds can also result in numerous power outages with downed wires and power poles. Meanwhile, hurricane force winds that range from 74 mph to 110 mph can blow out glass in high-rise office buildings and uproot trees. Another important factor: Houston 

was also on the dirty side of Hurricane Beryl,

 known as the right side, which sees more extreme winds.

Hurricane Beryl’s financial damage for Houston is expected to be less than Hurricane Ike and Hurricane Harvey – but we still learned how much damage even a Category 1 hurricane can cause. So, where do we go from here?

No matter the category of a hurricane, prepare for the worst case scenario: 

Even if a storm is only classified as a tropical storm, it can still cause significant damage. In 2001, 

 left Houston with significant damage and 

. In 2017, came Hurricane Harvey. Once it moved towards Houston, it had weakened to a tropical storm. 

But Harvey still managed to dump 4.5 feet of rainfall

Be prepared for widespread power outages: 

 in May and Beryl in July, Houston will experience widespread power outages during high wind storms. Make a power outage plan before the storm happens: buy non-perishable food items, 

, and other items you’ll need. If possible, consider buying a generator and use these 

Pay attention to the forecast during hurricane season: 

Hurricane season lasts until Nov. 30. Before Beryl, some of us were caught up with our Fourth of July plans and not paying attention to Beryl’s track, which changed unexpectedly only a few days before landfall. Pay attention to local meteorologists, 

 from Mike Iscovitz, chief meteorologist at Fox 26 Houston.

Why Did Hurricane Beryl Cause So Much Damage?

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?

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 

Early voting has begun in Harris County, and runs through Nov. 4. Election Day is Nov. 8. It’s too late to register to vote — but assuming that you’re already registered, here’s what else you need to know.


Bring your driver’s license or other approved photo ID.

 If you’re between 18 and 69, an expired photo ID is okay 

 it expired less than four years ago. If you’re 70 or older, you don’t have to worry if the ID has expired. 

If you don’t have an approved photo ID, bring a voter registration certificate, U.S. birth certificate, current utility bill, paycheck, bank statement, government check or another government document that has your name and address on it. You’ll also need to fill out a Reasonable Impediment form at the polling place.

Voters without an acceptable form of ID can vote on a provisional ballot, but must come to a branch location within six days after the election to verify their identification.

You can bring a sample ballot or handwritten notes, but electronics are not allowed in the voting booth – so no, you can’t check notes on your phone.

If you need assistance, you can bring someone to help you while you vote. They must notify the presiding judge. Your assistant will take an oath and sign paperwork that they’re not forcing you to vote or persuading you to vote a certain way.


Harris County’s ballot, the longest in Texas, is two pages long.

It’s available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Chinese.

Voting machines allow you to increase the font size or contrast. After you finish voting, you’ll print your ballot from the voting machine and you’ll scan it into the machine near the exit. Here’s a video 

that breaks down how to use the new voting machines

 offer nonpartisan voter’s guides to the election.

Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. most days during early voting. On Nov. 3, voting hours extend until 10 p.m. On Oct. 30, polls open up later at noon.

You can vote at any poll location during Early Voting and on Election Day. Find the closest poll location 

How to Help Your Neighbor Vote

Everything to know about Houston neighborhoods: Where to go, eat, shop, drink, and more.

local politics

How The Trump Burger Saga Unfolded in Houston

What’s Happening With Redistricting in Texas?

Why the Texas Legislature Only Meets Every Two Years

Latest articles

How The Trump Burger Saga Unfolded in Houston

What’s Happening With Redistricting in Texas?

Why the Texas Legislature Only Meets Every Two Years

The Political Legacy of Sheila Jackson Lee

Why Did Hurricane Beryl Cause So Much Damage?

Why is the Texas-Mexico border in crisis?

How To Find Unclaimed Money

Latest articles

The Political Legacy of Sheila Jackson Lee

Why Did Hurricane Beryl Cause So Much Damage?

Why is the Texas-Mexico border in crisis?

How To Find Unclaimed Money

How to Help Your Neighbor Vote