The fall of Saigon — 50 years ago Wednesday — indirectly sparked a transformation of nail salons as Vietnamese families came to dominate the industry in Houston and the nation. ✍️My latest for Houston Landing houstonlanding.org/how-vietnamese…

🗑️ Houston, we have a trash problem. Illegal dumping is rampant, landfill space is increasingly scarce, and the city's Black and Brown neighborhoods are bearing the brunt of it. What will it take to clean this up? bit.ly/4dgQLpy

Houston's trash problem is piling up — but composting could be a game changer. 🌱 The catch? It can cost millions and many communities are unfamiliar with the process. Still, some officials and advocates see growing potential. bit.ly/439QG2g

Mayor John Whitmire's $7 billion budget proposal erases Houston's deficit without raising taxes, focusing on police and fire funding and cost-cutting measures. bit.ly/432YouZ

Aldine ISD is phasing out a costly but largely successful campus turnaround model at two elementary schools. The winding down will test whether the schools can sustain their high performance without big investments by the district. bit.ly/4iS1yHW

Texas is the nation's largest emitter of methane — and Houston's overflowing landfills are part of the problem. 🗑️ Even with limited control over private sites, local leaders and advocates are pushing for cleaner, smarter waste solutions. bit.ly/3YBJhr0

It’s unlikely the city of Galena Park's 10,000-plus residents know how their tax dollars are being spent. That’s because the city hasn't posted any documents or details of its current $15.8 million budget on its website. bit.ly/3GXhX0c

If you're on the Houston Housing Authority's voucher waitlist, you still have until June 2 to keep your spot in line. If you don't register a new account through the online portal RentCafe and select “Save My Spot,” you'll be removed from the list. bit.ly/432iCoI

My last story for Houston Landing: For years, Spring residents have fought for more road safety measures where children walk to school. With one project stalled at the county level, some parents wonder what it will take to spur action. houstonlanding.org/dont-want-to-s…

Families in Spring are still pushing for a mile-long sidewalk along Walters Road connecting two schools after a 2018 crash. Their calls have hit a roadblock at the county level, leaving them wondering if it will take another accident to spur action. bit.ly/4d5Qs0q

🎓 Over the last decade, children who entered Houston ISD schools as non-native English speakers have been slightly more likely than their classmates to become high school valedictorians, according to a Houston Landing analysis. bit.ly/4385TC1

U.S. citizens were more than twice as likely to be charged with a crime in Harris County in 2023 than adults who don’t hold U.S. citizenship, according to an exclusive data analysis by the Houston Landing. bit.ly/4jNhcFA

If you're on the Houston Housing Authority's voucher waitlist, you still have until June 2 to keep your spot in line. If you don't register a new account through the online portal RentCafe and select “Save My Spot,” you'll be removed from the list. bit.ly/432iCoI

Experts say composting is key to reducing Houston's mounting landfill waste and emissions. The city's pilot programs have diverted over 12 tons of food waste, but limited funding and public awareness hinder progress. bit.ly/4iNk5os

While community colleges are known for affordability, many Houston-area students still graduate with significant debt. Which colleges have the most students graduating with debt, and how heavily does it weigh on them post-grad? Here's what the data says: bit.ly/3EvkUV8

Fifty years after the fall of Saigon, Houston's Vietnamese community — now the nation's second-largest — continues to shape the city's cultural and economic landscape. From Viet-Cajun cuisine to fostering vibrant neighborhoods, their legacy endures. houstonlanding.org/50-years-later…

Houston taxpayers are footing hefty legal bills. From car accidents to civil rights cases, the city faces hundreds of lawsuits each year. Here's what the data shows: bit.ly/4mrRkkD

Scot More experienced homelessness at a young age after coming out as gay and being kicked out of his home. Now, 21 years later, he heads Houston’s homeless court. This story marks the final installment in Houston Landing’s series that asked our neighbors to share: Who are HOU?

After experiencing homelessness himself at a young age, Scot More now advocates for the city's unhoused population by heading Houston's Homeless Court. This story marks the final installment in Houston Landing’s Who are HOU? series. 🗣️ Read his story. bit.ly/42ZQioc

Thank you, Houston.