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Saturday, August 16, 2025 • Vol. 70 • No. 33
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INSIDE.
Got ideas? Help shape the future of Donovan & Stude parks
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Your Voice Matters: Greater Heights Strategic Connections Plan
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Comings & Goings: Meet the new kids in town!
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City council approves $12.5 million for new solid waste trucks By STEFANIE THOMAS editor@theleadernews.com The City of Houston is making moves to remove a longtime thorn in residents’ sides by addressing the city’s garbage woes. Houston City Council voted July 30 to allocate more than $12 million for the purchase of over 30 new garbage trucks for the city’s Solid Waste Management Department, a move leaders say will address long-standing service delays and operational challenges. The ordinance appropriates
$12,494,000 from the Equipment Acquisition Consolidated Fund for side loader trucks, rear loader trucks, and other refuse vehicles. According to the city’s Finance Department, the new equipment will “enable the city to reduce costs and improve delivery times for our communities.” Effective July 23, 2025, Larius Hassen became the permanent director of the City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department after serving as interim director since March following the resignation of the previous director. His appointment comes at a critical juncture
Lawyers take the stage for charity in “Law’s Anatomy”
Key candidates vie for historic seat
Texas will hold a special election on Nov. 4, 2025, to fill the 18th Congressional District seat left vacant following the death of Representative Sylvester Turner (D) on March 5, 2025. The regular election for the full term will follow on Nov. 3, 2026. The district faces potential significant changes through redistricting. GOP lawmakers have released their first draft of a new congressional map that would redraw multiple districts across Texas, including the 18th. The Houston-centered district has been represented by prominent Black Democratic leaders, including Barbara Jordan, Mickey Leland, Sheila Jackson Lee, and Turner. The Texas Tribune reports that under the proposed redistricting, the 18th would become even more Democratic - Harris won with 69% in 2024 and would have carried it with 76% under the new boundaries. The newly proposed map would result in a demographic shift, making the district 50.8% Black while reducing Hispanic and white populations. Some areas previously part of the 9th Congressional District, currently represented by Democrat Al Green, would be incorporated into the redrawn 18th. According to KHOU, the district would also expand further north to south and extend into Fort Bend County. Any new map will likely face legal challenges from civil rights groups and voting rights advocates.
Christian Menefee
Isaiah Martin
Stephen Huey
Amanda Edwards
Zoe Cadore
Jolanda Jones
E. Rain Eatmon
Reyna Anderson
Carmen Montiel
Photos courtesy of candidates or from official campaign websites
1. Christian Menefee Total Raised: $977,795.80 Party: Democrat Bio and Platform Summary (Candidate’s Own Words): Christian Menefee was raised in Texas’s 18th Congressional District by two mili-
By STEPHANIE SHIRLEY The Leader News Contributor It’s not often you see attorneys trading legal briefs for Broadway-style choreography, but Houston’s Night Court proves that lawyers can bring both justice and joy. For more than 30 years, this nonprofit troupe of legal professionals has blended sharp wit, theatrical flair, and a deep commitment to local causes—raising over $1.5 million for Houston-area legal charities through original musical comedies.
By BETSY DENSON The Leader News Contributor
Current Candidate Field
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The Leader’s coverage area, and citywide, frustrated for months and years.
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TEXAS 18TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT RACE
Based on FEC filings and campaign announcements, here are the profiles of the top nine candidates by fundraising totals (listed by fundraising rank for coverage ending June 30, 2025):
Railroad Crossings: Teach kids how to navigate them safely
for the department, which has faced mounting complaints over missed recycling pickups and persistent problems with truck maintenance. Mayor John Whitmire has publicly described Solid Waste as “one of the most dysfunctional departments in the city,” but praised Hassen for taking swift steps to improve operations. Since assuming leadership, Hassen has focused on increasing driver versatility, expeFile photo diting equipment repairs, and addressing operational inefficiencies Persistent delays in trash pickup have left residents in
tary parents and went to local public schools. As Harris County Attorney, he’s delivered real results - defending our voting rights in court, restoring public health funding after Trump cut it, and fighting to protect abortion access. In Congress, he’ll bring youthful, relentless energy to protect our freedoms, lower costs, create good jobs, and hold Trump accountable. Standout Quote: “I’m running
for Congress in Texas’s 18th District because working families need more than talk - they need a fighter who delivers. Republicans are gutting Social Security, driving up healthcare costs, and rigging the economy for billionaires while everyday people struggle. I’ve spent my career taking on scammers, corporate polluters, and Texas politicians like Greg
From Talent Show to Theatrical Tradition
Night Court is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that was formed over three decades ago to support legal charities in the Houston community. The performing troupe is comprised of local attorneys, judges, and other legal professionals who have raised more than $1.5 million dollars for legal charities by writing and performing original musical comedies. The experienced group has been performing for over 30 years at different venues, including The Wortham and Houston’s downtown Hobby Center, where they’ve headlined for over a decade. Later this August, Night Court will be presenting Laws Anatomy: The Juris Doctor Will See You Now, a musical comedy parodying the relationship between medical professionals and litigious attorneys. Tara Taheri is a cast member, producer and media chair for the nonprofit. She has been a member of the troupe since 2014 and said they just celebrated their 30th anniversary in 2022. She said it originated as a sort of talent show to raise money, but morphed into renowned and revered annual performances. When asked about the inspiration and content for their comedies Taheri said, “We have an incredible head writer named Debra Baker, that’s been writing for us for over 25 years. She’s also an attorney, of course. She’s absolutely brilliant and she works closely with our director, Judy Frow, who also is a former Heights resident. They are both absolutely amazingly talented. This year we
See ELECTION P. 5
See LAW P. 2
METRO and HISD partner to provide free transit for eligible high school students By STEFANIE THOMAS editor@theleadernews.com Community Calendar: Find out what’s happening around the neighborhood
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The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) and the Houston Independent School District (HISD) have partnered to provide eligible HISD high school students with free METRO transportation for the 2025–2026 academic year, aiming to expand access to education, after-school programs, jobs, and essential services by remov-
ing transportation barriers. Under the program, qualifying HISD high school students will receive a preloaded METRO Q® Fare Card at no cost. The cards, distributed through school administrators, allow students to ride local bus, METRORail, and curb2curb services for free. All METRO vehicles are ADA-accessible and feature free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and security cameras to ensure a safe, comfortable ride. “Reliable transportation is a
gateway to opportunity,” said METRO Chair Elizabeth Gonzalez Brock. “This partnership opens doors for education, employment, and engagement, and we’re proud to support the success of Houston’s students.” To receive a METRO Q® Card, families must complete the transportation request form available on the HISD website. Once a student is approved for district-provided See METRO P. 2
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Photo courtesy of METRO