City and county officials say all of their federal relief funds have been allocated, but the city refused to share its final spending amounts.
McKenna Oxenden
McKenna Oxenden is a reporter covering Harris County for the Houston Landing. She most recently had a yearlong fellowship at the New York Times on its breaking news team. A Baltimore native, she previously covered criminal justice and breaking news at the Baltimore Sun. Prior to working for her hometown paper, McKenna worked at the Tampa Bay Times in a variety of roles including, reporter, social media/homepage editor and podcast producer. Her work has also appeared in the Washington Post, USA Today and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. McKenna is a graduate of Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with a degree in journalism, photography and digital media. She is a self-proclaimed “horse girl” who competes in three-day eventing. McKenna is also an avid ultimate frisbee player, firmly believes that being the cool aunt is a personality trait and is always looking for a new brewery to try.
Posted inPolitics & Government
Harris County courts adopt plan to add interpreters, but say millions needed to sustain it
The plan calls for increasing the number of interpreters, and training judges and staff on the need for better language access in their courtrooms.
Posted inPolitics & Government
Harris County health dept. to operate 911 call diversion program following vendor scrutiny
The move comes amid scrutiny that began in May after the vendor was accused of billing Harris County for hours it was working for a California county.
Posted inPolitics & Government
Commissioners Court creates new tax reinvestment zone in northeast Harris County
The investment zone would cover 37 square miles in northeast Harris County near Beltway 8 and Lake Houston Parkway.
Posted inPolitics & Government
Former Harris County health director charged with felony over misuse of contract information
Barbie Robinson is accused of giving information to IBM officials about a potential multi-million-dollar county contract the company later won.
Posted inPolitics & Government
Houston-area gas station to pay $50,000 settlement for price gouging during Hurricane Beryl
The settlement is the second reached by the Harris County Attorney’s office over price gouging in the wake of Hurricane Beryl in July.
Posted inPolitics & Government
Harris County Republicans pick up judicial seats as GOP makes gains across region
Ten Republicans won county judicial seats this election, putting a dent in Democrats’ recent dominance of control over local courts.
Posted inElections
Election 2024: Harris County Commissioners Rodney Ellis, Tom Ramsey coast to re-election
Though Harris County commissioners are among the most powerful local elected officials, the races this cycle were not particularly competitive.
Posted inPolitics & Government
Harris County revamped its guaranteed income program. Ken Paxton is still trying to stop it.
Paxton has appealed a state district judge’s ruling that said the county could proceed with what is now dubbed the Community Prosperity Program.
Posted inElections
Lucci Smith and Menefee both tout experience in the race for Harris County attorney
The winner will represent Harris County government and elected officials in legal matters, while enforcing environmental laws on behalf of residents.