[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6480897,"mediaKeyId","5742189-6eb57eadae9dfda8b3ec563b0d576fdb","parentId",5742189,"title","Mother of deceased woman asks council for clarity after conflicting HPD communications","audioSeconds",182,"startMs",6105000,"endMs",6287000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5742189-6eb57eadae9dfda8b3ec563b0d576fdb&start=6105&end=6287","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5742189-6eb57eadae9dfda8b3ec563b0d576fdb/thumbnail_6105000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6480897/Houston/Harris-County/Texas/Mother-of-deceased-woman-asks-council-for-clarity-after-conflicting-HPD-communications","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6480897-63d704a1638bc9821289579019804137/orig.mp4?Expires=1770684462&Signature=fGShotScdmuB0Ph37VJn9GCHlR~-IZa7YM1EbVcPnQVsRbLEZWy6WiUpM-TErYuYwqWvMRjIZvJzpXnUWUtVB6R1r0tWeIaYwGP5Kmgz9SHPtqfGBuyylBA-ngRkJXtRwPoolOzwDbyu5MiR0z-gVbmeO9OctiuuV31MCNb3ntZaJ2WxLErZePiYikyMSWmJ-v-VTRHUrXrMM5gnIEX2B5l5yEPuaANL2qwTchuqFqElHkEt3DaSxcBNGBttCzRwPYU2Ncf~EZhQjGfLjknh1kbb7jlJdpRROpM3u4w3ABOgBU2rg06XYE0BKA1mDx6wY2IfRYfdxjn4HTeiM-iN6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Houston","date","2025-09-09T00:00:00Z","article","A Houston mother told the City Council on Sept. 9 that she has received conflicting information from Houston Police Department offices about whether investigators will continue reviewing her daughter’s death and asked the city to provide clarity and accountability.

Cadrian (Cadrian/Cadrian) Jones identified herself as the mother of Tamoria Rayshawn Jones, who died in Houston on July 1, 2023. She said she received an email on April 10 from Christina Nowak, deputy inspector general in the Office of Police Oversight, stating the case had been classified as a drug overdose and that no further investigation would be conducted. After filing an internal complaint with Internal Affairs, Jones said she then received a June 26 letter from Sergeant Vogue indicating further investigation was warranted — a contradiction she said the family urgently needs resolved.

“My family deserves transparency and Tamoria deserves a thorough and respectful investigation,” Jones told the council. She asked for a designated HPD contact to clarify whether the case remains open and to explain the conflicting letters.

Council response

The presiding official said an HPD officer was present in the chamber and asked Jones to speak with that officer after the meeting; the mayor’s office offered to refer her to the mayor’s staff contact, Rebecca Williams, to facilitate contact with an investigator if needed.

Why it matters: The family described inconsistent communications from HPD offices about the classification and status of a death investigation and sought assurance of a complete, consistent investigative process. The council pledged to follow up and to try to help the family obtain a clear response from HPD.

Next steps

The presiding official asked the family to speak with the HPD officer at the meeting and offered to have Mayor’s Office staff connect the family with an investigator if needed. No formal council action was taken Sept. 9.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Houston - Council Meeting (September 9, 2025 & September 10, 2025)","oneSentenceSummary","A Houston resident whose daughter died in 2023 said she received conflicting statements from HPD and the Office of Police Oversight about whether investigators would continue the case; the council offered to connect her with HPD and the city investigator.","taxTitle","Houston, Harris County, Texas","taxId",2797,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6480904,"Briarmeadow residents ask city to coordinate construction and address long‑standing drainage issues",229,6787000,7016000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5742189-6eb57eadae9dfda8b3ec563b0d576fdb&start=6787&end=7016","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5742189-6eb57eadae9dfda8b3ec563b0d576fdb/thumbnail_6787000.jpg","/articles/6480904/Houston/Harris-County/Texas/Briarmeadow-residents-ask-city-to-coordinate-construction-and-address-longstanding-drainage-issues","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6480904-3960e34c2fe845b7f13d3c6f9b91f408/orig.mp4?Expires=1770684462&Signature=Oko4XVhD6pWTwKJu7NY1K3vjYlEYLFEfvjxShoM5ZGjvWXZjpxvgcEvZbBUPhBPO1IDukbhe~BIfLlTO9v0-AcjlQSVvXzP5k2nvarZ-MIma8DEkGKR6kBIKdx2~fJbNAhkgN5V0nvyzZnfXYR-JJ-HT35U4fYmryd3O4nU9URE2yxnPlxG1ZOLk~v4-TFF-5-cW24sVX6KDauU9SMi-cQ6sSkRWiP5sw-XdUSrv3qu2hfjxO1Psr1s-Mo8-nV4S-OqIreqhLJ5PcNU0ULSyI7S9iw3zi5XGrruosH9bg5tmYS46Q-FhTFl1Rxwnd6uq4LS-3Cfc~bYHudz8uIez1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents of the Briarmeadow neighborhood told the Houston City Council on Sept. 9 that long‑running resurfacing, lane reductions and a canceled drainage project are creating traffic gridlock and leaving some homes at risk of flooding.

“Richmond Avenue has been under construction for a long time,” said Stephanie Cruz, a Briarmeadow HOA board member. She told the council that pavement work from Dunvale to Hillcroft has stretched beyond six months, that Metro road reductions and an unrelated contractor opening work on Stony Brook have combined to restrict neighborhood access and force hazardous single‑lane conditions at peak times. “There are days where the access points are blocked or significantly restricted,” Cruz said.

Cruz also said a Harvey-era $17,000,000 drainage and paving project (project MDASH410009-0001) that had been identified to protect homes was canceled and that recurring flooding risks remain. She asked the city to improve interagency coordination, provide better signage and complete long‑deferred drainage investments.

Council response

Council members acknowledged the complexity and pledged to coordinate. Council member McDonough said the Richmond project had encountered workforce and supply delays and that completion is expected in October, barring weather. City staff representatives were invited to speak with residents; the council asked the public works project manager to provide updates to offices and residents.

Why it matters: Residents described unpredictable daily commutes, longer travel times and safety concerns tied to narrow lanes and unclear signage. They said repeated cancellations and lack of coordination among Metro, contractor schedules and city projects are compounding a long‑standing drainage problem.

Next steps

Council members said they would share project notices with neighborhood offices, provide contact information for project managers and follow up with public works to expedite or better communicate the scope and phasing; no formal council vote was taken.","Residents of Briarmeadow told council that overlapping projects, lane reductions and slow contractor performance are causing gridlock and leaving known drainage projects unfinished; they asked the city to coordinate agencies, improve communication and complete a cancelled Harvey-era drainage project.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6480908,"Parents press council ahead of HISD update, say special‑education supports were cut",263,6316000,6579000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5742189-6eb57eadae9dfda8b3ec563b0d576fdb&start=6316&end=6579","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5742189-6eb57eadae9dfda8b3ec563b0d576fdb/thumbnail_6316000.jpg","/articles/6480908/Houston/Harris-County/Texas/Parents-press-council-ahead-of-HISD-update-say-specialeducation-supports-were-cut","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6480908-ba643d6f2d670931483e3a7572ae03c8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770684462&Signature=U5LeyAm5s~~G4c1vR0Ne2jO~w3M9aESrqdB8fKjFU37-ADZyrPFjsLAo2ElwJJ2Jj9ruS1wwMRbSNs-uxE8OEjpxfy2gmr4cWTN6kda6CNxXWORDMvqEVulWkTV7n4fO2qgvjlMpd7~tRTdtvZBzToJM90ogQQNq5Wv6H1WMqS70VTVe3bGRGBDXOVVfb6jtxS8oGnX4ua2mSH6eTRl8FpvYEldwR46art1pYlXC~hC4tJQw86ajU-hvj6a5LA2y4k~5C7xlpLUj2eAuNsX7zzxup4X~KcDcELL2rWTDzZSvMLzS9XYJIcYMtws8Hhq9~krjGc-xqUueg68Rb1JWXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Houston parents and advocates urged City Council on Sept. 9 to press Houston Independent School District leaders for clarity about special‑education services and teacher retention amid the district takeover.

Jessie (Jessica) Dugan, a parent of kindergarten twins — one of whom is autistic — asked the council to call Superintendent Mike Miles back before the council’s economic development committee. “At the beginning of the takeover, they eliminated a program called autism services,” Dugan said. She described autism‑related teacher training that the community relied on as cut and said the takeover promised but had not delivered a parent committee or a substantive update on special education.

Context and next steps

Mayor Pro Tem confirmed Superintendent Miles will appear at the next economic development committee meeting (scheduled by the mayor pro tem for the 17th) and asked that community members submit specific questions in advance. Council members acknowledged parent work and said they have received materials; one council member encouraged Dugan to forward specific questions so the council can press for answers during the committee session.

Why it matters: Parents said student and teacher retention rates have become alarming since the takeover and requested transparent answers from the superintendent. Dugan provided the council with materials, including reporting and a summary of concerns she said should be discussed at the committee meeting.

No formal council action occurred Sept. 9; council members invited parents to send written questions and confirmed the superintendent’s scheduled appearance.","A parent group urged City Council to question HISD superintendent Mike Miles about reported cuts to autism training and special‑education supports during the district takeover; parents plan to deliver research and questions at the upcoming committee meeting.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6480913,"East End advocates urge pause on Polk Street closure for GRB work, ask mayor to require alternatives",367,5669000,6036000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5742189-6eb57eadae9dfda8b3ec563b0d576fdb&start=5669&end=6036","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5742189-6eb57eadae9dfda8b3ec563b0d576fdb/thumbnail_5669000.jpg","/articles/6480913/Houston/Harris-County/Texas/East-End-advocates-urge-pause-on-Polk-Street-closure-for-GRB-work-ask-mayor-to-require-alternatives","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6480913-958bddcb39d410087604be648016976d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770684462&Signature=LL4f~uYhCz0V22iTawroWh674lBkYCFKCQFv7UJTzu~XEGlyofmFyXAm2MKZwBPB0hMBJ1Vh8J7j3-YoB8TSaOL1A6bijORHdLW0TcyqYSxRaypeH-l9K45ZtzpxO0mXFi714SZl2W~DL~70cffZ9tG~B0ygcL1l-WfdXSnYILYMXStqjh7TWbGX-shkrcPNDi9IyZACfWn-sXIC0davRgnOUnsUkzHBP9Qq~Z-pjKZ2Glfa4ah~uCSBLSP1sMOo6B9MwUK049tSpWHActCRP9pdntphsaNgWSRGTGwGezgNNosP3XyWcQ5Wg6WVtDm-sRbaxLkGzIBMrBUuqnaQag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents and advocates for the East End told the Houston City Council on Sept. 9 they are opposed to closing Polk Street as part of the George R. Brown (GRB) convention‑district redesign and asked Mayor John Whitmire to pause the project and engage the community.

“Polk Street matters,” Roy Hirsch, a member of People for Polk, told the council. He urged the mayor to pause Houston First’s current work, hold a two‑way dialogue with community members and consider designs that preserve Polk’s east‑west connection through the convention district.

Speakers said the group has developed alternatives that would retain Polk Street while still accommodating a convention‑district expansion and that state Representative Yolanda Jones had met with them in support. Amy Erickson, who also spoke in solidarity with hotel workers, said Houston First has moved forward on a $40 million Bell Street parking garage and a broader convention expansion without publishing an updated master plan, a current budget or detailed alternatives that preserve Polk.

Why it matters: Polk Street is a key east‑west arterial in the East End; advocates warned that permanent closure would sever neighborhood connections and undermine trust between residents and city officials. Erickson said the most recent publicly available master plan dates to 2011 and preserved Polk; she asked the council to demand an updated plan and to delay any abandonment votes until the community has seen alternatives and budget details.

Council response and next steps

Advocates said they plan to bring more than 50 residents to an evening session next week. Hirsch called on the mayor to replicate prior council actions that paused projects — citing a previous pause on an Astros–Hermann Park partnership — and to allow time for additional public engagement. No city action or vote occurred on Polk Street during the Sept. 9 meeting. Council members who heard the testimony said they would follow up and encouraged direct contact with the two council members who sit on the Houston First board.","People for Polk and other speakers asked Mayor Whitmire and council to pause Houston First’s Polk Street closure plans for the convention district and present alternatives that keep Polk open.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6480917,"Hilton Americas workers press for $23 wage, urge Houston First audit and public meetings",2813,2679000,5492000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5742189-6eb57eadae9dfda8b3ec563b0d576fdb&start=2679&end=5492","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5742189-6eb57eadae9dfda8b3ec563b0d576fdb/thumbnail_2679000.jpg","/articles/6480917/Houston/Harris-County/Texas/Hilton-Americas-workers-press-for-23-wage-urge-Houston-First-audit-and-public-meetings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6480917-db6836a4f95dc291b6e64ef8b4b09623/orig.mp4?Expires=1770684462&Signature=L08Jh-FiRTZm0FIurbIyg9xHsMJF9RK3lvjSgiMcAgSWMLHyVyI1CESXYGmfuxInbTRIeyHsDZM4~Qx3qih2-Vrnc08nRq4LCcIZS2gIJFqj3B9Bc96c1R2HZ9EuMDrM7LoCw3huhIThuK2ugFsxKE7uND9vQK-3LD1t8PxBevEdemhrMyuqtCNMAPD2qIs9E1Lo6hZFW8hWV4kC6NmGp6ZJY9~SaQ4AMIrpGFtsvtGAPQO3fA22kpBstty7~hnWtLu2OfwIH-DwvLZPyNrb1CWmVLvgyNezQmlF7Ab1Lhc18Rts2P9X1kTqLziGo7HwYgVXboHnOOq6cdCxmiyJjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hundreds of Hilton Americas employees and supporters urged the Houston City Council on Sept. 9 to press the hotel and Houston First into meaningful contract talks, arguing a profitable convention hotel should pay a living wage and hold the public corporation overseeing the convention district to higher transparency standards.

The workers, represented in remarks to the council by union members and supporters, said many employees are scheduled only four to six hours a day, cannot cover rent and groceries and frequently use vacation or sick time to make up lost income. “We work hard. We’re not asking to get rich. We’re asking to be able to just live and not have to live paycheck to paycheck,” said Kenyatta Otis, identified as a pastry chef at the Hilton Americas.

The union’s stated wage demand is $23 per hour as a bottom rate in year one. “We have asked for a $23 rate,” Willie Gonzalez, an organizing representative for Unite Here Local 23, told the council. Council members and the union negotiator said workers currently earn $16.50 per hour and described a Hilton counteroffer at roughly $17.50 with phased, small increases that the union said was not retroactive to contract expiration.

Why it matters: The Hilton Americas is the city’s flagship convention hotel and receives public support tied to the convention district. Speakers said that if the hotel and Houston First receive public benefit or public dollars, the public and council are entitled to clear accounting, regular public meetings and full meeting minutes. Amy Erickson, a speaker who backed the workers, urged the council to demand the updated convention-district master plan, budget details and accountability from Houston First as the agency pursues a multibillion-dollar expansion and street changes.

Council reaction and requests

Multiple council members expressed sympathy and pledged to press for transparency. “If Houston First is a public entity, it should have regular public meetings,” said Chancellor Ramirez, adding that the board should publish minutes and make meetings readily available on video. Mayor Pro Tem and other members noted that two council members sit on the Houston First board — Council Members Martinez and Carter — and asked the union to share the negotiation proposals with the council to help inform conversations.

Union negotiators and workers described specific contract grievances beyond wages: short shift scheduling, early send‑home practices that reduce hours, alleged retaliatory firings and a workplace complaint about a manager discouraging staff from speaking Spanish. “They are out here because they didn’t even bother to say, ‘I’m sorry. It was a mistake,’ ” the negotiator said, summarizing why employees have struck.

Requests to the council

Speakers asked the council for two sets of remedies: 1) pressure on Hilton to return to the table with a higher wage offer, and 2) a public-accountability program for Houston First, including an independent audit, regular posted meetings with video and more-detailed minutes and backup materials.

What the record shows

Speakers provided multiple personal accounts of reduced hours and financial strain and estimated the current base pay at $16.50 per hour. They said Hilton’s initial bargaining posture included small phased raises and rejected dozens of worker proposals; the union asked the council to require Houston First to provide clear operating documents and budget numbers. Council members requested the union submit the list of proposals for council review and said they would press for improved transparency at Houston First.

Next steps

Council members asked the union to submit negotiation proposals to the council and encouraged Houston First’s board representatives to seek more public disclosure. No formal action, audit vote or ordinance was taken at the Sept. 9 meeting; speakers said further actions would depend on follow-up from Houston First and Hilton.","Workers at the Hilton Americas told Houston City Council they have been reduced to part‑time hours, earn about $16.50 an hour and are striking to win a $23 minimum at the hotel; speakers also urged the council to require transparency at Houston First, the public corporation overseeing the convention district.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Mother of deceased woman asks council for clarity after conflicting HPD communications

Briarmeadow residents ask city to coordinate construction and address long‑standing drainage issues

Parents press council ahead of HISD update, say special‑education supports were cut

East End advocates urge pause on Polk Street closure for GRB work, ask mayor to require alternatives

Hilton Americas workers press for $23 wage, urge Houston First audit and public meetings