HISD superintendent promises all schools will be A- or B-rated by August 2027
Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles, who was appointed by the Texas Education Agency in 2023, hosted a news conference Sept. 9, promising that by the start of the 2027-28 school year, all 273 schools will be A- or B-rated.
Zooming in: TEA released A-F accountability ratings for the 2024-25 and 2023-24 school years Aug. 15, with HISD scores for the 2024-25 school year showing that the district had no failing F-rated campuses. According to TEA data, HISD had 73 campuses earn an A, 124 earn a B, 54 earn a C and 18 earn a D.
However, despite recent gains and controversies, Miles said the district is aiming to improve even further in the next one to two years, with his promise to have all schools in HISD be A- or B-rated by August 2027.
“This is all of our success, and all of our future effort,” Miles said. “This will be to the benefit of all Houstonians and not just the kids in HISD.”
Full-service restaurant helmed by James Beard nominee Terrence Gallivan to anchor new Heights hotel
Officials with Hotel Daphne announced Sept. 3 that the development's new full-service restaurant and lounge will debut in November ahead of the hotel's upcoming opening.
What we know: Hypsi will introduce an elevated neighborhood dining experience with Italian-style fare, with dishes such as a crispy skin vermillion snapper, accompanied by a fresh herb salsa verde; and a table-side mozzarella cart that will serve multiple types of cheeses and rotating add-ons like pickled vegetables, aged vinegars and cold-pressed olive oil.
Meanwhile, the beverage menu will showcase Italian wines and spritzes, including an Italian-style aperitivo.
More details: Opening in November with the dinner menu, Hypsi will be the first aspect of Hotel Daphne to open to the public. Per the release, the restaurant will open for breakfast and lunch in the future. The hotel will follow later, opening in the winter, with room reservations opening for stays in January.
Hundreds of Hilton Americas-Houston workers have been on strike since Labor Day, demanding higher pay and better working conditions at one of the city’s largest hotels in Downtown Houston.
What we know so far: Willy Gonzalez, secretary treasurer and primary negotiator of Unite Here Local 23, the union group representing the workers, told City Council that a majority of the hotel staff have been earning $16.50 an hour for years, and that the staff demands an increase in pay to $23 an hour, as well as fair schedules and workloads.
What originally was supposed to be a nine-day strike has turned into 20 days, as it will continue until Sept. 20. Unite Here Local 23 explained in a Sept. 9 news release that the hotel has still not come forward with a proposal that meets the union’s demand.
Gonzalez said some proposals that were given to the union so far included raising the hourly wage to $17.50, followed by a 75-cent increase in January and 50-cent raises every six months.
FOODIE FRIDAY Check out these new restaurants and bars opening across the Houston area.
Local Spot has opened its doors next to Adventure Island Pool in Cross Creek Ranch.
The new venture from Eat Local Concepts, which owns several Local Table locations in the Greater Houston area, aims to provide casual fare, classic bar bites and craft cocktails as well as menu favorites from Local Table, Community Impact reported.
🌮 Tacos El Sabor Callejero now serving Mexican cuisine in Kingwood (Read more)
🆕 Missouri City gets a taste of Hong Kong with no tipping required (Read more)
😋 Margarita Jones looks to open by end of September (Read more)
🍕 Bite Pizza Co. brings South Asian fusion to Sugar Land (Read more)
Designed to remind customers of a Parisian evening or a Bordeaux tasting room, Chateau Bellecru serves a curated selection of wines from vineyards across France, according to the business’s website.
The chateau sits near the intersection of I-10 and Studemont Street, hosting wine tastings and private celebrations, among other experiences.
The menu posted online states that a selection of red and white wines is updated weekly. The wine bar also offers rosé wines and nonalcoholic options as well as a selection of appetizers, including pastries and charcuterie boards.
Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Briones, state Sen. Cook share policy updates in town hall
Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones partnered with state Sen. Molly Cook, D-Houston, to share statewide and local policy updates with residents at a Sept. 10 town hall.
Quote of note: “We’re serving the same people. We need to be working closer together,” Briones told Community Impact. “Whether it’s on the macro, big policy decisions, [or] just in communicating back for progress we’re delivering and what challenges we’re facing.”
The overview: Cook provided a breakdown of key policies that passed the Texas Legislature this year, both in regular session and two special sessions. She said of the 94 bills her office filed:
16 were heard in committee
15 came directly from her constituents in Harris County
Seven were signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott
Four were passed as amendments added to other bills
Briones also updated residents about several new Precinct 4 initiatives, including the Mom & Baby Mobile Health Center at Bayland Community Center, which launched Sept. 8.
Craving a beer, schnitzel or brat burger? Here’s where to celebrate Oktoberfest in Houston
Check out these seven places offering Oktoberfest specials in the Houston area. The original beer festival takes place in Munich every year, but its popularity has led venues around the world to replicate the event in celebration of German food and culture.
Oktoberfest at Holler Brewing Co. Featuring Schnauzers from Mini Schnauzer Rescue Houston, German music from the M&M Playboys, a stein-holding competition and a best lederhosen contest, Holler Brewing Co. is bringing classic Oktoberfest festivities to the Houston Heights.
Sept. 27, noon-10 p.m.
Free (admission)
2206 Edwards St., Ste. A, Houston
Eureka Heights Oktoberfest The Houston Heights brewing company will host stein-holding competitions and live music, along with pretzels, brats and German beers. Limited edition .5L Eureka Heights steins will also be available.
