14 exciting new restaurants to try in January

Plus: Two Houston protests scheduled after ICE shooting in Minnesota.

 

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A serving of tortellini is seen in Hypsi, a full-service restaurant and lounge inside Hotel Daphne in Houston, Monday, Dec 1, 2025.

14 Houston restaurants and cafes that opened in December

Last month's top new Houston restaurants include a highly-anticipated Italian restaurant and a Michelin-recognized Tex-Mex expansion.

 
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Top Stories

People participate in a protest and vigil after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed a woman in Minneapolis, on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)

Photo by: Christopher Katsarov, AP

Multiple Houston protests planned against Minneapolis ICE shooting of Renee Nicole Good

Video footage shows an ICE officer firing at least two close-range shots at a moving Honda after another officer demanded the driver exit.

 
A San Luis 37 at Bar Xolo, a new cocktail bar to open in Houston in February. 

Photo by: Sonia Garcia/Houston Chronicle

Exclusive: Mexico City natives shaking up Houston cocktail scene with Bar Xolo

Three Mexico City natives are coming together to open a bar in Houston built on the culture, inventiveness and design of their home city. 

 
01/06/1980 - Houston Oilers Mike Renfro (82) catches a Dan Pastorini pass over the fingers of Pittsburgh Steelers' cornerback Ron Johnson (29) for an apparent touchdown in the third quarter at Three Rivers Stadium. Following an officials' huddle and brief delay, referee Jim Tunney signaled the catch incomplete which nullified the score.

Photo by: George Honeycutt, Houston Chronicle

Oilers WR still says he scored, 46 years after controversial loss to Steelers

Mike Renfro has found success in the horse racing business, but he can't ever escape The Catch That Wasn't in the Oilers' heartbreaking loss to the Steelers in the AFC Championship Game.

 
Surveillance images released by the Houston Police Department show two suspects believed to be teenagers aboard a METRO bus shortly before a shooting that killed a woman and wounded a 16-year-old boy Wednesday in the Westchase area.

Photo by: Courtesy/Houston Police Department, COURTESY/Houston Police Department

Houston police seek teen suspects in deadly Metro bus shooting

Houston police are searching for two teenage suspects after a woman was killed and a 16-year-old boy was wounded in a shooting on a Metro bus.

 
Parker McCollum performs at RodeoHouston inside NRG Stadium in Houston, Friday, March 21, 2025.

Photo by: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle

When does the Houston rodeo lineup come out? Stay up-to-date.

The Chronicle will be live on the scene at an exclusive private party when the news drops.

 

Politics

Jonathan Fombonne was named Harris County attorney Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. 

Photo by: Harris County Attorney's Office.

Commissioners name a new Harris County attorney. See who they picked.

The appointment came more than nine months after Christian Menefee technically resigned to run for Congressional District 18.  Read More

 

What will happen to Houston's Astrodome? Its fate could soon be decided.

The beloved Houston landmark has sat largely unused for more than 20 years, but a potential decision is looming.  Read More

 

Trump admin begins massive expansion of border buoys in Texas

Kristi Noem said during a stop in Brownsville that more than 130 miles of those barriers are under contract, though she didn't provide additional details. Read More

 

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Opinion

A woman dances with a Venezuelan flag as Venezuelans and supporters celebrate in the parking lot of Mi Querencia Latin Market off Westheimer Parkway in Katy after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, had been captured and flown out of Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026.

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Houston Chronicle

Lina Hidalgo: Why Harris County needs democracy in Venezuela | Opinion

Removing Maduro could be good for Venezuela, the U.S. and Harris County, writes Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo — but only if he’s replaced by an elected government.

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Sports

Texas A&M Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel watches the fourth quarter of the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Vanderbilt Commodores at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 4, 2025 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Photo by: Butch Dill, Getty Images

Johnny Manziel goes in-depth on why he no-showed Texas A&M playoff game, ESPN

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Houston Texans cornerback Kamari Lassiter (4) deflects a pass in the endzone against Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (80) during the second half an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025.

Photo by: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle

Will Kamari Lassiter return for playoffs? Will Jaylen Reed? | Texans mailbag