The Houston Chronicle's biggest stories in audio form every weekday morning. Stay connected to the city in 10 minutes or less.
Every episode includes a brief forecast by meteorologist Justin Ballard and is produced and edited by human editors using stories written by human journalists. It is read using text-to-speech technology.
In today’s briefing, Houston companies ride the data center boom, voters may decide limits on marijuana enforcement and no-knock warrants, and Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo’s poll numbers drop sharply.
Stories:
The Chronicle 100: Houston's top-performing companies, ranked
What to know about Houston's Proposition A referendum on marijuana enforcement, no-knock warrants
Judge Lina Hidalgo’s approval falls following spats with Dems, rodeo
Harris County sues to force cleanup and shutter Hawthorn Park landfill
Rice expands AI push with 75 faculty hires, new master’s degree
From retail destination to industrial park: Greenspoint Mall comes down after decades of decline
Houston bakery's poll is predicting the Talarico–Paxton race. How accurate have they been before?
Credits:
Forecast: Justin Ballard, Meteorologist
Editing: Alan Fossler, Assistant Breaking News Editor
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13 Oct 2026
The 713 Commute Mode — October 13, 2026
In today’s briefing, Texas regulators are increasingly using emergency orders that can stop people from working before cases are proved, Letitia Plummer leads Orlando Sanchez in a new Harris County judge poll, and Texas education officials warn weak third-grade reading affects students’ futures.
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An NHL team in Houston? Let’s find a mascot with local flavor.
Stories:
Texas can suspend licensed workers without proof. What happens when they get it wrong?
Democrat Letitia Plummer leads Republican Orlando Sanchez by 7 points in Harris County judge race
Half of Texas third graders aren't reading on grade level. TEA Commissioner Morath says schools must act.
At Texas Youth Summit, GOP leaders cast Paxton-Talarico Senate race as a battle against 'evil'
Rep. Dan Crenshaw calls out Elon Musk over post critical of Ukraine's president
Who is Miguel Parra-Hernandez? Man struck by ICE vehicle lived in Houston more than 30 years
HISD launches new 'Virtual Launchpad' program even as its online learning enrollment dips
Credits:
Forecast: Justin Ballard, Meteorologist
Editing: Alan Fossler, Assistant Breaking News Editor
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12 Oct 2026
The 713: Commute Mode — October 12, 2026
In today’s briefing, Harris County faces hard questions over possible Texans stadium funding, a Houston geothermal company signs a major Google power deal and religion becomes central in Texas’ U.S. Senate race.
Please take our brief listener survey here.
The Texans want a new stadium or expensive repairs to Reliant Stadium. Either way, where’s the money?
Google is betting on this Houston company to power the AI data center boom
As Ken Paxton attacks James Talarico on faith, his church remains a mystery
How Flock cameras became an unexpected issue in the 2026 midterms
Texas’ space industry is booming. Now it needs the workers to build it.
Deaths of two 20-year-old men found days apart in Buffalo Bayou may be linked, Houston police say
This Houston company pays its CEO over 400 times more than a median employee
Full story:
For Lieutenant Governor: Vikki Goodwin | Endorsement
Credits:
Forecast: Justin Ballard, Meteorologist
Editing: Jennifer Chang, Senior Director of Innovation
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