Local News - Houston Chronicle

State and local emergency officials cast wary eyes as Hurricane Gustav moved slowly through the Caribbean Friday, making preparations in case the storm threatens the region.

U.S. District Judge Samuel Kent intends to remain on the bench and hear court cases even as he faces prosecution on charges he sexually abused a former employee.

Judy Folloder has learned a lot about doctors and health-insurance plans since her daughter injured her head in an auto accident eight years ago.

Environmental and industry groups agree on at least one thing: The federal government has failed to provide proper oversight of Texas' air.

As Gustav threatens Galveston Bay, the operator of a 100-foot yacht hopes he won't have to abort his annual Labor Day weekend cruises with a flotilla of other boats to Redfish Island.

In the Houston area, people traveling by car may encounter special police efforts to crack down on drunken drivers.

Add extra dimension to your life by volunteering as a host at Houston's newest and only "4D Theater" at a child- and family-oriented health museum near Hermann Park.

The vice president hired to reform the Harris County Hospital District's troubled corporate compliance department has left the job after just six months.

Texas delegates are focused on this year's elections, but the gathering also is serving as a training ground for the politicians that Democrats hope will regain the state for their party in the next several elections.

Longtime Brazoria County Court-at-Law Judge James Blackstock resigned Friday in a plea agreement stemming from charges that he inappropriately touched women employed by the county.

U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison said John McCain's choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate is a bold move designed to sway independent women voters.

Some Democratic delegates departing their four-day national convention here said Friday that John McCain's selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate could pose problems for the Democratic ticket, but others dismissed her as inexperienced and too conservative for most Democratic voters.

U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison proposed this week that a high-growth state, such as Texas, be allowed to drop out of the federal highway funding system and keep its motor fuel taxes for its own road building needs.

Two goats, five horses and more than 100 roosters were rescued Friday night from a north Houston residence.

Authorities are asking for help finding a man accused of murdering two men and injuring another in east Houston. Juan Gonzalez, 28, was arrested in late March and charged with the March 12 murder of 16-year-old Kevin Alfred. He was out on $75,000 bond when investigators linked him to the Jan. 2, 2007, murder of 29-year-old Richard Ambriz.

A Crosby school bus driver accused of punishing unruly elementary school students by turning off the air conditioning and rolling up the windows was reprimanded Friday by the school district.

A federal judge has issued a final judgment banning enforcement of a Dallas suburb's rule prohibiting apartment rentals to illegal immigrants.

A Houston police dive team is searching for the body of a man missing after a paddle boat capsized in an east Houston lake this afternoon.

A 17-year-old girl was stabbed in what Harris County Sheriff's deputies believe was a home invasion this afternoon in northeast Harris County.