Good morning, Houston. I’m Morgan Riley, and here’s the word on the streets of Houston for June 2nd, 2025. It’s a busy start to the week, with stories that speak to both the challenges and the spirit of our city.
Our top story this morning: Severe weather swept across Southeast Texas yesterday, with the National Weather Service issuing a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Harris County and surrounding areas. Heavy rains, strong winds, and scattered lightning left thousands without power for several hours, but as of this morning, most major outages in central Houston have been resolved. Emergency services responded quickly, and no major injuries were reported, a testament to both preparedness and timely communication by city officials and local news partners. As many Houstonians know, precise forecasting is crucial this time of year, especially as NOAA has predicted an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season for 2025. If you’re new to Houston, this is a good moment to review your storm readiness plan and check your supplies, just in case.
Turning to law enforcement news, Houston police report significant progress in a rash of overnight break-ins targeting law enforcement vehicles. Two individuals have been charged with theft after allegedly breaking into a police vehicle over the weekend. Authorities credit security footage and community tips for helping crack the case quickly, once again highlighting how committed neighbors keep our city safer for everyone.
Now, let’s shift to a story about the heart of Houston. This weekend marked the launch of the 160th Juneteenth celebration at Emancipation Park in Third Ward. While Juneteenth is now recognized nationally, here in Houston, it’s deeply rooted—a celebration, yes, but also a living history lesson. I spoke briefly with local resident and community organizer Sonia Jacobs, who’s volunteered at Emancipation Park for over a decade. She reminded us, “It’s more than a festival. It’s about remembering, educating, and making sure the youngest in the neighborhood know how far we’ve come—and how far we still have to go.”
Checking the forecast, after yesterday’s storms, today brings partly cloudy skies and highs in the mid-80s, with a slight chance for more scattered thunderstorms by late afternoon. Stay weather-aware through the rest of the week, just in case. On the calendar, you’ll want to know: next weekend, Bayou City Art Festival returns downtown, and Discovery Green is hosting a free outdoor jazz night on Friday. Both are family-friendly, local favorites.
As we wrap up, I want to leave you with this: Houston’s story—like the best classic novels or today’s streaming shows—is one of challenges, resilience, and a colorful cast of characters. The past few days remind us that while storms may roll in, it’s how we show up for each other that writes our next chapter.
This has been Morgan Riley, your neighbor in the news. Remember to subscribe so you never miss a Houston news update. For more information, send an email to [email protected] or check out our website at Quiet Please dot AI. Have a safe and meaningful day, Houston.