Andy Olin

Movies, books, music and fried-rice omelets were part of what we loved this year

And just like that, 2019 is (almost) over. It was a blur. As we close in on Day 365 of the year, we're thinking back on some of the best things we watched, listened to, read and even came to rely on because they entertained, inspired, informed and moved us.

Several Houston suburbs rank among cities with least sustainable credit card debt

WalletHub calculated the cost and time it would take residents to pay off median card balances in cities across the country.

Hey, no fare! Kansas City moves to free transit as Metro studies the option

Last month, Metro announced it was studying the elimination of transit fares. Kansas City, whose city council recently approved a move to a universal free-fare system, could provide valuable insight into how such a system would work.

Financial insecurity plaguing families could cost Houston millions

Despite month after month of strong jobs reports and an economy seen as robust by most analysts, many families in Houston are struggling to make ends meet and afford basic household necessities. 

Public libraries are the crazy, radical ideas that might save society

In his Kinder Institute Forum talk, sociologist Eric Klinenberg discussed the amazing power of the public library system, as well as the biggest threats to this vital and sorely neglected part of America's social infrastructure.

As overall job growth surges, outlook for low-wage workers darkens

Meet America's low-wage workforce: 53 million hard-working people struggling to keep their heads above water no matter what they do.

Sunnyside survey shows neighborhood's social fabric is strong

Results from the recently released Sunnyside Strong survey reveal promising potential for revitalizing the predominantly African-American neighborhoods of Sunnyside and South Park in south-central Houston; though there’s still work to be done.

Houston small-business survey reveals how city and state can better support manufacturers

Small businesses are only as successful as the policy, investment and regulatory environment they operate in. For small enterprises especially, flexibility and nimbleness are critical to growth. To thrive, clear pathways must exist for firms, regardless of size, to effectively scale, expand operations and further contributions to the economy, through new jobs, tax revenue streams and technological innovation.