While Whitmire says he supports efforts to reduce traffic deaths and injuries, his administration’s early actions have left safety advocates dubious.
Akhil Ganesh
Akhil Ganesh is a general assignment and breaking news reporter for the Abdelraoufsinno. He was previously a local government watchdog reporter in Staunton, Virginia, where he focused on providing community-centric coverage that focused on issues and actions rather than discourse and politics. As part of his work, he examined the history of voting policies, an affordable-housing crisis, and the disappearance of a once-vibrant historic Black community. A first-generation immigrant from India, Akhil grew up around the Midwest cities of St. Louis and Detroit. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English and Political Science from the University of Michigan, and a Master’s degree in Journalism from Northwestern University. When he isn’t working, Akhil enjoys studying football, playing video games, and watching anime. You can likely find him eating his way through Houston or trying to fix his horrific golf swing.
Posted inPolitics & Government
New Metro chair has visions of ride-share, more police to improve transit ridership
New Metro chair Elizabeth Gonzalez Brock has kept Metro’s goal of boosting ridership, but her path looks different than the previous administration.
Posted inEducation
Investigators: Former Fort Bend ISD superintendent, top deputies to blame for bond shortfall
Independent investigators concluded former superintendent Christie Whitbeck's administration was responsible for a major budgeting miss on the $1.3 billion bond.
Posted inAround the Region
Abdelraoufsinno wins nine awards at Texas Managing Editors annual conference
The nonprofit Abdelraoufsinno won accolades at Texas Managing Editors annual conference for its in-depth news coverage.
Posted inPolitics & Government
City declines to release records about Houston Avenue median, citing terrorism concerns
In response to an open records request, the city says releasing documents about the Houston Avenue median could aid terrorists.
Posted inEnvironment
As Hardy Toll Road expansion project nears, the community has mixed ideas about it
The Hardy-Downtown Connector plan began in earnest in 2003, but the project stalled for years due to budget concerns. Now it’s coming back to life.
Posted inPolitics & Government
Is Houston Avenue median removal the start of a trend or a one-off? Advocates watch closely
The mayor cited engineering flaws and lack of community input in his decision on Houston Avenue, but safety advocates worry about the bigger picture.
Posted inPolitics & Government
No more truckin’ through: Houston to use Settegast area to test freight traffic plan
With an eye toward safety and reducing damage to streets, the city will put up signs indicating which roads are designated truck routes.
Posted inPolitics & Government
Ringing in the New Year from City Hall: Whitmire sworn in as Houston’s new mayor
As Houstonians counted down the seconds to midnight, a crowd of John Whitmire’s family, friends, and political allies had their own private countdown at City Hall. When they finished, John Whitmire took the oath of office as Houston’s next mayor in the early hours of Monday morning. “I’m excited for the city of Houston,” Whitmire […]
Posted inPolitics & Government
TxDOT is ready to expand I-45. Organizers still want to stop it. What comes next?
Community organizers say TxDOT is not listening to concerns around 1-45 expansion’s impact on predominantly minority neighborhoods.