From Houston-area local governments to the Texas Capitol, investigative reporting from the Houston Chronicle connected with readers and had an impact on policies and practices for everything from lottery ticket sales to flood control regulation to camp safety — and more.
Here are our top investigations of 2025, based on what was revealed, the impact of coverage on community discussions and decisions, and how readers responded.
Hill Country flooding accountability
In the early hours of July 4, hard rains swelled Texas waterways, notably the headwaters of the Guadalupe River. Flooding killed over 100 people in Texas, most in tiny Kerr County where summer camps and holiday family outings put many directly in the path of the water.
IN-DEPTH: Investigating the July 2025 Texas Hill Country floods…