This Week's Hot Headlines

2 Houston universities declared among world's best and more top stories

Rice University and University of Houston are at the top of the class.

Rice University

Editor's note: It's time to look back at the top Houston news of the week, beginning with two Houston universities earning global honors. Plus, America's best cities for 2025, and a local TV favorite's home hits the market. Get the details below, then visit our event planner to fill your weekend agenda.

1. 2 Houston universities named among world’s best in 2026 rankings. Two Houston universities are in a class of their own, earning top spots on a new global ranking of the world's best universities. Rice University and University of Houston are among the top 1,200 schools included in the QS World University Rankings 2026. Ten more schools across Texas make the list.

2. Houston loses top-10 rank in 2025 list of America's best cities. A just-released national report ranking the best cities in America has declared Houston is the 13th best U.S. city in 2025. Houston's new placement is three spots lower than its triumphant No. 10 rank in 2024. Still, the report hails Houston as a "coveted hometown for the best and brightest on earth."

3. Houston fave Frank Billingsley's house hits the market for $1.5 million. Set just off Mid Lane is a beautiful, custom-built home with local celebrity ties. The four-bedroom, three-and-a-half bath home, currently owned by Houston broadcast veteran Frank Billingsley, is now on the market for $1.525 million.

38 Hackberry Lane exterior 38 Hackberry Lane, currently owned by Frank Billingsley, is on the market for $1.525 million. Josh Gremillion for Martha Turner Sotheby's International Realty

4. Houston declines on list of best places for celebrating July 4th. A new national report delivers good news and bad news when it comes to celebrating the 4th of July in Houston. While the city is one of the most affordable places in the country for star-spangled celebrations, it falls behind overall.

5. Chris Shepherd salutes his favorite Houston restaurant — and its new hot dog tower. Shepherd pens a love story to Brennan's, detailing his nine years working there and gushing about its exciting new bar.

be prepared

Houston first responder offers tips to prepare for the coming winter storm

Photo by Nick Sorockin/ Unsplash

The time to pre

Experts and first responders say now is the time to winterize your home ahead of the weekend winter storm. ABC13 spoke with Cy-Fair Fire Lt. Eddy Cruz, who shared some advice on how you can prepare.

Cruz told ABC13 it's better to overprepare and perhaps not need it than not to prepare and wish you did.

"Obviously, we want to talk about winterizing your home. Up to this point, if you haven't done it by now, now is the time to start," said Cruz.

Protect pipes

Cruz said it's time to wrap your exterior pipes and recommends opening your cabinets this weekend to provide heat to your interior plumbing.

"Protecting your pipes, especially those that are outside, knowing where your shutoff valves are, so that in case of a leak in your house, you know how to shut the water off either from the main street or the valve that's inside your house," said Cruz.

Staying safe while using space heaters & generators

If you're using a space heater in the coming days, he says it's important to keep it away from anything flammable and not put anything over the cords.

"We want to check the extension cord to make sure there are no cuts, no frays, and that the extension is not broken. If it is, it's time to replace it," said Cruz.

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Read the full story, with video, on CultureMap's news partner, ABC13.com.