Morning Roundup: Taking back the streets edition

Good morning, Houston. You know what the problem is around this town? We'll tell you: mismatched news racks. But never fear — City Council is trying to save us. Under an ordinance presented to council this week, newspaper vendors would have to make their racks relatively the same size, keep them clean and in working order and paint them all the same color: forest green (we had some details back in the summer). The reaction? The Chronicle's OK with it, USA Today hates it and City Councilwoman Ada Edwards is asking the same thing we are: Is this the most important thing the city can do?

>> There's something in the water: East Houston residents were worried yesterday when a bright green liquid turned up in a local bayou, on the ground and in the parking lot of an apartment complex off Maxey Road and Wood Forest — but it turns out it wasn't anything to worry about. The green stuff was a dye crews were using to try to find the location of a water leak, which we're sure is a relief for the folks living in the area. "I'm from Chicago, and thats the color they turn the water for St. Patrick's day," one resident said. "But you know it's coming every year. This, you just walk out of your house and you see it."

>> Bus crash = lawsuit: Ten passengers on a bus that was hit by a train at the Shell plant in Deer Park earlier this week are suing Shell and others claiming that the unguarded railroad crossing where the crash occurred was unreasonably dangerous. The plaintiffs, whose lawyer said suffered back injuries in the crash, are seeking damages for medical expenses, loss of wages, pain and anguish, physical impairment and disfigurement. The other 22 people injured in the accident apparently fared better — or haven't hired lawyers yet.

>> New standards for higher ed?: Gov. Rick Perry on Thursday announced a $1.7 billion higher education plan that will create mandatory college exit tests, financially reward better-performing universities and increase financial aid funding by 60 percent. Perry calls it reform, but some observers say it's a risky step toward applying the same standards to colleges that are applied to K-12 schools. "That is not what college education is about," state Rep. Garnet Coleman said.

>> Today's weather: Remember how we said the sun would come out today? It will, eventually — like after lunch. Until then, look for temperatures to stay in the mid-40s; once the sun breaks through, we'll see an afternoon high in the low 50s. Overnight, under clearish skies, the temperature will drop close to freezing. The weekend looks nice, if chilly. Enjoy!

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