Good morning, Houston. You might want to grab a drink before you get started on this morning's news: According to KHOU, a shift toward growing corn in Mexico could lead to a spike in the price of tequila. It seems a lot of Mexican farmers are getting rid of their blue agave fields to make way for corn, which is in demand thanks to the growing popularity of ethanol — and as the amount of agave in the fields decreases, experts say the price of tequila could begin creeping up. "It's a casino business; it's like you walk into a casino," said David Suro, who began selling his own premium tequila brand two years ago. "You don't know if you're going to win or lose. Here you're seeing the consequences."
>> Alcohol, drugs weren't involved in railroad crash: Autopsy results from the four teenage victims of a June 14 auto-train crash in Baytown turned up no signs of alcohol or drugs in any of the victims, the Chronicle reports. The survivor, 15-year-old Bobby Davis, has been released from the hospital but is still in "pretty bad condition," attorney Racehorse Haynes said. Davis was driving the stolen Jeep when it crashed into a train car idling on East Archer Road during an early morning joyride; he could face charges from criminally negligent homicide to felony murder, officials say. Investigators have turned their findings over to the Harris County DA's office, but authorities there declined to discuss the case or any possible charges Tuesday.
>> Central Market at center of chicken flap: The Humane Society of the United States is calling on shoppers to avoid Central Market until the chain stops carrying eggs from factory farms. According to HSUS President and CEO Wayne Pacelle, caged chickens have about 67 square inches of living space each — that's about two-thirds the size of a sheet of typing paper, not enough room to flap their wings or even stand up straight. Central Market does stock cage-free eggs, but not exclusively; spokeswoman Christine Connelly said that's to give consumers a choice. But Pacelle said it shouldn't be a choice at all: "Consumers do not want to see farm animals mistreated. Even animals raised for food deserve basic consideration," he said.
>> Municipal Channel makes some changes: The Municipal Channel, the city's cable television station, has adopted a new name, logo and slogan in an attempt to get someone — anyone — to watch. The new name, HTV-Houston Television, and the slogan, "Where Houston Watches and Change Happens," supplement new promotional programming that will run in addition to the mainstay live coverage of City Council meetings and mayoral press conferences. Among the programs will be "Firehouse Houston" and "Academy 193," which will follow fire and police cadets, and "Eye on Houston — Where Community Begins," a documentary show. "We have had some shows in the past, but they have been more like public service notices," HTV spokeswoman Michelle Moak said. "The new shows will enhance what we already offer to the city." HTV broadcasts on Comcast channel 16.
>> Today's weather: More of the same, really: Look for a high near 90, with a 50 percent chance of storms this afternoon. Tonight, the temperature will drop into the mid-70s and the rain chance will ease up.
Wait — we think we're growing gills. Check out these headlines while we look ...
- Seven homes were raided and several arrests were made yesterday in a bust of a Houston pot ring that police say distributed drugs across the country
- A Coast Guard crew rescued a Houston man Tuesday morning after his boat capsized near Galveston
- The Dutch chemical firm Basell announced yesterday that it will buy Houston-based Lyondell for $12 billion
- A man was found murdered at his northeast Houston liquor store Tuesday afternoon
- What's up in Denver Harbor? The number of illegal gambling rooms, some residents say
- Frederic Brame, the Montgomery County dance teacher who used a Hollywood dancer's name for years, has been indicted on charges that he sexually assaulted a former student
- The Bolivar Peninsula Chamber of Commerce is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Bridgette Gearen's killer
- Meet Serena Yen, who got locked inside a 24 Hour Fitness location when the staff shut the place down without checking to make sure it was empty first
- Baytown police are on the lookout for two people who used credit cards that were stolen from a woman in the San Jacinto Mall parking lot
- The 16-year-old boy who confessed to setting the April 23 fire that destroyed much of Needville High School may be tried as an adult
- The Houston area gets a C in education from WorkSource
- Heights residents are planning to protest the demolition of the historic Doyle house on Thursday afternoon
- Mayor Bill White and City Councilwoman Carol Alvarado broke ground Tuesday on the final leg of a rail-to-trail bikeway from downtown to the Medical Center
add to digg
add to stumble upon
add to reddit