
Good morning, Houston. Are you a local news junkie? Do you already know all the headlines we're covering here? If so, we'd love to have you: Houstonist is looking to build its news staff, and you're invited. You should keep up with what's going on in and around Houston and be able to put up a couple of posts a week, at least; some background in journalism is always a plus. If it sounds like something you'd be into, drop us a line at write (at) houstonist (dot) com and tell us about yourself and why you'd like to write. We're looking forward to hearing from you ...
>> New development in Miles stabbing: Police released a surprising detail Tuesday in the story of Chester Miles, the local minister who was found in a hospital last week after being reported missing: Miles, they say, was ambushed and stabbed while meeting a prostitute at a Humble hotel. According to investigators, two suspects — Carlos Guillory, 18, and Darrell Pickett, 23 — saw Miles at the hotel, beat and stabbed him, and stole his car. Miles hasn't denied being at the hotel, but in a letter he wrote his wife from his hospital bed, he said he wasn't there to meet a hooker. "I trust him, I trust him," Miles' wife, LaTonya, told KHOU. "He has been an excellent husband and an excellent father."
>> Oh, that explains it: Remember the guy who led the cops on a 25-mile high-speed chase in a stolen car Monday evening, causing at least three wrecks and eventually trying to flee from officers on foot? Well, he's finally explained exactly why all that happened: The parking brake on the stolen car he was driving was stuck. Oh, of course — we hate when that happens. Oddly enough, the police aren't buying the explanation: "My guess is he had a few felonies on his back and did not want to go to jail," HPD Sgt. Vincent Jones told KPRC. The suspect had violated his parole for a previous charge of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle; as a result of Monday's chase, he'll be charged with felony evading, parole violation, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle (again) and making a terrible excuse for doing something really stupid.
>> Today's weather: Looks like you might want to grab a jacket on your way out today: We'll begin this morning with temperatures in the mid-60s, but they should fall (with accompanying rain) through the afternoon, landing somewhere in the mid-50s by the evening rush hour. Tonight, look for a lingering chance of thunderstorms and lows around 50.
Now for some headlines ...
- The Pasadena City Council passed one of two ordinances needed to block street protests in Joe Horn's neighborhood
- James Carpenter, a former employee in the HPD crime lab, was indicted Tuesday on charges related to improperly secured drug evidence
- Luis Castillo, who graduated from A&M last year with a degree in computer science, was sentenced to five months in prison yesterday for hacking into the university's computer system
- The epic battle over who has the right to hold the city's MLK Day parade could be decided by a coin toss — really
- HPD's vice squad cracked down on Houston's sex trade yesterday, targeting 24-hour "spas"
- Copper theft is a growing problem in Houston, but HPD has plans to fight it using helicopter fly-overs, increased patrols and crackdowns on buyers
- A motorcyclist was severely injured Tuesday morning when he flew off his bike and over the edge of an elevated HOV ramp, falling 45 feet onto the Gulf Freeway
- Looks like the search for a new UH football coach is down to two candidates: Jack Pardee and Michael Haywood
- Brazoswood High School was evacuated yesterday morning after a bus driver saw a student taking what seemed to be a gun into the school — but it turned out to be a plastic ROTC practice rifle
- Why are some people trying to ruin a local woman's Christmas? Maybe they're tired of those inflatable yard decorations
- Ashley Berry of Kingwood won $1 million in the McDonald's Monopoly game



DUDE! I should just pledge my utter devotion to McDonald's until I win $1 million!
Do not apply if you wear Sex Panther.