🌱 Apartment Heist + Microchip Mandate

Wake up, Space City! It's me, Chris, your humble servant of the Houston Daily — coming right back at you with the plug on what's happening. This beautiful Tuesday morning, we'll talk about ...

• Widespread theft at a Houston apartment complex.
• A new law for Houston pet owners.
• Research on the viability of geothermal energy in Texas.

---

But first, today's weather:

Cloudy with a few showers. High: 42 Low: 42.

---

Are you tired of blending in with all the other real estate agents in Houston? Stand out with a premium sponsorship in our newsletter. Gain valuable exposure for yourself to our highly engaged local readership. Click here to learn more about this exclusive opportunity.

---

Here are the top stories today in Houston:

1. Over 50 vehicles were broken into at the Ashford Apartments on Dairy Ashford this past Sunday night. Despite the complex advertising itself as a safe and secure community with access to security cameras, residents say the complex has told them its hands are tied. Some victims say that the interior of their car was damaged in such a way to suggest attempts at hot wiring. Furthermore, residents claim that the apartment's gate is often malfunctioning and they have suspicions that the security cameras don't really work. A group of around 20 tenants visited the complex's office on Monday only to be told that the complex would not accept any accountability. Apartment complexes across Houston are notorious for failing to assist residents in similar cases of theft which are becoming more and more widespread. (KPRC Click2Houston)
2. A new law in Houston requires dog and cat owners to microchip their pets. The grace period for compliance ends this coming Wednesday. Thankfully, you can get a microchip for free from animal shelter BARC on the same day. BARC will also be hosting two additional events where pet owners can get their little buddies microchipped for free. Chip insertion is quick and easy enough to be offered drive-thru style, so there's really no reason not to keep your best friend from becoming a common criminal. (KHOU.com)
3. Researchers from five different Texas university revealed a new study about the feasbility of geothermal energy in the Lone Star State. Geothermal energy refers to energy drawn from beneath the earth. Energy is mainly supplied from the core of the earth itself, requiring teams to drill incredibly deep into the ground in order to access its power. The earth's core is so hot that scientists say it's roughly the same temperature as the surface of the sun. Study author and researcher Ken Wisian explained, "The technology that is emerging now, and we're in the prototype stage on, would allow us to drill, for instance, five kilometers – about three miles deep – under Houston, and extract the heat and generate power." Wisian also said that geothermal energy has very few downsides, though some opponents of the energy source claim it has a chance to result in induced seimicity: earthquakes caused by human activity. (Houston Public Media)
4. Birria taco spot Dripped Birria is being called Houston's hottest new taco spot after stars Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul paid it a visit. The business partner duo who forged a relationship during their time on the popular series "Breaking Bad" had visited Houston for an event to market their very own brand of mezcal called Dos Hombres. During their stay, they checked out Dripped Birria and were featured on the taco truck's Instagram. The post reads, "Chefs cooking up some addicting ish in the truck 😳" with a picture of the stars having a good time in front of the mobile restaurant. Dripped Birria is known for its namesake birrias: a traditional Mexican dish featuring rich and spicy goat or lamb meat. Get a taste for yourself before Breaking Bad fans inevitably eat all of their food supply. (KPRC Click2Houston)
5. Free health care in Houston leads to free education plus a job (FOX 26 Houston)
6. A Houston HOA duck-feeding feud popular in news cycles nearly six months ago made the mistake of claiming the involved family's daughter had died; after reading the stories, the family's estranged daughter is now making headlines for correcting her misreported demise. The reporter on the story was told by the family that they fed local ducks as a method of coping with the recent loss of their daughter. Assuming that the family's daughter had died, the reporter claimed as much as part of her story. The story went on to go viral, being reported in the Washington Post, Business Insider India, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, and other papers. All of the papers where the story was broken included the tidbit about daughter Alicia Rowe's untimely death. Ultimately, the Chronicle has released a follow up article detailing their error as well as Alicia Rowe's very much alive status in order to correct the issue. In the article, Alicia Rowe is pictured wearing a custom shirt that reads "NOT DEAD" on the front. In jest against her estranged family, the shirt also features an anti-duck feeding sign on the back. (Houston Chronicle )

---

Headlines you need to see:

• Two Houston lawyers involved in Montrose apartment murder-suicide (Houston Chronicle)
• Six Houston-based refineries dump millions of gallons of contaminated wastewater with little penalty, report finds (Houston Public Media)
• Hubcap Grill closes Heights location after more than 10 years (Houston Chronicle)
• Houston's annual pride celebration scaling back this year, with parade planned but no festival (Houston Public Media)
• Houston Luxury Car Owners Can Rent An Office With A View — Of Their Vehicles (Bisnow)

---

Today in Houston:

• Dungeons & Dragons with Circle of Barhaven at Rudyards (6 p.m.)
• Theater: Chicago The Musical at The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts (7:30 p.m.)
• Concert: Guitar Legend Al Di Meola at The Heights Theater (8 p.m.)
• The Neon Rouge Cabaret Show at The Isis Theater (8:30 p.m.)
• Comedy: T&A Tuesdays at The Secret Group with $2 wells (10 p.m.)

---

From my notebook:

• A 15-year-old boy from Bangladesh accidentally locked himself inside a shipping container while playing hide-and-seek. Six days later, he emerged from the crate 2,800 miles away from his initial hiding spot.(FOX 26 Houston via Facebook)
• Michael Jackson's 26-year-old nephew, Jaafar Jackson, has been selected to represent his uncle in the new movie "Michael". Jackson announced on Twitter that he's, "humbled and honored to bring my Uncle Michael's story to life." (KHOU 11 News via Facebook)
• Philadelphia center Jason Kelce and Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce are the first siblings to go head-to-head in the Super Bowl. Some fans are already dubbing this year's showdown "The Kelce Bowl". (ABC13 Houston via Facebook)

---

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Discount Dumpster — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Events:

• Dr. John Edwards Presents Inspire Therapy for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (February 1)
• Crossing Over With Psychic Medium John Edward (Live)! (February 8)
• Free Zoom Meeting about fibroid treatment in Houston (February 15)
• Add your event

---

You're officially in the loop for today. Hope your week is off to great start. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!