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Community Corner

🌱 Constable Congo + Cowboy Casinos

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Houston.

Chris Stomberg, Neighbor
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(Patch Media)

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. Today, we'll look at:

  • Harris County constables protest defunding.
  • Legalized gambling in the Lone Star State's future.
  • The University of Houston addresses the country's hate speech crisis.

But first, today's weather:

Nice with plenty of sunshine. High: 78 Low: 53.

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Here are the top stories today in Houston:

  1. Harris County constables packed the Commissioners Court yesterday to protest against the efforts of Democratic government officials to defund the police. Despite these bold claims, constables' office budgets have gone up every year since Democrats gained control of the Harris County court in 2019. Truly, constables are upset about a change to a practice known as "rollover budgeting." Historically, county departments were allowed to keep whatever annual budget funds they didn't spend and use them the following year. However, Democrats ended the practice of rollover budgeting in March 2021. As early voting for the gubernatorial election begins, constables have taken to court in force to voice their concerns over, "an unprecedented wave of violent crime caused by soft-on-crime Democrat judges releasing dangerous suspects." Opponents of the constables' display say they are fearmongering ahead of an important election while advocates claim that voters want to see more law enforcement support. (Houston Chronicle)
  2. Gov. Greg Abbott is saying that he will consider expanding gambling throughout Texas should he see re-election. Abbott's press secretary Renae Eze said, "If there is a way to create a very professional entertainment option for Texans, Gov. Abbott would take a look at it." Gaming companies have been targeting Texas as a ripe opportunity for expansion for years. As senior vice president of government relations for the Las Vegas Sands Corp. Andy Abboud put it, "Texas is considered the biggest plum still waiting to be out there in the history of hospitality and gaming." Abbott's competitor Beto O'Rourke has been voicing his own support for welcoming gambling to Texas for many months now. Either way, it appears that years of lobbying for gambling in Texas may come to fruition relatively soon. After all, it is called Texas Hold'Em. (Houston Chronicle)
  3. The University of Houston will hold four summits addressing an ongoing hate speech crisis. UH professor Emran El-Badawi will lead the project which has been dubbed "Hate Speech: Crisis & Conversation" and focuses on solution-based approaches to hate speech. El-Badawi said, "The proliferation of hateful rhetoric and incitement against targeted groups over social media, and their espousal by political groups all around the world, demand urgent attention if we are to address this crisis in an impactful way." Over the course of the summit, international experts will share their research, personal experience, and expertise in order to promote solutions to the growing problem. The first summit will be held Nov. 3 and focus on antisemitic hate speech in the wake of Kanye West's recent antisemitic remarks. (University of Houston)
  4. Houston police are looking for leads on possible suspects involved in the shooting of two men at a gas station on the south side of town Tuesday morning around 2 a.m. When police arrived on the scene, they found one man dead from a gunshot wound to the head behind the gas station. Another man was found inside the gas station with multiple gunshot wounds and was immediately rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Investigators have no suspects or witnesses but are currently examining shell casings as well as a gun found at the scene. Please contact the Houston Police Department if you have any information on this crime. (KTRK-TV)
  5. Russian courts denied WNBA star Brittney Griner's appeal of her 9-year prison sentence. Griner was originally detained in Russia for drug charges after law enforcement discovered THC cartridges among her luggage. Ever since, her arrest has become an issue of international dispute as the Biden administration continues to call for her immediate release. The appeal's denial paves the way for a possible high-profile prisoner swap between the U.S. and Russia, however, Griner appeared despondent during her appearance in court. She is now expected to be moved to a penal colony to serve the remainder of her sentence. (Click2Houston)

Headlines you need to see:

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Today in Houston:

  • Local Lunch Market Wednesdays at City Hall (11 a.m.)
  • Dungeons & Dragons with Circle of Barhaven at Darkhorse Tavern (6 p.m.)
  • Fitness at Discovery Green — HIIT class with FitMix Communities (6:30 p.m.)
  • Geeks Who Drink Trivia Night at Palace Social (7 p.m.)
  • Concert: Lizzo at Toyota Center (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

  • Two Dallas hospital employees are dead after a 30-year-old man shot them while claiming that his girlfriend, who had just given birth to a baby, had cheated on him. The shooter had been released on parole from prison under grounds that he wears an ankle monitor. Local authorities are calling the deaths a failure of the justice system. (KPRC2 / Click2Houston via Facebook)
  • An exploration of the Grand Canyon turned into a Halloween special after five visitors became stuck 200 feet underground in a broken elevator. At least, it might have turned into a Halloween special if it weren't for the hotel and restaurant located nearby. That's quality news headlining for you. (FOX 26 Houston via Facebook)
  • Litigation over the Biden administration's student debt relief program continues to play out. However, lawmakers say that the program will still be allowed to begin getting underway. (ABC13 Houston via Facebook)

Featured Kitty:

Butterscotch is a 5-year-old domestic short hair available for adoption at the SPCA.

She doesn't look like any butterscotch I've seen, so I bet she provides the same feeling.

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Now you're armed with current events and ready to throw down in H-town! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow. Peace ✌

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

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