🌱 Houston-Made COVID Vaccine + Downtown Bar Closing

Rise and shine, Houston! It's Wednesday, so let's get you started with everything you need to know going on today in town.

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First, today's weather:

Very warm. High: 82. Low: 66.

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Here are the top stories in Houston today:

1. A COVID-19 vaccine that was developed by Texas Children's Hospital in Houston could help underserved countries fight the coronavirus. The protein subunit vaccine recently received emergency use authorization in India. (Houston Patch)
2. Work has begun on infrastructure projects totaling $90.4 million in Baytown, Pasadena, Galena Park and Jacinto City. (Houston Business Journal)
3. Tejas Grill & Sports Bar, located in downtown, is closing its doors this week after 10 years of business. (Subscription: Houston Chronicle)
4. Pediatric hospitalizations due to COVID-19 are on the rise in Texas as the omicron variant spreads. (Houston Patch)
5. Houston Fire Department responded to a flash fire in southeast Houston and treated a man for smoke inhalation and significant burns. (Houston Patch)

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From my notebook:

• University of Houston: "The Houston Cougars have taken down Auburn in the TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl!" (Facebook)
• Houston Texans: "22 carries for 149 rushing yards and two TDs. Vote Rex Burkhead for FedEx Ground Player of the Week." (Facebook)
• Houston Health Department: "CDC has shortened the recommended time for #COVID19 isolation and quarantine. Learn more about what to do if you test positive or have close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19." (Facebook)
• Houston Health Department: "As of December 28, 2021, the total number of COVID-19 cases confirmed in #Houston is 304,047. This includes 1,815 cases dated within the past 14 days that were not included in previous updates, 472 additional backlog cases, and the removal of 700 duplicates." (Facebook)
• City of Houston Solid Waste Management: "Recycling Operations UPDATE: Dec 28. Recycling services are delayed for Week-A. We are working to complete these routes. Please leave your container at the curb." (Facebook)

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That's it for today! I'll see you around.

— Jeffrey Perkins

About me: Born in San Antonio, I was raised in Arkansas but got back to Texas as soon as I could to attend Texas A&M University, where I earned a bachelor's degree in Telecommunication Media Studies. I started my journalism career as a copy editor at The Eagle in Bryan, Texas, in 2014 and later became the high school sports beat writer for the paper. My seven years at The Eagle strengthened my passion for journalism, and I love getting to know people and telling their stories, both on the field and off. I've seen firsthand the importance of hyper-local journalism in a community, especially in an eventful 2020, when I helped with news coverage and design in addition to my high school athletics beat responsibilities. I joined Patch in 2021 as Texas Field Editor for the Conroe-Montgomery County area. I welcome your questions, comments and story ideas! Please contact me at jeffrey.perkins@patch.com or (479) 264-5801.