🌱 Pardi Gras Weekend + Big Time Bribes

Wake up, Space City! It's me, Chris, your steadfast servant of the Houston newsletter — coming right back at you with the plug on what's happening. Today, we'll dive into:

• Mardi Gras celebrations this weekend
• A potentially far-reaching bribery scheme
• Eat Drink HTX food specials

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But first, today's weather: Winds subsiding and cooler. High: 64 Low: 37.

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Here are the top stories in Houston today:

1. Mardi Gras officially arrives this coming Tuesday, but that won't stop early birds from celebrating the season in Houston this weekend. Mardi Gras celebrants interested in joining the fun have a couple of different options throughout the Greater Houston Area. First off, there's the well-known 112th Mardi Gras Galveston celebration occurring on Galveston Island. This long-standing tradition will see 23 different parades make their way through the Strand while balcony parties and live music reign. In addition, admission is totally free this Sunday. If you'd rather stay in town, B&B Butchers & Restaurant on Washington is hosting a brunch from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. this Saturday with face painting and dueling pianos. There's also a huge crawfish boil happening at Truck Yard in Eado from noon - 8 p.m. For more Mardi Gras celebrations, check the link. (Houston Public Media)
2. The founder of Sugar Land engineering firm KIT Professionals, Sudhakar Kalaga, 55, is being charged with a multi-million-dollar bribery scheme. According to authorities, Kalaga allegedly defrauded another company in order to win lucrative government contracts. It is being said that last month Kalaga gave the manager of another company millions of dollars in order to secure some of these contracts for his own company. In addition, Kalaga may have submitted fake bids from made-up construction companies in order to make his own bids more appealing. The KIT Professionals firm has been awarded over $100 million in city work since 2008. Kalaga and other KIT co-workers have also made substantial donations to a number of Houston government officials. (Houston Chronicle)
3. Houston's cheaper restaurant week known as "Eat Drink HTX" began today and will continue through the end of this month. A sister event to the larger "Houston Restaurant Weeks" event, Eat Drink HTX features restaurants that are a tad more affordable than its bigger sister. Some of the most popular restaurants involved and offering specials include Mala Sichuan Bistro, the original Ninfa's, and Mo' Better Brews. Mala Sichuan is a Chinese restaurant that makes liberal use of spicy Sichuan peppers across all of their dishes. Ninfa's ought to need no introduction after having become a mainstay Tex-Mex restaurant across the Houston area, but the original site does have a special charm. Lastly, Mo' Better Brews reimagines soul food classics using vegan ingredients. They also offer some great coffee. For more Eat Drink HTX deals, check the link. (Chron)
4. Rodeo season is nearly upon us, but those who simply can't wait can get in on the action early with some pre-rodeo events. After all, if there was ever a time to pre-game in Houston, it's definitely for the rodeo. Go Texan Day & Rodeo Roundup will occur on Friday, Feb. 24. Go Texan Day encourages Houstonians to wear their best set of cowboy gear while Rodeo Roundup will be a free event in downtown Houston that kicks off at 11 a.m. Attendees can expect to be fed with a free chopped barbecue sandwich while enjoying live music. In addition, you can witness a total of 10 different horse and wagon trail rides making their way through downtown as they head towards NRG for the main event. (KPRC Click2Houston)
5. Houston-based space company Axiom Space is set to launch a history-making crew commanded by a woman this spring. On top of that, the Ax-2 mission will include members of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's national astronaut program. Michael Suffredini, president and CEO of Axiom Space, said, "Ax-2 moves Axiom Space one step closer toward the realization of a commercial space station in low-Earth orbit and enables us to build on the legacy and achievements of the ISS, leveraging the benefits of microgravity to better life on Earth."(CultureMap Houston)

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Headlines you need to see:

• EV adoption in Houston is causing electricity providers to up offers (Houston Chronicle)
• Biodefense facility Galveston National Laboratory stores, studies world's largest collection of viruses to prevent next pandemic (KTRK-TV)
• City of Houston passes more initiatives to tackle homelessness (Community Impact Newspaper)
• Will Houston see final winter freeze this week? (Chron)
• Lawmakers eyeing an overhaul of Texas bail laws in a pushback to reform efforts (Houston Public Media)

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Today in Houston:

• Art Lovers of Houston at Refuge Cocktail Bar (6 p.m.)
• The I Love Lucy Murder Mystery Dinner Theater at The Agatha Theater (7 p.m.)
• Theater: Drunk Shakespeare at The Emerald Theatre (7:30 p.m.)
• Concert: J.I.D. & Smino at Bayou Music Center (8 p.m.)
• Theater: Eddie Goes To Poetry City at MATCH (8 p.m.)

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From my notebook:

• Houston City Council voted yesterday to support 14 affordable housing tax credit applications. However, the two most controversial projects had their votes delayed until next week. (Houston Chronicle via Facebook)
• Robot-assisted surgery is slowly becoming the norm in hospitals across Houston. In fact, many doctors are beginning to believe that robotics will become a required part of future medical student curriculum. (KHOU 11 via Facebook)
• The Houston Rodeo is already known for being the largest rodeo in the world, but it's also the sight of one of the largest wine tastings the world over. Houston Rodeo Uncorked! sees thousands of wines judged by panels of wine judges and its multitude of events throughout Rodeo season involve an estimated over 30,000 guests. (Houston Chronicle via Facebook)

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Thanks for making it through another work week with your boy. Then again, I probably shouldn't speak too soon. Knock on wood for me, will you? With any luck, you'll hear from me tomorrow.