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Community Corner

🌱 Texas Tea Law + GOP Youth Unification

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:

  • What President Joe Biden's marijuana pardons mean for Texas weed laws.
  • A Republican youth summit's emphasis on party unification.
  • How to stop a robbery.

But first, today's weather:

Sunshine and patchy clouds. High: 86 Low: 70.

Here are the top stories today in Houston:

  1. President Joe Biden may have pardoned thousands of criminals for marijuana possession last week, but local drug policy experts say Texas is a long way out from lenient marijuana laws. Katharine Harris, a fellow in drug policy at Rice University's Baker Institute, clarified exactly what Biden's pardons meant, "It does not apply to people who have been charged or convicted of marijuana charges at the state level. It also does not apply to people at the federal level who have been charged with higher level marijuana offenses like selling or distributing." In other words, only about 6,500 people nationwide benefitted from the pardons. Meanwhile, possession of over 2 ounces of marijuana in Texas still qualifies as a Class B Misdemeanor that comes with penalties of up to 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine. Despite increasing levels of social acceptance regarding marijuana, Texas law remains far behind the curve. (Houston Public Media)
  2. U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw alerted young Republicans of the dangers of GOP infighting at Houston's third annual Crenshaw youth summit this past weekend. Crenshaw said that many of the party divisions currently being experienced are "manufactured by opportunists online, on TV and on social media who can't string a sentence together about serious public policy." Printed literature at the event featured Reagan-era quotes and pictures harkening back to a time when the party was much more united. Event attendees spoke up about their personal struggles in finding a political home in the current age of political polarization, mudslinging, and an absolute refusal of either side to find common ground. (KBTV Fox 4 Beaumont)
  3. A woman who was the victim of aggravated robbery at an ATM in Southwest Houston scared off her assailant by screaming in his face. The victim in question was in the midst of depositing a check when a masked man approached her, threatened her with a gun, and demanded she hand over her money. In response, she howled like a banshee, sending the assailant dashing across the street where he got into the passenger side of an old Chevrolet Impala and drove off. All things considered, the encounter brings a whole new meaning to the adage "The pen is mightier than the sword." (ABC13)
  4. If you enjoy waiting in the Uchi queue for afternoon happy hour in Montrose, you'll absolutely love its new sister restaurant, Uchiko which recently opened off of Post Oak near the Galleria. In contrast to its predecessor, Uchiko focuses specifically on yakitori dishes, otherwise known as Japanese street food. These dishes are achieved through the use of a yakitori grill that cooks meats, vegetables, and more over charcoal. Sushi lovers will be glad to know all of their raw fish favorites are available here as well, but the standout servings at Uchiko are undoubtedly the charred, smoked yakitori meals that you won't find anywhere else. (Houston CityBook)
  5. The South African fast-casual chicken sensation Nando's Peri-Peri is coming to Post Oak and San Felipe at the beginning of 2023. In case you're unfamiliar with any one of their more than 50 locations across the U.S., Nando's Peri-Peri serves some of the best grilled hot chicken you'll ever taste thanks to the use of their namesake peri-peri peppers. Chicken at Nando's is marinated for at least 24 hours before being grilled over an open flame and basted with a peri-peri sauce. The restaurant offers multiple heat levels that range from the barest of spices to peri-peri that will have you wiping your forehead. (PaperCity Magazine)

Headlines you need to see:

  • How to register to vote: Tuesday, Oct. 11 is deadline for fall election in Texas (Houston Public Media)
  • Tango, funk and family-friendly films on the docket at Miller Outdoor Theatre in November; SEE FULL LIST (KPRC Click2Houston)
  • New EaDo bakery Eadough opens with great pastries in Houston (Chron)
  • Off-duty security guard fatally shoots man at Houston gas station on Westheimer Road (FOX 26 Houston)
  • Houston's Monster Man (outsmartmagazine.com)

Today in Houston:

  • Halloween Monster Mayhem at Fort Bend Children's Discovery Center (10 a.m.)
  • Taco Tuesday at El Pueblito Patio (5 p.m.)
  • Dungeons & Dragons with Circle of Barhaven at Rudyard's (6 p.m.)
  • Core-focused yoga at Discovery Green (6:30 p.m.)
  • Concert: Lil Nas X at 713 Music Hall (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

  • Trucks and Texas are pretty much synonymous, but the gas-guzzling machines are starting to see a makeover on Houston roads as an increasing number of electric trucks are produced. The Ford F-150 Lightning, GMC Hummer pickup, and Rivian R1T are all futuristic looking electric trucks you might just spot on the road if you pay close attention. (KHOU 11 News via Facebook)
  • Vice President Kamala Harris publicly announced her support for Beto O'Rourke in the coming Texas governor election. Harris says recently enacted Texas laws such as the abortion ban are unconstitutional and immoral. (KHOU 11 News via Facebook)
  • Astros fans camped overnight at Discovery Green this past weekend to pick up special edition Astros hats made by Hat Club. The pop-up shop sold over 2,000 hats at the event which saw a line stretching through Discovery Green all day on Sunday. (KHOU 11 News via Facebook)

Featured Kitty:

Cowboy is a 4-month-old domestic short hair available for adoption at the SPCA.

You can't see them in this picture, but he's got some cute little white cowboy boots on!

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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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