H-TOWN HEADLINES

• Rats Infest Houston Police Evidence Room: Houston officials are addressing an issue of drug-eating rats in the police evidence room, where the rodents have consumed narcotics, including marijuana and cocaine. The city plans to destroy outdated evidence to mitigate the problem.

• Martial Arts Instructor in The Woodlands Accused of Sexual Abuse: A martial arts instructor in The Woodlands has been accused of sexually abusing a young student. The Sheriff’s Office has executed an arrest warrant for 32-year-old Stephen Zarruk. Zarruk reportedly sexually abused the young student during individualized training sessions conducted at The Woodlands Karate & MMA.

• Houston Crushes Utah for 11th Straight Win: The University of Houston's men's basketball team dominated Utah with a 70-36 victory, marking their 11th consecutive win and extending their homecourt winning streak to 33 games.

NATIONAL HEADLINES

• Senate Advances Pete Hegseth's Nomination as Defense Secretary: The Senate voted to advance Pete Hegseth's nomination for Defense Secretary despite some Republican opposition and allegations against him. The Senate also confirmed John Ratcliffe as CIA Director.

• San Antonio Standoff: Seven police officers were shot while responding to a "suicide in progress" call in San Antonio. The suspect, Brandon Scott Poulos, opened fire and was later found dead after the standoff. Authorities are investigating whether his death was self-inflicted or due to police action. Poulos had been out on bail for violating a protection order just days earlier.

MARKET REPORT

• Strong Earnings Season Boosts Investor Confidence: The current earnings season is off to a robust start, with approximately 80% of S&P 500 companies reporting earnings that exceed Wall Street projections. Notable performances from Netflix, JPMorgan Chase, and Procter & Gamble have contributed to the positive market sentiment.

• Climate Risks Impacting U.S. Housing Market: Increasing climate-related disasters, such as wildfires and floods, are leading to higher insurance premiums and declining property values in vulnerable areas. This trend raises concerns about potential overvaluation in the housing market.

• China Encourages Domestic Investment to Boost Stock Market: Chinese authorities have directed local insurers and mutual funds to increase investments in domestic stocks to bolster the market and restore economic confidence. This initiative could inject up to RMB 500 billion ($68 billion) into the market.

Galveston Restaurant Month: Jan 6th - Feb 2nd
Lasting for just under a month, Galveston Restaurant Month offers diners the chance to visit a wide variety of Galveston’s best restaurants, offering prix-fixe brunch, lunch, and dinner menus at pocketbook-friendly prices. In addition to supporting local restaurants, each meal purchased generates $1 to $5 in donations to support local nonprofits Galveston County Food Bank and St. Vincent’s House, which both focus on feeding and supporting the health of the local kids and families.

Houston Horse Racing Festival: Jan 25th
Contestants from all over the country will compete for their chance at a seat at the 2025 National Horseplayers Championship in Las Vegas. Come show off your best Texas Flair Hat for a chance to win a $500 voucher. Registration is located on the South Paddock Level across from the Merchandise stand.

Houston Hot Chocolate Run: Jan 25th
America’s sweetest run is back for our most indulgent USA TODAY Hot Chocolate Run season yet in Houston on January 25, 2025! With 5K, 10K, and 15K distances and a post-run party that’ll make you go cocoa crazy, you and your friends will experience the ultimate chocolate celebration!

Goat Yoga at City Orchard: Jan 25th
Imagine a yoga class where relaxation meets pure, unadulterated cuteness. At this unique experience, you’ll find yourself surrounded by playful pygmy goats as you practice gentle yoga. The Ashtanga yoga session will be 45 minutes long and the rest of the hour, you can spend with the cute goats.

Lunar New Year at POST Houston: Jan 26th
POST is celebrating the Lunar New Year & Welcoming the Year of the Snake 🐍. Experience dazzling lion dances, cultural performances, a vibrant Asian pop-up market, and traditional Lunar New Year activities. Join us for a day of joy, community, and celebration! 🥳 The celebration is powered by Lexus and hosted by Washington Ho with the Ho Family from the House of Ho on HBO Max.

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