🌱 Houston Fire Department Adding 350 Firefighters + All-Star Game

Welcome back, Houston! It's National Ice Cream Day, be sure to enjoy a scoop today. I'm here in your inbox per usual to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on around town. Enjoy...

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 98 Low: 78.

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Here are the top five stories in Houston today:

1. The Houston Fire Department is planning to hire 350 firefighters this fiscal year and offering bonuses of up to $3,000 due to a staffing shortage. The salary while in the academy is currently $36,000 and upon graduation your salary will jump to approximately $50,000, according to HFD Recruiting Manager Tameka Hardison. (Fox 26)

2. Two Houston Police Department officers have been hospitalized after a suspected impaired driver went the wrong way and crashed into their patrol vehicle on Saturday morning in southwest Houston. It happened near the 6300 block of Gulfton Street. (ABC 13)

3. Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve will not play in Tuesday's All-Star Game after being hit by a pitch and will be replaced by Cleveland's Andrés Giménez. He is the second Astros' All-Star selection not able to play due to an injury. (KHOU 11)

4. A 490-mile natural gas pipeline will impact hundreds of Texas property owners and has owners worried about eminent domain. "If they can not come to terms on the just compensation, then at that point, the oil and gas for-profit pipeline company will sue the landowner to take the property from them," Attorney Justin Hodge said. (Fox 26)

5. Houston Police Department's Robbery Division is asking the public for help identifying a suspect involved in an aggravated robbery in southeast Houston. It happened at the 8000 block of Cullen Boulevard on July 4 at about 4 a.m. (ABC 13)

Today in Houston:

• HTX Gals Wellness Walk at Common Bond Bistro & Bakery. (9 a.m.)
• Sundays at Kamp Houston. (11 a.m.)
• Houston Astros vs. Oakland Athletics at Minute Maid Park. (1 p.m.)
• Sunday - Downtown Houston: Bachata & Salsa Classes at Interio. (6 p.m.)
• Sekai On Sundays Nights. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Multiple Houston-area ice cream shops were ranked among the best in Texas by online review-giant Yelp. On the list were Connie's Frozen Custard, Cool Cow Creamery in Kemah, Scoop Craft Creamery, Flower & Cream and more. (Click2Houston)
• Honor Society Coffee Co. is planning to open this fall in September or October. The coffee shop will be located at 105 Houston Street, Tomball. It will also have a small food menu. (Community Impact News)
• Masterpiece Desserts is celebrating its one-year anniversary at 9111 Cypress Creek Parkway, Ste. A, Houston on Saturday, July 30. (Community Impact News)

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You're officially in the loop for today! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow with a new update.

— Carlos Hernandez

About me: Hello my name is Carlos Hernandez and I am a food writer with over 10 years of experience in the industry. I write the food blog Carlos Eats (http://www.carloseats.com) and also contribute to several newspapers and magazines with food-related blogs and articles.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Houston Daily? Contact me at houston@patch.com