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🌱 Patch AM: How serious is the latest chemical leak near the Houston Ship Channel?

And check out New Year's Celebration at Fielding's Local on the Houston Patch calendar

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Good morning Houston! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How serious is the latest chemical leak near the Houston Ship Channel?
  • How a Houston-area dad used phone tech to stop a kidnapping
  • See what made this $6.76M River Oaks home stand out

Also on today's calendar: New Year's Celebration at Fielding's Local and 5 more events.

Find out what's happening in Houstonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What two things can you never eat for breakfast? . 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Houstonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Monday: Cloudy, windy and cooler, with a high of 57 and low of 39 degrees.
  • Tuesday: Partly sunny, temps: high: 54, low: 41.
  • Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 63 and low of 47 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Houston ship channel chemical leak injures two (ktsa.com) — A sulfuric acid leak at an industrial facility near the Houston Ship Channel in Channelview sent two people to the hospital and required on‑scene treatment for about 40 others, though the port remains open. Officials say roughly one million gallons spilled after a catwalk collapse damaged a pipe, and Harris County Hazmat with the U.S. Coast Guard are overseeing containment and cleanup.
   

2. Dad foils daughter's Christmas kidnapping using phone's parental controls (nydailynews.com) — A 15-year-old girl from Porter was rescued on Christmas after her father used phone parental controls to track her to a secluded area, about 30 miles north of Houston, where deputies later arrested a 23-year-old suspect. The case, spanning Montgomery and neighboring Harris County, underscores how digital tools and quick action helped prevent a potentially worse outcome for a family in Houston’s orbit.
   

3. Tudor Revival-inspired River Oaks home sells for $6.76M after price cuts (khou.com) — A $6.76 million custom Tudor Revival home in River Oaks just topped Houston-area home sales for the week of Dec. 14, according to local real estate data. Designed by Houston-based firm Curtis & Windham, the 7,228-square-foot property on Brentwood Drive features high-end finishes and multiple baths, underscoring the strength of Houston’s luxury housing market.
   

4. "Jugging" suspect robbed bank customers in California, Texas, before Denver arrest (cbsnews.com) — Two men from Houston are accused of flying to Denver to rob bank customers, with one now sentenced to 19 years in Colorado prison after a string of “jugging” thefts. Investigators tied him to the crimes using phone data, bank records, and flights between Denver and Houston, and say additional suspects connected to the Houston-based crew may still be at large.
   

5. Tech experts weigh in after federal judge blocks Texas app store age-verification law ahead of Jan. 1 start date (khou.com) — Houston parents and app users should know a federal judge has temporarily blocked Texas’ new app store age-verification law just days before its Jan. 1 start. The ruling pauses requirements for age checks and parental consent while a First Amendment challenge plays out, as tech experts in Houston weigh how to balance online safety with free speech and parental responsibility.
   

📸 Around Houston

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Houston

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🗓 Events Nearby

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Former director of the National Hurricane Center and longtime KHOU Chief Meteorologist Neil Frank has died.... (X: HOUBizJournal)
  • Mayor Whitmire talks leadership, public safety, and what’s next for Houston in a new interview with @queondamagazine. Hear his vision for a safer,... (X: houmayor)
  • Sage Hospitality Group posted a job opening for Director of Finance- C. Baldwin Hotel Curio Collection by Hilton in Houston. Apply here.
  • Sam's Club posted a job opening for Baker and Packager Associate in Houston. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Houston here.

Ok Houston! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Lunch and dinner. (From Norine S.)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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