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🌱 Patch AM: Which Houston freeways rank among Texas’ worst traffic choke points?

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Hi Houston! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Which Houston freeways rank among Texas’ worst traffic choke points?
  • Who struck this Houston teen on I-45 and drove away?
  • How Houston’s new rental rules collide with two overnight party shootings

Also on today's calendar: FREE WEBINAR | “We Three Kings: The Top 10 Adoration of the Magi Paintings of the Italian Renaiss..” and 6 more events.

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

Today's riddle: I quit my job as a banker. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Friday: Breezy, with a high of 84 and low of 61 degrees.
  • Saturday: Mostly sunny, nice and warm, temps: high: 76, low: 49.
  • Sunday: Nice with plenty of sunshine, with a high of 71 and low of 51 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Houston takes top spots in traffic congestion, Texas A&M University says – T-SPAN (tspantx.com) — Houston drivers now have confirmation that their daily gridlock is among the worst in Texas, with seven of the state’s 10 most congested road segments in the metro area. Key stretches like the West Loop, I-10 Katy, and I-45 are under pressure from construction and upcoming NHHIP work, even as overall delay remains lower than in similar-sized U.S. cities.
   

2. Texas teen fighting for life after being struck by 2 vehicles (fox26houston.com) — Houston police are investigating after 19-year-old Alize Mireles was critically injured by two hit-and-run vehicles on the I-45 North feeder at Crosstimbers early New Year’s Day. Her mother says she’s fighting for life at Ben Taub Hospital and is pleading for witnesses, while HPD urges anyone with information to contact its accident division.
   

3. Shootings at short-term rental parties spotlight public safety concerns on day new Houston rules begin (click2houston.com) — Houston’s new short-term rental ordinance took effect the same night two separate shootings at rental house parties left seven people injured, intensifying concerns about neighborhood safety. City leaders say the rules aim to hold property owners accountable, while rental hosts argue missing tools like noise monitors and ID checks could limit the law’s effectiveness in curbing disruptive and violent gatherings.
   

4. Employee at popular Houston restaurant accused of hiding camera in family bathroom (khou.com) — Houston-area diners are being alerted after a worker at the Lupe Tortilla on Katy Freeway in Hedwig Village was arrested on a felony charge, accused of placing a motion-activated camera in a family bathroom. Police say quick action by another employee led to the discovery, and investigators report the device allegedly captured images of both a child and the suspect installing it.
   

5. NTSB releases report on incident at Houston airport (khou.com) — A new NTSB report details how a United flight from Memphis veered off the runway into the grass at Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, damaging landing gear but injuring no one. Investigators released surveillance video and cockpit audio, but say the final analysis and probable cause are still pending while they examine pilot actions and the misty weather conditions that morning.
   

📸 Around Houston

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Houston

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Friday January 2
  • Pickleball Open Play Fridays - (50+)
    West University Place Community Building and Senior Center , 6104 Auden Street , West University Place
    1:00 pm
    • Saturday January 3
  • Gourd'gous Glass Pumpkin Patch
    Glassblowing Houston , 17442 FM 2920 Rd , Tomball
  • Tomball Farmers Market Weekly All local farmers market
    Greater Tomball Chamber of Commerce , 205 W. Main Street , Tomball
    9:00 am
    • Monday January 5
  • Monday Bridge Open Play (50+)
    West University Place Community Building and Senior Center , 6104 Auden Street , West University Place
    9:30 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • A Student’s Art Takes Flight Over City Place This New Year’s Eve —sally magnuson Read on Patch
  • Retire Your Worries at Eagle's Trace —Elizabeth Fabiano Read on Patch
  • Happy new years everyone.
    2025 was brutal. I lost my mother, nearly lost my life due to sepsis, i and my two siblings have been denied access to our mother's possessions (… (Nextdoor Buffalo Bayou S)
  • Neighbors, Sydney was saved from the Urgent List at Pasadena Animal Shelter and now she desperately needs help.
    I am leaving town for work for a month and her next foster home fell through, through no fault of Sydney. Sydney was accepted into rescue and will be… (Nextdoor Northfork)
  • Today, Jan. 1, 2026, is the deadline for hosts of short-term rentals to register with the City of Houston. The new ordinance passed in April 2025 and... (X: HoustonTX)
  • Happy New Year, Harris County! As we reflect on 2025 and look ahead to the opportunities of 2026, our office is proud of what we have accomplished... (X: RodneyEllis)
  • Target posted a job opening for Overnight Inbound (Stocking) (T2093) in Houston. Apply here.
  • One and Only Fitness Consulting posted a job opening for FitLife Group Fitness Coordinator 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: I just lost interest.
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