🌱 TEA Takes Control + Afterparty Shutdown

Hello, everybody. It's Thursday in Houston and I'm back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening locally. In today's issue, you'll read about these stories and more:

• TEA takes over HISD.
• Rodeo performer's afterparty ends early.
• Austin hot chicken coming to Washington Avenue.

But first, today's weather: Increasingly windy. High: 76 Low: 46.

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Here are the top stories in Houston today:

1. After three years of drama in court, TEA (Texas Education Agency) announced yesterday morning that they are moving forward with its takeover of HISD (Houston Independent School District). A new HISD superintendent will be chosen, and current school board members will be replaced. However, TEA will allow former board members to continue serving in an advisory capacity. New appointments will be completed by June. HISD board members and teachers have spoken out against the takeover ever since rumors surfaced that it would be happening. The takeover was initially launched in 2019 due to HISD schools receiving failing accountability ratings for over five years. Since then, though, the current superintendent and board members have succeeded in going from 50 failing school ratings to 10 with an overall HISD accountability rating of B. Nonetheless, TEA members say their initial reason for pushing for a takeover is still valid. (KPRC Click2Houston)
2. Machine Gun Kelly's rodeo performance on Tuesday was followed by an afterparty that the fire marshal ultimately shut down. The afterparty was located at Todos Santos bar in Washington Corridor and saw the bar packed full of over 230 people. The fire marshal supposedly shut down the party due to an issue with a fire panel. At that point, over 20 HPD officers assisted in escorting patrons, including Machine Gun Kelly, out of the building. Todos Santos resumed normal operations later that night. (KTRK-TV)
3. Hot chicken restaurant Tumble 22 from Austin is coming to Washington Avenue in Houston. It will take up the building that formerly housed Avenue Grill. Tumble 22 prides itself on serving all-natural chicken that's raised right here in the Lone Star State. Their offerings include chicken tenders, bone-in chicken, and chicken sandwiches which range on a six-level spice scale from "Wimpy" to "Stupid Hot." The chicken is served with sides such as deviled eggs, mac and cheese, collard greens, and other Southern-side classics. Additionally, the restaurant is home to a number of dessert pies for customers with a sweet tooth. (CultureMap Houston)
4. ‘Kasi’ is a Houston-shot horror film that follows a woman's descent into murder and madness. Kasi is a woman with a young family who suffers from disassociation. Her husband plans to help her with this issue by distracting her from the problem with the idea of opening her own business: a bakery. Unfortunately, things quickly get out of hand as Kasi falls prey to her own desire to kill. That doesn't stop her from continuing to chase her dream of opening the bakery though. The film's director Lakisa R. Lemons calls the movie a love letter to Houston. You can find 'Kasi' on Tubi. (Houston Chronicle)
5. A 17-year-old was charged with capital murder for a deadly carjacking that took place on Valentine's Day. Police say the 17-year-old and another unidentified suspect shot and killed 65-year-old Judy Walters at her apartment complex before stealing her car. As they drove off from the complex, they ran over Judy's body. Videos of the victim's white SUV leaving the scene show images of the two suspects. If you know any information about the unidentified suspect, please contact Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477) for a potential monetary reward. (KHOU.com)

Headlines you need to see:

• Something in the air? Smoke causing air quality issues across Houston (KHOU.com)
• Houston police threaten arrest of volunteers feeding homeless (Chron)
• Houston mayor speaks against TEA takeover of HISD (KHOU.com)
• County OKs $6.8M plan for Harris County Jail amid investigations (Chron)
• 'I never thought it would be me:' Mother offering $20K reward for information about son's murder (KPRC Click2Houston)

Today in Houston:

• Happy Hour Thursdays at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston (5 p.m.)
• Pilates at Discovery Green (6 p.m.)
• "Drunk Shakespeare" at the Emerald Theater (7:30 p.m.)
• Concert: New Order at 713 Music Hall (8 p.m.)
• Concert: Chris Stapleton at the Houston Rodeo (9 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• A 3.29 carat diamond was found at Arkansas State Park by a run-of-the-mill visitor. It's the largest diamond found at the park this year and was named B.U.D. for Big Ugly Diamond. (FOX 26 Houston via Facebook)
• A Houston school nurse helped one of the students at her school lose over 100 pounds. The 16-year-old boy was over 300 pounds before the nurse began educating him about the dangers of his weight and how to eat and exercise properly. (KPRC2 / Click2Houston via Facebook)
• A new listing in Thrillist claims that Memorial Park is one of the best places in Texas to find wildflowers. Texas is home to over 5,000 species of wildflower including the beloved bluebonnet state flower which is indeed legal to pick. (Houston Chronicle via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday! See you tomorrow for everyone's favorite weekday.