Financial markets around the world plunged yesterday as the ripple effect of the US economy continues The drastic market changes are depressing the price of oil which is a big deal for Houston - see the mid-80s The good news is that fuel prices continue to fall around Houston and the rest of Texas. Houston's average price per gallon is $3.22. We're a month in to the recovery, but there is still a lot of......

Despite promising to find cash to save their employees' jobs, most staff members at the University of Texas Medical Branch will be losing their jobs. Mayor White's registration proposal was struck down by the City Council after they concluded that the measure would penalize legit outfits while shady operations would continue being shady Most of Houston still has piles - of debris - but the city is doing a solid job of picking it up......

Mayor Bill White wants Houston to have a million new trees. Make it happen. Environmentalists say don't cry over spilled oil. The fallout from Ike isn't beyond repair. Over half of Galveston ISD's 12 schools are back in business as of yesterday morning The SciGuy says that things aren't as bad as they could have been in Galveston Texas' official Night Out is tonight. The nationally coordinated event is designed to get neighbors to meet......

400 people are still missing due to Ike Galveston parents try to sort out an education solution for their children as the October 6th target reopening date for Galveston ISD looks aggressive Galveston is making slow progress toward recovery, but you should stay out of the water Contrary to popular belief, the Ike-related power outages have been beneficial to some - strengthening the faith of some and http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/hurricane/ike/6027255.html Pioneering newsman Ray Miller died on Sunday.......

From local Houston headlines, we bring you these weekend news bits... • A 54 year old man was killed on I-10 near Baca last night after he ran across the interstate to help three stranded dogs in the median. The motorcycle driver that hit him suffered a broken arm. • Noted television news man and author, Ray Miller has passed away. He was 89. • A man was killed last night around 10pm when......

Centerpoint Energy to customers: Don't worry. We're bringing an army of repair people to your hood. The City and Centerpoint played a week-long game of Not My Job over a fallen tree tangled in powerlines in Montrose. Power was restored four days after the tree was finally removed. Houstonians beware! Identity thieves are using post-Ike conditions to dupe folks. A couple have been caught, but you can bet there are more out on the loose.......

Hurricane Ike: Brazoria County officials have ordered a mandatory evacuation for parts of their county. Hurricane Ike: The Chron's Sci Guy says we are still in watch and wait mode. Drugs: Harris County is set to give away 108,000 prescription discount cards at all 16 Harris County Tax Office branches. Get 'em while you can! Strip Clubs: A Harris County judge has ordered The Penthouse Club in southwest Houston to shut down. This is the......

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes! David Bowie's 1972 manifesto could be the theme music for the last few weeks on Houston's restaurant scene. It's been busy to say the least, as demonstrated by several resignations, hirings and announcements. Houstonist is here to round up the highs and the lows. The newly-opened Americas in The Woodlands has lost both their head chef, Jonathan Jones, and their pastry chef, Plinio Sandalio. Jones was the original chef at Max's Wine Dive and......

Soon, there will be one more reason to be jealous of your friends who live in Midtown (aside from easy light rail access and The Big Top): Crave Sushi. Word from HAIF is that a new sushi restaurant is being built on Travis at Tuam, to fill the void in the underserved sushi market in Midtown. Crave Sushi is scheduled to open in December of this year, just in time for the weather to be......

From local Houston headlines, we bring you these weekend news bits... • A Houston couple went on a two month robbery spree, "to pay the rent." The couple were caught when one of their victims reported their license plate to police. • George Jeffrey Carlson, 52, of Spring, killed himself at the Canadian border near Maine after refusing to stop at a Canadian customs facility. Royal Canadian Mounted Police said that the victim shot......

Houston's first Hispanic female police officer has died at 78 due to injuries sustained in a drive-by shooting Super Unleaded for $2/gallon at Houstonist HQ! Kidding. But someone has a few extra gallons after stealing 7,000 gallons of fuel from a Galveston filling station. Sharon Brown may take the stand today to make her case against Victoria Osteen The back-to-school tax break happens this weekend A Katy cheerleading squad has to put their herkies on......

Forget Judge Judy. The jury is seated in the lawsuit against Victoria Osteen alleging assault of flight attendant Sharon Brown. Open arguments start today. Let the side show begin. Damage from Edouard was minimal the blood bank's supply is running low A pair of dolphins survived being beached in Galveston by Edouard. Now they're back in the sea and worrying about other things like tuna nets. Heliberto Oli may become the second foreign national to......

Tropical Storm Edouard is on his way to Houston. We've seen worse (amember Tropical Storm Allison), but you should still be prepared. Tropical storms bring wind and rain and stuff. But, what's Edouard packing? The Sci Guy knows. Rejoice, ninos! School's closed! Woo hoo! The Greater Houston Area Red Cross opened two shelters last night. Bring your own supplies (bedding, drugs, diapers, etc.) and leave Fido at tu casa. Our boy, Edouard, may cause some......

The sentence is in for the cell phone using driver who struck and killed a deputy sheriff. Some folks think it is too light. What do you think? "How should we 'fix' illegal immigration?" "Huh. Let's get them to deport themselves." "Yeah...that's the ticket." Another crane accident has occured, another worker is dead Video from the Governor's Mansion yields a glimpse of a suspect in the arson case Folks say there aren't enough trees in......

Dolly came to Texas, tore the roofs off of homes and knocked out power in the area; but surfers love Dolly for her waves Houston gets a taste of Dolly today as remnants roll through the area. 70% chance of thunderstorms. High: 88. Low 76. The Air Force decorated a pilot from Kingwood with the Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor for saving the lives of German soldiers How much did you spend on gas last......

Huge digital signs along our commute warned us that it's Hurricane Season. Really? That makes sense since Tropical Storm Dolly may be hydrating our coastal region this weekend. The "Houston is a boomtown" theory is all a matter of perspective. What do you think? An investigation of the captain of ill-fated Texas A&M sailing vessel Cynthia Woods has brought to light prior accidents in the same vessel that may have contributed to the tragic accident......

Tragedy struck at a Houston apartment complex where two children were crushed to death by a stairway collapse Reliant plans to http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/consumer&id=6269001" target=new>increase charges (tee hee) for electricity in August The FBI is tracking a Houston bank robber who has held up three banks in a month Your credit card numbers may not be safe even if you don't lose them A Katy teacher couldn't keep it in her pants and has resigned after allegations......

Houston Grand Juries have been busy this summer. They just indicted Carolyn Sue Krizan-Wilson on murder charges from 1985. Three years of construction on Katy Freeway have finally yielded to "completion" and drivers are enjoying some different scenery Adios, Kirby Trees. We'll miss you. This just in. Kids playing with lighters may start fires. Huh. Obama's heading to Houston in a couple of weeks. You can eat dinner with him if you write a fat......

The widow of a man murdered in 1985 was arrested for the crime No passengers? No problem. You may soon be able to pay your way into the HOV lane Moody Gardens' animal keepers found their snake Three men are wanted in connection with the robbery of a Family Dollar Store. If you're risking your freedom for crime, shouldn't you target the Family 100 Dollar Store? Sugarland authorities are seeking a suspect with gold teeth......

Yesterday fallen Marine was laid to rest at the Houston National Cemetery An 86 year-old veteran and Houstonian was decorated on Monday for his service in WWII A gallon is a gallon except for when it is not.Make sure the filling station you're visiting is on the up and up by reading this NASA announced the dates of the final ten launches of the space shuttle The shuttle may go the way of the Dodo,......

Houston's fireworks show blasts off downtown at 9:30. Get there earlier to take in the concert. Don't fuel up in Beaumont during your Fourth of July road trip. They've got the highest prices in Texas right now. Houstonians are upset with their car getting booted after they've paid to park in a downtown lot Authorities are looking for two children who are missing after their mom's pick-up truck was stolen with them in it Judge......

Joe Horn told Diane Sawyer, ""When you're confronted, when somebody rushes you, you've already told him not to move, you know that you must shoot or you're gonna be dead." Authorities in Houston are seeking a black male wearing red gloves in conjunction with robberies in the area Houston has bad traffic. But, Austin has the worst drivers in Texas. You may be able to leave your shoes at home even if you're heading to......

The Grand Jury ruled that Joe Horn will not face charges. DA Kenneth Magidson said, "...the grand jury concluded that Mr. Horn's use of deadly force did not rise to a criminal offense." Sheriff Tommy Thomas apologized for racist emails sent by staff members A missing baby was returned to Wal-Mart by her captor. The infant had been missing since her mother was arrested at a different Wal-Mart. No news on whether or not the......

Fireworks hit the market today. Don't use them inside the city limits or you may be fined up to $2,000 per item. Houston is a great place to be if you're looking for a job. Houstonist is looking. Bring us your best offer. Sugarland will be testing their new emergency phone call system today so don't freak out. The father of the missing Pasadena children faces capital murder charges after leading authorities to their bodies......

New METRO Rail lines get the green light. All five new lines are expected to be completed by 2012. A drone aircraft has joined the search for missing children in Pasadena Continental was named airline of the year. Maybe it's because Larry Kellner et al. are smart enough to realize that charging for bags may not be all it's cracked up to be. Do you part and pack smartly. Lake Jackson has implemented water use......

The Grand Jury is hearing the Joe Horn case now. Horn says that he would stay in the house if he could do things all over again. Hey, crooks. Here's a free tip:don't carjack folks, especially not in front of Houston Police headquarters, or you might get shot. Think you're safe behind the HOV barrier? Think again. A car jumped the 59 HOV barrier and crashed into an ambulance yesterday. The Houston Comets inked a......

Houston police may have nabbed the crooks responsible for the area jewelry heists. No word yet on casting for the TV movie A salvage team has recovered the Cynthia Woods - the A&M sailing vessel that capsized Friday night Bull fighting (humane-style) is coming back to Ft. Bend county. Are these the same bulls that will be running in New Orleans? Chron.com shares the City Council's 2009 wish list, which includes: a shorter work-week, more......

We're number one! Unfortunately it is a dubious honor. Houston is the number one city in the US for trafficking illegal weapons to Mexico. Bellaire is entertaining the thought of a Light Rail line down Westpark The GHVCB's film "One Day in Houston" was awarded a bronze anvil by the Public Relations Society of America At least one Houston man is making a living the old fashioned way - stealing it A Montgomery woman is......

Do you love bagels? And saving money? And helping sick kids? Of course you do! So read on... Beginning today, June 6th, and running through this Sunday, June 8th, you can get a hot, toasty bagel and a shmear (that's fancy bagel-talk for cream cheese or butter) at Einstein Bros. Bagels for only $0.99! Your bagel and shmear would normally cost $2.49, but Einstein is hoping that you and your fellow customers will donate the......

Continental is cutting capacity and laying off workers due to the fuel crisis. By the end of 2008, the carrier is planning to release 3,000 employees (of 45,000) and retire 43 aircraft after reducing flight capacity beginning in September. You may be able to save some green (and get green) by using METRO's van pool service instead of Hummering to work A Houston man was killed by gunfire after being TASERed didn't faze him Hurricane......