Faith And Fame H-Town Headlines
- ISS crew facing medical issue, will return to Earth soon
- IRS starts accepting 2025 tax returns on January 26th
- Houston man accused of bathroom recordings facing new charges
ISS Crew Returning Early Over Medical Issue
NASA says the ISS crew will make an early return to Earth because of a medical situation with one crew member. NASA announced at a news conference Thursday the un-named crew member is stable. The agency had already postponed a spacewalk scheduled for Thursday because of the medical issue. The space agency said it plans to bring the crew home within the coming days. The four-person crew includes U.S. astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, plus one Japanese astronaut and a Russian cosmonaut.
IRS To Accept Tax Returns Starting Jan 26th
The IRS will start accepting tax returns on January 26th. Federal returns for 2025 will need to be filed by April 15th in order to avoid penalties and interest. Most taxpayers will also be expected to pay their taxes by that date.
More Charges Against Man Accused Of Recording Bathroom Visits
A Houston man accused of secretly recording restaurant customers in a bathroom is now facing felony charges of Tampering with a Government Document. Bayson Elias Pu is accused of using a Social Security number belonging to a retired Nevada man. The 31-year old was already charged with Felony Invasive Visual Recording after he allegedly put a camera inside the restroom at a popular west side Mexican restaurant, where he worked as a dishwasher. Pu remains in custody in the Harris County jail, currently held on a 100-thousand dollar bond. A new bond hearing is expected soon. Court records show Pu also has an immigration hold.
Texas Mom Has Huge Baby
Markie Smith of Arlington had already decided on a name for her baby boy well before he was born last month. Smith had gestational diabetes during all three of her pregnancies, which can result in larger babies. Her first two children weighed eight-and-a-half pounds, but her new boy checked in at just over 12 pounds. Smith says when the boy was delivered by c-section, everyone in the room gasped at just how big he was. The boy is named Canyon Smith, a name his mother calls “perfect.”
Two Suspects Arrested For Deadly Shooting On Metro Bus
Two suspects are in custody for a shooting on a Metro bus that killed one passenger and wounded another. Police responded around 2:30 p.m. Wednesday to the shooting on the bus on Richmond at Walnut Bend in west Houston. Investigators say the two suspects opened fire on each other during an argument, but killed a woman and wounded a teenager. The suspect accused of firing the shot that killed the woman is charged with murder. The other suspect is charged with unlawful carrying of a weapon. Their names haven’t been released.
Harris County Commissioners Appoint Interim County Attorney
Jonathan Fombonne is the new interim Harris County attorney. County Commissioners appointed Fombonne by a unanimous vote on Thursday. Fombonne replaces Christian Menefee, who resigned in order to run for the US Congress, but stayed in the role until his successor could be selected. Menefee and former Houston City Councilmember Amanda Edwards are facing each other in a runoff election for the 18th Congressional District. The winner of the January 31st runoff will go to DC to serve out the rest of the late Sylvester Turner’s term.
Houston Rodeo Announces 2026 Lineup Of Entertainers
Tickets go on sale next week for the 2026 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s lineup of entertainers, which was revealed on Thursday. Country acts include Riley Green, Dwight Yoakam, Tim McGraw, Megan Moroney, the Red Clay Strays, and Rascal Flatts, plus many others. Pepe Aguilar will appear on Go Tejano Day, and Black Heritage Day will feature Lizzo. Forrest Frank will lay down some Christian tunes, and pop star Kelly Clarkson will put in an appearance. Tickets go on sale next Thursday at rodeohouston.com/tickets.
Texans At Steelers Monday Night In WC Round
The NFL playoffs kick off this weekend. The Texans battle Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers from Pittsburgh to close out the Wild Card round on Monday Night Football. Denico Autry, Tytus Howard, Jawhar Jordan and Kamari Lassiter missed yesterday’s practice.
Rockets At Trail Blazers Tonight
The Rockets will try to get revenge tonight. The team tips off against Deni Avdija and the Trail Blazers on the road. Houston fell to Portland by one point earlier in the week.
Men’s College Basketball Roundup
The men’s college basketball season continues tomorrow. Number-7 Houston visits Baylor, 25th-ranked SMU is at Number-6 Duke, Texas A-and-M hosts Oklahoma while TCU entertains second-ranked Arizona. Number-14 Texas Tech visits Colorado and Texas is at 12th-ranked Alabama that night. Rice hosts Charlotte while North Texas visits Wichita State Sunday afternoon.
