Houston gets another rainy day before sunshine returns More downpours are expected around Houston and southeast Texas today as the recent rainy weather lingers before the sunshine returns this weekend, forecasters say.

18-wheeler's rollover closes Eastex Freeway lanes An 18-wheeler's fuel tank ruptured when the truck overturned in the northbound lanes of the Eastex Freeway about 5 a.m. today. The accident, which occurred near the Aldine Mail Route exit, has blocked at least three main lanes of the freeway but did not involve any other vehicles, according to Houston TranStar.

Stores reward hybrid drivers with choice parking spaces Wheelchair users and others with limited mobility have long had access to prime parking spaces. Then expectant mothers got their own special spots. Now some stores are setting aside coveted parking close to the door for fuel-efficient hybrids.

Casey: Accused flasher loses 'it was too small' defense The court rejected the argument by high-profile attorney Dick DeGuerin and his associate Neal Davis that the doctor could not have exposed himself to an undercover cop because that which is alleged to have been exposed is too small to have been seen.

Husband fears Pasadena suspect freed in fatal shooting As he grieved for his wife on Tuesday and prepared for her funeral, Charles Melton said he couldn't help worrying about a second attack from the man accused of killing the woman: her stepfather.

Only 6 have taken advantage of ICE's DIY deportation In the weeks since Immigration and Customs Enforcement director Julie Myers revealed in a TV interview that officials were planning to offer a new "self-deportation" program, the story has been picked up by media outlets worldwide.

Ex-border agent pleads guilty to civil rights violations A former U.S. Border Patrol agent on Tuesday pleaded guilty in federal court in Houston to violating the civil rights of two undocumented immigrants.

Surf the Web for free in 20 downtown 'hotspots' You can now surf the Internet for free in select outdoor locations around downtown Houston. Wireless access was turned on quietly in late July by city officials at 20 "hotspots."

Transportation chief urges local oversight for funds U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters was in Houston on Tuesday to pitch an administration that she said would send more federal dollars to fast-growing metropolitan areas.

County: League of Women Voters signed up most voters If voter registration in Harris County were an Olympic event, the gold medal might be in dispute.

HISD aids health insurance effort with one question One simple question on student enrollment forms has brought health insurance coverage to thousands of children in Houston public schools.

HISD used firm in Sherman bus crash for $112,000 in trips Angel Tours, the charter bus company tied to a deadly North Texas crash this month, also shuttled children on dozens of trips since 2006, mostly for extracurricular events paid by schools and universities, records obtained by the Houston Chronicle show.

Spring subdivision upset about what's moving in: a tollway The red brick home in Spring that Tracy Martin's family bought a year ago seemed to have everything she had ever wanted.

Pet death during traffic stop has cop in dog house (w/video) A Texas State University student who was kept waiting for a speeding ticket while his girlfriend's dog died in her arms has filed a complaint over the Aug. 5 incident with the San Marcos Police.

Abolish Texas home dispute agency, state group urges An agency created to resolve disputes between homeowners and builders is "fundamentally flawed" and should be abolished, the Sunset Advisory Commission staff said today.

CPS gets custody of sect leader's child bride A judge today ordered that the child bride of polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs be placed in state custody, saying she feared the girl's mother was unable to protect her.

Man shoots Harris woman while trying to steal her purse The woman was attacked shortly before noon atoday as she was coming into her home in the 15600 block of Liberty Pine Lane, officers say.

Death date nears for accomplice in Hill Country murder Although Jeffery Wood didn't fire the fatal shot in a 1996 robbery-murder, he is scheduled for execution Thursday for his role in the Hill Country slaying.

Houston's rainy weather expected to continue today Houston-area residents can expect more rain today, including heavy downpours in some spots, as the recent rainy trend continues in southeast Texas.

Houston doctors make arm do job of pancreas Doctors at The Methodist Hospital are experimenting with the new treatment, which could help the millions of Americans with diabetes.

Sugar Land officials to vote on entertainment center today Sugar Land City Council is considering a measure to create an entertainment district that would include among other things, a concert hall, minor league baseball stadium and a hotel-convention center.

Hiker says finding family's plane was `unbelievably sad' Killed in the crash were energy executive Thomas Jacomini, 42; his wife, Susana, 38; and the couple's two children, Thomas, 8, and Vivi, 5.

Couple fend off knife-wielding home intruder Just after 3 a.m. Monday, Cindy Williamson was awakened by her husband yelling for her to get out of their bedroom and to call 911.

Driver rescued from burning car by councilwoman cited The woman who was pulled from her burning car by a Houston city councilwoman after it plunged 75 feet from the Westpark Tollway was cited for failure to drive in a single lane and for driving with an expired license, investigators said Monday.

1,000 will learn how to do CPR, use defibrillator James Gee, like other Houston Airport Security personnel, sat through emergency training last year with hopes that he wouldn't have to use the skill.

DPS appeals ruling over access to expense vouchers The Texas Department of Public Safety is appealing a court decision that granted the Houston Chronicle and two other newspapers access to travel records filed by members of Gov. Rick Perry's security detail.

Cleveland teacher on leave after prostitution charge A Cleveland theater arts teacher and student council sponsor has been charged with prostitution after being arrested at a downtown Houston hotel by an undercover agent she met on an Internet chat room, authorities said.

Some Pakistanis here worry over future of their homeland The resignation of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf on Monday provoked worldwide concerns about the stability of the nuclear-armed country and the impact on the U.S.-led war on terrorism.

Harris County deputy accused of robbing drug dealers Police on Monday arrested a Harris County Precinct 4 deputy who they believe was robbing narcotics dealers during drug buys.

"Preppy bandit's" BMW leads to arrest in armed robberies IDressed in Polo shirts, khaki-colored shorts, Craig Caudill was not sporting the average duds of a thief. But that's exactly what the 39-year-old man wore during several armed robberies authorities believe he committed in west and northwest Harris County within the last two and a half weeks.

Perry supports district that will let teachers carry guns Texas Gov. Rick Perry indicated Monday he supports a tiny school district's decision to allow teachers and staff to pack guns for protection when classes start later this month.

Gunmen sought in fatal shooting near Houston complex Police are searching for two men in a fatal shooting outside the parking lot of a north Houston apartment complex early Sunday morning.

Man charged in fatal hit and run in West Houston Police have arrested a man accused of fleeing the scene of two-car accident that killed one man and injured four others in west Houston Sunday morning.

Perry supports school district's decision to allow guns Gov. Rick Perry said Monday that local school districts should be able to decide whether to allow concealed weapons on their campuses.

Texas adopts 'Blue Alert' to be used when officers killed Texas Gov. Rick Perry on Monday ordered a new "Blue Alert" system to help find and arrest suspects when a law enforcement officer is killed or seriously injured in the line of duty.

Bail increased for Pasadena man accused of killing stepdaughter A judge on Monday raised the bail and ordered a mental health evaluation for a 66-year-old Pasadena man charged with murder in the death of his 35-year-old stepdaughter.

DPS challenges decision over release of travel records The Texas Department of Public Safety is appealing a court decision that granted the Houston Chronicle access to travel records filed by members of Gov. Rick Perry's security detail. Attorney General Greg Abbott's office filed notice of appeal Monday with the 3rd Court of Appeals in Austin.

Fort Bend educator won't be indicted in assault Andre Credit, 32, was arrested June 3 after investigators said he grabbed Edgar Arellano around the neck and choked him. The arrested followed a food fight at the school.

Man sentenced to 35 years in Port Arthur killing A judge in Beaumont sentenced 46-year-old Carl James Williams on Monday.

Man found fatally shot on NE Houston railroad tracks The victim, who has not been identified, was discovered shortly before 1 p.m. today near the 3900 block of Noble, Houston police said.