11 News Houston

Before you reach for that shrimp cocktail, you need to know what you could be eating. HOUSTON—Before you reach for that shrimp cocktail, you need to know what you could be eating. Recently the FDA issued warnings about eating foreign shrimp because of the chemicals found inside of it. What’s more, Gulf Coast shrimpers say they’re being put out of business by the foreign imports, which may not ... Full Story »

Chilly rain kicks off the start of weekend with up to a quarter inch expected along the gulf coast by Friday afternoon and evening.   Nearly a week ago we woke up to a winter wonderland with a few inches of snow on the ground for many of us. This Friday Mother Nature has a soggier idea in mind. A steady flow of Pacific and gulf moisture could make for a wet afternoon commute. The day will start ... Full Story »

The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Board says it won't be investigating Wednesday's explosion at the American Acryl plant near Seabrook. PASADENA, Texas—The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Board says it won’t be investigating Wednesday’s explosion at the American Acryl plant near Seabrook. The agency says it doesn’t have the manpower or the money to investigate. The plant’s management admits it ... Full Story »

Border crossings haven't been as busy this holiday season, and the economy and drug violence in northern Mexico may be to blame. Border crossings haven't been as busy this holiday season, and the economy and drug violence in northern Mexico may be to blame. Full Story »

The final 11 News / KUHF Houston Public Radio poll shows Annise Parker has a 13-point lead over Gene Locke, in telephone interviews conducted less than a week before election day. HOUSTON -- The final 11News/ KUHF Houston Public Radio poll shows Controller Annise Parker has a 13-point lead over former City Attorney Gene Locke. In the poll, which was conducted this week by the Center for Civic ... Full Story »

Astros fans have seen Doug Brocail pitch many times from the mound. But last May, he made a play for first that took him off the mound for months.   HOUSTON -- Astros fans have seen Doug Brocail pitch many times from the mound.  But last May, he made a play for first that took him off the mound for months.   "When I hit the bag there was a popping sound and I was in excruciating pain," said ... Full Story »

A Louisiana man who bet against the New Orleans Saints has lost his 60-inch high-definition, flat-screen TV to a backyard firing squad, but he also became an Internet star.         NEW ORLEANS -- A Louisiana man who bet against the New Orleans Saints has lost his 60-inch high-definition, flat-screen TV to a backyard firing squad, but he also became an Internet star. Wayne A. Spring told his ... Full Story »

A Texas prison guard was fired Thursday for "reckless endangerment" after a convicted sex offender escaped with a loaded pistol. In another development, 11 News has obtained video that shows Arcade Comeaux Jr. rising from his wheelchair without help.     HOUSTON— A guard at an east Texas prison was fired Thursday for "reckless endangerment" after a convicted sex offender escaped with a loaded ... Full Story »

McDonald's says it will begin selling a variety of breakfast items for $1 beginning in January. CHICAGO -- McDonald’s says it will begin selling a variety of breakfast items for $1 beginning in January. A spokeswoman for the world’s largest hamburger chain says the five breakfast items will be available on the company’s popular Dollar Menu early next month. The dishes include a Sausage McMuffin ... Full Story »

The rankings for the best high schools in America are in, and a Houston-area school is among the top 25. HOUSTON—The rankings for the best high schools in America are in, and a Houston-area school is among the top 25. Kipp Academy has been named the 16th best high school in the country. Kipp is a charter school in Houston. Fifty other Texas schools made the rankings, which appeared in U.S. News ... Full Story »

Authorities have shut down a Houston store for allegedly selling counterfeit merchandise. HOUSTON – Authorities have shut down a Houston store for allegedly selling counterfeit merchandise. Investigators said the TLC retailer, located off the North Freeway near Goodson, was full of fake designer clothes, sportswear and shoes. There was so much merchandise in the store, U.S. Marshals needed two ... Full Story »

The Brazoria County Sheriff's Office is hoping the public can help them catch three men who stole some beer and beat up a clerk. PEARLAND, Texas—The Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office is hoping the public can help them catch three men who stole some beer and beat up a clerk. It happened earlier this week at a convenience store off Highway 6. The clerk said one of the men grabbed two cases of beer ... Full Story »

The search resumed Thursday for a missing man from Spring. SPRING, Texas—The search resumed Thursday for a missing man from Spring. The Laura Recovery Center was out looking for David Pritchard, a 57-year-old man who disappeared Tuesday night. Family members said Pritchard takes medication every day that keeps him lucid, but he doesn’t have his pills with him. They said he may be very confused ... Full Story »

A local tax return preparer has been sentenced to prison for preparing false income tax returns, United States Attorney Tim Johnson announced Thursday. HOUSTON -- A local tax return preparer has been sentenced to prison for preparing false income tax returns, United States Attorney Tim Johnson announced Thursday. Nathalene Rice Pickens pleaded guilty in August to preparing false tax returns that ... Full Story »

Just over 31,000 homeowners have received permanent loan modifications under the Obama administration's mortgage relief plan, a big setback for the government's embattled effort to stem the foreclosure crisis. WASHINGTON -- Just over 31,000 homeowners have received permanent loan modifications under the Obama administration’s mortgage relief plan, a big setback for the government’s embattled ... Full Story »

New results from a large women's health study suggest that bone-building drugs such as Fosamax and Actonel might help prevent breast cancer. SAN ANTONIO -- New results from a large women’s health study suggest that bone-building drugs such as Fosamax and Actonel might help prevent breast cancer. Women who already were taking these medicines when the study began were nearly one-third less likely ... Full Story »

Health officials now estimate that swine flu has sickened nearly 50 million Americans and killed nearly 10,000. ATLANTA -- Health officials now estimate that swine flu has sickened nearly 50 million Americans and killed nearly 10,000. The new estimates mean about 1 in 6 Americans have had the illness. The figures were released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday. The ... Full Story »

An old debate about whether judges should be elected or appointed is heating up again. DENVER -- An old debate about whether judges should be elected or appointed is heating up again. Former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor and several state Supreme Court justices are planning a nationwide push for next year’s legislative sessions to do away with elected judges. Nevada already has ... Full Story »

Five young American Muslims arrested in Pakistan met with representatives of an al-Qaida linked group and asked for training but were turned down, Pakistani police said Thursday.   WASHINGTON -- Five young American Muslims arrested in Pakistan met with representatives of an al-Qaida linked group and asked for training but were turned down because they lacked references from trusted militants, a ... Full Story »

California has more Chihuahuas than it can handle, and experts say Hollywood is to blame. LOS ANGELES -- California has more Chihuahuas than it can handle, and experts say Hollywood is to blame. Chihuahuas make up 30 percent—or more—of the dog populations at many California animal shelters. There’s suspicion that fans took to the tiny breed to imitate Chihuahua-toting celebrities like Paris ... Full Story »

Police are investigating a car crash that killed a teenage girl Wednesday night. HOUSTON -- Police are investigating a car crash that killed a teenage girl Wednesday night. It happened in the 4100 block of Beran around 9 p.m. Police said a driver and two passengers were headed eastbound on Beran in a red Mazda when the driver became distracted by the victim, 17-year-old Ana Claros, who was lying ... Full Story »

President Barack Obama's health care overhaul now looking like a real possibility—should give uninsured Americans options they've never had before. But it won't be a free ride. WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul now looking like a real possibility—should give uninsured Americans options they’ve never had before. But it won’t be a free ride. As with the Medicare ... Full Story »

A burglary suspect with a shotgun who allegedly tried to hop on a public bus to flee has been arrested in Austin. AUSTIN, Texas -- A burglary suspect with a shotgun who allegedly tried to hop on a public bus to flee has been arrested in Austin. Police say some items believed taken in the burglary, including a shotgun in a soft case, were recovered from the suspect. Travis County Jail records ... Full Story »

The police chief in Lubbock ran after and caught a burglary suspect after hearing a call about a crime in progress. LUBBOCK, Texas -- The police chief in Lubbock ran after and caught a burglary suspect after hearing a call about a crime in progress. Chief Dale Holton was in uniform Wednesday, on his way to lunch, when the call came over the police radio. Holton was the first officer on the scene ... Full Story »

State investigators have identified a victim found dead in a bathroom at a community center in Idabel as a 15-year-old Paris, Texas, girl. OKLAHOMA CITY -- State investigators have identified a victim found dead in a bathroom at a community center in Idabel as a 15-year-old Paris, Texas, girl. Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation spokeswoman Jessica Brown says Sharonda Ann Bronner’s body was ... Full Story »