Harris County grand jurors have declined to indict a pickup driver who fatally struck a 64-year-old woman in a downtown Houston crosswalk last year, leaving her family in "total shock."

Catch up quick: Patricia Martin was crossing at the intersection of Milam and Walker streets in January 2024 when the pickup driver turned and hit her, police said.

• The driver, Emmanuel Megrelis, failed to yield right of way to Martin as he rounded the corner, police determined. Martin's family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against him last year as prosecutors mulled criminal charges.

Driving the news: District Attorney Sean Teare's office presented the case to a grand jury Jan. 30 seeking a state-jail felony charge against Megrelis under the Lisa Torry Smith Act, a 2021 Texas law named after a woman killed in a crosswalk that created a criminal offense for drivers in such instances.

• The panel issued a no bill — meaning it declined to press charges — under the statue, according to Harris County court records.
• Prosecutors the next day asked a different grand jury to indict Megrelis on a state-jail felony charge of criminally negligent homicide, but that panel also declined.

Friction point: "We're not actually sure what the district attorney's office presented to the grand jury," Zach Martin, the victim's son, told Axios.

• "We really doubt their ability to prosecute cases involving other victims if they're not able to achieve even an indictment in this case."

The other side: Teare's office did not comment on the grand juries' decisions, citing the secrecy of the proceedings.

• But spokesperson Courtney Fischer said "prosecutors inform grand juries of all applicable laws when presenting a case."

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The Astros' pitchers and catchers report to West Palm Beach, Florida, today to kick off preseason preparations for Houston's 2025 campaign.

• And when the full squad meets next week, it will be without All Star free agent Alex Bregman, who signed with the Boston Red Sox late yesterday, per The Athletic.

Why it matters: Houston is hoping to return to the playoffs after being swept by the Detroit Tigers in the wild card round last season.

• That ended a streak of seven consecutive appearances in the American League Championship Series.

The latest: Bregman ended a months-long standoff with Houston's front office Wednesday, agreeing to a three-year, $120 million deal with Boston.

State of the team: Astros leadership made several other roster changes in the offseason.

• Outfielder Kyle Tucker was traded away to the Chicago Cubs for three other players in December, with relief pitcher Ryan Pressly also traded to the Cubs in January.
• The team also lost free agent pitchers Justin Verlander (San Francisco Giants), Yusei Kikuchi (Los Angeles Angels) and Caleb Ferguson (Pittsburgh Pirates).

What we're watching: The rest of the Astros squad reports Feb. 18.

• Opening Day is March 27 against the New York Mets at Houston's newly renamed Daikin Park, but Grapefruit League play begins Feb. 22.
• Select spring training games will be streamed on Space City Home Network.

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Houston-area breweries brought home 14 medals over the weekend from the 2025 Texas Craft Brewers Cup, the state's biggest competition for independent beer makers.

The big picture: The craft beer industry stalled in growth last year, experiencing more closures than openings for the first time since 2005, per Chron.

• As the industry struggles, the awards are a reminder that the Houston area brews some top-notch beer.

Zoom in: Gold medals went to Galveston Island Brewing in Galveston, No Label Brewing in Katy, Project Halo Brewing in Fulshear and Hound Song Brewing Co. in Columbus.

The intrigue: Most of the region's winners are based outside Houston, although Saint Arnold Brewing and True Anomaly Brewing each took home silver.

• Saint Arnold was recognized for its Elissa IPA in the Classic UK Styles category, while True Anomaly's Kickin Kollab stood out in the Experimental, Hybrid & Specialty Beer category.

How it works: This year marked the fourth annual competition put on by the Texas Craft Brewers Guild, a nonprofit trade organization supporting craft breweries.

• In all, 55 judges tasted 931 anonymous entries from 162 breweries across Texas.
• They awarded 90 medals to 55 breweries this year.

Authorities arrested and then released a man accused of sexually assaulting a University of Houston student on the day of the assault, records show.

• He is now wanted on several felony charges related to the assault. (Houston Chronicle)

🗣️ The ACLU of Texas is asking Houston ISD to drop disciplinary suspensions against Northside student protesters. (Houston Public Media)

🚨 Violent crime in Houston jumped nearly 5% in 2024, according to preliminary data from police. (Fox 26)

🎶 Enjoy a performance blending classical pieces with romantic pop songs at a Valentine's Day Concert at Art Club.

• 7pm Friday. $29 general admission.

🧟 Battle love at 13th Floor Haunted House, with a "Love Bites" theme. There'll be a horror-themed bar, mini escape room and zombies.

• Entry Friday-Sunday. Starting at $20.

🏀 Rewatch the classic "Love & Basketball" for its 25th anniversary at the Museum of Fine Arts.

• $9 general admission. Screenings 7pm Friday and 2pm Sunday.