Meet Alexandra del Moral Mealer, the GOP candidate looking to unseat Lina Hidalgo

Plus: How the GOP is disarming Democrat attacks on Texas' abortion ban. How good is Yordan Alvarez? A Texas author digs into anxiety.

View in browser October Sale: 6 Months for 99¢! Keep up with important local news, fall events and more. Subscribe Today. J.R. Gonzales Web Producer john.gonzales@chron.com Before the game starts. Famous names in Astros history, musicians with ties to Houston and an actor from Conroe will be handling ceremonial duties before the first two ALCS games at Minute Maid Park. Matt Young has the details. It's more than just throwing out the first pitch, you know. Someone has to sing the national anthem and call out "Play Ball!" before the game. I think my invite got lost in the mail. Skies will be sunny today with highs around 70.   Today's top story   Photo: Annie Mulligan/Contributor Meet Harris County GOP candidate Alexandra del Moral Mealer. While Lina Hidalgo has presided over an expansion of county government, Alexandra de Moral Mealer is campaigning on a back-to-basics push centered on fighting crime.   Five other stories to read today   How the GOP is disarming Democrat attacks on Texas' abortion ban. Democrats are blasting GOP lawmakers for enacting a near-total abortion ban that offers no exceptions for rape or incest. Now, those Republicans seem to be hedging their bets.   Conn's CEO steps down as inflation continues to tank sales. CEO Chandra Holt has stepped down effective immediately after joining the company in August 2021.   We recommend Penny Morales Shaw for Texas House District 148. [Editorial] We believe Morales Shaw will serve as a powerful, clear-eyed advocate for a constituency that's set to include more working-class families with bread-and-butter concerns rather than partisan battles to pick, writes the Editorial Board.   How good is Yordan Alvarez? 'Way better than everybody thinks.' His power often overshadows his strong arm in the outfield or his ability to hit to all fields and be a complete player.   In 'It Takes a Worried Woman,' a Texas author digs into anxiety. Texas author Debra Monroe's newest book, "It Takes a Worried Woman," offers a fresh take on a gnawing feeling.    One last thing ...   On this day in 1954, a spate of dog poisonings had residents in two Houston neighborhoods on edge. Also, just what was at stake in that year's school board elections? Sounds very familiar. Before we go, the Chronicle is giving readers an opportunity to text with columnist Brian T. Smith about the Astros' 2022 playoff run. He'll be providing behind-the-scenes information and taking questions and comments. You can read more about it, and sign up, here. — J.R.       October Sale: 6 Months for 99¢! Unlimited Digital Access Act Now No Commitment | Cancel Anytime Unsubscribe  |  Manage Preferences  |  Privacy Notice Houston Chronicle 4747 Southwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77027 © 2022 Hearst Communications