Convenience Big Store: UT grad faces self-deportation despite heeding to immigration law.

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By Brady Stone
Weekend Digital Producer
Brady.Stone@chron.com

How to prep for freezing temps this week.

Those dreaming of a white Christmas may just have to settle for a freeze in Houston.

A strong cold front is set to hit the Houston area this Thursday through Christmas Day, and low temperatures could rival those from the 2021 winter storm. But local utilities and the state power grid operator said they're more prepared this winter than they were in 2021.

Here's some quick tips for prepping for the freeze:

Open kitchen and bathroom cabinets to let warmer air in, turn off sprinklers and drip your faucets to help avoid bursting pipes.
Have extra blankets and layers on hand in case of a power outage.
Move pets and plants inside if possible.
Be careful if using fireplaces or portable generators. During the 2021 storm some Texans died from fires as well as carbon monoxide poisoning.

Expect periods of rain and a thunderstorm today with a high of 50. Stay safe and warm this week, Houston.

Today's top story

Photo: Louis DeLuca

UT grad faces self-deportation despite heeding to immigration law.

Despite growing up in the U.S., kids whose parents came here on work visas — "documented dreamers" — face the prospect of self-deportation and other uncertainties when they become adults.

Five other stories to read today

Baby had days to live before heart surgery at Texas Children's.

A Costa Rican family arranged a medical flight for their newborn son, Arturo, so he could have life-saving surgery at Texas Children's for his severe aortic stenosis.

Tomlinson: Drag shows are great, armed protesters aren't.

A particularly bigoted subculture of Republicans is using drag shows' subversiveness to spread hate and lies, hurting LGBTQ people, businesses and democracy itself.

Is America waking up from the Trump nightmare? [Editorial]

Perhaps there'll come a day when the Republican Party imagines the Trump moment in American history as something so outlandish it must have been a dream (if not a nightmare). We're not there yet.

Michael Brantley returning to Astros.

Limited to 64 games in 2022, the left fielder went on the injured list on June 28 with a shoulder ailment that turned out to be season-ending.

Houston horror writer pens heartwarming real-life dog tale.

Susan McCauley has made a name for herself as one of Houston's best horror writers, but her latest work is a lighthearted children's book, "Trooper at the Beverly Hills Hotel" based on the real story of a dog who got to live the Hollywood lifestyle.

One last thing ...

Although the holiday season is a time of joy and love for many, it can be a time of heartache for others.

Holiday season is a time when people start reevaluating their romantic relationships, engagement reporter Ryan Nickerson writes.

For someone who is looking to break it off as the holidays approach, what are the best places to do it in Houston?

— Brady, who would prefer to be broken up with over the phone