Daily update: Jan. 11

The face of food stamps is changing in Texas. Meet Lori Downs, a Clear Lake High School grad who needs help feeding her two toddlers after losing her job. Read more from the Houston Chronicle.
How are different school districts spending state money to lure back dropouts? Clear Creek Independent School District has provided daycare and transportation, among other services. Read about CCISD and other districts' efforts at the Houston Chronicle.
It's the last day for Houston residents to drop off their trees at Ellington Airport for recycling. Those who miss it will have to wait for their next heavy-trash pickup day. Read more from Ultimate Clear Lake.
Donate blood at the Kemah Visitors Center from 2 to 6 p.m. and help UTMB Galveston and the Red Cross rebuild supplies still struggling to recover from Hurricane Ike. Read more from Ultimate Clear Lake.
Drop off food donations at the Kemah Visitors Center from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. this week. Interfaith Caring Ministries is collecting 50 tons for Bay Area families in need. Read more from Ultimate Clear Lake.
SciGuy Eric Berger talks with UT astronomer William Cochran about the Kepler mission's search for Earth-like worlds. Cochran will give a free lecture at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Lunar and Planetary Institute, 3600 Bay Area Blvd. Read more the Houston Chronicle.