Introducing InnovationMap

Introducing InnovationMap: The new media outlet covering what's igniting change in Houston

InnovationMap tells the stories of innovation in Houston.

Courtesy graphic

Innovation is now on the map in Texas' largest city. Houston-based Gow Media, a leading multi-platform media company that includes CultureMap, SportsMap, Houston's ESPN 97.5 FM, and SB Nation Radio, has announced the launch of its newest digital media platform, InnovationMap.

As the new voice of innovation in Houston, InnovationMap shines a spotlight on innovation within startups, tech, health, energy, social impact, and more. In addition to thoughtful news coverage, the site will feature profiles of leaders within the industry and thought leadership content from a pool of expert guest contributors.

"Houston is on a great trajectory. The efforts of many are coming together to develop a strong entrepreneurial and innovation economy. We think the time is right for a media outlet that focuses on innovation in Houston. We also want to highlight the vision of our presenting sponsor, BBVA Compass, a longtime leader of the innovation economy in Houston," says David Gow, CEO of Gow Media.

Joining Gow on the board of InnovationMap are Patrick Schneidau, software executive and chair of the Talent Committee of Houston Exponential; Brad Deutser, CEO of Deutser Consulting and author of the bookLeading Clarity; and Jarred King, CEO of Swagger Media and president of Entrepreneurs' Organization in Houston.

Gow Media has tapped Natalie Harms to serve as editor of InnovationMap. Harms is a native Houstonian, graduate of the University of Houston, and former associate editor at the Houston Business Journal.

The new media outlet was recently celebrated at a private pre-launch party hosted by Gow. An intimate group of Houston leaders across industries gathered to toast to the future of innovation in the city — and to get an exclusive first look at the site.

InnovationMap is the second recent addition to Gow Media’s ever-growing portfolio. In October, the company launched GiftingMap, a new e-commerce site featuring a curated selection of gifts with a focus on brands tied to Texas.

"With the growth of GiftingMap and SportsMap, and the impressive success of CultureMap, we are now in a position to launch InnovationMap. With InnovationMap, we are leveraging our digital platform, editorial approach, and our cross-platform promotional power to establish the leading voice for innovation in Houston," says Gow.

media

Death Penalty

Tarrant County man gets death for murder of convenience store owner

Tarrant County Sheriff's Office

Christopher Turner

A man received the death penalty for his 2020 cold-blooded execution of a convenience store owner.

According to a release from the office of Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney Phil Sorrells, a Tarrant County jury sentenced Christopher Karon Turner, 48, to death on November 20 for executing convenience store owner Anwar Ali during a robbery. Tarrant County Assistant District Attorneys Charles Boulware and Allenna Bangs represented the state.

On March 27, 2020, at around 6:15 am, Turner, a convicted felon, wore a surgical mask and a glove and entered the Super Big Country Mart in an unincorporated area of Tarrant County south of Fort Worth. There, he held a gun to the back of Anwar Ali, the 62-year-old store owner, and walked him through the store.

Ali did everything Turner demanded, including opening the cash register to give him money. And yet Turner forced Ali into the bathroom and onto his knees, and shot him in the neck. Ali was discovered, dead in the bathroom, about an hour later.

Turner fled the store in Ali's Toyota minivan with the money from the register and Ali's wallet. In the van, he found more than $50,000 cash in a black bag. Over the next few days, Turner went on a shopping spree, buying cars, jewelry, drugs, clothes, and more. He and others used cash and a credit card that belonged to Ali.

Turner fled to Colorado where U.S. Marshals arrested him. On his body they found a firearm which was determined to be the murder weapon.

"This was a premeditated, cold-blooded murder," Boulware told the jury. "From the moment he was charged with this crime, he has tried to escape responsibility."

Bangs noted that before this trial began, Turner obtained the names of jurors and their telephone numbers, and gave them to an inmate charged with murder. At the trial on November 20, as Bangs addressed the jury, Turner tried to hold up a sign to the jury but was handcuffed by Sheriff's deputies who removed him from the courtroom, while he yelled out "she lied."

Ali came to the United States from Pakistan decades ago to pursue the American dream. Ali's son, Hussein, spoke in the courtroom after the death penalty was announced. "Thank you for giving us justice," Ali said. "I hope there are no more devils like this person."