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Friday, August 21, 2026

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Hottest week of summer, so far, has arrived

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HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — The hottest week of summer (so far) has arrived with high temperatures staying in the upper 90s or even hitting 100 degrees each day this week.

Get ready for a steamy Monday! We started off today with temperatures in the upper 70s/low 80s and under mostly sunny skies, we should see high temperatures soar into the upper 90s. Heat index values could be closer to 104. An isolated shower or two will be possible this afternoon but most of us will stay dry.

Tell me about this week’s heat. Is it really going to be that hot?

Well, this week will likely be the hottest week of summer… so far. Wednesday and Thursday could even be record breaking heat days with high temperatures of 100 degrees. Highs will be in the upper 90s or even topping 100 degrees in the afternoon through Thursday of this week. Heat index values in the afternoon will range between 100 to 110 in the afternoon each day. Wednesday could be the hottest, which could even prompt our first Heat Advisory of summer to be issued, so you’ll want to remember your hot weather safety tips all week long. This heat arrives thanks to the combination of a big heat dome, ridge and surface high pressure over the gulf.

What are those hot weather safety tips again?

Remember to stay hydrated drinking plenty of water, wear sunscreen and use sun protection to cover your skin and avoid strenuous outdoor activities or exercising during the peak heating of the day, which is usually between 2 and 6 p.m. Be sure to take breaks in air conditioning too if you have to be out and about. Signs of heat exhaustion include nausea, sudden thirst, and heavy sweating and/or muscle weakness. This is when you want to act fast to avoid heat stroke. Speaking of, signs of heat stroke include those of heat exhaustion plus confusion and dizziness where you should act fast and call 911.

And what about those late week rain chances?

Rain chances slowly climb into the end of the week. This is as the heat dome moves on and we see the return of onshore flow from the gulf. All the while, higher levels of moisture swirl back into the gulf early this week. While it’s unlikely we see organized tropical development, showers and storms could bring heavy rains across the Gulf Coast beginning Tuesday in the east, lasting through Saturday to the west. For Southeast Texas, we could see these heavier, tropical downpours Friday and Saturday, but it’s only a 30% chance of that right now.

What’s happening in the tropics?

Pretty quiet in the tropics for now. There are two areas, one in the Atlantic and one in the Pacific, with low odds of developing. For a thorough update and in-depth video on what’s happening in the tropics, head to our tropical update page.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

Keep up with all things Houston with us on Que Onda Magazine.

Number of Missing Drops Sharply in Texas Flood-Hit County

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In Kerr County, Texas, the number of people still missing after the devastating July 4 floods has dropped from nearly 100 to just three, local officials announced. The floods left the state reeling, with a death toll standing at 134 statewide, including 107 deaths in Kerr County alone.

Intensive Search Efforts

The city of Kerrville credited the reduction in missing persons to the relentless efforts of over 1,000 local, state, and federal responders. City Manager Dalton Rice expressed gratitude for the exhaustive search and verification work that helped reduce the list of missing from over 160 to three.

Statewide Search Continues

Alongside the three individuals still missing in Kerr County, authorities report that three people remain missing in Travis County and one in Burnet County.

Impact on Communities

Among the dead in Kerr County were 70 adults and 37 children, including victims at Camp Mystic, where at least 20 girls went missing during the flash floods. The disaster has left debris and destruction across communities, including vehicles and equipment strewn across public spaces like Louise Hays Park.

For more on this tragedy, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Indianapolis Mother Accused of Attempted Child Sex Trafficking

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An Indianapolis mother, Morgan Stapp, 32, faces charges of attempting to commit child sex trafficking after allegedly offering a stranger online the opportunity to sexually assault her 7-month-old daughter for $400, according to a probable cause affidavit cited by multiple outlets.

Arrest and Charges

Stapp was arrested on July 8, 2025, and later released on a $100,000 bond, court records show. She is the mother of seven children and is now represented by the Indiana Public Defender’s office after successfully filing for indigent status.

FBI Investigation Triggered by Snapchat

Authorities began investigating Stapp after Snapchat flagged attempted sex trafficking in November 2024. The FBI reported that the “morgan-stapp” Snapchat account sent three photos of her infant to another user, along with messages soliciting sex acts for payment.

Initially, Stapp told the FBI her account had been hacked and that she lost access to it. However, during a later interview with the Indiana Department of Child Services, she admitted to lying to agents, stating, “I wanted the FBI to leave.”

Digital Evidence Links Account to Stapp

Indianapolis Metro police obtained a search warrant and found selfies of Stapp saved to the account days after her FBI interview—contradicting her hacking claim. Records also showed over 7,000 messages sent from her account over three days in November, including 81 messages asking others to “buy my nudes so I can get baby diapers.”

IP address data confirmed that the messages originated near her Indianapolis home.

Upcoming Court Date

Stapp is scheduled to appear in court again on September 15, 2025. USA TODAY has reached out to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and Indianapolis Metro Police for further comment but has not received a response.

For more on this story, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Video shows suspect sneak into Cleveland business lot set $400K trucks on fire

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CLEVELAND, Texas (KTRK) — Police are investigating after two trucks were set on fire at a Cleveland septic business.

The trucks were parked in a gated lot at Anytime Septic Solutions on North Washington Avenue.

Surveillance video shows someone entering the trucks just before 11:30 p.m. on July 11, while owner James Sullivan was on vacation in Costa Rica. The trucks then erupt in a ball of flames.

“My heart kind of drops thinking about ‘What am I gonna do? How am I gonna replace this stuff, and how am I gonna keep things managed?” Sullivan said.

Sullivan believes the suspect burrowed under a fence to gain access to the lot and then doused the inside of the trucks with gasoline. Flames also spread to a nearby pickup truck.

It’s unclear if the suspect was injured during the fire.

“As you can see, kind of, in the video as well, he’s fully protected with a sweater or some type of clothing,” Sullivan said.

Cleveland police haven’t said if they’ve identified a suspect or what a possible motive might have been.

“It’s somebody that’s either jealous or somebody that’s highly upset, angry, mad,” Sullivan said.

Sullivan said only one of the pump trucks, which he estimates would cost $400,000 a piece to replace, was insured.

Sullivan said he’s offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

For more Houston, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Drier and hotter conditions arrive, spot shower still possible Sunday

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HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — While a stray shower or two cant be ruled out Sunday, a hotter and drier pattern begins to settle in across the region Sunday.

It’s a humid start to your Sunday with a few clouds, though we’ll still see plenty of sunshine around throughout the day. That’s going to allow for temperatures to climb into the upper 90s with a heat index value making it feel like 100 to 105 degrees in the afternoon. And while generally today we are dry, we’re not ruling out a stray shower or storm.

Tell me about next week’s heat. Is it really going to be that hot?

Well, this next week will likely be the hottest week we’ve seen so far this summer. And Wednesday’s forecast high temperature of 100 degrees will be one degree away from tying the daily record high temperature too. Beginning today we’ll consistently see a stretch of hotter, sunnier and drier days. High will be in the upper 90s or even topping 100 degrees in the afternoon Sunday through Thursday of next week. Heat index values in the afternoon will range between 100 to 110 in the afternoon each day. Wednesday could be the hottest, which could even prompt our first Heat Advisory of summer to be issued. This heat arrives thanks to the combination of a big heat, dome, ridge and surface high pressure over the gulf.

And what about those late week rain chances?

Rain chances slowly climb at the end of next week. This is as the heat dome moves on, and we see the return of onshore flow from the gulf. All the while, there’s the chance higher levels of moisture swirl over the gulf next week too, which could increase the chance for heavy showers and storms to develop over the gulf.

What’s happening in the tropics?

Pretty quiet in the tropics for now. For a thorough update and in-depth video on what’s happening in the tropics, head to our tropical update page.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

Keep up with all things Houston with us on Que Onda Magazine.

Russia Launches Massive Overnight Attack on Ukraine

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Russia launched more than 300 drones and over 30 missiles against Ukraine overnight, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported Saturday morning.

Widespread Strikes Across Multiple Regions

The strikes, which began Friday night, targeted several regions including Donetsk, Kirovohrad, Dnipro, Sumy, Kherson, Volyn, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, Odesa, and Zhytomyr.

Casualties and Infrastructure Damage

At least one person was killed and six others, including a child, were injured in Odesa and nearby areas. An apartment building was damaged, and in Sumy, attacks on critical infrastructure left thousands of families without power.

Ongoing Threats and Rescue Efforts

Zelenskyy said some drones were still in the air and that rescue operations were continuing in the aftermath of the widespread assault.

For more on the Russia-Ukraine war, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Leaders aim to connect thousands of Harris Co. homes that lack high-speed internet before World Cup

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — New data shows thousands of Harris County residents still don’t have access to high-speed internet, but county leaders say they’re trying to bridge the digital divide.

Thousands are expected to pack parts of Houston next summer as the city is slated to host seven FIFA World Cup matches.

“We want them to have a contemporary experience, especially with their connectivity,” Harris County Pct. 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia said.

To do that, Garcia says the digital divide in the county needs to be fixed.

According to the non-profit US Ignite, 171,000 households don’t have reliable internet, which is mainly in the eastern portion of Harris County.

“Precincts 1 and 2 in Harris County account for more than 60% of the unconnected or the under-connected households,” Lee Davenport, Director of Community Development with U.S. Ignite, said.

“In the event of any emergency, we want to make sure our first responders have no problem communicating, sharing any public information, and the community has no problem with that. That aspect of preparation, given my law enforcement background, has been a role I’m serving with the host committee on the World Cup,” Garcia said.

Garcia says the World Cup coming to Houston is one major reason why the county commissioners unanimously voted in favor of assembling a broadband task force.

“This has been a priority since the beginning of the pandemic because that’s when we absolutely recognized just how significant it was. It’s been a priority since then. It’s unfortunate that the funding we were hopeful to get isn’t there.

The task force will use what’s called a broadband roadmap developed by U.S. Ignite to help with strategies to close the digital divide.

“That task force should report back its understanding of a prioritization of areas of infrastructure, partnerships, and digital opportunity,” Davenport said.

Garcia said he doesn’t know how this will be funded, but the roadmap summary says the county will look into both public and private funding.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

Car Plows Into Crowd Outside LA Nightclub, Injures 30 People

A driver crashed a Nissan Versa into a crowd outside The Vermont Hollywood nightclub in East Hollywood around 2 a.m. Saturday, leaving at least 20 people injured, officials said.

Seven victims remain in critical condition.

Driver Had Gunshot Wound

Authorities confirmed the driver was found with a gunshot wound and was hospitalized. LAPD said bystanders were assaulting the driver when officers arrived. It remains unclear when the driver was shot, and the suspected shooter, who used a silver revolver, is still at large.

Food Stand Workers Among the Injured

Francisco Mendez told the Associated Press that his sister-in-law and her husband, who ran a hot dog stand outside the club, were hospitalized after being hit in the collision.

Mayor Calls Incident a ‘Heartbreaking Tragedy’

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass described the event as a “heartbreaking tragedy” and commended law enforcement’s swift response.

Investigation Ongoing

Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the crash and the gunshot wound. The vehicle was towed from the scene, which was left with significant damage and debris.

For more on this story, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Scattered showers Saturday, drying out & heating up next week

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HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — The deep tropical moisture we’ve had around here lately will be on its way out. First though it will give us one more round of scattered downpours Saturday afternoon.

How’s the weekend looking?

We’ll have just enough moisture left over to give us scattered downpours Saturday afternoon, especially north of I-10. After that we’ll dry out and heat up Sunday afternoon. Temps will easily make it to the middle 90s.

Tell me about next week’s heat?

A heat ridge is heading this way. High temps will soar to the upper 90s, and possibly touch 100 Monday through Thursday. Returning showers will cool us off late next week.

For a thorough update and in-depth video on what’s happening in the tropics, head to our tropical update page.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

Keep up with all things Houston with us on Que Onda Magazine.

Texas Legislature to Convene July 21 for Special Session on Flood Relief, Redistricting, THC Regulations

Gov. Greg Abbott has called a 30-day special legislative session beginning Monday, July 21, directing state lawmakers to address a range of contentious issues, including flood response, congressional redistricting and regulation of consumable THC products.

The session comes in the wake of catastrophic flooding across Central Texas that killed more than 145 people and left dozens missing. In response, Abbott has prioritized legislation aimed at improving flood warning systems, emergency communications, disaster recovery coordination and state relief funding for affected communities.

“We must ensure that Texas is never caught unprepared again,” Abbott said in a statement. “This session will provide the tools necessary to rebuild and strengthen our state’s resilience.”

The flood-focused measures follow calls from conservationists and local leaders for stronger floodplain protections, watershed infrastructure upgrades and greater local authority over land development. A bipartisan committee is expected to visit Kerrville on July 31 to hear testimony from survivors and emergency officials.

Beyond flood relief, the session is expected to generate heated debate over Abbott’s broader 18-item agenda. Among the most controversial is the push to redraw Texas’ congressional map, a move critics say is designed to increase Republican control ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Civil rights groups and Democratic lawmakers argue the mid-decade redistricting effort could dilute minority voting power and face legal challenges.

Texas House Democrats have launched a campaign dubbed “Stop the Steal,” pledging to fight what they call an unconstitutional redistricting power grab. Some Republicans have also expressed concern that changes could disrupt existing GOP-leaning districts.

The session will also revisit regulation of hemp-derived THC products after Abbott vetoed a total ban earlier this year. Instead, the governor is proposing a framework similar to the state’s alcohol laws, including age restrictions, potency limits and packaging rules. The veto put Abbott at odds with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who supports a complete ban.

Other items on the governor’s agenda include legislation to restrict access to abortion pills, enact a statewide transgender bathroom bill, eliminate the STAAR test, strengthen penalties for human trafficking and expand the attorney general’s authority in election-related investigations.

Lawmakers will have until Aug. 20 to pass legislation. With a packed agenda and growing tensions between parties—and within the GOP itself—the session is likely to be among the most closely watched in recent Texas history.