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Duckworth introduces bill to limit political influence over inspectors general

Edward Saenz
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Duckworth introduces bill to limit political influence over inspectors general

Sen. Tammy Duckworth is introducing new legislation aimed at strengthening the independence of federal inspectors general by barring political appointees from serving in those watchdog roles.

What the Inspector General’s Independence Act would do

The proposed Inspector General’s Independence Act would prevent President Donald Trump and future presidents from nominating current or former political appointees from their administrations to serve as inspectors general. Duckworth argues the change is necessary to ensure IGs can operate without partisan pressure.

“Inspectors general are supposed to be calling balls and strikes,” Duckworth told ABC News, adding that political appointees may feel loyalty to the administration that selected them.

Context: firings and legal challenges

The bill comes nearly a year after the administration dismissed 17 inspectors general across multiple agencies at the start of Trump’s second term. The move sparked bipartisan criticism and ongoing lawsuits questioning whether the firings were legal.

Duckworth said the legislation would clarify the law rather than leaving the issue solely to the courts.

VA inspector general nomination cited as key example

Duckworth pointed to the confirmation of Cheryl Mason as Veterans Affairs inspector general as a case that highlights her concerns. Mason was serving as a senior adviser to VA Secretary Doug Collins when she was nominated to fill a vacancy created by the firing of the previous IG.

During her confirmation hearing, Democrats questioned whether Mason could function as an independent watchdog. While Republican Sen. Jerry Moran also raised concerns, he ultimately voted to confirm her along with the rest of the GOP.

Mason defended her independence

Mason told senators she would act independently, emphasizing her prior experience at the VA and her commitment to veterans. She acknowledged working for the president and the VA secretary, but said she would also work for congressional oversight committees.

The Senate confirmed Mason in July by a 53–45 vote, with no Democrats supporting her nomination.

Legislative outlook remains uncertain

Duckworth’s bill would have barred Mason’s nomination and aims to prevent similar appointments in the future. The legislation is co-sponsored by Democratic Sens. Dick Durbin, Richard Blumenthal, Adam Schiff, Kirsten Gillibrand and Peter Welch, but currently has no Republican co-sponsors.

Its prospects are uncertain in Congress, and it is considered unlikely that President Trump would sign the measure into law if it reaches his desk.

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

Houston Dynamo open preseason training with new faces and plenty of options for 2026 season

ABC13 Houston
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Houston Dynamo open preseason training with new faces and plenty of options for 2026 season

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — New energy and new players highlighted the first day of the Houston Dynamo’s training.

“I am excited”, Head Coach Ben Olsen said. “I’m jazzed. Look, it’s been a long off-season.”

The club signed four significant players this week.

“All four of them captains, all four of them leaders, all four of them champions,” President of Soccer Pat Onstad said.

Midfielders Guilherme from Brazil and Agustin Bouzat from Argentina join defender Lucas Halter and Mexican superstar Hector Herrera, who returns to the Dynamo after 82 appearances from 2022-24.

“This club has always been home for me,” Herrera said. “They received my family and my objective is to come and objective is to come and help the team win.”

“He’s coming here to accept any role and to help this club get back into the postseason and to help me because I’ll need him,” Olsen said.

Hopes are high this year after failing to make the playoffs a year ago.

“This team that we put together, even at this point, and we’re still not finished, I think this team gives us a very good chance,” Onstad said. “I think Ben, reluctantly as a coach, will probably tell you the same, gives us a good chance to make the playoffs.”

The team blends the experience of the new players with a young core that is much deeper than it was a year ago, giving Head Coach Ben Olsen a nice problem to have.

“This will be probably one of the most competitive teams that we’ve had ever had in my time coaching,” Olsen said. “From a management standpoint, it’s going to make my life a little bit harder, but from a coaching standpoint and winning games, this is what you want. It gives you a bigger ability to adapt within games, which I don’t think we’ve necessarily had for a while.”

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

For more Houston headlines, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Strong cold front arrives Friday evening, light freeze coming this weekend

ABC13 Houston
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Strong cold front arrives Friday evening, light freeze coming this weekend

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A strong cold front arriving Friday evening looks to bring Southeast Texas the first frost and light freeze of 2026 over the weekend.

We expect the sky to remain clear and the winds to stay fairly light Friday morning, lows in the 40s. A dry southwesterly wind will pick up Friday, pushing temperatures into the 70s during the afternoon. This will occur ahead of a stronger cold front arriving Friday evening. The front should pass through dry, but it will bring a big cool down for the holiday weekend.

What’s the coldest it will get this weekend?

We expect temperatures will get into light freeze territory Sunday morning for much of Southeast Texas. A high pressure cell from western Canada will move all the way down to Southeast Texas by Sunday morning, and with a clear sky and very dry air, a light freeze and frost are looking more likely. Beyond that, signals are growing that a colder pattern will develop across Canada and the United States near the end of January, but it remains to be seen if any of that arctic air will make a move down to Texas.

Is there any chance it could snow over the weekend?

It will certainly be cold enough to snow Saturday night, but right now it looks like the moisture is lacking. That said, we do have one computer model showing enough moisture for some brief, light snow showers, especially south of I-10. So we’ll throw in a 20% chance of some flurries for now, but don’t get your hopes up if you are dreaming for some of the fluffy stuff to fall from the sky. There is a decent chance it will snow along the Gulf coast around Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida panhandle. That’s where there will be the necessary overlap of freezing temperatures and moisture.

How long does the cold air stick around?

It will stay seasonally chilly through Tuesday, then warmer weather arrives the second half of next week along with a chance for rain.

13 ALERT RADAR MAPS:
Southeast Texas
Houston
Harris County
Galveston County
Montgomery/Walker/San Jacinto/Polk/Grimes Counties
Fort Bend/Wharton/Colorado Counties
Brazoria/Matagorda Counties

Have weather tips, videos, and photos?

Send it to ABC13 using the form below. If you have a video or photo to send, terms of use apply. If you don’t, just hit ‘skip upload’ and send the details.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

For more Houston headlines, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine!

¡Que Onda! Magazine Houston – edition 1342

Que Onda Editorial
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¡Que Onda! Magazine Houston – edition 1342

Ocean Damage Nearly Doubles Cost of Climate Change, Study Finds

Indira Zaldivar
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Ocean Damage Nearly Doubles Cost of Climate Change, Study Finds

A new study finds that damage to the ocean nearly doubles the economic cost of climate change, after researchers included ocean impacts in the social cost of carbon for the first time.

The research, led by scientists at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, was published Thursday in Nature Climate Change.

The ‘Blue’ Cost of Carbon

By factoring in ocean damage — referred to as the “blue” social cost of carbon — researchers found an added $46.2 per metric ton of carbon dioxide. That brings the total cost to $97.2 per ton, a 91% increase over previous estimates.

With global carbon dioxide emissions estimated at 41.6 billion tons in 2024, the study suggests nearly $2 trillion in ocean-related damages in a single year are currently excluded from standard climate cost calculations.

Why the Ocean Was Missing

Researchers said the ocean has long been overlooked in climate economics, despite well-documented damage to coral reefs, fisheries and coastal infrastructure. Warming waters and changing ocean chemistry are disrupting ecosystems such as reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds and kelp forests.

Coastal ports and communities are also increasingly vulnerable to flooding and stronger storms linked to climate change.

Unequal Global Impacts

The study found the impacts are not evenly distributed. Small island nations and coastal economies are expected to face the greatest harm due to their reliance on fisheries, seafood-based nutrition and ocean-dependent industries.

Why It Matters for Policy

The social cost of carbon is a key metric used by policymakers to weigh the economic benefits and costs of climate action. Researchers said including ocean damage provides a more accurate picture of the true harm caused by greenhouse gas emissions — and could influence future climate and environmental policy decisions.

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

Crew-11 Returns to Earth After Medical Issue

Edward Saenz
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Crew-11 Returns to Earth After Medical Issue

NASA’s Crew-11 splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego early Thursday after undocking from the International Space Station due to a medical situation involving one astronaut.

The SpaceX Dragon Endeavour capsule landed on schedule at 12:41 a.m. PT, according to NASA.

Mission Ended Out of Caution

NASA announced Jan. 8 that it would end the mission earlier than planned “out of an abundance of caution” after one crew member experienced a medical issue. Officials said the astronaut was stable and an emergency evacuation was not required.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said returning the crew early was in the astronauts’ best interest.

Undocking and Return

Crew-11 undocked from the ISS at 5:20 p.m. ET Wednesday. In the days leading up to the return, the crew packed cargo, reviewed reentry procedures and transferred hardware aboard the station.

Recovery teams reached the capsule shortly after splashdown.

Who Was Onboard

Astronauts, Oleg Platonov, Mike Fincke, Zena Cardman and Kimiya Yui inside the SpaceX Dragon Endeavour spacecraft onboard the SpaceX recovery ship shortly after landing in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Long Beach, Calif., January 15, 2026.
Bill Ingalls/NASA/EPA/Shutterstock

Crew-11 included two American astronauts, a Japanese astronaut and a Russian cosmonaut. They arrived at the ISS on Aug. 1 and were originally scheduled to remain in orbit until mid-to-late February.

NASA has not identified which astronaut was affected or released details about the condition, citing privacy concerns.

Rare Medical Evacuation

NASA officials said this marked the first medical-related early return from the ISS in 25 years. The mission was part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which partners with private companies like SpaceX to transport astronauts to and from the space station.

For more space exploration news and updates, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Gaza Peace Plan Enters Phase Two, US Envoy Says

Que Onda Editorial
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Gaza Peace Plan Enters Phase Two, US Envoy Says

The Trump administration announced Wednesday that the Gaza peace plan is moving into its second phase, shifting from a ceasefire toward demilitarization, governance reform and large-scale reconstruction.

U.S. special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff said Phase Two launches President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan to end the Gaza conflict and focuses on “the full demilitarization and reconstruction of Gaza.”

Focus on Demilitarization and Governance

According to Witkoff, the next phase establishes a transitional, technocratic Palestinian administration known as the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG). The committee is expected to oversee daily governance, including sanitation, infrastructure and education.

A key component of Phase Two is the disarmament of all unauthorized armed groups, aimed at stabilizing the territory and loosening Hamas’ control.

Hostage Return Remains Central Issue

Witkoff said the U.S. expects Hamas to fully comply with the agreement, including the immediate return of the final deceased hostage, identified by Israeli officials as Ran Gvili. He warned that failure to do so would bring “serious consequences.”

Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office reiterated that Gvili’s return is a top priority, calling on Hamas to meet the terms of the ceasefire agreement.

Hamas Signals Conditional Support

Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem described the launch of Phase Two as an “important positive development” and said the group is prepared to hand over Gaza’s administration to the NCAG. However, he urged the United States to pressure Israel to fully implement commitments from the first phase of the ceasefire.

International Oversight Planned

The NCAG is expected to consist of about 15 Palestinian leaders and will ultimately be overseen by a “Board of Peace,” made up of 12 international figures. Trump and several European leaders are expected to play leading roles on the board, with formal announcements anticipated soon.

Former United Nations Middle East peace envoy and ex-Bulgarian foreign minister Nickolay Mladenov will serve as senior representative for the Board of Peace, acting as a liaison between the international body and the NCAG.

Regional Mediation and Support

Witkoff thanked Egypt, Turkey and Qatar for their mediation efforts, crediting them with enabling progress so far. In a joint statement, the three countries welcomed the formation of the NCAG, calling it a step toward greater stability and improved humanitarian conditions in Gaza.

Background on Phase One

The first phase of the peace plan, launched in October 2025, included the release of living hostages and the return of remains of deceased hostages, alongside the release of more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners. It also involved an Israeli military pullback to a designated line in Gaza and the easing of restrictions on humanitarian aid.

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

City of Houston moves forward with housing complex near toxic ash site

ABC13 Houston
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City of Houston moves forward with housing complex near toxic ash site

By Luke Jones, ABC13 Houston

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — The City of Houston appears to be moving forward with plans to open a controversial low-income housing complex next to a site where toxic ash was discovered.

Plans to open The Pointe at Bayou Bend, at 800 Middle Street in the Second Ward, were previously halted after toxic ash was found next door at the site of the city’s former trash incinerator.

The housing project was the subject of a federal investigation in October 2024 when federal agents descended on the property to collect soil samples.

But in its annual report, the Houston Housing Authority lists March 1 as a possible occupancy date for the complex.

HUD’s Office of Inspector General, which obtained the warrant to collect soil samples, didn’t respond to a request for comment on Wednesday regarding the results of its investigation.

The Houston Housing Authority and the mayor’s office both declined to answer questions about the housing project on Wednesday, but Houston Mayor John Whitmire is slated to take part in a news conference and tour of the site on Thursday morning.

Whitmire blasted the project in 2024 following the federal investigation.

“No one should have ever approved the Middle Street project,” Whitmire said at the time. “It’s under investigation now, and I’ll leave it at that … totally unacceptable.”

Records show the Houston Housing Authority purchased the land for the project from the prominent Cockrell family in 2020 for $54 million – four times its appraised value.

A month after the soil samples were collected at 800 Middle Street, HHA’s then-director, David Northern, resigned amid heightened scrutiny of the agency. Northern assumed the role in 2022, after the land had already been purchased.

A search of TCEQ records shows four active violations at the property, three of which pertain to the handling of industrial solid waste.

For news updates, follow Luke Jones on Facebook, X and Instagram.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

For the headlines Houstonians care about, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Cold temps Thursday morning ahead of Friday’s stronger front

ABC13 Houston
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Cold temps Thursday morning ahead of Friday’s stronger front

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — We are tracking one more cold front moving toward Houston between now and MLK Day. That front will arriving Friday evening looks even stronger, and that could bring Southeast Texas the first frost and light freeze of 2026.

The cold front that moved through Wednesday morning will give us widespread temps in the 30s Thursday morning, and a sunny but cool Thursday afternoon in the 50s.

How long does the cold weather stick around behind this front?

The main chill will be felt Thursday. By Friday afternoon, temperatures will back up around 70. But the next cold front will blow in Friday night to bring even colder weather for the holiday weekend.

What’s the coldest it will get this weekend?

We expect temperatures will get into light freeze territory Sunday morning for much of Southeast Texas. A high pressure cell from western Canada will move all the way down to Southeast Texas by Sunday morning, and with a clear sky and very dry air, a light freeze and frost are possible. Beyond that, signals are growing that a colder pattern will develop across Canada and the United States near the end of January, but it remains to be seen if any of that arctic air will make a move down to Texas.

13 ALERT RADAR MAPS:
Southeast Texas
Houston
Harris County
Galveston County
Montgomery/Walker/San Jacinto/Polk/Grimes Counties
Fort Bend/Wharton/Colorado Counties
Brazoria/Matagorda Counties

Have weather tips, videos, and photos?

Send it to ABC13 using the form below. If you have a video or photo to send, terms of use apply. If you don’t, just hit ‘skip upload’ and send the details.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

For more Houston headlines, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine!

US, Denmark Hold Talks as Trump Renews Greenland Push

Edward Saenz
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US, Denmark Hold Talks as Trump Renews Greenland Push

Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Danish and Greenlandic officials at the White House on Wednesday as President Donald Trump escalated calls for the U.S. to “acquire” Greenland.

Trump: U.S. Control ‘Unacceptable’ to Lose

Trump said Greenland is vital to U.S. and NATO security, citing its Arctic location and natural resources. He reiterated that anything less than U.S. control of the island is “unacceptable,” raising concerns among American allies.

Denmark and Greenland Push Back

Danish and Greenlandic leaders have firmly rejected the idea, warning that any U.S. military action would fracture NATO. Greenland’s prime minister said the territory would stand with Denmark, NATO and the European Union.

NATO and Protests

NATO officials have tried to calm tensions, while protests erupted in Denmark with demonstrators insisting Greenland is not for sale. Despite the rhetoric, experts note the U.S. already has significant military access to Greenland under existing agreements.

For more on U.S. international relations, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

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