The Woodlands could move to end agreement with Houston, paving way for annexation protection
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — The Woodlands is considering a step toward making it impossible for the community to be annexed by the city of Houston, but the move could cost the township about $50 million.
The Woodlands Township Board of Directors could vote to end its Regional Partnership Agreement with Houston, which has allowed the two communities to work together on regional projects.
The agreement includes a Regional Participation Fund, which is supported by contributions from both The Woodlands and Houston. Township leaders say ending the agreement would allow The Woodlands to gain protection from future annexation by Houston.
Under the proposal, The Woodlands would pay Houston about $50 million from the regional fund.
That includes about $22.6 million by the end of the year and roughly $9 million annually for the following three years.
Brad Bailey, chairman of The Woodlands Board of Directors, said Houston could use the money to address its short-term financial needs.
“One-sixteenth of a penny goes into this fund, and this fund is for regional projects we could work together on,” Bailey said, citing projects such as the Hardy Toll Road or improvements at an airport.
Bailey called the arrangement a “win-win,” saying Houston would receive the money while The Woodlands would gain long-term protection from annexation.
Some residents said they support the proposal despite the price tag.”The amount is excessive, not gonna lie, but if they have the funds,” resident Debborah Mendez said.
Resident Pervez Iqbal said he believes separating the communities could benefit both sides.
“The cup is already full down there. It doesn’t need to be any fuller,” Iqbal said.
The Houston City Council was expected to consider the proposal Wednesday. Councilmember Ed Pollard asked that the vote be postponed for a week while council members consider the financial implications.
It’s likely Houston City Council will take up the measure again next week.
“Unfortunately, it got tagged by one councilmember today, but hopefully we’re back here next Wednesday and will get it across the finish line,” Bailey said.
Bailey said The Woodlands plans to move forward with its portion of the process and remains hopeful Houston will approve the agreement next week.
“We were going to wait for them to act first, but we’re going to act first, bring it back next week and have The Woodlands Independence Day celebration next week,” Bailey said with a laugh.
If approved by the Houston City Council, the agreement would mark a significant step in The Woodlands’ effort to secure its future independence from annexation by Houston.
“This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.“
Meta to pay Texas $1 billion in child safety case
Social media giant Meta will pay over $1 billion to Texas and implement sweeping protections for children as part of a settlement with the state, Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Wednesday.
The settlement comes as Meta, the company behind Facebook and Instagram, tentatively agreed to a $17 billion payout to resolve a separate lawsuit brought by 33 states, which Texas was not a part of. The historic settlement, the first of this scale from a social media company, will end the ongoing trial in that case.
As part of Texas’ settlement, Meta will apply stricter age verification measures and institute a daily two-hour limit for teens. All notifications from these platforms will be disabled by default during school hours, and the company will create a nighttime mode to restrict access for teens, Paxton said in a press release.
“It is my mission to fundamentally change and strengthen the standards for child safety online, and this settlement is a major step forward in the fight to ensure our kids are protected online,” Paxton said.
The case marks Paxton’s second settlement with Meta for north of $1 billion. In 2024, the tech giant agreed to pay Texas $1.4 billion to settle a lawsuit that accused the company of using personal biometric data without users’ authorization.
“This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.“
Lindsay Clancy Trial Nears Jury Deliberations After Testimony Ends
The latest Lindsay Clancy trial update places the closely watched Massachusetts murder case near a verdict. Testimony ended Wednesday, Aug. 26, with closing arguments expected Thursday.
Clancy has pleaded not guilty by reason of a lack of criminal responsibility. Her lawyers argue postpartum psychosis prevented her from understanding or controlling her actions.
Lindsay Clancy Trial Update: What Happens Next
Prosecutors and defense attorneys are scheduled to deliver closing arguments in Plymouth Superior Court. Judge William Sullivan will then instruct jurors on the law before deliberations begin.
The jury must decide whether Clancy was criminally responsible when she killed her three children on Jan. 24, 2023. The defense does not dispute that she caused their deaths.
Cora Clancy, 5, Dawson Clancy, 3, and Callan Clancy, 8 months, died inside the family’s Duxbury home. Authorities said Clancy strangled the children with exercise bands in the basement.
Clancy then attempted to end her life. She was injured after falling from a second-story window and remains paralyzed from the waist down.
Clancy did not testify during the five-week trial. Prosecutors called more than 70 witnesses. The defense presented 10 witnesses.
Defense Points to Postpartum Psychosis
Clancy’s defense maintains that she experienced severe mental illness after giving birth. Her attorneys say postpartum psychosis caused her to hear a male voice ordering her to kill the children.
Dr. Phillip Resnick, a forensic psychiatrist and defense witness, testified that Clancy was psychotic on the day of the killings. He said she was not in control of her actions.
Resnick said Clancy showed symptoms consistent with severe depression and bipolar disorder. He also described her reported experience as a command hallucination.
Family members and friends testified about changes in Clancy’s mental health before the deaths. The defense also presented evidence about her psychiatric treatment, medications and efforts to obtain help.
Attorney Kevin Reddington argued that Clancy had reported suicidal thoughts and concerns about harming the children. Her online searches, medical visits and contact with a crisis hotline also became part of the case.
Prosecution Challenges Psychosis Claim
Prosecutors argue that Clancy planned the killings and understood that her actions were wrong. They say she arranged for her then-husband, Patrick Clancy, to leave the house for food and a pharmacy errand.
Dr. Avram Mack, a forensic psychiatrist called during rebuttal, agreed that Clancy had experienced a major depressive episode. However, he said he found no evidence of psychosis, mania or hypomania before the killings.
Mack testified that severe mental illness does not automatically prevent someone from distinguishing right from wrong. That distinction is central to the question of criminal responsibility.
Dr. Gregory Saathoff served as the prosecution’s final rebuttal witness. Saathoff is a University of Virginia forensic psychiatrist and senior psychiatrist for the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit.
Saathoff questioned Clancy’s account of hearing a commanding voice. He noted that she had not previously reported the voice to medical providers.
He also highlighted differences in the timelines Clancy provided to evaluators. Saathoff testified that her actions showed control over their sequence and execution.
Forensic psychologist Kirk Heilbrun also disputed the command hallucination claim. He concluded that Clancy was severely depressed but was not experiencing acute psychosis during the killings.
Case Draws Attention to Postpartum Mental Health
The trial has brought national attention to postpartum psychosis, a rare and serious psychiatric emergency. Symptoms can include delusions, hallucinations, confusion and rapidly changing moods.
However, the jury’s task concerns Clancy’s mental condition and legal responsibility in this specific case. It does not require jurors to decide broader questions about every person experiencing postpartum illness.
Closing arguments will give both sides a final opportunity to organize weeks of medical and factual testimony. No verdict had been reached as of Wednesday afternoon.
The case also underscores the importance of rapid access to maternal mental health care. Anyone experiencing a mental health or suicide crisis can call or text 988 for confidential assistance.
Daraxonrasib Pancreatic Cancer Treatment Wins FDA Approval
The Food and Drug Administration approved a new daraxonrasib pancreatic cancer treatment on Wednesday, Aug. 26. The targeted medicine significantly extended survival among adults with previously treated metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
Daraxonrasib will be sold under the brand name Rasonque. The drug is not a cure, and its approval does not cover every pancreatic cancer patient.
Who Can Receive Daraxonrasib?
The FDA approved daraxonrasib for adults whose pancreatic adenocarcinoma has spread to other parts of the body.
Eligible patients must have received at least one previous systemic treatment. The approval also covers patients who cannot receive multiagent systemic therapy.
Daraxonrasib comes as a tablet. The FDA recommends a 300-milligram dose taken once daily. Treatment can continue until the cancer progresses or side effects become unacceptable.
The drug targets several forms of RAS, a family of proteins involved in tumor growth. Abnormal RAS activity drives cancer development in many pancreatic adenocarcinomas.
Daraxonrasib Pancreatic Cancer Trial Shows Survival Benefit
The approval followed results from RASolute 302, a randomized phase 3 clinical trial. Researchers enrolled 500 adults with previously treated metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
Half received daraxonrasib. The remaining participants received a standard chemotherapy regimen selected by their doctors.
Patients taking daraxonrasib had a median overall survival of 13.2 months. Median survival was 6.7 months among patients receiving standard chemotherapy.
Therefore, the results nearly doubled median survival in the study population. However, median survival figures do not predict how long an individual patient will live.
Median progression-free survival also improved from 3.6 months with chemotherapy to 7.2 months with daraxonrasib. This measurement reflects how long patients lived without their cancer worsening.
The overall response rate was 30% in the daraxonrasib group. It was 11% among patients receiving standard treatment.
Researchers reported the findings in The New England Journal of Medicine. The trial found statistically significant improvements in survival, disease control and tumor response.
Why the Approval Is Significant
Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most difficult cancers to treat. Doctors often diagnose it after the disease has already spread.
Pancreatic adenocarcinoma begins in cells lining the pancreatic ducts. It represents about 90% to 95% of pancreatic cancer cases, according to the FDA.
The United States records approximately 67,000 new pancreatic cancer cases each year. Although the disease represents a small share of cancer diagnoses, it causes a disproportionate number of deaths.
Treatment options for metastatic disease have historically relied heavily on combinations of chemotherapy drugs. Daraxonrasib introduces a new targeted approach for patients whose disease progressed after earlier treatment.
The FDA granted the medicine Breakthrough Therapy, Orphan Drug and Priority Review designations. Regulators approved it about six and a half months before the agency’s original review deadline.
Risks and Side Effects
The most common side effects include rash, diarrhea, nausea, fatigue and vomiting. Patients may also experience mouth inflammation, abdominal pain, swelling, appetite loss or bleeding.
The prescribing information includes warnings for severe skin and soft tissue reactions. Other warnings cover gastrointestinal perforation, lung inflammation and harm to an unborn child.
Patients should discuss potential benefits, risks and drug interactions with a qualified oncology team. Medical professionals can determine whether the diagnosis and treatment history meet the FDA-approved criteria.
The approval offers meaningful progress, but pancreatic cancer care still requires individualized medical guidance. Patients and families can consult their cancer specialists and review current FDA information before making treatment decisions.
Tim Curry, ‘Rocky Horror’ and ‘Clue’ Star, Dies at 80
British actor Tim Curry, whose unforgettable performances shaped film, theater and television, has died at 80. Curry died Tuesday night, Aug. 25, at his Los Angeles home, his longtime manager Marcia Hurwitz confirmed.
No cause of death was disclosed. Curry experienced a major stroke in 2012, which affected his mobility and required him to use a wheelchair.
Tim Curry Created an Enduring ‘Rocky Horror’ Role
Curry achieved international fame as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the 1975 musical film The Rocky Horror Picture Show. His charismatic performance helped transform the movie into a lasting cult phenomenon.
Curry first played Frank-N-Furter in the original London stage production of The Rocky Horror Show in 1973. He later brought the character to Broadway before starring in the film with Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick and Meat Loaf.
The movie became famous for its midnight screenings and audience participation. It also earned recognition for bringing LGBTQ+ characters and themes to mainstream audiences during the 1970s.
Luke Evans, who played Frank-N-Furter in a 2026 Broadway revival, remembered Curry as a powerful performer with distinctive charm and a rich voice.
Memorable Roles in ‘Clue,’ ‘It’ and Other Films
Curry built a varied career by playing eccentric villains, mysterious authority figures and animated characters. He portrayed the frantic butler Wadsworth in the 1985 comedy Clue.
In 1990, he delivered one of his most frightening performances as Pennywise in the television adaptation of Stephen King’s It. The role introduced Curry to a new generation of horror fans.
His other notable films included Annie, Legend, Congo and Muppet Treasure Island. He also played the suspicious Plaza Hotel concierge in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.
Carol Burnett, who worked with Curry in Annie, remembered him as a close friend and an exceptional performer of charming villains. Actor Kiefer Sutherland also honored Curry as a valued friend and colleague.
Acclaimed Work on Broadway and Television
Curry earned three Tony Award nominations during his stage career. The nominations recognized his performances in Amadeus, My Favorite Year and Monty Python’s Spamalot.
His television work brought another major audience. Curry received a Primetime Emmy nomination in 1994 and appeared in programs including Roseanne and Will & Grace.
Curry also developed an extensive voice-acting career. He voiced Captain Hook in Peter Pan and the Pirates, earning a Daytime Emmy Award in 1991.
His other voice roles included characters in The Wild Thornberrys, Star Wars: The Clone Wars and The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius. He received a Grammy nomination for narrating the first A Series of Unfortunate Events audiobook.
Tim Curry Leaves a Wide-Ranging Legacy
Born April 19, 1946, in Cheshire, England, Curry studied drama and English at the University of Birmingham. His professional career eventually covered theater, movies, television, music and audio productions.
Curry returned to live-action film in the 2024 horror movie Stream. He also published his memoir, Vagabond, in 2025.
Curry never married and had no children. He remained private about his personal life, even as his work attracted generations of devoted fans.
His performances will continue through film screenings, stage revivals and animated programs. For many communities, especially Rocky Horror audiences, Tim Curry’s work created a lasting space for creativity, self-expression and belonging.
SEC Sets Half-Season Suspensions for Coaches Who Roster Former Pro Players
The Southeastern Conference will suspend head coaches for half a season if their programs roster certain former professional players. The new SEC former pro player rule also carries major financial and administrative penalties for member schools.
SEC Former Pro Player Rule Brings Major Penalties
SEC presidents and chancellors approved the penalty structure Wednesday, Aug. 26. The vote passed 15-0, while LSU abstained, according to CBS Sports.
A violation will result in a suspension covering 50% of the head coach’s season. The school will also face a fine equal to 50% of that sport’s annual operating budget.
Additionally, the conference can revoke the school’s voting privileges on SEC business matters. Commissioner Greg Sankey and conference leaders may impose further penalties when appropriate.
The punishments support a policy approved one day earlier by all 16 SEC schools. That policy restricts certain former professional football and basketball players from returning to college competition.
Which Players Does the SEC Policy Cover?
The SEC rule applies to athletes who signed contracts with the NFL or another professional football league. It also covers players who appeared on professional rosters.
Football players who entered the NFL draft without properly withdrawing may also fall under the restriction. The basketball policy includes the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League and affiliated organizations.
The SEC’s policy goes further than the Big Ten’s initial rule, which focused on football. Both conferences acted shortly before the start of the college football season.
The restrictions do not necessarily cover athletes who only attended a professional tryout. Eligibility depends on whether the player signed a contract, appeared on a roster or took another covered action.
Court Rulings Created New Eligibility Questions
The policy follows several court decisions involving college eligibility. Some judges have allowed athletes from the 2022 recruiting class to seek a fifth college season.
Those rulings created an unusual situation. Players could sign professional contracts, get released and then attempt to return to college competition.
Former St. John’s basketball standout R.J. Luis Jr. received a preliminary injunction allowing him to join LSU. He had previously been under contract with the Utah Jazz and Boston Celtics.
LSU also pursued former Ole Miss players Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris. Both signed with NFL teams as undrafted free agents before their release during training camp.
LSU football coach Lane Kiffin argued that schools were following court orders granting players additional eligibility. However, the SEC maintains separate authority over competition within its conference.
SEC Joins Push to Protect College Rosters
Conference officials said the return of former professionals could reduce opportunities for current college athletes and high school recruits. They also raised concerns about competitive balance.
Sources also state that the Big Ten adopted a similar ban. The ACC and Big 12 were also expected to discuss the issue.
Legal challenges remain possible because some affected athletes have already won temporary relief in state courts. Those cases could determine how much authority conferences have over players declared eligible elsewhere.
For now, SEC programs face a clear choice. Adding a covered former professional could cost the head coach half a season and the school millions of dollars.
Nepal-Tibet Border Floods Kill at Least 160, Leave Hundreds Missing
Massive Nepal-Tibet border floods killed at least 160 people Wednesday, Aug. 26, according to the latest reports. Hundreds of tourists, pilgrims, workers and local residents remain missing as rescue operations continue across the Himalayan region.
Nepal-Tibet Border Floods Devastate Communities
Nepalese police reported recovering 157 bodies. Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported three deaths in Tibet’s Gyirong County, bringing the combined toll to at least 160.
The floods swept through steep river valleys near the Nepal-China border. Water, rocks and mud buried buildings, damaged hydropower facilities and carried away vehicles.
The disaster also destroyed at least 19 bridges and nearly 25 miles of roadway in Nepal. Several communities became difficult to reach after transportation routes and communication systems failed.
Officials warned that casualty figures could rise. Search teams were still working through widespread debris and isolated settlements Wednesday evening.
Hundreds of Tourists and Pilgrims Missing
Nepalese officials reported 403 people missing, including 341 foreign nationals. China separately reported 265 people missing in Gyirong County.
Many missing travelers were following a popular pilgrimage route to Mount Kailash in Tibet. The mountain holds religious importance for Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and followers of the Bon tradition.
The missing foreign nationals included 133 people from India, 47 Americans, 34 Australians and 33 British citizens. Authorities also reported missing travelers from Canada, Malaysia, Russia and South Korea.
At least 62 Nepalese citizens were missing near Gosaikunda Lake in Rasuwa district. Many had traveled there ahead of the Janai Purnima festival.
Officials cautioned that the lists remained preliminary. Communication failures could mean some travelers are stranded but safe.
Avalanche Likely Triggered the Flood
Experts believe an avalanche involving ice and rock triggered the disaster. The avalanche may have blocked a river before releasing a sudden, destructive surge downstream.
Initial reports described seismic activity near the border. However, the U.S. Geological Survey later determined that the recorded signals came from a landslide, not an earthquake.
The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development said the flood moved with exceptional speed. Water levels along part of the Trishuli River rose by as much as nine meters in 30 minutes.
Experts also warned about a possible second flood because material may still be blocking water upstream. Authorities urged residents to avoid the Trishuli, Bhotekoshi and Narayani riverbanks.
Rescue Teams Face Difficult Conditions
Nepal deployed more than 3,300 police officers as part of the emergency response. China sent hundreds of rescuers to the Gyirong border area.
Nepal also requested assistance from India and China. However, damaged roads, continuing floodwater and unstable ground complicated rescue operations. Helicopters could not immediately land in some areas.
Officials urged families awaiting information to rely on government agencies and verified travel operators. Conditions remain dangerous, and the confirmed totals may change as teams reach isolated communities.
The disaster has affected families across Nepal, Tibet and several other countries. Communities can support relief efforts by following official guidance and sharing only verified information about missing travelers.
Second witness to Houston ICE shooting ordered to be released from custody, court records show
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A federal judge has ordered that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security release from custody the second of three witnesses to the fatal shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent, court records show.
In court documents filed Monday, Daniel Tirado Pantoja must be released from custody within 48 hours of the order. According to the order, authorities must release Pantoja in a public space in the Southern District of Texas, and his lawyers must be given three hours’ notice of his release.
This marks the second witness to the deadly shooting in Houston’s East End ordered to be released by a federal judge. In July, Jose Trinidad Rojas Pliego was released from ICE detention after a federal judge’s order. Both Pantoja and Rojas Pliego were passengers in Salgado Araujo’s van when ICE officers began following the vehicle before shooting and killing him.
The officers who stopped the men had no body cameras or dashcams, making the three men inside the van the only known witnesses to the shooting.
The third witness, Salgado Araujo’s brother, Victor Hugo Salgado Araujo, is still detained. Similar to Pantoja and Rojas Pliego, Victor Hugo Salgado Araujo has filed a petition to be released from immigration detention.
“This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.“
Criminal cases resolved within 30 days increasing in Harris County
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Home surveillance video shows that three minutes after a Houston woman left her home in the Heights, a truck backed into her driveway, a man went into her garage and took her bike and lawnmower before leaving.
“It was a cruiser. As I laughingly say, it was an old lady bike, you know, but it was my bike, and I miss it,” said the Heights woman, who asked not to be identified for her safety. “They look like they were pretty proficient at their crime.”
Adrian Linares and Ruben Linares were charged with burglary of a habitation for allegedly stealing the woman’s property in March, according to court documents.
When looking into the Linares’ criminal pasts, 13 Investigates found details of two more very similar cases in the Heights where a garage was left open, and the same white Chevy Avalanche pulled up.
The Linares men were accused of similar crimes in February, one month before the woman said her property was stolen, and earlier in September 2025.
That charge caught our eye because from the time the Linares men were charged with the September burglary to the time they signed a plea agreement, it was just 11 days. It was almost the same amount of time they got in jail, which was 12 days, according to court records.
13 Investigates looked at every case filed with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office since 2023 and found the number of people whose cases are resolved within 30 days or less from the date the alleged crime happened is growing.
What that means in some cases is that you could commit a crime on Sep. 1 and know your fate, whether it’s a sentence or dismissal, before your next month’s rent.
13 Investigates found 9% of overall cases in 2023 were resolved within 30 days. That number has increased to 13% so far this year.
“Being able to keep prosecutors in a type of case longer allows them to make the decisions quicker,” Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare told 13 Investigates in a sit-down interview.
Teare said he credits the increase partially to having prosecutors who are experienced in the types of cases they are working.
He said the prosecutors know what to look for when they’re handed evidence.
The backlog has been on the mind of Harris County residents for years.
Back in 2020, former District Attorney Kim Ogg said, “The backlog is enormous. It’s frustrating for victims. It’s dangerous for our community.”
Earlier in 2026, Teare said the backlog is “under control,” and he credits this strategy.
Defense attorney Murray Newman said he’s also noticed a difference.
He said he’s found prosecutors are providing the defense evidence timelier than ever before, which is a benefit to everyone involved.
“It clears the runway to get the more violent, the more victim-oriented crimes to trial quicker because you don’t have these cases that should be resolved blocking the way,” Newman said.
13 Investigates analyzed case data from the DA’s office to find out which types of cases are getting resolved the quickest.
So far this year, the top five charges most frequently being resolved within a month included possession of a controlled substance less than 1 gram, criminal trespass, theft of less than $2,500 with two or more previous convictions, assault of a family member, and theft between $100 and $750. Two of those crimes are felony charges.
Teare pointed out the types of cases being resolved quickly don’t require the forensic testing that murders or sexual assault cases do. Since they have what they need in these lower-level offenses earlier, they can be resolved quicker.
“Making a determination about what is the right outcome on that case isn’t going to change in two months, three months, four months,” Teare said.
Our 13 Investigates team looked at cases resolved in 30 days and found that when it came to the thefts, they were largely from major retailers, with defendants accused of stealing food, clothes, beer, appliances, housewares and beauty products.
We saw multiple defendants with more than 40 prior charges who got just days behind bars, so we wanted to know if that resolution is too fast to be a deterrent.
“In the vast majority of those cases, you’re dealing with defendants that have substance use disorder, that have mental health issues. All I could do is put them in a state jail facility for six months and they’d be right back out,” Teare said.
Newman said there are many factors involved when determining a case resolution.
“I think that we are expecting a lot of the system when we look to it, to be a deterrent to people that are not necessarily easily deterred,” Newman said.
He said the quick movement is a positive for defendants, including not having a case hanging over their heads for a long time.
Teare said it’s an effective strategy to keep the justice system moving. But what about for the victims?
The woman in the Heights got her lawnmower back after she said the detective found it at a pawn shop.
But, still with no way to peddle around her neighborhood, she wonders how her case will proceed.
“If they slowed down a little bit, like maybe with this case, they’re going to look at the prior convictions and say, ‘OK, we’re slowing down here and he’s not getting out,'” the woman told us.
The Linares men are out of the 30-day window for both their charges filed in 2026, including the alleged burglary at the Heights woman’s home. They both remain in jail.
Their attorneys told us they couldn’t comment on the cases since they’re active.
Adrian Linares’ attorney, Chauntelle White, said in part in an email, “Speed alone does not determine whether an outcome was appropriate, and a subsequent allegation should not, by itself, be used to retroactively characterize an earlier case resolution.”
“This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.“