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Warmer weather ahead, storm chances return next week

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HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — The Gulf breeze is bringing back moisture and warmer temperatures in the days ahead, and while you probably won’t need your jacket much over the next 10 days, your umbrella may finally see some action next week.

Temperatures Wednesday morning will run about 20 degrees warmer than they did on Veterans Day. Temperatures in the mid 50s will be be fairly common. Light patchy fog is possible, especially in more rural parts of Southeast Texas. Sunshine will warm temperatures quickly, and we’ll spend most of the afternoon in the low 80s under a partly cloudy sky.

What can we expect over the weekend?

It’s going to be a warm one! You can expect lows in the mid-to-upper 60s with highs near record levels in the mid 80s. A weak upper-air disturbance will bring extra clouds on Saturday, but it’s only good for a 10% chance of rain. We have also lowered Sunday’s rain chance down to 10% as it appears the next weather system to impact the country will likely miss Texas.

Why might we need the umbrellas next week?

The following upper-level storm system to reach North America after the weekend looks to impact us toward the end of next week. If this one does not cut off from the jet stream flow, it looks to bring a more promising rain chance. Given how warm and humid the air will be, it’s possible we could even have severe weather, but we’ve got plenty of time to sort out the details on that one. For now we have the highest chances of rain centered around next Thursday, November 20, with cooler and drier air to follow after its passage.

What is happening in the tropics?

Tropical development is not expected in the Atlantic Basin over the next 7 days. For a thorough update and in-depth video on what’s happening in the tropics, head to our tropical update page.

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

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

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

Texas Gov. Abbott Orders Probe Into Texas Southern University’s Finances After Audit Findings

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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered state officials to investigate Houston based Texas Southern University’s finances after an audit revealed widespread accounting and contracting irregularities involving hundreds of millions of dollars.

The Texas Department of Public Safety and the state comptroller’s office will oversee separate probes into the historically Black university’s financial practices. The announcement came after a preliminary audit from the Texas State Auditor’s Office found that TSU processed more than 743 invoices worth about $282 million for vendors whose contracts had already expired.

Auditors also flagged more than 8,100 invoices totaling $158 million that were dated before official purchase requisitions were approved. The report cited weak oversight of assets, outdated tracking systems, and recurring delays in filing required financial reports.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said Monday he plans to work with Abbott and House leaders to consider freezing state funding for the Houston-based university until the issues are addressed. “This is taxpayer money,” Patrick said. “We have a responsibility to ensure accountability and transparency at every public institution.”

TSU leaders said they are cooperating fully with investigators and have already taken steps to strengthen internal controls, including implementing a new procurement system.

Founded in 1927, Texas Southern University is one of the nation’s largest historically Black universities and the only independent public university in Texas.

The full audit report has not yet been released, and it remains unclear whether any funds were misused or whether the findings point primarily to procedural lapses. State officials said the probes could lead to administrative or criminal actions, depending on what investigators uncover.

Paris Jackson Shares Candid Message About Recovery and Health

Paris Jackson is speaking openly about the lasting effects of her past drug use, revealing for the first time that she has a perforated septum. In a TikTok posted Monday, the 27-year-old shined a light up her nose to show the small hole, saying it causes a noticeable whistle when she breathes.

“Don’t Do Drugs, Kids”

Jackson explained that the condition came from “what you think,” urging viewers not to use drugs. She noted that substance abuse had once “ruined my life,” though she is now six years sober.

@parisjacksonxx.lesly 🩷#parisjackson #parisjacksonfans #michaeljackson #fyp #jacksons ♬ sonido original – 𝓛ess🎃

Living With the Injury

Jackson said she does not plan to get surgery because recovering would require medication she wants to avoid. She has dealt with the issue since age 20 and joked she could “thread a spaghetti noodle” through the hole, though she admitted it can be frustrating, especially while recording music.

Reflecting on Sobriety

Her post comes a month after she spoke about her recovery at the Friendly House Awards Luncheon, where she received the Shining Star Award. Jackson told the audience that sobriety gave her “a better life,” adding that she now focuses on helping others through their own healing.

Support and Resources

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, call the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.

Sean Combs Enrolled in Prison Drug Rehabilitation Program

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Sean Combs is currently taking part in a drug rehabilitation program while serving time at Federal Correctional Institution Fort Dix, a move that could reduce his prison sentence by up to a year, according to his spokesperson, Juda Engelmayer.

Commitment to Sobriety and Personal Change

Engelmayer said Combs has been fully engaged in the Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP) since arriving at the low-security New Jersey facility on Oct. 30.

“Mr. Combs is focused on growth and committed to positive change,” he said, noting that Combs is also working in the prison’s chapel library and describes the environment as respectful and supportive.

Possible Early Release

Combs is currently scheduled for release in May 2028. Successful completion of RDAP can shorten that timeline, though he would still face five years of supervision afterward, including regular drug testing and mental health treatment.

Background on Sentencing

The Bad Boy Entertainment founder was sentenced on Oct. 3 to 50 months in prison after being convicted on two counts related to transporting people for prostitution. He received credit for 14 months already served. During sentencing, the judge pointed to testimony describing abuse and coercion of women, calling Combs’ actions “disgusting, shameful and sick.” Combs apologized in court.

Continuing Work Behind Bars

Combs has also restarted “Free Game with Diddy,” a class aimed at helping incarcerated individuals develop entrepreneurial skills and build self-worth — a program he previously ran at another facility.

The Bureau of Prisons has not commented amid the ongoing government shutdown.

For more celebrity news, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Veterans Day brings our coldest morning since February, mild and beautiful afternoon

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HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Houston’s first dip into the 30s since February is expected Tuesday morning. A light freeze and frost are possible in parts of Southeast Texas, especially outside the city of Houston.

While Veterans Day starts off chilly, abundant sunshine and the return of the Gulf breeze should warm those temperatures into the low 70s during the afternoon.

How long does the cold air stick around?

It’s basically gone after Veterans Day. Starting Wednesday, highs will be back in the 80s, and starting Wednesday night lows will bump back up into the 60s. Highs average in the 70s and lows in the 50s for this time of year.

Any more rain on the horizon?

Our next big weather system we’re monitoring could impact us over the weekend. The path of this “cut-off” low is uncertain at this time, and for now we only have low 20%-30% rain chances in the forecast for Saturday and Sunday. If the low tracks through the state, then we’ll have to raise our rain chances significantly. Beyond that weather system, another upper-level storm system looks to impact us toward the end of next week, and that one looks to bring a more promising rain chance. Given how warm and humid the air will be, it’s possible we could even have severe weather, but we’ve got plenty of time to sort out the details on that one.

What is happening in the tropics?

Tropical development is not expected in the Atlantic Basin over the next 7 days. For a thorough update and in-depth video on what’s happening in the tropics, head to our tropical update page.

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

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

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

Whooping cough cases in Texas reach 11-year high as vaccinations decline

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More than 3,500 cases of pertussis, or whooping cough, have been reported across Texas this year, the highest total in more than a decade, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.

The sharp rise comes amid a drop in vaccination rates, health experts say, warning that the best way to prevent the spread of the disease is to stay up to date on immunizations.

“We practitioners and public health professionals are concerned because we are seeing a year-after-year trend of a significant increase in cases when this is preventable,” said Dr. Hector Ocaranza, a pediatrician and member of the Texas Medical Association’s Council on Science and Health Promotion. “Especially a disease that can have such a severe effect on infants, older people, and those who have chronic conditions.”

State data show that Texas has already reported four times as many whooping cough cases as it had by this time last year — and 10 times more than in all of 2023. This marks the second consecutive year the state has issued a health alert for pertussis.

The most recent alert, published Nov. 3, warned that infections typically spike in November and December, meaning cases could continue to climb through the holidays.

Dr. Jason Bowling, an infectious disease specialist at UT Health San Antonio, said the timing is concerning as families gather indoors.

After unusually low activity during and immediately after the COVID-19 pandemic, whooping cough has rebounded nationwide. More than 35,000 cases were reported in the U.S. last year, up from 7,063 in 2023, and several deaths have been confirmed in Louisiana, South Dakota, and Idaho.

In Texas, about 85% of cases this year have been among children, though no deaths have been reported.

Whooping cough is caused by Bordetella pertussis bacteria, which infect the upper respiratory tract and cause severe coughing fits that can make breathing difficult. The illness is most dangerous for infants under six months old, who are too young to be fully vaccinated. One in three infected babies requires hospitalization, and some develop pneumonia or brain swelling.

“If you think your baby has been exposed, you have to act fast,” said Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, a pediatrician and public health professor at Johns Hopkins University. “Once the coughing and spasms appear, the damage is already done, and it’s too late to treat the bacteria.”

The Texas health department advises that the best protection is vaccination. The Tdap vaccine is recommended for children age 7 and older, while the DTaP vaccine is for those under 7. Pregnant women are also advised to get vaccinated between 27 and 36 weeks to help protect their newborns.

Health experts stress that adults, especially those around babies, should update their boosters every 10 years, as most infant infections come from parents or relatives.

“One of the worst things I’ve seen in my pediatric career is parents watching their child struggle to breathe from pertussis,” Sharfstein said. “It’s awful, but it’s preventable.”

In the 2024–25 school year, 93.4% of Texas seventh graders and 92.9% of kindergarteners were fully vaccinated against pertussis, according to state data. However, coverage rates for required school vaccines have steadily declined in recent years, raising concerns about potential outbreaks.

“The measles outbreak in Texas was a warning bell,” Sharfstein said. “People aren’t getting vaccinated enough.”

Senate advances deal to end government shutdown, angering progressives

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The Senate on Sunday took its first step toward ending the weeks-long government shutdown, approving a procedural vote on a bipartisan deal to reopen federal agencies and delay debate on health care subsidies until December.

The 60-40 vote came after a small group of moderate Democrats broke ranks to support the measure, which funds parts of the government through January and guarantees back pay for federal workers. The plan also reverses the mass layoffs ordered by the Trump administration when the shutdown began Oct. 1.

The agreement, led by Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire and Independent Sen. Angus King of Maine, does not include an immediate extension of Affordable Care Act tax credits — a key Democratic demand. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and most Democrats voted against the proposal, arguing it abandons millions who depend on the subsidies.

Five Democrats ultimately sided with Republicans to advance the bill, including Sens. Tim Kaine of Virginia, Dick Durbin of Illinois, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, and Nevada’s Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen.

House progressives swiftly denounced the deal. Rep. Greg Casar of Texas called it a “betrayal,” while Rep. Angie Craig of Minnesota dismissed it as a “false deal.” House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries blamed Republicans for the standoff, saying they “own the toxic mess” caused by the shutdown.

President Donald Trump declined to say whether he supports the agreement but suggested progress was being made. “It looks like we’re getting close to the shutdown ending,” he told reporters.

The shutdown’s impacts have intensified, grounding more than 2,000 flights and delaying food assistance for millions of Americans. The Capital Area Food Bank in Washington reported a 20% surge in demand as federal workers missed paychecks.

The Senate deal would keep the government funded through late January, but a fierce fight over health care subsidies looms next month, with Republicans divided over whether to extend the expiring tax credits or overhaul the Affordable Care Act entirely.

Senate Moves Closer to Ending 41-Day Shutdown

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The Senate is set to reconvene at 10 a.m. CT on Monday as lawmakers continue efforts to end the federal government shutdown, now in its 41st day. A rare Sunday vote signaled progress, with senators narrowly advancing a short-term funding bill by a 60-40 margin — just enough to move it forward.

Supreme Court Seeks Clarity on SNAP Funding

With November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments hanging in the balance, Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson has asked the Trump administration to confirm by Monday morning whether it still intends to seek a full stay on a court order requiring the USDA to fully fund benefits. If the administration proceeds, both sides will submit additional filings.

Senate Faces Procedural Hurdles

Despite Sunday’s breakthrough, the funding bill isn’t a done deal. To fast-track the legislation, all 100 senators must agree — and a single objection could delay progress. Without unanimous consent, final passage could stretch for hours or even days.

House Prepares for Possible Vote

House members were notified late Sunday to be prepared for votes if the Senate completes its work. Leadership says lawmakers will receive 36 hours’ notice once a bill is ready to move across the Capitol.

The Senate returns to the floor at 11 a.m., where momentum — or opposition — will determine how quickly the government can reopen.

For the latest on the government shutdown, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Veterans Day brings our coldest morning since February, mild and beautiful afternoon

0

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Houston’s first dip into the 30s since February is expected Tuesday morning. A light freeze and frost are possible in parts of Southeast Texas, especially outside the city of Houston.

While Veterans Day starts off chilly, abundant sunshine and the return of the Gulf breeze should warm those temperatures into the low 70s during the afternoon.

How long does the cold air stick around?

It’s basically gone after Veterans Day. Starting Wednesday, highs will be back in the 80s, and starting Wednesday night lows will bump back up into the 60s. Highs average in the 70s and lows in the 50s for this time of year.

Any more rain on the horizon?

Our next big weather system we’re monitoring could impact us over the weekend. The path of this “cut-off” low is uncertain at this time, and for now we only have low 20%-30% rain chances in the forecast for Saturday and Sunday. If the low tracks through the state, then we’ll have to raise our rain chances significantly. Beyond that weather system, another upper-level storm system looks to impact us toward the end of next week, and that one looks to bring a more promising rain chance. Given how warm and humid the air will be, it’s possible we could even have severe weather, but we’ve got plenty of time to sort out the details on that one.

What is happening in the tropics?

Tropical development is not expected in the Atlantic Basin over the next 7 days. 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.

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

Galveston Bay Foundation expands wetlands restoration project near Clear Lake

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The Galveston Bay Foundation announced Sunday it is expanding its wetlands restoration work at Sweetwater Nature Preserve, adding 120 acres of shoreline near Clear Lake in a project aimed at protecting coastal habitats and strengthening community resilience.

The $8 million project, funded through a combination of private donations and grants from the Texas General Land Office, will construct oyster-shell breakwaters and plant marsh grasses behind them to rebuild shoreline marshlands. Construction is expected to begin in early 2026, with completion slated for later that year.

“Healthy wetlands are our first line of defense against hurricanes and flooding,” said Bob Stokes, president of the Galveston Bay Foundation. “This project will protect both the environment and our communities, while also providing outdoor learning spaces for local schools.”

The Sweetwater Preserve restoration effort is part of a broader initiative by the foundation to combat wetland loss in the Galveston Bay region. According to GBF, the area has lost more than 8,000 acres of saltwater wetlands and over 80,000 acres of freshwater wetlands in the past two decades. Wetlands serve as natural nurseries for fish, filter polluted runoff, reduce erosion, and buffer storm surge, making them critical to both wildlife and human communities.

The restoration strategy involves building offshore reef structures using recycled oyster shells to slow wave action, allowing marsh grasses to take root and thrive. To date, the foundation has restored nearly 1,000 acres of wetlands in the bay area through similar projects.

Volunteers will be engaged throughout the project, and the foundation emphasizes the importance of community involvement for long-term conservation success. The expansion also aligns with broader efforts to enhance climate resilience as rising sea levels and erosion threaten Texas’s coastal regions.

“This is an investment in our environment and in the future of Southeast Texas,” Stokes said.