Ariana Grande Announces First World Tour in Six Years
Ariana Grande is heading back to the stage with The Eternal Sunshine Tour, her first world tour since 2018. The Grammy winner and Oscar-nominated Wicked star will launch the tour in June 2026.
Tour Dates and Tickets
The tour begins June 6 in Oakland, California, and will include stops in major cities such as Los Angeles, Austin, Atlanta, Chicago, New York, and London, with multiple shows in each.
Presale starts September 9, followed by general sales on September 10. U.K. tickets go on sale September 16.
From Wicked to Pop Music
Grande’s return to touring follows her acclaimed performance as Glinda in the Wicked films. The first installment premiered in November 2024, earning her Academy Award, Golden Globe, and SAG nominations. The second film is set to debut this November.
Eternal Sunshine Album
Her seventh studio album, Eternal Sunshine, released in 2024, was described by Grande as a “concept album” inspired by the film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. The record stirred speculation about her personal life, with themes touching on heartbreak, healing, and new beginnings.
A Highly Anticipated Return
Although Grande has stayed busy with movies and press tours, fans have waited years to see her perform live again. With her powerhouse vocals and new material, The Eternal Sunshine Tour promises to be one of 2026’s biggest pop events.
For more music news, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.
Minneapolis School Shooting Leaves 2 Children Dead
A mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis left two children dead and 17 others injured on Wednesday morning, according to police.
Bystander Rushed to Help
Neighbor Pat Scallen ran toward the school after hearing gunfire. Inside, he saw chaos and children wounded. A young girl who had been shot in the head told him, “Please just hold my hand.” Scallen stayed with her and other victims until help arrived.
Victims and Injuries
Police said an 8-year-old and a 10-year-old, both sitting in pews, were killed. Fourteen of the injured were children ages 6 to 15. Three elderly parishioners in their 80s were also shot. All survivors are expected to recover.
Shooter Identified
Authorities identified the gunman as 23-year-old Robin Westman, who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. A motive has not been determined.
Community in Mourning
Scallen described the school as a cornerstone of the neighborhood.
“There’s a spirit here, and I know they’ll be grieving for a while, but this place, they’ll come back,” he said.
For more on this tragic story, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.
Florida’s “Alligator Alcatraz” Immigration Facility to Empty
The controversial immigration detention center in Florida’s Everglades, nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz,” will soon have no detainees, according to state officials.
Official Confirms Closure
Kevin Guthrie, head of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, told the interfaith community in an email that the number of detainees would likely drop to zero within days.
Judge Blocks Transfers
The move follows a ruling by U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams, who denied requests from the Trump administration and Florida officials to keep the facility operating. Williams said the center was always intended to be temporary and rejected arguments about costs and overcrowding.
Controversy and Cost
“Alligator Alcatraz” was built in just eight days and has faced lawsuits since opening. It was expected to cost about $400 million, drawing scrutiny from lawmakers and faith groups.
What’s Next
While an appeals court has yet to weigh in, Gov. Ron DeSantis has already announced plans for a new detention site, calling it the “Deportation Depot.”
For more on this story, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.
Less rain Thursday…Front brings more rain Friday and Saturday
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — This wet and active weather pattern will continue through the rest of the week ahead of another cool front arriving Saturday.
What’s the latest on the rain and storm chances this week?
Rain chances decrease down to a 20% for your Thursday as some of the deeper moisture moves out, but a front moving in late Friday will cause rain chances to spike back up during the evening hours Friday into Saturday.
How are things looking for Labor Day weekend?
A cool front will give us a chance for showers and storms Saturday, then we’ll start to dry out. Not only will our rain chances drop by Labor Day, our temps and humidity levels will drop too. How does virtually no rain, with low humidity and high temps around 90 sound for the holiday?
What is happening in the tropics?
Fernand expected to dissipate in the open Atlantic. A tropical wave expected to move off the coast of Africa has a low potential for development. 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.
Cracker Barrel Brings Back Old Logo After Backlash
Cracker Barrel announced Tuesday it will restore its classic logo featuring “Uncle Herschel” after a controversial redesign sparked widespread criticism.
Company Response
“We thank our guests for sharing your voices and love for Cracker Barrel. We said we would listen, and we have. Our new logo is going away and our ‘Old Timer’ will remain,” the company said in a statement.
The chain emphasized its focus on tradition: “It’s always been — and always will be — about serving up delicious food, warm welcomes, and the kind of country hospitality that feels like family.”
The Controversy
The backlash began after the company unveiled a modernized logo that removed Uncle Herschel in favor of a simplified text design. Critics said it stripped away part of Cracker Barrel’s identity, while others worried it signaled a move away from its country roots.
Political Spotlight
Former President Donald Trump weighed in on social media, urging the company to return to its old logo. After Cracker Barrel confirmed the reversal, Trump congratulated the brand, calling it a win for customers.
Redesign Debate
The logo dispute followed Cracker Barrel’s broader store redesigns, which featured updated lighting, seating, and décor while keeping signature touches like stone fireplaces and taxidermy displays. CEO Julie Masino previously defended the changes, saying feedback was “overwhelmingly positive.”
Still, the swift reversal of the logo shows just how strongly loyal customers feel about tradition — and about Uncle Herschel remaining a part of the Cracker Barrel experience.
For the latest business news, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.
NAACP Sues Texas Over New Congressional Map
The NAACP has filed a lawsuit against the state of Texas, arguing that its newly passed congressional map discriminates against voters of color and violates the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Allegations of Discrimination
The suit claims that the new map — along with past maps drawn after the 2020 Census — intentionally dilutes the voting strength of Black and Latino communities. NAACP president Derrick Johnson called the mid-decade redistricting effort “racially motivated” and said it aims to reduce congressional representation for Black voters.
Lack of Public Input
According to the lawsuit, Texas lawmakers pushed the map through without allowing sufficient public comment or feedback before approval. The complaint asks the court to block the state from enforcing the new district boundaries.
Republican Defense
Republican leaders have defended the maps, saying they were based on political performance rather than race. The map, not yet signed into law, could shift as many as five districts toward Republicans by merging Democratic strongholds in Houston, Austin, and Dallas-Fort Worth and making two Rio Grande Valley districts more competitive.
Wider Redistricting Battle
The NAACP also urged blue states like California and New York to redraw their own congressional maps in retaliation. “We must counter Texas’ unconstitutional move and ensure Black Americans still have a voice in Congress,” the organization said.
For more on the problematic redistricting maps and Texas Legislature, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.
Chris Watts wrote he’s a ‘A New Man:’ From Family Murder to Life in Prison
Few cases have shocked the U.S. in recent decades like that of Chris Watts. Now 40, he is serving life in prison for the 2018 murders of his pregnant wife, Shanann, and their daughters, Bella, 4, and Celeste, 3.
The Disappearance and Cover-Up
When Shanann and the girls were first reported missing, Watts appeared on television pleading for their return. Behind the scenes, he was hiding a grim truth: he had strangled Shanann, suffocated the children, and disposed of their bodies at an oil site in Frederick, Colorado.
Motive and Affair
Investigators later uncovered that Watts was having an affair with coworker Nichol Kessinger and hoped to start a new life with her. His attempt to frame Shanann for the children’s deaths unraveled when he failed a lie-detector test and eventually confessed.
Sentencing
Watts avoided the death penalty by pleading guilty. He received three consecutive life sentences plus 84 years, with no chance of parole. He has been housed at Dodge Correctional Institution in Wisconsin ever since.
Prison Life and Claims of Forgiveness
According to reports, Watts believes God has forgiven him. In letters to a pen pal, he wrote about becoming “a new man” through faith, claiming he has finally found peace.
But inside prison, former inmates say he is widely despised. “He’s the lowest of the low,” one ex-prisoner told The New York Post. Watts lives in near isolation, spending most of his time reading the Bible and writing letters, under close guard for his own safety.
For more true crime stories, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.
Rain chances climb this week as humid weather returns
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — It will feel more humid as you step outside on Wednesday. That added moisture will help spark scattered showers and a few storms during the morning commute. Numerous showers and storms will be possible during the afternoon as high temperatures climb in the low to mid 90s.
This wet and active weather pattern will continue through the week ahead of another cool front arriving Saturday.
What’s the latest on the rain and storm chances this week?
Rain chances climb this week thanks to the help of our sea breeze, increasing moisture, and more disturbances approaching the region from the north. Rain chances through Saturday of this week sit at about 40 to 60 percent. And as all of this is happening, temperatures in Southeast Texas will stay pretty seasonal with afternoon highs in the low-mid 90s. Friday’s temps may make it to the upper 90s before the rain starts.
How are things looking for Labor Day weekend?
A cool front will give us a chance for showers and storms Saturday, then we’ll start to dry out. Not only will our rain chances drop by Labor Day, our temps and humidity levels will drop too. How does virtually no rain, with low humidity and high temps around 90 sound for the holiday?
What is happening in the tropics?
Tropical Storm Fernand continues to weaken in the open Atlantic with no threat to land. 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.
Houston City Council hosts 1st evening public session
Houston City Council held its first-ever evening public comment session on Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at City Hall.
The evening session is part of a new pilot program designed to make it easier for Houstonians to participate in local government. Traditionally, public hearings are scheduled at 2 p.m. on Tuesdays, limiting access for residents juggling work, traffic, and family responsibilities.
“This is about meeting people where they are,” said Council Member Mario Castillo, who proposed the change. “We want to hear from more Houstonians—not just those who can take off in the middle of the day.”
How the Pilot Program Works
- Schedule: The last Tuesday of each month, from Aug. 26 through Dec. 16, will feature an evening session.
- Time: Public comment begins at 6 p.m. instead of 2 p.m.
- Goal: To expand civic engagement and allow more residents to share their concerns and ideas.
While the first session took place at City Hall, officials considered rotating future evening sessions to community spaces such as libraries and cultural centers. Bringing back virtual comments that were first implemented due to COVID-19, were also discussed in prior meetings to encourage both in-person and virtual comments. Furthermore, staff also acknowledged potential costs, including security and broadcasting, but emphasized the value of community accessibility.
“This is a small but meaningful change,” Castillo added. “We’re hoping it opens the door for more voices to be heard.”
How to Register to Speak
If you want to address City Council during an evening session, you must register by 3 p.m. on the Monday before the meeting.
Residents can sign up by:
- Calling 832.393.1100
- Emailing speakers@houstontx.gov
- Visiting the Office of the City Secretary, City Hall Annex, 900 Bagby, Room P101
What’s Next
The pilot will run through Dec. 16, after which City Council will review participation numbers and public feedback to determine whether evening sessions should become permanent in 2026.
The dates of the four remaining evening public sessions are the following.
- Tuesday, Sept. 16
- Tuesday, Oct. 28
- Tuesday, Nov. 18
- Tuesday, Dec. 16
“This is a step toward more inclusive civic participation,” Castillo said. “We’re making space for voices that have too often been left out.”
Stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine for weekly coverage of Houston City Council.