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House Approves Resolution to Limit Trump’s Iran War Powers

Indira Zaldivar
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House Approves Resolution to Limit Trump’s Iran War Powers

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. House of Representatives voted Wednesday to approve a resolution aimed at limiting President Donald Trump’s authority to continue military action against Iran without congressional approval.

The measure passed 215-208, with four Republicans joining Democrats in support, marking the first successful congressional rebuke of the administration’s handling of the three-month conflict.

Bipartisan Support Sends Political Message

Republican Reps. Warren Davidson of Ohio, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Tom Barrett of Michigan, and Thomas Massie of Kentucky voted with Democrats to advance the resolution.

The proposal calls on the president to end U.S. military involvement against Iran unless Congress formally declares war or authorizes the use of military force. The resolution now moves to the Senate for consideration.

Largely Symbolic Measure

While the vote represents a significant political statement, the resolution is largely symbolic. Because it is a concurrent resolution, it does not have the force of law and cannot be signed or vetoed by the president.

“This is a message that enough is enough,” said House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Gregory Meeks, who argued that Congress should play a greater role in decisions involving military conflict.

White House Dismisses Vote

House Speaker Mike Johnson opposed the measure, warning that limiting the president’s flexibility could weaken ongoing diplomatic efforts with Iran.

The White House downplayed the vote, attributing its passage to Republican absences. However, even with full attendance, the resolution would likely have passed.

An administration official said President Trump will continue to use his constitutional authority as commander-in-chief while keeping Congress informed.

Senate Vote Expected

The House has considered similar Iran war powers resolutions four times since the conflict began, but previous efforts failed. Wednesday’s vote marks the first time such a measure has cleared the chamber, increasing pressure on the Senate to weigh in on the administration’s military strategy.

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

Harris County Residents Urged to Prepare as 2026 Hurricane Season Begins

Indira Zaldivar
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Harris County Residents Urged to Prepare as 2026 Hurricane Season Begins

The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season officially began June 1, and local officials are encouraging residents to take steps now to protect their families, homes and pets before severe weather threatens the region.

Officials Stress Early Preparation

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said preparedness is key to reducing the impact of future storms and disasters.

“We can’t control when disaster strikes, but we can control how we prepare,” Hidalgo said, urging residents to build emergency kits, create evacuation plans and stay informed throughout hurricane season, which runs through Nov. 30.

Four Steps to Stay Ready

The Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HCOHSEM) recommends residents:

  • Get a Kit: Stock at least seven days of food, water, medications, first-aid supplies, flashlights and pet necessities.
  • Make a Plan: Know evacuation routes, determine whether your home is in an evacuation zone and register for transportation assistance if needed.
  • Stay Informed: Sign up for emergency alerts and weather updates through ReadyHarris and other local notification systems.
  • Be Involved: Consider Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training to learn basic disaster response skills.

Flood Insurance and Emergency Alerts

Officials also encourage homeowners and renters to review their flood insurance coverage before storms develop. Standard National Flood Insurance Program policies typically require a 30-day waiting period before becoming active.

Residents can receive hurricane updates, emergency notifications and accessible alerts in multiple formats and languages through county preparedness programs.

Preparing Before the Next Storm

Emergency management officials emphasize that the best time to prepare is before a hurricane forms. By assembling supplies, reviewing emergency plans and staying connected to official information sources, residents can improve their safety and resilience throughout the 2026 hurricane season.

For more Harris County stories, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Texas launches educator misconduct dashboard as parents call for greater accountability

ABC13 Houston
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Texas launches educator misconduct dashboard as parents call for greater accountability

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Parents who have raised concerns about alleged abuse in Texas classrooms say a new state database tracking educator misconduct is a step toward greater transparency, but they argue more work is needed to protect students.

The Texas Education Agency this week launched its Educator Misconduct Reporting Dashboard, a database required by state law that provides information about misconduct reports submitted to the agency, disciplinary actions and educators placed on the state’s Do Not Hire Registry.

Daniel Hall, whose daughter attended Jan Schiff Elementary School in Fort Bend ISD, said he was shocked by what he saw after reviewing video related to allegations involving school employees.

“Never in a million years would I think these teachers would do these things that I saw on camera,” Hall said.

Hall said three employees are no longer with the district after allegedly manhandling his daughter.

Another parent, Maribel Vera, said video showed her nonverbal son, who has autism, being dragged across a carpeted floor at Burton Elementary School. Vera said her concerns prompted an investigation.

“If you guys would see the footage, not even an animal gets treated that way,” Vera said.

The Texas Education Agency says more than one-third of educator misconduct reports directly affect students.

The dashboard shows the agency opened more than 1,000 investigations on average each month, with more than 500 referred to law enforcement.

According to the data, the most common investigations involved some form of violence, accounting for 53% of cases.

Inappropriate relationships or contact with a student made up 15% of investigations, while sexual misconduct accounted for 4%.

The agency reported that 78% of misconduct reports involve direct harm to a student.

Tyrrell Smith, another Burton Elementary parent, said he also viewed video that he believes shows abuse involving his son.

ABC13 has not reviewed the footage or independently verified its contents.

Smith said the allegations have damaged his confidence in the education system.

“I don’t trust the hiring process. I don’t trust the training. I don’t trust the principal,” Smith said. “What is done in the dark will eventually come to light.”

Fort Bend ISD confirmed in April that staff members involved in the alleged abuse of Smith’s son were fired. The district said it is investigating other allegations of abuse in the same classroom.

The dashboard also reflects a sharp increase in reported educator investigations between fiscal years 2025 and 2026.

The data also shows the number of educators added to the state’s Do Not Hire Registry has increased each year this decade. Last year, 589 educators were added to the list.

Parents say the new dashboard provides valuable information, but they believe accountability and oversight remain critical as investigations continue.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

Teen’s accused killers implicated in robbery ring, court documents show

ABC13 Houston
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Teen’s accused killers implicated in robbery ring, court documents show

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — New evidence indicates the suspects in a teen’s murder may have been members of a robbery ring.

Tony De La O, a member of the Rayburn High School football team and ROTC, had just celebrated his 18th birthday when he was killed on Jan. 20, 2025.

Last summer, Clint Gillespie and Rodesha Smith were charged with capital murder in De La O’s death.

On Monday, police arrested Isiah Goodwin and charged him with engaging in organized criminal activity.

Prosecutors say he took part in multiple armed robberies with Smith and Gillespie from November 2024 to January 2025 and was present when the murder took place.

“That was kind of mind-blowing. It’s crazy to think there’s kids out there setting up people,” said the victim’s sister, Kasandra De La O.

The day of the murder, police say Smith lured De La O to an apartment complex on Hollock Street in southeast Houston under the guise of wanting to buy weed from him.

Instead, police say he was shot and robbed.

As he attempted to flee the scene in his car, police say Goodwin and another person fired shots at him.

“They didn’t care that he was hurt. They didn’t care what happened to him after. They just didn’t care,” said Aislynn Martinez, the victim’s fiancé.

A search warrant Eyewitness News obtained reveals Goodwin was interviewed by police a month after the murder, although he wasn’t charged until June of this year.

Within two hours of the murder, police say Smith messaged someone about selling a gun.

“I need it gone fast,” she’s quoted as saying, to which the other person replies, “That hot huh?”

Smith was charged with another robbery months before De La O’s murder.

Police say she arranged to meet a man to purchase a cell phone that he had posted online. But instead of paying for the phone, they say she pulled a gun and stole it.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

Ebola Outbreak Expands in Democratic Republic of the Congo

Indira Zaldivar
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Ebola Outbreak Expands in Democratic Republic of the Congo

BUNIA, DRC — Health officials are racing to contain a growing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where at least 363 cases and 62 deaths have been confirmed.

The outbreak has spread to a new health zone in Ituri province, signaling that the virus continues to expand geographically. Neighboring Uganda has also reported 15 cases and one death.

WHO Warns Response Is Still Catching Up

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the outbreak had a “big head start,” but international health agencies are increasing efforts to control its spread.

While hundreds of suspected cases were recently ruled out after testing, experts caution that the full scope of the outbreak remains unclear. Ebola’s incubation period can last up to 21 days, meaning additional cases may still emerge.

Contact Tracing Remains a Major Challenge

Health officials say one of the biggest obstacles is contact tracing. Currently, only about 44% of identified contacts are being monitored in the hardest-hit areas, well below the roughly 90% target needed to effectively contain the virus.

Public health experts also cite limited resources, population movement, remote locations, and community mistrust as barriers to tracking potential infections.

Despite the challenges, health authorities say surveillance and response efforts are expanding as they work to prevent further spread of the deadly disease.

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

Texas lifts commercial drivers license ban for temporary agricultural workers

ABC13 Houston
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Texas lifts commercial drivers license ban for temporary agricultural workers

The Texas Department of Public Safety on Monday lifted a restriction on commercial drivers licenses and permits for immigrants with temporary agriculture work visas and removed the Spanish language option for CDL tests following changes in federal requirements.

In September, Texas halted commercial driver’s licenses for many immigrants, including refugees, people with asylum and DACA recipients. The change on Monday will allow those with H-2A visas, designed for temporary agriculture workers, to again hold valid CDLs in Texas. Those eligible who have current CDLs may continue to use them until their expiration date, and those with expired licenses can file to renew them, according to a DPS press release.

DPS indicated the shift was made in line with a new federal guideline from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration published in mid-March, which permits H-2A workers to hold CDLs alongside H-2B and E-2 visa holders, which are temporary non-agricultural workers and treaty investors, respectively.

Under the new federal guidelines, Texas has only been approved to grant H-2A visa holders commercial driver’s licenses for now, the DPS release said. Eligibility for H-2B and E-2 visa holders in Texas “will be announced at a later date,” according to the release.

The limitation to the three types of visas was implemented to prevent “dangerous foreign drivers” from being given licenses, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a February statement, claiming that bad actors had previously been abusing access to commercial driver’s licenses.

The reinstatement came hours after DPS announced it would offer CDL license and permit knowledge tests only in English, removing the Spanish option previously offered, according to a DPS press release announcing the change.

The hands-on CDL skills test, which includes the driving and controls test, has always been conducted exclusively in English. Interpreters were previously barred from the skills portion of the test, and applicants were required to “be able to understand and respond to verbal commands and instructions in English by a skills test examiner,” according to a previous version of DPS’ website prior to Monday’s change.

Gov. Greg Abbott directed DPS in September to “strictly enforce” the federal government’s new English requirements and ordered the agency to conduct English Language Proficiency reviews for all commercial license operators. The changes are also designed to align Texas’ testing requirements with the FMCSA like the changes to CDL eligibility, the release said. The federal agency had its guidance on English language tests altered in May 2025 by Duffy.

“The issue is simple: We’re not putting up signs in any other language than English. We’re requiring drivers speak and read English as a bare minimum requirement,” Duffy said in an op-ed in Breitbart previewing the 2025 changes.

In late April, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced investigations into five trucking schools for allegedly disregarding English language requirements when administering CDL tests.

Texas’ Department of Motor Vehicles also introduced photo identification requirements for vehicle registrations and renewals in November aimed at preventing undocumented immigrants from legally owning vehicles. Auto industry representatives and some county officials pushed back against the changes, citing safety and economic concerns for those affected.

On Tuesday, the DMV began enforcing new regulations for companies who operate driverless vehicles like Waymo, launching a registration lookup and complaint filing tool online. The restrictions were implemented in response to Senate Bill 2807, which was passed last year by the state Legislature to streamline regulation of private automated vehicles.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

Trump Administration Proposes New Tariffs on Major Trading Partners

Indira Zaldivar
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Trump Administration Proposes New Tariffs on Major Trading Partners

New Trade Plan Targets Imports Over Forced Labor Concerns

The Trump administration has unveiled a proposal to impose new tariffs on dozens of major U.S. trading partners, including China, the European Union, Mexico, and Canada, citing concerns over forced labor practices.

The proposal, announced by U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer’s office, would use Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 to levy tariffs of up to 12.5% on imports from countries accused of failing to prohibit or enforce bans on goods made with forced labor.

Countries Could Face Tariffs Up to 12.5%

Under the plan:

  • China, the United Kingdom, Japan, Brazil, and several other nations could face tariffs of up to 12.5%.
  • Mexico, Canada, and the European Union could see additional 10% tariffs.

According to the report, the proposed measures would affect approximately 99% of U.S. imports.

Public Hearing Scheduled for July

The tariffs are not yet in effect. The USTR has scheduled a public hearing for July 7, 2026, before any final decision is made.

The proposal follows a February Supreme Court ruling that blocked the administration from using emergency powers to impose broad global tariffs. In response, officials launched new trade investigations in March under Section 301 authority.

Economic Impact Remains a Concern

While many Trump-era tariffs remain in place, economists note that U.S. tariff rates are already at their highest levels since the 1940s. Analysts at the Yale Budget Lab estimate current tariff policies could increase costs for the average American household by as much as $1,200 annually.

Greer said the administration is carefully reviewing trade relationships worldwide as it seeks to reshape the terms of international commerce.

“We’re trying to go very carefully to change the terms of trade between the United States and the rest of the world,” Greer said during a CNBC interview.

What Happens Next?

The proposed tariffs face a public review process before implementation. If approved, they could significantly expand U.S. trade restrictions and affect imports from many of America’s largest economic partners.

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

Houston’s $7.5 billion budget proposal soon to be finalized

ABC13 Houston
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Houston’s $7.5 billion budget proposal soon to be finalized

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — It’s down to a matter of days before the City of Houston decides how it wants to spend billions of your tax dollars in the upcoming fiscal year.

This is a crucial week for Mayor John Whitmire’s $7.5 billion budget proposal, which is expected to be discussed at tomorrow’s city council meeting.

“Each councilmember will have the opportunity to submit budget amendments at tomorrow’s council meeting,” said Councilwoman Sallie Alcorn.

ABC13 asked Alcorn what it takes to successfully get an amendment into the final budget.

“It all depends on the day, the quality of the amendments, and the willingness of the (Whitmire) administration to support amendments,” said Alcorn.

The councilwoman believes “quite a few” will ultimately pass.

“Next week we’ll take the whole budget up with amendments,” she said.

The final version of the budget, which must be approved by council vote, goes into effect on July 1.

Alcorn, who is the head of the City of Houston’s Budget and Fiscal Affairs Committee, also noted this year’s budget season has been more contentious than in previous years.

“It seems a little acrimonious, right?” asked Alcorn. “There’s always a push-pull with the controller and the mayor, but this definitely seems a little harsher.”

Alcorn is referencing the recent war of words between Mayor Whitmire and Controller Chris Hollins.

Whitmire’s says his budget protects city services and puts Houston on a solid financial path moving forward.

He’s said it won’t raise property taxes, though it does include two new fees.

The most notable of those new fees would be a $5-a-month fee for trash collection.

“It’s just a practical solution,” said Whitmire of the trash fee when it was announced in May.

Whitmire says the fees will help bring the city’s deficit down to $25 million.

His office previously stated the deficit would have been at $209 million without any major changes.

Hollins doesn’t get a say in what goes into the budget, but he is responsible for certifying the final version of it.

His office has gained notoriety in recent weeks for posting memes online that criticize Whitmire’s proposal.

“This budget is so egregious,” said Hollins. “We’ve been on a path of spending like there’s no tomorrow without a path towards how we’re going to pay for it. We think that people need to know about it.”

Hollins said he believes Whitmire’s proposal is, among other criticisms, overestimating property-tax revenue and underestimating the overtime costs for first responders.

“We expect the deficit to be significantly higher than ($25 million),” said Hollins.

ABC13 interviewed Hollins this afternoon, but was sent a statement from Whitmire’s office.

The statement read in part:

“Mayor Whitmire does not have time for politics. His proposed budget has strong support from a cross-section of business, labor union and nonprofit organizations. This budget is about protecting services, protecting workers and putting Houston on solid financial planning.”

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

Scattered storms possible each day this week and into the weekend

ABC13 Houston
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Scattered storms possible each day this week and into the weekend

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Keep the umbrella handy this week! Scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible every day, and rain chances really crank up by the end of the week as tropical moisture streams overhead.

Wednesday we’re starting off slightly cooler than Tuesday thanks to the thunderstorms last night. Temperatures today will start in the upper 60s or low 70s and climb into the mid-upper 80s today. A stationary front is overhead today after pushing into the region last night. This plus an increase in moisture form the gulf will lead to more showers and storms today. Scattered storms could begin to develop also early as mid-morning and will continue off and on throughout the day. And while we’re not expecting these to be as strong to severe as what we instead yesterday, but these storms could bring thunder, lightning and heavy rains that could briefly impact your outdoor pans today.

This rainy outlook continues into the weekend with the daily chance for scattered showers and storms each day through Sunday.

Are my weekend plans ruined?

Not necessarily. Some plans may be significantly altered by the scattered, heavy thunderstorms, but it won’t rain all day. Typically the highest rain chances for Houston when tropical moisture blows in occur between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Then rain-cooled air stabilizes the atmosphere in the late afternoon and evening.

Is severe weather possible?

We don’t anticipate any severe weather this week, but there could some tropical funnels that occur in the morning over our coastal counties, and isolated pockets of street flooding are possible for brief stretches of time where the heaviest rains fall. Some storms could also produce gusty winds associated with the heavy downpours.

Now that it’s hurricane season, what are you tracking in the tropics?

There are two things we are tracking right now. The first is the tropical moisture over the Gulf that could bring us storms late in the week. The second is a large plume of Saharan dust currently stretching across the Atlantic from Africa to the Caribbean. For the latest on what’s happening in the tropics, head to our Tropical Update page for our daily tropical weather discussion and forecast.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

‘It was a murder’: Family awaits answers in deputy-involved shooting death of Texas State student

ABC13 Houston
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‘It was a murder’: Family awaits answers in deputy-involved shooting death of Texas State student

BRAZORIA COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — The father of 18-year-old John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. says he is waiting for answers after a Brazoria County Sheriff’s deputy fatally shot his son inside the garage of their Lake Jackson home.

John Mendoza Sr. says he was asleep in the house when the shooting happened shortly after midnight Monday. Despite being at the home, he says he has not spoken with investigators or heard from the sheriff’s office.

“We respect law enforcement,” Mendoza said, noting that officers are part of his extended family. But he believes his son’s death was unjustified and is calling for accountability as Texas Rangers lead the investigation.

Outside the family’s home, a memorial now honors Mendoza Jr., who had recently completed his freshman year at Texas State University and returned home for the summer.

“It’s tough. I can’t believe it,” Mendoza said. “I can’t live without my son.”

Mendoza said his son and two longtime friends had left a park where they had been exercising.

According to the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy attempted a traffic stop near FM 2004 in Lake Jackson. Instead, Mendoza, who was driving, continued to his home about two miles away.

New surveillance video shows the vehicle entering the neighborhood during a brief pursuit. Moments later, a single gunshot can be heard.

Mendoza says his son was not threatening and unarmed while sitting in his vehicle inside the garage when he was shot.

The sheriff’s office has confirmed that a deputy fired his weapon but has not released details about the reason for the traffic stop or what occurred immediately before the shooting.

“In any other situation, somebody would have been arrested for this murder. Somebody should be,” said Mendoza. “What we know from the details is my son was executed. There was no reason to pull his gun.”

Tuesday, Texas State University issued a statement expressing “heartfelt condolences’ to Mendoza’s “family, friends, classmates, and all those affected by this tragedy.”

His father hopes the Texas Rangers and the Brazoria County District Attorney’s Office will determine exactly what happened and whether the deputy involved should face consequences.

“I’m hopeful they do what they know is right,” he said. “This was a senseless act that should not have happened.”

The deputy’s name has not been released.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

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