City leaders and community members gathered Monday to break ground on a new César Chávez Archway in downtown Laredo, honoring the civil rights and labor leader’s legacy.
The archway, located at 1000 Zaragoza Street, is intended as a symbol of hope, dignity, courage and justice, officials said, and as a reminder of the importance of civic engagement for younger generations.
Mayor Victor Treviño called the project “a gateway to shared values,” emphasizing that it represents the city’s commitment to human dignity and community recognition. Former Webb County Judge Danny Valdez said the effort was long overdue, noting that while Chávez never visited Laredo, his influence on Latino communities across the country is significant.
The project is part of a three-phase plan to commemorate Chávez in Laredo. The first phase is the archway itself. The second phase involves naming a street after Chávez, which the City Council has already approved. Officials said a larger commemorative project is planned for the future.
Manuel Bocanegra, founder of the César Chávez Memorial Alliance of South Texas, highlighted the years of advocacy that led to the project, noting that local celebrations of Chávez’s legacy date back to 2002 with annual March for Justice events.
Organizers said the archway will serve both as a public art installation and as an educational tool, reflecting Chávez’s contributions to civil rights and labor movements nationwide.
Construction is expected to begin immediately, though city officials did not release a completion date.
Southeast Texas is set to receive more than $30 million in federal funding for coastal infrastructure, navigation and environmental projects under a sweeping appropriations package approved by Congress, money local leaders say is critical for economic growth and storm protection in the region.
The funding is included in a 2026 federal appropriations bill that cleared both the U.S. House and Senate and is awaiting the president’s signature. The money targets long-standing priorities along the Upper Texas Coast, including shipping channels, flood mitigation and marine research.
The largest share — nearly $18 million — is earmarked for operations and maintenance of the Galveston Ship Channel, one of the nation’s busiest waterways for petrochemical exports and commercial shipping. Federal officials say the funding will help ensure the channel remains navigable and competitive for global trade.
Another about $9 million would go toward continued work on the Sabine-Neches Waterway, which serves the ports of Beaumont, Port Arthur and Orange. The project aims to deepen the channel to allow larger vessels to reach Southeast Texas ports, a move expected to support jobs and expand the region’s role in energy and industrial exports.
The bill also includes $5 million for engineering and design work on the Coastal Texas Project, commonly known as the Ike Dike. The massive coastal resilience initiative is designed to reduce storm surge and flooding risks for coastal communities and protect critical energy infrastructure from hurricanes.
In addition, $1.25 million is allocated for oyster research and aquaculture support through Texas A&M AgriLife. The funding is intended to strengthen sustainable oyster production, restore coastal habitats and support the region’s seafood industry.
Supporters say the investments address both immediate economic needs and long-term environmental challenges in Southeast Texas, a region that has suffered repeated flooding and hurricane damage in recent years.
The funding continues a broader federal focus on coastal Texas, where lawmakers and industry leaders have pushed for sustained investment to protect ports, communities and ecosystems that play a major role in the national economy.
Voters in Houston-area U.S. House District 18 are heading to the polls Jan. 31 for a runoff election to fill the seat vacated by the late Rep. Sylvester Turner, setting up a contest between two prominent Democrats in a district long considered safely blue.
The runoff pits Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee against former Houston City Council member Amanda Edwards after neither candidate secured a majority in the Nov. 4 special election. The winner will serve the remainder of Turner’s term.
Early voting runs Jan. 21 through Jan. 27, according to election officials.
District 18, which includes much of inner-city Houston, has been represented by Democrats for decades. Because of that, the runoff is widely viewed as determinative, with no Republican candidate advancing to the final round.
Menefee, a progressive who has served as Harris County attorney since 2021, has campaigned on issues including voting rights, abortion access and opposition to policies advanced by former President Donald Trump and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. He was among the top vote-getters in the first round of voting.
Edwards, who previously served on the Houston City Council and ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate in 2020, has emphasized community engagement, economic opportunity and representation for working-class families. She has consolidated support from some former rivals, including state Rep. Jolanda Jones, who endorsed Edwards after finishing third in the initial election.
The race is drawing attention beyond Houston because of its potential impact on the closely divided U.S. House. While a single seat is unlikely to dramatically alter the balance of power, political analysts say it could slightly bolster Democrats once the winner is sworn in.
Adding to the complexity, voters in District 18 are expected to return to the polls again later this year under newly redrawn congressional maps for the 2026 primary and general elections.
The runoff election will be held using the current district boundaries. Election officials are urging voters to check polling locations and eligibility ahead of early voting and Election Day.
Houston is preparing for a historic moment. For the first time in more than 30 years, the city will host one unified Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade, bringing together traditions, communities, and cultures under a single vision of unity, justice, and inclusion.
Que Onda Magazine sat down for an exclusive interview with Alexa Davis, pastor, Hispanic community leader, and key organizer of the newly unified MLK Unity Parade, scheduled for Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at 10 a.m. in downtown Houston.
A Historic First for Houston
“For the first time ever in the city of Houston, it’s going to be just one parade,” Davis said. “Traditionally, there were two parades. But the mayor of this city, John Whitmire, along with my husband, City Councilmember Willie Davis, worked hard to make this a reality. It is one parade in unity.”
Who Is Alexa Davis?
Alexa Davis is a pastor, community servant, businesswoman, and doctoral candidate whose work bridges faith, education, and civic engagement.
“I’m a leader in the Hispanic community,” Davis shared.
“I have the honor of pastoring alongside my husband, Pastor and Councilmember Willie Davis. We love people, and that’s what we do—we serve the community.”
She holds a master’s degree in Christian leadership and is currently pursuing her doctorate at Houston Christian University. Before moving to Houston eight years ago, Davis worked more than 15 years in the financial sector and owned a call center, living between Florida, Washington, D.C., and Colombia.
“My background is rooted in faith,” she said. “I truly believe God has a purpose for everybody, and I believe this parade has a purpose for the Hispanic community.”
Why Unity Matters Now
The unification of the MLK Jr. Parade and the MLK Grande Parade marks a turning point for Houston.
“For 30 years, there were two parades,” Davis explained. “But Dr. King stood for unity. It didn’t make sense to stay divided.”
Asked how Dr. King’s legacy applies today, Davis answered with a familiar phrase:
“‘I have a dream.’ He had a dream, and I have a dream—to see America as one, regardless of race or color.”
Turning Words Into Action
Dr. King once said, “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish as fools.”
“The MLK Unity Parade brings that message into action,” Davis said. “It’s about showing up together—Black, Hispanic, White, Asian—and living that legacy, not just talking about it.”
A Call to the Hispanic Community
Davis encouraged Hispanic families, business owners, and youth to take part.
“This is the time to show who we are.”
Event Details
Date: Monday, Jan. 19, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Location: Downtown Houston
Route: The parade will take place near Houston City Hall. It is scheduled to start at the intersection of Lamar Street and Smith Street, and end at Dallas Street and Smith Street.
The parade will feature more than 300 entries, including bands, dancers, floats, and live performances.
“As a mother, I want my children to see this,” Davis said. “This is about legacy. This is about the next generation.”
A Final Message
“Let’s show the power of being together,” Davis said. “This is not just a dream anymore—it’s a reality.”
According to Spain’s interior minister, a train traveling from Málaga to Madrid derailed near the town of Adamuz and crossed onto an adjacent track, where it struck another train heading from Madrid to Huelva.
Injuries and Emergency Response
Officials said at least 25 of the injured suffered serious injuries. Rescue crews remain at the scene as emergency operations continue.
Rail Service Suspended
Train service between Madrid and the Andalusia region has been suspended while authorities respond to the crash and assess damage.
Investigation Underway
The cause of the derailment has not yet been released, and an investigation is ongoing.
For more details on this developing story, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.
Court records show that Oscar Armando Roland Menjevar, 20, is the second suspect charged in connection with Barraza-Hernandez’s shooting death.
Both Angel Adonis Saldivar-James and Menjevar are now charged with capital murder in Barraza-Hernandez’s death.
Both Saldivar-James and Menjevar have been in jail since December for murder and aggravated robbery, respectively, but the new capital murder charges, according to court documents, were filed on Friday.
Records indicate that before the new charges on Friday, Saldivar-James was the only person accused in Barraza-Hernandez’s killing.
According to the Houston Police Department, two men approached the business. One shot into the taco truck while the other took money. Police said family members discovered the scene after not hearing from Barraza-Hernandez, who had told them he was closing up.
Court documents allege that both suspects committed several crimes over seven days, including the homicide of Barraza-Hernandez.
Records show that both suspects are scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.
McCaul, chair emeritus of both the House Foreign Affairs and Homeland Security committees, acknowledged Greenland’s strategic importance but noted that the U.S. already has a treaty granting “full military access” to the island to defend it if necessary — making a military invasion unnecessary and, in his view, dangerously counterproductive.
Turning NATO on Its Head
McCaul warned that using force to take Greenland would violate NATO’s core principle of collective defense. Under Article 5 of the NATO treaty, an armed attack against any member is considered an attack against all — meaning a U.S. attack on Greenland, part of the Kingdom of Denmark and a NATO member through that relationship, could force alliance members into conflict with one another.
Diplomacy vs. Military Action
While McCaul said the U.S. could expand its military presence in Greenland through existing agreements, he stressed that an invasion would be a grave mistake.
“If he wants to purchase Greenland, that’s one thing,” McCaul said, “but for him to militarily invade would … press a war with NATO itself.”
Wider Tensions With Allies
The remarks come amid broader tensions over U.S. President Donald Trump’s push to gain control of Greenland — including threats of tariffs on European allies who oppose the idea — and strong pushback from Denmark and other NATO members who say the island is not for sale and should remain under its current governance.
For more on the U.S. proposed takeover of Greenland and rising international tensions, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey defended himself and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz amid reports of a new Justice Department investigation, saying both officials have “done nothing wrong.”
‘Of Course We’ll Comply’
Speaking on ABC News’ This Week, Frey said his office has not received a subpoena but would cooperate fully if an investigation moves forward. He argued that speaking out on behalf of residents and defending constitutional rights is part of his job as mayor, not a crime.
Investigation Still Unconfirmed
ABC News reported that the DOJ is examining whether Frey and Walz obstructed federal law enforcement. Walz responded by accusing the administration of weaponizing the justice system, while Attorney General Pam Bondi posted on X that “no one is above the law.”
Tensions Over Federal Agents
The reported probe comes as tensions rise in Minnesota following a surge of federal immigration agents and protests after an ICE officer fatally shot Minneapolis resident Renee Good. Frey blamed the heavy federal presence for escalating tensions and reiterated calls for ICE to leave the city.
Calls to De-escalate
Republican Rep. Michael McCaul called investigations of political leaders “uncommon” and urged both sides to lower the rhetoric. The White House has not ruled out stronger federal action but said there is no current plan to invoke the Insurrection Act.
Green Day will open Super Bowl 60 with a live ceremony on Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The performance will honor six decades of Super Bowl history by ushering generations of MVPs onto the field.
A Celebration of Legacy and Sound
Formed in the East Bay, the trio—Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt and Tré Cool—is expected to perform a mix of their signature anthems as part of the tribute to the game’s most iconic players.
“We are super hyped to open Super Bowl 60 right in our backyard,” Armstrong said, calling it an honor to welcome the MVPs who helped shape the league.
Where to Watch
The opening ceremony will air live at 3 p.m. Pacific on NBC, Telemundo, Peacock and Universo.
Pregame Performances Announced
The ceremony will precede pregame performances, with Charlie Puth singing the national anthem, Brandi Carlile performing “America the Beautiful,” and Coco Jones delivering “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
Houston’s defensive line has become one of the NFL’s most disruptive units, a group coach DeMeco Ryans describes as “four Tasmanian devils” tearing through opposing offenses.
A Dominant Playoff Debut
The Texans showcased that dominance in a wild-card win over the Steelers, holding Pittsburgh to 175 total yards in a 30-6 victory. Houston recorded four sacks, forced two fumbles and scored twice on defense, including a strip sack by Will Anderson Jr. that Sheldon Rankins returned for a touchdown.
Built on Balance and Trust
The starting front—ends Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, with tackles Sheldon Rankins and Tommy Togiai—anchors a unit that thrives on cohesion. Defensive line coach Rod Wright summed up the philosophy simply: “Four equals one,” emphasizing that success comes only when everyone does their job.
Star Power on the Edges
Anderson and Hunter are the headliners, combining for 27 sacks during the regular season. Their ability to win one-on-one matchups has made Houston dangerous without relying on blitzes, as 45 of the team’s 47 regular-season sacks came from defensive linemen.
Why Houston Rarely Blitzes
Ryans credits personnel over scheme, noting the Texans can rush four and still collapse the pocket. That approach has helped Houston rank among the league leaders in yards and points allowed while keeping coverage intact behind the rush.
A New Challenge Ahead
The Texans face a different test against the Patriots and mobile quarterback Drake Maye, but the message remains the same: stick to what works. Discipline, technique and execution—not drastic changes—are the focus as Houston looks to reach the AFC championship game for the first time in franchise history.
Learning From Each Other
Veteran Hunter and young star Anderson have formed a mutual mentorship, each pushing the other to maintain high standards. The result is a pass rush that blends experience, energy and relentless effort—one that continues to drive Houston’s postseason run.
