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KISS Guitarist Ace Frehley Dies at 74

Indira Zaldivar
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KISS Guitarist Ace Frehley Dies at 74

Ace Frehley, the original lead guitarist and “Spaceman” of KISS, died on Oct. 16 at age 74 after reportedly being on life support following a fall at his home. His family said he passed away peacefully in Morristown, New Jersey, surrounded by loved ones.

Early Life and Rise to Fame

Born Paul Daniel Frehley in the Bronx in 1951, he picked up the guitar at 13 and was influenced by Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, and Buddy Guy. After years playing in local bands, Frehley auditioned for Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, and Peter Criss in 1973—wearing mismatched sneakers—and became KISS’s lead guitarist. Embracing a space-themed persona, he helped shape the band’s theatrical image with silver star makeup and explosive guitar performances.

Iconic Career with KISS

Frehley co-wrote and played on classics like “Cold Gin,” “Detroit Rock City,” and “Love Gun.” Though initially hesitant to sing, his 1977 lead vocals on “Shock Me” became a fan favorite. His solo cover of “New York Groove” became a hit in 1978. Known for his onstage flair, Frehley’s smoking, firework-shooting guitar became a hallmark of KISS concerts.

Solo Ventures and Reunions

Frehley left KISS in 1982, launching a solo career with Frehley’s Comet and later under his own name. He released several albums, including Origins Vol. 1 (2016), Origins Vol. 2 (2020), and his final album, 10,000 Volts (2024). He rejoined KISS for their 1996 reunion tour and stayed until 2001. Though tensions with Simmons and Stanley persisted, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with KISS in 2014.

Legacy and Final Years

Frehley canceled his 2025 tour dates shortly before his death due to medical issues. Despite personal conflicts with his bandmates, he remained an integral figure in KISS’s legacy. “KISS would not have happened without Ace and Peter,” Simmons once said. Frehley’s guitar work, persona, and influence on generations of musicians secure his place as one of rock’s enduring icons.

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

Chicago Judge Orders ICE Agents to Wear Body Cameras

Indira Zaldivar
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Chicago Judge Orders ICE Agents to Wear Body Cameras

A federal judge in Chicago has ordered Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in the region to begin using body-worn cameras following recent clashes with protesters. U.S. District Judge Sara L. Ellis issued the order on Oct. 16 after agents reportedly deployed tear gas and other chemical weapons during a demonstration on the city’s Southeast Side.

Judge Raises ‘Serious Concerns’ Over Clashes

Ellis previously imposed restrictions on ICE’s use of non-lethal weapons on Oct. 9. Her new directive came after reviewing images of federal agents aiming non-lethal launchers at unarmed protesters. “I live in Chicago, if folks haven’t noticed. And I’m not blind,” Ellis said in court, expressing alarm over the incident.

Part of Broader Crackdown

The order comes amid “Operation Midway Blitz,” a Trump administration immigration enforcement push in the Chicago area. Homeland Security officials defended the agents’ actions, arguing that some individuals involved assaulted officers. Critics, however, say aggressive tactics have targeted innocent residents and escalated tensions.

Homeland Security Pushes Back

The Department of Homeland Security argued Ellis’ order is “not constitutional,” stating that some ICE agents already use body cameras during planned operations, but full deployment depends on funding. A top DHS official has been ordered to appear in court on Oct. 20 to address compliance.

Expanded Restrictions on Enforcement Tactics

Ellis amended her earlier restraining order to require agents to wear visible identification and issue two warnings before deploying chemical weapons. The measures follow lawsuits from clergy, protesters, and journalists who allege federal agents used excessive force, including a pepper ball shot to the head of a local pastor.

Order Applies Across Chicago Area

The ruling applies to all ICE enforcement actions in the Chicago region, reinforcing constitutional limits on the use of force and crowd control. Ellis wrote that the temporary order essentially directs agents to follow existing training and legal standards.

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

Senate Vote to Reopen Government Fails Again

Edward Saenz
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Senate Vote to Reopen Government Fails Again

The U.S. Senate on Thursday failed for the tenth time to pass a short-term Republican funding bill, securing just 51 votes. A separate vote on Pentagon funding could restore military pay if successful, but with lawmakers preparing to leave Washington for the weekend, the shutdown is expected to continue until at least Monday.

Healthcare Subsidies at the Center of the Standoff
Senate Majority Leader John Thune offered Democrats a guaranteed vote on extending Affordable Care Act subsidies if they agreed to reopen the government. Progressives, however, rejected the offer, demanding actual legislation rather than future promises.

Progressives Stand Firm
During a CNN town hall, Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez dismissed verbal assurances. “I don’t accept IOUs. I don’t accept pinky promises,” Ocasio-Cortez said. Sanders mocked the idea of trusting a Trump pledge, adding sarcastically, “Oh yeah, no doubt, because the president is a very honest man.”

House Stalemate Adds to Shutdown Tensions
House Speaker Mike Johnson has kept the chamber out of session for four weeks, arguing that reconvening would ease pressure on Senate Democrats. He and Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries have traded jabs and agreed to a future C-SPAN debate, though no date has been set.

Uncertain Timeline and Mounting Impacts
Thune signaled support for extending subsidies with reforms but would not commit to a one-year, $35 billion extension and acknowledged the shutdown could stretch to Thanksgiving. Federal workers, now weeks without pay, shared personal struggles during the town hall. Ocasio-Cortez expressed empathy but reiterated the need for a lasting solution.

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

U.S.-Led Gaza Coordination Center Set to Launch

Que Onda Editorial
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U.S.-Led Gaza Coordination Center Set to Launch

A new U.S.-led coordination center inside Israel is expected to begin operations in the coming days to oversee the Gaza ceasefire agreement and rebuilding efforts, according to U.S. officials.

Location and Leadership

The center is based just northeast of Gaza at a secure, undisclosed location. It will initially be led by a U.S. three-star general with a foreign deputy at the two-star level. To maintain international accessibility, the site is not located on an Israeli military base.

Mission: Security, Aid, and Reconstruction

The command center will coordinate security, humanitarian aid, and reconstruction following two years of war. Around 200 U.S. troops—specializing in logistics, transportation, planning, and security—have already been deployed to support the mission. They will work alongside international partners, NGOs, and the private sector.

Building International Support

Discussions are ongoing regarding the formation of an international security force and the logistics of distributing aid inside Gaza. Senior White House advisers said countries including Indonesia, Egypt, the UAE, Qatar, and Azerbaijan have offered to contribute.

Gradual Start to Full Operations

Officials said the center is beginning with “initial operational capability” and will expand in phases. A senior U.S. official described the ongoing talks as “very positive,” underscoring the center’s role in stabilizing Gaza under the fragile ceasefire.

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

Diane Keaton’s Cause of Death Revealed

Indira Zaldivar
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Diane Keaton’s Cause of Death Revealed

Oscar-winning actress Diane Keaton died on Oct. 11 at the age of 79. According to People magazine, her family confirmed that pneumonia was the cause of death. In their statement, they thanked fans for “the extraordinary messages of love and support.”

Emergency Response at Her Home

The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a medical call at Keaton’s Brentwood home at 8:08 a.m. and transported her to the hospital. Additional details were not immediately shared at the time of her passing.

A Legendary Career Spanning Six Decades

Keaton rose to fame in the 1970s as Kay Adams in The Godfather films. She earned four Oscar nominations and won Best Actress in 1978 for Annie Hall. Her filmography includes Play It Again, Sam, Baby Boom, The First Wives Club, and the Book Club series. In a 2022 interview with ABC News, she reflected, “I had the opportunity to make my choices with time as it went on.”

Hollywood Pays Tribute

Tributes poured in from co-stars and collaborators, including Mary Steenburgen, Goldie Hawn, and director Nancy Meyers. “We have lost a giant,” Meyers wrote on Instagram, honoring Keaton’s brilliance and vulnerability on screen.

Honoring Her Legacy

Her family encouraged donations to local food banks or animal shelters in her memory, noting her love for animals and her commitment to supporting unhoused communities.

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

Weather changes ahead! Here’s why there’s a glimmer of hope for rain

ABC13 Houston
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Weather changes ahead! Here’s why there’s a glimmer of hope for rain

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — You’ll notice some changes to the way the sky looks and the air feels on Thursday, and by Friday you might even need to use your umbrella for the first time in October! These changes are occurring ahead of a Pacific cool front that rushes through Southeast Texas late Saturday night.

We’ll enjoy one more seasonal morning with low temperatures in the 60s to start our Thursday. Cloud cover will increase throughout the day as an upper-air disturbance glides overhead. There’s even a 10% chance you could get a brief, light rain shower. Southeasterly winds will also increase the humidity relative to the last few days. With the extra clouds and moisture, high temperatures should stay below 90 degrees.

Higher amounts of moisture arrive on Friday, and we’ve now boosted your chance for rain up to 30%.

What should we expect with this weekend front?

It looks like the front will blow through Southeast Texas late Saturday night and early Sunday morning, clearing the coast around sunrise. This front looks to be weak and fast-moving, so temperatures won’t be impacted as much as the humidity. The dry air flowing in behind the front could cook up Sunday’s high into the low 90s before we get a crisp Monday morning with lows near 60 in Houston.

Will that front bring us any rain?

Possibly, but it won’t be enough to turn the building drought around. This looks to be a Pacific cool front, which typically brings a thin band of showers and thunderstorms. Right now we have a 30% chance for rain Saturday night, and then it drops to zero percent after it clears the coast Sunday morning. Try not to get your hopes up too much for rainfall at this time.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

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

Supreme Court Signals Move to Narrow Voting Rights Act

Edward Saenz
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Supreme Court Signals Move to Narrow Voting Rights Act

The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday appeared poised to limit how Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act is applied to redistricting, a shift that could reshape congressional maps nationwide and weaken protections for minority voters.

Louisiana Case at the Center

The justices heard arguments in a challenge to Louisiana’s creation of a second majority-Black congressional district. Conservative members of the court questioned whether race played too dominant a role in the map’s design, suggesting plaintiffs should face a tougher legal standard to prove discrimination.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh, seen as a key vote, raised concerns about the indefinite use of race to draw districts. NAACP Legal Defense Fund president Janai Nelson countered that Section 2 remains essential for addressing ongoing discrimination, not for imposing racial quotas.

Longstanding Legal Precedents

Under current law, race cannot be the primary factor in redistricting, but states are allowed to consider race to comply with the Voting Rights Act. The court reaffirmed Section 2 as recently as 2023, noting it aims to remedy discriminatory effects even without proof of intent.

Justice Elena Kagan emphasized that Section 2 ensures equal voting opportunities for Black voters, while Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson described it as a “tool” to identify racial disparities rather than a temporary fix.

Nationwide Implications

A ruling in Louisiana’s favor could force the state to redraw its map before the 2026 midterms, potentially under more race-neutral criteria. A broader decision could ripple across multiple states, threatening the existence of majority-minority districts that currently bolster minority representation.

Nelson warned that further rollbacks would be “catastrophic,” pointing out that Black congressional representation in the South largely stems from districts created under the Voting Rights Act.

The court is expected to issue its decision by June 2026, a timeline that could influence how states prepare their maps ahead of the next election cycle.

For more on the Supreme Court’s session, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Houston Keeps Property Tax Rate Flat Despite Budget Deficit

Indira Zaldivar
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0
Houston Keeps Property Tax Rate Flat Despite Budget Deficit

Houston leaders voted Wednesday to keep the city’s property tax rate unchanged, opting to dip further into savings rather than raise taxes to address a growing budget gap.

City Council Splits on Vote

The 12–3 vote, with one member absent, keeps the rate at 52 cents per $100 of property value through 2026. A homeowner with a $300,000 property will continue paying about $1,530 in city taxes. Council Members Abbie Kamin, Edward Pollard, and Sallie Alcorn opposed the move, warning it will deepen financial strain.

Alcorn, the council’s budget chair, called the decision “a swing and a miss,” noting the city will draw down $53 million from reserves to balance its $7 billion budget this year, creating a $128.5 million shortfall heading into the next fiscal year.

Whitmire Holds Firm Against Tax Hike

Mayor John Whitmire reiterated his refusal to raise taxes until his administration eliminates “waste, fraud and abuse.” He said a revenue plan is in development but did not share details. Houston, unlike other Texas cities, does not charge extra fees for services like trash or utilities, relying instead on property taxes for its $3 billion general fund.

Widening Deficit Ahead

City analysts project a $227 million deficit next year, potentially ballooning to $463 million by 2030 without new revenue. Some council members suggested adding a trash fee or lifting the local revenue cap to help close the gap, while others backed the mayor’s stance, saying financial reforms must come first.

Alcorn and Pollard pressed for a clearer revenue strategy. Kamin warned the city is “cutting our life out from under us” by holding the line on taxes without a long-term plan.

Public Affordability vs. City Services

Whitmire emphasized affordability concerns, saying he’ll only consider raising taxes when the public has confidence in City Hall. Meanwhile, residents continue to express frustration with basic services such as trash pickup, as Houston tries to balance financial caution with growing operational costs.

For more on Houston City Council, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Heated Clash at Houston City Council Over Teen’s Immigration Case

Indira Zaldivar
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Heated Clash at Houston City Council Over Teen’s Immigration Case

Tensions flared at a Houston City Council meeting Wednesday after Police Chief Noe Diaz’s remarks about a controversial immigration case prompted a public outburst.

Advocacy Leader Confronts Police Chief

As Mayor John Whitmire called for a 20-minute recess, Cesar Espinosa, executive director of immigrant advocacy group FIEL, stood up and shouted at Chief Diaz for allegedly refusing to meet with him.

“Why do you lie? Why do you lie? Chief Diaz we’ve been trying to meet with you,” Espinosa yelled. “The child is autistic! Proper care that he deserves—do not lie.” Moments later, the audio feed from the meeting was cut.

Teen With Autism Separated From Mother

The confrontation stemmed from the case of 15-year-old Emmanuel Gonzalez Garcia, a Houston teen with autism taken into federal custody after disappearing Oct. 4. He was found at a McDonald’s near Airline Drive and reportedly told police he had no family, leading authorities to contact federal immigration agencies.

Emergency Surgery Raises Concerns

Advocates say Emmanuel functions at the cognitive level of a 4- or 5-year-old and should not have been separated from his mother. He recently underwent emergency appendicitis surgery at Texas Children’s Hospital and remains in federal custody. His mother’s contact with him has been limited since their separation.

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

Houston Teen with Autism Back in Federal Custody After Emergency Surgery

Indira Zaldivar
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0
Houston Teen with Autism Back in Federal Custody After Emergency Surgery

A 15-year-old undocumented Houston teen with autism is back in federal custody just days after undergoing emergency surgery, sparking outrage from his family and advocates.

Missing Teen Found, Then Detained

Emmanuel Gonzalez Garcia disappeared 10 days ago before being found by Houston police. Instead of being reunited with his mother, Emmanuel was placed under the care of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). After his surgery at Texas Children’s Hospital, advocates with FIEL Houston say ORR detained him again shortly after his mother left his bedside.

Family and Advocates Demand Answers

Maria Garcia, Emmanuel’s mother, spoke at a Houston City Council meeting alongside FIEL Houston, questioning why her son wasn’t returned home. Council Member Mary Nan Huffman said there was confusion over Emmanuel’s name when police located him, which delayed reunification efforts.

HPD stated it spent four hours trying to resolve the case before Child Protective Services advised contacting federal health officials. ICE clarified that it was never involved, but that ORR received Emmanuel following HPD’s call.

City Officials Pledge Action

Mayor John Whitmire promised to assemble a legal team and staff to investigate. “We will hold everyone accountable for what happened,” he said.

Cesar Espinoza with FIEL Houston emphasized that Emmanuel belongs with his mother, stating, “She wants to put the responsibility if anything happens to Emmanuel now, on them, because he should’ve been able to go home.”

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

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