With hurricane season officially underway, experts are urging residents to ensure their home technology is ready for severe weather. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently released its 2025 forecast, predicting an active season with above-average water temperatures in the Atlantic setting the stage for future storms. NOAA’s outlook for the Atlantic hurricane season, which goes from June 1 to November 30, predicts a 60% change of an above-normal season.
In addition to hurricane kits with medical supplies, food and water, residents in southeast Texas are urged to make sure their home technology is ready to weather the season. “Preparation is key,” said Foti Kallergis, Senior Director of Public Relations at Comcast Texas, who emphasized the importance of protecting home technology ahead of any severe storm.
“Using surge protectors for TVs, modems, and cable boxes can prevent damage from lightning strikes and power surges,” Kallergis said. “And moving hardware off the floor helps safeguard against flooding.”
After Hurricane Beryl hit southeast Texas last year, millions were left without power, highlighting the essential role of internet access during disasters. Kallergis noted that restoring electricity takes priority, but once power crews finish their work, Comcast teams stand ready to reestablish Xfinity services.
To further assist residents during emergencies, Xfinity offers several tools designed to maintain connectivity:
Pro Wifi Extender keeps you connected even during power outages. This includes a storm-ready device and battery backup to help keep your home online for up to four hours through network and power outages with unlimited cellular data on a 4G LTE cellular network.
Enroll in Text Alerts: Update your contact info through the Xfinity app or Xfinity.com to receive text alerts about service interruptions. Simply text START to 266278 (COMCST).
Download the Xfinity Stream App: The Xfinity Stream app lets you watch live local news reports on any device, so you can stay informed no matter where you are.
Check Your Data Plan: The Xfinity Mobile app allows you to adjust or upgrade your data plan, turning your phone into a hotspot if needed.
Hurricane season runs through November, with peak activity typically occurring between August and October. Kallergis encouraged residents to visit their nearest Xfinity store for guidance on setting up storm-ready tech.
“Now is the perfect time to prepare,” he said. “Staying informed and connected can make a big difference when severe weather strikes.”
A six-year-old Illinois boy died last week after inhaling helium from a large Mylar balloon, authorities said.
Gunner Hyatt of Mt. Carmel, Illinois, was found unresponsive on May 29 after suffocating on helium from the balloon, according to Wabash County Coroner Shaun Keepes. The preliminary autopsy pointed to suffocation as the cause of death.
Gunner, who had celebrated his sixth birthday just eight days earlier, was remembered as a “joyful and fun-spirited little boy whose laughter brightened every room,” according to his obituary.
His family called him “Gunny Bunny” and said he loved baseball, fishing, and playing outdoors. A GoFundMe campaign set up to support the family raised more than $19,000.
Authorities are using the tragedy to warn families about the dangers of helium-filled Mylar balloons, which can pose serious risks of suffocation and helium toxicity.
The Mount Carmel Police Department and the Illinois State Police Child Death Task Force are investigating the incident.
Authorities in Washington state are defending their decision not to issue an AMBER Alert for three young sisters—Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5—who were tragically found dead days after being reported missing.
Sisters Found Near Father’s Truck
The girls’ bodies were discovered near their father’s 2017 GMC Sierra pickup truck at Rock Island Campground in Chelan County, about 120 miles east of Seattle. Travis Decker, 32, is facing charges of first-degree kidnapping and first-degree murder but remains at large.
This undated photo provided by the Wenatchee Police Department shows Travis Caleb Decker.
Why No AMBER Alert Was Issued
Despite requests from Wenatchee police to activate the child abduction alert system, the Washington State Patrol (WSP) chose not to issue an AMBER Alert. Instead, they sent out an Endangered Missing Person Alert (EMPA). Chris Loftis, WSP Director of Public Affairs, explained that according to Department of Justice guidelines, a case must meet five criteria for an AMBER Alert: confirmed abduction, imminent danger, victim under 17, detailed descriptive information, and entry into the National Crime Information Center system.
Key Differences Between EMPA and AMBER Alert
“The difference between EMPA and AMBER, the AMBER has that push notification that we all get on our phones,” Loftis told KOMO News. “The EMPA does not have that.”
Mother’s Report and Community Response
The girls’ mother, Whitney Decker, reported them missing late Friday after they failed to return from a scheduled custody visit. A GoFundMe campaign set up to support her has already raised over $405,000.
Police Search Efforts
Investigators revealed Travis Decker was homeless, living out of his truck, and staying at different hotels and campgrounds. During the search, officers found two bloody handprints on the vehicle, along with car seats and a wallet.
Court documents indicated Decker’s cell phone placed him at Rock Island Campground a day before the girls disappearance.
Texas lawmakers have passed a bill, Senate Bill 22, which now awaits Governor Greg Abbott’s signature. This legislation aims to boost the state’s film and television industry by significantly increasing financial incentives.
Originally proposed at $500 million biennially, the final version of the bill allocates $300 million every two years to the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Fund until 2035, a figure amended by the House and accepted by the Senate.
Currently, Texas provides $200 million every two years for such incentives, with funding varying each legislative session. SB 22 seeks to not only increase this amount but also ensure funding consistency. Incentives can cover expenses like Texas workers’ wages, local restaurant meals, and Texas-based airline travel. The bill also offers additional incentives for productions using historical sites or partnering with universities.
Supporters like Chase Musslewhite of Media for Texas argue this increase will make Texas more competitive with neighboring states like New Mexico, Louisiana, and Georgia, without triggering a massive influx of productions. Other states offer stronger incentives, which Musslewhite believes is ideal for Texas, focusing on baseline competitiveness rather than attracting excessive competition. Grant Wood, also of Media for Texas, notes the bill could bring Texan talent back home and diversify the economy.
Conversely, the bill has faced criticism. Representative David Lowe argues against “Hollywood handouts,” citing the industry’s past criticisms of Texas values. Concerns have also been raised about the Governor’s complete discretion over funding allocation and potential political influence from Hollywood. Economists have also previously criticized the film incentive program as wasteful spending despite the Texas Film Commission’s report of a 469% return on investment.
Celebrity support for the bill includes actors Matthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson, and Dennis Quaid, as well as creators like Chad Gunderson and Taylor Sheridan. Musslewhite believes their support will fuel further interest in filming in Texas.
The revised bill also changes incentive structures, offering a 25% grant for feature films and television programs spending at least $1.5 million, compared to the current 10% rebate for projects spending $1-3.5 million and a 20% grant for projects over $3.5 million.
Additional incentives of 2.5% remain for productions in “underutilized” areas or those with a 5% veteran crew. Despite concerns about Hollywood’s influence, Musslewhite emphasizes Texas’s strength and ability to shape the industry’s impact within the state. Historically, film incentives have varied significantly in Texas, with recent sessions granting up to $200 million.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Texas is one of 37 states with a film incentive program, but its fluctuating funding has kept it behind states like New York, Georgia, and New Mexico in attracting major productions.
The Trump administration announced on Tuesday that it is rolling back Biden-era guidance that leveraged a federal law to mandate hospitals provide emergency care — including abortion services — when necessary to stabilize patients.
Background on Biden-Era Guidance
The Biden administration’s 2022 guidance required hospitals to provide emergency abortions under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA). It aimed to ensure hospitals stabilize patients in need of care, including cases involving ectopic pregnancy, pregnancy loss, or severe preeclampsia.
Trump Administration’s Reversal
The Trump administration announced on Tuesday it is rescinding this guidance. HHS and CMS stated that the directive and an accompanying letter “do not reflect the policy of this Administration.”
CMS Pledges Continued EMTALA Enforcement
“CMS will continue to enforce EMTALA, which protects all individuals who present to a hospital emergency department seeking examination or treatment,” the agency said, adding it will work to “rectify any perceived legal confusion and instability” created by the prior administration’s actions.
Abortion Rights Advocates React
Alexa Kolbi-Molinas of the ACLU’s Reproductive Freedom Project criticized the move: “By rescinding this guidance, the Trump administration has sent a clear signal that it is siding not with the majority, but with its anti-abortion allies — and that will come at the expense of women’s lives.”
Legal Challenges to the Guidance
The Biden-era policy had faced legal challenges. A federal appeals court ruled in January 2024 that Texas hospitals and doctors are not required to perform emergency abortions. Earlier this year, the Department of Justice also dismissed a lawsuit against Idaho over its near-total abortion ban.
For more on abortion rights under the Trump administration, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.
A new COVID-19 strain from China, known as NB.1.8.1, has been detected in six U.S. states and is described by health experts as “more transmissible.”
International travelers first brought this variant to New York, Washington state, Rhode Island, Virginia, and Hawaii since March. California recently reported cases as well, prompting state health officials to raise concerns.
“In other words, it is more transmissible,” stated Verma. The strain has grown significantly in California, jumping from two percent to 19% of cases since April, fueling fears of increased hospitalizations and infections.
While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not yet begun monitoring the NB.1.8.1 strain, the World Health Organization reports that it now accounts for more than half of the world’s cases. Despite these concerns, WHO says the risk level remains “low at the global level,” and “currently approved COVID-19 vaccines are expected to remain effective” against it.
The California Department of Public Health has warned that the strain’s rise could prompt reinstatement of mask mandates, although no travel restrictions have been imposed.
Symptoms of this strain mirror those of earlier COVID variants—fever, cough, chills, nausea, congestion, and loss of taste or smell. China, meanwhile, is seeing a surge in respiratory illnesses, with a rise in COVID-positive cases among emergency room patients.
HOUSTON — The Houston Public Library (HPL) is celebrating Pride Month with a series of dynamic events honoring the voices and contributions of the city’s LGBTQ+ community.
From lively storytimes and crafts to thought-provoking talks and fashion shows, HPL’s Pride programming invites all Houstonians to join in the festivities.
Highlights include Pride-a-Palooza at Central Library on June 7 and Kendall Neighborhood Library on June 9, featuring “storytimes, crafts, resources, and more in these family-friendly festivals.”
Genealogist Stewart Blandon Traiman will host a session on uncovering LGBTQ+ family histories at the Clayton Library Campus and online on June 10.
Fashion lovers can enjoy Pride Fashion Shows at Park Place on June 12 and Henington-Alief on June 26, where “local talent takes the runway to showcase expressive and diverse fashion.”
Author Jonny Garza will discuss romance, identity, and fútbol at Freed-Montrose on June 12, while Rice University’s Brian Riedel will explore “how LGBTQ+ history shapes civic identity, equity, and collective memory” at the Houston History Research Center on June 14.
A special Pride edition of the LGBTQ+ Story Hour for Adults will be held at Freed-Montrose on June 26.
All events are free and open to the public. For a full schedule, visit the HPL events calendar.
The girls vanished on Friday after failing to return from a planned visitation with their father, Travis Decker, 32. Law enforcement quickly mobilized, deploying local detectives, federal officers, and even a Homeland Security helicopter to help locate them.
Bodies Discovered Near Father’s Vehicle
Authorities located the children’s bodies near Rock Island State Park around 3:45 p.m. on Monday, close to Decker’s car. According to the Wenatchee Police Department, Decker is now wanted on suspicion of first-degree murder and kidnapping.
This undated photo provided by the Wenatchee Police Department shows Travis Caleb Decker.
Likely Cause of Death
Police determined the likely cause of death was asphyxiation. The New York Times reported that the girls were found with plastic bags over their heads and their hands zip-tied.
Public Safety Concerns
Authorities warned the public not to approach Decker, who has extensive military training and may be armed. He was described as 5 feet, 8 inches tall, weighing 190 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes, last seen in a light-colored shirt and dark shorts.
Troubling History
Decker, a former U.S. Army infantryman who served from 2013 to 2021, is a member of the Army National Guard. In 2024, the children’s mother, Whitney Decker, raised concerns in court about his emotional instability and outbursts that frightened the girls.
“Travis just keeps getting more and more unstable. He has made huge sacrifices to serve our country and loves his girls very much but he has got to get better for our girls. I do not want to keep Travis from the girls at all,” she wrote.
Under their custody agreement, Decker had visitation rights every other weekend but was not allowed overnight visits.
Search Efforts and Alert Denied
Whitney Decker first contacted police on Friday evening. Officers swept local motels and requested an Amber Alert, but it was denied by Washington State Patrol because it didn’t meet the criteria of imminent danger of death or serious injury.
“We just didn’t have that,” Washington State Patrol spokesperson Chris Loftis told The New York Times. “Everyone wishes we could turn back the clock.”
Warrant Issued and Arrest Sought
On Saturday, police issued an Endangered Missing Person Alert. Detectives determined Decker was still in the area and obtained a warrant for his arrest on Monday. A deputy later located his vehicle, and the sisters’ bodies were found shortly afterward.
Community Support and Condolences
A GoFundMe page has been established to help the family with funeral expenses. The organizer wrote, “Their light touched so many, and the pain of this loss is immeasurable.”
Wenatchee School District Superintendent Kory Kalahar also expressed condolences to the Lincoln Elementary community: “Our thoughts are with the family, the entire Lincoln Elementary community, and everyone touched by this situation.”
Harris County has just opened a new violence prevention center to address the root causes of violence in Houston’s historically high-crime Cypress Station community.
Led by Harris County Public Health, several county partners hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday to inaugurate the new Relentless Interrupters Serving Everyone (RISE) Empowerment Center, located at 16940 Ella Blvd., Suite B-107, Houston, TX 77090. The center is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m Monday through Friday. It will be fully open once they officially finisn the process of hiring two on-site staff.
Survivor-Led Leadership
“I’ve been shot 17 times, three different incidents, three different states,” said the new RISE Empowerment Center supervisor.
“Two friends were shot 70-something times right a mile from this location.”
Drawing from his own experiences as a survivor of gun violence and trauma, the supervisor welcomed everyone to be heard and helped.
“What brings me to this work is compassion for the things I’ve been through and advocating for people who’ve been in my situation,” he said. “We are relentless interrupters [of violence] who serve everyone.”
Services and Programs at RISE
The RISE center offers a range of anti-violence social services and programs, including training workshops, trauma support, healing programs, and job assistance. A computer lab, gym, recording studio, mindfulness room, kitchen, and two conference rooms are also available to the community.
The computer lab aimed to provide services such as job assistance to the community. Credit: Indira Zaldivar / Que Onda Magazine.
The RISE program began in 2022 as a community-based solution to reduce gun violence through a public health approach that operates outside of and complements law enforcement efforts. Currently, the RISE team includes around 10 to 15 outreach staff, with two on-site staff members ready to welcome the public.
Sheriff Gonzalez: “Law Enforcement Can’t Do It Alone”
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez gives remarks at the press conference in regard to the new violence prevention center on June 3, 2025. Credit: Indira Zaldivar / Que Onda Magazine.
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez praised violence interruption programs like RISE, calling them “visionary” and noting that they meet people where they are.
“Law enforcement can’t do it alone,” Gonzalez said. “Law enforcement for too long has been on the front lines of three important issues: mental illness, addiction, and poverty. We need supporters and everyone at the table.”
He added: “We can’t incarcerate our way out of every issue in society. We need outreach, mental health care, trauma counseling, and job readiness programs—exactly what the RISE Center is offering right here in the community.”
Gonzalez emphasized that this approach aligns with the county’s holistic strategy.
“I’m grateful that we now have a place in RISE where we can make referrals, stop by, and visit the community in a supportive way,” he said.
A High-Crime Community Linked with Resources
“Cypress Station has historically been a high-crime area in Harris County. Our residents have experienced far too much trauma, too much violence, and for far too long, too little access to support,” Gonzalez added. “The RISE center is more than just a building; it’s a hub of opportunity—a place where young people and adults affected by violence, whether as victims or at risk of becoming offenders, can find resources and real second, fourth, and fifth chances.”
Commissioner Ellis Highlights Proven Success
Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis gives remarks at the press conference in regard to the new violence prevention center on June 3, 2025. Credit: Indira Zaldivar / Que Onda Magazine.
Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis also spoke at the opening ceremony.
“This space will serve as a hub for those seeking violence prevention services,” Ellis said. “This work is just one key piece in a broader effort to address systemic inequalities that fuel cycles of violence.”
He cited data showing the effectiveness of similar violence interruption programs across the country:
Four years after introducing Save Our Streets in the South Bronx, the number of shooting victims decreased by 63%.
In Richmond, California, Operation Peacemaker led to a 55% reduction in annual homicides by firearms and a 43% decrease in annual assaults by firearms.
In Cherry Hill, Baltimore, Maryland, homicides dropped by 56% and nonfatal shootings by 34% just 18 months after implementing a violence interruption program.
Since the hospital-based violence interruption programs began in 2022, Harris County’s outreach specialists have prevented at least 85 shootings.
A Commitment to Community Safety
“Programs like RISE are so important,” Ellis emphasized. “They reduce the likelihood of gun violence by linking people to the services that have worked—and will help nurture and sustain the connections that keep people away from violence.”
“Through the work of these programs, we’ve seen a decrease in homicides in Harris County over the last four years,” he said. “It’s proven that when we invest in innovation, we can save lives and taxpayer dollars. While the state of Texas may refuse to do so, we are not refusing to do so in Harris County.”
A Vision for the Future
“The groundbreaking work we are doing today is part of a larger vision that imagines law enforcement agencies responding to violent crimes—not mental health emergencies—while providing access to wraparound support to individuals experiencing a crisis. We want every Harris County resident to feel safe in their neighborhoods,” Ellis added.
Harris County has committed nearly $1.6 billion to justice and public safety, the largest allocation in the county’s history. Most of that funding goes to traditional law enforcement, but leaders emphasized that innovative solutions like the RISE Empowerment Center are critical to building safer, healthier communities.
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Saharan haze and a heat ridge are building in later this week, but there’s still a small chance for showers and thunderstorms the next couple of days.
A pocket of moisture will blow in Tuesday bringing a few showers and an isolated thunderstorm to the area. Temperatures will warm into the low 90s, which is fairly typical for early June.
Tuesday night we’ll be monitoring a line of storms blowing this way from North Texas. While most evidence points to the line fizzling out overnight, if the line holds together, then we could have some wet streets for the Wednesday morning drive. On the other hand, if we don’t get any storms in the morning, the afternoon heat could bubble up a few showers and thunderstorms. For now we have Wednesday’s rain chance at 40%.
When does the Saharan haze impact us?
A light to moderate about of Saharan haze will blow overhead on Friday, linger through Saturday, and be gone by Sunday. Yes, it is Saharan haze season, which also means it is now hurricane season.
Now that we’re in the summer months, how soon could it hit 100 degrees in Houston?
It could happen as early as this Sunday. We currently have a high of 99 predicted for the day, which would tie the record from 1980. Houston normally doesn’t register the first high of 100 until the second half of July.
How long will that near-triple-digit heat last?
It looks short-lived at this time. We are expecting a major pattern change next week that will bring back a chance for daily downpours. If the rain is widespread enough, high temperatures may not make it out of the 80s.
What’s happening in the tropics?
At this time the Atlantic basin is filled with a Saharan dust cloud, limiting tropical development. There are signs that something may try to spin up over the Gulf late next week, but it’s too far out to get more specific than that. For a thorough update and in-depth video on what’s happening in the tropics, head to our tropical update page.
