HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Commuters along Highway 290 eastbound should expect major backups due to an 18-wheeler and train crash on Monday morning.
According to TranStar, the collision happened on the Northwest Freeway eastbound feeder near Telge Road.
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said the rear of the big rig was hit, adding that there were no reported injuries.
SkyEye flew over the incident at about 6:45 a.m., where the back end of the trailer and the railroad crossing signal could be seen destroyed.
It’s unclear what led to the crash, but Gonzalez said Huffmeister, 1960, and N. Berwick have been shut down in that area as the investigation continues. At about 8:30 a.m., the sheriff said a heavy-duty wrecker had arrived and that the scene would be cleared in about an hour.
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Get ready to bundle up! It will be a breezy and chilly Monday with the possibility for patchy frost to develop overnight into Tuesday morning.
A cold front passed through Southeast Texas on Sunday, allowing for a cooler, gusty northwesterly breeze to settle in. Temperatures will continue to fall to the low 40s by Monday morning, but with the breeze, we’ll have a morning wind chill that will make it feel like the low-mid 30s around sunrise. The rest of Monday will include more sunshine yet stay cool with afternoon highs only climb to near 60 degrees.
How cold will it get with the next cold front?
Because the front clears out the sky and keeps the sunshine around, highs will be in the 60s and 70s Sunday afternoon, but it will cold in the 30s and 40s at night. In fact, frost looks to be possible in parts of Southeast Texas on Tuesday morning.
When could we get our first freeze?
Long range signals indicate we probably have to wait until the second half of December for a chance of freezing weather in Houston, especially with the warmup on the way next week. On average, Houston historically gets its first freeze during the second week of December. This year it looks like we have to wait a bit longer.
When’s our next chance for rain?
After a dreary and damp end to last week, we’ve got a pattern flip on the way that will keep our forecast sunny and mild through mid-December. So as of now, our next widespread rain chance is more than 10 days out. There’s small, 10% chances for rain when fronts move through on Sunday and Friday, but otherwise nothing more than that at this point.
BARC, the City of Houston’s Animal Shelter and Adoption Center, is joining the BISSELL Pet Foundation’s national Empty the Shelters – Holiday Hope ongoing event now through Dec. 15. The initiative aims to help more pets find homes during a time when shelters nationwide are stretched to capacity.
Reduced Adoption Fees
Thanks to BISSELL Pet Foundation’s sponsorship, BARC is offering significantly lowered fees during the two-week event:
$50 for puppies four months or younger
$20 for dogs five months and older
$10 for all cats and kittens
All adoptions include spay/neuter surgery, vaccinations, dewormer, flea prevention, a microchip and a one-year City of Houston pet registration.
To give more families a chance to adopt, BARC will open on Mondays during the event—typically a closed day. Adoption hours will run 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. daily at 3300 Carr St.
Helping Pets During a Challenging Year
Shelters nationwide have experienced increased surrenders due to financial strain and housing instability, said Cathy Bissell, founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation. She emphasized that adopting a shelter pet offers families an affordable, meaningful alternative to buying from breeders or pet stores.
BARC Shelter Director Jarrad Mears added that reducing fees and expanding hours makes adoption possible for more households: “A loving home is the greatest gift a pet can receive.”
National Impact
Empty the Shelters is the largest funded adoption event in the country, helping more than 374,000 pets find homes since 2016. Participating shelters set their own adoption procedures, and all pets come spayed/neutered, vaccinated and microchipped.
Houston families interested in adopting are encouraged to contact BARC directly for details.
Tokyo Says Chinese Jets Threatened Japanese Aircraft Japan accused Chinese fighter jets of aiming their radar at Japanese military planes in two “dangerous” encounters near the Okinawa islands. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi called the incidents “extremely regrettable,” saying the radar use went beyond what is necessary for safe flight. Japan formally protested to Beijing.
Beijing Denies Japan’s Claims China rejected the accusations. Navy spokesperson Colonel Wang Xuemeng said Japanese aircraft had repeatedly disrupted Chinese carrier-based training east of the Miyako Strait. He urged Japan to “stop slandering and smearing,” warning that China would take necessary measures to protect its security.
Rising Tensions Tied to Taiwan The standoff comes amid worsening China-Japan relations, especially after Takaichi warned Japan could respond to Chinese military action against Taiwan if it threatened Japan’s security. Radar targeting is considered a potentially hostile step because it signals possible attack preparation.
Regional Allies Respond In Tokyo, Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi told Australian counterpart Richard Marles that Japan would respond “resolutely and calmly.” Marles said Australia was “deeply concerned” and would stand with Japan in supporting a rules-based order.
China Expands Military Activity China has ramped up naval and air operations near Japan and Taiwan, deploying more than 100 vessels across East Asian waters in recent days. Taiwan’s coast guard said it was monitoring Chinese drills but described conditions around the island as “normal.” Taiwan accused Beijing of using misleading language to wage psychological pressure.
U.S. Maintains Distance as Dispute Escalates U.S. Ambassador George Glass has publicly backed Japan, but President Donald Trump and senior officials have remained silent. According to sources, Trump privately urged Takaichi not to escalate tensions following a call with China’s Xi Jinping. The administration says it aims to prevent conflict by strengthening military partnerships in the region.
Historical Pattern of Close Calls The incidents follow years of similar encounters between the two countries’ militaries, including radar lock accusations and dangerously close jet intercepts near Okinawa. Japan says the latest episodes involved Chinese J-15 fighters launched from the Liaoning aircraft carrier, prompting Japan to scramble F-15s in response.
High Court Declines to Revive Case The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected former Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis’s final attempt to escape a $360,000 penalty for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples after the 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges ruling. The refusal leaves intact lower-court decisions holding her financially liable.
Thomas Criticizes Obergefell, but Court Holds Firm Justice Clarence Thomas reiterated his view that the same-sex marriage ruling should be overturned, saying he has “called for erasing” Obergefell. Despite his criticism, the court showed no interest in revisiting the landmark decision and declined to take up Davis’s appeal.
Civil Rights Advocates Welcome the Decision Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, praised the move, saying the court made clear that public officials cannot deny others’ constitutional rights without consequences.
Uncertain Future for Marriage Equality Challenges While several justices have signaled skepticism toward the Obergefell ruling, the court’s refusal to intervene in Davis’s case raises questions about whether further challenges will gain traction.
Ferreira, a Brazilian national who came to the U.S. legally at age 6 and once held DACA status, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on November 12. Officials say she overstayed her visa as a child. DHS has described her as a “criminal illegal alien,” referencing a 2008 fight when she was 16. Her attorney, Todd Pomerleau, says she was never arrested and that the case was dismissed.
Disputed Claims
Contrary to the White House’s depiction of her as an absentee mother, Ferreira maintains close ties to the Leavitt family. She says she personally chose Karoline Leavitt to be her son’s godmother—a decision she now regrets. Pomerleau toldNewsweekthat Ferreira has no criminal record and that her relationship with the family has been peaceful.
Michael Leavitt, father of Ferreira’s son, denies any role in her arrest, telling the Post that he wants his child to maintain a relationship with his mother.
What’s Next
Ferreira remains in ICE detention in Louisiana and faces deportation proceedings. She says she has not been able to speak with her son since her arrest.
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — An argument between a father-in-law and son-in-law in northwest Houston ended in what police believe was a murder-suicide, according to HPD.
Investigators say they responded to a deadly shooting in the 3300 block of Peavine Circle Saturday night. When officers arrived, they found both men dead.
Lt. Khan from HPD said the initial investigation shows the two men had a heated argument. During the dispute, one man pulled out a gun and shot the other, then appeared to have shot himself soon after.
Khan did not specify who shot whom, but said investigators believe the men were a father-in-law and son-in-law.
Khan said homicide detectives are still investigating.
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — We’re dealing with widespread dense fog this morning, with a Dense Fog Advisory in effect through 9AM. Any fog should lift by mid-morning ahead of our next cold front that’ll move through around lunchtime. We’ll keep a mostly sunny to partly cloudy sky throughout the day Sunday and afternoon temperatures in the upper 60s or low 70s.
How cold will it get with the next cold front?
Because the front clears out the sky and keeps the sunshine around, highs will be in the 60s and 70s Sunday afternoon, but it will cold in the 30s and 40s at night. In fact, frost looks to be possible in parts of Southeast Texas on Tuesday morning.
When could we get our first freeze?
Long range signals indicate we probably have to wait until the second half of December for a chance of freezing weather in Houston, especially with the warmup on the way next week. On average, Houston historically gets its first freeze during the second week of December. This year it looks like we have to wait a bit longer.
When’s our next chance for rain?
After a dreary and damp end to last week, we’ve got a pattern flip on the way that will keep our forecast sunny and mild through mid-December. So as of now, our next widespread rain chance is more than 10 days out. There’s small, 10% chances for rain when fronts move through on Sunday and Friday, but otherwise nothing more than that at this point.
Southwest Airlines will not have to pay the final $11 million installment of a $140 million civil penalty imposed over its 2022 holiday travel meltdown. The Biden administration’s Department of Transportation initially issued the record fine—the largest in U.S. airline history—after Southwest canceled over 16,900 flights during a winter storm, affecting more than 2 million passengers.
Credit for Operational Improvements
Instead of paying, Southwest receives an $11 million credit for investing $112.4 million in its Network Operations Control, which improved on-time performance and flight completion rates. The DOT said the waiver encourages airlines to invest in operational resilience that directly benefits travelers.
Airline Response
Southwest expressed gratitude to the DOT for recognizing its operational turnaround. The airline highlighted that its recent improvements have led to industry-leading on-time performance and reduced cancellations.
Background
The original penalty required Southwest to upgrade technology, improve reliability, and compensate passengers for future delays. The airline also paid $600 million in refunds and reimbursements to customers as part of the settlement.
FIFA has unveiled the complete group-stage schedule for the 2026 World Cup, marking the first tournament with 48 teams.
Team USA will play June 12 in Los Angeles, June 19 in Seattle and June 25 in Los Angeles. The opening match revisits a historic pairing: South Africa vs. Mexico, a repeat of the 2010 opener. Another milestone arrives June 20, when Japan and Tunisia meet in the 1,000th World Cup match.
All 12 Groups Set
The draw placed teams into 12 groups of four, including heavyweight matchups like Brazil–Morocco, Argentina–Algeria and England–Croatia. Playoff qualifiers from Europe and intercontinental brackets will fill the final spots in several groups.
Group-by-Group Overview
Group A: Mexico, South Korea, South Africa and the European Playoff D winner open the tournament June 11 in Mexico City. Matches also take place in Guadalajara, Atlanta and Monterrey. Group B: Canada headlines alongside Switzerland, Qatar and the European Playoff A winner, with games across Toronto, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Seattle and the Bay Area. Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland and Haiti compete in East Coast and Southern venues including New York/New Jersey, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami and Atlanta. Group D: Team USA faces Paraguay, Australia and the European Playoff C winner, with fixtures in L.A., Vancouver, Seattle and the San Francisco Bay Area. Group E: Germany leads a group with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curaçao, playing in Houston, Philadelphia, Toronto, Kansas City and New York/New Jersey. Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia and the European Playoff B winner play in Dallas, Monterrey, Houston and Kansas City, highlighted by the 1,000th World Cup match. Group G: Belgium, Iran, Egypt and New Zealand compete in Los Angeles, Seattle and Vancouver. Group H: Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia and Cabo Verde play across Atlanta, Miami, Houston and Guadalajara. Group I: France, Senegal, Norway and Intercontinental Playoff 2 meet in New York/New Jersey, Boston, Philadelphia and Toronto. Group J: Argentina, Austria, Algeria and Jordan play in Kansas City, Dallas and the Bay Area. Group K: Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan and Intercontinental Playoff 1 compete in Houston, Mexico City, Guadalajara, Miami and Atlanta. Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana and Panama play in Dallas, Boston, Toronto, Philadelphia and New York/New Jersey.
The Road to the Final
The World Cup final is set for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Six qualifying spots remain and will be decided in March through UEFA playoffs and intercontinental matchups.
If you want, Sparky, I can also create a super-short version, a fan-friendly version, or a Houston-focused angle since multiple matches are scheduled in the city.
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