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Houston will catch a fever on Wednesday, but tropical downpours cool us off later this week

ABC13 Houston
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Houston will catch a fever on Wednesday, but tropical downpours cool us off later this week

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Houston’s official thermometer at Bush Airport caught a fever on Tuesday, but this near-record heat will be short-lived as another round of tropical downpours blows in Friday.

Tuesday’s high of 100 degrees was the first time in 2025 to hit the triple digits, and it likely won’t be the last. Temperatures should get back up to 100 on Wednesday.

Humidity levels will be high enough to add on 5-10 degrees to how hot it feels outside to our bodies.

What’s the hottest it will get this week?

We predict a high of 101 on Thursday, which would tie the record from 1954. After Thursday, highs come down as rain clouds return. During this mini heat wave, remember to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Avoid strenuous outdoor activities or exercising during the peak heat of the day, which is usually between 2 and 6 p.m. Signs of heat exhaustion include nausea, sudden thirst, heavy sweating and/or muscle weakness. This is when you want to act fast to avoid heat stroke by going into an air conditioned building, drinking water, and using cold compresses to cool off. Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition with symptoms that can include a throbbing headache, loss of consciousness, no sweating, and hot, red, dry skin. It is a life-threatening condition where you should call 911 immediately.

What should I know about the rain chances late this week?

Last week’s tropical disturbance is getting recycled over the northern Gulf, and that tropical moisture reaches Southeast Texas on Friday, sticks around Saturday, and departs on Sunday. At this time we expect the tropical moisture to remain disorganized, but there is a chance it could try to organize into a tropical depression. For now we are predicting scattered downpours starting Friday with another round or two on Saturday.

What’s happening in the tropics?

Pretty quiet in the tropics for now. For a thorough update and in-depth video on what’s happening in the tropics, head to our tropical update page.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

Keep up with all things Houston with us on Que Onda Magazine.

Video Reveals Migrants Held in NYC Federal Building Under Harsh Conditions

Que Onda Editorial
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Video Reveals Migrants Held in NYC Federal Building Under Harsh Conditions

New video obtained by ABC News appears to show migrants being held in cramped, unsanitary conditions inside a federal building at 26 Federal Plaza in New York City.

The footage, blurred to protect identities, shows over a dozen detainees on the floor or benches with only thermal blankets and minimal privacy around toilets.

“Like Dogs”: Migrant’s Account Raises Alarms

In Spanish, the man filming the video describes the conditions as being treated “like dogs.” He was detained after an immigration hearing and shared the footage with a local civic group, which then released it publicly through New York State Assembly member Catalina Cruz and the New York Immigration Coalition.

DHS Claims Facility is for Processing, Not Detention

Despite the footage, the Department of Homeland Security insists the location is a processing site, not a detention center. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said detainees are “briefly processed” before being moved to official ICE facilities and that conditions meet federal standards for food, medical care, and communication.

Lawmakers Denied Access, Advocates Demand Oversight

Congressmen Jerry Nadler and Dan Goldman were recently denied entry to the facility, sparking concern over transparency. “What are they hiding?” Goldman asked, criticizing DHS for violating the law by barring elected officials from inspecting the site.

Allegations of Human Rights Violations

Advocates and lawmakers argue the reality is far different from DHS claims. Cruz said the videos are “extremely angering” and accused the agency of intentionally hiding the mistreatment. “They don’t want people to see exactly what they’re doing, which is violating people’s human rights,” she said.

Calls for Accountability and Humane Treatment

Cruz and advocacy groups are demanding congressional oversight and basic rights for detainees—access to food, medication, beds, and bathrooms. “We need to fight back to make sure folks are treated with dignity,” she added.

Stay updated with more stories like this at QueOndaMagazine.com.

Rock Icons and Celebrities Mourn the Death of Ozzy Osbourne

Michael Esparza
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Rock Icons and Celebrities Mourn the Death of Ozzy Osbourne

Rock legend Ozzy Osbourne, known as the frontman of Black Sabbath, has died at age 76.

His family confirmed the news Tuesday morning in a statement signed by his wife, Sharon, and children Jack, Kelly, Aimee, and Louis, saying he passed “surrounded by love.”

Health Struggles and Final Performance

Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019, Osbourne called the condition “terribly challenging” in an interview with Good Morning America. Just 17 days before his passing, he gave his final performance in Birmingham, England, reuniting with Black Sabbath at the “Back to the Beginning” benefit concert.

Tributes Pour In from Music Legends

Tributes quickly filled social media, with fellow artists and fans honoring Osbourne’s legacy. Yungblud shared photos and wrote, “You were the greatest of all time.” Metallica posted a throwback photo with a broken heart emoji, and Rob Zombie said, “Thanks for everything. It was always a blast being around you.”

More Artists Pay Their Respects

Nirvana thanked Osbourne for inspiring generations of rock artists, calling Black Sabbath “the template for heavy Rock.” Flavor Flav shared personal moments with the rocker, and Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine posted a solemn photo with the message, “[God] bless you Ozzy.”

Global Tributes and Farewells

The Roadburn Festival in Europe honored Osbourne with the words, “Heroes never die,” and Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood remembered Osbourne’s recent concert as “a lovely goodbye.” Actor Adam Sandler shared heartfelt memories of blasting Osbourne’s music at parties and sleepovers, calling him “the one and only prince of darkness.”

A Lasting Legacy

California Governor Gavin Newsom called Osbourne “larger-than-life, yet honestly human,” praising his global influence and noting his legacy will endure through his music and fans.

Stay informed this week with the latest headlines on QueOndaMagazine.com.

Oracle Seeks Lower Tax Bill on Massive Texas Data Center Despite Existing Abatement

Edward Saenz
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Oracle Seeks Lower Tax Bill on Massive Texas Data Center Despite Existing Abatement

Oracle is seeking to reduce the taxable value of its sprawling new data center campus in Abilene, a move that could shrink local tax revenues despite the company already benefiting from a generous multi-year abatement deal.

The tech giant, which is developing the “Stargate” campus alongside Crusoe Energy Systems, has filed a formal protest with the Taylor County Appraisal District. The company is challenging the county’s $200 million valuation for the first phase of the data center, which it argues is too high.

The dispute will be reviewed by the county’s Appraisal Review Board later this summer. If Oracle prevails, local officials warn it could significantly cut property tax revenue used to fund schools, roads and emergency services — even under the terms of the company’s existing 85 percent, 10-year tax abatement.

“This project is already deeply discounted,” said one local official, who asked not to be named. “A further reduction in valuation would strip away money our community is counting on.”

Under its incentive agreement with the Abilene Development Corporation, Oracle committed to investing at least $2.4 billion and creating 357 full-time jobs with average salaries of $57,600 by 2030. In exchange, it only pays taxes on 15 percent of the site’s assessed value through 2035.

The Stargate campus is part of a broader AI-focused cloud infrastructure initiative supported by Oracle, OpenAI, and SoftBank. The Abilene site is expected to eventually support up to 1 gigawatt of power capacity to run high-demand generative AI tools like ChatGPT. Oracle owns the hardware and leases cloud computing capacity to OpenAI and other firms.

But the project has also raised environmental and community concerns. Crusoe is constructing a $500 million on-site natural gas plant to ensure reliable electricity for the facility, which has been permitted to emit 1.6 million tons of carbon dioxide annually. Critics say the emissions — coupled with the relatively low number of permanent jobs — undermine the public value of the project.

Currently, more than 1,500 workers are employed on the site’s construction, but only a few hundred will remain once the data center becomes operational.

The final tax valuation for 2025 is expected to be determined by late August. If either side is dissatisfied, the case could head to state district court this fall. Meanwhile, Abilene officials will continue to monitor Oracle’s compliance with its incentive agreement to ensure job and wage commitments are met.

The outcome of the dispute could have ripple effects across Texas, where cities and counties are increasingly offering tax breaks to attract major tech and AI investments. As local governments weigh short-term growth against long-term fiscal stability, the Oracle case may serve as a key test of how much communities are willing to give up for a piece of the digital future.

Texas Lawmakers Begin Trump-Backed Effort to Redraw Congressional Map

Edward Saenz
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Texas Lawmakers Begin Trump-Backed Effort to Redraw Congressional Map

Texas Republicans launched a mid-decade redistricting effort Monday with backing from President Donald Trump, aiming to reshape several congressional districts in Houston and other urban areas to expand the GOP’s hold on the U.S. House.

The move comes during a 30-day special legislative session called by Gov. Greg Abbott, who included redistricting on the agenda alongside disaster response and education policies. The goal, Republicans say, is to address legal concerns from the U.S. Department of Justice over alleged racial gerrymandering in the state’s 2021 map.

Trump, who continues to exert influence over Texas Republicans, called for the state to redraw its congressional map to produce up to five new Republican-leaning districts.

“This is your chance to make it right,” Trump told state lawmakers in a video message ahead of the session. “Texas is the biggest opportunity to grow our House majority in 2026.”

The redistricting push targets several majority-minority districts in Harris County and the Dallas–Fort Worth area, including Texas’ 9th, 18th, 29th and 33rd districts—currently held by Democrats. Republicans argue the existing boundaries were drawn based on race and risk violating the Constitution.

Democrats and civil rights groups, however, say the effort is a thinly veiled attempt to suppress voters of color and entrench GOP power.

“This is a craven power grab being pushed during a time when people are dealing with floods, displacement, and uncertainty,” said U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth. “The voters deserve better.”

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., accused Trump and Abbott of attempting to “rig the maps and steal elections.”

Legal experts say the effort carries political and legal risks. Texas already faces multiple lawsuits over its 2021 map, which is still under federal court review. Any new map is likely to draw fresh legal challenges, possibly reaching the U.S. Supreme Court.

Some Republicans have also voiced quiet concerns that aggressive gerrymandering could backfire, making safe districts more competitive or triggering voter backlash.

Still, Texas has a history of mid-decade redistricting. In 2003, the GOP-controlled Legislature redrew the map in a similar move that led to protracted court battles and congressional upheaval.

If successful, the current proposal could help Republicans defend their narrow 220–212 House majority in 2026.

Redistricting debates are expected to dominate the special session in the coming weeks, with draft maps likely to emerge from committees by early August.

Texas Public Schools Prepare for Ten Commandments Poster Mandate Amid Legal Battles

Edward Saenz
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Texas Public Schools Prepare for Ten Commandments Poster Mandate Amid Legal Battles

A new Texas law requiring the Ten Commandments to be posted in every public school classroom is drawing both praise and legal challenges as districts across the state begin preparing for the mandate, set to take effect Sept. 1.

Senate Bill 10, signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott in June, mandates that all K-12 public classrooms display a poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments measuring at least 16 by 20 inches. The posters must use the exact English text of the biblical commandments and be visible from anywhere in the room.

Supporters of the law, including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and advocacy groups like Texas Values and the First Liberty Institute, argue the display promotes the moral foundation of American law and history.

“The Ten Commandments are a cornerstone of our legal and cultural heritage,” said state Sen. Phil King, R-Weatherford, who authored the bill. “This law simply restores a tradition that has guided generations of Americans.”

Under the law, schools are not required to purchase the posters with public funds but must accept donated copies from private organizations or individuals. Some districts, including several in Montgomery County north of Houston, have already begun receiving posters from local nonprofits and churches.

Organizations such as Love Heals Youth and local Republican women’s clubs have raised funds to produce and distribute the posters, often at $10 each. Leftover funds are being used to donate Bibles to students, according to organizers.

However, critics say the law amounts to religious coercion and violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. Multiple lawsuits have been filed, including one by interfaith families and clergy in North Texas and another in the Eastern District of Texas involving Jewish, Hindu, and other non-Christian families.

“It’s not the government’s role to impose religious doctrine on children in public schools,” said David Donatti, a staff attorney for the ACLU of Texas, one of several groups challenging the law. “This law violates decades of Supreme Court precedent.”

Opponents point to the 1980 Stone v. Graham decision, in which the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a similar Kentucky law requiring Ten Commandments displays in public schools.

Districts across Texas are now caught in the middle. Some school boards, including those in Southeast Texas and Central Texas, are proceeding cautiously while seeking legal guidance from the Texas Association of School Boards.

The outcome of the lawsuits could ultimately be decided by the conservative-leaning U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit — and potentially the U.S. Supreme Court — setting the stage for a high-profile church-state showdown ahead of the 2025–26 school year.

“This isn’t just about posters,” said Rabbi David Lyon of Congregation Beth Israel in Houston, a plaintiff in one of the cases. “It’s about whether religious liberty is truly respected for all Texans — or just for some.”

Coca-Cola Confirms Cane Sugar Drink Coming to the US

Edward Saenz
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Coca-Cola Confirms Cane Sugar Drink Coming to the US

Coca-Cola announced it will introduce a drink made with U.S. cane sugar this fall, according to the company’s second-quarter report released Tuesday. The move is part of Coca-Cola’s innovation agenda aimed at expanding its product range to meet diverse consumer preferences.

Details on the New Product Still Unclear

The company has not specified whether the cane sugar offering will be a reformulation of an existing product or an entirely new beverage. No release date has been confirmed, and Coca-Cola has not commented further on product specifics.

Trump Claims Credit for Cane Sugar Shift

The announcement follows former President Donald Trump’s July 16 social media post claiming he persuaded Coca-Cola to use “REAL Cane Sugar” in its U.S. drinks. Trump praised the decision, calling it “a very good move” for the company.

Coca-Cola’s History of Product Innovation

Coca-Cola has seen success with product variations, including the 2005 launch of Coca-Cola Zero and the recent release of Coca-Cola Orange Cream in February. The company is also bringing back Diet Cherry Coke.

A Legacy Brand

First sold in 1886, Coca-Cola became a registered trademark in 1945. Over the decades, the company has grown into a global beverage leader, with continued efforts to refresh its offerings to meet evolving consumer tastes.

For more food news, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Trump Administration Releases MLK Assassination Files

Indira Zaldivar
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Trump Administration Releases MLK Assassination Files

The Trump administration has released over 240,000 pages of records related to the 1968 assassination of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. The files are now available on the U.S. National Archives website following a January executive order by President Trump.

King Family Criticizes FBI’s Surveillance

The King family voiced concern over the release, citing the FBI’s historic surveillance of MLK under J. Edgar Hoover’s leadership. They called the campaign invasive and politically motivated, intended to discredit King and the civil rights movement. The family emphasized that the records stem from COINTELPRO, an FBI program notorious for undermining political activists, including King, the Black Panther Party, and others.

Fears of Misuse and Legacy Damage

While the family supports transparency, they warn that these files could be used to tarnish King’s legacy. “We strongly condemn any attempts to misuse these documents,” the family stated, urging readers to consider the historical context behind the records.

Critics Call Timing a Distraction

Rev. Al Sharpton and others criticized the timing, suggesting the release serves to distract from political controversies surrounding Trump, especially calls to release files tied to Jeffrey Epstein. Bernice King posted on social media, “Now, do the Epstein files,” reflecting broader public sentiment.

What the Records Include

The newly released files consist of FBI investigations, CIA materials connected to the case, and State Department records on James Earl Ray’s extradition. It remains unclear if the documents reveal new insights, as historians are still reviewing them, similar to the JFK files released in March.

The Assassination and Conspiracy Claims

King was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. James Earl Ray confessed but later recanted, claiming he was framed by a man named Raoul. Allegations from a Memphis tavern owner and a former FBI agent tied the murder to a wider conspiracy involving the mafia, Memphis police, and even figures connected to the Kennedy assassination.

In 1999, a civil jury concluded that King was killed as part of a conspiracy involving government agencies, though the Justice Department has dismissed those findings as unreliable.

How to Access the MLK Files

The public can view the records on the National Archives’ website. Most files are scans of aged documents, with some pages blurred or faint, alongside photographs and audio recordings.

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

Yeah, it’s hot, but rain is coming back to cool us off again

ABC13 Houston
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0
Yeah, it’s hot, but rain is coming back to cool us off again

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — This week Houston could register a temperatures in the triple digits for the first time in 2025, but this near-record heat will be short-lived as another round of tropical downpours blows in by Friday.

After the sun rises, temperatures will quickly climb to the low 90s by noon and into the upper 90s for the afternoon. We predict a high of 99, one degree hotter than the 98 observed Monday afternoon. Monday’s high of 98 ties for the hottest reading so far this year.

We’ll have plenty of fair-weather cumulus clouds in the sky, but no rain is anticipated Monday.

Tell me about this week’s heat. Is it really going to be that hot?

Well, this week will likely be the hottest week of summer… so far. It’s nothing too extreme by our standards, but you do need to be careful you don’t overdo it in this hot weather. Wednesday and Thursday will challenge record highs with temperatures of 100 degrees. Heat index values in the afternoon will peak between 100 to 110 each day through Thursday. Houston has not been under a Heat Advisory since mid May, but it’s possible a Heat Advisory could be issued this week before the rain returns. Remember to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, and avoid strenuous outdoor activities or exercising during the peak heating of the day, which is usually between 2 and 6 p.m. Signs of heat exhaustion include nausea, sudden thirst, heavy sweating and/or muscle weakness. This is when you want to act fast to avoid heat stroke by going into an air conditioned building, drinking water, and using cold compresses to cool off. Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition with symptoms that can include a throbbing headache, loss of consciousness, no sweating, and hot, red, dry skin. It is a life-threatening condition where you should call 911 immediately.

What should I know about the rain chances late this week?

Last week’s tropical disturbance is getting recycled over the northern Gulf, and that tropical moisture reaches Southeast Texas on Friday, sticks around Saturday, and departs on Sunday. At this time we expect the tropical moisture to remain disorganized, but there is a chance it could try to organize into a tropical depression. For now we are predicting scattered downpours starting Friday with another round or two on Saturday.

What’s happening in the tropics?

Pretty quiet in the tropics for now. For a thorough update and in-depth video on what’s happening in the tropics, head to our tropical update page.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

Keep up with all things Houston with us on Que Onda Magazine.

Brett Hankison Sentenced to Nearly 3 Years in Prison in Breonna Taylor Case

Edward Saenz
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Brett Hankison Sentenced to Nearly 3 Years in Prison in Breonna Taylor Case

Former Louisville police officer Brett Hankison was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for violating Breonna Taylor’s civil rights during the fatal 2020 raid on her home.

Hankison was convicted for firing 10 rounds blindly into Taylor’s apartment. Although his bullets didn’t strike anyone, some entered a neighboring unit.

DOJ Recommended Leniency

The Department of Justice had recommended Hankison receive just one day in prison, a suggestion that drew criticism from Taylor’s family.

Taylor’s mother, Tamika Palmer, expressed frustration, calling the DOJ’s approach “disrespectful” and criticizing the presence of a new prosecutor at sentencing who she felt argued more for the defendant than for justice.

Protests and Public Outcry

Outside the courthouse, demonstrators protested in support of Taylor’s family. Four protesters, including Taylor’s aunt, Bianca Austin, were arrested during the demonstration.

Kenneth Walker, Taylor’s boyfriend who fired a shot during the raid believing intruders were breaking in, said he felt “grateful” for some justice, noting Hankison once threatened that Walker would spend his life in prison.

Judge Denies New Trial

Before sentencing, U.S. District Judge Rebecca Grady Jennings rejected Hankison’s request for a new trial, calling his motion “nebulous and disjointed.”

Hankison was acquitted of a separate charge related to the civil rights of Taylor’s neighbors. Prosecutors maintained his gunfire was reckless, endangered lives, and violated Taylor’s constitutional rights.

For more on Taylor’s case, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

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