HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A 7-year-old boy has been pronounced dead, and his grandmother is hospitalized after a house fire on Houston’s south side on Saturday afternoon.
Houston firefighters were dispatched to the 3000 block of Friar Point at 3:30 p.m.
At the scene, fire crews reported finding the front of the house completely engulfed in flames, and heard the mother screaming for help.
Officials said a total of six people were in the house, a mother, grandmother, and four kids between the ages of 4 and 9 years old.
The 7-year-old boy reportedly died after succumbing to fire conditions.
The grandmother sustained second degree burns on her arms and legs, but is expected to be OK, officials said.
The rest of the family is said to be uninjured but shaken up from the incident.
Firefighters are still investigating the cause of fire and cause of death for the young boy.
One firefighter partially fell through the roof, but is OK, officials said.
LONDON — Britain put on a display of birthday pageantry Saturday for King Charles III, a military parade that marked the Princess of Wales ‘ first public appearance since her cancer diagnosis early this year.
The annual event was also a show of stability by the monarchy after months in which both the king and Kate, wife of heir to the throne Prince William, have been sidelined by cancer treatment.
Kate announced Friday that she would attend the King’s Birthday Parade after making progress in her treatment. She disclosed in March that she was undergoing chemotherapy for an unspecified form of cancer.
“I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days,” Kate said in a statement, adding that she faces “a few more months” of treatment.
The 42-year-old princess traveled in horse-drawn carriage from Buckingham Palace down the grand avenue known as the Mall with her children George, 10, Charlotte, 9, and 6-year-old Louis. Bystanders cheered as they caught a glimpse of Kate, dressed in a white dress by designer Jenny Packham and wide-brimmed Philip Treacy hat.
She watched the ceremony with the children from the window of a building overlooking Horse Guards Parade, a ceremonial parade ground in central London. Louis yawned broadly at one point in proceedings but mostly watched intently.
Kate was likely to join other members of the family on a Buckingham Palace balcony to watch a flypast of military aircraft – and delight the crowds below. The princess has not made any public appearances since December.
Kate said in her statement that she is “not out of the woods yet” and officials stress that Saturday’s engagement does not herald a full return to public life.
Huge crowds turn out each June to watch the parade, also known as Trooping the Color, which begins with a procession involving horses, musicians and hundreds of soldiers in ceremonial uniform from Buckingham Palace.
Prince William, in military dress uniform, rode on horseback for the ceremony, in which troops in ceremonial finery parade past the king with their regimental flag, or “color.” The display of precision marching and martial music stems from the days when a regiment’s flag was an essential rallying point in the fog of battle.
Charles, who also is being treated for an undisclosed form of cancer, traveled in a carriage with Queen Camilla, rather than on horseback as he did last year. The king inspected the troops from a dais on the parade ground, saluting as elite regiments of Foot Guards marched past.
Five regiments take it in turns to parade their color, and this year it was the turn of a company of the Irish Guards, which has Kate as its honorary colonel. The troops in scarlet tunics and bearskin hats were led onto the parade ground by their mascot, an Irish wolfhound named Seamus.
Charles, 75, disclosed his cancer in February, and has recently eased back into public duties. He attended commemorations last week for the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe on June 6, 1944.
In one of the many quirks of British royal convention, Saturday is not the king’s real birthday – that’s in November. Like his mother Queen Elizabeth II before him, Charles has an official birthday on the second Saturday in June. The date was chosen because the weather is generally good, though early sunshine on Saturday gave way to a blustery, rainy day in London.
The rain held off for most of the ceremony but began pelting down as the massed troops escorted the royal carriages back to Buckingham Palace, to cheers from soggy but enthusiastic crowds.
Kate Middleton says she is ‘making progress’ amid cancer treatment
Royal fans in raincoats and umbrellas had already gathered along the route several hours before start time, along with a smattering of anti-monarchist protesters chanting “Not my king.”
Spectators were treated to a display of pomp and precision involving 1,400 soldiers, 250 military musicians and more than 200 horses. The equine participants included Trojan, Tennyson, and Vanquish, three of the five military horses who sparked mayhem in April when they bolted and ran loose through central London.
The horses were performing routine exercises near Buckingham Palace on April 24 when they became spooked by noise from a nearby building site and galloped loose through the capital’s streets, crashing into vehicles and causing chaos during the morning rush hour.
The army says the other two horses are recovering well and are also expected to return to duty.
Pat Sajak has officially passed his “Wheel of Fortune” hosting baton to Ryan Seacrest in a new promo for the long-running game show that touts Seacrest’s hosting debut this fall. Sajak signed off as “Wheel of Fortune” host after more than 40 years on June 7.
“I think what you’re going to enjoy most is meeting the players and getting to know the audience at home,” Sajak tells Seacrest in the video. “People love this show. They go and see us every day and spend a half hour with us and watch with the whole family.”
“You’re never going to find a better job, and you’re never going to find a better co-host,” Sajak added in reference to his longtime “Wheel of Fortune” partner Vanna White, who has extended her contract with the game show for two more years.
Sajak ended his 41 season run with “Wheel of Fortune” with a direct-to-camera address at the end of his final episode.
“It’s been an incredible privilege to be invited into millions of homes night after night, year after year, decade after decade, and I’ve always felt that the privilege came with a responsibility to keep this daily half-hour a safe place for family, fun, no social issues, no politics, nothing embarrassing I hope, just a game,” Sajak said to viewers.
“But gradually it became more than that,” he continued, “a place where kids learned their letters, where people from other countries honed their English skills, where families came together, along with friends and neighbors and entire generations. What an honor to have played even a small part in all that. Thank you for allowing me into your lives.”
Seacrest and White kick off “Wheel of Fortune” Season 42 in the fall.
“Just been calling and calling and calling the FEMA hotline. They’re really no help,” Snoddy said.
FEMA told Eyewitness News that the Texas Department of Health and Human Services is handling the payments. A call and email to the agency went unreturned Friday.
Meanwhile, at least one woman had no trouble getting FEMA money.
This week, Khalia Douglas pleaded guilty to filing eight fraudulent FEMA applications and a bunch of fraudulent PPP loan applications for herself and others.
The fraud totaled more than $500,000, although just over $350,000 was approved.
“People who are gaming the system, special place in – the downstairs place for those types of people,” Hale said.
Prosecutors say Douglas advertised what she was doing on Instagram and offered to do it for others for a fee.
“$100 upfront to process your application,” one post read.
A 2020 Department of Homeland Security audit found FEMA lost $3 billion to potential fraud from 2003 to 2018. That’s $200 million per year.
Houston, TX (AP) — Alex Jones, a notorious conspiracy theorist, has been mandated to liquidate his personal assets to pay $1.5 billion in damages for his false claims about the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, which resulted in the deaths of 20 first graders and six educators in Newtown, Connecticut.
The future of Jones’ Infowars media platform, which has been a financial powerhouse linking him to far-right figures, celebrities, and politicians, remains uncertain. On Friday, a federal bankruptcy judge ordered the asset liquidation and dismissed a separate bankruptcy case involving Infowars’ parent company, Free Speech Systems.
Despite predicting the imminent end of Infowars before the hearing, Jones seemed optimistic afterwards. He called into an Infowars show, declaring, “The bizarre political attempts to hijack the operation have failed,” while smiling as he exited the courthouse.
The legal battle over Jones’ assets escalated after he and Free Speech Systems filed for bankruptcy in 2022. This filing came after defamation lawsuit judgments by Sandy Hook victims’ families awarded them more than $1.4 billion in Connecticut and $49 million in Texas.
Background on Alex Jones and Infowars
Alex Jones, a Texas native known for his gravelly voice and bombastic style, has propagated numerous conspiracy theories, including claims about the 9/11 attacks and a purported U.N. depopulation effort. Jones began his career on a public-access television channel in the 1990s and later started Infowars after being fired from a local radio station. His media empire grew significantly, employing 60 people by 2010, and is supported largely by sales of dietary supplements.
Despite the massive debt, both Jones and the lawyers for the Sandy Hook families anticipate that Infowars may eventually cease operations.
The Sandy Hook Controversy
Shortly after the Sandy Hook shooting, Jones falsely claimed it was a hoax. This led to years of harassment for the victims’ families by people who believed his lies. In response, the families filed lawsuits in Connecticut and Texas. Jones acknowledged in 2022 that the shooting was real and that his hoax claims were “irresponsible.”
Jones’ Financial Situation
Court filings reveal Jones has about $9 million in personal assets, with his $2.6 million Austin home and some other belongings protected from liquidation. He has also begun selling his Texas ranch and other assets. The families have a pending lawsuit in Texas accusing Jones of illegally hiding millions of dollars, which he denies.
Future Prospects for Infowars
The fate of Free Speech Systems and Infowars is unclear. The Sandy Hook families could request the bankruptcy court to liquidate the company as part of Jones’ personal case. A trustee appointed in Jones’ bankruptcy case now controls his assets, including Infowars.
Chris Mattei, a lawyer for the families, stated that Infowars is “soon-to-be defunct,” calling Friday “a good day” for the victims’ families. However, Jones remains defiant, saying, “I have not given up. I’m fighting.”
Helen Macura has always wanted a dog, but the Prohibition-era home she has lived in since 1945 isn’t safe for a potential pet. Her childhood dream of owning a dog finally came true a couple years ago, when Helen was in her late 90s.
Today, at 101 years old, Helen says she is grateful for her robotic dog that she has affectionately named “Friendly.”
Friendly is battery-powered and resembles a golden retriever puppy. He is one of the 31,500 robotic pets already given away by the New York State Office For Aging (NYSOFA). The pup barks, turns his head and raises his paw. Importantly, he does not run out the door onto her busy street.
On June 3, NYSOFA announced that it will give away 4,725 additional robotic pets to seniors in ongoing efforts to combat senior loneliness. Greg Olsen, the acting director of NYSOFA, said that loneliness has grave health consequences for seniors and it “can literally kill you.” Robotic pets are one tool to help alleviate loneliness.
Critics may argue robotic pets are “botsourcing” — or outsourcing — human connection to robots, but Olsen said robotic pets can be a way to connect with other humans by being a common topic of conversation.
Ted Fischer originally envisioned robotic pets for seniors while working at a children’s toy company. The product was intended for school-aged children but “about 20% of the reviews were not mom buying it for their four-to-eight-year-old daughter, but buying it for an aging loved one,” Fischer said.
Fischer’s convictions about the benefit of robotic pets for seniors led him to launch Ageless Innovation, a company that creates products for people of all ages to play.
Olsen remembers first seeing a robotic pet his daughter bought online in 2018. He immediately thought it would be a fantastic product for “some of our isolated and lonely older adults that are already on our caseload.” Olsen found Fischer online, and a partnership was formed.
Since 2018, NYSOFA has purchased subsidized robotic pets for seniors from Ageless Innovation using state general funds. Pets include not only robotic cats and dogs, but also birds — affectionately termed “walker squakers.” The pets have been popular, and certain counties have even had to create waiting lists for seniors who want the pets.
“I recommend that every home should have one,” said Macura, referencing her robot dog. Some nights when she cannot sleep, she sits in the living room and talks to Friendly.
“I’m talking to somebody. I do have companionship. There’s somebody here listening to me,” she said. “He’s warm and he’s comfort.”
Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Brigham Young University, has researched the health effects of loneliness for the last 25 years. Her research was cited in Surgeon General Vivek Murthy’s 2023 declarationof an “epidemic of loneliness and isolation.”
“The mortality impact of being socially disconnected is similar to that caused by smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day,” the advisory states, a reference to Holt-Lunstad’s work.
She explained, “When we are alone or not part of a group, it takes more effort to either be vigilant to threats in our environment or to just meet the everyday demands of life.”
Holt-Lunstad continued that the stresses of being socially disconnected “can increase activation in our brain.” Over time, increased activation in the brain can signal the bone marrow to create an inflammatory response. Chronic systemic inflammation has been linked to a host of diseases, said Holt-Lunstad.
The surgeon general’s advisory enumerates these outcomes, stating that loneliness “is associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety, and premature death.”
Holt-Lunstad said that loneliness is a biological motive, like hunger and thirst. Loneliness “signals some kind of change that needs to be made,” she said.
The solution to loneliness is social connection. The connection must be consistent and, “in a way, it’s very parallel to physical activity. One time is not going to be enough,” said Holt-Lunstad.
Olsen and Fischer understand that a robotic pet might not provide high-quality social connection for every senior. Olsen said these pets are only one tool that NYSOFA is using.
But for certain seniors, robotic pets can make difficult transitions easier by centering the experience around the pet. “It sort of becomes about the pet as opposed to the thing” that is scary, said Fischer.
Macura hopes more seniors have access to robotic pets. “Especially the older senior citizens that are living alone. They should have companionship, good companionship,” she said.
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — City Controller Chris Hollins’ office has rejected Mayor John Whitmire’s claim that Hollins will certify the Houston Firefighters Union deal with the city.
According to Whitmire, Hollins told the mayor’s staff that he was satisfied with the responses to his questions and intended to certify the agreement.
Hollins rejected this claim Friday evening in a social post on Instagram saying:
“The mayor doesn’t speak for me or my office. I appreciated the meeting with the mayor’s team, which was long overdue. The commitment I made was to review their written responses promptly and to make my decision regarding certification after my office has completed our due diligence. We are working expeditiously to do just that. Our goal is and always has been to protect the taxpayers of the City of Houston. The politics at play have no bearing on the work of the controller’s office.”
Hollins’ rejection of the alleged certification comes after weeks of back and forth with Whitmire. On June 5, Hollins declined to certify the agreement. On June 11, Hollins sent Whitmire questions seeking additional information on the agreement.
The deal was made in March 2024 after years of deliberation on firefighter pay. It includes about $650 million in backpay for Houston firefighters who worked for years with no contract with the city, plus 34% raises over the next five years.
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — A deputy constable has been released from the hospital after being shot at by an armed theft suspect in northwest Harris County on Friday, according to authorities.
Harris County Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman said the suspect stole from two Academy Sports & Outdoors stores within an hour.
Herman said one of the stores is near the Willowbrook Mall, and the other is at Kuykendahl and the Grand Parkway.
The deputy constable, identified as Deteryon Fontonet, spotted the suspect’s vehicle and attempted to pull it over. The suspect led Deputy Fontonet on a chase that stopped in the 5300 block of Slashwood, according to Herman.
The suspect allegedly shot at the deputy constable before running into a relative’s house, according to the constable’s office. Herman said he counted 16 bullet holes in the deputy’s patrol unit.
Law enforcement surrounded the house and was able to take the suspect into custody on the lawn outside. A gun was recovered near the front door, which could be seen by SkyEye as it hovered overhead.
Herman said the deputy constable was taken to the hospital for injuries from shattered glass.
“Please pray for our Deputy Constable,” Herman said on social media.
Herman said the suspect’s family thanked deputy constables for not killing him after he was in custody.
“From what I’m hearing, (Fontonet) is going to be OK. He just needs surgery on his face. Good Lord was looking out for deputy,” Herman said.
By 8:40 p.m., Herman said Fontonet was out of the hospital.
“Deputy Fontonet will have follow-up doctor visits and will be resting at home,” Herman said.
Herman said the suspect is 23 years old but did not release a name.
In an effort to keep our neighborhoods safe, Crime Stoppers of Houston and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office are seeking the public’s help locating the following individuals that have active Felony and/or Misdemeanor Warrants.
Crime Stoppers may pay up to $5,000 for information leading to the location and arrest of the suspects featured. Information may be reported by calling 713-222-TIPS (8477), submitted online at www.crime-stoppers.org or through the Crime Stoppers mobile app. All tipsters remain anonymous. Only tips and calls DIRECTLY TO Crime Stoppers are anonymous and eligible for a cash reward.
All warrants are active at the time this press release was created and is subject to change. Crime Stoppers of Houston and this news organization are not making any legal claims that this is the most current legal status.
The following individuals all have active warrants as of June 13, 2024 at 3:27 pm:
JARVIS KEITH BRAZIELB/M 09-04-79 6’00”/165 Lbs. Blk/Bro Warrant #: 1868829 VIO BND/PRO OR ASSLT/STALK IAT Last Known location: Houston Texas
JEFFERSON MILLS CHRISTIANW/M 03-09-75 5’10”/150 Lbs. Bld/Blu Warrant #: 1866418 TAMPER W/ELEC MONITR DEV ON SU Last known location: Highlands Texas
ADRIAN ROLAN GONZALEZW/M 10-25-88 5’11”/190 Lbs. Blk/Bro Warrant #: 1861469 ASSAULT IMP BREATH FAM MEM PRE Last known location: Deer Park Texas
DEWAYNE WALTER GRIGGS JRB/M 12-19-90 5’10”/255 Lbs. Blk/Bro Warrant #: 1868470 THEFT FROM PERSON/ELDERLY Last known location: Baytown Texas
SAMANTHA SABONNE JILESB/F 07-18-87 5’03”/200 Lbs. Blk/Bro Warrant #: 1817432 PROB VIOL DWI THIRD Last known location: Houston Texas
SHAMITREA DENISE JOHNSONB/F 08-26-98 5’06”/148 Lbs. Blk/Bro Warrant #: 1816683, 1782872 PROB VIOL EVADING ARREST/DETENTION W/VEH BURGLARY OF HABITATION Last known location: Houston Texas
CLARA LUZ PALACIOS-ALASW/F 10-28-88 5’02”/130 Lbs. Blk/Bro Warrant #: 1869204 CONTINUOUS VIOL AGAINST THE FAMILY Last known location: Houston Texas
MICHELLE MARIE PHELPSW/F 04-07-85 5’07”/240 Lbs. Bro/Haz Warrant #: 1869156 BURGLARY OF HABITATION Last known location: Channelview Texas
JARRED WAYNE WHITEW/M 10-24-00 5’07”/185 Lbs. Bro/Bro Warrant #: 1645702 BURG W-INTENT-COMMIT OTHER FEL Last known location: Houston Texas
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 13: Former U.S. President Donald Trump departs after delivering remarks at a House Republicans Conference meeting at the Capitol Hill Club on June 13, 2024 in Washington, DC. Former President Donald Trump is expected to address Republican congressional members Thursday morning. (Photo by Nathan Howard/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, June 14, 2024 — Former President Donald Trump made a triumphant return to Capitol Hill on Thursday, his first visit with lawmakers since the January 6, 2021, attacks. Embraced by energized House and Senate Republicans, Trump was bolstered by his bid to retake the White House.
Despite facing federal charges for allegedly conspiring to overturn the 2020 election and a recent guilty verdict in an unrelated hush money trial, Trump arrived as the presumptive Republican nominee. He has managed to purge the GOP of most critics, silence skeptics, and attract previously critical lawmakers to his MAGA-fueled campaign.
During a private breakfast meeting at GOP campaign headquarters across from the Capitol, a packed room of House Republicans sang “Happy Birthday” to Trump. They presented him with a baseball and bat from the annual congressional game. Senators later celebrated with an American flag cake adorned with “45” and “47” candles, symbolizing Trump’s potential next presidency.
Trump boasted that his telephone rallies for lawmakers could draw larger audiences than popstar Taylor Swift, who has yet to make any political endorsements.
The visit underscored Trump’s enduring influence within the Republican Party and his ability to galvanize support among GOP lawmakers as he campaigns for a return to the White House.
JARVIS KEITH BRAZIELB/M 09-04-79 6’00”/165 Lbs. Blk/Bro
JEFFERSON MILLS CHRISTIANW/M 03-09-75 5’10”/150 Lbs. Bld/Blu
ADRIAN ROLAN GONZALEZW/M 10-25-88 5’11”/190 Lbs. Blk/Bro
DEWAYNE WALTER GRIGGS JRB/M 12-19-90 5’10”/255 Lbs. Blk/Bro
SAMANTHA SABONNE JILESB/F 07-18-87 5’03”/200 Lbs. Blk/Bro
SHAMITREA DENISE JOHNSONB/F 08-26-98 5’06”/148 Lbs. Blk/Bro
CLARA LUZ PALACIOS-ALASW/F 10-28-88 5’02”/130 Lbs. Blk/Bro
MICHELLE MARIE PHELPSW/F 04-07-85 5’07”/240 Lbs. Bro/Haz
JARRED WAYNE WHITEW/M 10-24-00 5’07”/185 Lbs. Bro/Bro
